December 2013 en

ISSN 1681-3235

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

REGIONS CITIES OF EUROPE

NEWSLET TER OF THE COMMIT TEE OF THE REGIONS

N° 85 December 2013

Students attending a rally in support of EU integration in Kiev, Ukraine. Photo by Valentyn Ogirenko

Special feature: Political Priorities 2014 ● ● ●

Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso: “2014 presents new opportunities for regions and cities” Maroš Šefčovič: “The European Commission’s 2014 Work Programme” New cohesion policy and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020

Also in this issue: EU External Relations ● ● ● ●

Mercedes Bresso: “Eastern Partnership: role of local democracy highlighted by Heads of State and Government” Andris Jaunsleinis: “Devolution of budgetary policy: latest developments in the Eastern Partnership countries” OPEN DAYS 2013 EuroPCom 2013 – [S]electing Europe

The EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives

Editorial

2014 presents new opportunities for regions and cities The activity of the European institutions must be focused on delivering results. We all support a strong, united and open Europe. That is why we support Ukraine’s European aspirations.

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

The beginning of the new programming period represents a real opportunity to draw a new line in regional and investment features. Next year will be the chance to open new horizons for Europe’s regions and cities. In quantitative terms, sub-national public authorities in the EU are responsible for one third of public expenditure, about EUR 2100 billion per year, and two thirds of public investments, some EUR 200 billion. EUR 325 billion come from EU funds, through cohesion policy programmes, currently being planned.

The recent start of discussions on future cooperation between Jiangsu province and the Murcia region launched a structural dialogue where twinning projects could provide an example of mutual collaboration.

After visiting the Yangzhou Expo 2013, I realised how important it is to establish people-to-people contacts with other countries and continents in order to reinforce mutual dialogue and seek solutions to our common challenges.

European citizens are invited to vote in the 8th European Parliament elections on 22-25 May 2014. The Committee of the Regions will support the European Parliament in explaining why it is important to vote and why this time is different, and what the main challenges to face together as Europeans are.

The growth and jobs agenda means more investments in the top priority: the success of Europe 2020, ensuring smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and involving regions and cities. But these words have no sense if we forget one of our main With the incoming Greek Presidency we share Together with the incoming challenges: securing jobs for the objective of ensuring democratic legitimacy Greek Presidency we share unemployed young citizens. the objective of ensuring and accountability at every decision-making democratic legitimacy and level in Europe.

In this context, the Committee Recent events in Ukraine th accountabilit y at ever y of the Regions will be holding its 6 Summit of have reminded us of the decision-making level in importance of Europe and Europe’s Regions and Cities in Athens on 7-8 Europe. In this context, the its values: what we are and March 2014, on the eve of the Spring European Committee of the Regions will what we stand for. We all Council and a few months ahead of the be holding its 6th Summit of support a strong, united and European Parliament elections.

Europe’s Regions and Cities in open Europe. That is why we support Ukraine’s European Athens on 7-8 March 2014, on aspirations. The Conference the eve of the Spring European of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern PartCouncil and a few months ahead of the European nership (CORLEAP) is an opportunity for an open debate Parliament elections. that could help to foster relations with countries in the area and provide a genuine regional dimension to the This summit will take stock of the economic recovery in Eastern Partnership initiative. An enhanced local dimenregions and cities, put forward proposals on the review sion would help the Eastern Partnership to become a of the Europe 2020 strategy, and debate the future of key tool for democratic, social and economic developthe Union. The key issues on the summit agenda will be ment. We stand ready to help our Eastern partners on the review of the Europe 2020 strategy and a debate on their path to development. I am confident that our coopthe future of the Union. I believe that regions and cities eration with local and regional authorities in the Eastern are key agents of change, helping to turn the European Partnership and in CORLEAP will continue in 2014.

Union into a sustainable, smart and inclusive society in line with the targets of the Europe 2020 strategy.

In November we had a new opportunity to strengthen our partnership with China, as I represented the Committee of the Regions at the EU-China Summit and the EU-China partnership on Sustainable Urbanisation forum. Managing the challenges of urbanisation is a key task if we are to move towards a “green growth” strategy, stressing the importance of efficient use of resources and protection of the environment. I should also recall that the EU attaches great importance to respect for fundamental freedoms in China. Global changes demand closer cooperation between European and emerging countries to devise projects adapted to a globalised economy and increased trade relations.

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The review of Europe 2020 will be one of the priorities of the new EU legislature to ensure a competitive, stronger and more cohesive Europe. To ensure the success of these objectives, the Committee of the Regions would like to see the role of regions and cities strengthened in the delivery of Europe’s growth and jobs agenda on the ground.

Last but not least, the Committee of the Regions will also celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. This will be a great occasion to take stock of past achievements and look into the future.

Political Priorities 2014

2014 will see European elections, and with them a new European Parliament and Commission. 2014 will be also an important year for the Committee of the Regions. In April the CoR will celebrate its 20th anniversary, a very special moment that will show just how essential the regional and territorial dimension is in securing progress on the European growth and jobs agenda and thus in restoring confidence.

Looking ahead to these challenges, we met with European Commission Vice-president Maroš Šefčovič, during the Committee’s November plenary, and asked him to outline the Commission’s priorities and his views on the most important political choices.

Interview with Maroš Šefcˇovicˇ, Vice-president of the European Commission responsible for interinstitutional relations and administration

The European Commission’s 2014 Work Programme Commissioner, why it is important for the achievement of the European Commission’s work programme to involve local and regional authorities?

The Committee of the Regions, and the regional and local authorities you represent, have a key role in securing progress on the European growth and jobs agenda and thus in restoring confidence. After all, in many cases it is precisely at local and regional levels that the measures agreed at European and national levels to boost jobs and generate growth must be translated into meaningful and appropriate action. The Committee of the Regions resolution adopted in July made an important contribution to the preparation of the 2014 Work Programme. As you pointed out in that resolution, 2014 will be a year of major transition but one during which we must continue to generate growth and jobs, reinforce EU citizenship and show citizens how the EU level can make a real difference.

We share a common vision: we need to get out of the crisis and head towards a Europe that is stronger, more open and more united.

Maroš Šefcˇovicˇ, Vice-president of the European Commission responsible for interinstitutional relations and administration

We now need to ensure a smooth and timely start for all MFF programmes for the 2014-2020 period. Part of that MFF deal was of course a EUR 325 billion investment in regional development projects across the EU in 2014-2020.

This is a major step to provide the EU with the resources it needs to support Europe’s real economy – and I hope a major catalyst for growth in your regions and cities.

You will see from the priorities set out in the Work Programme that realising the potential of the Single Market remains key. In September we presented a proposal paving the way for a single market in telecommunications that should make an important contribution to a dynamic single market for telecommunications by 2015. But we will also continue to play our part in the work to boost competitiveness. On 2 October 2013, the Commission adopted a Communication on REFIT with a view to promoting a business-friendly environment by simplifying and streamlining legislation.

What are your external relations priorities?

What are the key priorities for 2014 and what financial resources have been earmarked?

The priority must remain growth and jobs, including specific areas like youth unemployment and how to encourage investment to flow to help businesses grow. The launch of the MFF programmes is central to seeing benefits flowing to citizens. I welcome the agreement reached in mid-November on the 2014 budget, which will be a real catalyst for investment, growth and reform, and the positive vote in the European Parliament on the next MFF.

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

Growth will not come simply from getting our house in order internally. Our external economic relations are also an important driver for growth, as well as reinforcing our position in the world. We expect to pursue our trade and enlargement agenda in 2014, as well as preparing a number of important international negotiations, including an international agreement on climate change – an area in which I know many of you here in the Committee of the Regions are particularly active, through the Covenant of Mayors and other local or regional initiatives.

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Political Priorities 2014

Where are we with the Europe 2020 strategy and economic affairs?

As in previous years, the on-going robust involvement of local and regional authorities in the European semester and the Europe 2020 strategy is of key importance. The Annual Growth Survey once again sets out the top five economic priorities that should guide Member States when they design their budgets and economic reform plans over the next year. Many of your regions and local authorities will have a part to play in the drawing up of those plans.

The key message of the 2014 Annual Growth Survey is the importance of bolstering the recovery that is already underway. Our strategies are working; Member States are gradually correcting the imbalances that developed before the crisis. As a result, the Annual Growth Survey has kept the same five over-arching priorities identified in 2013, with an emphasis on different areas to reflect the developing economic background.

ment Funds (ESIF). As you are very much aware, cohesion policy is one of the main tools at our disposal today to secure growth and create jobs. Its governance model is unique in allowing for the investment of significant levels of EU resources in Member States and regions. In this respect, therefore, multi-level governance is a key principle of regional policy.

But we still need to focus our attention more closely on choosing the right policy priorities and the right investment projects to fully deliver on Europe 2020. This is why in 2014-2020, cohesion policy will change significantly from a solidarity instrument to an investment policy.

2014 will be the start of the next programming period for cohesion policy. The programmes approved next year will to a great extent determine the direction European investments will take over the next seven years.

Unemployment seems to be the key issue in many European regions. What new proposals is the European Commission making in order to tackle this urgent problem?

These priorities are: – pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; – restoring lending to the economy; – promoting growth and competitiveness for today and tomorrow; – tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis;

As the Commission’s progress report on economic, social and territorial cohesion published back in June clearly shows, unemployment is the number one concern at local, regional, national and EU levels. This crisis has had a widespread effect, on both more- and less-developed regions. As a result, the disparities between EU regions have started to grow again after a long period of convergence. Now the challenge is to ensure that all regions return to a positive growth path.

– modernising public administration.

The Annual Growth Survey also calls for national ownership of the country specific recommendations to be reinforced. It calls on Member States to involve national parliaments and other national players, including local and regional authorities, in the process so as to ensure that key reforms are understood and accepted. This will be particularly important during the process of designing the National Reform Programmes ahead of their submission to the Commission in April 2014.

2014 will be also the year the new multi-annual financial framework is implemented…

You are right. 2014 will be the first year of implementation of the new European multi-annual financial framework.

In addition to projects conducted jointly at EU level to boost Europe-wide innovation and infrastructure, an investment capacity of more than EUR 420 billion will be mobilised to boost growth and jobs at national and regional levels through the European Structural and Invest-

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The 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes should ensure that their investments’ principal contribution is to overcoming the impact of the crisis on our regions and cities. That’s why cohesion policy is now concentrating on key thematic areas that are directly related to the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. The Commission is also proposing a reinforced territorial approach. This will cater to the specific needs of particular regions, foster their integration and build on local knowledge of regional potential.

