Annual Activity Report 2016 of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2016 OF THE EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 3 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2015

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Table of Contents Foreword by the Chairman: Manfred Weber ...................................................................................................................................... 7 01

The EPP Group................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 1. The EPP Group Structure..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 2. How We Work.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 3. Description............................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 The EPP Group Presidency....................................................................................................................................................... 15

Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations................................................................................................................... 18

EPP Group Members of the European Parliament's Bureau........................................................................................... 19

EPP Group Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees of the European Parliament................................................... 21

EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees of the European Parliament ...................................... 23

EPP Group Chairs of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Cooperation Committees and Parliamentary Delegations of the European Parliament.................................................................. 25 4. The President (EPP) of the European Council................................................................................................................................. 26 5. EPP Members of the European Commission.................................................................................................................................. 26 6. The 217 Members of the EPP Group................................................................................................................................................ 28 7. The EPP Group Secretariat: Staff Management.............................................................................................................................. 32

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Parliamentary Work Service.......................................................................................................................................................... 35 General Activities......................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Legislative Coordination and Whip Office............................................................................................................................. 39 Standing Working Group 'Economy and Environment' .................................................................................................... 41 Standing Working Group 'Legal and Home Affairs' ........................................................................................................... 49 Standing Working Group 'Budget and Structural Policies'............................................................................................... 57 External Meetings and Events ................................................................................................................................................ 65 Hearings, Conferences Seminars and Events ..................................................................................................................... 70

External Policies: Committees Service and Interparliamentary Delegations, Eastern Neighbourhood and Enlargement Service.......................................................................................................... 77 03

Standing Working Group 'Foreign Affairs'............................................................................................................................. 79 Interparliamentary Delegations, Eastern Neighbourhood and Enlargement ............................................................. 85 04

National Parliaments Service........................................................................................................................................................ 95

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Mediterranean Policy and Intercultural Activities Service.........................................................................................107

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Press and Communications Service........................................................................................................................................121

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The European People's Party (EPP).......................................................................................................................................131

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The EPP Group will continue to work to develop a greater sense of the EU’s worth and ensure citizen’s faith in our ability to address Europe’s problems

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Foreword by the Chairman, Manfred Weber In 2016, the EPP Group in the European Parliament worked hard to improve its capacity to address the parallel challenges faced by the EU. On 23 June the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, threatening the solidarity on which European Unity is based. Terrorist attacks in Brussels, France and Germany posed a threat to our security, to our democratic values and to the rights and freedoms of European citizens. Wider security concerns related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a more military assertive Russia, a failed coup in Turkey and the Islamic State organisation’s ability to attract European citizens and residents to its cause. Regional instability fuelled the ongoing refugee and migration crises while right-wing populist movements threatened coexistence across the continent.

The EPP Group, under my Chairmanship, is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 217 Members from 27 Member States.

We respect the British decision to leave the EU, and we welcome Prime Minister Theresa May’s pledge to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty

by March 2017. In negotiating new relations with the United Kingdom the EPP Group position will remain clear and unambiguous in protecting the interests of the European Union.

Brexit did not distract us from our main duties in 2016. The EPP Group remained united in providing vision, commitment and determination to protect the core European values of democracy, freedom, tolerance and the rule of law. Bringing tangible results to the citizens of Europe remains our top priority.

On security and counterterrorism, the EPP Group stepped up its efforts to put the safety of Europeans first. The adoption of the Passenger

Name Record (PNR) in April represented a huge success for the EPP Group who continuously pushed for the swift adoption of this legislation.

Its adoption is a victory for the security of EU citizens.

Building on the EU-Turkey Agreement to stem the uncontrolled flow of migrants, in July the EPP Group managed to push the law on the new European Border and Coast Guard Agency through the European Parliament in record time. It will ensure the effective management of migration flows and provide a high level of security for the EU. This success demonstrated that the EU can deliver on matters of primary concern for EU citizens, such as securing EU external borders.

As the most powerful political force in the European Parliament, the EPP Group is driving the completion of the Digital Single Market to meet the expectations of European citizens and businesses. In September, the EPP Group successfully pressured the European Commission to scrap its roaming fees plan. The end of roaming charges is a tangible example of the added value of the European Union.

The EPP Group welcomed European Commission President Juncker’s pledge to strengthen the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) in his State of the Union Speech in September. Our Group has supported the EFSI ever since President Juncker presented it as his first priority in 2014. The fund is creating jobs and triggering investments in the real economy every day.

Other notable successes in 2016 included the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement in October. The EU ratification will trigger the entry into force of the first ever universal, legally binding global climate

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deal, ensuring a healthier and cleaner planet for future generations. The EPP Group welcomed the signing of the EU-Canada Trade Agreement (CETA) in October 2016, which will benefit the EU economy and European enterprises, particularly our SMEs.

of the EU’s worth and ensure citizen’s faith in our ability to address Europe’s problems.

In 2016, EPP Group met in Bratislava, Cologne, Nice, Split, Vilnius, Bucharest and Venice. A series of multi-lingual EPP Group Position Papers documented the positions adopted by the EPP Group at its Bureau meetings, covering a range of policy priorities.

European unity has brought 71 years of peace and prosperity to the European continent. We cannot, however, take our achievements for granted. The EPP Group will continue to work to develop a greater sense

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

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The EPP Group 01

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The EPP Group

Founded as the Christian Democrat Group on 23 June 1953 as a fraction in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the Group changed its name to the 'Group of the European People's Party' (Christian-Democratic Group) in July 1979, just after the first direct elections to the European Parliament, and to 'Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats' in July 1999. After the European elections in 2009, the Group went back to its roots as the 'Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)'.

1. The EPP Group Structure The Chairman of the EPP Group is Manfred Weber MEP (DE). He chairs its governing bodies and speaks for the Group in keynote debates in the European Parliament (EP).

He is supported by Coordinators on each of the Parliament's Committees and by Heads of the National Delegations represented in the Group.

The operational needs of the Group are serviced by a Group Secretariat, providing policy and organisational support.

The Group runs its own think-tank - the European Ideas Network - which brings together opinion-formers from the world of politics, business, academia and civil society across Europe, to discuss the major policy issues facing the European Union.

2. How We Work The Group of the European People's Party (EPP Group) is the largest in the European Parliament with 217 Members. It has always played

a key role in the construction of Europe. It brings together centre and centre-right pro-European political forces from the Member States of the EU. Most of the parties represented in the EPP Group also belong to the European People's Party. The EPP was the first-ever transnational political party to be formed at European level, and has the strongest representation in the Council of the European Union. EPP parties came together to advance the goal of a more competitive and democratic Europe, closer to its citizens, and based on a social market economy.

As the largest political group in a Parliament where non-socialist parties now enjoy a majority, the EPP Group is in a stronger position than any other to set that body's political agenda and to win its most critical votes.

This strength is reflected in the fact that, since 1999, the EPP Group has been on the winning side of more votes than any other group in the EP's monthly plenary sessions.

Strength of numbers also ensures that EPP Group Members hold a range of key positions within the EP - including 6 of its 14 Vice-Presidencies, Chairs of 8 of the EP's 22 Committees or Subcommittees, and 2 of its 5 Quaestorships. Within the Parliamentary Committees, EPP Group Members are best placed to secure the right to author the EP's position on key pieces of draft legislation and other major reports: the Group gets more of these "rapporteurships" on more important subjects, more than any other group.

The task of the European Parliament - which is elected every five years by direct universal suffrage - lies in exercising democratic control over the decision-making process in the European Union on behalf of Europe's citizens.

Composition: there are 751 Members of the European Parliament, representing more than 500 million Europeans.

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3. Description (as of 12 December 2016)

The Presidency

With 217 Members the EPP Group is the largest political Group in the European Parliament.

The Presidency consists of the Group Chairman and ten ViceChairs. The Members of the Presidency agree among themselves on the allocation of tasks, including the Group Treasurer and the Chairmanships of the Standing Working Groups, which shall be brought to the notice of the Group.

Its Membership is made up of : 34 Members from Germany

5 Members from the Netherlands

23 Members from Poland

5 Members from Slovenia

20 Members from France

4 Members from Belgium

17 Members from Spain

4 Members from Ireland

15 Members from Italy

4 Members from Latvia

12 Members from Hungary

4 Members from Sweden

12 Members from Romania

3 Members from Finland

8 Members from Portugal

3 Members from Lithuania

7 Members from Bulgaria

3 Members from Luxembourg

7 Members from Czech Republic

3 Members from Malta

6 Members from Slovakia

1 Members from Cyprus

5 Members from Austria

1 Member from Denmark

5 Members from Croatia

1 Member from Estonia

5 Members from Greece

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The Bureau The Bureau, the Group’s political organ, consists of: > The Presidency > The Heads of National Delegations > The President and Vice-Presidents of Parliament belonging to the Group > The Chairs of Parliamentary Committees belonging to the Group > The Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees belonging to the Group > The Chairman and the Secretary-General of the European People’s Party if they are members of the European Parliament > One co-opted Member for every 10 Members of a national delegation

The four Standing Working Groups (as of 15 November 2016) The EPP Group's political strategy is formulated in the framework of four Working Groups which coordinate its Members' Parliamentary work in the 22 Standing Committees or Subcommittees.

Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’

Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’

> Committee on Foreign Affairs > Subcommittee on Security and Defence > Subcommittee on Human Rights > Committee on Development > Committee on International Trade Chair: Jacek Saryusz-Wolski

> Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs > Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety > Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection > Committee on Transport and Tourism > Committee on Employment and Social Affairs > Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Chair: Françoise Grossetête

Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’ > Committee on Legal Affairs > Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs > Committee on Constitutional Affairs > Committee on Petitions > Committee on Culture and Education > Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Chair: Esteban González Pons

> Committee on Budgets > Committee on Budgetary Control > Committee on Regional Development > Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development > Committee on Fisheries Chair: Marian-Jean Marinescu

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Size of Political Groups in the EP by Member State (as of 1 March 2016)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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The EPP Group Presidency (as of 16 November 2016) Manfred WEBER (Germany)

Esther de LANGE (the Netherlands)

Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Vice-Chair: Responsible for Relations with National Parliaments

Lara COMI (Italy)

Marian-Jean MARINESCU (Romania)

Vice-Chair: Responsible for Communication Strategy, EPP Youth Strategy

Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Budget and Structural Poli­cies’ Working Group

Mariya GABRIEL (Bulgaria) Vice-Chair: Responsible for Mediterrranean Union and Euromed

Paulo RANGEL (Portugal)

Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS (Spain)

Vice-Chair: Group Treasurer and responsible for EIN (European Ideas Network, the EPP Group thinktank), Future of Europe (future EU institutional framework)

Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ Working Group

Françoise GROSSETÊTE (France)

József SZÁJER (Hungary) Vice-Chair: Responsible for Parliamentary Work

Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Economy and Environment’ Working Group

Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI (Poland)

Sandra KALNIETE (Latvia)

Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Foreign Affairs’ Working Group (Replaced by Tadeusz ZWIEFKA on 16/11/2016)

Vice-Chair: Responsible for Neighbourhood Policy, Euronest and Euro­pean Values

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Election of EPP Group Presidency, 16 November 2016

Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the EP (centre), Back row l-r: Vice-Chairs of the EPP Group in the EP, Esteban González Pons, József Szájer, Marian-Jean Marinescu, Paulo Rangel, Tadeusz Zwiefka, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group in the EP, Front row l:r: Vice-Chairs of the EPP Group in the EP, Sandra Kalniete, Esther de Lange, Mariya Gabriel, Françoise Grossetête, Lara Comi

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Strength of the political groups in each parliamentary term

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations (as of 12 December 2016) Federal Republic of Germany (34 Members) Herbert Reul Angelika Niebler Poland (23 Members) Andrzej Grzyb Janusz Lewandowski (replaced Jan Olbrycht in February 2016)

Czech Republic (7 Members) Luděk Niedermayer

Latvia (4 Members) Krišjānis Kariņš

Portugal (8 Members) Paulo Rangel Nuno Melo

Sweden (4 Members) Gunnar Hökmark

Slovakia (6 Members) Anna Záborská

Finland (3 Members) Sirpa Pietikäinen

France (20 Members) Franck Proust (Repaced Alain Lamassoure in October 2016)

Austria (5 Members) Othmar Karas

Lithuania (3 Members) Algirdas Saudargas (Repaced Gabrielius Landsbergis in May 2016)

Spain (17 Members) Esteban González Pons

Croatia (5 Members) Dubravka Šuica

Luxembourg (3 Members) Viviane Reding

Italy (15 Members) Elisabetta Gardini Lorenzo Cesa

Greece (5 Members) Manolis Kefalogiannis

Malta (3 Members) David Casa

The Netherlands (5 Members) Esther de Lange

Cyprus (1 Members) Lefteris Christoforou

Slovenia (5 Members) Milan Zver

Denmark (1 Member) Bendt Bendtsen

Belgium (4 Members) Ivo Belet

Estonia (1 Member) Tunne Kelam

Romania (12 Members) Theodor Dumitru Stolojan Adina-Ioana Vălean Hungary (12 Members) András Gyürk Bulgaria (7 Members) Mariya Gabriel

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Ireland (4 Members) Seán Kelly

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EPP Group Members of the European Parliament's Bureau

(as of 12 December 2016. Portfolio of responsibilities

delegated in the aftermath of the 2014 Parliamentary elections)

Antonio TAJANI (Italy) Vice-President

Rainer WIELAND (Germany) Vice-President

Ildikó GÁLL-PELCZ (Hungary) Vice-President

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Mairead McGUINNESS (Ireland) Vice-President

Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO (Spain) Vice-President

Adina-Ioana VĂLEAN (Romania) Vice-President

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Conciliations • Security • Implementation of Article 17 TFEU • House of European history (jointly with VP Creţu) • Lux Prize • Artistic Committee, Member • Replacing the President for Latin America

• Information Policy, Press and Citizens Relations including EPIOs, primary responsibility (with VP Guillaume) • WG on Information and Communication Policy, Chair • Interinstitutional Group on Communication, Co- Chair • STOA • Children’s Rights – Mediator

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• Buildings, primary responsibility Budget, secondary responsibility • Transport • WG on Buildings, Transport and Green Parliament, Chair • European Political Parties Relations with FR, BE, LU authorities concerning the seat and places of work • Replacing the President for Africa / ACP

• Members’ Research Service and Library, primary responsibility • Relations with national Parliaments in charge in particular of COSAC • Relations with the Committee of Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee • WG on Information and Communication Policy, Member • Replacing the President for Neighbourhood Policy (South/EUROMED/Middle East), secondary responsibility

• Audit Panel, Chair • Access to Documents • WG on Buildings, Transport and Green Parliament, Member • Chancellery of the European Citizen’s Prize, Member • Replacing the President on Asia / Oceania

• Informatics and Telecommunications • WG on ICT Innovation Strategy, Chair • WG on Gender Equality and Diversity,Member • Audit Panel, Member

Élisabeth Morin-Chartier (France) Quaestor1 Andrey Kovatchev (Bulgaria) Quaestor2

Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs themselves.

Quaestors hold their offices for two and a half years, the same term as the President and Vice-Presidents.

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Main governing bodies in the EP Bureau (as of 12 December 2016)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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EPP Group Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees of the European Parliament (as of 12 December 2016)

Elmar Brok (DE) Committee on Foreign Affairs

Giovanni La Via (IT) Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Jerzy Buzek (PL) Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Czesław Adam Siekierski (PL) Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Alain Cadec (FR) Committee on Fisheries

Pavel Svoboda (CZ) Committee on Legal Affairs

Ingeborg Gräßle (DE) Committee on Budgetary Control

Werner Langen (DE) Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA)

Danuta Maria Hübner (PL) Committee on Constitutional Affairs

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Commissioners' relationships with EP Committees (See EPP Members of the European Commission on page 26)

The European Parliament’s Committees exercise oversight over the work of the Commission in their policy field and regularly invite Commissioners to discuss different aspects of their activities in committee meetings.

While some committees correspond exclusively to a single Commission portfolio, other committees cover multiple Commissioners’ fields of work.

The table shows the College of Commissioners with their portfolios and corresponding EP Committees. It is derived from the autumn 2014 hearings of then Commissioners-designate. The third column highlights those committees that work with more than one Commissioner, while the fourth column shows all committees that correspond to any given Commission portfolio. For example, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) pertains to the fields of work of three Commissioners in particular: Valdis Dombrovskis, Jyrki Katainen and Marianne Thyssen.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees of the European Parliament (as of 12 December 2016)

Role of Coordinators The EPP Group appoints a Coordinator in every committee to act as the Group's main spokesperson in that committee and together with the other Coordinators prepare decisions to be taken by the committee, especially on the procedure and the appointment of Rapporteurs. They can also mobilise Group Members during important votes and can appoint Shadow Rapporteurs.

Standing Committees Cristian Dan Preda (RO) Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) Bogdan Brunon Wenta (PL) (Replaced Davor Ivo Stier who left the EPP Group in October 2016) Committee on Development (DEVE)

Daniel Caspary (DE) Committee on International Trade (INTA)

José Manuel Fernandes (PT) Committee on Budget (BUDG) Petri Sarvamaa (FI) Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) Burkhard Balz (DE) Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)

David Casa (MT) Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)

Albert Deß (DE) Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)

Peter Liese (DE) Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

Gabriel Mato (ES) Committee on Fisheries (PECH) Sabine Verheyen (DE) Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

Krišjānis Kariņš (LV) Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Andreas Schwab (DE) Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)

Wim van de Camp (NL) Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN)

Lambert van Nistelrooij (NL) Committee on Regional Development (REGI)

Monika Hohlmeier (DE) Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Tadeusz Zwiefka (PL) Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) György Schöpflin (HU) Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) Constance Le Grip (FR) Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

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Peter Jahr (DE) Committee on Petitions (PETI)

Andrzej Grzyb (PL) Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI)

Michael Gahler (DE) Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE)

Committees of Inquiry

Former Special Committees

Krišjānis Kariņš (LV) Committee on Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS)

Burkhard Balz (DE) Tax Rulings and Other Measures Similar in Nature or Effect (TAXE 2)

Dariusz Rosati (PL) Committee on Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA)

(The work of the Special Committee was completed on 2 August 2016)

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EPP Group Chairs of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Cooperation Committees and Parliamentary Delegations of the European Parliament (as of 12 December 2016) About Delegations The European Parliament’s Delegations maintain relations and exchange information with parliaments in non-EU countries. Through its Delegations, the European Parliament helps to represent the European Union externally and to promote in third countries the values on which the European Union is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

Manolis Kefalogiannis (EL) Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee

David McAllister (DE) Delegation for relations with the United States

Alojz Peterle (SI) Delegation to the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee

Werner Langen (DE) Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Associa­tion of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio (ES) Delegation to the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee Othmar Karas (AT) Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Dariusz Rosati Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Fulvio Martusciello (IT) Delegation for relations with Israel Michèle Alliot-Marie (FR) Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula

