2264 magazine cor 87

ISSN 1681-3235

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

20th Anniversary of the Committee of the Regions

6th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

I nterview with President Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso

Table of Contents 1 Editorial

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2 Charter for Multilevel Governance in Europe

Interview with Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions

Interview with Jacques Blanc, First President of the Committee of the Regions (1994-1996)

Multilevel governance

Brief News and Events

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Multilevel governance: Best practices

A traineeship at the Committee of the Regions

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6th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens

Special Feature: 20th Anniversary

17 Rapporteurs have their say

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Nº 87 – May-June 2014

Editorial

The Committee of the Regions 20 years on

Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso (ES/EPP), President of the Committee of the Regions

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uring its plenary session of 25-26 June, the Committee of the Regions will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. One week before the inauguration of the newly elected European Parliament and just a few months before the installation of the new College of European Commissioners, this will be an excellent occasion both to look back and think about what we have achieved and to discuss the Committee’s future role.

Looking back, the Committee has indubitably made good use of the prerogatives provided for in the Treaties. As a consultative body, the Committee has succeeded in influencing the key pieces of EU legislation with a direct administrative, regulatory or financial impact on regional and local authorities. Over time, it has reinforced its role as a political assembly that gives expression to regional and local democracy at the European level. By encouraging the EU institutions and the Member States to engage actively with regions and cities, the Committee of the Regions has helped to build trust and close the ‘delivery gap’ of EU policies on the ground.

Since its inaugural plenary session in 1994, the Committee of the Regions’ tasks have gradually increased. Strongly advocating a subsidiaritybased European Union, the Committee has seen itself entrusted with the task of working with national parliaments to uphold the subsidiarity principle. The Lisbon Treaty widened the policy areas for which the Committee must be consulted.

Today, not only the European Commission but also the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union are making use of the CoR’s

expertise, asking for its formal opinion on priority issues with local and regional relevance.

Meanwhile, the Committee has also taken steps to strengthen its ties with other EU institutions and organisations active within Europe’s borders and beyond. In line with its mission statement, the Committee has set up the networks and platforms needed to bring in the expertise of regional and local authorities for priority dossiers and engage more closely with the EU’s wider neighbourhood.

“As a consultative body, the Committee has succeeded in influencing the key pieces of EU legislation with a direct administrative, regulatory or financial impact on regional and local authorities.”

to ensure sustainable growth and quality jobs in the future. Cohesion amongst the Member States needs to be restored and the widening gap been the EU’s richest regions and those that are lagging furthest behind must be reduced.

The crisis has demonstrated very clearly that in the 21st century all levels of governance in the EU are interdependent and interconnected. Only by working together and building a European Union based on multilevel governance will political leaders at all levels have a chance to restore and consolidate the European model of social market economy and our way of life for the future. It is against this background that I am calling for the strengthening of the political and institutional role of the Committee as the sole EU Assembly of Regional and Local Representatives, embodying a Europe of closer cooperation, legitimacy and proximity.

However, since the outbreak of the crisis in the autumn of 2008, the EU institutions, the Member States and regional and local authorities have all been called upon to revise the way they relate to each other and in particular the way they cooperate, in order to address the deep social and economic impact of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. The EU needed to get back on the path towards recovery and sustainable growth. Certainly, the process of completing Economic Monetary Union has tested the resilience of public authorities at all levels, but it is my belief that ‘more Europe’ is indispensable

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Interview Interview with Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions

Time to empower regions and cities in Europe

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20th Anniversary of the Committee of the Regions and at the end of his mandate, president Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso shares his views of the recent past and on the future of the Committee. In this interview he stressed that, after the most difficult financial crisis since the big depression of the 1930s, we now have a better understanding of what it means to work together at European, national and regional level to find a solution for the common good. Over the last few years, we have come to a much a better understanding of the significance of our political Union as the appropriate level for finding solutions to our shared economic and financial woes. Europe is based on responsibility and solidarity, two concepts which must always be to the forefront when it comes to finding responsible ways for overcoming conflicts and crises. n the occasion of the

How do you see the current role of the Committee two years after the beginning of your mandate as its president and 20 years after its creation?

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that the institutions that prepare EU legislation take note of our proposals.

What are the lessons we have learned from the current crisis?

First and foremost, we have no grounds for being pretentious: the Committee of the Regions is the one of the smallest EU bodies. Each European pays around 20 cents a year to run our assembly, a price that represents good value for money, because, in return, we ensure that the voice of regional and local authorities is heard in Brussels during all phases of the legislative process - before a legislative act is proposed by the Commission, during the legislative phase in the dialogue with the Parliament, Council, and even with the national parliaments on subsidiarity issues, and at the end of the process, through impact analyses and ex post evaluations of EU legislation, What makes the Committee unique is that the territorial diversity of Europe and multi-level governance are represented in Brussels.

The last two years of my mandate, have shown that responsibility is the twin sister of solidarity.

After the most difficult financial crisis since the big depression of the 1930s, we now have a better understanding of what it means to work together at European, national and regional levels to find a solution for the common good. During the recent crisis, we have come to a much better understanding of the meaning of our political Union as our common destiny. The crisis has shown that all levels of government in Europe are interdependent, and as a representative of regions and cities, I have clearly advocated for “more Europe”. It is by acting together, particularly at the European level, that we can support economic growth and the creation of new jobs.

As a politician at the regional level, I am a strong defender of the only body representing interests of regions in the institutional setting of Brussels, but I am never entirely satisfied. Since regions and cities have gained greater responsibilities over time in the Member States, we should call for more power for the Committee that is representing their interests and views at the EU level, at least as regards certain specific topics, in order to ensure

I am convinced that an increasingly efficient Europe is the solution to our problems. We can agree or disagree about the austerity measures deployed during the crisis, but we cannot deny that standing together and never abandoning a country has saved the whole Union. I consider it necessary now to step up the political process to ensure that the Union can react to future stress and crises by completing the European Monetary Union with a

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

genuine banking and fiscal Union. The European Central Bank should secure the financial and political tools to be used, subject to democratic control, to defend the common currency, the internal market and the future of our economy.

On the other hand, the time for delivering results has come and employment policy should be the priority for all levels of governance. The Committee of the Regions approved the Athens Declaration last March in which we defended the need to reinforce the “territorial dimension” of the revised EU 2020 Strategy. We will only succeed if we include local and regional policy in the drafting and implementation of growth and jobs policies to take into account the diversity of our regions.

Our work on the new Financial Perspective 20142020 and the new cohesion policy has enabled us to help all of the regions and cities to find solutions for coming out of the crisis. We have clearly demonstrated in every case that solutions are built on a combination of responsibility and solidarity.

This is the main message for our citizens: to stay connected with European ideal and to prevent the danger of populism. It is clear, that alongside good policy proposals, we need to think about how best to communicate with our citizens and constituencies.

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

You mentioned peace and prosperity, it is clear that the European Union still has a big power of attraction but its own people have doubts…

You are right. Sometimes we are too pessimistic about our own fate. The Nobel Peace Prize for the European Union awarded in 2012 showed what an important role our common project has played for the welfare of the Europeans. But in a much more tangible and concrete way, the past decade of European integration and enlargement has yielded a good many results. For example, despite some outstanding problems, in some countries, such as Slovakia, the GDP per capita has doubled since their accession to the EU in 2004. Poland has experienced high levels of growth and led the way in increasingly involving the regional level.

The current aspirations of the people of the Western Balkans, or of our Southern and Eastern neighbours, show that Europe is a Union that can provide encouragement and support, including financial help, for the struggle to overcome social and political challenges. Europe’s freedoms are the main magnet for young democracies. European citizens have the right to discuss and that clearly gives them the right to object and criticise, as well as the right to defend different models for managing the European internal market, fiscal policies and the common currency, but they must remember that the essential starting point is freedom and democracy, which many of them were deprived of before becoming citizens of the Union. What is the alternative? Take a look at what is happening in our neighbour countries, beginning with our Eastern

Partners, such as Ukraine or Georgia, where there are internal struggles and stability and freedom are under threat from outside.

It is obvious that Europe can still attract and inspire. When we look at what is happening today on our Eastern border, I am reminded of this historic experience of democratic transition. At the April Plenary, we had a fruitful debate with the Commissioner in charge of Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Stefan Füle, and Volodymyr Groysman, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister responsible for regional development. We are happy to contribute to the administrative reform initiated by the interim government in Ukraine, proposing European standards for their multilevel governance and decentralisation based on the principle of subsidiarity.

How do you see the future of the Committee and its institutional role?

After 20 years, the Committee’s DNA is clear for all to see – we are here to promote and protect the local and regional dimension in Europe. This is why we are calling for a strict application of the principles of subsidiarity, proportionality and multilevel governance. It is possible that the Committee will further develop its consultative works and become increasingly involved in the legislative process with the European Parliament and the Council. The cooperation agreement I signed with the president of the European Parliament shows us path in that direction.

The path that we should follow to achieve these objectives is clear: we need to develop a sound strategy of partnerships with the Parliament and the Council. Our assembly is a political body which by nature has a mandate to shape European legislation. Opinions alone would not be enough if the main political stakeholders were not prepared to give due weight to our deliberations. Therefore the Committee must engage in a high-level political debate with both the Parliament and the Council to identify together the best way to ensure that the voice of the regions and cities is taken into account when the moment comes to make decisions. I would like to stress that only by exercising this right in practice in the long term will the real political consequences for the European decision-making process and the Committee itself be revealed.

Finally, the Committee must also develop closer ties with national parliaments and legal assemblies of regional authorities, such as the German Bundesrat.

I addressed the German Länders’ representatives at the Bundesrat plenary session last December in Berlin. There I confirmed the role of the Committee as the guarantor of the subsidiarity principle and stressed the need for a concerted effort to reaffirm core European values, starting with the crucial role of the regions in contributing to economic recovery and social cohesion.

