July 2012
Message from the President EPP Group meeting: Regions and cities call for a focus on competitiveness and sustainability in European tourism
2 EPP External Seminar, 9 November 2012, Sofia
3 Members on the field
3-4 Valcárcel: CoR Presidency 2012-2014
5 A focus on sport
6
The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions
A new President for the CoR On Wednesday 18 July, the Committee of the Regions will elect its new President for the second half of the 2012-2015 mandate. Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, the President of the Autonomous Community of Murcia, is expected to take over the Presidency on 13 August. His ambitious work programme focuses on 5 main priorities: implementing the Europe 2020 strategy for growth at the regional and local level; enhanced multi-level governance; a closer Europe through stronger communication and awarenessraising; promoting sport, culture and heritage as a driver for territorial development; developing a stronger role for the CoR, in particular building new opportunities for synergy with the European Parliament. Read more on page 5 “I warmly welcome the candidature of Ramón Luis Valcárcel for President of the Committee of the Regions. I am convinced that his election will reinforce the EPP’s drive for greater economic and social cohesion in Europe’s regions.” Wilfried Martens, President of the European People’s Party.
Cyprus Presidency of the EU
Territorial T EPP high level Consultation with C meeting in Herman Van Rompuy, Warsaw H European Council E Cohesion policy, Europe 2020 and the future Presidency of the CoR President P were top of the agenda at a high
Cyprus Priorities l Cyprus Presidency on Cohesion Policy
7 Plenary Highlights
9-11 CoR resolution on the European Commission 2013 Work Programme
9 Ongoing Opinions Your Agenda
12
On 14 June 2012, the Committee of the Regions’ political leadership presented the CoR’s positions on the multiannual financial framework and EU own resources in a meeting with Herman Van Rompuy ahead of the European summit on 28 June. The delegation, which included Michael Schneider and Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, insisted that the European Union needs an investment budget to re-launch growth and employment in Europe. “Having already been weakened by national austerity policies, our regions and cities are unable to invest in the future the future without strong financial support from EU policies,” agreed the CoR’s political representatives. “We need to create more synergies between sub-national, national and EU budgets and take advantage of the leverage and multiplier effect of EU funds for growth and jobs”.
level meeting of EPP members in Warsaw on 19-20 June. Following an invitation from Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, representatives met with Waldemar Pawlak, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Polish Minister of Regional Development and Jan Wyrowiński, Deputy Senate Marshal. The delegation also made a visit to CD PROJEKT Sp. z o. o, a company set up in 1994 by young entrepreneurs and supported by EU funds.
2013: European Year of Citizenship “We need more Europe, not less, to emerge from the crisis… Yet we govern for the citizens not for the markets. As our Europe is a Europe of citizens, it is the citizens and their concerns that should guide us on our journey... This year and in 2013, the European Year of Citizens, we will continue this debate, involving regional authorities and local press through ‘Citizens’ Dialogues and events across Europe.” European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding Read more on page 11
Message from the President Since the he last Plenary Session SSessi sion ion i there ha havee been een a number of important developments deve in European politi po oliltics. tics c . Not least least, ast, the thhe worrying wo situation ituation on in Romania, R which we are following follow carefully, and the results of the re rrecent e ent election ec ctionn in Gr Greece. With their vo votes, the he Greek people hhave decided that their future re lies lie ies in Europee and moreover, oreover, inside the Eurozone. We fully ully support Antonis Samaras and oour ou urr coll colleagues in the Greek delegation ation in your efforts to bring G Greece back onto on the path of economic recovery and ggrowth. I am also pleased re ased with the progress of E EU negotiations tiat with Montenegro where re an inaugural meeting of the dedicated Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) will take place on 17-18 September. The aim of this JCC is to facilitate and promote the participation of plac Montenegrin Local and Regional Authorities in the enlargement process. Ahead of the European Council on 28-29 June, European and global pressure was mounting for important decisions on growth and jobs. Nowhere is the pressure greater than in our regions and cities. Not only have great steps been taken in this regard, there is also a common agreement to work towards a stronger European Economic and Monetary Union. In particular, we welcome the proposal of Herman Van Rompuy to work towards a more integrated financial, budgetary and economic framework in pa parallel to promoting democratic legitimacy and accountability. Following these developments, we now call for an ambitious European Commission 2013 work programme that can further boost sustainable growth, job creation and quality of life in Europe E and contribute to restore the citizens’ confidence in the European integration process. The resolution that has been tabled for this Plenary Session sets out our further demands in this regard. Moreover, I welcome the specific reference to the reformed cohesion policy in the “Compact for Growth and Jobs”, which was endorsed by the European Council in its June conclusions. We are convinced that cohesion policy offers an opportunity to invest out of the crisis and to boost investment, growth and job creation at EU level. It accounts for an important share of public investments in the EU and contributes to deepening of internal market. I therefore hope that the recognition of the value of cohesion policy will be reflected in the budget allocated to it in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (MFF).