Janusz Lewandowski (PL) Delegation for relations with Iran

Michael Gahler (DE) Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament Luis de Grandes Pascual (ES) Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community

Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (PL) Delegation for relations with Belarus Paulo Rangel (PT) Delegation for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil Eduard Kukan (SK) Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Assosiation Parliamentary Committee

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4. The President (EPP) of the European Council Donald Tusk

5. EPP Members of the European Commission (as of 12 December 2016) President

Members

Jean-Claude Juncker President of the European Commission Luxembourg (CSV)

Günther Oettinger Digital Economy & Society Germany (CDU)

Miguel Arias Cañete Climate Action & Energy Spain (PP)

Vice-Presidents

Marianne Thyssen Employment, Social Affairs, Skills & Labour Mobility Belgium (CD&V)

Tibor Navracsics Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Hungary (Fidesz)

Kristalina Georgieva Budget & Human Resources Bulgaria (GERB) Jyrki Katainen Jobs, Growth, Investment & Competitiveness Finland (Kokoomus)

Johannes Hahn European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Austria (ÖVP)

Valdis Dombrovskis Euro & Social Dialogue Latvia (Unity)

Dimitris Avramopoulos Migration, Home Affairs & Citizenship Greece (ND) Elżbieta Bieńkowska Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs Poland (PO)

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Carlos Moedas Research, Science & Innovation Portugal (PSD) Phil Hogan Agriculture & Rural Development Ireland (FG) Christos Stylianides Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Cyprus (DISY)

College of Commissioners (As of 14 January 2016)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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6. The 217 Members of the Group (as of 12 December 2016) GERMANY (34) BALZ, Burkhard BÖGE, Reimer BROK, Elmar CASPARY, Daniel COLLIN-LANGEN, Birgit DEß, Albert EHLER, Christian FERBER, Markus FLORENZ, Karl-Heinz GAHLER, Michael GIESEKE, Jens GRÄßLE, Ingeborg HOHLMEIER, Monika JAHR, Peter KOCH, Dieter-Lebrecht KUHN, Werner LANGEN, Werner LIESE, Peter LINS, Norbert MANN, Thomas McALLISTER, David NIEBLER, Angelika PIEPER, Markus QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Godelieve REUL, Herbert SCHULZE, Sven SCHWAB, Andreas SOMMER, Renate VERHEYEN, Sabine VOSS, Axel

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WEBER, Manfred WIELAND, Rainer WINKLER, Hermann ZELLER, Joachim POLAND (23) BONI, Michal BUZEK, Jerzy GRZYB, Andrzej HETMAN, Krzysztof HÜBNER, Danuta Maria JAZŁOWIECKA, Danuta KALINOWSKI, Jarosław KOZLOWSKA-RAJEWICZ, Agnieszka KUDRYCKA, Barbara LEWANDOWSKI, Janusz ŁUKACIJEWSKA, Elżbieta Katarzyna OLBRYCHT, Jan PITERA, Julia PLURA, Marek ROSATI, Dariusz SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Jacek SIEKIERSKI, Czesław Adam SZEJNFELD, Adam Von THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, Róża Gräfin WAŁĘSA, Jarosław WENTA, Bogdan ZDROJEWSKI, Bogdan ZWIEFKA, Tadeusz

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FRANCE (20) ALLIOT-MARIE, Michèle CADEC, Alain DANJEAN, Arnaud DANTIN, Michel DATI, Rachida DELAHAYE, Angélique GROSSETÊTE, Françoise HORTEFEUX, Brice JOULAUD, Marc JUVIN, Philippe LAMASSOURE, Alain LAVRILLEUX, Jérôme LE GRIP, Constance MORANO, Nadine MORIN-CHARTIER, Élisabeth MUSELIER, Renaud PONGA, Maurice PROUST, Franck SAÏFI, Tokia SANDER, Anne SPAIN (17) AYUSO, Pilar de GRANDES PASCUAL, Luis del CASTILLO VERA, Pilar DÍAZ DE MERA Y GARCÍA CONSUEGRA, Agustín ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Rosa FISAS AYXELA, Santiago GAMBUS, Francesc

GONZÁLEZ PONS, Esteban HERRANZ GARCÍA, Esther ITURGAIZ, Carlos JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO, Teresa LOPE FONTAGNÉ, Verónica LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Antonio MATO, Gabriel MILLÁN MON, Francisco VALCÁRCEL SISO, Ramón Luis ITALY (15) CESA, Lorenzo CICU, Salvatore CIRIO, Alberto COMI, Lara DORFMANN, Herbert GARDINI, Elisabetta LA VIA, Giovanni MARTUSCIELLO, Fulvio MATERA, Barbara MAULLU, Stefano MUSSOLINI, Alessandra PATRICIELLO, Aldo POGLIESE, Salvatore SALINI, Massimiliano TAJANI, Antonio HUNGARY (12) BOCSKOR, Andrea DELI, Andor DEUTSCH, Tamás ERDŐS, Norbert GÁL, Kinga GÁLL-PELCZ, Ildikó

GYÜRK, András HÖLVÉNYI, György KÓSA, Ádám SCHÖPFLIN, György SZÁJER, József TŐKÉS, László ROMANIA (12) BUDA, Daniel BUŞOI, Cristian-Silviu MĂNESCU, Ramona MARINESCU, Marian-Jean MUREŞAN, Siegfried PREDA, Cristian Dan SÓGOR, Csaba STOLOJAN, Theodor Dumitru ŢURCANU, Mihai UNGUREANU, Traian VĂLEAN, Adina-Ioana WINKLER, Iuliu PORTUGAL (7) COELHO, Carlos FARIA, José Inácio FERNANDES, José Manuel MELO, Nuno MONTEIRO de AGUIAR, Cláudia RANGEL, Paulo RIBEIRO, Sofia RUAS, Fernando BULGARIA (7) GABRIEL, Mariya KOVATCHEV, Andrey

MALINOV, Svetoslav Hristov NOVAKOV, Andrey PAUNOVA, Eva RADEV, Emil URUTCHEV, Vladimir CZECH REPUBLIC (7) NIEDERMAYER, Ludĕk POLČÁK, Stanislav POSPÍŠIL, Jiří ŠOJDROVÁ, Michaela ŠTĚTINA, Jaromír SVOBODA, Pavel ZDECHOVSKÝ, Tomáš SLOVAKIA (6) CSÁKY, Pál KUKAN, Eduard MIKOLÁŠIK, Miroslav NAGY, József ŠTEFANEC, Ivan ZÁBORSKÁ, Anna AUSTRIA (5) BECKER, Heinz K. KARAS, Othmar KÖSTINGER, Elisabeth RÜBIG, Paul SCHMIDT, Claudia CROATIA (5) MALETIĆ, Ivana PETIR, Marijana ŠUICA, Dubravka

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IRELAND (4) CLUNE, Deirdre HAYES, Brian KELLY, Seán McGUINNESS, Mairead

TOLIĆ, Ivica ZOVKO, Željana GREECE (5) KEFALOGIANNIS, Manolis KYRTSOS, Georgios SPYRAKI, Maria VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Elissavet ZAGORAKIS, Theodoros

LATVIA (4) KALNIETE, Sandra KARIŅŠ, Krišjānis PABRIKS, Artis VAIDERE, Inese

NETHERLANDS (5) de LANGE, Esther LENAERS, Jeroen SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Annie van de CAMP, Wim van NISTELROOIJ, Lambert

SWEDEN (4) ADAKTUSSON, Lars CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria FJELLNER, Christofer HÖKMARK, Gunnar

SLOVENIA (5) BOGOVIC, Franc PETERLE, Alojz ŠULIN, Patricija TOMC, Romana ZVER, Milan

FINLAND (3) PIETIKÄINEN, Sirpa SARVAMAA, Petri VIRKKUNEN, Henna LITHUANIA (3) ANDRIKIENE, Laima Liucija GUOGA, Antanas SAUDARGAS, Algirdas

BELGIUM (4) ARIMONT, Pascal BELET, Ivo ROLIN, Claude VANDENKENDELAERE, Tom

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LUXEMBOURG (3) BACH, Georges ENGEL, Frank REDING, Viviane MALTA (3) CASA, David COMODINI CACHIA, Therese METSOLA, Roberta CYPRUS (1) CHRISTOFOROU, Lefteris DENMARK (1) BENDTSEN, Bendt ESTONIA (1) KELAM, Tunne

Voting systems and number of MEPs

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

The European Parliament is made up of 751 Members elected in the 28 Member States of the enlarged European Union. Since 1979 MEPs have been elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year period.

Each country decides on the form its election will take, but must guarantee equality of the sexes and a secret ballot. EU elections are by proportional representation. Seats are allocated on the basis of population of each Member State. Slightly more than a third of MEPs are women. MEPs are grouped by political affinity, not nationality.

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7. The EPP Group Secretariat: Staff Management Martin Kamp Secretary-General John Biesmans Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Internal Organisation Service Joanna Jarecka-Gomez Deputy Secretary-General Head of the External Policies: Interparliamentary Delegations, Eastern Neighbourhood and Enlargement Service Paolo Licandro Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Mediterranean Policy and Intercultural Activities Service Juan Salafranca Deputy Secretary-General Head of the External Policies: Committees Service Natacha Scriban-Cuvelier Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Parliamentary Work Service Pedro Lรณpez de Pablo Head of the Press and Communications Service Johan Ryngaert Head of the Presidency Service Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza Head of the Relations with National Parliaments Service

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Turnout in Member States at European Parliament elections since 1979

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

For each of the eight European elections held since 1979, the table shows the lowest turnout among all Member States, the highest in a Member State without compulsory voting, and finally the highest overall. The EU average at each election is highlighted in blue.