We are taking the right road forward. We will continue to encounter fresh obstacles but, with commitment and determination, I have no doubt that we will once again find new solutions to overcome them.

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

20 Anniversary of the Committee of the Regions th

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20 years ago in 1994, the Committee of the Regions was set up to address two main issues. Firstly, about threequarters of EU legislation is implemented at local or regional level, so it made sense for local and regional representatives to have a say in the development of new EU laws. Secondly, there were concerns that there was a widening gap between the public and the process of European integration; involving the elected level of government closest to the public was one way of closing the gap. In this special feature we interview Jacques Blanc, the first CoR president (1994-1996), who gives us his account of the CoR’s birth and first few years, and representatives of the political groups give us their views regarding the most important challenges that the CoR will face in the next 20 years. stablished

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Special Feature | 20th Anniversary

20th Anniversary Interview with Jacques Blanc, First President of the Committee of the Regions (1994-1996)

The Committee must continue to be Europe’s voice in the regions

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Committee R egions in March 1994, Jacques Blanc, the EPP Mayor of La Canourgue (France), looks back over the institution’s development and its first steps after becoming part of the European Union’s institutional architecture . A s someone who has served the Committee as a member continuously from the very beginning, he also lected president of the of the

shares his views on what the future holds for this political assembly.

Delors had temporarily set up. I made considerable efforts at the time to ensure that the Treaty put in place a genuine Committee of the Regions that was recognised as an institution. I even went to see Chancellor Kohl in Bonn to make him aware of the situation. But, it has to be said that this was not a priority for European Heads of State and Government at the time.

Jacques Blanc with José Manuel Barroso, Mercedes Bresso and Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso

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Can you describe the French and European political background that set the scene for the preparations to establish the Committee of the Regions?

for the Single European Market to become widely accepted. Regional development was essential for everyone to iron out the imbalances between the different regions in Europe.

We have to go back to 1986 and France’s first direct election of regional presidents by universal suffrage, when I became leader of LanguedocRoussillon and then president of the Association Nationale des Elus Régionaux (ANER) (National Association of Elected Regional Representatives), a body which provided a forum for regional representatives to work on bold European approaches and beliefs.

This was also a period that coincided with the opening of the first regional offices in Brussels, which were followed by many others in the wake of the Committee’s establishment.

The Single Act of 1987 sealed Europe’s shared destiny, since it was clear that greater economic and social cohesion in the Community was needed

When the negotiations on the Maastricht Treaty began, I was a member of the Consultative Council of Regional and Local Authorities that Jacques

News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

So the Committee was a political metamorphosis of the Consultative Committee set up by the European Commission under the presidency of Jacques Delors?

Of course, the federal states viewed it as the seeds of a “European Senate”, but many of the countries that were still centralised, including France, needed to understand that the regional aspect could not be disregarded because anything that brought Brussels closer to the grass roots was essential for making Community policies effective and for overcoming the remote, impersonal and technocratic image that the European Union still all too frequently projects.

Were you happy with the definition of the Committee’s role as set out in the 1992 Maastricht Treaty?

You know, negotiations on creating a new body are never easy. In the process of drafting the Maastricht Treaty which created the Committee of the Regions, the members of the Consultative Council of Regional and Local Authorities set the

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

And so I found myself heading a committee with an impressive list of members: minister-presidents of German federal states and Belgian regions, the presidents of Spanish autonomous communities, presidents of Italian regions, the mayors of Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Hamburg, Helsinki...

What were relations like between the Committee, the European Commission and the European Parliament during your term of office?

First issue of the CoR newsletter, 1994

bar a little higher than the level that was finally approved. The desire to play a fully legislative role was erased beneath the consultative powers that were finally granted to the Committee of the Regions.

We should also not forget the fact that certain elements within the European Parliament were looking on with curiosity if not concern at the prospect of an assembly made up of political heavyweights, including presidents of large regions and mayors of major cities, becoming part of the European architecture.

I believe that the Treaty of Maastricht created the right framework for addressing the need to provide an appropriate level of representation for local and regional authorities in Brussels. The treaties of Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon in turn consolidated and enhanced this framework, giving the Committee of the Regions a broader remit.

What was the atmosphere like during the inaugural plenary session that elected you as president of the Committee?

I have to say that my election as president of the Committee of the Regions in 1994 came as a surprise to quite a few people as I had no support from the EPP, the main political force of the centre and right, nor from the PES of course, nor even the unanimous support of the Assembly of European Regions. I waged a personal campaign that brought me face-to-face with more than half of the 189 members of the Committee of the Regions. This enabled me to secure the post ahead of my friend Luc Van den Brande, the then president of Flanders, and the Socialist mayor of Barcelona, Pasqual Maragall, who became my first vice-president.

One of the very first things I did on taking office as president of the Committee of the Regions was to set the agenda, which was to define subsidiarity and make it meaningful, because people need to feel that decisions are being taken as close to them as possible. This principle enabled the Committee to establish its boundaries and its positions within the European legislative process. The Committee’s prerogatives in this area are clear and the Lisbon Treaty made it possible to clarify our relations with the other European institutions. My first job as president of the Committee of the Regions was to put across this message to my counterparts in the other European institutions.

“The Committee of the Regions and its members have a fundamental role to play in restoring confidence between the European institutions and the people of Europe.”

There was another issue close to my heart during my term of office from 1994 to 1996 and that was preparing Europe for the process of coming together with the countries of the Mediterranean that was bound to happen at some point: the Barcelona process was launched in 1995 and I was part of it, but the North-South balance is still an issue and I am pleased that the Committee of the Regions set up ARLEM, the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly which allows for decentralised cooperation in the Mediterranean.

There are calls from time to time, particularly from the populist members of the European Parliament, to abolish the Committee. What would you say to these eurosceptics?

The desire to do away with a European institution such as the Committee of the Regions, which was set up precisely to bring the European Union closer to its regions, is part of a populist political approach that I am proud to oppose, both as an elected regional representative, a European citizen and a politician who is convinced that we need more Europe, not less.

Wanting to remove the Committee of the Regions from the map would be to cut the Union off from its local level of governance. It would be leaving the field open for national capitals to settle matters between themselves and would widen the gap between the Union and its citizens. By stigmatising the EU and its institutions and portraying Brussels as being solely responsible for the causes and effects of the economic crisis in the Member States, the eurosceptics are doing their voters a grave disservice. They are making them believe that the solution is entirely in the hands of the Member States and are glossing over the major contribution that cities and regions make to the EU structure.

How do you see the future and the role of the Committee over the next twenty years?

To be honest, I have never been in favour of a federalist shift towards a Europe of the regions, but I want the regions to help present a positive image of Europe - of a Europe made up of its regions and cities. In that respect, I believe that pursuing greater interinstitutional and legislative cooperation would allow the Committee of the Regions to wield greater influence over the European Union’s decision-making process; the Committee must step up its involvement throughout the legislative cycle and use its right of recourse to the European Union’s Court of Justice if necessary.

There is one clear option and that is to put in place more structured cooperation with the European Parliament, the national parliaments, the second chambers representing the regional dimension at national level and the regional parliaments and to use the early warning system in the form of reasoned opinions from the regional authorities.

Moreover, the Committee of the Regions and its members have a fundamental role to play in restoring confidence between the European institutions and the people of Europe and in redefining the Union’s political priorities so that they meet the people’s concerns and are seen to be in tune with them.

The people of Europe clearly expect their local and regional representatives to be more closely involved in European governance. That is why we need to call on the Member States to give the Committee of the Regions the resources to fully exercise its role as Europe’s ambassador and spokesperson in the regions, cities and municipalities so as to maintain and consolidate close links with the people of Europe.

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Special Feature | 20th Anniversary

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The European Commission presided by Jacques Delors sets up the Consultative Council of Regional and Local Authorities, thereby inaugurating the method of consultation with intermediary levels of government.

The CoR is officially created by the Maastricht Treaty as a consultative assembly which will provide regions and towns with a voice in the EU decision-making process. 189 members are to be nominated by the governments of Member States and will serve for four years.

The CoR holds its first plenary session in Brussels. Jacques Blanc (ES/PES), president of the French region of Languedoc-Roussillon, is elected first CoR president.

Addressing the plenary session, European Parliament president Klaus Hänsch hails the Committee as a “major political assembly,” adding that the Committee and Parliament “are not competitors but partners, with a complementary role.”

Pasqual Maragall i Mira (FR/PES), mayor of Barcelona, is elected CoR president. He pledges to focus on building a transparent, legitimate internal organisation and for the CoR to be given institutional status.

The Amsterdam Treaty is signed.

The Treaty consolidates and extends the CoR’s role as an EU consultative body. By abolishing Protocol 16, the Amsterdam Treaty also establishes administrative and budgetary autonomy for the CoR.

I am pleased to note the success of the Committee of the Regions, after a difficult and turbulent start

Jacques Delors, Former President of the European Commission (1985-1995)

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n the early 1990s, after the adoption of the Single European Act and the creation of cohesion policy, it quickly became clear to me that a new institution was needed in which the regions and all other authorities at local level could make their voice heard, and play a role – complementary to that of the Parliament – in relaying the views of Europeans. Indeed, it is essential that the European project and its policies take on a tangible

form close to everyday life, with local projects. All elected representatives, and not just those at national and European levels, must take ownership of the EU and its policies and communicate them to Europe’s cities, towns and villages.

While the Committee of the Regions had a difficult and turbulent start, I am pleased to see that it is now a success. It is playing an increasing role in

alerting all who work in Brussels to what is feasible and what is not, to the problems that need to be resolved, and of course to the depth of inventiveness among Europe’s people. I remain convinced that Europe cannot move forward unless it is deeply rooted in its cultural and regional diversity. The Committee of the Regions has a pivotal role to play in accomplishing this task.

