November 2013 rEPPorter

November 2013

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

Message from the President

2 Members on the field

3 Greek Presidency of the EU

4 Eastern Partnership

5 Turkey’s EU regions

6 Interview with Andrius Kubilius

EPP elects new President The Political Assembly of the European People’s Party elected Joseph Daul as its new president with 112 out of 124 votes on 12 November. Daul, who is also the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, was nominated by the UMP of France.

“It is a great honour to receive this mandate and to be entrusted by the delegates from member parties, member associations, and political groups to lead the party going forward, especially at a time of such important challenges as the European elections of May of 2014.”

Joseph Daul

7 EPP-led opinions at Plenary Monthly Horizon: Your EPP/CoR Video News Bulletin

8-10 The future of Europe

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European Energy Security: Towards the future with safe and affordable energy for all Energy dependence and insufficient security of supply has a negative impact on economic development, labour markets as well as on the functioning of local and regional authorities. Cooperation is necessary at all levels to overcome obstacles in

the differentiated European market.

These were the conclusions drawn by the EPP Group external seminar on European Energy Security organised at the invitation of Mayor Andrius Kupčinskas in Kaunas, Lithuania.

I think local and regional authorities already play a very important role in this area and this shall continue in the future.

Based on my experience, there are challenges that can be solved only by the national government. However, there are also some areas like energy saving, where local communities and authorities play the most crucial and influential role. In Lithuania, for example, responsibility for local heating systems lies entirely on the municipalities.

Andrius Kubilius, leader of the Homeland Union – Lithuania Christian Democrats (TS-LKD)

Winter University for local and regional media The 8th edition of the EPP Winter University for local and regional media was an occasion to work with journalists on methods to cover European affairs on the ground in the run-up to the European elections. With just over 6 months until voters elect their representatives in the European Parliament, participants asked for simpler information that showcases the impact the EU has on citizens’ lives in appropriate language for the media. Read more on page 11

Message from the President President, Wilfried Martens; one of the founding fathers of Europe and a defender of Christian-democratic values. In our attempts to build a better Europe for our citizens, we should learn from the lessons of his life.

Dear colleagues, dear friends, In the first days of November each year, we Europeans tend to reflect on those who are no longer among us. Remembering and celebrating their legacy gives us the necessary strength, courage and wisdom to pursue our goals. In this way, we preserve the memory of the late EPP

At the EPP Political Assembly that took place earlier this month, I had a chance to congratulate his successor, Joseph Daul.

His presidency is to be based on 3 principles: unity, continuity & responsibility. We have always valued the enhanced support and cooperation from the EPP and EPP Group in the European Parliament. I believe that under his leadership, the voice of the Europe’s regions, cities and municipalities will continue to be heard and taken into account in their political decisions.

Last month, we called for a safer and more secure European energy supply at

our Group’s seminar in Kaunas. Thanks to our hosts Andrius Kupčinskas and Arnoldas Abramavicius, we had a chance to deliberate on the challenges of this sector in Europe. Energy dependence and insufficient security of supply has a negative impact on economic development, labour markets and the functioning of local and regional authorities. As our keynote speaker in Kaunas, former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius underlined, cooperation is necessary at all levels to overcome obstacles in the differentiated European market.

Last but not least, as we gather for the last plenary session of the year, I would like to wish all of you a beautiful Christmas time with your families and I look forward to a joyful and productive start to 2014!

Tribute to President Martens Wilfried Martens, President of the European People’s Party, passed away on 9 October at the age of 77. That night, the EPP and the whole of Europe lost one of the most dedicated Christian democrats, statesmen and visionaries. Wilfried Martens led the EPP for over 20 years and developed it as the largest political force in Europe. He was capable of overcoming obstacles because of his strongly held beliefs and values. He was a man of iron character and also a man of consensus and solidarity. He was a true political leader in good times and in bad. His legacy will strengthen the unity of Christian-democracy and people’s parties across the continent. From the beginning of his political career, President Martens was a strong supporter of regions and subsidiarity.