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Parliamentary Work Service

Main Governing Bodies in the European Parliament Committees (as of 9 March 2016)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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The Parliamentary Work Service is composed of 5 units: - The Legislative Coordination and Whip Office, under the responsibility of József Szájer MEP (HU), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament - The Standing Working Group 'Economy and Environment', under the responsibility of Françoise Grossetête MEP (FR), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament - The Standing Working Group 'Budget and Structural Policies', under the responsibility of Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (RO), ViceChair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament - The Standing Working Group 'Legal and Home Affairs', under the responsibility of Esteban González Pons MEP (ES), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament - The Policy Strategy Unit, under the responsibility of Manfred Weber MEP (DE), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

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General Activities A. Major Votes in Plenary

B. Personalities Attending the Sitting

- Report Reding - Recommendations to the European Commission on the negotiations for the ‘Trade in Services Agreement’ (TiSA) (03/02) - Report Hübner - Interinstitutional agreement on Better Law-making (09/03) - Report Metsola/Kyenge - The situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration (12/04) - Report Albrecht - Protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data (12/04) - Report Lauristin - Processing of personal data for the purposes of crime prevention (12/04) - Report Kirkhope - Use of Passenger Name Record data (EU-PNR) (14/04) - Report Díaz De Mera - EU Agency for law enforcement cooperation and training (Europol) (05/05) - Report Rosati - Mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation (12/05) - Report Pabriks - European Border and Coast Guard (06/06) - Establishing an Inquiry Committee to consider recent revelations in the Panama Papers in relation to tax evasion and money laundering (08/06) / Chair: Werner Langen - Report Bayet - Rules against tax avoidance practices that directly affect the functioning of the Internal Market (08/06) - Report Pieper - Implementation report on the Energy Efficiency Directive (23/06) - Report Kofod /Theurer - Report of the special committee on tax rulings and other measures similar in nature or effect (06/07) - Vote on the nomination of candidate designate Sir Julian King as UK Commissioner: portfolio ‘Security’ (15/09) - Report La Via - European Parliament’s consent on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Paris Agreement (04/10) - Report Olbrycht/Thomas - Preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament's input ahead of the Commission's proposal (01/12)

- Address by Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of the Republic of Estonia (02/02) - Address by Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (03/02) - Address by Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (08/03) - Address by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal (13/04) - Address by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Nether– lands (25/05) - Address by Rosen Plevneliev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria (08/06) - Address by Reuven Rivlin, President of the State of Israel (22/06) - Address by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority (23/06) - Address by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations (04/10) - Address by Beji Caid Essebsi, President of Tunisia (01/12) Other personalities - Laurent Fabius, President of the Paris Climate Conference (20/01) - Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden (09/02) - Donald Tusk, President of the European Council - EU-Turkey Agreement (12/04) - Donald Tusk, President of the European Council (26/10)

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C. Meetings - Follow up meetings of the Secretary-General and of the Conference of Presidents, in order to establish the plenary agenda - Regular meetings with the Chairman, in order to define the policy strategy of the EPP Group

- Plenary session organisation: votes and speaking time - Group Meetings

Number of Trilogues per Year and per Committee (Information published on 9 March 2016)

During the seventh term (2009-14), the EP participated in 1,557 trilogue meetings on legislative texts with the Council of Ministers and European Commission. In the eighth term so far (from November 2014 to December 2015), the number of trilogue meetings has been 284. The bar graph below shows the number of trilogues held by year since the beginning of the seventh term, with a peak in 2013, which coincided with the key decisions on programmes within the 2014-20 Multiannual Financial Framework. The pie chart below shows which Parliamentary Committees were most involved in trilogues in 2015, the first full year of the 2014-19 term. It highlights the five most active committees in terms of trilogues held, as a percentage of the total. The category ‘others’ includes 13 trilogue meetings with delegations from the ECON and BUDG (10), and CONT and LIBE (3), Committees acting jointly under Rule 55.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Legislative Coordination and Whip Office A. EPP Group Meetings Personalities attending the Group Meetings - Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (19/01) (05/07) - Grzegorz Schetyna, President of the Polish Party: Platforma Obywatelska – PO (02/02) - Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission (02/02) (25/10) - Paulo Portas, outgoing President of the Portuguese Party: CDS – PP (03/02) - Mitzy Capriles, wife of Democratic Opposition Leader of Venezuela, Antonio Ledezma (03/02) - Averof Neofytou, President of the Democratic Rally Party of Cyprus (12/04) - Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship (12/04) - Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the Commission, responsible for the Euro and Social Dialogue (10/05) - Jyrki Katainen, Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness (05/07) (13/09) - Klaus-Heiner Lehne, President of the European Court of Auditors (26/10) - Mustafa Dzhemilev, EPP nominee for the 2016 Sakharov Prize (13/12)

Agenda and Calendar of Group Meetings, Chairman's Notes and Early Briefings - Chairman's Notes and files for the Chairman - Internal briefings related to all items (reports, resolutions, and other points) which will be submitted to a plenary vote ahead of each Group Meeting in Brussels and Strasbourg - Specific and detailed briefings related to all items treated at Group meetings - MEPs' presence list, minutes, and documents to be distributed to MEPs

B. Whip Office The Whip Office follows EPP Group MEPs' presence and participation in votes, at plenary and committee level, and evaluates in accordance with the agreed Group line. The Whip Office has been rationalised to improve its efficiency in these tasks.

The Chairman, the Presidency, the Heads of National Delegations, the Coordinators and the Members are regularly informed about their participation and presence rates during votes at plenary and committee level.

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C. Legislative Coordination Meetings and Activities

Rapporteurship and Group line in Plenary Votes The Presidency improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the Group in Parliamentary work, both at committee and plenary level.

Commission Work Programme (CWP) for 2017 The EPP Group defined its position on the CWP for 2017 under the leadership of Jรณzsef Szรกjer MEP (HU), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP, who managed to negotiate a joint resolution with the S&D and ALDE Groups in line with the contributions of EPP Group Members, the Coordinators and the Presidency of the Group (adopted in plenary in July).

The resolution aimed to influence the Commission Work Programme before its adoption by the European Commission in October for the forthcoming year.

Conference of the Committee Chairs (CCC)

Specific EPP Group preparatory meetings are organised monthly to inform EPP Group stakeholders on CCC-level issues.

In close cooperation with the Coordinators, an internal early warning system identifies possible conflicts regarding competences before they officially arise, especially between committees where Chairmanship belongs to the EPP Group.

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Coordinators' Meetings Six meetings were organised to deal with horizontal Parliamentary issues.

These meetings have been enlarged to EPP Group Committees' Chairs, to reinforce Group cohesion and prevent conflicts of competences.

The main topics treated in 2016 included:

The Legislative Coordination Unit prepares and follows the Conference of the Committee Chairs, working to avoid internal conflicts between committees in the attribution of reports and competences among the Parliamentary Committees.

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Newly appointed EPP Group Rapporteurs in all Parliamentary Committees and comparative charts with the other groups are regularly submitted to the Coordinators, the Presidency and the Heads of National Delegations.

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- Preparation of the plenary sessions and conflicts of competences between committees as standing points on the agenda - EPP Group priorities for the resolution on the CWP 2017 - Revision of the Inter-Institutional Agreement - Revision of the Rules of Procedures of the EP - Cooperation with the other political groups - Preparation of the Brexit process Cooperation with the other Political Groups and other Institutions The Unit provides the Chairman with monthly updated information regarding the most important forthcoming and pending legislative or non-legislative items for which closer cooperation with the other Political Groups and/or Institutions might be necessary.

Standing Working Group 'Economy and Environment' Economic and Monetary Union

Although all 28 Member States participate in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) to some degree, at its heart is the euro area – from the initial 11 at the launch of the new currency in 1999, it has grown to 19 countries today. All but two of the remaining Member States (Denmark and the United Kingdom) are formally committed to steering their economies towards joining the euro area, meeting the convergence criteria required. Whilst the monetary side of EMU was strong from the outset, the economic dimension has seen major developments in recent years. In particular, putting in place tools for ‘economic governance’, and strengthening the EU’s instruments for fiscal surveillance through the Stability and Growth Pact was seen as essential in the wake of the economic crisis.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) EPP-governed Member States showed impressive growth rates in 2016. Building on this solid foundation, the EPP Group focused on the application and enforcement of the Stability and Growth Pact by the Commission and Member States.

finance and ensure that capital can move freely across borders in the Single Market to enhance productivity. Important reports adopted in 2016 included those on Occupational Pensions, Access to Finance for SMEs, Prospectus, and the Annual Report on the Banking Union, Benchmarks and EU Representation in International Fora.

In the area of financial services, the development of the Capital Markets Union (CMU) is a key EPP Group priority to support jobs, growth and investment and is one of the building blocks of the Investment Plan for Europe. The objective of the CMU is to diversify and amplify sources of

Cost of non-Europe – Banking Union and banking regulation to avert a new financial crisis

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Following a consultation process with EPP Group Members and stakeholders initiated by the EPP Group Coordinator David Casa MEP (MT), the Group adopted its Position Paper on A Modern Social Europe.

Employment, a qualified workforce and entrepreneurship are at the top of our agenda and we call on Member States to make the best use of EU and national policies and financial frameworks - in the principle of subsidiarity - to develop well-functioning economies and labor markets and to promote investment in people and job creation.