We could undoubtedly become the Senate of Europe!

Mercedes Bresso (IT/PES), F irst Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions

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n the eve of our 20th anniversary, and looking forward to the future, it is crucial to clarify the Committee of the Region’s role as a political assembly. The ‘added value’ of the Committee of the Regions and its members is that

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

their involvement in EU legislation and in communicating on European integration provides political legitimacy, which is complementary to that of the directly-elected members of the European Parliament and that of the national governments

represented in the Council of Ministers. We could undoubtedly become the Senate of Europe! Our democratic legitimacy is bolstered by our regular dialogue at local and regional level!

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

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Manfred Dammeyer (DE/PES), minister for federal and European affairs in the German federal state of North-Rhine-Westphalia, is elected CoR president. He calls for the regions, federal states or provinces to have greater autonomy in the management of the Structural Funds.

The euro is officially launched.

Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain adopt the euro as their official currency.

Jos Chabert (BE/PES), minister for public works and transport in the Brussels-Capital Region government, is elected CoR president. He urges the Committee to forge closer links with the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.

The Laeken Summit sets up the Convention on the Future of Europe, tasked with drawing up a draft EU Constitution. CoR member Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, chairman of the Regional Council of the Auvergne, is appointed convention chairman.

Sir Albert Bore (UK/PES), leader of Birmingham City Council, is elected CoR president. He identifies two key aims for his tenure: to ensure that regional policy remains a driving force at the heart of the EU agenda; and to tackle the “democratic deficit”.

Addressing the plenary session, European Commission president Romano Prodi calls for the CoR to have a role in the future system for monitoring subsidiarity.

The Committee is now a true political partner

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ver the last 20 years, the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, together with the European People’s Party, have encouraged a strong position for the regions as key actors in the EU for responding to the vital need for better law-making, strengthening European democracy and reducing its democratic deficit. Adopted in 2012, the Political Platform of the EPP formally supports the contribution of the Committee of the Regions as a political assembly and as an institutional body of the EU that defends the interests of regions and cities throughout the legislative process. Moreover, the EPP is the political family represented most widely throughout European cities and regions. We see

The Committee helps to turn territorial cohesion into reality

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n the twenty years of its existence, the Committee of the Regions has gained considerable institutional and political standing in the European decision-making arena thanks to the tireless efforts of its members and the support of its administration to make the voice of local and regional authorities heard in the EU. I am proud to have been part of this endeavour for the last 16 years and I firmly believe that political groups have played a crucial role throughout this process: they have been bringing together CoR members who belong to the same European political family, offering them a platform for exchanging good practices and a political lever for connecting with the other political institutions

the promotion of regional and local authorities as an added value for further European integration.

In the past 20 years, the Committee of the Regions has seen its role as a true political partner recognised by the EU’s main institutions. However, this would not have been possible without the committed work of the five CoR Presidents from the EPP Group: Jacques Blanc, Jos Chabert, Peter Straub, Luc Van den Brande and Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso. Over the years, we have stepped up our work with the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

In this context, we warmly welcome the signature of the cooperation agreement between the EP and the CoR whose political section focuses on the political synergies between the two institutions for ensuring better framing of EU legislation.

The first EPP/CoR external Group meeting took place in Santiago de Compostela on 21 July 2001

of the European Union. In practical terms, political groups in the CoR have been bridging the gap between local and regional political realities on the one hand and the European political sphere on the other.

The Group of the Party of European Socialists (PES) I have the honour of leading has been striving, ever since the CoR’s inception, to turn territorial cohesion into reality so that no European region is left behind and to ensure that cohesion policy is firmly anchored in the priorities of all European institutions. It is no coincidence that the PES Group has been a key actor in two of the CoR’s major political achievements - the creation of the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) and the establishment of an intermediate funding category in the new cohesion policy 20142020.

and the last one was held on 25 April 2014, just one month before the European elections. This last event, organised in Poznan (Poland), provided the opportunity for leading political figures, including the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, and the candidate for the EC President, Jean Claude Juncker, to fight for a strong role for the Committee of the Regions throughout the legislative process.

Furthermore, Jean Claude Juncker expressed his full support for the Charter for Multilevel Governance in Europe adopted at the CoR plenary session on 3 April 2014.

Michael Schneider (DE/EPP), President of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

The PES Group has also continuously prioritised fair economic governance that empowers regions and cities to invest in public services and in job creation, which has been a challenge, given the indiscriminate application of austerity measures in the wake of the crisis. To give a concrete example: at our group’s initiative, social housing has been put on the agenda of this house and consequently that of the European Parliament. The CoR’s focus on state aid, which until recently was a kind of democratic no man’s land, also largely reflects our approach.

Karl-Heinz Lambertz (BE/PES), President of the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions

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Special Feature | 20th Anniversary

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Peter Straub (DE/EPP), speaker of the German regional parliament of Baden-Württemberg, is elected CoR president. His key aims include strengthening interinstitutional relations and raising awareness about the work of the CoR in the new Member States.

A co-operation agreement was signed with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Local election observation missions carried out by the Congress have been open to members of the Committee of the Regions.

Michel Delebarre (FR/PES), mayor of Dunkirk, is elected CoR president. He states his desire to make the CoR a genuinely political European assembly.

The Treaty of Lisbon is signed. It states that the CoR has the right to bring legal actions before the Court of Justice to protect its powers or to annul EU legislation that violates the subsidiarity principle.

Luc Van den Brande (BE/EPP), is elected CoR president. His priorities are the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy, the EU Neighbourhood Policy and the setting-up of the EuroMediterranean Assembly of Local and Regional Authorities (ARLEM).

Around 300 representatives from local and regional authorities from all over the world meet with their CoR counterparts in the first Assizes of Decentralised Cooperation in Brussels.

A strong voice of localism in the EU

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n the coming 20 years, we must strive for a more effective, efficient and influential Committee of the Regions. Our 20 year anniversary offers an important opportunity to celebrate our milestones and a chance to reflect on our future goals.

We must be a strong voice of localism and realism in the EU. We must pass on our local and regional hands-on experiences to the EU level and ensure that the decisions taken in Brussels are taken as close to the people as possible. We must also be critical and ensure that what the EU does addresses concrete challenges rather than producing administrative burdens.

The ECR Group, which was set up under my leadership in 2013, has flourished through the mandate. With the continued hard work of our growing membership, we will be working hard for an effective, efficient and influential Committee of the Regions.

Gordon Keymer (UK/ECR), President of the ECR Group in the Committee of the Regions

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

We can be proud of the results we have achieved

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hen the Committee of the Regions was established as the parliamentary assembly of local and regional politicians 20 years ago, it was done to ensure that they would have a voice in the EU decision-making process. A natural progression of any political assembly is to create political groups and there were four groups set up in the CoR’s infancy, one of which was the European Alliance group.

Our predecessors created the European Alliance group for members who wanted to ensure that those who sought a greater identity for their nations, regions, languages and culture had a voice, for those who were members representing small farming communities to secure a balanced urban – rural agenda and for those who had a clear view as to how long term sustainable social and environmental development could be achieved. These remain part of our core values.

Our group believes in consensus politics, where the views of individual members are respected, and for this reason many independent members of local and regional authorities across the EU have joined and are continuing to join our group.

After 20 years, we can be proud of the results we have achieved, but as always there is more to be done to create a Europe for our future generations. As a result of the broader responsibilities acquired by the CoR under the Lisbon Treaty, our institution has been widely recognised as the guardian of the principle of subsidiarity. Many of our former members, after serving the CoR, have moved forward in their political careers and hold important positions in their countries or in the European Parliament.

However, there is no room for complacency.

There is a crisis to fight which is as important as the economic and financial crisis. It is a about our citizens and it is about economic and social cohesion. The European Alliance is committed to strengthening the role the CoR and its members play in developing the European Union’s policies.

Uno Silberg (EE/EA), President of the European Alliance Group in the Committee of the Regions

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Mercedes Bresso (PES/IT), a member of the Piedmont regional council, is elected CoR president. Her priorities are implementing the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, the reform of the cohesion policy and the Europe 2020 strategy.

The Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) is inaugurated in the Polish city of Poznań. The new platform brings together 36 local and regional representatives from the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso (EPP/ ES), president of the Autonomous Community of Murcia, is elected CoR president. In his speech to the plenary session, he says that “our main goal remains to increase the capacity of local and regional authorities to drive growth, and create jobs contributing to the deepening of the economic union.”

The CoR reaches a milestone anniversary – 100 plenaries. This plenary session also sees the formation of a fifth political group at the CoR – the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) chaired by Councillor Gordon Keymer from the UK. He joins the four chairmen of the established political groups at the CoR .

During its 107 plenary session, the CoR celebrates its 20th anniversary. Following Croatia’s accession to the EU, it now has 353 members.

1994 - 2014

The CoR must work with even greater determination The Committee of the Regions has come a long way since its early days two decades ago. Its impact on EU policy is steadily growing, and its level of responsibility has increased significantly over the years, and with the various treaty changes. It has taken considerable time, but the recognition that municipalities and regions have become vital partners in the multilevel governance of the European Union as well as in the delivery of the EU’s key economic, social and environmental goals, is now widespread.

This is thanks to the valuable expertise that local and regional representatives bring to the development and implementation of EU policy, based on their unique experience on the ground.

However, the CoR must work with even greater determination and effectiveness to continue demonstrating its added value and to guarantee a strong future for local and regional authorities in the EU policy process. The ALDE Group will continue to press for the CoR to focus all its efforts towards bringing about this important goal.

