The international seminar on ‘Citizens and services of general economic interest in the framework of economic and social integration’ was held on 20 and 26 June at the headquarters of the University San Francisco de Quito in Valencia.

The meeting was organised by the Jean Monnet Chair ‘Services of General Economic Interest in the framework of social and territorial cohesion’ (101047166 - SGEI-EU) and the Jean Monnet Chair ‘Observing democracy: the impact of EU electoral assistance and observation on the quality of democracy’ (101048218- DemObsEU).

The two days were attended by members of both university communities, who discussed the importance of European legislation on SGEI and the right of citizens to have access to them, as recognised in Article 36 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

In addition, the importance of EU rules on consumer protection in their application to these essential services as a guarantee of universal, affordable, regular and non-discriminatory access for citizens was analysed. Its important role as a premise for the consolidation of cohesion, both social and territorial at European level, in implementation of the principle of solidarity, was also considered.

• Access to the conclusions of the seminar (pdf)