EPP/CoR rEPPorter: June 2014

June 2014 The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

A message from Michael Schneider A message from President Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso

2 The European Parliament elections in brief

EPP Group remains the leading force in the European Parliament under the leadership of new Chairman Manfred Weber

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“As the leading political group in the European Parliament, voters gave us a task and a mandate to address the key challenges Europe has to face.

These include the EU’s contribution to creating the right conditions for economic growth and new jobs, especially for the young generation, and continuing our work to stabilise financial markets.”

Members on the field

3-4 Eastern Partnership Monitor The impact of migrants and refugees on European Society

5 EPP Summit of regional and local political leaders, Poznan

6-7 The Europe We Need.

The Europe We Want. A better Europe

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“

The Committee of the Regions is an important voice of the regions in Europe. The cooperation of the EPP Groups in both the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions will therefore be essential to our success.”

Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Plenary Highlights

8-9 20th Anniversary of the CoR

10 For An European Industrial Renaissance

11 Ongoing opinions Upcoming meetings

@EPP_CoR

Now, you can follow us on

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CoR President bids farewell but promises to keep cooperation “I will start very soon a new period in my political career as a Member of the European Parliament of the European People’s Party Group within the EP. I will defend, as usual, the crucial role to be played by regional and local authorities in the further integration of the European project. My door will be always

open for all the members of our big EPP family. I encourage you to continue building bridges between both institutions and working hard to defend principles and values of the European People’s Party which will continue ensuring progress, responsibility and solidarity across the peoples of Europe.”

Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso, MEP and outgoing President of the Committee of the Regions

Summit of EPP regional and local political leaders “We need a European Union with a heart and with a soul. We want a European Union that listens and understands. We want a European Union that decides and acts for the benefit of all its citizens, wherever they live and work, wherever they are coming from” the 800 participants at the EPP Summit of regional and local politicians concluded in its Poznan manifesto on 25 April. During the unprecedented event, Jean-Claude Juncker, EPP candidate for President of the European Commission, pledged to promote the involvement of local and regional authorities in EU decision making during the next EU mandate and to fight for a strong role for the Committee of the Regions with the EPP Group.

Read more on page 6-7

A message from Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the CoR sustainable macro-economic governance.

Within this context, I also congratulate Manfred Weber on his election as Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. I welcome his priorities, which include the EU’s contribution to creating the right conditions for economic growth and new jobs, especially for the young generation, and stabilising the financial markets.

On 1st May, we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the 2004 enlargement and a few weeks later, the moment we had all been waiting for arrived. European citizens gave the European People’s Party another win that confirms its leading position for the Parliament’s 4th consecutive mandate. But these results also challenged Europe’s political landscape. With their vote, Europeans have entrusted our political family to continue as the main driving force to shape the EU of the future, with better growth and jobs and

The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, together with our partners, the EPP and Platforma Obywatelska, held the first Summit of EPP regional and local political leaders in Poznań on 25 April.

Jean-Claude Juncker campaigned with us and promised to strengthen the regional and local authorities’ role in EU decision making.

Taking account the results of the elections, he should be given a chance to build the majority that would back him as the President of the European Commission for

Farewell from President Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso

the next mandate. Putting this into question would make it very difficult for citizens to believe they are democratically represented.

Looking ahead and in view of the 20th anniversary of the Committee of the Regions, I would like to underline that the CoR is an illustration of the EPP values of subsidiarity, solidarity and multilevel governance. I am honoured to discuss these values and future prospects with special guests attending our June’s Group Meeting: EPP President Joseph Daul as well as former Presidents of the EPP Group in the CoR – Claude du Granrut, Reinhold Bocklet and Isidoro Gottardo. Now, it is time to develop our institution into a leading political ally of the European Parliament. Lastly, I would like to pay tribute to outgoing President of the CoR, Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso, who will join the European Parliament and we look forward to continued cooperation.

work in Ukraine and Moldova has intensified and last but not least, we have completed a new chapter on our works on multilevel governance by launching the signature of the Charter on Multilevel Governance at our inspiring EPP Conference in Poznan. On a personal note, I’m proud to be a member of the EPP political family and to have had the opportunity to cooperate with the CoR’s EPP Group for more than 19 years. Looking to my future, I am particularly happy that we reached a broadly supported political cooperation agreement with the European Parliament that will allow the CoR to strengthen its role in the EU legislative cycle. I have been lucky to work closely with so many