There is a growing understanding of the importance of integrated regional development and the functional links in and between regions. This is reflected in a strong emphasis on integration: integration of funds within a Common Strategic Framework for the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; and integration of sectoral investment to address major territorial challenges.

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Political Priorities 2014

Maroš Šefcˇovicˇ presented the work programme of the European Commission at the CoR plenary session in November 2013

How will you ensure that the new European regulations pay heed to the diversity of our regions in line with the principle of subsidiarity?

I can assure you that subsidiarity and cooperation with parliaments and assemblies at national and regional level remains high on the institutional and political agenda of this Commission. This is because you, the elected representatives, are closest to the public and are the best placed to understand how the political decisions taken at every level of government will affect the reality on the ground. The EU works best when it focuses on its core business. Subsidiarity is about the choice of whether and where to propose action at European level. The Commission takes this choice extremely seriously. It is a key part of our approach to smart regulation. This includes, in particular, early planning and involvement of stakeholders, including local and regional authorities, in our work, and impact assessments to ensure that we get new legislation right.

As you well know, impact assessment is a key element in this approach. It provides the most detailed analysis of subsidiarity and the proportionality of Commission initiatives, taking into account views expressed during stakeholder consultations. The Commission’s revised Impact Assessment guidelines have enhanced the guidance available by providing a set of structured questions inspired by the work of the Committee of the Regions.

They also emphasise the need to reinforce the analysis of regional and local aspects in impact assessments, in case the planned initiative might have differing regional and local impacts.

The Commission is seeking practical ways to improve its analysis and data availability on these matters, not least through the Committee of Regions and its Subsidiarity Monitoring Network. We welcome the input the Committee of Regions can provide towards reinforcing analysis of regional aspects in impact assessments during the preparatory phase of any significant legislative proposals.

How do you perceive the future of European project in a crucial year when we will hold European elections and see a new European Parliament and Commission?

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

As I said earlier, 2014 will be a transition year, as we move towards a new European Parliament and Commission.

But in many ways, each year from now on will be moving us towards a new vision for Europe. As President Barroso pointed out in his State of the Union address “a political union needs to be our political horizon”. This is the only way forward to consolidate our progress and secure the future.

The European Commission has already started the ball rolling on this process with its blueprint for a more integrated EMU and this points the way towards further steps towards a political union, with the necessary democratic control and oversight mechanisms. But let’s be clear; the times of European integration by implicit consent are over. We need a public opinion that supports the next steps that are indispensable for a stronger and more united Union. You will have a major role to play in this crucial debate on the future of our Union.

Before the European elections, the Commission will present further ideas on the future of the Union and how best to consolidate and deepen the community method and community approach in the longer term. In that way, they can be subject to a real European debate. We will set out the principles and guidelines necessary for true political union. Building on the community method, the Commission will have to be developed further into an EU executive, which depends on enhanced legitimacy through truly European elections.

Finally, it seems that the worst of the financial crisis is behind us: what changes might we expect in the eurozone?

We need a more integrated euro area that remains open to the participation of all Member States. Under no circumstances must the genuine EMU be seen as an alternative to the integrity of the Union and its institutions as a whole. It must build on the current Treaty framework.

And of course, we welcome any input from the Committee of the Regions to the debate on Treaty reform and take note of your views in the light of the preparation of the Commission’s paper on the future of the European Union.

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Political Priorities 2014

As a response to the final outcome of the European Commission’s 2014 work programme (see interview with Commission Vice-president, Maroš Šefčovič on pages 3-5), members of the Committee of the Regions adopted a resolution at the 104th Plenary held in Brussels on the 2829 November. The resolution, which highlights the major challenges ahead as identified by the CoR, details the institution’s political priorities for 2014. Key for the upcoming year will be generating sustainable growth, ensuring social, economic and territorial cohesion, and creating jobs, especially for young people. With the closing of the European Year of Citizens 2013, another one of the Committee’s top priorities will be to help reinforce citizens’ trust in the European project, especially in view of the upcoming European elections. In response to the institution’s priorities, presidents of the CoR’s political groups underscore their group’s work programme for the upcoming year.

Monitoring and shaping European transition

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

2014 is going to be a crucial year for many regions and municipalities. Launch of the new EU multiannual budget and political campaign ahead of the European elections will provide an impetus for a debate on the future of Europe’s integration model. Members of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions will be focused on monitoring and assessment of practical aspects of the implementation of the new innovative EU programmes, launched in the framework of the new financial perspective. We will need to react quickly to address any burning issues in that respect. Structural funds account for approximately 1/3 of the EU expenditure and we wish this money to be spent well, bringing visible benefits to our citizens and economy.

There are a lot of European regions willing to reduce further their development gaps and to increase their investments with a help of the EU funding. We will need to make sure that new regulations and budget allocations would not only be secured and delivered in time but also not hampered by red tape. Following years of austerity, Europe deserves to observe growth and new jobs being created, especially for youth.

European regional policy successes should also positively fuel the political campaign ahead of the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. Our Group is planning to be actively involved in sharing our on-the-field success

stories showcasing how EU policies bring positive change to Europe in practice. We also hope to use this upcoming months not only for advocating our EPP programme but as an opportunity to reconnect with the citizens on European topics. We will listen to their expectations, discuss the priorities and explain better our solutions to the complex issues. Euroscepticism have gained too much ground in Europe lately, offering too easy answers to too difficult questions. We need to make sure that no one is trying to take advantage of our citizens, trying to misguide or manipulate them. European project requires cooperation and unity to face both local and global challenges of the XXI century.

The upcoming European elections should offer platform for such debate.

I hope these events will lead us to active involvement in writing the new future for Europe and its integration. EPP Group is looking forward to the 6th Summit of Europe’s Regions and Cities in Athens. Event scheduled for 7-8 March 2014 should give us a chance to reflect on further cooperation of European regions and municipalities. Marking the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Committee of the Regions should involve wide debate on how to shape model of our partnership and bring even more effective results for our regions and Europe.

We want to provide added value to the development of EU policies Following the success of its activities to increase the CoR’s impact on the work of the European Parliament, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe begins 2014 determined to continue innovating on this front and pushing for the CoR to develop further its own impact activities.

ALDE MEPs have responded very favourably to the policy input coming from the ALDE-CoR group, demonstrating that the CoR’s views are providing added value to the development of EU policies.

Bas Verkerk (NL/ALDE), Chairman of the ALDE Group

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In times of budget constraints, we will continue to question budgetary decisions within the CoR, in a constructive manner, with a view to ensuring that they are being made in the most effective way to maximise the institution’s delivery.

Building on the past two years in which we have focused

on helping Europe’s local and regional authorities to make good use of financial engineering instruments, for the benefit of their citizens, we will continue to develop this knowledge further in particular as the new spending programme 2014-2020 gets underway.

Finally, ALDE will host its third meeting with liberal councillors from the city of Brussels, to develop our ties with the city that hosts the EU institutions, we will organise a joint event with the European Liberal Forum on the integration of Roma in Europe’s communities, and at the end of the year we will hold our IV LeaDeRs Awards that reward good governance, engagement with citizens, and bringing the EU closer to the citizen.

Political Priorities 2014

We will continue to argue for a profound change in the way that the European Union is governed The PES Group in the CoR will continue to argue for a profound change in the way that the European Union is governed. In the face of the most profound crisis, the PES Group will continue to focus its activities and ambitions on improving people’s lives and opportunities through tangible action on the ground. To this effect, local and regional authorities should be put at the heart of a revised European growth strategy. The PES Group will reiterate its call for a reform of the Stability and Growth Pact, which would encourage public investments with long-term net benefits such as social investments in education, health and housing. In this context, the PES Group insists that social investments must no longer be perceived as a cost or market failure. Likewise, the PES Group is advocating a strengthened social dimension of the European Monetary Union (EMU), providing the EU with the tools to sustain the potential for real economic convergence and social progress

for all Member States. Furthermore, it will continue to urge for clear legal provisions at European level applying to the implementation of services of general interest. The Group’s call for a European agenda for social housing remains also high on the agenda. In a context of economic difficulties for an increasing number of households, there is an urgent need to clarify the competition rules applicable to social housing, to promote social mix and to fight discrimination. The PES Group also insists on the need to prioritise a strengthened role for regional and local authorities in implementing youth employment strategies, including a European Youth Guarantee. Last but not least, the PES Group will continue to advocate a strong role for local and regional authorities in mitigating, and adapting to, climate change at a global level, and for the development of a genuine European immigration policy.

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

EA group to focus on rural development and youth employment The citizens have a lot of expectations from the EU and it is also our responsibility to make sure a positive message is conveyed to our local communities. Nevertheless, there is no more room for complacency and the EU must be able to respond to the demands of its citizens. In 2014 the EA group will keep a close eye on the implementation of the new rural development policy while upholding the need to ensure a balanced development between urban and rural areas. Building on the fruitful cooperation with the Lithuanian presidency and on the success of the seminar on the sustainability of rural areas, held in Panevėžys (Lithuania) upon invitation of the Major Mr Zagunis, we would endeavour to make sure the key principles of the Panevėžys

declaration are put at the centre of the future presidencies priorities. Moreover, The EA group will keep calling for bolder action to address the regrettable scourge of youth unemployment. We must create bounds between the old and new generations and show solidarity towards the youth who are paying more than anybody else the prices of a crisis they have not been responsible for. Hence, we will continue organising our main political and communication projects, notably by organising competitions for secondary school students as well as pupils, to closely engage them in our work and explain that EU can do something for them and it is more than a simple bureaucratic machine.

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

A year of growth, delivery and better governance As the ECR Group in the Committee of the Regions, we will continue working hard for local and regional interests to be upheld in the EU. Localism is an indispensable element of a democratic EU. There are three key areas that we will continue prioritising – growth, delivery and governance. We will continue our efforts for sustainable economic growth and job creation. To achieve this, our competitiveness must be at the heart of our thinking process in the EU. We must ensure that our policy-making process is enhancing our competitiveness and not hindering it. It is only by being competitive that we can deliver sustainable economic growth and jobs. This is fundamental for the long-term success of programmes such as the “Youth Guarantee”.

We will also continue working for an EU that delivers. We will continue uploading our lessons learnt from the implementation of EU legislation in our local in regional authorities, so that EU legislation can be improved. To this end, we will be closely

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

following the improvement of the EU Solidarity Fund and Official Controls along the lines proposed by the Committee of the Regions. We will also focus our efforts on ensuring that the EU delivers on its promises of a smart, sustainable and inclusive EU by the year 2020. We will strive to find local and regional solutions and means of ensuring we fully reach these goals by the year 2020 at the latest. For example, we will be advocating the concrete policy proposals made in our Vilnius Declaration on energy security and renewable sources of energy as a way of reaching the EUs Energy 2020 goals.