A word from Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso

Together with the incoming Greek Presidency we share the objective of ensuring democratic legitimacy and accountability at every decision making level in Europe. In this respect the Committee of the Regions will organize

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EUROPEAN SUMMIT OF REGIONS & CITIES

Ath e

This Summit will take stock of the economic recovery of regions and cities, put forward proposals on the review of the Europe 2020 strategy and debate about the future of the Union. The Summit will have as key issues on its agenda: the review of the Europe 2020 strategy and a debate on the future of the Union. I believe that regions and cities are key agents of change;

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

ATHENS

its 6th Summit of Europe’s Regions and Cities in Athens on 7-8 March 2014, at the eve of the Spring European Council and a few months ahead of the European Parliament’s elections.

Members on the field

In support of the annual EU-China Summit in Beijing, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso attended the EU-China Urbanisation Forum, which was held in the People’s Congress Hall in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in November. The purpose of the event was to promote the Urbanisation Partnership between Europe and China.

Hans Janssen represented the CoR in the European Development Days, in the panel on the Territorial approach to the post-2015 context, on 27 November.

Policy, Günther Oettinger, the President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, highlighted the need for all Member States to fulfil the objectives of the Renewable Energy Directive and stressed the importance of supporting the competitiveness of Europe’s energy sector.

particularly about the role and functioning of the Committee of the Regions.

Ageing society is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a wider demographic transition explained Michel Lebrun at the VIII Congress of European Senior Citizens’ Union (ESCU) on 7 November.

Ugo Cappellacci represented the CoR in the EU delegation to the UN COP 19 in Warsaw during 11-22 November.

On 30 October, Franz Schausberger joined a debate on “Regionalisation and devolution in Europe in a context of economic crisis” in the context of the forthcoming Plenary session of the Congress of Europe.

Anders Knape represented the Committee of the Regions at the 4th annual forum of the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region, which took place on 13 November in Vilnius. Paulina Haijanen also presented conclusions of her opinion evaluating MacroRegional Strategies.

During a meeting held on 12 November with the European Commissioner for Energy

Markku Markkula intervened at a conference on smart specialisation on 8 November during a panel entitled “Mobilising the synergy potential of smart specialisation”.

Dr. Ivan Žagar attended the meeting on 8 November 2013 with students of the High School in Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia in which they discussed the future of the European Union and the EU Institutions,

Luc Van den Brande participated in the inter-parliamentary conference on fiscal and economic governance in Vilnius on 1617 October, a LAF event at the CoR on 24 October on the topic of good governance.

EU Citizenship in 2020: What role for local and regional authorities At the launch of a collection of essays written by European students on 13 November, Lucinda Creighton, Vice-President of the EPP, stressed the importance of giving young people the chance to share their views on the future of Europe. Speaking on behalf of the students, Marilyn Grima said “I hope that our contributions in the book we are launching today will serve as inspiration to guide future debates on the future of citizenship and on the role of regions and cities in the future”.

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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Greek Presidency priorities Greece is assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a critical transitional juncture for Europe.

The extent and intensity of the crisis and the resulting recession and unemployment undermined the trust of a significant number of European citizens in the ability of the European edifice to implement credible and effective policy for a return to prosperity, economic recovery and a high level of employment. Ahead of the European elections, the EU needs to regain trust. The Greek Presidency has highlighted the following four areas as priorities: • Further integration of EU-Eurozone • Growth-Jobs-Cohesion • Migration-Borders-Mobility • Maritime Policies

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Yiannis Michelakis, Greek Minister for the Interior explains the importance of local and regional authorities below: The possibility for Europe to fulfil its mission and achieve community aims depends on its institutional organization, mainly on the way of governance. Creating partnerships for the construction of another Europe is the main challenge faced by the European Union during the current period of economic crisis: the Europe of citizens, the economic recovery and social cohesion as well as the sustainable development will enable Europe to respond to current challenges.

Provided that two thirds of the European legislation is being implemented across EU member states by their local and regional authorities, municipalities and regions are becoming the full partners when drafting and implementing EU policies. The Ministry of Interior, supporting the respect for the principle of multi-level governance and the principle of subsidiarity, is promoting the active participation of local authorities in the process of drafting and implementing community policies through: • the regular information of local authorities on issues of European interest (e.g.