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2700 Members

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1159 Opinions adopted

Annual costs Per EU citizen

And 79 resolutions

11 OPEN DAYS Bas Verkerk (NL/ALDE), President of the ALDE Group in the Committee of the Regions

Welcoming each year 6000 participants

Regions and Cities of Europe

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ATHENS

6th EUROPEAN SUMMIT OF REGIONS AND CITIES

Photos © European Union / Haris Sfakianakis

7-8|3|2014

Opening speech by Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions

6 European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens th

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he Committee of the Regions, together with the Region of Attica, organised the 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens on 7 and 8 March 2014. The objective of the Summit was to take stock of the efforts made at European, national, regional and local level to deliver job-rich recovery. It also brought a high-level debate with European political leaders about the 2014 European elections and the future of the EU. Participants adopted an “Athens Declaration on the mid-term review of Europe 2020 – a Territorial Vision for Growth and Jobs”.

The event welcomed a total of 1400 participants including members of the CoR and of national, regional and local parliaments and councils, stakeholders from the Greek civil society, representa-

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

tives of associations, journalists and experts from the EU institutions. Among keynote speakers were José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, Evangelos Venizelos, Deputy Prime Minister of Greece, Yiannis Michelakis, Minister of the Interior of Greece and host of the event Ioannis Sgouros, Governor of the Attica Region.

A large collection of speeches, presentations and background documentation has been published on the Summit’s website. Most of the key note speeches and panel debates were also video recorded and are available online: www.cor.europa. eu/athens2014

In his opening speech, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions, noted that the latest economic forecasts showed that while there had been some signs of growth in Europe, unacceptable disparities still existed between the regions. If we wanted to ensure that the European growth strategy did not fail once again, there was a need for regional targets, partnerships between all levels of government and adequate funding to make recovery a real prospect for all EU citizens.

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

In his welcome speech, Ioannis Sgouros, President of Attica region, discussed the situation from the perspective of the Greek regions.

Noting the critical situation in his own country and in the rest of the EU, he called for a review of the role of the Committee of the Regions and of regional and local government in economic development, innovation and social welfare.

EIB President Werner Hoyer warned that reality was often harder to handle than statistics, and that the disparities within the EU had never been so large, especially as regards employment rates and levels of private investment. Over the past seven years, Europe had been forced to manage the crisis while much of the rest of the world had continued moving forward. To tackle this situation, he emphasised that convergence and subsidiarity should be the key principles for shaping the EU’s growth eff orts in the coming months and years.

Debate with José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions on the EU’s future challenges and priorities. Commission President Barroso’s answer to the question of the EU’s top priority was: “Jobs, jobs and jobs”. He also congratulated the Committee of Regions on its 20th anniversary and thanked the committee for the extremely constructive cooperation which it had developed over the years with the European Commission.

Mercedes Bresso, First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions with Malcolm Harbour MEP and Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank. Mercedes Bresso presented the results of the intensive and complex analysis which the CoR had delivered over the past 15 months on the achievements of the Europe 2020 strategy so far. Based on stakeholder surveys and consultations, thematic conferences and other assessments, the CoR Bureau had adopted the Athens Declaration shortly before the Summit began, setting out the main observations and recommendations for Europe’s growth strategy from a local and regional perspective. Malcolm Harbour, MEP recalled the work done by the EP committee he chaired to strengthen the internal market so that it helped Europe 2020 to deliver.

Debate with Yves Leterme, deputy secretarygeneral of the OECD, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions, and Antonio Costa, Mayor of Lisbon. Addressing the critical importance of regions and cities in delivering, inclusive, sustainable and job-rich growth for Europe, Yves Leterme started by admitting that the path from crisis to recovery had already been long. One of the consequences was a signifi cant drop to a record low of 40% in the level of public trust in politicians, authorities and institutions. The economic recovery remained very fragile and everyone was worried by high unemployment and in particular by youth unemployment.

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Charter for Multilevel Governance in Europe

Multilevel governance

Charter for Multilevel Governance opened for signatures On the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May, the EU’s Committee of the Regions called all local and regional authorities to sign up to the “Charter for Multilevel Governance in Europe”. With this Charter, the CoR urges all levels of government to use “multilevel governance” as a guiding principle in policy design, helping to learn from each other, share best practices and further develop participatory democracy. The Charter is available online and is open for electronic signature by cities and regions at www.cor.europa.eu/mlgcharter.

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dopted by the CoR on 3 April and supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Charter is a political manifesto from European cities and regions inviting all public authorities to make “multilevel governance” a reality in day-today policy-making and delivery. This primarily involves working in partnership between the different levels of government (local, regional, national and European) and applying a set of principles that should guide efficient policy-making, such as participation, cooperation, openness, transparency, inclusiveness and policy coherence, all of which are essential conditions to guarantee the success of public policies in the interest of the citizens.

President of the CoR Ramón Luis Valcárcel said: “On Europe Day, the launch of the signatory campaign on the Charter for Multilevel Governance

marks the strong will of regional and local authorities all across Europe to become fully-fledged partners in EU policy making. Only together can actors at all levels of governance close the ‘delivery gap’ ensuring the EU meets its objectives on sustainable growth, quality jobs and territorial cohesion”.

Although not legally binding, the Charter will commit its signatories to use multilevel governance in the management of public policies, to launch projects in partnership with both the public and private sectors, to further develop territorial cooperation and to modernise their administration.

This is all part of the CoRs’ commitment to ensuring a good application of the subsidiarity principle, which places decisions at the most effective level and as close to citizens as possible.

With its 2009 White Paper on Multilevel governance, the Committee launched a public consultation for drafting the charter in order to include a common and shared understanding of European governance in the core values of the European Union. The Committee then renewed this commitment in a report on “Building a European culture of multilevel governance: follow-up to the Committee of the Regions’ White Paper”. Since then the Committee has been actively developing a method for monitoring the usage of multilevel governance by European institutions, regularly produces a scoreboard on the issue, and is working on compiling good multilevel governance practices in cooperation with the European Commission.

Finally, multilevel governance is recognised as a guiding principle in the new EU rules for the management of the Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020.

Italian Government backs Charter for Multilevel Governance Maria Carmela Lanzetta, Minister for Regional Affairs and Local Authorities, Italy

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he 20 th anniversary of the Committee of Regions is a fitting occasion for me to congratulate the Committee on the progress it has made in terms of involving regions and cities in both the design and implementation of EU policies. The Committee has clearly demonstrated that the solutions to many of the problems generated by globalization are to be found at none other than local and regional level.

In this vein, Italy has been implementing a strong decentralization programme ever since the country’s constitutional reform in 2001. The aim has been to establish a public administration which caters to the needs of the different realities

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

on the ground and which makes the most of these diversities, supporting the development of local economic systems and overcoming various shortcomings in terms of the efficiency and reliability of public administrations. Faced with this challenge, the recently approved Law on the “Re-organization of metropolitan cities, provinces, unions and the merging of municipalities” adopted in April should further boost effective multilevel governance, based on the principles of subsidiarity and loyal cooperation among all levels of government.

As a former mayor and as the current Minister for Regional Affairs and Local Authorities of Italy,

which is arguably one of Europe’s most pro-EU countries, I am closely following the work of the Committee and commit myself and the whole Italian Government to promoting and supporting the implementation of the Charter for Multilevel Governance in Europe, which was promoted at the Athens Summit. I am convinced that the principles and actions set out in the Charter merit significant attention on the part of central governments and will strongly contribute to the European construction process, a project that our country shall not fail to be involved in.

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

Greater influence for regional parliaments needed Marc Hendrickx (BE/EA), Member of the Flemish Parliament

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ith the adoption of a Charter of Multilevel governance, the CoR continues supporting a new model of participatory democracy that should allow each level of governments to jointly cooperate in order to seek greater policy efficiencies while respecting the principle of subsidiarity and proportionality. Despite the Lisbon Treaty acknowledging the importance of regional parliaments, little use has been made

by National Parliaments of their experience and competence. This is not acceptable as many regions dispose of legislative powers and are better

placed than anyone else when it comes to suiting their citizens’ needs. More needs to be done to give regional parliaments, as well as local governments a greater say in the EU decision making process.

Moreover, there needs to be more clarity as to who is competent on a certain matter whilst taking due respect of the different remits and responsibilities.

If the EU is to tackle the democratic deficit and fight the widespread disillusion amongst its citizens, it has to improve the way it legislates. The EU should use its regulatory power only where it can bring

an added value whilst refraining from imposing unnecessary rules in matters where national and regional parliaments can decide. It has to develop innovative models based on effective cooperation between the different levels of governments and do away with its top down approach which is one of the cause of the disaffection of its citizens as this not only disregards the key role of the lower level of governments, but it also hinders transparency and democratic accountability.

Multilevel governance in promoting EU Biodiversity Kadri Tillemann (EE/EPP), Mayor of Keila

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his April, the Committee of the Regions’ ENVE commission adopted an outlook opinion on Multilevel governance in promoting the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and implementing the international Aichi Targets.

The opinion is being prepared in response to the European Commission’s request to provide input for the mid-term review of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and the reporting on the Convention of Biological Diversity’s Aichi targets.

The opinion is being drafted by Kadri Tillemann (EE/EPP) who has a significant amount of academic and professional experience and knowledge in the area of biodiversity which proved to be very valuable when drafting the opinion.

She acknowledges that the very fact that the EC

decided to include the CoR in these processes recognises the vital role that local and regional authorities play in protecting our natural capital in the European Union and worldwide. The opinion, which includes a significant contribution from ENVE members and relevant stakeholders and partners (UNEP, IUCN and others), puts forward a wide range of proposals regarding how to further strengthen co-operation between EU, Member States and local/regional authorities (LRA) in the area of biodiversity governance. In its draft opinion, the CoR’s ENVE commission highlights the importance of ensuring the effective implementation of Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans at all levels of governance and stresses the need to further strengthen the development of ecosystem services at local level. The CoR points

out that the participation of necessary stakeholders and sustainable spatial planning are areas of action in which the LRAs could contribute to achieving the EU’s and international biodiversity commitments.