As President of the Committee of the Regions, I have tried to be at the height of the challenges that our territories and citizens are facing. To this end, I have prioritised finding solutions to spur on growth and to increase employment across Europe. This has led us to work more closely with the European Investment Bank and the Organisation for Economic

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Development in Europe. We also analysed and adopted constructive proposals for the revision of the EU 2020 Strategy at a successful European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens. Should you still wish to have your say on this strategy, a European Commission consultation is running until 31 October 2014.

Turning to our neighbouring countries, our

inspiring colleagues and to have enjoyed the continuous confidence of the Group and our Group Presidents. I would like to heartily thank all the EPP members and the secretariat of our group. During these last two intensive years you have offered me your support and guiding hand, helping me to achieve the five political priorities of my CoR presidency..

The European Parliament elections in brief 1. The EPP remains largest group and outright winner but has lost significant number of seats, especially in Euromed countries (FR, ES, IT) 2. There is an increased dependency on finding consensus with Socialists (+ potentially Greens and Liberals) to form any majority The EPP Group was the first to get to work in the new term of the European Parliament after winning the European elections for the fourth consecutive time since 1999 on 25 May. With 221 MEPs announced at the constitutive meeting on 4 June, the EPP remains the largest Group in the European Parliament after the elections. Despite the headlines reporting a good result for populists, the everyday EU decision-making will remain in the mainstream political groups. Moreover, the Eurosceptics are unlikely to form themselves into a long-term coherent voice in the EP. It is also essential to note that turnout rose very slightly to 43.09% reversing a trend that began with the first Parliamentary elections.

With regards to the EPP Group, the following can be observed:

On 4th June, MEPs elected German MEP Manfred Weber as their new Chairman.

He succeeds Joseph Daul, who did not stand in the European elections, but who will continue as President of the European People’s Party.

Ten Vice-Chairmen were also elected to complete the new EPP Group Presidency:

3. Greater fragmentation of national influence in the group, leading to a greater need to adopt common European policy positions 4. Germany is still the largest national delegation in the EPP by a greater distance and enjoys Chairmanship of the Group through the election of Manfred Weber

3. Sandra Kalniete 4. Mariya Gabriel 5. József Szájer 6. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski 7. Paulo Rangel 8. Marian Jean Marinescu

1. Esteban González Pons

9. Esther De Lange

2. Françoise Grossetête

10. Lara Comi

Members on the field and Sirpa Hertell. Addressing the Informal Council for Energy on 16 May, Mr Hranić argued that the EU must commit to investing into locally sustainable energy sources to help liberalise its energy market. “It is disappointing that the EU did not take the opportunity to set obligatory binding targets on energy gy efficiency” y he stressed.

S3 platform and the Helsinki-Uusimaa, Province of Utrecht and Valencia regions on 18 June.

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To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, a CoR delegation, including Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso, Michael Schneider and Luc Van den Brande, paid tribute to victims during an official visit to the city of Ypres and the Flanders Fields Region. They highlighted that it is crucial to remember the EU’s role in defending the values of peace and prosperity across the continent.

Local and regional perspectives on the EU energy policy 2030 will be debated on 26 June with the participation of Bruno Hranic

Markku Markkula represented the Committee of the Regions at a conference dedicated to Smart Specialisation Strategies: Implementing European Partnerships, which was coorganised by

Local and regional politicians from across Europe gathered in Krakow on 13 June to discuss how best to cope with the worryingly high rates of youth unemployment.

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

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This was on the initiative of Marshal of the Malopolska region, Marek Sowa.

Michael Schneider made the welcome address ahead of an interactive workshop entitled “Subsidiarity monitoring under scrutiny: more, less or different?” on 11 June.

It was organised as a follow-up to the CoR’s 6th Subsidiarity Conference, which took place in Berlin last year.