The EPP Group also called for action to combat social dumping within the framework of illegal social practices and to enforce efficient controls.

We recognised that problems still existed with the implementation of the Posting of Workers Directive - for which the Commission proposed a revision - and called for the implementation and subsequent analysis by Member States of the Enforcement Directive on the Posting of Workers.

Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

41 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) The EPP Group successfully concluded a number of important legislative dossiers in 2016, notably: • Emission limits for non-road mobile machinery • The ratification of the Paris Agreement adopted under the UNFCCC • The Reduction of National Emissions of Certain Atmospheric Pollutants (NEC Directive) The European Parliament also adopted several important second reading agreements, including:

Other key legislative reports currently under negotiation include: • • • •

The report on the Regulations on Veterinary Medicinal Products The report on Medicinal Products for Human and Veterinary Use The Regulation on Mercury The report on the Regulation on the Reduction of Pollutant Emissions from Road Vehicles • The Directive on Enhancing Cost-effective Emission Reductions and Low Carbon Investments (ETS) Additional key initiative reports adopted include:

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The Regulation on Medical Devices The report on the Regulation on In Vitro Medical Devices The negotiation on the Regulation on Official Controls (concluded in trilogue)

• The Mid-term review of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy • Food Contact Materials • The EU Action Plan Against Wildlife Trafficking

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Striking a balance between the interests of businesses and consumers in a vibrant Internal Market is central to the work of the IMCO Committee.

In the report on Customs infringements and sanctions, the EPP Group succeeded in shaping legal clarity and protecting the interests of SMEs.

EPP Group Coordinator Andreas Schwab MEP (DE) was in charge of new rules for Cybersecurity which will change how the European Union deals with cyber terrorism. The EU now has a system to protect crossborder infrastructures such as energy, transport, health or banking.

The EPP Group drove the completion of the Digital Single Market in 2016 by working towards geo-blocking aims to end discrimination in e-commerce. The online and distance sale of goods strengthened consumer rights in e-commerce, based on a full harmonisation approach.

The EPP Group successfully strengthened the Single Market Strategy.

The EPP Group Rapporteur, Lara Comi MEP (IT), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, worked on a framework based on five key concepts: simplification; reducing obstacles for businesses to go pan-European; facilitating company creation; access to finance; and innovation.

Regarding the new rules on the legal possession of firearms, EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP (SE), succeeded in improving and updating the EU’s legislative framework.

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Digital Single Market - Initiatives 2015 and 2016

Source: European Commission

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Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

Towards an EU Energy Union

Energy was a top priority for the EPP Group in 2016.

Shadow Rapporteur Herbert Reul MEP (DE) worked on the proposal for a Regulation on a Framework for Energy Efficiency Labelling.

Werner Langen MEP (DE) took the lead in preparing a report on New Energy Market Design aiming to strengthen the Internal Market.

Under the lead of Jerzy Buzek MEP (PL), a proposal for a Regulation on the Security of Gas Supply was adopted by the ITRE Committee, aiming to ensure that all Member States put in place appropriate tools to prepare for potential gas shortages.

The report on the establishment of an information exchange mechanism with regard to intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) and non-binding instruments (NBIs) in the field of energy between Member States and third countries, by Shadow Rapporteur Vladimir Urutchev MEP (BG), aimed to establish obligatory ex ante assessments of these agreements and ensure their legal compatibility with EU law, especially the Third Energy Package.

The EP also adopted a report on the EU’s liquefied natural gas and gas storage strategy drafted by András Gyürk MEP (HU), and a strategy for heating and cooling by Shadow Rapporteur Algirdas Saudargas MEP (LT).

Source: European Commission

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Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) The EPP Group played a key role in reinforcing European transport legislation in 2016.

This was reflected in the ‘market pillar’ aspect of the Fourth Railway Package. The new rules will open up national markets for domestic

passenger transport services by rail. They will also provide safeguards to ensure the independence and impartiality of rail infrastructure managers.

In addition, they will introduce more competitive tendering procedures in the awarding of contracts for public passenger transport services.

The EPP Group strived to achieve new rules to increase the financial transparency of ports and create fair conditions for access to port services across Europe. The new rules aim to boost the competitiveness of European ports both in promoting short sea shipping as an alternative to congested roads and vis-à-vis ports located in non-EU countries.

More competitive facilities and processes should also reduce costs for transport users.

The EPP Group also played a key role in conceiving and underpinning a transparent, fair and environmental friendly legislation in the field of aviation through the systematic revision of the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) Regulation, and via the support for new comprehensive air agreements with third countries (especially from the Middle East and the Far East).

Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper on EU Transport Policy Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Inquiry Committees:

Special Committee:

1. Committee on Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS)

1. Committee on Tax Rulings and Other Measures Similar in Nature or Effect (TAXE2)

On 16 December 2015, the European Parliament set up an Inquiry Committee in reaction to revelations that Volkswagen used defeat devices to meet Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions limits for diesel cars.

EPP Group MEPs held the following positions: Ivo Belet (BE) Vice-Chair, Krišjānis Kariņš (LV) Coordinator and Jens Gieseke (DE) Vice-Coordinator.

Pablo Zalba Bidegain MEP (ES) was appointed Co-Rapporteur on the final inquiry report. Jens Gieseke (DE) replaced Pablo Zalba Bidegain MEP (ES) as Co-Rapporteur when the latter left the European Parliament in November 2016. The EMIS Committee investigated contraventions of EU law in relation to emissions measurements in the automotive sector and maladministration in its application.

2. Committee on Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) Following the Panama Papers revelations, the EPP Group led the effort to set up an Inquiry Committee in June 2016 under Chair Werner Langen MEP (DE). The Committee has 12 months to conclude its investigation, summoning representatives from national, EU and international authorities.

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In the area of taxation the European Parliament set up the Special Committee on Tax Rulings (TAXE2) in February 2015 to build on and complete the work carried out by the TAXE1 Special Committee under Chair Alain Lamassoure MEP (FR). The committee looked further into the Council's past activities when dealing with controversial tax practices.

It was found that as long as every EU Member State has its own independent tax policy there will be loopholes and mismatches between national tax systems. Only more collaboration between Member States can prevent tax avoidance. The EPP Group strongly promotes the principle that corporate taxes must be paid where the value is created.

The final report of TAXE2 was adopted in June 2016.

Standing Working Group 'Legal and Home Affairs' PNR: A Record of Air Passengers’ Data

European legislation The proposed new rules will apply to flights to and from destinations outside the EU, but Member States could also apply them to flights within the EU as well if they wanted.

Airlines will have to provide EU countries with information on their passengers in order to help authorities fight terrorism and serious crime. The data will be kept for five years. After six months some information will no longer be accessible, such as passengers' names and the number of people travelling together. This is in order to protect their privacy.

MEPs debated the proposed directive on 13 April 2016 and adopted it the following day by 461 votes to 179 and nine abstentions.

EU countries will have two years to transpose the directive into national law.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) In 2016, the report by György Schöpflin MEP (HU) on the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) will help generate public awareness and give the ECI a higher profile. Seen as a political right for citizens as well as a unique and innovative agenda-setting tool for participatory democracy, the report proposes viable solutions for the prompt revision of the regulation.

efficient and reduce fragmentation, and measures aimed at enhancing the democratic nature of the elections and reinforcing the legal status of Union citizenship.

The EPP Group is at the forefront regarding efforts to improve the quality of European laws. We have insisted on the revision of the 2003 Inter-institutional Agreement on Better Law-making. The agreement provides for closer cooperation between the Institutions. It will ensure that EU legislation focuses on areas where it has the greatest added value for European citizens and that laws are simple and clear, by reducing overregulation and administrative burdens for citizens and businesses, especially SMEs.

EUROPEAN SMEs

The Reform of the Electoral Law of the European Union is one of the EP’s core levers to regain the public’s trust by making European elections more appealing and by further contributing to the democratisation of the electoral process. The EPP Group worked towards the introduction of a legal threshold to make the EP more

according to Annual Report on European SMEs 2014/2015

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OUT OF EVERY 100 BUSINESSES ARE SMEs

Source: European Commission

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9 OUT 10 OF THE EU SMEs ARE MICROS (less than 10 employees)

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Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) Youth unemployment levels remain unacceptable high in Europe.

Andrea Bocskor MEP (HU) drafted an initiative report on EU Youth Strategy 2013-2015 proposing recommendations to improve the Open Method of Coordination, to strengthen the Structured Dialogue with young people, especially for vulnerable and marginalised groups, and to take advantage of Information and Technology (ICT) tools. Member States are recommended to use the EU Youth Strategy to boost education

and employment. It also calls for more use of strategic investments from the European Structural Funds.

The ERAMSUS+ programme was launched in 2014. In the framework of Milan Zver’s MEP (SI) implementation report, the EPP Group organised two public hearings. Those involved at national and local level explained the challenges they face and gave recommendations to improve this most successful of EU programmes.

Erasmus: Employment and Career Development

Source: European Commission

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Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) The EPP Group strongly supported the EC Roadmap to address the challenges of a work-life balance faced by working parents and people with caring responsibilities. In her report on Creating labour market conditions favourable for work-life balance Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz MEP (HU), Vice-President of

the European Parliament, advocated a renewed conciliation framework to address women’s underrepresentation in the labour market.

In parallel, Constance Le Grip MEP (FR) drafted a report on The need for an EU strategy to end and prevent the gender pension gap. It outlined the main causes of the persisting gender gap in pensions and suggested a strategy which tackles the root causes of this phenomenon. Furthermore, the MEP insisted on better data collection and highlighted the need for awareness raising campaigns.