The transparent, democratic and good Governance of the EU will also remain a key priority. The EU must not continue drifting away from the citizens but must be brought closer to the communities. It is not an elite democracy that we need but rather a realist democracy with localism at heart. We must also ensure good house-keeping. We must be light in our legislative touch and responsible in our spending.

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

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EU External Relations Since its creation 20 years ago, Committee of the Regions engages with local and regional authorities of third countries in three complementary areas: European Neighborhood Policy, Enlargement Policy and Development Aid. We believe that it is important to support responsible neighbors. To the east and south of the European Union lie many countries which have in recent years undergone tumultuous political change. Recent events in Ukraine and Eastern Partnership countries are just the latest examples of this which is why the European Neighborhood Policy aims to maintain solid and friendly relations with countries that are at the European Union’s borders. Promoting democracy, human rights and opening trade and cooperation on visa issues are key political issues in the Western Balkans area and many candidate and pre-candidate countries. Finally, the EU is the largest single donor of development aid and many European local authorities are active in decentralised cooperation. In 2010, the combined total of donations from the EU and member states was EUR 53,8 billion which is making a huge difference to millions of people’s livelihoods around the world. The European Union is also committed to human rights and works to ensure they are respected universally. The EU has made human rights a central aspect of its external relations: in the political dialogues it holds with third countries; through its development policy and assistance; or through its action in multilateral fora.

Eastern Partnership: role of local democracy highlighted by Heads of State and Government The Conclusions of the EaP Summit in Vilnius recalled the “significant role” of local democracy and self-government.

Partnership, and support the inclusion of local and regional authorities in the implementation of EaP policies.

They also emphasise the importance of developing regional cooperation and macro-regional strategies across the EaP space. Speaking at the Summit, Mercedes Bresso, First CoR Vice-President, said: “The Heads of State have given full recognition to the added value of having a territorial dimension in the policies covered by the Eastern Partnership. This is a significant achievement for the CoR which, via the CORLEAP, has worked over the past years to ensure better integration of local and regional authorities in EaP policies”.

To build positive development in the EaP strategy, CoR 1st Vicepresident Mercedes Bresso called for the creation of a Regional Development Programme for the Eastern Partnership in order to successfully balance growth among the various regions of the EaP countries.

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) welcomes the conclusions of the Eastern Partnership Summit held in Vilnius on 29 November, in which Heads of State and Government give a prominent place to local and regional authorities and explicitly recognise the role of local democracy in Eastern Partnership (EaP) policies. This follows up to the recommendations made by the CoR joint political assembly of regional and local representatives from the EU and Eastern partners (CORLEAP), which was represented at the Summit by the Committee of the Regions’ First Vice-President, Mercedes Bresso, and CORLEAP co-chair, Mamuka Abuladze, from Georgia.

The Summit’s conclusions highlight the “significant role” of local democracy and local self-government in the

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Mamuka Abuladze, President of the Georgian Association of Local Authorities and CORLEAP co-chair, recalled the main recommendations of CORLEAP to further empower regional and local authorities from the Eastern partners, namely public administration reform, fiscal decentralisation and territorial cooperation. He stressed that: “All those three issues could have a strong effect on enhancing the capacities of the local and regional authorities. What is more important, it could improve the key issue of the responsiveness of the EaP policy to citizens”.

The CORLEAP will now concentrate its work on proposing and developing instruments to help deliver on those commitments. Its 4th plenary session, to be held in Tblisi, Georgia, in 2014, will mostly focus on macroregional strategies and territorial cohesion policy. To build positive development in the EaP strategy, CoR 1st Vice-president Mercedes Bresso called for the creation of a Regional Development Programme for the Partnership in order to successfully balance growth among the various regions.

EU External Relations

Devolution of budgetary policy: latest developments in the Eastern Partnership countries Four years ago, the Eastern Partnership was born; and two years ago, the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities of the countries of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) began work. Since then, it has campaigned hard for reforms of local and regional authorities in the Eastern Partnership countries.

Devolution of budgetary policy is a hot topic in many of the Eastern Partnership countries. As a member of the CORLEAP Bureau, I have already called for this issue to be tackled as a priority in discussions with the Eastern Partnership countries, and I am pleased that the devolution of budgetary policy has now been selected as a priority for CORLEAP’s work. Conversations with colleagues from local and regional authorities of countries of the Eastern Partnership have made clear to me how important this issue really is. That is why our colleagues would like to learn about tried and tested practices in the EU Member States. Budget discipline is a prerequisite for ensuring that local authority services are provided at least to a minimum level and meet minimum quality standards. At present, the central governments play a significant, indeed dominant, role in the revenue systems of Eastern Partnership countries, and local and regional authorities have very limited means of creating revenue streams of their own. Thus, for example, in local authorities in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, the distribution of tax revenues among local and regional authorities is the most important issue. In those countries, the tax system is centralised, so financial independence of local and regional authorities is an illusion. Since local and regional authorities have no direct access to the financial markets to take out loans, they are heavily dependent on centrally-awarded grants, which in turn hinders the development of a stable, devolved financial system. Similarly, the devolution of budgetary policy in the Republic of Moldova is not in a healthy state.

I also welcome the fact that the political report adopted in September this year by CORLEAP places particular emphasis on the importance of financial autonomy of local and regional authorities to the implementation of multi-level governance. At the same time, the report recognises that the right of local authorities to alter tax rates in their budgets – the basic principle of devolution of budgetary policy – is what makes a functioning local and regional level.

In the meantime, CORLEAP has drawn up its message to the third summit of heads of state or government of the EU and the Eastern Partnership on 28-29 November 2013 in Vilnius, in which it

also refers to the importance of devolution in budgetary policy.

In our message, we have stressed that it is not possible to apply a one-size-fits-all model of budgetary devolution to the various levels of government in each country. Particular consideration needs to be given to the fact that decentralisation of spending is a prerequisite for efficient use of public funds at national level and, by extension, at the level of the local and regional authorities who provide services to local people.

The next summit between the European Union and the Eastern Partnership is scheduled for the first half of 2015 in Riga, when Latvia will be holding the Council presidency. It would therefore be useful, in the coming two years, to be just as persistent in pushing forward the process of moving the partner countries and their local and regional authorities towards democratic governance and the European Union.

Valcárcel Siso in China: We need policies that combine urban development and respect for the environment Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the CoR presented, in the framework of the sixteenth EU-China summit on 21-22 November, European experience in the field of green urbanization. According to the President Valcárcel Siso, European integration demonstrated that practical policy measures that influence daily lives of millions of citizens can lead to far deeper social and environmental changes: “European countries have learned that progress can be achieved through mutual cooperation and building a consensus on policies that combine urban development and respect for the environment”.

The theme of green urban development is rapidly emerging as a major issue of mutual concern. The unprecedented pace of urbanisation in China is well known and by 2025, China is expected to have 221 cities with more than one million inhabitants.

Meanwhile, in the European Union, urban issues have continued

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to advance to the top of the policy agenda. Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for regional and urban policy has noted that, “The development of our cities will determine the future of Europe”.

Andris Jaunsleinis (LV/ALDE), CORLEAP-Bureau member

On 10 December, Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy addressed the protesters in Kiev directly: “I was among you on Maidan square in the evening and was impressed by the determination of Ukrainians demonstrating for the European perspective of their country.”

Photo by European External Action Service - EEAS

Today, China is facing increasing pressure on its environment, land use, as well as its rural population, as the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation request more natural and human resources.

With galloping urbanisation new phenomena are interconnected such as the displacement of nomadic populations, as well as the expropriation of land and properties. Air pollution became an increasingly urgent problem in major Chinese cities. These challenges have to be tackled in a holistic way, as it was recalled in the first working session by Ye Qing, Secretary General of Ecological City Research Committee of Chinese Society for Urban Studies.

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EU External Relations

Cooperation on regional and urban policy was first suggested in the seventh EU-China summit of December 2004. In 2012, the Committee of the Regions, in cooperation with the European Commission and networks of major European cities, such as

Eurocities, launched an EU-China Mayors’ Forum with particular attention to sustainable urbanisation. In 2013, in the framework of the sixteenth EU-China summit, for the first time regional and urban policy was a part of the priority issues under discussion.

1 Town square 1 surrounded by new apartments in Tongren City, China. China’s push to urbanise villagers in remote areas is done in the hope that economic growth will follow, and living conditions will improve. In many respects, this has happened.

But relocation is also having a harmful impact on the environment and culture of these regions. Photo by Andrew Stokols Valcárcel Siso, 2 President of the CoR at the EU-China summit: “European countries have learned that progress can be achieved through mutual cooperation and building a consensus on policies that combine urban development and respect for the environment”.

EU Enlargement: local governments to drive process forward Following the adoption of the EU enlargement strategy on 16 October, the Committee of the Regions reiterates his full commitment to ensure the success of enlargement.

Ensuring the success of the enlargement process remains one the Committee of the Regions’ (CoR) major political priorities. In this regards, the role of local and regional representatives in the enlargement process is fundamental.

The European Commission adopted its 2013-2014 enlargement strategy and yearly progress reports on EU candidate countries on 16 October. The EU executive recommends granting EU candidate status to Albania and the opening of accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Commission confirms the continued relevance of the “fundamentals” underpinning the enlargement process: the rule of law, strengthening economic governance, support for democratic institutions, respect for fundamental rights and ties between the enlargement countries and EU Member States.

Speaking in his capacity as former CoR rapporteur on the EU Enlargement Strategy for 2012-2013, Luc Van den Brande (BE/EPP), President of the Flanders-Europe Liaison Agency, said that, “I am pleased to see that, although going through troubles times, the EU is still committed to a strong and open European accession process. Local governments have a major role in that respect. This is why it is essential for the EU to encourage candidate countries to ensure that the powers devolved to local and regional authorities reflect their level of responsibilities in applying EU rules. These responsibilities must of course be supported by proper financial means, without which they would be powerless to adequately implement reforms”.

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In view of the crucial role of local and regional authorities in driving the enlargement process forward, the CoR insists on the need for cities and regions from candidate and potential candidate countries to maintain their decentralization and regionalization efforts. These efforts must be completed by genuine partnerships between different levels of governance, but also between different countries and regions.

Positive experience of the Local Administration Facility programme The CoR also stresses the very positive experience of the Local Administration Facility programme, coordinated together with the European Commission, which helps increasing the understanding of the functioning of the EU through the organization of study visits for local and regional representatives from candidate – and potential candidate – countries to Brussels.

To foster political dialogue with local and regional authorities form the enlargement countries, the CoR has set up joint consultative committees and working groups that meet every year. The aim is to provide CoR members and local and regional representatives from enlargement countries with a political platform to exchange experiences and good practices.