Jacques Blanc led discussions with representatives of local and regional authorities from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Skopje on 3rd June to explore the possibilities and instruments needed to support the ongoing accession process. He expressed regret that the Council has postponed its decision on the opening of accession negotiations.

The CoR Working Group on the Western Balkans met in Brussels on 28 May to debate the developments in EU-Serbia relations, their impact on local authorities and the state of local democracy in the process of EU accession. The EPP was represented by Jelena Drenjanin, Jacek Protas, Franz Schausberger and Vladimir Kissiov. The meeting began with an expression of sympathy to those who were affected by the devastating floods.

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Innovative power lies primarily at the local or regional level: this was the message of Michel Lebrun, at the Competitiveness and Industry Council’s informal session in Athens on 13 May, which was presided by Kostas Hatzidakis, the Greek Minister for Development and Competitiveness.

One week later, President Valcárcel spoke with the EU’s 28 ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy on 25 April to underline that Small and Medium-Sized enterprises are the drivers of economic development.

Pascal Mangin represented the Committee of the Regions at the European Youth Event, which brought together 5,000 Europeans aged 16-30 to exchange ideas on youth-related issues in Strasbourg on 9 May.

On 29 April, Kadri Tillemann, spoke at the Euroheat and Power Conference on “Bringing innovations and stakeholders together, Public-private partnerships in Horizon 2020: a powerful tool to deliver on innovation and growth in Europe”. On 9 April, she represented the CoR in the jury for the new EU Natura 2000 Award. She also participated in the award ceremony that took place on 21 May in Brussels.

Jelena Drenjanin participated in a panel on campaigning and e-democracy for the “3rd European Citizens’ Initiative Day – Building up success” that took place in Brussels on 15 April. The conference focussed on the practical side of the regulation’s operation in view of its first reform scheduled for 2015. President Valcárcel made the closing statement.

September 2015 should see the first European Week of Sport. Speaking at a presentation, the European Commissioner said: “To be successful, activities should take place where people are, hence at different levels: EU, national and local...” Within this context, Roberto Pella participated in a meeting dedicated to partnerships between local authorities and sport organisations on 10 April. They looked at the legacy left by Olympic Games and welcomed developments towards a European Week of Sport.

Samuel Azzopardi moderated the first round table of the 11th meeting of the European Integration Forum “Ten years with the Common Basic Principles on integration – what next?” that took place in Brussels on 3rd April.

Eastern Partnership Monitor

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Cooperation between the EU and European neighbourhood countries should be ‘tailor-made’, with a high degree of flexibility and sensitivity to ongoing political, social and economic changes” Olgierd Geblewicz

communicating the EaP and European Neighbourhood Policy to a wider audience and demonstrate the commitment to reform and deepen relations with the EU.

Jacek Protas joined an election observation mission to Georgia on

Pre-term local elections in Ukraine as important step towards decentralization Arnoldas Abramavicius, election observer in Ukraine

Devolution in the Eastern Partnership countries was discussed at a conference on 28 April, which preceded the CORLEAP Bureau meeting. Under the chairmanship of Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso and Mamuka Abuladze, President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia, Olgierd Geblewicz underlined how local and regional authorities play a key role in

News from the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

On 24-25 May, local and Presidential elections were held in situation of emergency for the people of Ukraine and I would also say for Europe as a whole. Ukraine was voting for a fresh start. This election was an outstanding event - in terms of voter turnout and challenges for the organisers. I regret that these pre-term local elections were held on the same day as the vote for the new President of Ukraine as they were largely overshadowed by the national vote. I was deployed in the north-east Sumy oblast; 50 km from the Russian border. The general situation was calm and the regional turnout was rather high at about 60 percent. Despite the fragile political environment, the vote at the local level was a positive test and an important step

To provide the EPP family with up to date information regarding the most important news in relation to the countries of the Eastern Partnership Initiative, the Wilfried

15 June. Ahead of the elections, President of the EPP, Joseph Daul, expressed concern over the withdrawal of a number of opposition candidates, as a result of reported government pressure. However, first reports indicate that the elections were organised in a responsible manner, respecting democratic principles.

