Council Conclusions on the Commission communication "Communicating Europe in partneship"

The Council considers that:

• the need to further raise citizens' awareness of the activities of the Union, laying emphasis on its added value and its common objectives and achievements, should underpin communication activities on Europe. Transparency and openness of the EU Institutions and bodies are essential elements in safeguarding the Unions democratic legitimacy, as well as a pre-condition for public participation;
• wishes to achieve better co-operation on communication efforts, on the principle that the EU institutions and bodies should seek synergies with the initiatives originating from Member States' central, regional and local authorities and from representatives of civil society. [extract]