Arnoldas Abramavicius (LT/EPP), Mayor of Zarasai District Municipality, CoR rapporteur on the EU enlargement strategy for 2013-2014

EU External Relations

Progress report on Turkey gives new impetus Negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the EU were at a virtual standstill for more than three years, officially due to differences of opinion regarding the application to Cyprus of the Additional Protocol.

While the accession negotiations at national level were on hold, dialogue between the Committee of the Regions and Turkish local representatives continued unabated. The members of the working group on Turkey worked tirelessly to explain to their Turkish counterparts, with the aid of practical examples, the benefits of local self-government in line with the principles of subsidiarity and regionalisation. Meanwhile, the Turkish mayors continued to report persistent shortcomings in complying with democratic standards, with “undesirable” local politicians still being put under pressure and subjected to prosecution on the basis of arbitrary interpretations of the law. The conditions for implementing citizen-friendly local politics do not yet meet the standards set by the EU’s acquis communautaire.

The public protests in a number of Turkish cities were an expression of this democratic deficit, and also the reason why the working group meeting planned for June had to be cancelled. It is now scheduled to be held in Yenimahalle, Ankara on 21 November 2013. The working

group on Turkey welcomes the opening of Chapter 22 on regional policy as an expression of a shared commitment to pursuing the process of convergence. The progress made in the constitutional process, in economic development, in energy policy, in the treatment of minorities and in visa issues gives grounds for renewed optimism. The Committee of the Regions hopes to use its specific resources to be yet more closely involved in the accession process, and reiterates its call for the working group on Turkey to be converted to a joint consultative committee. This would make it possible to focus even more on local and regional issues in the accession process, which remains far from straightforward.

Heinz Lehmann (DE/EPP), Member of the Saxony Landtag, Chair of the CoR’s working group on Turkey

The positive agenda from 2012 is not a replacement for continuing accession negotiations on the basis of the acquis communautaire. However, the progress that can be made following the opening of Chapter 22 could strengthen the role of the regions in Turkey and thus improve cooperation with Europe’s local and regional authorities.

JCC to take stock of Montenegro progress towards EU A year after opening accession negotiations, Montenegro has provisionally closed two negotiation chapters (science and research; education and culture).

The European commission has recently published Progress report on Montenegro in the context of the wider Enlargement strategy for 2013-2014. The Commission records the progress exhibited by Montenegro so far. A year after opening accession negotiations, Montenegro has provisionally closed two negotiation chapters (science and research; education and culture), while opening benchmarks have been set for six chapters (free movement of goods; right of establishment and freedom to provide services; competition policy; agriculture and rural development; food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy; regional policy and coordination of structural instruments). Here negotiations should open soon. Montenegro is also commended for the inclusive approach given to accession negotiations with a strong involvement of civil society.

Still, political and economic challenges lie ahead of Montenegro. In particular, according to the European Commission, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the consolidation of the rule of law and the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary will continue to be a focus. Public administration reform and the strengthening of administrative capacities – to issues vital for Montenegrin municipalities – are identified as priorities by the Commission. On the economic front, Montenegro needs to enhance productivity, foster competitiveness and attract foreign investments but I am confident the enthusiasm for membership creates momentum for the necessary reforms.

Like every year, the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) composed of 8 members from the CoR and eight from the Montenegrin local authorities will take stock of the progress made during the last year while looking at ways to promote further the integration of Montenegro in the EU as well as to address shortcomings. As co-chair of the

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Joint Consultative Committee with Montenegro, I am delighted to note the excellent cooperation between the CoR and Montenegrin local authorities since the inaugural meeting of the JCC in November 2012.

The Joint consultative committee will keep ensuring the local authorities in Montenegro are largely involved in the accession process and will focus on key thematic priorities of common interest for local and regional authorities. At the last meetings in Podgorica and Brussels the JCC has already dealt with different topics such as environmental protection, waste management and decentralisation issues. Moreover, the CoR Members are eager to pass on the benefit of their knowledge and experience to the Montenegrin colleagues when it comes to increasing absorption capacity for EU pre-accession funds and improving administrative capacity.

Stanislaw Szwabski (PL/EA), Co-chair of the EU-CoR Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee (JCC)

JCC EU-Montenegro adopted its first report on 4 December. The next JCC meeting will be held on 30 June 2014 in Kotor (Montenegro).

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EU External Relations

Montenegro needs to increase its absorption capacity The draft report by Witold Stępien, Marshall of the Łódz Region, and Alexander Bogdanovich, Mayor of Cetinje, includes a series of recommendations to increase absorption capacity of EU pre-accession funds and improve administrative capacity at the local level in Montenegro.

Witold Stępień (PL/EPP), Marshall of the Łódz Region, co-rapporteur on Montenegro

Cooperation through the CoR’s EU-Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee enables candidate countries such as Montenegro to tap into the experience of other countries which have already joined the EU in absorbing pre-accession funds in such a way as to ensure maximum impact.

The draft report focuses on several main areas such as strengthening administration, supporting entrepreneurship, boosting the role of the R&D sector, enhancing the role of cross-border cooperation and raising awareness among local communities of the effects of pre-accession funding. Closer involvement of the Montenegrin authorities in dialogue with local communities, the research sector and the business environment on the requisite targeting of national and pre-accession funding

is conducive to innovative approaches, while encouraging local entrepreneurs to make greater use of preaccession funding. Effectively informing Montenegrin citizens about the end results of projects co-financed by the IPA helps to develop a more creative society and to raise awareness of the opportunities arising from longterm participation in EU structures. The report takes into account the country’s demographic potential, and discusses the possibilities for efficient retraining and retention of government officials in key areas such as public procurement and environmental protection. The draft report also emphasises the country’s numerous achievements on the road towards European integration, for example its involvement in international and regional cooperation programmes supporting European integration.

JCC with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia On 3 December, local and regional representatives from the EU and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia met for the 9th time in the framework of the Joint Consultative Committee.

As European Union Co-chair of the CoR’s JCC, Jacques Blanc (FR/EPP), Mayor of La Canourgue, recalled the CoR’s involvement in the democratic process of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; notably by taking part in the Observation Mission organised by the Council of Europe during the country’s latest local elections in spring 2013.

The JCC meeting focused on two main issues: the involvement of local and regional authorities in the country’s accession process in view of the European Commission’s 2013 Progress Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and good practises in managing EU funds to ensure that local and regional authorities can make the best use out of the EU’s pre-accession funds and prepare for using well structural and cohesion funds.

and regional authorities are responsible for assessing the situation, setting priorities, making the selection of projects and the subsequent control, while always being fair and sticking to transparency principles”.

Opening the meeting, Ivica Konevski, Mayor of Aerodrom and JCC co-chair, pointed out the importance of the expertise provided by EU local and regional authorities. “We want to build our future in the European Union. For that, the CoR is helping us in defining our needs and goals to build a more democratic and pluralistic society. European local and regional authorities’ support is essential for us to be able to continue with our work in reinforcing the decentralisation process in our country”, he said.

Representing Poland’s biggest region, Adam Struzik (PL/ EPP), Marshall of the Mazowsze region, presented examples of his country’s best practises in managing cohesion funds.

“The cornerstone should be the partnership principle. Local and regional authorities have to work together with economic In 2014, it is crucial that the momentum for enlargement is maintained and social partners choosing the and that the reforms necessary for progress on the European path in the projects that can best contribute enlargement countries are pursued with vigour. Maintaining the momentum to regional economic growth and creating employment”, of enlargement and the momentum for reforms are two sides of the same highlighted the CoR member, coin. Both are crucial for the credibility of our enlargement policy who also recalled that “local Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy

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EU External Relations

Our duty is to help the disadvantaged Europe needs to appreciate that the borders of Italy, Malta and Greece are its own external borders and offer all the help and resources it can muster.

Some years ago, while on a visit to Gothenburg, Sweden, I went to see an exhibition about travelling and immigration and was struck by the etymological roots of the word travel, which is related to the French word travail, or work. Apart from travel for business – and travelling is very much part of our work – we never really think of travelling as hard work, but tend to associate it with holidays. For many people it means death. This is the reality facing many who attempt the crossing from North Africa to Europe. The world was shocked by the Lampedusa tragedy and the one that followed a week later in Malta’s search and rescue (SAR) zone. Maybe, as has often been the case, it took a tragedy to sound the alarm and wake people up to reality.

It is our duty as human beings to make sure that our fellow humans do not end their lives in a sea of death, as the southern part of the Mediterranean basin could be labelled. It is our duty to give succour to the disadvantaged. Europe also needs to appreciate that the borders of Italy, Malta and Greece are its own external borders and offer all the help and resources it can muster. People are shocked at the way Europe seems to respond very quickly to economic downturns, bailouts and recessions, yet vacillates in response to human tragedy.

Everyone understands perfectly well the need for legal and financial instruments to be put in place, and yet the talking continues. Nevertheless, the lack of action, real

or perceived, is no excuse for those of us living on these borders to avoid doing our part of job and extending a hand to the unfortunate, the weak and the downtrodden, because in turning our backs we would be killing with indifference.

Local and national authorities have their own part to play on many levels: firstly, the immediate response to save people in distress at sea; secondly, ensuring that they are treated with respect, despite their status as irregular migrants and the fact that they are technically breaking the law; thirdly, we should ensure that they are fairly processed to establish whether they can seek asylum, refugee status or be repatriated without endangering their lives or those of their loved ones; fourthly, those that do gain asylum or refugee status should be involved in integration programmes to ensure their rights and obligations in a community outside their country of origin; fifthly, and crucially, local and national authorities should run schemes to help the communities they represent understand the ramifications of irregular immigration, and the situation in which people can find themselves.

Samuel Azzopardi (MT/EPP), Mayor of Victoria, Gozo

This will require key players to make a concerted effort.

However, the European Union as a whole should continue to build on the good work that it has already done in this area and not succumb to apathy or indifference.

Europe should stand up for its values. Let us all be part of this Europe.

The dilemma of illegal migration Estimates suggest that there are some 1.7 million migrants in the EU from third countries.

The recent spate of people dying off the coast of Lampedusa, and in the deserts of Niger has again thrown the issue of illegal migration into the news headlines. Estimates suggest that there are some 1.7 million migrants in the EU from third countries; some will have work permits and visas with acceptable reasons for their visits. However, escalating numbers of people desperate to escape their own situation, or, lured by promises of better lives, pay traffickers to be transported in dreadful and dangerous conditions across continents and borders. The EU ‘border states’ have been particularly affected by this wave of desperate and illegal individuals with around 32,000 so far this year arriving in Malta and Italy. The Mediterranean has been described as a graveyard because of the thousands who have drowned or died en route.