Mayoral candidates in the eight biggest cities, including the capital Tbilisi, will face a runoff at the end of June. towards decentralisation in Ukraine. We welcome that there was no pressure or threats towards voters, as in previous elections (although there were some issues in Donetsk and Luhansk). The same seems to be true for the misuse of administrative resources.

We encourage the Ukrainian authorities to continue in this way and to make the next general local elections a full success.

During a meeting with Ukrainian deputy Prime-minister Volodymyr Groysman, he underlined: the Government is strongly committed towards decentralization in p g a Unitarian state.

Ukraine but also keeping

Martens Centre shares information on the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood. Reports are available at www.thinkingeurope.eu

The impact of migrants and refugees on European Society

György Gémesi, mayor of Gödöllő, president of the MÖSZ In most EU Member States, immigration has increased over the past few decades. Comparing and reviewing successful and not so successful solutions could help local authority leaders define and implement effective solutions and

comprehensive strategies on refugee policy, managing refugees and integrating migrants.

With this aim, the Hungarian Association of Local Governments (MÖSZ), in partnership with the EPP Group of the Committee of the Regions, organised a conference on 16 April in Gödöllő, Hungary. Low birth rates in Europe, combined with the coming generational shift, will result in a greater need for people of working age. The reception of asylum seekers and refugees can therefore bring opportunities for municipalities and regions. Successful

integration policies at the local and regional level promote growth and increase opportunities for learning and entrepreneurship. They also help to meet future labour needs and finance the welfare system in the years to come. Jelena Drenjanin, deputy-mayor of Huddinge, presented some best practices from Sweden: for example Swedish language courses are offered and paid for by the municipalities, called Swedish for immigrants. Stockholm County Council has also developed Swedish language courses for professional migrants.

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

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EPP Summit of regional and local political leaders, Poznan

As President of the European Commission, I will promote regional and local authorities’ involvement in decision making into the future. I will fight for a strong role for the Committee of the Regions throughout the legislative process and I will work closely with you.

Jean Claude Juncker, EPP candidate for President of the European Commission Polish experience has shown that solidarity is the best method for security and prosperity.

When joining the European Union we were proud to discover that this value had also become a fundamental value of the EU itself and I believe that the energy union is another dimension of this solidarity, because it can be a peaceful and positive response to what is happening behind the eastern borders of Poland and the European

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Union… Europe must come out stronger and more independent from this crisis.

Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland We in Poland have proven, both at national and European level, that regions are able to manage European funds efficiently. We have fulfilled our duties well by supporting the development of the country and the European Union. As Chairman of the CoR’s COTER Commission, I have had the opportunity to closely monitor the funds’ implementation across Europe and I am convinced that success can be achieved only through cooperation at all levels of governance.

Marek Wozniak, Marshal of Wielkopolska There is a huge gap between the latest research knowledge and real life practice. To fill this gap and to boost jobs and growth, the EU needs

pioneering regions with smart strategies. The Helsinki Region is focussing on the promotion of entrepreneurship within its younger generation and has many examples of entrepreneurial companies and start-ups.

Markku Markkula, Chair of City Planning Board, Espoo, Finland The European People’s Party, despite having to manage the biggest post-war economic crisis, remains the dominant political force in Europe.

In the new period that begins for Europe, the European People’s Party has an obligation, but also the political will to stimulate growth in all countries and especially in southern European countries, amongst which Greece.

It is necessary to seek and promote policies to boost youth employment, social solidarity, cohesion and growth. Only in this way we can weaken the voices of euroscepticism and make Europe more united and strong.

Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos

During the EPP Summit in Poznan, which took place just before the European elections, local, regional and European politicians agreed that the 2014-2020 programming period will be based on the partnership principle and the multilevel governance.

Moreover, actions taken on the regional and local level will contribute to reach Europe 2020 strategy goals.

Jan Olbrycht, MEP

Sustainable development can only be achieved when all levels of government are involved. The EU faces global challenges, but the answers often originate at the local level.

IFIs such as the EIB remain among the most significant resource of capital mobilization and blended finance in support of urban development globally.

We need a united Europe; we need a strong Europe and a coherent Europe. A strong Europe that is embedded in its local communities, in its regions, that is strong in investments and conducts a strong regional policy is the best answer to the economic challenges that face us.