The opinion is to be discussed at the CoR’s June plenary session. The key points of the opinion and the main findings of the CoR commissioned study will be published later this summer. The opinion also proposes that the CoR share its experiences of multilevel governance in this area by accompanying the EU delegation as an observer to the CBD COP 12 in October 2014 to ensure that the voice of EU LRAs is appropriately represented at this event.

Best practices Revitalisation Projects in the Pomorskie Region, Poland The managing authority of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme for the Pomorskie Region in Poland has developed a

cooperation approach for revitalisation projects focusing on urban areas, fighting poverty and social exclusion. The process started with a public consultation on community needs and an in-depth consultation with the city authorities, social and economic partners. The working methods of the managing authority and its approach provide Regions and Cities of Europe

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Charter for Multilevel Governance in Europe

examples for the multi-thematic preparation and implementation of complex projects (balancing infrastructural and social issues); effective negotiation procedures at different levels (e.g. actors representing selected urban areas, managing authority, city authorities) and for balancing the bottom-up and top-down approach to social dialogue.

a multi-level engagement with government and other stakeholders, especially in providing links between social enterprises, community groups and the private sector in the most deprived areas of the city-region. The LEP and its partners make it possible to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the most hard-to-reach communities through public support.

“Graines d’emplois” project in the Auvergne Region, France

Regional Energy Governance Project, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy

The programme “Graines d’emplois” is based on the partnership principle, driven by the region as the leading partner. The aim of the initiative was to identify economic activities which offer the most employment potential in order to adjust regional economic and vocational training policies. The consultation process involved over 300 partners, including 200 contributions from the business sector and experts. The Auvergne Region has a complete overview of the challenges faced by the different sectors, as well as of the most promising sectors and the skills that need to be developed, and is now entering the implementation phase of economic and education policies based on the forecast needs for skills. Alongside the region’s own programmes, this initiative is intended to have a knock-on effect on all partners, thus enabling a multiplier effect and ensuring a consistent approach.

Business start-up support in disadvantaged communities, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Energy policy and management in Vrhnika Municipality, Slovenia

Regional Energy Governance Project (RENGOV) is promoted and run by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Scientific and technical support is provided by the Higher Institute on Territorial Systems for Innovation (SiTI). The strategic aim is the development of innovative capabilities for energy management at local level, the integration of renewable energy sources by adopting the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) approach and the creation of a regional smart grid exploiting energy storage capacities. The RENGOV project represents an example of the multi-stakeholder process. RENGOV provides for the direct and active involvement and cooperation of local authorities, producers of energy from renewable sources, operators of energy transmission and distribution systems, producers of energy storage systems, financial institutions and enterprises based in the region.

Business centre “Ateliers des Tanneurs”, Brussels, Belgium

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the Liverpool city-region is responsible for managing the ERDF programme in partnership with a network of intermediary organisations and agencies. With a wide range of business startup support tools, the LEP in Liverpool provides concrete examples of a multi-level governance approach to developing social enterprises and supporting entrepreneurship in the poorest and most socially-deprived areas of the Liverpool city-region. It has the know-how of managing

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

Fund (ERDF) launched in 2001. The centre was opened in 2005 to revitalise economic and social life in a low income neighbourhood Marolles, by hosting economic activities that potentially generate local or low-skilled jobs. There were four main objectives, which were included in the project’s business plan: (i) the renting of office space; (ii) providing logistic services such as furniture, an internet connection and a reception desk; (iii) providing counselling and advice in financing, human resources, subsidies and relocalisation; and (iv) promoting networking and the exchange of good practices. Today there are in total 40 start-ups with 180 persons employed.

The “Ateliers des Tanneurs” business centre is a joint project of the Brussels Public Centre for Social Action (CPAS), the Brussels-Capital Region and the European Regional Development

Vrhnika municipality was recognised in 2010 as the most energy-efficient medium-sized municipality in Slovenia. Its “Local Energy Concept” (LEC) is in line with the Slovenian guidelines for local energy concepts, which are important strategic planning instruments within the Slovenian National Energy Programme. Energy-related measures are adapted to the needs of local communities, through which solutions for effectiveness, economic and environmentally-friendly energy services in households, companies and public institutions can be implemented. The implementation of the LEC (2009-2014) in Vrhnika has been characterised by smooth coordination between the national and local level, in terms of governance and funds.

Vrhnika has also conduced extended energy audits for its main public buildings leading to innovative energy management solutions.

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

Rapporteurs have their say In this regular column, Members to the Committee of the Region write in their own words what motivates them to take on the role of Rapporteur for the policy area that they are writing their Opinion. The following eight op-eds focus on a diverse number of topics from waste shipping regulations to the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

EURES regulation José Ramón Bauzá Díaz (ES/EPP), President of the Government of the Balearic Islands

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egulation on “A European network of Employment Services, workers’ access to mobility services and the further integration of labour markets (EURES)” is one a series of measures to facilitate free movement of workers.

The pan-European job search network EURES would be strengthened to provide more job offers, increase the likelihood of job matches and help employers, notably small and medium businesses, to fill job vacancies faster and better, under a proposal just presented by the European Commission.

The proposed new rules would make EURES more efficient, recruitments more transparent and cooperation among Member States stronger. The free movement of workers is undoubtedly one of

the European venture’s most symbolic rights. This fundamental right is an asset for all the EU Member States.

Currently, a scant 3.3% of EU workers - 8 million Europeans - live and work in another Member State. The situation has prompted the European Commission to propose a regulation, analysed in the present opinion, that aims to improve the EURES European network of employment services.

This will open up more posts to more job seekers across the EU and, at the same time, make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to fill vacancies. As CoR rapporteur for the opinion, I therefore recommend that we welcome the Com-

mission’s proposal as an instrument for enhancing workers’ access to labour-mobility support services and making it easier for citizens to exercise their right to free movement within the Union.

The opinion calls on the Commission to establish new tools to support the integration of mobile workers through the use of the Structural Funds.

We also ask for special account to be taken of the fact that the local and regional level is closest to the people and thus to job seekers and employers.

Accordingly, we recommend that the regulation require that cooperation between EURES Partners take due account of the differing characteristics of the EU’s regions.

The execution of the EU budget Adam Struzik (PL/EPP), Marshal of the Mazovia Region

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he Committee of the Regions has recognised the need for preparing an opinion on the execution of the EU budget, something which it has never done before. My own-initiative opinion is intended to contribute to the discussion about the ways for improving effectiveness and efficiency in terms of how European funds are spent.

Local and regional authorities act not only as beneficiaries of the EU budget, but also as important managers and partners of central governments and European Institutions. In the programming period (2014-2020) that has just begun, their role is going to be even more important due to the strengthening of the territorial dimension in implementing EU spending.

The implementation of European-funded projects and programmes poses a variety of challenges.

Some of these are the result of the way in which European and national regulations and procedures are written, others are related to issues such as the quality of strategic planning, the multilevel governance system, partnership and administrative culture. The ability of the different institutions, including LRAs, to deal with those challenges influences not only the speed and quality of the execution of the EU budget, but also its performance – its ability to achieve the anticipated results.

The opinion takes account of the results of the survey prepared by the CoR secretariat. More

than 400 local and regional authorities have contributed their answers to the questionnaire which significantly increases its already substantial value and is a clear sign of the topicality of the question.

The opinion puts forward several proposals for the European Institutions, Members States and local and regional authorities concerning the most important issues connected with the implementation of European policies, such as: the speed with which the EU budget is executed, liquidity, financial planning, quality of projects, level of errors and management. The opinion also envisages a more active role for cities and regions in the Europe-wide debates. The opinion is scheduled to be adopted during the June Plenary Session.

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Rapporteurs Have Their Say

Urban Mobility in Europe Cllr Sir Albert Bore (UK/PES), Member of Birmingham City Council

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uropean cities contain 70% of the EU population, generate over 80% of the Union’s GDP and are important centres of economic activity. Sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMP’s) can help underpin economic competitiveness of cities and provide a strategic instrument that encourages the delivery of integrated, sustainable and efficient travel methods which also address issues relating to chronic congestion and poor air quality which our cities suffer from.

It was recognised in the 2011 White Paper on Transport that urban areas with their high population densities and high share of short trips have the potential to address these issues through the development of integrated, sustainable and active modes of travel. The Urban Mobility Package and communication “Together towards a competitive and resource efficient urban mobility” provides further guidance on the use of sustainable urban mobility

plans in order to encourage the step change that is required to tackle this agenda The communication looks at: • Access Regulations; • Urban Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); • Urban Logistics; • And Urban Road Safety.

Overall, the continuing commitment of the European Commission to strengthen EU support for SUMPS, developed at a local level, and which encourages their uptake within member states is to be welcomed. The need for the use of technology and innovation which can introduce common standards within ITS and access regulations is to be encouraged to ensure interoperability, prevent technical barriers and develop harmonisation and coherence at an EU level in order to facilitate free movement.

Measures to improve road safety not only through infrastructure design but also with innovations such as those in vehicle design is also to be welcomed in order to encourage greater take up of sustainable modes of travel. The introduction of a scoreboard is also welcomed but this will need to be carefully developed so as not to simply become a ranking system but a useful tool to show the progress that urban areas are making in tackling the wider EU objectives such as improving air quality and health outcomes through the application of SUMPS. The ability to use SUMPS to support access to financing should be further developed to show how they offer value for money for investments and exploit the synergies with the various funding streams. The European Commission is urged to involve cities and other urban authorities to be fully engaged on the Member States expert groups in order to provide input.