EPP Group meeting: Regions and cities call for a focus on competitiveness and sustainability in European tourism governance when further developing EU policy in this field in order to further enhance cooperation.
In view of discussions on the future EU budget, regions and cities called for strengthened investment opportunities for sustainable tourism, during a meeting of the EPP Group in Faro on 1 June. Participants underlined that in line with the Europe 2020 targets for economic, ecological and social development; sustainable tourism can generate a large percentage of GDP and provide a beacon of hope for young people. “The Europe 2020 Strategy is our model for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Today, we have learned that tourism is closely linked to all three of these targets.” Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, expressed. “Local and regional authorities play an essential role in developing and managing tourism projects and that is why we need to ensure that sufficient attention is paid to these programmes and projects in the future budget.” The EPP Group’s declaration therefore calls for a spirit of multilevel 2
Manuel Pinto de Abreu, Portuguese Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs, made his intervention on tourism as a vector for economic development. “We need an appropriate, strategic and forward looking financial framework. At the moment, the discussions are too focused on specific activities and do not consider competences such as tourism, which can have an impact on growth and social welfare. Moreover, the new regulations governing the common EU policies must see tourism as a vital element to economic growth.” The EPP Group underlined that these funds provide support for a large scope of activity ranging from the development of the local tourism industry to improving infrastructure, transport links and nature conservation. As such, the meeting concluded that EU financial support is essential for the future of tourism. The Secretary of State also believes that “competitive and sustainable tourism has an added value for young people who need hope for a brighter and better future. As a whole, the European young generation is better educated than in the past, has keen interest in nature and expertise in the digital agenda. If we can attract them to traditional activities such as agriculture and fisheries, we can open a major field of opportunity for them and for the future of tourism. This could also be a step in the right direction for reducing unemployment rates.”
José Macario Correia, Mayor of Faro: the leading tourism destination in Portugal and host of the EPP Group meeting, pointed to the close interaction between natural and cultural heritage, the environment and local people. “These are the key ingredients that help tourism grow and which can give our economy a positive impulse during recovery from the current economic crisis” he underlined. “During this meeting in Faro, I would like to highlight our experience of combining sustainability and growth in our natural park in Faro; one of the natural marvels of Portugal.” Throughout the meeting, many local and regional experiences were presented and shared. For example, Ivan Žagar, Mayor of Slovenska Bistrica, spoke about the impact of culture on tourism making reference to Maribor’s title of European Capital of Culture
2012 and Marek Wozniak, Marshall of Wielkopolska, explained how Poznan was preparing for the UEFA European Football Championship and how sports tourism can boost the local economy. Victoria Palau Tarrega, Director General of European Affairs in the Valencian Government, made an intervention on the region’s experience on tourism as a provider of jobs. This meeting was also the opportunity to launch the third in a series of brochures dedicated to the role of local and regional authorities in implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy. Forging links between Europe 2020 and the tourism industry, this brochure contains examples of successful projects from across EU with the aim of demonstrating that EU funds can be used for tourism projects on the ground therefore contributing to jobs and growth in the region.
EPP External Seminar, 9 November 2012, Sofia An external meeting of all EPP members in Sofia this autumn will not only build on the host city efforts and achievements in the area of cohesion policy but will also be an important signal for the role of newly accessed EU member states, regions and cities in the EPP family. EPP members will enjoy the rich cultural life in the city of Sofia which works hard to become the European Capital of Culture in 2019.
ranging from relevant public services, economic investment, infrastructure, transport, CO2 reduction, energy questions, housing, education and training, social policy, integration of migrants, culture and recreation. At the beginning of last year, Sofia launched an international conference in order to develop Contribution to the Fifth Report on the Future of EU Cohesion Policy. In the forum took part mayors from the capitals of neighbouring countries. We reached common understanding that capitals and big cities should have a key role in the practical implementation of EU policy during the next programming period. They are a driving force of growth for the development of the regions and the whole country.
Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia. An important prerequisite for the linkage of the EU 2020 goals and the Cohesion objectives would be further integration of the urban dimension into the EU and national legal frameworks, since, not only a majority of people in the EU lives in urban areas and their quality of life is affected there, but also the most burning questions have to be solved in Metropolitan Regions and big cities by their decision makers
Members on the field
On 27 June, Cor Lamers participated in a political debate on air quality with MEPs and on 21 June, he presented his opinion on air quality to the European Commission’s Stakeholder Expert Group.
Ramón Luis Valcarcel Siso and Luc Van den Brande took part in the ARLEM Bureau in Rabat on 11 June 2011. Discussions focused on supporting the democratic decentralisation of powers in the area of the Arab Spring and strengthening the regional dimension of the EuroMed partnership. The CIVEX Chairman also represented ARLEM in the Bureau meeting of the European Parliament’s Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA UfM) on 7 June. The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions
3
During the participation of Michel Lebrun in the CoR delegation to Rio+20, he called for cities and regions be given priority. He also spoke at a side event to the main conference entitled “When cities breathe, people progress: Europe’s Cities building partnerships” on 21 June. JCC FYROM, 7 June in Štip, Adam Struzik, Jacques Blanc, Anton Kokalj and Jelena Drenjanin participated at the meeting, latest developments in the decentralization process in the country and e-governance.
Michael Schneider addressed the EPP’s Working Group on Economic and Social Policy on 4 June with a view to preparing for the Congress resolution on regional and cohesion policy. Participating in the following meeting on 20 June, Constance Hanniff y insisted that the ‘Think Small First Principal’ was enshrined on the party resolution on the single market. The REGI Committee in the European Parliament invited Marek Wozniak to present his opinion on the Common Strategic Framework on 20 June. He proposed that it should be an annex to the Common Provisions Regulation and not a delegated act. “Our view is that the proposed key actions should not be over-prescriptive or incoherent with the basic acts; they should rather constitute an open indicative list of the most efficient actions aiming to deliver investment priorities. Furthermore we regret that the Commission document does not mention important territorial issues and misses some important horizontal principles and challenges such as multilevel governance and partnership or demographic change” he said. In response, Lambert Van Nistelrooij said the CSF is “an investment plan for Europe and an important policy for recovery”.
Ivan Žagar, addressed a Danish Presidency Conference on financing and organising large transport infrastructure on 25th May. Given that the Committee of the Regions’ trainees were on a study trip in the Öresund region at this time, they used the opportunity to attend the 25th morning session and to speak with Ivan Žagar about his opinion on the Connecting Europe Facility. The CIVEX meeting on 21 June marked the first time that a standing body of the CoR held a meeting in Croatia since the signing of the Accession Treaty. Invited by Nikola Dobroslavić, the Commission discussed how to ensure transparency and tackle corruption in the public sector.
Franz Schausberger chaired the working group on the Western Balkans during its meeting in Sarajevo on 22 May. By visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, the CoR reaffirmed its commitment to working with local and regional authorities on the road to EU accession. 4
Markku Markkula presented the “Web-entrepreneurs Awards” on 22 June, as part of the Digital Agenda Assembly. The awards were established to discover organisations and individuals who champion new technology and harness the potential of the internet to improve their lives. Mr Markkula also intervened in a panel on the role of Horizon 2020 in recovering from the crisis.