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, MEP

Wilhelm Molterer, Vice-President of European Investment Bank

The Latvian experience on overcoming the economic crisis can be a good example for the European Union.

The EU must use our knowledge on strengthening the economy and competitiveness for creating new and better jobs. I believe the agenda for the next five years is quite clear – jobs and growth.

Valdis Dombrovskis, MEP and Former Prime Minister of Latvia European policies must be designed to meet the needs of the people, and must be acceptable to the man or woman in the street. The Committee of the Regions plays an important role in bridging the gap between EU policy and the citizens of Europe. As politicians, we must ensure that the processes by which we make decisions are transparent, and that those decisions make sense to our constituents.

Dr Reiner Haseloff, MinisterPresident of Saxony-Anhalt

Time for cities and regions to become key partners in shaping a new Europe!

The Committee of the Regions is calling for local and regional authorities to sign up to the “Charter for Multilevel Governance in Europe”, which was signed by Jean Claude Juncker and many leading EPP representatives during the Poznan Summit. Following the European elections, the CoR urges all levels of government to use “multilevel governance” as a guiding principle in policy design, helping to learn from each other, share best practices and further develop participatory democracy. The Charter is available online and is open for electronic signature by cities and regions at www.cor.europa.eu/mlgcharter

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

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The Europe We Need. The Europe We Want. A better Europe Excerpts from the Poznan Manifesto of EPP regional and local leaders in view of the 2014 European Union’s new political mandate

1. We need a European Union with a heart and with a soul. We want a European Union that listens and understands. We want a European Union that decides and acts for the benefit of all its citizens, wherever they live and work, wherever they are coming from.

2. We need decisions to be taken at levels closest to the citizens. We want to find the best solutions while ensuring a full democratic legitimacy, where cities and regions have a say and their voice transforms values into facts that matter to people.

3. We need the respect of the EU’s most important values: democracy, the rule of law, freedom, human rights, accountability solidarity, and equality. We want a new decentralized EU communication as it is the most effective way to reach the citizens and to fight against euroscepticism and populism. We want a young generation that is passionate about Europe.

4. We need a European Union that facilitates the conditions for social welfare, economic sustainable growth and competitiveness for all. We want the strong, the weak and the poor to be taken on board in order to increase the cohesion across Europe.

5. We need an EU that strengthens social market economy. We want a public sector that facilitates viable

business initiatives. We have to strongly support young people to develop fully their potential and to promote young entrepreneurship.

6. We need better coordination of all levels of government and synergies and complementarities of all public budgets. We want an effective, inter-connected and innovative public administration at EU, national, regional and local level.

7. We need a political European Union working in partnership with its regions as citizens trust highly their regional and local political leaders. The European People’s Party wants a strong position of the regions as key actors in the EU to respond to the vital need for better law-making, to strengthen European democracy and to reduce its democratic deficit.

During the June Plenary, Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso will step down as President of the Committee of the Regions in order to take up his seat in the European Parliament. A new President will therefore be elected and Michel Lebrun, candidate of the EPP Group is expected to get the support of the CoR. The first Vicepresident and other Bureau members will also be up for election.

Plenary Highlights “Because of the extraordinary diversity of its make-up, the Committee of the Regions will be a unique piece on the institutional chess board.

It will be able to exert a very special power based on expertise and influence.” He added that the CoR has two key responsibilities:

1994-2014 – 20 Years of the Committee of the Regions 1. to strengthen the feeling of “belonging” among ordinary people Twenty years ago the Committee of the Regions held its inaugural plenary session in Brussels on the 9-10 March 1994. Jacques Blanc, leader of the Languedoc-Roussillon regional council, was elected as the first President. The hopes for this new institutional body, gathering regional and local political representatives at EU level, were high and the challenges for the new interlocutor on the Brussels scene were great. Addressing the meeting, European Commission President, Jacques Delors, stated that the CoR’s calling must be to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the Union.

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2. to alert the European institutions to the risks of any sort of backsliding.

Below, President Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso shares his impressions and visions for the future.

The Committee of the Regions marks 20 years since the date of its first plenary session. From the beginning, members of the European People’s Party Group have worked very hard to transmit the added value of this young EU body to the rest of the European institutions. I

sincerely believe that we have succeeded our main challenges till now.