The reasons people decide to migrate are both the ‘push’ to flee from conflict or oppression, and the ‘pull’ of the chance to move out of poverty. In addition, as economies become more technical and skilled, the gaps for low skilled/ low pay employment are often filled by migrant workers.

People have always fled from crisis and disaster and recent decades have witnessed large scale flights from Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and currently Syria. Some will present with genuine reasons to seek asylum and refugee status, with 335,000 claims made for asylum in the EU in 2012, but many are attracted by perceived economic opportunity.

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

The main EU destinations migrants head for are Germany, France, Sweden, Belgium and the UK. In a Europe still recovering from serious recession, with the millions of unemployed, the arrival of large numbers of what are invariably described as ‘illegal’ ‘irregular’ or ‘undocumented’ migrants has created growing conflict. Concerns that the waves of migrants are placing pressures on the provision of housing, health, education and social care, have found a resonance with citizens across the EU. In some cases the problems have been exacerbated by the right wing press, and exaggerated by xenophobic right wing political groups.

Growing concerns prompted a review at the recent EU leader’s summit and a promise of further action such as strengthening Eurosur border patrols in the Mediterranean and at crossing points. With a Frontex bill for repatriation already running at €10million; further preventive action must surely include improving public information about the perils of trafficking in those countries exporting vulnerable human beings. There is also a clear case to strengthen both the capacity of patrols and the porous nature of the departure points in post Arab spring countries such as Libya and Tunisia. Some NGOs are calling for clear channels through Europe to enable migrants pass through to their destination of choice, in active opposition to current EU policies. A further challenge will be opening a dialogue about the benefits and hazards of large scale migration, which affects the US Canada and Australia as well as the EU, in order to bring about clearer data and an effective legislative frame work.

Cllr Doreen Huddart (ALDE/UK), Newcastle upon Tyne City Council

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European Year of Citizens

We need a European citizenship that translates into tangible benefits As the European Year of Citizens 2013 draws to a close, the obvious question that springs to mind concerns the effective rights that come with EU citizenship.

Theodoros Gkotsopoulos (EL/PES), Municipal Councillor of Pallini, Attica

There is no doubt that European citizenship enables different national identities to coexist within the EU and allows citizens to be involved in the process of European integration, while helping to build European democracy.

words, the notion of EU citizenship cannot be limited to its economic dimension, but also has to embrace the political and social aspects of European integration.

However, in the light of the ever-worsening debt crisis and the increase in unemployment affecting more and more EU citizens, especially young people, we need a European citizenship that translates into tangible benefits, ranging from social and civic, to administrative and political benefits. European citizens’ growing alienation from political processes at all levels of government, not least the European level, has been manifesting itself through unacceptably high rates of abstention in various elections. Unfortunately, the winners of political apathy are often the far-right and so-called ‘protest parties’, and this leads to even greater social and political polarisation. EU citizenship needs to be backed by more democratic legitimacy at European level and by resolute steps towards strengthening the political union, alongside a deepened economic and monetary union. In other

It is a fact that, because local and regional authorities are close to citizens, they are best placed to promote a better understanding of EU citizenship and to make people more aware of its real benefits. It is also a fact that it is not enough just to establish rights, but it is equally important to ensure that they can be exercised without hindrance by those holding them. Creating a real area of freedom, security and justice to serve citizens and ensuring that people can move freely in that area is part and parcel of EU citizenship. Local and regional authorities can help in managing problems relating to the movement and residence of European citizens provided that their hands are not tied by red tape. An effective European citizenship should facilitate all this and it constitutes a key stepping stone towards the gradual creation of a true European identity.

Barcelona announced as the European Volunteering Capital 2014 At an announcement made in the European Parliament on 5 December, the International Day of the Volunteer, Barcelona was declared ‘European Capital of Volunteering 2014’. The European Volunteering Capital Competition aims to promote volunteering at local level by giving recognition to municipalities that support and strengthen partnerships with vol-

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unteer centres and volunteer involving organisations in their communities. Launched for the first time in the European Year of Citizens 2013 the competition attracted four candidates from three European countries: Barcelona (SPAIN); Laval (FRANCE); Guimaraes (PORTUGAL); and Rennes (FRANCE).

More information here: http://www.cev.be/

Policy Analysis

New cohesion policy and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 Main achievements and setbacks for the CoR Following the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the cohesion policy legislative package for 2014-2020 and the final vote in the EP plenary session on the MFF, the time has come to look back at the main achievements and disappointments for the CoR in these negotiations. The Committee of the Regions has made its voice heard on the future of post-2013 cohesion policy in a series of opinions adopted over the past four years. It has adopted outlook opinions as requested by the Commission, an opinion on the Fifth report on cohesion, opinions on the regulations of each of the structural funds and a resolution on the package as a whole over the course of the interinstitutional negotiations. In this analysis we present what the Committee has achieved and where the main setbacks lie.

New category of “transition regions” As requested by the CoR, a new category of “transition regions” has been created and all EU regions will continue to benefit from cohesion policy. Obviously the focus of funding will be on less developed regions, but the CoR warned of possible threshold effects and pointed out that even more developed regions face challenges, notably from a social policy point of view. Cohesion policy continues to be a powerful tool for supporting public investment across the EU, which is especially needed in the current period of economic crisis. The structural funds account for more than one third of all public investments in 13 Member States, over 50% in ten Member States and over 60% in seven other Member States.

Partnership and multilevel governance enshrined as key principles Not only has the principle of multilevel governance been enshrined for the first time in the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) alongside the partnership principle (Article 5), but the CoR has also succeeded in convincing the EP and the Council not to place lo cal and regional authorities on an equal footing with the social partners and NGOs, as was the case in the 2007-2013 period. In addition, an EU Code of Conduct will be drawn up as a delegated act to guide Member States in the implementation of these principles, although the Council was initially strongly opposed to the idea. Finally, the reformed cohesion policy will introduce partnership “agreements” to formalise these arrangements: although the word “contract” has disappeared, the CoR has consistently welcomed these developments.

European Social Fund firmly entrenched in cohesion policy The CoR had expressed concerns that the European Social Fund (ESF) could become a sectoral fund detached from the rest of cohesion policy, but this risk has been

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

avoided: the ESF will be covered by the CPR and the Common Strategic Framework (CSF). In some Member States, there are plans for the ESF to be managed at regional level in order to allow for better coordination with e.g. the ERDF, whilst in others this has already been the case for a long time (e.g. Italy). In most Member States, however, the ESF continues to be run at national level.

Introduction of a Common Strategic Framework Contrary to the previous financing period, in which it covered only the three structural and cohesion funds (ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund), the CPR will now cover also the rural development fund (EAFRD) and the maritime/fisheries fund (EMFF), and a Common Strategic Framework (CSF) will be introduced to facilitate coordination between them. This explains the new term of “structural and investment funds”. This innovation, welcomed by the CoR, is absolutely essential in order to foster an integrated territorial approach in the implementation of cohesion policy. The coordination mechanisms between structural and investment funds and territorial cooperation programmes have been strengthened in parallel, as requested by the CoR. Strengthened territorial and urban dimensions In line with the Barca report and supported by the CoR, the integrated territorial dimension of cohesion policy has been considerably strengthened and there is now also some recognition of functional areas. Some important new tools have been introduced, such as the extension of community-led local development (CLLD) to all funds, integrated territorial investments (ITI), joint action plans, territorial pacts (for the ESF) and multi-fund operational programmes. The new ITI instrument should be particularly useful in addressing urban challenges, and 5% of ERDF resources have been specifically allocated to integrated actions for sustainable urban development.

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Policy Analysis

Greater flexibility in thematic concentration and Financial engineering The CoR has succeeded in convincing the EP and the Council to introduce more flexibility in the thematic concentration of the various funds on Europe 2020 priorities compared to the Commission’s initial request (with the exception of European territorial cooperation). This flexibility will allow a more integrated/territorial approach in programming funds at local and regional level, since a wider menu of thematic priorities is needed for these strategies. In the case of the ESF for instance, the number of investment priorities with thematic concentrations should be extended to 5 or 6 (out of 18) instead of 4. Regarding the ERDF, greater flexibility has been introduced for transition regions, as requested by the CoR. The possibilities for using financial engineering instruments have been extended to all thematic priorities and all funds, which should open up new possibilities for public-private partnerships in financing EU projects.

This will be critical for some regions given the decrease in grant funding as a result of the MFF negotiations.

The role of the European Investment Bank will also be strengthened, as requested by the CoR. Territorial cooperation: EGTC review and macroregions The EGTC regulation has been reviewed along the lines of the CoR requests, although some elements still do not satisfy the main demands of the stakeholders expressed in the past by the CoR, notably the fact that tacit approval measure do not apply in the Member State where the EGTC has its headquarters and that the articles of the law contain no clear statement applicable to its staff (there is only a reference in the recitals). In addition, increased reference was made to macroregions in the cohesion policy legislative package, which will help to support its implementation, in particular by means of transnational cooperation: the EC will have to take into account the existence of macro-regional strategies when adopting the list of transnational areas to receive support.

Even though the Committee has expressed its general satisfaction with the new cohesion policy for 2014-2020, it has been disappointed on a number of scores. The key setback is the reduction of the overall budget for cohesion policy in real terms compared to 2007-2013.

Budget reduction in real terms compared to 2007-2013 The overall budget for cohesion policy has decreased in real terms compared to 2007-2013. The only areas for which a modest increase can be observed are territorial cooperation (ETC), youth unemployment (new initiative) and the European Social Fund (ESF). With regard to the latter, the budget increase is however diminished by the transfer of the Fund for European aid to the most deprived from the CAP to the cohesion policy budget line without the equivalent transfer of the budgetary appropriations (EUR 2.5 billion). In addition, the final agreement provides for the ESF to be allocated only 23.1% of the cohesion policy envelope in each Member State, whereas the CoR (along with the EC and the EP) had requested a share of 25%. This turn in events is disappointing given the additional objectives allocated to cohesion policy in general and to the ESF in particular.

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Delayed outcome of the negotiations For the last financing period (2007-2013), the final regulations were published in the Official Journal of the EU at the end of July 2006, whereas this time they will not be published before December 2013 at the earliest. This means that the time schedule for adopting partnership agreements and operational programmes laid down under the CPR could not be followed and programming had to take place in parallel with inter-institutional negotiations, which was obviously far from ideal (no definitive legal text, uncertainty over the final outcome, official texts not available in all EU languages). For this reason, it is doubtful whether it will be possible to implement all the new features included in the cohesion policy legislative package for 2014-2020 from an operational point of view.