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Community subsidies, consultation, best practices), the setting up of pilot sectoral networks for local and regional authorities aimed at the implementation of EU policies at the local and regional level, encouraging, supporting and making use of bilateral and multilateral cooperation of local authorities with respective local authorities abroad (twinnings and networks of cities, European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation , macro-regional strategies), ensuring the respect for the acquis communautaire, the transfer of best practices aimed at strengthening the role of local government in promoting entrepreneurship and developing cooperation with the private sector and civil society in relation to the social integration of immigrants, the timely information of local authorities on issues related to the violation of community law in the context of preliminary inspection of issues related to the implementation of the law of the community initiative EU PILOT, in which the Ministry of Interior is acting as a contact point on matters falling within its competence, and cooperation with the delegations of the national unions of local authorities participating in the relevant EU institutions.

In particular, the contribution of local and regional authorities in the implementation of employment policies and especially in the sector of youth unemployment will be in the focus of the Hellenic presidency , since local government may act as a catalyst and multiplier for partnership , forming synergies with enterprises and the market forces, social organizations of the third sector and local actors of dialogue and communication with a view to ensuring and continuing the work undertaken by social structures of local government even after community funding.

The region of Attica is one of the most

important urban centres in Greece. Given that the Greek Presidency will concentrate its efforts on highlighting the positive aspects of a comprehensive migration management, Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos, Vice President of the Committee of the Regions, Former Mayor, Honourable President of TEDKNA, and Secretary-General of the Decentralized Administration of Attica, shares some experiences and showcase how effective policies can lead to growth.

Greece is a welcoming country. Many of its own citizens have emigrated in the past, therefore, is aware of the essence of migration. Many years now Greece has been accepting large numbers of immigrants and exhausted every possibility to ensure their integration into the economy and society.

Unfortunately, due to the developments in its neighbouring countries and the vast expanse of coastline, Greece also receives uncontrollable waves of illegal immigrants.

Regrettably, the neighbouring countries on the other side of the external borders of the EU facilitate illegal immigration and at the same time do not apply the readmission agreements, which have been signed. As a consequence, immigrants in our country have reached 10% of the total population, of which the majority cross the border illegally. For all these reasons, we urgently need a revision of the EU Dublin II regulation, because of which these people remain trapped in Greece.

It is necessary for an allocation of illegal immigrants to take place in the EU, based on the economic potential of GDP and the current population of each Member State. We do not ask this only because of financial reasons, but also because in this way, the dignity of these people will be ensured. Besides, most immigrants use our country as a bridge for their transition to Northern Europe. Greece is experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis and the resources we have on our disposal are limited. Finally, the EU should help in order to improve the economic conditions in the countries of origin of the immigrants, through development assistance.

Alexandroupoli port : EU contribution EUR 16,067,186 The port of Alexandroupolis holds a leading geographical position and constitutes the basic connecting point between EU countries and the Mediterranean and Black Sea countries. Given the increasing density of maritime traffic in the enclosed

Black Sea, the port of Alexandroupolis could be an alternative route bypassing the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles and will create employment and development. Two projects in the have been EU-funded: the railway connection of the new pier loading containers with EUR 2,759,100 and the deepening of the basin and enlargement of the port with EUR 13,308,086

The Eastern Partnership The third Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius will be held on the 28-29 November, 2013. Representatives of the EU institutions, 28 EU member states and the six Eastern European partners- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine - are expected to take part. The event will be hosted by the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Below, Dr. Franz Schausberger explains the detailed action-plan for the Eastern Partnership regions.

At its meeting on 3rd and 4th September 2013, CORLEAP called for concrete actions in the three main areas of the development of local and regional democracy: strengthening financial autonomy blic administration reform and increasing territorial cooperation across the Eastern Partnership (EaP) and fiscal capacity, intensifying the public nd reforms in the space. Local and regional authorities cann make a substantial contribution to driving this change resulting inn modernisation an and EaP countries. From the very good but rather general recommendations, we must quickly move on to a detailed nd local authorities of the EaP closer to Europe. The moment for plan of action that brings the regions and U offers funding for the regions and municipalities of the EaP rethinking the EaP has come. The EU ies. On the one hand, the authorities are not able to develop but they do not exhaust the possibilities. appropriate projects themselves, and onn the other hand, the resources for co-financing are missing. le in these countries towards the EU were not met.

Therefore, the expectations of the people w-how of good regional and local governance It is necessary to communicate the know-how according to European Standards andd provide information on best practice blems. Consequently, the CORLEAP examples to solve local and regional problems. uthorities should be involved as active recommends that local and regional authorities nting EaP policies and strategies; that partners in working out and implementing hould have direct access to adequate cities and regions in EaP countries should eration should be recognised as a financial instruments; territorial cooperation emocracy and local autonomy has priority in the EaP; and that local democracy to be explicitly stated in the agreement to be signed at the EaP Vilnius Summit on 28-29 November 2013.

