EPP/CoR Plenary in focus

FEBRUARY 2015

PRIORITIES OF THE EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

A New Start: changing political priorities for the CoR in 2015 During the first Plenary Session on 11-12 February, the newly mandated members of the CoR will elect their President and 1st Vice-President, adopt the political programme and set up the thematic commissions where future opinions can be drafted and debated. The EPP Group will present its candidate, Markku Markkula, for the Presidency,

under the guidance of re-elected President of the EPP Group, Michael Schneider. In terms of his priorities, Markkula wants to press for a strong territorial dimension of the Europe 2020 Strategy and cooperation between all levels of government when defining and implementing national reform programmes. ■

European Commission work plan to deliver jobs, growth and investment The European Commission adopted its Work Programme for 2015 on 16 December in Strasbourg. It sets out 23 new initiatives proposed by the Juncker Commission and 80 existing proposals which the Commission proposes to withdraw or amend for political or technical reasons. This Work Programme 2015 will be debated with Frans Timmermans, First Vice-president of the European Commission with responsibility for Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights on 12

February. Speaking on behalf of the EPP Group, Michael Schneider will underline the need to deliver concrete results in terms of jobs and growth. On the same day, the CoR will adopt a resolution emphasising the role that Europe’s cities and regions can play in achieving the headline plans, which include: Delivering on the Investment Plan for Europe; An Ambitious Digital Single Market Package; Building a European Energy Union; A Fairer Approach to Taxation; A European Agenda on Migration; Deeper Economic and Monetary Union.

READ MORE ON PAGE 3

Latvia takes the reins of the EU presidency Recognising the importance of the cohesion policy in reducing social and economic disparities and contributing to growth and employment, the Latvian Presidency has promised to pave the way for the smooth start of new operational programmes in its priorities. Zanda Kalnina-Lukaševica,

Parliamentary State Secretary for EU affairs, will join the Plenary Session on 12 February where she will also explain how the Presidency will follow up discussions and stocktaking on the latest programming outcomes for 2014-2020. Arnoldas Abramavičius will respond on behalf of the EPP Group. ■

Celebrating increasing transparency for TTIP The hotly debated negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) cover areas that fall within the remit of local and regional authorities. Ahead of the adoption of the CoR opinion on this subject, there will be a debate with Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade, on 12 February. In a debate earlier this

year, EPP/CoR members argued that a successful TTIP agreement would bring significant opportunities to all regions and cities.

However, they also highlighted concerns that the negotiations are taking place too much behind closed doors. Speaking on behalf of the EPP Group, Christian Buchmann will share his views for the next steps. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Local and regional authorities and the multilevel protection of the rule of law and fundamental rights in the EU

Luc Van den Brande, Flemish-European Liaison Agency Chairman (Belgium) CIVEX-V-050

Local and regional authorities because they are often the first to full stakeholders with the politishare the Commission’s view that encounter problems. Moreover, cal responsibility to shape an inthe rule of law must be strength- they are directly responsible for tegrated policy, in line with multiened in order to achieve the objec- the implementation of fundamen- level governance and taking local circumstances into actives of protecting fundacount. Within this conmental values and rights “In times of economic text the rapporteur calls and note that the rule of recession and under the for a shift in the conlaw operates at different threat against global cept of the rule of law; levels in the European security, the strengthfrom legal protection to Union. Here, the rapening of the Rule of a more dynamic concept, porteur underlines the Law and citizens’ in which policy measimportant principle of confidence in social ures give fundamental subsidiarity and proinstitutions is more imrights a concrete expresposes that this should perative than ever. In Elissavet Vozemberg, order to ensure social sion in society. To sumserve as a foundation MEP peace and democracy’s marise, the Chairman of and guide when implesmooth functioning, the aim was, is and will be the absothe Flemish-European menting the multilevel lute respect for human dignity without exceptions as well Liaison Agency believes governance concept to as all individual and social rights directly linked with it.” it is necessary to clearly the protection of human respect the role of LRAs rights. More specifically, the CoR wants it to be possible for tal rights and freedoms in Europe. in safeguarding fundamental local and regional authorities to In this draft opinion, Luc Van den rights and to ensure that they are directly refer threats to the rule of Brande argues that local and re- implemented more effectively. ■ law to the European Commission gional authorities should become

An EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2014-2020

Mauro D’Attis, Municipal Councillor of Brindisi (Italy) ECOS-V-061

In this draft opinion, the rappor- ing, coordinating and developing porteur hopes that a European teur welcomes the Commission’s health and safety at work issues, information system on prevenaim to uphold the Europe 2020 and improved data collection so it tion in the workplace can be set up. Moreover, he argues employment targets that decisions must be through a stronger cul“National and rebased on consolidatture of health and safety gional authorities ed risk assessments to prevention combined need to implement which all those involved with a business culture, existing legislation in prevention should which invests in people. in an efficient and contribute and as a reHowever, he questions proportionate way sult of effective labour why the Commission in order to guaraninspections. Turning makes no provision for tee its effectiveness; to micro and small enspecific legislative measboth on the EuroGeorges Bach, terprises, the opinion ures within the Strategic pean and national MEP and shadow level. However, it is includes a call for more Framework. He also rerapporteur equally important integrated policies for grets that local and reto identify new health problems and safety risks SMEs including finangional authorities have and to adapt the existing health and safety at cial incentives and better a limited role in the work strategies and legislation. National and local access to the ESF and Commission’s proposed labour inspections play a pertinent role not only in ERDF. It also proposes strategy given their identifying new problems, but also in finding solumeasures to address the partnership and links tions that take into account the specificities of each ageing of the workforce to local businesses. In Member State.” and emerging new risks order to further consolistemming from new date national strategies, Mauro D’Attis proposes to iden- is possible to compare health and technologies, new materials and tify a European central board, safety at work services across the rapidly developing working enviwhich is responsible for defin- EU. Within this context, the rap- ronments. ■

Extending geographical indication protection to non-agricultural products

Mauro D’Attis, Municipal Councillor of Brindisi (Italy) ECOS-V-064

Europe’s regions are extremely non-agricultural GIs, it would between Protected Designation rich in non-agricultural products be expedient to provide for two of Origin (PDO) (stronger ties) based on traditional know-how. (but no more than two) distinct and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) (weakIn this draft opinion, er ties). Additionally, he Mauro D’Attis sup“Extension of the prothinks that the registraports the Commission tection to geographical tion procedure for nonproposal to improve indication to nonagricultural GIs must be and protect the status agricultural products mandatory and should of these products so would further boost the be based on a two-stage they can contribute to European regions and system. First, regional EU local and regional would help to preserve level should verify lodevelopment while also their uniqueness and cal specificities and curbing the phenomena traditions. We are reStanislav Polčák, then the European level of counterfeit and imisponsible for keeping MEP and Vice-Chairman of the diversity and heritshould verify the shared tation goods. Given that the Regional Development age such as Bohemian EU criteria. Regional geographical indication Committee of the crystal or Murano public bodies should protection is by its very European Parliament glass at the European also be involved to ennature regional and lolevel and thus upholding their authenticity, originality sure that production cal, the CoR would like and quality.” standards are being reto insist that the CoR is spected throughout the formally consulted once the consultation exercise has levels of link with the territory period of protection. ■ been analysed. The rapporteur corresponding to the current also stresses that, in the case of distinction for agricultural GIs

Political priorities reflected in new CoR commissions European Parliament Committees

CoR Commissions and their Main competences

European Commission DGs

REGI, TRAN, BUDG, CONT

COTER Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget Cohesion, Macro-regions, Regional statistics and indicators, Transport, EU Budget, MFF

REGIO, BUDG, MOVE

INTA, ECON, ITRE, IMCO

ECON Economic Policy Economic and Monetary Policy, European Semester, Internal market, Industrial Policy, State Aid, SMEs

COM DGs: COMP, ECFIN, EMPL, ENTR, MARKT, SG, TRADE

EMPL, FEMM, CULT

SEDEC Social Policy, Education, Employment and Culture Employment Policy, Social Policy, Education, Culture, Mobility, Innovation, Digital Agenda, Youth and Sport

EMPL, EAC, RTD, CONNECT

AFCO, JURI, AFET, DEVE, LIBE CIVEX Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs External Relations, Neighbourhood, Eastern Partnership, Mediterranean, Immigration, Fundamental Rights , Multi-level Governance, Better law-making, Subsidiarity and Proportionality

SG, JUST, ELARG, DEVCO, HOME

AGRI, PECH, IMCO, TRAN

ENVI, ITRE

NAT Natural Resources

ENVE Environment, Climate Change and Energy

CAP, Fisheries , Food production, Maritime , Public health, Consumer protection, Forestry, Tourism