Macroeconomic conditionality For reasons of investment fairness and efficiency, the CoR has been constantly opposed to the suspension or cancellation of commitments and payments in the event of non-compliance with EC macroeconomic recommendations by a national government, but has agreed to the amendment of partnership agreements and operational programmes based on these recommendations.

Indeed, the final outcome of the negotiations allows forthe possibility of amending partnership agreements and operational programmes based on macroeconomic recommendations (as agreed by the CoR), but it also introduces the possibility of suspending commitments and payments in the event of non-compliance by Member States with the EU’s macroeconomic recommendations, contrary to the CoR’s position.

A number of safeguards were nevertheless introduced by the EP in the final agreement, making this suspension difficult to apply: The scope and level of the suspension of commitments/ payments shall be proportionate and effective, respect equality of treatment between Member States and take into account the economic and social circumstances of the Member State concerned, in particular with regard to the impact of any suspension on the economy of the Member State concerned and the level of unemployment in that Member State; The suspension of payments shall not exceed 50% of the payments of each of the programmes concerned, whilst the suspension of commitments cannot exceed 50% of the commitments relating to the next financial year or 0.5% of nominal GDP (the lower of these 2 thresholds); Priority shall be given to the suspension of commitments: payments shall be suspended only when immediate action is sought and in the case of significant non-compliance; The EP is to be formally involved in the suspension procedure (obligation to notify the Member State concerned, possibility of a structured dialogue, etc.).

Performance reserve The CoR and EP had been opposed to the introduction of a performance reserve but agreed to a framework to measure performance in the absorption of EU funds. The CoR feared in particular that a reserve of this kind could actively encourage regions to adopt a lowlevel of ambition when setting their milestones in order to get rewarded when achieving them, which would be contrary

Policy Analysis

to its initial purpose. It also pointed out that there had been a performance reserve in the 2000-2006 period, but it had had limited success according to the European Court of Auditors. Instead, the CoR and the EP have been advocating the introduction of a flexibility reserve that would be funded by the automatic decommitments of EU funds (instead of returning them to Member States) and used to fund innovative projects in priority policy areas. The final outcome of the negotiations however foresees the creation of a performance reserve amounting to 6% of the resources allocated to each fund (compared to 5% proposed by the EC, and 7% requested by the Council).

Unfinished simplification Cohesion policy should be easier to implement thanks to all the simplification efforts proposed by the Commission and supported in the inter-institutional negotiations. For instance, the draft ESF Regulation extends the use of simplified cost options and makes their use obligatory for smaller operations. However, these overall simplification efforts are expected to be considerably undermined by some of the new features introduced for 2014-2020 (notably: ex ante conditionalities, macroeconomic conditionality and performance reserve). Note: although they may make implementation more difficult, the CoR has supported the introduction of ex ante conditionalities but has warned against a cumbersome and excessively detailed framework that would create absorption issues for EU funding.

Capping rate The CoR has complained that its prerogatives were infringed as it was not consulted on the method of distributing cohesion policy national allocations and capping levels , which should feature as an annex to the CPR. The EP accepted in the trilogues the text put forward by the Council (as endorsed by the European Council in February 2013), but there has as yet been no legislative proposal from the Commission and no transparency in trilogue inter-institutional discussions on this matter either.

Unclear implementation of the Youth employment initiative (YEI) The details of the implementation arrangements for this initiative remain unclear, such as the degree of involvement of local and regional authorities and the extent to which we can expect swift absorption of funds in the short term frontloading of budgetary appropriations in 2014 was agreed last June as part of the MFF political agreement), two elements on which the CoR has expressed its concerns. A regional eligibility threshold has been agreed by the EP and the Council but this does not mean that the management of the YEI will be systematically decentralised at regional level, despite clear local/ regional competences in this field.

Cohesion Policy and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020

1.Smart and Inclusive Growth

MFF 2014-2020

MFF 2007-2013

EUR million

EUR million

Comparison 2014-20 vs. 2007-13 EUR

%

450,763

446,310

+4.5bn

+1.0%

125,614

91,495

+34.1bn

+37.3%

325,149

354,815

-29.7bn

-8.4%

373,179

420,682

-47.5bn

-11.3%

3. Security and Citizenship

15,686

12,366

+3.3bn

+26.8%

4. Global Europe

58,704

56,815

+1.9bn

+3.3%

5. Administration

61,629

57,082

+4.5bn

+8%

27

n/a

+0.027bn

n/a

959,988

994,176

-35.2bn

-3.5%

1a. Competitiveness for Growth and Jobs 1b. Economic, Social and Territorial cohesion 2. Sustainable Growth: Natural Resources

6. Compensations Total

Source: Council of the European Union

MFF 2014-2020 and 2007-2013 comparative table (commitment appropriations, in 2011 prices).

On 19 November 2013 the European Parliament approved the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the coming 2014-20 period. The following table resumes the approved amounts for the main headings included in the budget.

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

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OPEN DAYS 2013 CoR strengthens its role in the EU political agenda

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uring the 11th edition of the OPEN DAYS: European Week of Regions and Cities, the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission called on the European Council and Parliament to urgently finalise the adoption of the EU budget 2014-2020 and the new rules for structural funds. Referring to the timing of the on-going negotiations, CoR President Valcárcel Siso stressed during the opening session, in front of some 450 elected politicians from all levels of government, that: «The current economic and social situation does not allow for any delays in launching the new regional investment plan for growth and employment. We cannot afford being stuck in negotiations that risk becoming increasingly incomprehensible to most citizens. Any further delays in making a deal will expose regions to the risk of losing out on one year before they can launch new programmes». Over 6000 stakeholders participated in 101 workshops organised in Brussels during 7-10 October 2013. OPEN DAYS 2013 was an occasion for the EU institutions, managing authorities and final beneficiaries to exchange and network on new approaches even before the new operational programmes (OPs) are implemented in 2014.

The next edition will take place in Brussels between 6-9 October 2014.

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OPEN DAYS 2013

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

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OPEN DAYS 2013

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The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, invited regions and cities to “think outside the box when making new efforts to innovate” before commenting that a new successful cohesion policy cannot just be “business as usual”. The accent on innovation was shared by the European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, who stressed the contribution of a reformed cohesion policy will bring lots to EU competitiveness.

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Presidents of CoR’s political groups with the EC President José Manuel Barroso and EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

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Mayor of Lisbon António Costa (PT/PES) with the EC President José Manuel Barroso and the EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

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At the “100 EUrban Solution» exhibition. Mayor of Bratislava Milan Ftáčnik (SK/PES) discussed the future of cohesion policy.

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For Markku Markuula (FIN/EPP), innovation and digital economy are basis for green and sustainable cities.

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Cohesion policy was one of the political priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Gediminas Paviržis (LT/PES) and members of the Lithuanian delegation worked closely with the Presidency for it to be successful.

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Regional Office of Picardie, France, held an exhibition during the OPEN DAYS which continued with some 350 local events under the slogan «Europe in my region/city». Regions and cities were also able to present the results of their 2007-2013 EU-funded programmes and projects, showcasing the impact these have on regional development, such as contributing to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The OPEN DAYS 2013 remains a point of reference for all those who want to learn more about cohesion policy and what changes can be expected for the future.

The Committee of the Regions and the European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy invite interested colleagues from regional offices, associations and EU institutions to the OPEN DAYS 2014 kick-off meeting on 10 January. Secretary-General Gerhard Stahl (CoR) and Director-General Walter Deffaa (DG REGIO) will be present to look together into lessons learnt from the 2013 edition and themes for 2014. Furthermore, REGIO and the CoR will present other events planned for 2014. The meeting can be followed live on the web.

EuroPCom 2013

EuroPCom 2013 – [S]electing Europe Over 650 communication managers and senior experts from local, regional, national and European authorities gathered in Brussels on 16 and 17 October 2013 for the fourth EuroPCom conference.

They spent two days sharing strategic insights and practical experiences in the area of recent communication challenges. More than 75 experts spoke during plenary sessions and workshops focusing on the upcoming European elections in 2014 and, more generally, on the role and position of public communicators during an election period. It is the aim of the annual European Conference on Public Communication to inspire cities and regions, as well as EU players, as they design their future communication strategy, forming new networks that transcend borders. It also encourages all levels of government to develop a decentralised communication policy for the EU. The European elections in 2014 will be a key opportunity to map the public’s views on the future of Europe. More generally, the elections will also reflect the level of public trust in politics and institutions after several years of economic crisis. The opening plenary session of EuroPCom 2013 focused on the role of public communicators before, during and after this election period.

Matthew McGregor, Director of rapid response on Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, set the tone by sharing his insights and recommendations in his introductory speech. The following debate, moderated by the Irish journalist, Karen Coleman, included speeches

by Anni Podimata, VicePresident of the European Parliament, Mercedes Bresso, First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions, Vytautas Leškevičius, Lithuanian Minister for European Affairs, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the EU and Jane Morrice, Vice-President of the European Economic and Social Committee.

Creativity, out-of-the-box thinking and engagement were key elements in the success of the new conversation session which invited local administration delegates, institutional administrators and communication experts to explore the world of social media. Their objective was to identify where we stand with web communication and social media, and what steps we could take next to make these tools more efficient. The World Café method is widely used in brainstorming meetings in order to encourage participatory leadership and decision-making.

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

Simon Anholt accused the language used in communication as being almost entirely a language of commerce, of antagonism, defining a relationship between salesperson and customer, not a language of democracy. In his view, democracy was the opposite of branding. Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES) Mayor of Coulaines, delivered the closing remarks. He welcomed EuroPCom’s aim of combating preconceived ideas and tackling the issue of communication at every level of administration.

Communicators are not just information providers, but are there to stimulate debate and try to involve people.

Save the date EuroPCom 2014 will be held in Brussels on 15-16 October 2014

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Rapporteurs have their say

Enabling those with a disability to do sports remains a challenge for society The new European approach to sport must make disability sport a priority. The issue is one of people’s dignity, whatever their disability. matter requires public authorities to do more because it offers great potential for how our society evolves in its treatment of those with a disability: “If we grasp the initiative and make sport more accessible for those with a disability, we make it easier for them to get involved in grassroots sport and so foster a change in attitude towards disability. I have a deep commitment to showing that the Committee of the Regions is one of the institutions driving this issue forward, because we – local elected representatives – experience what this means to people on the ground and are in a position to bridge the gap between the EU and the initiatives mounted by associations, clubs and schools.” Following the opinion’s adoption at the November plenary session, Jacques Blanc noted: “I am pleased to see that this opinion – which was adopted unanimously – strikes the right balance between the wish to ensure maximum integration of those with a disability and the shouldering of the necessary responsibility by specialist infrastructure adapted to this purpose.”