An EU Youth Strategy In times of crisis and high youth unemployment rates in a growing number of EU regions, stronger political cooperation between all levels of government and sufficient resources for regions are vital to deliver effective youth policies. This is the main message that came from a conference entitled “Think European – Act Local: the role of federal states and regions in the EU Youth Strategy” co-organised by the Committee of the Regions and the German National Agency for the “Youth in Action” EU Programme (JUGEND für Europa). Speaking at the event, Michael Schneider said “Regions in Europe are the engines that drive European youth policy forward and it is the young people in the regions who build the future of the EU. Our youth policy has to focus on Europe-wide programmes to fight youth unemployment. We must also make sure that the measures put in place are adapted to the local context as local and regional authorities can contribute significantly to the success of such programmes.”

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments in Turkey Negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the EU were at a virtual standstill for more than three years. Whilst 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, 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.

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, Member of the Saxony Landtag, chair of the CoR’s working group on Turkey

Mobilising Europe’s innovation potential for growth

Improving the competitiveness of the EU’s regions through EU investments and targeted planning was underlined

by Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy, at a conference on “Regions as motors of new growth through smart specialisation” organised on 8 November in Brussels. Commissioner Hahn urged

EU regions to identify their key assets and focus resources on them to enhance their competitive advantage. As a co-host of the event, the Committee of the Regions backed up this call and stressed the importance of encouraging the setting up of “regional innovation ecosystems” where public, private and third sector can learn to operate

together. Markku Markkula pointed out that “Europe needs pioneering regions to be forerunners in implementing the Europe 2020 strategies. Smart specialisation is an economic transformation agenda. It is a dynamic and evolutionary process which requires every region on board through an orchestrated portfolio of projects.”

The Spanish region of Valencia is involved at the Climate-KIC initiative, the Europe´s largest public private innovation partnership focused on climate change. Composed by more than 150 partners from 6 European regions, It is one of the three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) created by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The Valencian region participates actively within the Pioneers into Practice Programme (PIP) where it is in charge of the European Coordination and the Communication.

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Innovation Union: the contribution of regions and cities The Innovation Union flagship initiative commits the EU to increase investment in research to 3% of its GDP by 2020, as part of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Many regional governments have important competences and budgets in the field of innovation. Smart specialisation of regions will therefore become a priority for EU cohesion policy between 2014 and 2020, accompanied by the new Horizon 2020 programme and other initiatives. The conclusions of the conference will feed into the contribution of the Committee of the Regions’ mid-term assessment of the Europe 2020 strategy, to be presented on the occasion of the 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities on 7 and 8 March 2014 in Athens

European Energy Security: Towards the future with safe and affordable energy for all Energy dependence and insufficient security of supply has negative impact on economic development, labour markets as well as on the functioning of local and regional authorities.

Cooperation is necessary at all levels to overcome obstacles in the differentiated European market.

These conclusions were drawn by the Members of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions during the external seminar on European Energy Security organised in Kaunas, on the invitation of Andrius Kupčinskas.

Municipality of Kaunas

EUROPEAN ENERGY SEC URITY Towards a future with secure and affordable energy for all

Seminar of the EPP Group

in the Committee of the

Kaunas, Lithuania • 18 Octob er

Regions in the EU

2013

In his keynote speech Andrius Kubilius, former Prime Minister of Lithuania (2008-2012) and leader of the opposition Homeland Union party condemned the fact, that 9 years after joining European Union Lithuania struggles with dependence on Russia’s monopoly in energy supply.

Through a video message, EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger advocated for more EU money dedicated to energy projects - investments in the new energy technologies made today, would result in more affordable, sustainable and safer energy in Europe of tomorrow. MEP Algirdas Saudargas supported this call, arguing that funding for infrastructure is crucial to achieve diversity of energy supply in Lithuania and other countries suffering from monopolies.

Interview with Andrius Kubilius, leader of the Homeland Union – Lithuania Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) What are your views on energy sources such as nuclear energy and shale gas?

Concerning nuclear energy, our party, the Homeland Union, is very much in favour of developing a nuclear energy project. Mistakes were made in the course of last year, when the social-democrats organised the referendum.

