Problems and perspectives of the European Citizenship: The Fifth Report on Citizenship of the Union

The fifth report on European Union citizenship covers the period between 1 May 2004 and 30 June 2007. This was a period of deep institutional change owing to the entry into force of Directive 2004/38 and to the European Court of Justice’s interventions. Having established that Union citizenship is destined to be a fundamental status of nationals of the Member States, the European Court of Justice proceeded to weaken the link between economic selfsufficiency and the exercise of citizenship rights. EU citizens who do not impose an unreasonable burden on the host Member States are granted welfare rights. In addition, the Court has taken an uncompromising stance on the mobility rights third country national family members of Union citizens and has moved beyond the discrimination model in an attempt to provide effective protection to Union citizens. But the European Union citizenship agenda remains unfinished. Rethinking the link between Union citizenship and state nationality, ensuring the correct implementation of Directive 2004/38, enhancing Union citizens’ political participation in the Member State of residence and the possibility of extending their participation to national and regional elections and rethinking the EU framework on Integration are important policy priorities.