Valcárcel: CoR Presidency 2012-2014
“The proximity of local and regional authorities to the economic realities in our cities and regions makes the Committee of the Regions a very useful institutional instrument to influence the economic governance in Brussels and make of the Europe 2020 strategy the driver for growth and jobs in Europe.” Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Region of Murcia The key priority for Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso’s Presidency of the Committee of the Regions is to make the Europe 2020 Strategy work. To do this, the CoR must tackle the main issues that local and regional authorities are faced with at home: the economic crisis, the exit strategy and the European path towards growth and jobs. Whilst welcoming the recent developments at the June European Council, the President elect considers that a lot more has to be done and that this must also be in partnership with local and regional authorities. In his work plan, he also proposed to assure coherence in CoR activities by focussing primarily on the regional and local contribution to the Europe 2020 Strategy and exchanging best practices and know-how. Within this context, the CoR’s new strategy for promoting Europe 2020 aims to: • increase visibility and political impact of Europe 2020 among stakeholders at regional and local level and advocate for enhanced multilevel governance in the strategy’s implementation and its possible revision after 2014; • exchange best practices and increase capacity at regional and local level with respect to the strategy and its flagship initiatives; • check back with the preparation of relevant EU funding programmes for the period 2014-2020 and their implementation at sub national level; • reinforce cooperation with the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European associations on the follow-up of the seven flagship initiatives; • increase attention to the CoR works and good practice dissemination, for example of territorial pacts; • provide the framework for a pro-active CoR input into the mid-term evaluation of the Europe 2020 strategy from the perspective of regions and cities. As the seven flagship initiatives must be implemented at the local level, the CoR should also put forward political and
practical tools. The EPP Group has already published three brochures on the Europe 2020 Strategy outlining best practises on the ground and the future President is keen for such projects to continue. He has also proposed that between the end of 2012 and 2013, a series of seven conferences – one per flagship initiative – will be branded ‘CoR Europe 2020 Conference Regions and cities delivering Europe’s growth strategy’. These will accompany the CoR plenary sessions in Brussels and meetings of the CoR’s external Bureau in Ireland in February and in Lithuania in September. Multi-level governance is the second priority of the future President Valcárcel because it is seen as a fundamental tool to boost the implementation of the growth strategy. Within this context, supporting instruments including ARLEM, CORLEAP and the Covenant of Mayors will be given priority. The CoR’s Subsidiarity monitoring exercise and the strengthening of relations with national and regional parliaments will also be proposed as one of the main priorities of the presidency. A third priority for the Presidency is to bring Europe closer to citizens through stronger communication and awareness-raising. At this time of financial pressure, the Committee of the Regions should aim to close the perceived gap between Brussels and the diverse regions and cities of Europe by emphasising the work and proximity of local and regional authorities. Moreover, local and regional media should be supported as they are often the first port of call for citizens. In the next mandate, the EPP Group will continue to organise its successful Summer University for local and regional media and in addition, the CoR will call for a European day for local media in cooperation with the other institutions. Culture, sport and intangible heritage will be proposed as key drivers to assure growth and new jobs in cities and regions; cooperation amongst capitals of culture to optimize their experience, cooperation with UNESCO for promoting and preserving intangible heritage, and cooperation with the Commission to support a European industrial policy for sustainable tourism will all be proposed. Last but not least, Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso wants to make proposals for developing the role of the CoR through strengthened relations with the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council. Building on existing relations and using contacts in the wider EPP family, the CoR should become an integral part of decision making in Brussels. He would also like to ensure that the Spring Council continues to be a focus for the CoR to make its voice heard in relation to economic development. The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions
5
A focus on sport The Olympic Games Lit in Olympia on 10 May, the Olympic flame was taken on a week-long tour of Greece before it was handed over to a British delegation at a special ceremony that took place at the Panathenaic Stadium of Athens - host of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. After criss-crossing every region of the UK, the flame will be used to light the cauldron in Stratford’s Olympic Stadium at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on 27 July. As an official torch bearer, Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos carried the Olympic Torch through the streets of Athens on 17 May.
UEFA hosted by Poland and the Ukraine “Wielkopolska has natural environment values, beautiful monuments and ideal conditions for active tourism, but major events serve as a magnet for tourist and are a chance to attract foreign visitors to the region. Fans coming for the sports events have to be provided with appropriate accommodation conditions and tourist attractions, which can convince them to stay longer at the location of an event. Wielkopolska prepared for the EURO 2012 well by modernising the stadium, extending the airport, reconstructing the central railway station and developing the road network. Elements of tourist information system, such as the interactive info booths were enhanced.” Marek Wozniak
Roberto Pella, the CoR rapporteur on the European dimension of sport participated in a high level conference on Public investment and local synergies for the development of sports in Pisa on 4 May. Speaking about this event he said “major sports events are a tremendous opportunity for the promotion of municipalities, regions and cities. This summer we have already seen a number of large scale sporting events and there are more to come.” 6
During its Group meeting in Gödöllo in 2011, the EPP Group welcomed the strengthened European dimension of sport and expressed the wish of local and regional authorities to contribute to enhancing the societal role in sport, its economic dimension and organisation. Moreover, given the current negotiations on the budget, the EPP Group welcomes the idea to fully exploit sport-related aspects of the Structural Funds.