How does dependency on Gazprom affect the Lithuanian economy and investments in the municipalities and regions?

We pay 40% more for our gas than consumers in Germany using the same provider, despite the fact that transport to Lithuania is much cheaper. But, despite the fact that Gazprom provides gas to Lithuania with the highest prices in Europe, I am quite proud to admit that thanks to the policies of my conservative government, which ruled Lithuania in years 2008-2012, we have a very good economic situation. The estimated growth for this year should reach 4%.

Even though it was just an advisory one, it produced a negative opinion. We have a huge shortage of capacity for generating competitive energy, following the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. This leaves Lithuania in threat of energy prices increasing very rapidly in the market. Staying largely dependent on Russian electricity supply is not secure. It is a pity that the current government mismanaged the debate on shale gas and that Chevron decided to stop its activities in Lithuania. It is obvious that the ability to extract shale gas would make Lithuania much safer.

How advanced is Lithuania in using green or renewable energy?

Our government started implementing major reforms in the gas sector in accordance with European Union’s Third Energy Package.

We are working towards having more than 20% of green energy in our mix, in line with EU policies. And we are very well advanced in that regard. Solar energy and the wind power are very popular in Lithuania.

How is the cooperation with your EU neighbours with regards to energy and especially in constructing the electricity grids?

It is moving forward. We shall have two very important interconnections ready in electricity by 2016: between Lithuania and Sweden and between Lithuania and Poland.

They will be the first interconnections not only for Lithuania, but for the whole Baltic region. This is a concrete example of how EU membership can bring us benefits.

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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A new sense of opportunity: cooperating for mobility across regions and cities Free movement across borders is at the very basis of a single market and one of the foundations of the European Union. The EPP Group workshop signalled, within the context of OPEN DAYS: European Week of Regions and Cities, that despite the many benefits of the EU single market, more can be done. To reach this potential, participants called for a 5th freedom: the freedom for the movement of ideas.

“The Single Market is one of the EU’s main achievements” Michael Schneider began. “Not only has it fuelled economic growth generating an extra 2.8 million jobs and an additional 2.1% in GDP between 1992 and 1998, but perhaps more importantly it has become a part of Europeans’ everyday lives.” Introducing the topic of business and citizen mobility, he underlined: “The Single Market is not yet fully living up to its promise and its completion is a central element to address the

current economic crisis. To achieve this we need to focus on innovation, shared knowledge and better cooperation.”

The EU is taking action to remove barriers to mobility in Europe. Tools and measures to match job offers and jobseekers across Member States can be improved further to contribute to a true European labour market. Presenting EURES, Doede Ackers, Deputy Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, explained that the rate of unemployment is unacceptable when there are still many job vacancies in Europe. “We must improve the labour market with a sense of urgency” he said.

Under the Single Market Act II proposals, there will be more financing opportunities and less red tape for start-ups and SMEs. Solaris is a family

owned company and a leading manufacturer of busses and coaches, which boasts employees from twelve different countries. “We are a young company providing the hardware solution for integrated mobility. It’s not easy, but it’s possible” Zbigniew Palenica, Member of the Board of Solaris Bus and Coach, explained. “We rely on a wide portfolio of products, but we make sure that we deliver technology and solutions for the precise local situation.”

“The volume of expertise and diverse ideas in Europe’s regions and cities is the main advantage of working together in Europe” Markku Markkula concluded. “Together, we can do more than solve local challenges with our own knowledge; we can share knowledge throughout Europe and make the labour market work for all citizens and businesses.

In this way we can work towards a 5th freedom: the freedom of ideas to cross borders.”

EPP-led opinions at Plenary Strategic guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture Marialuisa Coppola,

Councillor of the Veneto Region, Italy CDR5292 – NAT-V-031

There is a growing demand for fish and shellfish in the EU, but production in the aquaculture sector has stagnated over the last decade. The rapporteur therefore broadly welcomes the European Commission communication and stresses that aquaculture production must be treated as a strategic sector and on a par with other primary sector production areas. The regional councillor believes that the EU must be able to offer highquality, healthy and affordable products to European citizens whilst also addressing and

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contributing to the protection of over-fished species. Moreover, she recognises the need to unlock the potential of aquaculture and turn this stagnating sector into a blossoming branch of the economy. High on her list of priorities is simplifying the administrative procedures. The opinion states: the daunting two-to-three year procedure to establish a new aquaculture farm puts many potential entrepreneurs off and sets the EU collectively at a disadvantage compared with its global competitors. Councilor Coppola insists

that the EU should lead the way in the development of ecological and sustainable fish farming methods. Here, local and regional authorities can play a role by promoting the sustainable development of aquaculture and general knowledge of aquaculture products.