To combat violence against women, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP (SE), worked on a resolution on The EU accession to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) to put political pressure on the remaining Member States and the Council to ratify this instrument.

Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper on EU Employment and Social Affairs Policy Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) In April 2016, the EP and Council adopted a Directive that standardises diverging national laws on the protection of trade secrets against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure. This strikes a balance between enabling businesses to seek legal redress against the misappropriation

of trade secrets and to preserve innovation and competitiveness while preserving the mobility of workers and safeguarding respect for freedom of expression and information, media pluralism and protection of journalists and whistle-blowers.

New EU rules were also adopted on the simplification of cross-border acceptance of public documents. The regulation will facilitate free movement of people and improve the lives of 13 million EU citizens.

The EPP Group strives to improve the quality of European laws. In several horizontal files - such as the Inter-institutional Agreement (IIA) on Better law-making and the INI report on Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) - the EPP Group successfully shaped the final texts to reflect its priorities.

The EPP Group has been advocating the principle of ‘Think Small First’, the SME test and the reduction of administrative burdens by introducing an annual yearly burden survey.

Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper: The EPP Group SME Circle Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Internal security and the fight against terrorism remain key EPP Group concerns. To this end, the EPP Group was the driving force behind the adoption of the EU Passenger Names Record (PNR) Directive in April 2016.

In view of terrorist threats, work continues on the Counter-Terrorism Directive under the leadership of Monika Hohlmeier MEP (DE). Apart from achieving alignment and updates of national criminal law provisions regarding terrorist offences, the EPP Group works to include provisions on prevention, de-radicalisation and victims’ support.

In 2016, the EPP Group took a step forward in providing solutions to the migration and refugee crisis. Roberta Metsola MEP (MT) concluded a strategic initiative report on the situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a comprehensive plan that looks at an all-encompassing approach to migration. The abolition of internal border controls in the Schengen area requires an efficient and well-functioning control of external borders. The European Border and Coast Guard Regulation will strengthen EU external borders, including addressing migratory challenges and potential future threats, and ensure a high level of internal security.

Source: Frontex

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on an Anti-terrorism Pact Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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In April 2016, the new EU Data Protection rules were adopted. The EPP Group achieved a balanced legislation which ensures robust data protection for EU citizens and which provides legal certainty and trust for companies, while allowing for innovation and development.

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on Data Protection

Source: European Council

Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

53 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Committee on Petitions (PETI) Safeguarding children’s interests is an EPP Group priority and we worked to adopt a resolution on the Safeguarding of children’s best interests across the EU, in April 2016. The EP calls on Member States to undertake specific actions to preserve children’s best interests across the EU in relation to child placement or adoption, or in childcare related judicial proceedings.

Rosa Estaràs Ferragut MEP (ES), EPP Group Vice-Chair in the Committee on Petitions, advocated for the rights of people with disabilities while calling on the EC to mainstream the disability issue for all EU policies. Close monitoring of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities resulted in the adoption of the EP resolution of the Marrakesh Treaty in January 2016, ensuring access to published documents for disabled people.

Petitions to the EP by Field

Data Source: Report on the Activities of the Committee on Petitions 2013.

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Standing Working Group 'Budget and Structural Policies' MFF Review Proposals

Amounting to around €6.3 billion (in current prices), the total financial resources related to the MFF mid-term review proposals are linked not only to the new legislative proposals listed above, but also to proposals to reinforce existing tools (e.g. additional allocations for highly subscribed programmes under subheading 1a, such as Erasmus+, Horizon 2020 and the Connecting Europe Facility, and new resources to allow for the continuation of the Youth Employment Initiative and to the financial implications of initiatives already in the pipeline (e.g. the establishment of the European Border and Coast Guard and the strengthening of Europol). The above-mentioned amount is distributed between two broad groups of policy objectives: €2.40 billion for job creation and growth and €3.93 billion for migration and security.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

55 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Committee on Budgets (BUDG) The EPP Group actively stood for a strong and realistic Budget 2017 under the lead of the EPP Group Coordinator, José Manuel Fernandes MEP (PT), and the EPP Group Shadow Rapporteurs Siegfried Mureşan MEP (RO) and Paul Rübig MEP (AT).

The final agreement sets aside: • €6 billion for migration and the protection of external borders • €600 million for milk farmers and the fruit and vegeta­ble sectors • €500 million for the Youth Employment Initiative • €200 million for key priority programmes such as: o Horizon 2020: Promoting Research and Innovation o Connecting Europe Facility (CEF): Developing Transport infra­structure o Erasmus +: Enhancing education, training, youth and sport o COSME: Supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises The EPP Group strongly advocated for an MFF Mid-term revision, in order to provide the Union with the necessary means to respond to the ongoing crises and political challenges. Jan Olbrycht MEP (PL), EPP Group Rapporteur, insisted on increased budgetary flexibility, which this revision should bring.

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on the MFF Mid-Term Review and Revision Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Joachim Zeller MEP (DE), Rapporteur for the ongoing 2015 budget discharge placed a strong emphasis on Performance-based Budgeting.

The use of the EU Budget should better reflect the priorities of the Union.

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based on the findings of the Court of Auditors. Concerns were raised regarding the security of buildings, the reimbursement of costs to visitor groups, and the visibility of the EP. Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (RO), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Chairman of the EPP Group Working Group 'Budget and Structural Policies', evaluated the efficiency of EU spending on public-private partnerships, such as ITER - an international nuclear fusion research megaproject. Discharge to ITER was granted only in the second round, when questions concerning the schedule and the financing were clarified, and the Rapporteur received the necessary guarantees on how taxpayers' money is spent.

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The discharge procedure ensures democratic oversight on how the EU Budget is used. In 2016, the EPP Group, led by Coordinator Petri Sarvamaa MEP (FI), was responsible for scrutinising EP implementation of the 2014 Budget. Markus Pieper’s MEP (DE) report contains recommendations

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Julia Pitera MEP (PL), responsible for the 2016 annual report on the protection of the financial interests of the Union – the fight against fraud – is committed to the development of vigorous and consistent anticorruption policies.

EPP Group Position Paper

on Performance-based Budgeting

Delegations headed by the EPP Group Chair of the Budgetary Control Committee, Ingeborg Gräβle MEP (DE), visited Ukraine, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

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EPP_Position_Paper_Budget_148x210.indd 1

15/02/16 15:55

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on Performance-based Budgeting Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

57 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) In 2016, the EPP Group pressed for action to improve farmers’ prospects. Under Coordinator Albert Deβ MEP (DE) and Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (RO), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Chair of the EPP Group Working Group 'Budget and

Structural Policies', a statement was issued which put forward a series of urgent and concrete recommendations, including the reform of the intervention mechanism and tackling unfair trading practices.

Mairead McGuinness MEP (IE), Vice-President of the EP, was instrumental in securing the backing of the EP for framework legislation on unfair trading practices in the food supply chain. Rapporteur Angélique Delahaye MEP (FR) achieved support for her report on CAP tools to reduce price volatility in agricultural markets, proposing new risk and crisis management tools and monitoring instruments for greater market transparency.

The EPP Group shaped the EP position in the conclusion of several legislative dossiers: • New rules for trade and imports of breeding animals (Michel Dantin MEP (FR), EPP Group Vice-Coordinator in the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in the EP) • Second Reading conclusion on animal health (Herbert Dorfmann MEP (IT)) • Enhancing the functioning of the EU’s school fruit, vegetable and milk scheme (Sofia Ribeiro MEP (PT)) • Final agreement on new rules to better protect the EU from the devastating effects of plant pests (Pilar Ayuso MEP (ES))

Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper on EU Agricultural Policy Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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The Group responded to the major challenges faced by the dairy sector through a public Hearing on the future of the European milk sector, with vital contributions from Czesław Siekierski MEP (PL), Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in the EP, and Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture.

How the EU Budget is spent: Common Agricultural Policy

Source: European Parliamentary Reseach Service

Europe’s farmers play an essential role in our economy and society. They provide more than 500 million EU citizens with a reliable supply of healthy, safe and affordable food. We also expect them to protect the environment and ensure the vitality of our rural areas.

In June 2013, the EU Institutions agreed on a new direction for the CAP. The latest reform aims to help farmers guarantee a long term supply of quality food, make the agricultural sector more sustainable, and maintain the diversity of Europe’s countryside, traditions and farming practices.

To support them in delivering these public benefits, the EU created the Common Agricultural Policy, or ‘CAP’. Since its launch in 1962, the policy has evolved to address global challenges that affect us all.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU Member States. It is essential to protect the future of farming and rural life in Europe.

59 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Committee on Regional Development (REGI) The EPP Group was active in the field of Cohesion Policy. EPP Group Coordinator, Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP (NL), was Rapporteur on the Regulation on Structural Reform Support Programme, with a view to creating an instrument providing technical assistance for growth

enhancing administrative and structural reforms, including the efficient and effective use of EU funds. The EPP Group additionally played a crucial role in the implementation report issued by the European Commission on Cohesion Policy.

The report on Cohesion Policy and Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3), drafted by Ramรณn Luis Valcรกrcel Siso MEP (ES), Vice-President of the European Parliament, represents the first EP position on this important ex-ante conditionality for the allocation of ESI funding. The report calls for improving RIS3 in order to achieve the best results in the forthcoming years.

In 2016 the EPP Group adopted the Position Paper on the Future of Cohesion Policy.

The Position Paper provides an objective analysis of the current situation and makes proposals for a strong and well-balanced policy post-2020. .

Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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European Regional Development Fund

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

61 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Committee on Fisheries (PECH) EPP Group action in 2016 centred on: • Jarosław Wałęsa (PL), Rapporteur for the Multi-annual Management Plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea, reached a balanced political agreement with the Council on the main file of 2016. The plan is the first multi-annual plan incorporating the provisions of the new CFP Basic Regulation (No 138/2013).

• Gabriel Mato MEP (ES), EPP Group Coordinator, was appointed Rapporteur on ‘Technical Measures’ for fisheries conservation.

Technical Measures govern different fishing practices used to catch fish as well as outlining areas and seasons for fishing, and measures limiting unwanted catches of juvenile fish and possibly reducing

Source: European Commission

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the impact of fishing on nature. Currently, technical measures are provided within 30 different regulations and constitute a highly complex and disparate set of rules.

• In March 2016, the EPP Group led a successful mission to Galicia (Spain). The delegation was attended by Alain Cadec MEP (FR), EPP Group Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, Werner Kuhn MEP (DE), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, Jarosław Wałęsa MEP (PL), Member of the Committee on Fisheries, and Francisco José Millán Mon MEP (ES), Substitute Member of the Committee on Fisheries.

External Meetings and Events Political Strategy Unit and European Ideas Network (EIN) The Political Strategy Unit and European Ideas Network (EIN) offer a valuable mechanism for further developing the Group’s political identity by increasing the number of forums for debate:

• Study Days: organised in a different Member State each year, as understanding the different national realities allows a better grasp of the political themes that are important at a national level.

• Meetings of the EPP Group Bureau outside the Three Working Seats of the European Parliament: to elaborate Group positions on selected issues and to deepen relations with Member States and to express support to an EPP member party.

• European Ideas Network: represents an open pan-European thinktank designed to promote new thinking on the key challenges facing the European Union.

63 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

1 - EPP Group Bureau Meetings outside the Three Working Seats of the European Parliament Bratislava, Slovakia EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 28-29 January 2016 Two EPP Group Position Papers on A Modern Social Europe and on the MFF Mid-Term Review and Revision were discussed in order to be approved by the EPP Group.

Guest speakers: Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Vice-Chairwoman of the European People’s Party.

Kristalina Georgieva, Vice-President of the European Commission for Budget and Human Resources.

VILNIUS

Cologne, Germany EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 3-4 March 2016

COLOGNE

BRATISLAVA

Discussions centred on issues related to com­­pe­tiveness as the key to Europe’s future and freedom, pluralism and the responsibility of the media in a digital era.

The Cologne Declaration on Competitiveness and the EPP Group Position Paper on Media Freedom and Pluralism in the Digital Age were finalised in order to be approved by the EPP Group.

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BUCHAREST

VENICE NICE

SPLIT

Furthermore, owing to the New Year's Eve attacks in Cologne, an EPP Group Statement on the Integration of migrants and refugees was discussed and adopted.

The EPP Group Position Paper on the Future of Cohesion Policy was finalised in order to be approved by the EPP Group.

Guest speaker: Peter Altmaier, MdB, Head of the German Federal Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Tasks.

An important part of the meeting was dedicated to internal discussion on EPP Group priorities for the second half of the legislature. An exchange of views on Black Sea security took place with Romanian Parliamentarians.

Vilnius, Lithuania EPP Presidency and Heads of National Delegations Meeting: 8-9 September 2016

Guest speaker: Klaus Werner Iohannis, President of Romania.

Deliberations centred on growth and opportunities and European security, in particular Baltic security.

Guest speaker: Ursula von der Leyen, German Minister of Defence, Chairwoman of EPP Defence Ministerial meetings.

In addition, an exchange of views took place with representatives of Belarusian opposition on the Belarusian Parliamentary Elections scheduled for 11 September 2016.

Bucharest, Romania EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 29-30 September 2016

2 - EPP Group Study Days Nice, France EPP Group Study Days: 1-3 June 2016 The EPP Group Study Days - “Making Europe fit for the 21st century” - focused on the EPP Group vision for the future of Europe. Attention was given to the aspect of the European Union as a union of values.

The event was highlighted by special interventions from Joseph Daul, President of the European People’s Party, and Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of the French Republic, President of the Republican Party.

Speakers intervened on the future of cohesion policy in order to boost growth and jobs.

65 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

3 - The European Ideas Network (EIN) The European Ideas Network, sponsored by the EPP Group, is an open pan-European think tank. Launched in 2002, it represents an important centre-right political forum designed to promote new thinking on the key challenges facing EU countries. With 3,000 policymakers and opinion-shapers from across the European Union, the EIN brings together politicians, businessmen, academics, policy advisers, think-tanks, journalists and representatives of civil society.

The EIN organises a number of different types of activity:

Breakfast Meetings, Food for Thought lunch debates and Working Group Seminars In 2016, the agenda and debates of the EIN were characterised by: - The on-going efforts to reverse the negative impacts of the immigration crisis and the rise of nationalist and populist movements in the EU. - The consequences of Brexit, and the new role of the European Council and National Parliaments in the EU architecture.

- The important geopolitical challenges faced by European decisionmakers. These include: • The role of Russia and Turkey as key actors in EU external policy in resolving the armed conflicts in our neighbourhood, especially in Syria. • Mediterranean security as a key factor for the stability and development of EU cooperation with third countries.

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EIN and the Trans-Atlantic Group (TAG)

Summer University: Split, Croatia: 30 June-1 July

Deliberations between eight MEPs, five Members of the US Congress and Members of the main US political parties’ representatives centred on the US Presidential Elections and conflict in the Middle East.

The 15th EIN Summer University on the "Mediterranean: Geopolitics and European integration. Challenges and opportunities" - was the highlight of the 2016 programme of events. The 2016 Agenda consisted of five special plenary sessions focusing on areas of current regional, European and International interest. In addition, 15 roundtables reached in-depth, internationally oriented conclusions on strategic areas of European policy.

The meetings were co-organised by the EIN, the Martens Centre, the International Republican Institute and the Hudson Institute.

The EIN Delegation visited the US Department of Defence and discussed major security issues with a key Pentagon expert.

67 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

4 - EPP Group Hearings, Conferences, Seminars and Events Hearings 13/01/2016 EPP Group Public Hearing on the EU Energy Efficient Directive

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13/01/2016 EPP Group Public Hearing on Synergies

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27/01/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Single Market

27/01/2016 EPP Group Public Hearing on the Future of the European Milk Sector

02/03/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Market Economy Status for China

02/03/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Victims of Terrorism

07/04/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Acceleration of Implem­entation of Cohesion Policy

04/05/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Emissions Trading System - ETS

Wednesday 4 May 2016, from 14.30 -17.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q2, European Parliament, Brussels

EPP Group Public Hearing on

EMISSIONS TRADING SYSTEM-ETS Chaired by

Françoise Grossetête MEP, EPP Chairwoman of the Working Group 'Economy and Environment' Hosted by

Peter Liese MEP, EPP Group’s Coordinator in the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Krišjānis Kariņš MEP, EPP Group’s Coordinator in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy with Representative of the European Commission, DG Clima Contributions from EPP Group Shadow rapporteurs Ivo Belet (ENVI) and Esther de Lange (ITRE) European experts in the field of the Emissions Trading System If you do not have a pass that allows entry to the Parliament, you will need to provide your personal details (name, surname, nationality, ID/Passport number) by 28 April 2016 to epp-itre@europarl.europa.eu.

Interpretation: FR DE IT EN ES PL

69 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

04/05/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Environmental Goods Agreement

29/06/2016 EPP Group Hearing on Combatting Sexual Abuse of Children on the Internet

29/06/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Winter Energy Package

EPP Group Public Hearing

WINTER ENERGY PACKAGE Hosted by

Jerzy BUZEK, Andrรกs GYร RK, Vladimir URUTCHEV & Algirdas SAUDARGAS MEPs

Wednesday 29 June 2016 from 14.30 to 17.30 hrs room JAN 6Q2 European Parliament, Brussels If you do not have a pass that allows entry to the European Parliament, you will need to provide your personal details (name, surname, date of birth, nationality, ID/Passport number) by 22 June 2016 to epp-itre@eurparl.europa.eu

Interpretation: DE EN FR

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28/09/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Implementation of the Erasmus + Programme

28/09/2016 EPP Group Hearing on Climate Change

07/12/2016 EPP Group Hearing on the Collaborative Economy

71 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Conferences, Seminars and Events Ημερίδα Οικονομία και πετρελαϊκός κλάδος διύλισης Αναπτυξιακές προκλήσεις και τα οφέλη των τοπικών κοινωνιών

Balcony area ASP-5G Parlement européen Bruxelles

Καλωσόρισμα: Θεόδωρος Ζαγοράκης, Ευρωβουλευτής Ομιλητές: Μαργαρίτης Σχοινάς, Επικεφαλής Εκπρόσωπος Τύπου της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής Γιάννης Μπουτάρης, Δήμαρχος Θεσσαλονίκης Γρηγόρης Στεργιούλης, Διευθύνων Σύμβουλος Ομίλου ΕΛΠΕ Νίκος Ζαχαριάδης, Διευθυντής Διυλιστηρίου Θεσσαλονίκης ΕΛΠΕ John Cooper, Director General Fuels

Τρίτη 1 Μαρτίου 2016, ώρα 17:00, PHS 7C50, European Parliament, Brussels

SOLIDARITY WITH VENEZUELA

Human Rights: Updated Report 2016 Wednesday 7 December 2016, 15.00 – 17.00 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 – European Parliament, Brussels