Cyprus Presidency of the EU Objective: work towards a Better Europe, a Union more relevant to its citizens and the world
2. Europe, with a better performing and growth economy
The priorities of the Cyprus Presidency are:
3. Europe, more relevant to its citizens, with solidarity and social cohesion
1. Europe, more efficient and sustainable
4. Europe in the world, closer to its neighbours
Cyprus Priorities During its Presidency, Cyprus will work Towards a Better Europe, more relevant to its citizens and to the world; meaning a more effective Europe, contributing to growth and job creation. A European Union working on the basis of the underlying principle of solidarity, committing itself to a better future, promoting social cohesion and providing hope to its citizens; a European Union, with an enhanced role in the international scene. All efforts will be directed to creating a better Europe for the younger generations. On 7 September, Constantinos Yiorkatzis, Mayor of Nicosia, has invited the CoR to hold its Bureau meeting in the EPP city.
Cyprus Presidency on Cohesion Policy The successful management of the dossier of Cohesion Policy is a task of high priority for the Cyprus Presidency, aiming to promote the timely conclusion of the negotiations of the relevant regulations. During its Presidency, Cyprus intents to organize a series of events related to Cohesion Policy issues including a Meeting of Directors General responsible for Territorial Cohesion and Cohesion Policy in October 2012 which will serve, amongst others, for the preparation of the main event under the Cohesion Policy, that is the Informal Ministerial Meeting on Cohesion Policy in November 2012. The Cyprus Presidency also intends to carry forward the work on the Territorial Agenda with the meetings of the intergovernmental groups in charge of urban development (UDG) and territorial cohesion (NTCCP) in September 2012. Finally, Cyprus will host the next Annual General Assembly of the CPMR Islands Commission in November 2012, giving the opportunity for the uniqueness of islands’ issues to be raised in the context of the discussions for the future generation of EU Cohesion Policy. The Cyprus Presidency has already requested two exploratory opinions from the CoR on the following topics: • the new growth agenda of the EU: the role of local and regional authorities • Adaptation to climate change and regional responses: the case of coastal regions
Christodoulos Costa Kattirtzis, President of Kato Zodia Community Council
During the Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Republic of Cyprus will work towards a better and more effective Europe, a Europe closer to its citizens and to the world, enhancing sustainable growth, social, territorial and economic cohesion, based on the principle of solidarity. Among the many and important priorities, all affecting in one way or another local and regional authorities, I think the policy on cohesion, the common asylum system, immigration, job creation, climate change, culture, youth and sports are most important for my municipality, the municipality of Nicosia, but also for the local and regional level in general because they can improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development.
Eleni Loucaides, Municipal Councillor of Nicosia, President of the European Affairs Committee
I am President of a Community, which is unfortunately under Turkish occupation and I have no access to it. I hope that the Cyprus Presidency will try to highlight the problem of the occupation, without reducing the Presidency to just national problems. In my view, the Presidency should also deal with the following issues, which I consider to be of particular importance to local and regional authorities: restoring economic growth so the European economy can operate for the benefit of citizens, economic development to create jobs and improve competitiveness, better economic coordination among EU countries with regards to national budgets, targeted job creation programmes, energy, ageing and care. The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions
7
Plenary Highlights Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs will attend the Plenary Session on 18 July. In his opinion on the new European agenda for integration, Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos underlined that the integration of third-country nationals legally resident in the EU Member States is politically relevant for local and regional authorities and that effective and sustainable integration is a key element of any successful immigration policy at EU level. He therefore proposed that a network of local and regional authorities for integration should be set
up in cooperation with the European Commission. The Plenary Session will also be the occasion for a debate with Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank. The June Council significantly strengthened the role of the European Investment Bank and supported the quick launch of project bonds to support infrastructural projects. Ahead of the Plenary Session, the EPP Group asked how local and regional authorities can be involved in discussions on the European monetary Union and the implementation of the new tools.
