GIOVANNI CORDINI

La cittadinanza europea. Profili di diritto costituzionale comunitario e comparato

N. 202

Summary - The first part of the essay reconstructs the gradual develpment of "European citizenship", from freedom of movement to EU citizenship status, laying particular emphasis on the distinction between "EU citizen" and "non-EU citizen" as this hears on free movement and the right of settlement. The second part examines the notion of "EU citizenship" in the light of certain important steps: the recognition of fundamental rights as a foundation for European integration; the subscription of most of the member states to the Schengen agreement and the consolidation of the common external border; and the inclusion of "EU citizenship" in the European treaty and the European charter on fundamental rights. The thesis defended considers the current phase as transitory, given that the Convention on the future of Europe has seen the setting in motion of a constitutive process intended to strengthen the constitutional basis of the Union, bringing in questions concerning the concept of "European citizenship".