Over 1500 petitions in one year. The citizens are increasingly contacting the European Parliament, an opportunity that is provided for under the EU Treaties, to inform of any breach of the EU laws in the 27 member states and to do justice. Today the Assembly approved the report of MEP David Hammerstein about the work of the commission for petitions in 2007. It shows that the citizens are more attentive to the EU rules, and that Parliament reminded the member states and the regional and local authorities to "fully obey the EU directives and regulations". Hammerstein explained that last year the European Parliament "received 1,506 petitions (+ 50% than in 2006), 1,089 of which have been declared receivable". Spain "is the member state that sent the highest number of petitions (254), followed by Germany (212), Romania (143) and Italy (126)". Then come Greece, Poland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Bulgaria. "2800 of the received petitions concerned the environment, 226 the fundamental rights, 207 social affairs and discrimination". Other subjects included consumer protection, urbanisation, health and education.
