The fact that some EU countries only partially or not at all recognize same-sex marriage, partnership and parenthood still causes both personal and legal problems when moving around the Union.
The Court of Justice of the EU has already established the right of all children to freely enter and live with their parents in different EU countries, regardless of the countries’ legislation on parenting. But now, with new rules, the EU Commission wants to ensure that it becomes both easier and clearer for children to have access to the same rights as everyone else.
According to Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, there are two million children in the EU who currently do not have the same rights as others, when moving between EU countries.
At the same time, he emphasizes that the Commission is not forcing any countries to change their view on, for example, which types of marriage are accepted.
— It’s just about protecting the children’s rights. We do not want to change how families are defined. We do not want to change any definitions regarding adoptions and certainly not definitions regarding same-sex couples, says Reynders at a press conference in Brussels.
In order to push through Wednesday’s proposal, however, it is required that all EU countries say yes.
— If it is impossible to convince all member states, there are other ways to go via expanded collaborations, but I am sure we can discuss with everyone, says Reynders.