“We are currently working on the launch of the pilot phase of the Project Bond Initiative. It will allow us to finance a selection of projects by the end of 2013. In addition, should the new credit-enhancement instrument prove successful, there are chances that it could be continued into the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. The pilot phase is by definition limited in scope. However, we have already encountered vast interest on the part of local and regional authorities. The EIB is in fact not only managing the instrument but also providing advice to local authorities on
how they could make good use of project bonds should they intend to act as project promoters.”
W Werner H Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank
Resolution on the priorities of the CoR for 2013 The Committee of the Regions will outline its key positions regarding the Commission’s work programme for 2013 in a resolution to be adopted by the Plenary Session on 19 July. Covering eleven main topics: the future of the Union, the Europe 2020 Strategy and the European Semester, the EU budget, the Single Market, SMEs and industry, energy, regional policy, transport, the environment, agriculture and fisheries, EU citizenship, a wider Europe and Europe in the World, the resolution seeks to provide the local and regional perspective of ongoing policy debates at a time when the European Union is faced 8
with enormous challenges in addressing the ongoing financial, economic, social and political crisis. Against this backdrop, there is an urgent need for an ambitious European Commission 2013 work programme that would boost sustainable growth, job creation and quality of life in Europe and contribute to restore the citizens’ confidence in the European integration process. The resolution also recalls the need to include delivery-oriented structures such as territorial pacts in the National Reform Programmes: a call that has been made by the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions on many occasions.
Turning to regional policy, the CoR insists on the need to meet the target of early 2013 for the adoption of the legislative package on Cohesion policy 2014-2020 in order to allow local and regional authorities to start Structural Funds programmes on 1 January 2014. Finally, given that 2013 has been designated the European Year of Citizens, the resolution calls for the local and regional dimension to be taken into account during proposed initiatives to build upon and strengthen citizens’ rights and in efforts to restore citizens’ trust in the EU and its institutions.
EU Financial Instruments In Home Affairs CdR 12/2012 rev. 1 - CIVEX-V-030 Samuel Azzopardi, Mayor of Victoria, Gozo, Malta/EPP
The rapporteur welcomes the proposed steps to achieve a genuine area of freedom, security and justice through budgetary proposals and recognises the importance of providing the necessary resources for the immigration, asylum and security budget. In his view, the proposed changes
will bring a much-needed flexibility and a fairer distribution of resources. He also points out that local and regional authorities can provide vital links for EU cooperation with border countries, making a substantial contribution to improving relations and living conditions in cities and regions of origin and transit. Through its regular cooperation with local and regional authorities
in enlargement and neighbourhood countries, the CoR is well placed to promote the objectives of the funds beyond the EU borders. However he also calls for more transparency in the use of the budget to ensure that results are easily accessible and understandable for citizens. At the end of the opinion, he makes a number of concrete amendments to the regulations for example in the realm of ensuring appropriate training of border control authorities on human rights, with particular focus on the right to asylum. Finally, the Maltese Mayor proposes that the Home Affairs Funds should support actions which recognise the multilevel governance approach.
“The mechanism chosen for the distribution and implementation of resources under the future home affairs Funds should reconcile the need for continuity and stability on the one hand and the need for flexibility and adaptation to change on the other hand.”
Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP
Connecting Europe Facility CdR 648/2012 rev. 1 - COTER-V-024 Ivan Žagar, Mayor of Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia/EPP
The rapporteur supports the creation of the new Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) instrument as a common legal framework
and as a funding instrument, for the transport, energy and telecommunications sectors. However, he warns that the implementation of the CEF should not be detrimental to Cohesion Policy objectives and should be interconnected with the Cohesion Policy Funds so that they
complement and are consistent with each other. Moreover, he calls for flexibility given the difficult financial situation faced by local and regional authorities. In his view, provisions concerning cancellation of the projects shall not be too restrictive. Given that local and regional authorities are legally responsible for many of the areas covered by the CEF, it is the Mayor’s view that the principles of multilevel governance are respected to ensure balanced territorial development and that the relevant stakeholders are included defining the CEF’s indicative list of projects that could potentially be financed.
