SGI Europe at the first plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe

On Saturday 19 June 2021, Valeria Ronzitti, General Secretary, represented SGI Europe at the first plenary session of the Conference on the Future of Europe in Strasbourg.

Presenting the priorities and ambitions of SGI Europe about the Conference, Ms Ronzitti emphasised:

“SGI Europe is one of the three general cross-industry social partners at EU level, representing employers and providers of services of general interest since 1961. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our capacity to provide resilience to citizens was manifest, highlighting the need for the EU to build back better on a new paradigm.”

“Our expectations are high, as we want the Conference on the Future of Europe to lay the foundations for a new Paradigm, including a reform of the Economic and Monetary Union, proper and genuine consultations with partners of the EU and enabling the separation of productive investments from the fiscal and budgetary rules. We aim to create a bottom-up critical mass calling for a Treaty change and the launch of a new Convention.”

“Above all, we want to support and respect a participatory bottom-up exercise: there cannot be changes if citizens do not ask for them/any. Our key concern is also to bring the Conference on the Future of Europe to the most remote regions we serve. Finally, we cannot create false expectations: the commitments which are taken will have to be delivered.”