The first round of the Brexit negotiations provided some assurances over citizens’ rights, but the fact that the continuation of free movement was not even discussed is a worrying sign. It may well come up during the next phase of negotiations, but there are no guarantees, thus it is imperative we pressure both British and European parliaments to make sure this issue is not sidelined. Freedom of movement is vital, whether the UK is officially part of the European Union or not. Associative European citizenship must be made available to those who either wish for or need it.

The idea is that if Britain, or any other nation, exits the EU, individual citizens of that country who wished to retain a personal right to live and work across the EU should be able to do so - maybe or maybe not paying a fee for this status.

The Pan-European is a new online media outlet that supports this proposal - not just in the name of the 16 million Britons who voted to remain EU citizens and the 1.3 million Britons already living and working in the EU (many of whom were denied the right to vote under the UK electoral law), but in the name of all people who want to express their support for and belief in the European project at a time when it is threatened by the rise of nationalist parties in many member countries.

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The Pan-European's objective is to represent, inform and connect individual European citizens irrespective of their nationality or the political position of their country's government, starting with the fight to create the separate legal status of individual EU citizen for all who wish it.

By signing this petition, you will be signaling your desire for Associative European citizenship, which we can then use to pressure the UK government and the European Parliament.