Climate change, Renewable energy , Environment, New energy, Space

AGRI, MARE, ENER, SANCO

ENER, ECHO, CLIMA, ENVE, ENTR

European Commission Work Programme: EPP position The adoption of the Commission Work Programme is always challenging in an election year, due to the limited time available. Within this context, the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions generally supports JeanClaude Juncker’s priorities as listed in the Work Programme,

but emphasises that Europe’s cities and regions can support the Commission in reaching out to EU citizens and building trust in the EU as well as implementing legislation on the ground. It also recalls that the CoR conducts ongoing subsidiarity monitoring to ensure that there is a real

added value to EU action. Referring to the proposals to improve the Europe 2020 Strategy, which was included in the Commission’s priorities for jobs and growth and which forms one of the priorities for Markku Markkula, the EPP

Group is concerned that the midterm review may be delayed and urges action so that it does not suffer the same problems as the Lisbon Strategy. ■

The Importance of TTIP to the regions and cities of Europe jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

There are three pillars upon which any future agreement will be based:

Eoin Drea, Research Officer at the Martens Centre for European Studies The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) aims to remove trade barriers between the world’s two largest economies – the EU and the US. The goal is to create growth and

• Market access for businesses; • Enhancing regulatory cooperation; • Setting international rules.

TTIP – through its focus on making the US market more accessible for all companies, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), is of vital importance to the regions of Europe. TTIP will offer opportunities for SMEs to gain access to the US market thereby sustaining employment, creating

new opportunities for growth and increasing investment. Given the high level of existing trade linkages between the EU and the US, TTIP represents a further evolution in Trans-Atlantic trade relations; relations which are of vital importance to both the EU and US economies.

Friends of TTIP: The Martens Centre for European Studies is developing a project to inform, advocate and build a grassroots coalition in favour of TTIP. The aim of the online platform is to become the “go to” resource for all TTIP advocates and supporters. The project will comprise of

online and offline components, which will all work together across all media platforms. This will be achieved by combining the maximum amount of proTTIP information available online, quickly combatting new anti-TTIP arguments and building the largest pro-TTIP policymakers and grassroots coalition in Europe. The offline events will consist of public events in different locations in Europe ranging from expert exchanges to public gatherings and workshops.

Further details on this project will appear in the months ahead on: www.martenscentre.eu ■

TTIP: its importance for Europe and its youth ture that offers opportunities and wealth on a level that today’s generation could count on”

Eva Majewski, EDS Chairwoman “We must find ways to remain competitive so that the young generation can build and rely on a fu-

Following measures to increase the transparency of the TTIP negotiations, criticism still does not stall. It is time for the EPP family to point out more drastically, what is in the deal – and also how the young generation can benefit from growth though trade and investment. Investorstate-dispute settlements

(ISDS), are described as a core ‘threat’. However, ISDS clauses are part of more than 3000 agreements world-wide and element of 1400 bilateral agreements of EU member states.

ISDS clauses are ordinary practice and exist even between EU member states. Protection of investment remains crucial in Europe, especially with demographic challenges and comparably less resources to strengthen economic growth. Moreover,

with populist movements arising and strengthening, our future seems at stake. The whole EPP family –together with its associations, the Group in the Committee of the Regions, the European Parliament and the Commission – must insist and struggle again for the rule of law. Rule of law will bring about the necessary trust to build our future together; a future of economic growth arising from trade and investments. ■

European Fund for Strategic Investments: EPP/CoR has its say

Wim van de Donk, EPP/CoR shadow rapporteur on European Fund for Strategic Investments “It is of critical importance that regional and local governments throughout Europe are actively involved in getting the Investment

Plan for Europe going. Did you know that in Dutch the word for region is an anagram for growth?!

In my opinion we need to get important messages across before the Plan becomes operational in June 2015 such as: potential for cross border projects, particular attention for SMEs in the Investment Plan and close cooperation between local, regional governments and the EIB. As shadow rapporteur for the Juncker Initiative on behalf of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions, I will act on this in the coming months

and look forward to working with CoR rapporteur Claude Gewerc and all those involved.”

The Investment Plan aims to unlock public and private investments worth at least € 315 billion over the next three years.

According to the European Commission, this Plan foresees a smart mobilisation of public and private sources of finance - where every euro of public money is used to generate additional private investment, without creating new debt. To provide additional financing and to target projects

of strategic and societal importance, a European Fund for Strategic Investments is being set up, together with the European Investment Bank. According to a report by the International Labour Organization, this Plan could create more than 2.1 million new jobs and lower unemployment by 1% by 2018. ■ Legislative timetable Following an exploratory debate at the COTER Commission on 2 March, the CoR’s EFSI opinion will be adopted at the plenary session on 16-17 April 2015

Secretary General: Heinz-Peter Knapp | Editor in chief: Kathryn Owens, kathryn.owens@cor.europa.eu, +32 2 282 2400 | Press Officer: Dominik Krakowiak www.epp.cor.europa.eu