The Committee has become a political assembly, a strong institutional partner and a political platform that represents the interest of regions and cities in Europe and beyond. Over the last years we have learned is that we are all interdependent. If we are to restore sustainable growth and ensure jobs creation all levels of government must be involved in finding and implementing solutions evidently passing through Europe. I hope the resolution on the CoR’s 20 years and the reflection report I have prepared will set our institution on course for the upcoming debates on the future of the EU, placing regions and cities within the heart of its functioning.

The Committee of the Regions could form the basis of a future European Senate.

Juan-José Lucas Giménez, 1998-2001

My first impression of the Committee of the Regions was the solemnity of the inaugural session, attended by the President of the Commission, Jacques Delors, the President of the European Parliament and the ambassadors of the Member States. And then, very quickly, the relative ease of contacts with my colleagues - easy in spite of the difference in the scale of our various responsibilities. My hope for the future is that its political role will be expanded vis-à-vis both the European Parliament and the Commission, balanced by the obligation for its members to serve as “institutional broadcasters” of what the Union can and wants to do, to the people they administer. The Committee of the Regions should eventually become a European senate, with widereaching consultative powers, holding its sessions in conjunction with those of the European Parliament, and attended on a regular basis by the President of the Commission or his or her representative.

Claude du Granrut, 2001-2002

The CoR has proven to be an effective representation of local and regional authorities and EU citizens during its 20 years of its existence. The competences have been gradually increased with each Treaty change, up to and including the Lisbon Treaty. But, if the CoR wants to exercise its full rights in the decisionmaking process of the European Union, it must be composed - in analogy to the European Parliament – in a more democratic way.

If this is not possible, it will remain to be limited to the role of a useful advisory body.

Reinhold Bocklet, 2002-2003

It was whilst reading Alcide De Gasperi’s speeches in my youth that my enthusiasm for the European project was kindled. They pointed to a mission for all men and women, one of peace and social justice, by means of a social market economy and a Europe grounded in the values that have brought together whole generations of Christian Democrats. For me, the European People’s Party has always been a guarantee and a benchmark in my political commitment at every level. I remember the pleasure I felt at taking part in our Plenary Sessions in the Parliament’s chamber - I could touch the dreams the founding fathers showed us and I experienced a real sense of responsibility. Europe is not a cash dispenser where you take back what you put in, but a mutually-supporting community for the well-being of its present and future citizens, focusing on the common goal of human rights for all.

Isidoro Gottardo, 2003-2010

As the current President of the EPP Group in the CoR, I have seen our Committee develop even over these past four years. We have dramatically increased our role under the Lisbon Treaty and I believe that we are now the true guardians of the principle of subsidiarity. The European Parliament’s wish to have impact assessments on European legislation is also a positive step forward. However, as agreed during the EPP Group meeting on the future of the EU last December, the CoR needs to be better integrated into the EU policy-making cycle. We need to find ways to strengthen our role as a political assembly and to play a complimentary role to that of the directly elected representatives in the European Parliament and the representatives of national governments in the Council. Moreover, the growing involvement of national parliaments in EU legislation should give us room to become more involved in the work on the European semester and budgeting. Through our close contacts with the EPP, the EPP Group in the European Parliament and Commissioners from our political family, I am convinced that the CoR will continue to go from strength to strength.

Michael Schneider, 2010 - present

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

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Opinions at Plenary A European network of Employment Services, workers’ access to mobility services and the further integration of labour markets (EURES) José Ramón Bauzá Díaz (President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Spain) ECOS-V-054 “The success of the EURES network demands that Member States foster its linkage with the specific interests of the EU’s regions and/or municipalities.”

For a large majority of EU citizens, the right to freedom of movement represents one of the EU’s finest achievements. This opinion underlines that it is essential to safeguard this right and facilitate its exercise by encouraging the free movement of workers through a strengthened EURES: the European Employment Services cooperation network. Whilst broadly welcoming the Commission proposals, the rapporteur

wishes to highlight the importance of informing citizens about the benefits of this network so that they can take advantage of its full potential.

