To regain the support of its citizens and national societies at large, the European Union should take measures that will provide a substantial contribution towards solving their problems and allow citizens to participate actively in the integration process. Enriching the Treaty with a catalogue of basic social rights, as provided by the European Social Charter and the Protocol on Social Policy. Including in the Treaty specific provisions prohibiting any form of discrimination and explicity condemning racism and xenophobia. Enhancing the Treaty's provisions on equality between men and women and including special actions in favour of disabled persons and other disadvantaged social groups by means of new provisions. The respect of the principle of transparency should be a fundamental principle of the Union.
Democratic procedures are inconceivable without transparency.
In particular, democratic control cannot be exercised in the absence of systematic information regarding the sector in question. Although the principle of transparency constitutes a principle of law stemming from the law of the Union in effect, its explicit enshrinement in the new Treaty would constitute a clear step forward. In addition, increased transparency and publicity in the operation of the Union's institutions, the consolidation of the Treaties into a single text and a legislation simplified to make it easily comprehensible to the average European citizen, are likely to contribute to the Union's regaining of the lost support of its citizens and to the reduction of the distance between the latter and the Union's institutions. To the extent possible, the proceedings of EU institutions should be open to the public. Finally, the European Union should acquire legal personality.