Reforming the EU’s banking system Henk Kool (NL/PES), Member of the Executive Council of the City of Den Haag

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or a number of years now, the way banks operate has been the focus of global debate, and rightly so. After the financial crisis erupted in 2008, costly and wide-ranging government intervention was required to stave off the collapse of banks and the financial system. Since then, the necessary measures have been taken with the aim of preventing a repeat of a crisis of that magnitude.

At global, European and national level, rules have been introduced or announced which are designed to increase stability and reduce risks in the banking system.

Now, as a provisional final move, the EC has issued two draft directives on measures to improve the resilience of EU credit institutions and the reporting and transparency of securities financing transactions. As a rapporteur on these two subjects, I have drafted an own-initiative opinion on the structural

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reforms of EU banks and transparency in shadow banking.

Since local governments in the EU invest around €179 billion a year using borrowed funds, a solid and reliable banking structure is vitally important to them. It is therefore not enough to only subject banks with total assets in excess of €30 billion to European supervision. Many local authorities deal with smaller banks, which are not supervised by the ECB. We need to change this. I am in favour of extending ECB supervision to these smaller banks too. Conversely, the EC constrains the banks too much by stipulating that own account trading also includes long-term holding of securities (so-called buy and hold). This is excessive, given that this type of long-term trading is part of a bank’s core business.

At any event, I have proposed a ban on short-term, own account trading in financial instruments and commodities - in other words, trading with the sole aim of short-term gains for the bank. This activity involves too many risks without yielding any tangible benefits for customers.

In the meantime, 1700 lobbyists from European banks have made their presence felt in Brussels, seeking to curb the proposed regulations as much as possible. That number will grow further now that there are also moves afoot to further tighten the ECB’s regulatory regime. Local authorities in the EU will therefore have to pull out all the stops to bring the public interest in proper supervision to the attention of the EC and the EP. I feel certain that the CoR’s draft opinion will help them achieve this.

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

An EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region Gian Mario Spacca (IT/ALDE), President of the Marche Region

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’m personally very pleased about the adoption of the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on an EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR).

In this opinion the Committee of the Regions urges the European Commission to play a key role in an innovative multi-level governance platform of coordination and implementation where decisions are shared to ensure the political commitment and ownership of stakeholders at European, national, regional and local level, in line with the subsidiarity principle. The private sector and civil society should be involved in ensuring sound and broad ownership of the strategy through top-down and bottom-up communication, accountability and transparent results, e.g. an open data portal, an annual forum of economic and social dialogue on the EUSAIR and other initiatives.

EU integration is a fundamental element in the EUSAIR, which comprises four EU and four nonEU countries. My opinion highlights the fact that elements of reconciliation, security, stability and

prosperity can be strengthened through closer cooperation and draws attention to the role of regions as key players in promoting regional self-government, capacity-building, decentralisation and democracy.

As a result of an extensive consultation of stakeholders in the region -supported by the Adriatic Ionian Interregional Group of the CoR chaired by myself and by the governor of Western Greece - Eusair will have four pillars, namely: “blue growth,” “connecting the region,” “environmental quality” and “sustainable tourism quality,” and two cross-cutting issues, namely “capacity-building including communication” and “R&D innovation and SMEs.” Finally, in a nutshell, here are some concrete proposals from the opinion: - the setting-up of an Adriatic Ionian Cloud as an immaterial ICT infrastructure and a means of connecting existing platforms in order to standardise shared processes and protocols, enable efficient intermodal freight and passenger transport, and facilitate services, environmental protection and maritime safety;

- the setting-up of an Adriatic Ionian Higher School of Administration along the lines of the French ENA (Ecole Nationale d’Administration), where civil servants of the Adriatic Ionian Region can develop the skills and abilities needed in multi-level governance, enabling them to implement innovative processes in public administration; - efficient coordination of the health sector in order to promote the well-being of citizens; - the development of a sustainable tourism industry on the basis of shared natural, cultural and historical treasures, high-quality agro-food products, professional hospitality traditions, and attractive landscapes to be communicated through an Adriatic Ionian brand. Tourism can represent an important lever for sustainable growth, youth employment opportunities and social inclusion since today half of European coastal jobs and value added are located in the Mediterranean.

The time has come for an EU urban agenda Bas Verkerk (NL/ALDE), Mayor of the City of Delft

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owns and cities are the engines of the European economy. The EU needs its towns, cities and urban regions for implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy and for economic, social and territorial development. At the moment, there is in fact no comprehensive forward-looking urban agenda for the EU, despite the fact that there has been talk of a European urban agenda for nigh on 20 years in EU circles. For lack of an overarching agenda, towns and cities are facing legislative and policy inconsistencies at EU level.

The Committee of the Regions urges the incoming European Commission to draw up a white paper on integrated urban policy in the EU. This white paper should be drafted in close collaboration with towns and cities and their representatives - including, of course the Committee of the Regions. It should include the following four elements: − a new method for a more integrated approach to policy development; − a stronger urban dimension in European funds; − a platform for the exchange of good practice; − a new model of governance.

It is above all the aspect of a new model of governance that is of key importance. In towns and cities nowadays, urban authorities are increasingly working together with local partners such as local people, firms and social organisations to provide tailor-made local solutions to social challenges such as environmental pollution, traffic congestion and (youth) unemployment. The EU, whose hallmark is generic legislation and general implementation deadlines, must adjust to the new dynamics in towns and cities so as to be able to implement its own policy goals successfully.

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Rapporteurs Have Their Say

The future of justice and home affairs policy Lotta Håkansson Harju (SV/PES) , Member of Järfälla Municipal Council

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n 2009, the EU adopted a five-year work programme for justice and home affairs: the Stockholm Programme. The programme covers areas such as the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to integrity, minority rights, the right to asylum, migration, EU citizenship, combating organised crime and other security issues.

In March, the directorates-general for justice and home affairs each published a communication on the future of the EU’s policy in these fields, while a strategic approach is expected to be adopted in June.

The respect won by the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights makes it all the more obvious that

Promoting resilience to future disasters Cllr. Harvey Siggs (UK/ECR), from Somerset County Council, is the Committee of the Regions rapporteur for the Opinion on the Post-2015 Hyogo Framework for Action on managing risks to achieve resilience. The opinion looks at how to mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters and to build a new framework for disaster reduction.

As leader of a district council that recently suffered heavily from floods, Cllr. Siggs said: “I welcome the opportunity to upload my hands-on experiences about managing risks and achieving resilience”.

“In the last year many municipalities and regions across the EU have been devastated by natural disasters. My council has been among these who suffered from long-lasting floods. Discussions at EU and UN level on how to build resilience could not come at a better time. Disasters know no border. A disaster in one region can easily affect another. For true resilience, we must address this matter collectively,” noted Cllr. Siggs.

Making our cities more sustainable Daiva Matonienė (ECR/LT), Vice-President of the CoR ECR Group, Vice-Minister of Environment of Lithuania and member of Šiauliai City Council,

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

all EU cooperation must be based on shared respect for fundamental rights in order for the EU to remain an open and safe region where rights are upheld. In the Committee of the Regions’ view, a stronger focus on the EU’s commitments with respect to fundamental rights must have a real impact at all levels.

The Committee believes that the right to freedom of movement should be more clearly defined. EU citizens are frequently faced with various difficulties when they attempt to exercise their rights in other Member States. At the same time, the challenges that freedom of movement can create in in-

The opinion is a response to the European Commission Communication from 8 April. The document is a basis for upcoming discussions at EU level; so as to establish a common EU position for the global negotiations to be held at the United Nations level. Cllr. Siggs explained that “if we do not prepare for disasters now, we will pay a heavy price in the future. Enhancing preparedness and resilience is the most effective and cost-effective way to reduce the impact and cost of responding to and recovering from disasters”. Cllr. Siggs further argued that building resilience had to be done at local and regional level. “Local and regional authorities are the first level of governance to respond in case of emergency. We can ensure we are ready by starting training programmes and raising awareness”.

On the question of how to proceed, Cllr. Siggs underlined the importance of working with the private sector. “Private-public sector partnerships must be developed to ensure that resilient infrastructure is developed that will withstand disasters. This means resilient buildings, transport (road, rail and airports), services (communications, energy supplies, water supplies, and sewerage) and had her opinion on sustainable cities adopted by the ENVE Commission members on 24 April. Mrs Matonienė’s opinion looks at the implementation of the 7th Environmental Action Programme’s eighth objective, “to enhance the sustainability of the Union’s cities”. “Sustainability will have to be at the heart of our urban development policies if we want our cities and regions to be a source of growth

dividual municipalities and/or regions need to be better addressed.

The Committee of the Regions stresses that the EU needs to work more to implement a European asylum and migration policy based on fundamental rights, solidarity, mutual trust and shared responsibility between Member States and local and regional authorities. The EU must continue to be a place of refuge for people fleeing persecution or in need of protection. The need to control the reception of migrants and to maintain the integrity of borders must never take precedence over the right to seek international protection.

Cllr. Harvey Siggs (UK/ECR)

social infrastructure.” He added that “voluntary peer reviews conducted jointly by the European Commission, OECD and UNISDR are also a useful tool at the disposal of our Member States.

They help identify areas needing improvement and the steps that could be taken”.

and jobs. Sustainable cities lead to sustainable socio-economic development,” explained Mrs. Matonienė. The 7th Environmental Action Programme will be guiding the EU environment policy until 2020. In order to give a more long-term direction, it sets out a vision beyond that of where it wants the Union to be by 2050. The underlying principle of the Environment Action Programme,

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

development model that places as little burden on the environment as possible.

