President Juncker, you said: “The rule of law is not optional in the European Union. It is a must.” I agree, and I ask: Is it not high time that the EU solves the Copenhagen Dilemma? The EU membership criteria laid down in 1993 in Copenhagen require that any candidate country implements the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. Members of national minorities should be able to maintain their distinctive culture and practices, including their language, without suffering any discrimination.

Why the same requirements are not enforced in all Member States by an EU act? The states that joined the EU more recently implemented major changes in their legislation involving the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities. Why not have an EU standard in the matter of the protection of national minorities?

President Juncker, in the quest to solve the Copenhagen Dilemma your Commission will be able to build on the Minority Safe Pack European Citizens Initiative, once the 1 million signatures will be presented next March. “In a Union of equals, there can be no second class citizens” you say. Let’s make this true for the members of national minorities, too!