Volunteers play a key role

“The new European approach to sport must make disability sport a priority. The question of funding remains crucial.

The CoR encourages the use of EU Structural Funds for the development of inclusive and accessible sport infrastructure at the local and regional levels”, said rapporteur Jacques Blanc (FR/EPP), Mayor of La Canourgue.

Rapporteur Jacques Blanc (FR/EPP), Mayor of La Canourgue, is calling on behalf of the Committee of the Regions for priority to be given to education, training and awareness-raising. Advocating the creation of an annual European Day of Disability Sports, he also proposes setting up a system of regional officers responsible for nurturing sport among those with a disability in order to better align European policies and regional realities.

Although EU policies increasingly acknowledge disability sport, the number of people doing such sport remains low. However, with an estimated eighty million people with a disability in Europe, enabling them to get actively involved in sport remains a real challenge for society. Rapporteur Jacques Blanc (FR/EPP) thinks the

CoR members stress that nurturing sport for those with a disability needs professionals who are well educated and trained. This includes volunteers, who play a key role here. Particular attention should be given to physical education classes in schools, which should be encouraged to implement sports curricula that are accessible to all.

The European Commission will be launching the first edition of the European Week of Sport in 2015 and the CoR strongly advocates that an annual European Day of Disability Sports also be considered. It also proposes setting up a European experts group on this question, whose tasks would include identifying examples of regional and local best practice with a view to using these as models to be propagated. The CoR also asks that a clear reference to the need to facilitate access of those with a disability be included in ERASMUS+, the new EU programme currently being drafted for education, training, young people and sport.

CoR opinion on the Public Employment Services

Mick Antoniw (UK/PES), Member National Assembly for Wales

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Since 1997 European Union countries have worked together to develop public employment services to improve training, jobs and facilitate the free movement of labour. In addition it has provided a means identifying best practice and learning. Now the Commission proposes establishing a more formal legal framework to ensure consistency and raise the status of this work. At the heart of the proposal is ensuring greater involvement of member states and being able to compare performance indicators on a useful and consistent basis. As Committee of the Regions rapporteur on this proposal I have welcomed this initiative. However, the opinion of the Committee of the Regions seeks to amend the original

proposal to emphasise the importance of knowledge of what is happing at a local and regional level and to ensure these structures are properly represented in any initiatives. It is clear that many effective measures to improve training and secure employment for workers has occurred at a local level particularly at local and regional government level. Youth unemployment is a key objective of the European Union and as socialists it is at the top of our agenda. It is therefore important that successful local initiatives are properly recognised and play a part in future strategies. For this reason my opinion calls for the Committee of the Regions to have observer status in the new strengthened committee and in any initiatives.

Rapporteurs have their say

A unique chance to make the EU Solidarity Fund more effective Since its establishment in 2002, the European Union Solidarity Fund has been the EU’s main instrument for responding to major natural disasters that occur in the EU Member States and candidate countries such as the most recent floods in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Even though the Fund addresses the states, its resources are intended to assist the regions and municipalities stricken by disaster. It is therefore crucial that the voice of local and regional authorities represented by the Committee of the Regions is heard in the current process of improving this instrument.

The European Commission in its proposed amending regulation introduces several changes with the aim of simplifying this instrument, making it clearer and above all enabling it to react faster. We welcome the proposed improvements, such as the clear definition of disasters, the new and simple criterion for defining exceptional regional disasters based on a GDP-related threshold and the introduction of advance payments. Nevertheless, we have come up with several proposals that I feel would better reflect the reality on the ground and meet the needs on the regional a local level.

Lower threshold for the extraordinary regional disaster We suggest, for example, that a lower threshold for the extraordinary regional disaster (1 % of regional GDP) would be more appropriate in enabling all major disasters to be covered. As disasters are often concentrated on specific areas, we propose the possibility to combine neighbouring NUTS 3 regions to meet the set criteria.

We must remember that disasters know no borders. We propose that the Fund would cover these cross-border disasters and we suggest its clear definition. The affected regions and municipalities need the Fund to be targeted on their real needs. Here, our proposal is for widening of the scope of eligible operations, enabling the renewal of infrastructure not only to the condition before the disaster but also improving it to be more resilient or even relocating it.

As far as deadlines are concerned, the proposed regulation newly takes into account slowly developing disasters such as droughts and calculates the 10 weeks application deadline from the first action taken by public authorities. I also suggest that the regulation better reflects long lasting floods where the damages can only be fully calculated after the water levels fall. I welcome the proposed administrative procedures that should result in the resources arriving to the affected area approximately 6 months earlier. This would, on the other hand, shorten the real time in which the contribution could be spent: this is why I suggest prolonging the deadline for the use of the contribution. This way, the authorities would be given more time to prepare the renewal of infrastructure and to meet public procurement rules that can sometimes be time-demanding.

Pavel Branda (CZ/ECR), Deputy Mayor of Rádlo

Pavel Branda (CZ/ECR), Deputy Mayor of Rádlo, at the November plenary session.

Extreme flooding in Central Europe began after several days of heavy rain in late May and early June 2013. Flooding and damages primarily affected south and east German states, western regions of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria. In Bratislava, the Danube peaked with a flow rate of 10,530 m3/s, which is the highest flow rate ever recorded in Bratislava.

The CoR will have a loud voice in this dossier. I would incorporate many elements into my own opinion on the EUSF. Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (ES/EPP), European Parliament’s rapporteur on the EUSF

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

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Rapporteurs have their say

Revising the official controls for food safety and animal and plant health New regulation on official controls should respect the subsidiarity principle and strengthen the regional approach.

Ewa Panasiuk (PL/ECR), Member of the Lubelskie Regional Assembly

The EU legislation on food safety provides for a set of harmonised rules to prevent, eliminate or reduce the level of health risk which may arise along the ‘agri-food chain’. It is aimed at guaranteeing the functioning of the internal market, understanding processes, products and activities related to food.

Some much needed improvements were proposed by the Commission, which cut red tape and will enable the controls to work more effectively. These changes include the simplification of the rules, introduction of a Common Health Entry Document, standardisation of documents and quality assurance, introduction of an EU system of supervision for European official controls, and its digitalisation

I also see the creation of mechanisms in the area of “administrative assistance” as being positive. It will allow national control authorities to cooperate on the crossborder enforcement of rules in a uniform and consistent manner. Furthermore, the infringements of EU rules will not only be pursued in the Member State in which the infringement was reported but also in the Member State in which the infringement took place.

The EU legislation on this matter provides for a set of harmonised rules to prevent, eliminate or reduce the level of health risk to humans, animals and plants, which may arise along the ‘agri-food chain’. It is aimed at guaranteeing the functioning of the internal market, understanding processes, products and activities related to food, and to ensure its safety for consumption.

Within the regulation, it is also important to ensure a multi-level governance approach. I would emphasise though that when challenging conditions persist, control procedures should be adapted at local and regional level to enable businesses to operate. This should of course be done without prejudice to European food and feed laws.

The Commission’s proposal revises the legislation to overcome shortcomings identified in its wording and in its application. It aims to put in place a robust, transparent and sustainable regulatory framework that is better ‘fit for purpose’. The proposal integrates, replaces and repeals the rules currently applicable to official controls.

The existing Regulation and a number of sectoral acts and provisions will be made redundant by its adoption.

This is a simplification and harmonisation that should be warmly welcome.

We need to be careful not to undermine the principle of subsidiarity

Other points that deserve to be commented include the harmonisation of legislation on official controls to ensure a sufficient level of health safety for food and feed.

This harmonisation will further ensure free movement of goods on the internal market and the protection of internal market against products that do not comply with European requirements.

While the proposed changes are positive, we need to be careful not to undermine the principle of subsidiarity.

I welcome that in specific cases, the proposed regulation does not limit the right of Member States to take action to provide a higher level of consumer protection by means of official controls. I also welcome the introduction of measures involving the application of incentives in the form of exemptions or reductions in fees for operators which meet or maintain the required level of compliance with the rules. However, I stress that the final decision on mandatory fees for routine controls should be left to the Member States in line with the principle of subsidiarity.

Furthermore, a more regional approach would strengthen the regulation further. For instance, further cooperation between Member States could be facilitated by simplification in the rules involving the replacement of border inspection posts and points of entry by “border control posts” governed by a common set of rules. This would also make it easier to protect the European market against non-compliant agri-food products Overall, I see the Commission’s proposal as a way to simplify the overall legislative framework on official controls and a functional tool in this area concerning all EU citizens. The proposed changes also follow a multi-level governance approach, which is very positive. However, I would warn against elements which risk undermining the EUs subsidiarity principle and underline the need for a stronger regional approach.

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Rapporteurs have their say

Strategic role of regional airports One of the major issues I wanted to stress in this Opinion is the strategic role of regional airports for boosting the economy, improving accessibility and promoting the cohesion of EU regions. We remind the Commission that public support for infrastructure construction and development often constitutes fully-fledged economic policy measures and is consequently not State aid.

Therefore we urge the Commission to continue modernising the rules on State aid, with due regard for the fundamental principles underpinning public policy and the institutional role of the State for supporting growth and competitiveness. I believe that, in line with the State aid modernization priorities, the Commission should focus on major airports, and that support for small airports averaging less than 300 000 passengers each year should fall outside the scope of State aid as it can have no impact on trade between Member States. Small airports tend to remain small owing to handicaps in the

areas where they are located (island or mountain areas, decentralisation, inadequate infrastructure, limited intermodal connections, etc.) but nonetheless they play a fundamental role for the mobility of EU citizens: the possibility to support them should be therefore preserved by the new guidelines. Last but not least, we asks the Commission to ensure that the efforts to complete the single market do not hobble the EU’s capacity to face up to the challenges of global competition - including competition from countries which are now among the EU chief competitors, and against which there is a worrying and increasing loss of competitiveness in European aviatio

Catiuscia Marini (IT/PES), President of the Umbria Region

Public subsidies must not compromise the sustainability of fishing in Europe The announced review of state aids to fisheries and aquaculture is an important topic for many local and regional authorities in Europe.

In times of socio-economic crisis, pressures on rural, coastal and fishing communities are particularly acute, and targeted support at the territorial level is critically important for the long-term prosperity and viability of communities with high concentration of employment in the fisheries.

the context of the broader suite of public interventions within the sector.

We believe that the sustainability of fishing in Europe must be a priority and that state aid rules must primarily support structural changes and diversification, including the development of the onshore economy, such as Having this in mind, there are calls to increase current de processing industry and sustainable aquaculture. To this minimis aid thresholds to give local authorities greater aim, we propose to the European Commission to conflexibility to support interventions at the territorial level. sider shifting support for the processing and marketing Our firm position is that any of fisheries and aquaculture such review would need to products from sectoral to gentake into account the need to We believe that the sustainability of fishing in eral de minimis/block exemprespect competition and the Europe must be a priority and that state aid tion regulations which would common market and in no rules must primarily support structural changes provide higher intervention way provide further scope for thresholds for such measures. support for unsustainable fish- and diversification.