“The Connecting Europe Facility proposal meets the Europe 2020 strategy demands and represents a major tool both for growth and cohesion in the European Union as a whole. Concerns in terms of European added value and multilevel consultation must be taken into account, in particular to the benefice of less developed regions.”
Dominique Riquet MEP
The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions
9
Guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1364/2006/EC CdR 20/2012 rev.2 – ENVE-V-019 Heinz Lehmann, (Member of Sachsen State Assembly, Germany/EPP)
This Regulation aims at fully integrating the internal energy market, ensuring that no Member State is isolated from the European network, guaranteeing security of supply and solidarity among Member States and adhering to the principles of
sustainable development and protection of the environment. Whilst generally welcoming the proposal, the rapporteur is critical of the overly prescriptive time limits in the administrative procedure and notes that when it comes to projects of common interest, quality must take priority over speed. He also underlines
that all levels of the energy network are in need of modernisation. Turning to the subject of subsidiarity, the rapporteur warns that only when the local, regional, national or multinational authorities cannot reach a consensus in time should the European project coordinator step in. Within the multi-annual financial framework proposals, 9.1 billion EUR have been earmarked for energy projects over the seven-year period. The Member of the Sachsen State Assembly regrets here that the financial instruments to be made available from 2014 onwards have not yet been outlined in any detail by the Commission and urges decisions to be made.
“To reduce the differences between member states, I think that the key issue is to improve the connection between EU-12 and EU-15. As member of the TRAN committee, I also think that promoting synergies between transport and energy infrastructure is a crucial issue for example by encouraging competent authorities to grant joint permissions. I would also like to mention the importance of promoting alternative sources of energy like natural gas as part of the EU’s energy strategy. In that case, I want to emphasise the need to promote regional LNG terminals with particular attention to ship bunkering.” Bogdan Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz MEP
Horizon 2020 – The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation CdR 402/2011 rev. 2 - EDUC-V-021 Markku Markkula, Member of the Espoo City Council, Finland/EPP
For the first time, Horizon 2020 brings together all EU research and innovation funding under a single programme. The rapporteur recognises that Horizon is well drafted proposal, which will enable local and regional authorities to make considerable strides towards implement-
ing the Europe 2020 strategy. However, he notes that the proposal does not spell out in enough detail how progress can be made in implementing it on a practical level in research and educational institutions, businesses, and various public bodies at regional and local level across Europe. He therefore calls for a stronger focus and impact on real-life practices and encourages smart specialisation. The Finnish City Councillor welcomes the
alignment of Horizon 2020 and cohesion policy, as well as the linking of the EU’s various programmes and financial instruments. However, he insists that the Horizon 2020 plans should be further defined to secure the necessary changes and that the necessary innovation ecosystems, key enabling technologies, public procurement and research infrastructures will require extensive developments and support. To conclude, Markku Markkula proposes that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology can also be of added value to the regional level and that the Knowledge and Innovation Communities should assume the task of organising top-level management training for regional decision makers.
“Europe requires a strategy for growth to counterbalance the effects of the austerity measures that have recently been taken: Horizon 2020 is an immediately available programme that should play an absolutely fundamental role in achieving robust rates of growth. It is essential that Horizon 2020 is simple, that it is properly funded that it strikes the right balance between bottom up and top down research and the programme should cover the whole innovation cycle. Horizon 2020 should aim to foster balanced participation from across Europe reflecting its diversity and human potential”. Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP
10
With a vision out of the crisis: building a European Federation By European Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Justice Commissioner son and Madison agreed on the one-off mutualisation of states’ debt, transforming a loose union of states into a true fiscal and political union. “We are yet too young to know what we are fit for. [There] are strong arguments against making new experiments now in government.” These words were spoken in 1788 by the American anti-federalist William Grayson, criticising an ever closer and more perfect union in the USA. Two years later, in 1790, Hamilton, Jeffer-
In Europe we have reached our own Hamilton moment. We must hold to our convictions – we need more Europe, not less, to emerge from the crisis. We must complete our economic and monetary union with full fiscal and political union. We must be visionary, setting up a single banking supervisory authority and, in time, a
European Finance ministry. The time has come for a European Federation. Yet we govern for the citizens not for the markets. As our Europe is a Europe of citizens, it is the citizens and their concerns that should guide us on our journey. On 9 May 2012 we launched our largest ever public consultation, asking: what kind of Europe do you want by 2020? Within 24 hours, we received over 700 responses, within a month over 3000 – a great example of the ‘people power’ we will need to succeed. This year and in 2013, the European Year of Citizens, we will continue this debate, involving regional authorities and local press through ‘Citizens’ Dialogues and events across Europe. I count on your support to make the European Union an ever closer and more perfect Union.