He also recommends and requests that the European Commission propose new tools to support the integration of mobile workers through the use of the Structural Funds.

According to the Balearic President, EURES cross-border partnerships have a key advisory role in border regions; however these proposals should not lead to supervision issues and duplications. In an amendment to the regulation, the opinion seeks to underline that due account should be taken of the differing characteristics

of the EU’s regions and/or municipalities. The local and regional level is often the closest to most jobseekers and employers given that the labour market is predominantly local. Therefore, it is important to have clearly identified local and regional representatives who can establish a structured dialogue and regular exchange of information with the National Coordination Offices. In this way, EURES can take advantage of local and regional knowledge and experience at the national and European level. In view of the principals of subsidiarity and proportionality, the rapporteur would also like to see the European dimension of the EURES network strengthened.

Multilevel governance in promoting the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and implementing the international Aichi targets Kadri Tillemann (Mayor of Keila Rural Municipality Government, Estonia) ENVE-V-045 “The crucial test of the EU’s commitment to achieving the biodiversity targets will be the final delivery of the new 2014-2020 EU funds on this target” In May 2011, the European Union adopted a new EU Biodiversity Strategy to halt biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020.

According to this opinion, biodiversity conservation should be mainstreamed into various sectors of national, regional and local governance. Local and regional authorities have a critical role to play in implementing such objectives on the ground and therefore can assist national governments in preventing further biodiversity loss. The Mayor of

Keila calls on the European Commission to prepare an assessment of multilevel governance in the biodiversity strategy and to take note of the active role that regional and local government plays. The rapporteur also strongly encourages regional authorities to develop Regional Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and cities and larger municipalities to draw up Local Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.

Mayor Tillemann expects collective action to be taken by Member States and LRA’s to reach the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy’s target of restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2020, to halt biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems and to

restore them throughout Europe. In order to achieve the goals, the rapporteur calls on LRAs and Member States to better target funding from the EARDF for biodiversity conservation and encourages Member States and LRAs to ensure the optimal use of financing opportunities offered by the ERDF and stresses the importance of greening as a central pillar of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In this context Tillemann’s opinion suggests European Commission mid-term review should take into account any changes which have occurred between the strategy’s launch in 2011 and the mid-term review in 2015, in particular the new financial framework and the 2014-2020 EU funds.

The execution of the EU Budget)

Adam Struzik (Marshal of the Mazowsze region, Poland) BUDG-V-007 “We often hear complaints that the slow rate of implementation of projects cofinanced by the EU budget is due to the

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poor administrative capacities of local and regional authorities. This is only partially justified. The speed of implementation of

EU funds is as often affected by issues that fall under the competences of the Member States and the European Commission”

Member States should increase cooperation with local and regional authorities when preparing operational programmes to ensure timely implementation of EU funds and to minimise the burden for beneficiaries, according to the rapporteur.

The Marshal of the Polish region of Mazowsze calls on the European Commission and the Member States to adopt a more pro-active approach towards the new financial perspective and proposes introducing information and training programmes for LRAs in order to improve the speed and quality of EU budget implementation. Struzik’s opinion proposes solutions, such as: simplification of procedures for beneficiaries, timely implementation by Member States of ex-ante conditions, simplified costs,

maximizing the rates of EU co-financing or simplified access to other national, private and EIB finance instruments. It also suggests that EC could consider lifting the requirement to include co-financing in the calculation of public sector deficits.

Struzik suggests also focusing more on the results than speed of expenditure – “we should make sure, that the set objectives, indicator values, performance framework and monitoring and evaluation system are all linked together in a logical manner”.

The rapporteur criticizes however, the lack of thorough statistical data regarding the involvement of LRAs in the implementation of the EU budget. Struzik would like to see European Commission and the Member States regularly publish annual implementation reports or periodic

cohesion reports which could become basis for follow-up debates with the Committee of the Regions. He draws also attention to the EU budget liquidity and financial planning problems that cause delays in expenditure reimbursements, affecting the LRAs budgets and planning. EU budget is a key instrument for achieving the European Union’s objectives. Increased EU fund efficiency and effectiveness can only be achieved with the active participation local and regional authorities - as both EU budget direct beneficiaries and managers of EU funds. It is the first time that Committee of the Regions is in the process of adopting an opinion on the execution of the EU budget in order to present the views of local and regional authorities.