Daiva Matonienė (LT/ECR)

‘Living well within the limits of our planet’, aims to push the EU in the direction of so-called ‘green growth’. Green growth represents an economic

EU Solidarity Fund Pavel Branda (CZ/ECR), vice-mayor of the municipality of Rádlo, was the rapporteur for the Committee of the Regions’ opinion on the EU Solidarity Fund at a time when many towns and regions across the EU were devastated by floods.

The opinion proposed key reforms that would increase the effectiveness of the Fund and enable it to better assist disaster-stricken towns and regions.

The proposals presented in the opinion are now featured in the inter-institutional agreement reached on the reform of the Fund. “I am proud to say that as the Committee of the Regions, we have successfully uploaded our hands-on experience” noted Mr Branda. Throughout the month of March, the Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament were negotiating the final changes to the Solidarity Fund regulation.

Mrs Matoniene noted that a sustainable city can be defined as “a city that promotes social, economic and environmental sustainability. Environmental issues are at the heart of the matter but a holistic approach must be followed where by environmental issues are mainstreamed into all relevant policy areas.

Sustainability cities can only be achieved through a holistic approach”. “There are two key points that the EU must pay greater attention to,” explained Mrs. Matoniene. “Firstly, greater attention needs

to be placed on the role of small and medium size towns and cities. Approximately 56% of cities and towns in the EU are small and medium in size, and in turn, they have an important accumulative role,” remarked Mrs. Matonienė.

Secondly, Mrs Matonienė noted that greater attention needs to be placed on the role of the private sector: “We must promote innovative partnerships between the public and private sectors so that projects aimed at making cities more sustainable are implemented as efficiently and effectively as possible”.

The results of the negotiations (the “Trilogue”) announced on 19 March revealed that key points from Mr Branda’s opinion were successfully taken on board. “I am happy that these results were further adopted without any change by the European Parliament at its plenary session on 16 April. It shows the importance and the necessity of these changes.”

Mr Branda welcomed the extension of the deadline for the use of the funds to 18 months. According to his experience “this constitutes a more realistic approach towards the needs of disaster-stricken regions and is a clear improvement on the existing 12-month deadline”. The Trilogue decision also featured the CoR proposal that the Fund should finance the improvement or even relocation of infrastructure. “This will enable local and regional authorities to improve the resilience of the damaged infrastructure and sometimes even to relocate it, and also to be better prepared and more resilient in the future,” explained Mr Branda.

Pavel Branda (CZ/ECR)

Furthermore, Mr Branda noted that “following the proposal in my opinion, technical assistance can now also be used for costs related to the preparation and implementation of eligible operations.”

Previously technical assistance was not an eligible expenditure. “Through the proposals that we put forward, the Fund is now better equipped to assist our towns and regions devastated by natural disasters,” noted Mr Branda.

Brief News and Events Cooperation agreement with the European Parliament

Martin Schulz and Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso

The Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament signed a cooperation agreement, on 5 February, which seeks to solidify the political relationship between the two EU institutions. The

terms of the agreement signed in Strasbourg will optimise administration resources and strengthen the role and further engage the CoRs’ members in Parliament activities within the EU legislative process. CoR President, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, said that this was a defining moment and considered it as mutually beneficial for both institutions.

President Valcárcel commented: “After twenty years of the EU’s Committee of the Regions, the new partnership agreement with the European Parliament is a great moment for the two EU institutions. It sets out a more structured way of working which will strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the European Union and provide new avenues of participation for regional and local authorities throughout the EU decision-making process”.

Approved by the CoRs’ members, the cooperation agreement recognises the importance of autonomy

and independence of the CoR and will create, “a new intensified cooperation procedure involving future CoR rapporteurs and the parliamentary committee will be established. This new procedure will offer an opportunity to CoR rapporteurs to directly contribute and influence the outcome of eventual trialogue meetings in a certain policy dossier of her/his expertise”. The change will see an increase in the involvement of CoR rapporteurs in the EU legislative process, enabling members to participate in discussions in the European Parliament’s Committees. In addition the agreement will see CoR members able to use on the expertise of the new Parliament Research Service providing analysis and studies; active involvement of the CoR in the European Semester Works of the Parliament, including the participation of a CoR delegation into the European Parliamentary Week; and enable the CoR to disseminate information via the EP’s network of Information Offices.

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Brief News and Events

EPP Summit in Poznań

be reached without a strong role for sub-national authorities. By meeting just before the European Elections in Poznan for this Summit, the EPP is giving a strong message: we believe that local and regional authorities represent added value in European integration.”

Rising populism in Europe

Marek Woźniak, Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker

“We need a European Union with a heart and with a soul. We want a European Union that listens and understands. We want a European Union that decides and acts for the benefit of all its citizens, wherever they live and work, wherever they are coming from”, concluded the EPP Summit of regional and local politicians in its Poznan manifesto on 25 April.

Just one month ahead of the European Parliament elections, more than 700 local and regional EPP leaders from around Europe gathered in the Polish city of Poznań to share policies for boosting jobs and growth in the EU. During the unprecedented event, Jean-Claude Juncker, EPP candidate for President of the European Commission, pledged to promote the involvement of local and regional authorities in EU decision making during the next EU mandate and to fight for a strong role for the Committee of the Regions with the EPP Group: “I am very happy to be in Poland today and to meet with the EPP group in the Committee of the Regions” he said. “You have brought Brussels closer to the people and you have put the people at the centre of our decision making.

As President of the Commission, I will promote regional and local authorities’ involvement in decision making… Europe needs to be big on big issues – such as the economic crisis, or the worrying situation in Ukraine – and small on small issues, which can be better dealt with by regional and local authorities.”

Through its election manifesto, the EPP aims to combine solidarity with solidity and sustainability.

Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, added that Europe must emerge stronger from the crisis and, as demonstrated by recent events in the Ukraine, it must guarantee solidarity whilst becoming more independent in terms of energy. Host of the Summit, Marek Woźniak, Marshal of Wielkopolska underlined the benefits that regional policy can bring to EU regions. “Polish regions are great examples of successful EU cohesion policy” he said. “Over the past 10 years we have taken a large stride forward. This proves that both Poland and Europe are capable of efficient management of the EU funds.” The EPP believes that growth is created by private companies,

by SMEs, by family businesses, by entrepreneurs in the regions and cities of Europe. As President of the EPP Group in the CoR, Michael Schneider, recalled, “Europe’s economic recovery and job creation cannot

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

“Populism raises questions about how we communicate Europe”, said István Sértö-Radics, Mayor of Uszka in Hungary

At an seminar organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation at the permanent representation of the State of Hessen to the EU in Brussels, experts debated the threat posed by the rise of extremist populism in Europe. What impact will these parties really have and what can mainstream parties and civil society do to stop them gaining more traction? Populist rhetoric is one of the main challenges for mainstream parties, requiring them to adopt a clear position towards these issues and populist rhetoric. “Don’t copy!”, urged Rainer Wieland, vice-president of the European Parliament.

The adoption of populist rhetoric by mainstream parties as a response to extremist populism cannot be the right response to the rise of populism. On the contrary, “people will always vote for the original”, pointed out Mr Wieland. István Sértö-Radics (HU/ALDE), mayor of Uszka in Hungary, and member of the Committee, thinks that putting forward real policies on specific issues is the only way to address people’s sense of disconnect with politics and government. “Rising populism raises questions about how we communicate Europe”, he said. In his view, local politics is the best arena in which to fight populism, as it is more closely linked to the citizens. The data shows that votes for populist politicians at the local level are low in comparison to their results in national and European elections.

At the national and European levels, the key to success for the mainstream parties lies in communication.

Europeans need to understand the role and impact of European policies and at the same time feel connected to the European project and to each other.

In order to fight populism, the reasons pushing voters towards extremist populist parties have to be addressed. According to mainstream opinion, the rise of populism is principally due to the economic crisis.

In other words, those who vote for populist parties would cease to support them if economic growth regained strength and the unemployment rate fell. But for Matthew Goodwin from the Chatham House, the

economic crisis only constitutes the tip of the iceberg.

Indeed, people who vote for extremist populism are not only those who feel adversely affected by globalisation, but also those who feel culturally threatened by migration. Immigrants, in particular Muslims, are often perceived as a danger to national identity and culture. Moreover, these voters feel abandoned by their representatives and have no confidence in the ability of national institutions, and even less in European institutions, to respond to their expectations and address their needs. Populist parties thrive on the fear of a loss of identity and the disconnect between citizens and the institutions. The main task ahead will be to re-frame the narrative and communicate effectively about Europe. The European Union is a project of peace, prosperity and mobility – we should communicate this with reference to people’s feelings.

World Urban Forum in Medellin

Speaking at the World Urban Forum held in Medellin (Colombia) from 5-11 April 2014, Bas Verkerk (NL/ALDE), Mayor of the City of Delft, stressed that, “Cities need each other – we need each other’s facilities; we need to “borrow size” from our neighbours to fine-tune transport services, ensure broader spatial planning and create more possibilities for attracting businesses through clear regional strategies.” Mr Verkerk was attending the conference as Chair of the Committee on European and International affairs of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and as the rapporteur for the Committee of the Regions’ Opinion on an integrated urban agenda.

Mr Verkerk emphasised that cities are engines for growth and employment and that as well as cities cooperating in order to learn from each other, the so-called “four-pointed ring” of cooperation between businesses, academia, government and civil society was also crucial for development. He also drew attention to the important role cities play in coordinating and facilitating local initiatives and finding local solutions to global problems.

The Forum’s host Anibal Gaviria, the Mayor of Medellin, called for a formal entity for local governments to be set up within the UN system: “If cities are really this important for development and if the world needs cities for growth, then they should be able to sit around the table to discuss policies that affect them.”

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

Digital revolution: What future for audiovisual media?