It is particularly important that ing practices. support is targeted at developing local markets and local supply chains, to ensure that the ‘added value’ of landed fish benefits fishing and Notwithstanding the much-needed financial support, coastal communities, as well as giving opportunities to there are certain risks in the implementation of the de the many small and artisanal fishing fleets that fish susminimis regulation, such as the potential negative imtainably to benefit from shortened ‘supply’ chains. This pact on use of the EMFF or the potential distortive efis an issue I understand very much coming from Wales, fect of the variability in use of de minimis aid. Our bigwhich has over 1200km of coastline, and where the secgest concern, however, is that such aid could be used tor is characterised by small and artisanal fishing fleets, to support activities conflicting with wider objectives that are an integral part of these local communities. of the Common Fisheries Policy reform, in the first place vessel upgrades or fleet enlargements which could lead to unsustainable fishing practices. I am especially glad Despite the delicacy of the issue, with socio-economic to say that the European Parliament recent vote on the future of such communities at stake, I am positive that EMFF shows MEPs fully share our views on this. Therethere will be enough political will to ensure the sustainfore, we ask the European Commission to provide a deable development of European fisheries in the future. tailed analysis of the impact of the current thresholds and potential impact of their increase or reduction in

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

Rhodri Glyn Thomas (UK/EA), Member of the National Assembly for Wales

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In short and in pictures

Roma in Europe: member states failing to deliver promises and involve local government On 5 December, Cllr Stone (UK/PES) was speaking during a conference on Roma Inclusion held in Brussels which debated the challenges and opportunities at a local level. With an estimated 1012 million Roma living in Europe, the European Commission has set out Roma integration goals based on access to education, employment, healthcare and housing.

“Local and regional governments must be offered more political and financial support to tackle discrimination of Roma people in Europe’s communities”, said Cllr Roger Stone (UK/PES).

Roger Stone, the Rotherham council leader and member of the Committee of the Regions called on the EU to significantly step up efforts to improve the monitoring of national governments who had committed to implementing Roma integration strategies yet “were not doing nearly enough”. The EU’s current top-down approach was failing, he argued, and it was time governments reassessed their strategies to ensure local authorities were better involved.

Through an opinion on “Implementing national Roma Integration Strategies”, penned by Cllr Stone and adopted during the Committee’s November plenary, local and regional authorities called for an end to any form of segregation of the Roma community. The Committee argued that given the differences in issues related to Roma discrimination and integration across Europe’s regions, it was impossible to find a “one-size-fits all” policy and local governments must be given autonomy to design measures that meet the need of their specific local communities.

The Committee has raised serious concern that though many member states had signed-up to implementing Roma national strategies, many were failing to deliver on their promises offering little support to and not fully engaging local government. The consequences, Cllr Stone stressed, were that many Roma were still facing serious discrimination and being allowed to live in “third world” conditions. With only 20 member states involving local and regional authorities in implementing strategies, 12 promoting exchange among local authorities, and 15 committing resources, Cllr Stone stressed that not nearly enough was being done to involve local and regional authorities. “On paper all EU governments have committed to delivering strategies to deal with the integra-

tion and discrimination of the Roma community. Yet in many cases there is nothing coming from our national governments. We need more than just a political commitment, we need action. This is a community issue so we must involve local government as this problem will not simply go away”, he said. The Committee urges the Commission to start radically improving the monitoring of government strategies so progress and effort can be sufficiently measured and support offered wherever necessary.

Better access to EU funds The Committee also calls for an improvement to access to EU funds. A lack of coordination and commitment of investment by national governments was accentuating the issue for local authorities, a point echoed by President of European Parliament’s Socialist Group, Hannes Swoboda, “Some national governments simply do not do enough to promote integration. There are EU funds that can be accessed through the ESF to help with integration and some national governments think this is enough to do the job. We ask governments in these countries to improve take up of this money given the potential and willingness of people in communities to help”.

During his speech Cllr Stone also called for the EU to insist that all Roma children attend school which would make a significant difference in promoting long-term integration. Cllr Stone also backs the introduction of Roma National Contact Points but regrets that they have not been advertised enough up until now and lack resources. The Committee’s opinion also proposes setting up mentoring schemes to improve relations between Roma and public authorities.

“Remix Europe”: Music competition organised by the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions Are you fond of music? Do you spend time playing, writing, re-arranging and remixing music? Would you like to give a personal touch to the European Anthem?

The PES Group in the Committee of the Regions (CoR) invites you to participate in its EU-wide music competition to celebrate the ‘European Year of the Citizens’.

Compose your own version of the European Anthem, based on Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, to get a chance to win stunning prizes including 4 full VIP tickets for the August 2014 Sziget Festival and plane tickets to Budapest, and a trip to the competition’s award ceremony in Brussels. Be creative! Make it hip or up to

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beat! Give the good old “Ode to Joy” a brand new spin, your spin!

The competition runs from 15 November 2013 until 15 February 2014 and is open to all European residents aged 18 and older. The best remix of the European Anthem will be selected by a jury, consisting of highly qualified professionals representing different expressions of the European music world.

In short and in pictures

Results of the 2013 LeaDeR Awards announced The results of the 3rd edition of the Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians Awards (LeaDeR) were announced on 4 December in Brussels.

With these awards the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Group in the Committee of the Regions aim to recognise the work of outstanding local and regional liberal democrat politicians and by doing so strengthening the ties between communities of Europe. The awards were presented in five categories

by MEP Graham Watson, President of the ALDE Party at the European Parliament, Bas Verkerk and Agnès Durdu, President and First Vice-President respectively of the ALDE in the Committee of the Regions.

The results were as follows: The 2013 LeaDeR in the Category of Most Effective EU Ambassador: Antonio Marco D’Acri, Torino Provincial Councillor of the Italia dei Valori, for having promoted awareness about the European Union to the general public but especially to secondary school students through interdisciplinary activities and trainings for both students and teachers.

The 2013 LeaDeR in the Category of Engagement with Citizens: Anna-Liisa Käri, Chair of the town council of Säkylä of the Finnish Centre Party, for her long-term dedication and hard work for the party, for having supported and encouraged young people and women and for having constantly developed direct contact with citizens over the past couple of decades.

The 2013 LeaDeR in the Category of Achievement in Opposition: László Horváth, the opposition leader in the city of Zirc of the SZDSZ of Hungary. For having been well ahead of his time and having successfully developed a strategy of low carbon economy 10 years ago as mayor of his town, and for ensuring that the

strategy is still followed by the political parties currently in power.

Winners of the 2013 LeaDeR Awards.

The 2013 LeaDeR in the Category of Achievement in Government: Gudrun Wilhelm, Kirchberg town councillor of the German Free Democratic Party, for her tireless and targeted action to encourage women to enter into politics through the work of cross-party nondenominational association which mentors women and encourages them to stand for office.

The 2013 LeaDeR in the Category of Lifetime Achievement: Harald Schöne, Group Leader in Lemwerder Town Council of the German Free Democratic Party, for his dedicated work for the German Free Democratic Party for almost three decades, and for having significantly improved the municipal election results throughout those years.

Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the CoR, Lucinda Creighton, Vice-President of the European People’s Party, and one of the young authors at the presentation on 13 November.

Launch of “EU Citizenship in 2020” book A collection of essays written by European students was launched at the Committee of the Regions on 13 November in the presence of Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the CoR, Lucinda Creighton, Vice-President of the European People’s Party, and several of the young authors. The book aims to celebrate the European Year of Citizenship 2013 by fostering discussions about EU rights, the role that local and regional government can play and what the EU should look like in 2020. The recent crisis has left many young people out of work leaving European graduates in a state of uncertainty. This is of great concern given that next year is an election year. Addressing participants to the launch, Michael Schneider explained the origins

REGIONS & CITIES OF EUROPE ➔ DECEMBER 2013

of the Study Visit and the role that the EPP Group in the CoR hopes to play ahead of the elections: “Voters’ turnout in the European elections has been following a downward trend since 1979. In 2009, just 29% of those people aged 18 to 24 took part. At a time when so many young Europeans face unemployment, uncertainty and growing inequality, the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions wanted to create a forum for them to debate the European Union and become informed citizens.”

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Regions & Cities of Europe — N° 85 Director of Publication: Laurent Thieule Editor-in-Chief: Branislav Stanicek Photos: Committee of the Regions archives Graphics: CoR’s Publication Service Committee of the Regions Communication, Press and Events Directorate Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99–101 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË Tel. +32 222822211 Fax +32 222822085 www.cor.europa.eu Regions & Cities of Europe is a newsletter of the Committee of the Regions, published by the Communication, Press and Events Directorate.

The content of this newsletter does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the European Union institutions.

Neither the institutions/bodies of the European Union, nor any person acting on their behalf, can be held responsible for any misuse of the information provided here. © European Union, 2013 Printed in Belgium

European Alliance group launched its annual Primary Schools Art Competition ‘My Region, My Traditions’ For the fifth consecutive year, the European Alliance group has launched its highly acclaimed Primary Schools Art Competition aimed at primary school students between the age of 6 and 12. The topic for this year is ‘My Region, My Traditions’, allowing students to depict their local music, dance, folklore, food, culture, sports, etc. This year’s concourse has seen participation by 17 primary schools from 9 Member States across the European Union. After the winners were known, an exhibition was organised at the Committee of the Regions in November. The winning pictures were transformed into postcards for the students and schools to send to their friends.

Kinga Lisowska (10 years old) Primary School n°4 in Olesnica, Poland «I have presented a traditional Polish Christmas supper. On the table, upon a white linen tablecloth, which symbolises Mary’s veil, is the straw or a piece of hay, as a reminder of Christ’s birth in a stable. After the sunset, the youngest child is sent to watch for the first star. This is the reason why the vigilia dinner is also known as the Star Supper. But nothing is eaten before the breaking of the oplatek.»

Elizar Makejev (12 years) Holy Family Junior School, Ireland

Kristiina Kõrve (12 years) Vasta School, Estonia

«I drew a picture of the 2013 All Ireland Hurling Final in Ireland. Hurling is our national sport. It is not played professionally and it is only played in Ireland. It is the fastest team sport in the world.

The team from my county, Clare, played against the team from Cork. Clare won!»

«I have depicted our much loved Estonian celebration – Shrove Tuesday. People live to eat baked buns which you can see in the upper section. During this day we have a lot of fun and also do winter sports.»

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