Innovative Solutions for a European Industrial Renaissance a major challenge and the next few years will be crucial in meeting it. Our message is clear: EU local and regional economies have to be modernised immediately to put job creation at the forefront. The first step must be to identify regional and local opportunities for European industrial policy and the EPP seminar will be a first opportunity for the members of the CoR to do this.

Badajoz, 24 October The drive for industrialisation has become a necessity for the European Union, especially in those regions that are still classified as less developed: such as Extremadura. Here, industry has to be the driving force of recovery.

It is for that reason that the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions will hold an external seminar dedicated to European industrial renaissance in Badajoz on 24 October. Extremadura, Spain and Europe face

On 22 January 2014, the EU set itself the objective of increasing the share of industry in GDP from 16% to 20% by 2020. “If we want to achieve this The Government of Extremadura has submitted the Extremadura Industrialisation Strategy, with funding of EUR 1.6 bn over the next six years. Focusing activity on a number of industrial centres will be key to the success of the strategy. The Governing Council will classify an investment by companies of at least EUR 20 million and creating at least 100 jobs in Extremadura over a five-year period

ambitious goal, we must increase investment in innovation, improve the operation of the single market, internationalise EU business, facilitate access to finance, reduce administrative burdens and strengthen our SMEs and the dual system of education” explains José Antonio Monago Terraza, President of the Junta of Extremadura and host of the seminar. “For the first time, the Spanish government’s claim for European funds to industrialise Extremadura has been included in Spain’s Association Agreement. A commitment to Extremadura without precedent in our country or in Europe. “ as a “Strategic Industrial Project”. These projects and all those located in the industrial centres will be exempt until 2020 from the 35 taxes included in the law establishing tax measures to stimulate economic activity in Extremadura. They will also enjoy priority access to the financial resources, unique in Spain, which we have available as an Objective 1 or Convergence Region.

Promoting and protecting the tastes of Europe’s regions and cities Wednesday 8 October 2014 pm, JDE 51 The quality of Europe’s agricultural and agri-food products is widely acknowledged.

This seminar, which will take place within the context of OPEN DAYS: European Week of Regions and Cities, aims to analyse whether coordinated EU investment for

this sector’s 285,000 SMEs could tip the competitive balance in Europe’s favour.

Participants will gain an understanding of the new EU promotion and labelling legislation for the agriculture sector thanks to presentations from Europe’s leading policy-makers and practitioners. An exchange of best practise and experiences will also be encouraged.

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

11

Ongoing Opinions Comission

Opinion

Rapporteur

Expected Adoption

CIVEX

European Neighbourhood Policy Package

Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of the West Pomeranian voivodeship (Poland)

December 2014

COTER

Alpine macro-regional strategy for the European Union

Herwig Van Staa, President of the Tirol Regional Assembly (Austria)

December 2014

ECOS

Industrial Policy Package

Markku Markkula, Espoo City Councillor (Finland)

December 2014

EDUC

Creation of high-tech start-ups

Mattia Tarsi, Pesaro Provincial Councillor (Italy)

October 2014

ENVE

Clean Air Policy Package

Cor Lamers, Mayor of Schiedam (Netherlands)

October 2014

NAT

mHealth

Martin Andreasson, Member of the Regional Assembly of Vastra Gotaland (Sweden)

December 2014

NAT

Organic production and labelling of organic prodcuts

Hester Maij, Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Overijssel (Netherlands)

December 2014

Upcoming Meetings 15 July

ECOS

Brussels

7 July

Budget

Brussels

10-11 July

COTER

Brussels

12 September

Bureau

Turin, Italy

15-16 September

ECOS

Rotherham U.K.

18 September

COTER

Iasi, Romania

19 September

NAT seminar

Florence, Italy

22-23 September

CIVEX

Brindisi Italy

23 September

CAFA

Brussels

25 September

EDUC

Brussels

29 September

CORLEAP

Tbilisi, Georgia

3 October

NAT

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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