The concept of citizenship in the European Union

The general concept of citizensip is explained in the first chapter of this thesis in which the concept of citizenship in the EU is analysed. After mentioning about the modern legal frame, meaning and the ways of acquisition of citizenship, transformations of the concept of citizensip and the different meanings given to that concept through the ages are mentioned. How this concept is understood in especially Europe, approach of the EU to this concept and accordingly the issue of identity in multinational and multicultural EU are mentioned too. In order to understand the subject better, chronical evolution of the EU is also mentioned. In this chapter it is understood that concept of citizensip has been existing for ages but the meaning we are giving to that concept has been changed in those ages. The EU which was founded by 6 members is consisting of 27 members by the time being and it has a big population with different cultures who are living on a wide range of geographical scope. The concept of EU citizenship was created in respect of keeping all this population together, making them more bounded to the Union and achieving the goal of political integration. In the second chapter of the thesis, EU citizensip is analysed deeply. First of all a legal frame of the concept is tried to be drawn. Legal sources which are the basis of EU citizensip are mentioned. Afterwards, meaning of the EU citizenship, namely the rights given by that concept are analysed one by one. In some parts these rights are mentioned with the decisions of ECJ. Finally the critiques about the EU citizensip are mentioned. Different surveys which were made in EU and participation of people in the elections and referandums shows that the effectiveness which was gained by the EU citizensip couldn?t be achieved. Its reasons are both that the concept doesn?t provide very charming rights and the concept is a bit complicated and also the fear of going forwards to political integration over the people.