Local and regional authorities are extremely important when it comes to making EU citizenship a reality. This is why the CoR is committed to working closely with the European Commission on a number of activities within the context of the European Year 2013.
Luc Van den Brande, President of CIVEX
2013 will mark the 20th anniversary of Union citizenship, a status to which the Maastricht Treaty gave birth in 1993. This is one of the reasons why the Commission proposed to make 2013 the European Year of Citizens. In view of this, the CoR has launched a study to identify challenges and best practices at local and regional level when it comes to enforcing free movement and electoral rights of EU citizens. It will also organise
a pre-launch and mobilising event for the European Year event in Brussels on 28 November in cooperation with the European Commission. High level speakers will discuss good examples of local and regional authorities in promoting EU citizenship and citizens’ rights, and further inform about the European Year. The event will also serve to present the results of both the consultation and study.
2013 has been designated the European Year of citizens, and in 2014 there will be the European elections. In the CoR, and notably through the own-initiative opinion I’m proposing on “strengthening EU citizenship: promotion of EU citizens’ electoral rights”, we intend to help make this right more of a reality throughout Europe’s territory. By trying to remove the remaining obstacles which hamper the full exercise of electoral rights of EU citizens in municipal elections, we will be promoting EU Citizenship and progressing towards a European public space. Gyorgi Gemesi, CoR rapporteur on Strengthening EU citizenship through promotion of electoral rights The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions
11
Ongoing Opinions Comission COTER
Opinion
Expected Adoption
Rapporteur
Common Strategic Framework
Marek Wozniak (Wielkopolska, Poland)
October 2012
COTER
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
Pauliina Haijanen (South West Finland)
October 2012
COTER
Future EU strategy for Outermost Regions in light of Europe 2020
Malcom Mifsud, (Pieta, Malta)
November 2012
ECOS
Public Procurement Package
Catarina Segersten Larsson (Kil, Sweden)
October 2012
ECOS
White Paper on Pensions
Paul Lindquist (Lidingö, Sweden)
October 2012
ECOS
The new growth agenda of the EU
Maria Luisa Coppola (Veneto, Italy)
November 2012 (Referral from the Cyprus Presidency)
EDUC
Data Protection
Ursula Männle (Bavaria, Germany)
October 2012
ECOS
Better Governance for the Single Market
Markku Markkula (Espoo, Finland)
January 2013
EDUC
European Research Area
Grigorios Zafeiropoulos (Attica, Greece)
February 2013
ENVE
Energy Roadmap 2050
Ugo Cappellacci (Sardinia, Italy)
October 2012
ENVE
Adaptation to climate change: the case of coastal regions
Ugo Cappellacci (Sardinia, Italy)
October 2013 (Referral from the Cyprus Presidency)
ENVE
Renewable energy policy
Witold Stępień (Lodzkie, Poland)
February 2013
CIVEX
Devolution in the EU
Franz Schausberger (Graz, Austria)
February 2013
Jelena Drenjanin (Huddinge, Sweden)
February 2013
Gyorgi Gemesi (Gödöllo, Hungary)
February 2013
Spyros Spyridon (Attica, Greece)
November 2012
CIVEX CIVEX NAT
EU strategy for the eradication of trafficking in human beings Strengthening EU citizenship through promotion of electoral rights European Consumer Agenda
Your Agenda 7 September
Nicosia
CoR Bureau
17-18 September
Cetinje (tbc)
JCC Montenegro
19 September
Brussels
ECOS
20-21 September
Pescara
ENVE
24 September
Brussels
CIVEX
26 September
Brussels
COTER
27 September
Brussels
EDUC
28 September
Brussels
CAFA
1 October
Brussels
NAT
Secretary General: Heinz-Peter Knapp Press Officer: Katie Owens, kathryn.owens@cor.europa.eu, +32 2 282 2400 This issue is also available at www.epp.cor.europa.eu
Follow us on facebook