The European Green Party and the European Movement International

EGP Resolution adopted at the 28th EGP Council in Antwerp, 18-20 May 2018

With this Resolution, the European Green Party has decided to apply for membership of the European Movement International.

The European Movement International (EMI) was founded in 1948 (as the Joint International Community for European Unity) and is a key platform in the process of European integration. It brings together civil society organisations, political parties, trade unions and business organisations, local authorities, and academia. The Party of European Socialists, the European People’s Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe are members, as are the European Youth Forum, the European Environmental Bureau, the European Trade Union Confederation, and many other associations. 

The EMI aims to “contribute to the establishment of a united, federal Europe founded on the principles of peace, democracy, liberty, solidarity, and respect for basic human rights” (Art 2 of the Articles of Association of the European Movement). Many of the EMI’s policy priorities for the period 2018-2020 are shared by the European Greens and are crucial for the future of the European project. We can mention, among others, fostering democratic and pluralistic societies, the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, reform of Europe’s border policies, including legal migration channels for those seeking international protection, open and transparent trade negotiations, and a stronger social Europe (Policy Priorities 2018-2020).

The European project is in a crucial phase, the outcomes of which will largely define what perspectives and opportunities current and future generations of Europeans will have. The European Greens are committed to international solidarity, to tackling transnational challenges together across borders, and to a diverse and vivid Europe. By building this Europe together with citizens, civil society organisations as well as other political actors every day, we are putting our fundamental values into practice. This is also how Green parties across Europe are positioning ourselves - as a pro-European progressive force. A strong commitment to Europe is an integral part of our DNA as Greens.

It is important that various European actors manage not only to envision this but also to take up the cause for a different, more sustainable and just Europe. We believe that the EMI is a crucial partner in this respect, and that the European Greens can have a positive role in supporting the EMI to reach its policy priorities, such as those mentioned above.

Therefore, the European Green Party has decided to apply for the status of Member Organisation of the European Movement International.

Background

There was a discussion and a vote on joining the EMI at the EGP Council in Istanbul in November 2014. Some of the arguments put forward in the debate can be found here. The proposal, requiring a two-thirds majority to be adopted, was turned down (see minutes of 21st EGP Council, p. 10) with 46 votes in favour of joining EMI (52.9%), 24 votes against (27.6%) and 17 abstentions (19.6%).

The situation in Europe has changed significantly since 2014, notably in terms of Brexit, the future of the Paris Agreement, the lack of adequate reform of European migration policies, mobilising citizens’ involvement in shaping trade policies, alarming authoritarian developments across Europe, and the dire need for perspectives of material security for Europe’s citizens. This justifies having a discussion in the European Greens about our possible affiliation with an organisation that plays a key role in shaping the future of Europe and whose aims are very close to ours.

With 44 MEPs affiliated with the EGP, the annual membership fee in EMI amounts to 1000 EUR.