To conclude, the rapporteur congratulates the Commission for taking on board the CoR recommendation to set up a separate Aquaculture Advisory Committee to provide decision makers with information.

E-invoicing and on end-to-end e-procurement Catarina Segersten Larsson (SE/EPP),

Member of the Assembly of Värmland County Council, Sweden CDR5277 – ECOS-V-045

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s highlighted in the European Council conclusions, the modernisation of public administrations should continue through the swift implementation of services such as e-government, e-health, e-invoicing and e-procurement. The rapporteur believes that this would be important steps towards a paperless public administration in Europe, which would bring about the potential for significant economic benefits. Indeed, the CoR has made e-invoicing in public procurement one of the five priorities in its 2013 subsidiarity work programme and has conducted a subsidiarity-related consultation of the partners of the Subsidiarity Monitoring Network and its Subsidiarity Expert Group. Whilst several EU Member States have required the submission of e-invoices, these are often based on national standards, which are not interoperable.

The rapporteur therefore suggests that the proposal for a directive should be clarified with regard to the requirements for contracting authorities and entities.

Contracting authorities should be required to accept electronic invoices using the European standard for the semantic data model and technical formats based on international standards by standardisation bodies recognised under EU law. Turing

to the date for the proposal to enter into force, Catarina Segersten Larsson believes 30 months after the Commission publishes the reference to the standard could be appropriate. The opinion notes that Member States should consider the possibility of using Structural Funds to finance training (particularly for SMEs), to strengthen administrative capacity and to build infrastructure.

I welcome the overall goal of the draft Directive and benefits that it could initiate. Nevertheless, I too am concerned by the absence of the provisions defining the content of the European standard in the proposal. It is difficult to approve the binding obligation for Member States without knowing the content. I would like to propose changes in the timeframe for the implementation and agree the implementing period should only begin with the publication of the European standard and not the publication of the directive. Longer implementing periods for small municipalities should be introduced too.

Birgit Collin-Langen, MEP Rapporteur on Electronic invoicing in public procurement in the European Parliament

Migrant researchers, students, volunteers and other groups Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos,

Municipal Councillor of Aigaleo (EPP/EL) CDR3535 – CIVEX-V-043

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arts of the world other than Europe are becoming ever more attractive to students, researchers and other highlyqualified third-country migrant workers.

If the EU wants to remain competitive at international level, it should effectively and directly address its weaknesses in attracting certain groups to Europe, according to Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos’ opinion. He believes the EU has to remain a magnet for external students and researchers and therefore welcomes the establishment of a common framework for third-country nationals, including paid trainees and au pairs. In line with the multi-level governance principle, he

suggests that not only Member States but also local and regional authorities must be actively involved in promoting the mobility of these groups, and proposes an amendment in the Directive to that effect. The rapporteur also endorses the simplification of procedures for obtaining residence permits and for family members to access the labour market.

He also suggests the proportionality principle be taken into account for application fees. Apart from allowing researchers and students to stay for twelve months in order to look for work, the Municipal Councillor defends equal treatment between au-pairs and other

workers in terms of weekly rest periods: a proposal which has been taken on board in European Parliament negotiations on the draft text. He also proposes an amendment to the Commission proposal to ensure that account is taken of the conditions in the job market at the local and regional level. Finally, he underlines the role regional and local authorities play in enabling immigrants to develop a strong and constructive connection with the host society. At a time of economic recession and severe budgetary austerity, a coherent European approach must be accompanied by an appropriate cost analysis.

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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Disability, Sport and Leisure Jacques Blanc,

Mayor of Canourgue, France CdR3952 – EDUC-V-035

The estimated number of people with a disability in the EU is around 80. This owninitiative opinion aims to promote sustainable and inclusive growth by facilitating access to sports activities for persons with disabilities.

This is a major element of the ‘Sport for All’ project, which is part of the Europe 2020 strategy. Local and regional authorities play a fundamental role in developing the European dimension of sport for people with a disability, within the limits of their institutional remit.