On 11 April, the PES Group of the CoR held in cooperation with the Socialist Group in the Parliament of the French-speaking Community of Belgium a conference on the ‘Digital revolution: What future for audiovisual media?’. Debates focused on the technological and economic challenges facing the sector, and on media freedom and pluralism. All speakers agreed on the need to defend the independence and ensure the survival of public broadcasters because they are a key pillar of democratic and pluralistic societies across Europe.

Opening the first panel on Technological and economic challenges, Jean-Paul Philippot, Chair of the Executive Board of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Chief Executive of the French-speaking Radio and Television of Belgium (RTBF), insisted that, instead of reacting ‘on demand’, we need to preserve the ability of public radio and television to continue producing and disseminating original and diverse content. Frank Zimmermann, CoR rapporteur on the Telecoms Package, underlined that radio spectrum is a scarce public good, highlighting the importance of frequency management. “Radio frequencies convey information which forms individual and public opinion, and as such, they have a significant role for society”, he emphasised, reminding that local and regional authorities have a key role in ensuring equal and affordable broadband access in all regions.

Opening the second panel on Media freedom and pluralism, Pantelis Kapsis, Greek Deputy Minister of Public Radio and Television, defended the role of public radio and television as a service of general interest, which promotes quality content and universal access. CoR member Jean-François Istasse, Chair of the commission responsible for culture and the audiovisual sector of the Parliament of the French-speaking Community (PES/ Belgium), presented the advantages of local and regional audiovisual media, that is, the decentralization of the means of production that allows a quick response, wide coverage of local and regional news and easier access for local stakeholders and citizens. Concluding the debates, PES Group President Karl-Heinz Lambertz reiterated that independent, non-partisan, publicly funded, high quality audiovisual services with a strong sensitivity to regional and local diversity play a key role in the development of democracy in the European Union.

Review of competences in the UK

Cllr. Gordon Keymer (UK/ECR)

The UK is currently conducting a review of the balance of competences. This is an audit of what the EU does and how it affects the UK. Launched

by Britain’s Foreign Secretary, William Hague, in July 2012, the exercise consists of government departments consulting Parliament and its committees, business, the devolved administrations, and civil society to look in depth at how the EU’s competences work in practice.

Cllr. Gordon Keymer (UK/ECR) underlined that “this important exercise represents a historic moment. It allows different sections of society to give their account of what works and what can be improved. It is only through an inclusive bottom-up review and analysis of the EU that we can progress.

It is also through such a democratic and transparent process that we can start remedying the EUs democratic deficit”. The review exercise consists of four semesters and is currently in its third semester. With 14 reports already published, the review exercise is due to be completed by autumn 2014.

The EA group adopts “Runnymede declaration”

On the invitation of Cllr Mrs Linda Gillham (UK/ EA) the European Alliance group visited Runnymede for their European Alliance group extraordinary meeting and seminar on the Promoting and Preserving Europe’s diverse Culture and Heritage,

Monday 2 June 2014. In their declaration, members of the Group reaffirmed the importance of culture and cultural heritage as a human value, supporting national, regional and local identity, protecting cultural and linguistic diversity, with due respect for lesser used and regional languages.

Promoting culture and cultural heritage is essential in order to strengthen democratic values in Europe and to contribute to social and economic cohesion.

Members stressed that it is of paramount importance to preserve and promote the different regional and local identities which make the European cultural heritage unique which are endangered by migratory movements and economic globalisation.

At the same time they reminded the huge economic benefits that our cultural heritage brings to our towns and cities. The European Commission presented their views as to why it was important to have an EU policy to promote and preserve Culture and Heritage in Europe. This was reinforces with examples with presentations from Poland, Estonia, Flanders and Scotland as well as an overview of the importance of the ‘Magna Carta’ and Runnymede.

EA Secondary Schools competition Pupils from twelve secondary schools from seven different Member States have once again been busy with their entries for the EA Group/CoR Secondary Schools Competition 2014. The young people aged between 16 and 18 were asked to complete a demanding quiz about the EU and to write an essay on the subjects of either the European Elections or green and sustainability issues in Europe viewed from the point of view of European youth.

The 24 winners will come to Brussels accompanied by a teacher on 24 June and will attend the CoR Plenary Session on 25 June and will meet and have their photograph taken with the President of the CoR, Ramón Luis Valcarcel Siso. The will also have an opportunity to discuss issues of importance to them with EA group members. A new element of the prize will be a visit to the Parliamentarian, the Visitors’ Centre of the European Parliament, which presents the institution in a refreshingly interactive new way. Pupils will also have the opportunity to explore the historic city of Brussels before they leave on 26 June.

In previous years the winners have found their visit a highly educational experience and a source of inspiration for the future. Engaging with young people has and continues to be one of the key policies of the European Alliance group.

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A traineeship at the Committee of the Regions Valuable experience in overcoming cultural prejudice

The Committee of the Regions takes in a number of new trainees every year and this year is no exception. We asked our new trainees, who come from various countries and backgrounds, to explain what brought them here and discuss their experiences with former trainees, who can now confirm what a significant and useful step an internship at the CoR can be. This year, the Committee received five thousand on-line applications for twenty traineeship places. On the one hand, this indication of the institution’s significant appeal is very positive for the Committee’s image.

H

owever, in more general terms, these figures also reflect the fact that traineeships are now extremely popular amongst young graduates. Initially, traineeships were seen as a way of putting what you learned during your studies into practice, but the experience now seems to be turning increasingly into a kind of a salvage operation for young graduates. Faced both with the recurrent problem of lacking experience and the current jobs crisis, graduates are very keen to take advantage of the bridge into the world of work that traineeships can provide.

In this context, the Committee recently issued an opinion on a Quality Framework for Traineeships, which gave it an opportunity to work on new interregional standards for ensuring the well-being of trainees throughout Europe. Andrius Kupcinskas (LT/ETT), the Committee member who drew up

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News from the EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

the opinion, observes that as well as issuing opinions in this area, the Committee can also take pride in the fact that it offers young people the kind of genuine working environment and opportunity for personal growth and development that few organisations provide. Trainees at the Committee are entitled to a monthly income, free training, access to a range of conferences, balanced working time and a personal follow-up from the Traineeships Office.

a database. To ensure that this selection process is impartial, the database does not reveal applicants’ names or dates of birth. As the head of the Traineeships Office, Anna Maria Vanhoye, explains, the Committee is not looking for “the ‘best’ applicants, in the sense of being laden with qualifications or other specific skills; the aim is to find the individuals who will be the ‘best match’ for the various departments and capable of adapting to the specific working environments”.

Becoming a trainee

Trainees are put into a very concrete situation as soon as they arrive, with clear information from their supervisor about the post they are to hold in the institution and the responsibilities involved. As for any other member of staff, the pace of work can be quite varied.

Jozef Michalek, a young trainee from Slovakia, who has been assigned to one of the political groups, is very satisfied, “Luckily, I have had very few routine

The first step in becoming a trainee is to go through the online recruitment procedure and submit an application form. The Traineeships Office decides which units have most need of a trainee to assist them.

The various departments then select applicants from

Nº 87 – May-June 2014

“I took a lot of initiatives during my traineeship and showed a lot of interest in my work. If I was particularly interested in a specific subject, I would put myself forward to cover the event, attend seminars or write an article. For me, the traineeship was an opportunity to free myself from my anxieties and overcome a number of fears and insecurities I had about the world of work.“ Nieves Tejada Castro, former trainee at the Committee of the Regions

“If the EU wants to meet the target of achieving an employment rate of 75% by 2020, we need more favourable conditions for the transition to the labour market. I am firmly convinced that good-quality traineeships offer young people the opportunity to obtain valuable vocational experience, knowledge and skills, and thus to improve their chances of finding a job and establishing themselves on the labour market quickly and on a long-term basis. I would point out that local and regional authorities should be involved in the comprehensive drafting and implementation of quality traineeship initiatives, as they are best placed to assess the different conditions and needs at local level.”

Andrius Kupcinskas (LT/EPP), Mayor of Kaunas, CoR rapporteur on “Quality Traineeships”

or boring tasks to do so far. My work programme is quite flexible from day to day, so I have to organise my time to take account of the workflow”. Louise Jones, an English trainee in the events management unit is very happy with the way she has been integrated into the team and feels that on a day to day level she can “make a difference as a member of the communication team and bring a young person’s perspective to the various activities the unit organises”.

Traineeships as a platform for exchange However, above and beyond the work itself, a traineeship is also a space where people can exchange ideas, learn about one another and discover other European cultures. Former Oxford University student, Louise, notes that trainees are “incredibly lucky to have this chance to work in a multi-cultural environment. It

gives us an opportunity to open our minds rather than simply believing everything that is said in the press about European policy and the institutions in Brussels”. Working in this kind of environment brings people together and gives the traineeship an added dimension: as a platform for a multitude of exchanges. Jozef finds it, “liberating not to be confined to your own country’s particular way of thinking. It allows us to face our cultural prejudices and overcome them on a daily basis and that’s a very valuable experience”. Louise even confides that, “in future, it will be hard for me to work in an environment where there isn’t such a diverse mix of languages and cultures”.

It is also worth noting that working in a smaller, almost familial structure like the CoR, allows trainees to get a taste of all the various areas of work. With so many varied activities on offer, trainees avoid being stuck doing the same monotonous task throughout their work experience. Jozef also thinks that the traineeship will give him “tangible experience, in the shape of an introduction to how the European insti-

tutions work. The Committee may be the youngest of the European institutions, but it mirrors the way the bigger institutions function”. By way of conclusion, Anna Maria Vanhoye adds that “a traineeship at the CoR is a balance between a high level of excellence and good times, both from a professional and social point of view”. Listening to former trainees talk about their affection and positive memories of their time at the Committee reveals how important the experience was both for their professional and personal development.

Fiona Foschi and Pauline Jacqmin, trainees at the Committee of the Regions

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