The Mayor draws attention to the fact that the European Commission’s initial proposal for ERASMUS+, the new Union Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport for 2014-2020 does not make any reference to people with disabilities and urges for this to be corrected. He also proposes the use of

EU Structural Funds for the development of inclusive and accessible sport infrastructures at the local and regional levels. Financing research in the field of technologies related to sport for people with disabilities through Horizon 2020 is also essential, according to the rapporteur.

To gauge popular opinion on this matter, the opinion outlines how a specific Eurobarometer

Survey on Sport for People with a Disability could be commissioned. It also includes a call for the establishment of a European Expert Group on Sport for People with a Disability, which could be responsible for defining disabilities and serve as a forum to collect and share key regional and local practices and experiences.

“Since disability as a social phenomenon will be an inevitable trend in an ageing society in the near future and evidently sport will be one of the most important means in terms of maintaining older people’s well-being and activity in all areas of life. Disability as a notion is also changing due to the fact more and more people are eventually going to have different kinds of disabilities - this fact will be part of our everyday life very soon. Therefore handing disability with special attention to sport means a human investment, I believe. This notion is in accordance with the spirit as well as its rules of the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities as well.” Ádám Kósa, MEP

An evaluation of Macro-Regional Strategies Pauliina Haijanen,

Member of the Executive Board of Laitila City Council, Finland CDR5074 – COTER-V-042

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hese strategies blaze a trail by applying new approaches to cooperation and driving European integration forward.

Following a Lithuanian Presidency request, Paulina Haijanen underlines the political and strategic significance of work done on the Baltic Sea and Danube Strategies in her opinion on the evaluation of macro-regional strategies. She proposes that these positive experiences be taken into account when preparing a strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region. In her view, macro-regional strategies should continue to be geared to regional challenges that individual Member States are unable to meet, or which require special consideration within a broader EU policy framework. The rapporteur urges the

Member States to assess development of new macro-regional strategies and in view of the shared challenges and opportunities suggests that the local and regional level should be involved in discussions at an early stage when setting a strategy’s objectives.

Finally, the opinion underlines that work on the strategy to date does not allow farreaching conclusions to be drawn yet on the impact of this approach in terms of

meeting the EU’s horizontal and integrated objectives. Councillor Haijanen points out that the new EU financing period from 2014 offers good prospects for more effective and productive work on the strategies and recommends that the Commission continue monitoring implementation and assessment of their added value for Europe as a whole.

Macro-regional strategies address regional challenges that individual Member States are unable to meet. These challenges deserve special attention from the European Union. Working bottom up, from a local and regional perspective, brings concrete answers to concrete problems to remote areas such as the Alps.

Lambert van Nistelrooij, MEP, EPP coordinator Regional Development

NEW: EPP/CoR upcoming events and highlights videos Each month, the EPP Group publishes a short news bulletin about the upcoming priorities and events. These videos are available on the dedicated EPPGroupCoR YouTube channel

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As the debate about the future of Europe gathers pace, Europe’s leaders are asking citizens for their views. Exactly five years after the fall of Lehman Brothers, José Manuel Barroso recalled what has been achieved to date in his State of the European Union address. ‘For Europe,’ he said, “recovery is within sight. Of course, we need to be vigilant. But we are on the right track. This should push us to keep up our efforts. We owe it to those for whom the recovery is not yet within reach, to those who do not yet profit from positive developments. We owe it to our 26 million unemployed.” Viviane Reding, VicePresident of the European Commission in charge of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, believes that Europe needs a directly accountable European government. Speaking at a citizens’ dialogue event in Sofia, Bulgaria, earlier this year, she called for a strong political Union with two main elements – a strong government (the Commission) and two parliamentary chambers: the European Parliament and a Senate of Member States. Danuta Hübner, Member of the European Parliament and member of the World

Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Europe, has also joined the debate: “Over the coming months, European leaders will need to grapple with the question of Europe’s direction and choose a clear path for reforms. With the European elections around the corner, the time to decide on such a vision is now.”

Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission VicePresident for inter-institutional relations and administration will address the CoR Plenary Session.

2014 will be a year of change for the EU, with European Parliament elections and a new European Commission. But Europe’s recovery from the crisis is still very fragile, and it is vital that the momentum we

have made as a result of the reform of our economic governance system is not lost because of these changes.

That is why the Commission Work Programme (CWP) for 2014 puts a very strong focus on results: it identifies the priority growth-enhancing proposals that can be completed in the months ahead. Not surprisingly, the emphasis is very firmly on growth and jobs, in particular combating youth unemployment and facilitating access to financing. But we’ll also continue with our work towards completing the banking union, reinforcing economic governance and exploring further deepening of the EMU. The adoption of the Single Resolution Mechanism Fund is a priority, and the Single Supervisory Mechanism becomes operational in 2014. Of particular importance to you, I am sure, will be the start of the new Multiannual Financial Framework for 20142020, bringing much-appreciated support to Europe’s regions and cities through the cohesion policy budget.

Local and regional authorities across Europe have their own role to play in many policy areas, and I will be delighted to discuss these issues with the members of the Committee of the Regions at your November Plenary session.

The EPP Group will hold an extraordinary Group meeting in Brussels on 10 December 2014 to further debate the role of the Committee of the Regions in the future EU. Special guests will include Žiga Turk, professor, former Minister for Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and former secretary general of the Reflection Group on Future of Europe and Professor Rudolf Hrbek, Chair for Political Science, University of Tübingen and Visiting professor, European Political and Administrative Studies Department, College of Europe.

EPP Winter University for local and regional media In just over 6 months, 500 million European citizens will go to the polls to vote for their representative in the European Parliament. This makes the question “why is Europe important for my region’, more relevant than ever.

With its 8th University for local media, the EPP group in the Committee of the Regions sought to anticipate these upcoming elections and help local and regional journalists cover the EU. From 5-7 November, the 65 participants were involved in brainstorms, debates and networking opportunities. Topics for discussion included the 2014 European Elections, regional policy as a potential for local stories and the rise of social media.

European affairs are rarely treated at the level of local and regional media despite citizens asking for more concrete examples and relevant information.

However, despite hearing about millions of EU funded projects and agreeing on their potential for stories, bloggers, editors and regional journalists still appear to have frustrations when it comes to reporting on the EU. Simpler news and condensed highlights seem to be the biggest request, which echoes the demands from last year.

Giving their views on how to communicate the EU effectively on the ground, the local and regional media representatives requested stories and projects to illustrate the real impact on people. They also need free and easy to access images as well as experts who can speak the regional language.

Praising the Winter University, participants concluded that there should be more media trips and briefings ahead of the European elections, both in Brussels and beyond.

Winter University

Act. React. Impact C ommunic ating with local and regional voters

www.epp.cor.europa.eu

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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Ongoing Opinions Comission

Opinion

Rapporteur

Expected Adoption

CIVEX

Enlargement Strategy 2013

Arnoldas Abramavicius, Mayor of Zarasai municipality, Lithuania.

tbc

ENVE

Green paper on Framing 2030 climate and energy policy.

Sirpa Hertell , Member of the Espoo City Council, Finland

tbc

EDUC

European higher education in the world

Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council, Romania

January 2014

NAT

Report on Health Inequalities in the European Union

Constance Hanniffy, Member of the Offally County Council, Ireland

tbc

NAT

A new EU Forest Strategy

Spyros Spyridon, Councillor of the Region of Attica, Greece

January 2014

Ad Hoc Commission on the Rules of Procedure

Revision of the COR Rules of Procedure

Spyros Spyridon, Councillor of the Region of Attica, Greece

January 2014

Upcoming meetings 3 December

JCC FYROM

Brussels

4 December

JCC Montenegro

Brussels

5 December

ENVE

Brussels

9 December

Contact Group CLRAE

Paris

10 December

Extraordinary EPP Group

Brussels

11 December

ECOS

Brussels

12 December

NAT

Brussels

17 December

COTER

Brussels

17 December

REGI-COTER

Brussels

18 December

Subsidiarity Conference

Berlin

22 January 2014

CAFA

Brussels

29 January 2014

EPP Bureau

Brussels

29 January 2014

CoR Bureau

Brussels

30-31 January 2014

Plenary Session

Brussels

Secretary General: Heinz-Peter Knapp Editor in chief: Kathryn Owens, kathryn.owens@cor.europa.eu, +32 2 282 2400 | Press Officer: Dominik Krakowiak This issue is also available at www.epp.cor.europa.eu | Join us on

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