Round table discussion

IMPROVED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & COOPERATION IN RESCUE OPERATIONS ALONG THE ROMANIAN-HUNGARIAN BORDER Result presentation seminar of the project "START - Strengthening cross border and inter-sectoral operability" 693897/2014/ECHO/SUB

Hosted by Iuliu Winkler MEP with Multisalva Association Special Rescue Team (RO) Partners: Upper Tisa Diving and Rescue Public Utility Association (HU) ”Somes” Inspectorate for Emergency Situations Satu Mare (RO) Disaster Management Directorate of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County (HU) Romanian Red Cross National Society, Satu Mare Subsidiary (RO) Hungarian Red Cross-Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Organization (HU) Association Caritas Organization of Satu Mare’s Diocese (RO)

with Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Thursday 21 April 2016 from 12.00 to 15.00 hrs Room PHS P7C050, European Parliament, Brussels Please confIrm your presence to: Razvan Hoinaru (razvan.hoinaru@europarl.europa.eu) or Dimitrios Psarrakis (dimitrios.psarrakis@europarl.europa.eu)

Tuesday 22 March 2016 from 11.00 to 13.00 hrs Room ASP5E-3, European Parliament, Brussels

PHOTO EXHIBITION

Hosted by Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, EPP Vice President Moderator: Ion M. Ionita, Editor-in-chief Historia - Romania Opening: 19 October 2016 at 18.30 hrs

Exposition de dessin s d'enfants sur le souven ir de la Première Guerre mondiale

FOR SMES: ACCOUNTING & FINANCING IMPLICATIONS MEPs Theodor Stolojan (EPP Group) and Eva Kaili (S&D) Members of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Policy Committee

Organisé par Alain Cadec , Député européen A cultura e tradições populares portuguesas no Parlamento Europeu Portuguese Culture and Traditions at the European Parliament

Actuação Musical | Musical Performance

Grupo de Cavaquinhos Hosted by Fer n an do R uas M EP Tuesday 19 April 2016 12.30 to 13.15 hrs JAN 3Q Area European Parliament

Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Women's Forum

Qatar

The past and the present

Exhibition hosted by Ramona Manescu MEP 30 May - 3 June 2016 JAN 3Q Area European Parliament Brussels

Arabian tent, traditional clothing, accessories and cultural items Traditional and modern Arts Arabic Calligraphy Henna tattoo

Conference hosted by Luis de Grandes Pascual MEP, EPP Group Eurolat Assembly Coordinator Beatriz Becerra Basterrecha MEP, ALDE Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights

Vernissage : 15 novembre à 19h

Before the conference (14.00 hrs), MEPs are invited to join a photo to express their solidarity with the democratic cause and human rights in Venezuela in front of the Altiero Spinelli main entrance (Place Luxembourg).

FAMILY - investment in the future

Women, Business and the Law 2016:

du 15 au 17 novembre 2016

In the presence of Mrs. Mitzy Capriles (wife of Antonio Ledezma, mayor of Caracas) and Mr. Leopoldo López (father of opposition leader Leopoldo López).

Conference

Presentation of the World Bank Group report on

Opening on 31 May at 18.30 hrs Reception from 19.00 hrs

De la guerre vers la paix et la citoy

enne té

NEW BUSINESS LOGIC

Monday 29 February 2016 from 17.00 hrs Room P7C050 European Parliament, Brussels

Co-hosted by MEPs Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz and György Hölvényi

GETTING TO EQUAL Lunch discussion hosted by MEPs Agnieszka Kozlowska-Rajewicz (EPP Group) & Heidi Hautala (The Greens)

Zone Jan Q3 European Parliament, Brussels

FOOD DEFENSE: Tuesday 22 March 2016 from 12.30 to 14.30 hrs Room ASP 5H1 European Parliament,Brussels

www.statuidedaci.ro www.columnaluitraian.ro www.koson.org

Presentation of the TTIP documentary

Protection against intentional attacks through the food chain Hosted by Esther Herranz García and Giovanni La Via MEPs with representatives of European Commission, FDA and Food Defense Soluciones

“I Love Vino”

Monday 17 October 2016 14.00-16.00 hrs & 18.00-20.00 hrs Room JAN6Q1 European Parliament, Brussels

Hosted by MEP Pablo Zalba Bigedain

with Anthony L. Gardner, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union

Tuesday 18 October 2016 from 09.00-11.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament, Brussels

Tuesday 18 October 2016, 11.00-13.00 Hrs Room JAN6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

European Economic Conference SIBIU / Herrmannstadt / Romania

Tuesday 26 January 2016 from 17.00 to 19.00 hrs Room A1E-2 European Parliament Brussels

TIME TO RE-THINK A MODERN SME POLICY FOR EUROPE Organised by: SME EUROPE of the EPP Patronage: European Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska Honourable Guests: Paul Rübig MEP, Honourable President of SME EUROPE, Committee ITRE and Budget Ivan Štefanec MEP, Vice-President of SME EUROPE, Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and Iuliu Winkler MEP, First Vice President of SME Europe of the EPP

Public conference

UNVEIL THE 60 YEARS' WORK OF NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS "EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVES"

ROUND TABLE

SPECIAL PROTECTION OF THE CHILD BEST PRACTICES IN THE EU hosted by Gyula WINKLER MEP

Venue: Hotel Ramada Str. Emil Cioran 2, Sibiu 21-23/04/2016

Hunor KELEMEN, MP, President of RMDSZ Maria Amor MARTIN ESTEBANEZ, FRA Senior Policy Manager Csaba BÖJTE OFM, Szent Ferenc Alapítvány, Déva Pál CSÁKY MEP, Member in the Intergroup on Children’s Rights Zsolt MOLNÁR, MP, RMDSZ Attila SZELES, Förderverein St. Franziskus Deva e.V. Deutschland Lorincz SZÉLL, Executive Director of DJST Hunedoara

A turning point in EU-Latin American relations?

Challenges and Opportunities Conference hosted by Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Parliament Luis de Grandes Pascual, Chair of the Delegation for relations with countries of the Andean Community, EPP Eurolat Assembly Coordinator & the Multinational Development Policy Dialogue of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Thursday 17 November 2016, 09.00 - 12.30 hrs Room A3G-2 - European Parliament, Brussels

Hosted by Antonio López-Istúriz White MEP

France & Slovenia united by wine Wine tasting event to celebrate peace and unity on Europe's Day

Hosted by MEPs Anne Sander and Alojz Peterle Monday 9 May 2016 from 18.30 to 20.00 hrs LOW Restaurant, European Parliament, Strasbourg

In cooperation with:

Friendly wine tasting with winemakers from French Alsace and the Slovenian Podravska region

Public Hearing on the

Right to Education:

Freedom of parental Choice Hosted by Nuno Melo MEP (EPP Group) and Andrew Lewer MEP (ECR Group)

Wednesday 15 June 2016 15.00-16.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament, Brussels

é g ö s s k ö zv e n s k u y a r uie lo m a g a n a S S l o v a qa k i a v i a i it en v á k k o m u n g r o i s e y i n S l oo w a k e i l n z l o t A s a r s k á a u t é h o m m u n i in der S a c c h i a v ď o ſt n M a o m m u r i a n c inscha i n S l o v a q u i a L a c H u n g a he Geme e r e s e e n E s l o o v a k k j a T h e n g a r i s c t à u n g hn g a r a w a I - I s l k k i a s Die u o m u n i d a d h ú i ż a ġ e w S l o v a k i j o j e va vacia L a c o m u n i Unger o n d Slo o L a co m u n i t àk o g u k o m e n ė d î n S l v a č k o ji ră cj lo ru Il-K g a r i u S Słowa j ā ghia end U n grų b ea ma dnica na ā k i Ve n unitat z a j e ierskaS l o v váquia g a m ę k o s l o Slowakije a C ars e n ść w na E M a đ ł e c z n o k o p i n g a r a enschapin ino v a k i e n S p o g ā r u a d e h ú rse geme n d i S l v a k i e n U n m u n i d eel Hongaaa l s a m f u i S l o h t e i s ö A c o isch-culturs k e l o k r a r n a n e n y a š k e m De etn u n g a r n a u n g a r i l a i a S l o vл о в а к и я D e t e t n i s kn u n k n o s t i n о с т в С e n s k u p бщн a S l o vο β α κ ί α De v a k i a sku ка о S l o ž a r s k eе т н и ч е с n i t a n σ τ η Σ λ l o v a i c u S M a d р с к а та kom ότητα s a t Ун га a r s k á ή κ ο ι ν i r i s a Maď γγρικ U n g η ο υp o b a l A n

ERITREA Opportunity for Development MEP Tunne Kelam invites you to the exhibition

ATTACKS AND MIGRATIONS

Commemorating 75th anniversary of the first Soviet mass deportations from Baltic States

& Innovation Monday 28 November at 15.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament Brussels

Τετάρτη 25 Μαίου 2016, ώρα 16:30 αίθουσα JAN6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

#FIFAelections

THE FUTURE OF FIFA

Presidential candidates forum

Hungarian artists in Slovakia

Exhibition of painters and sculptors representing the Hungarian community in Slovakia

Hosted by Brian Hayes MEP Speakers: Yemane Gebremeskel, Eritrean Minister for Information Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator DG DEVCO

hosted by Pál CSÁKY MEP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Petitions Opening ceremony on Tuesday 14 June 2016 at 12.30 hrs ASP 3rd Floor Distribution Area, European Parliament, Brussels

hosted by Emma McClarkin and Ivo Belet MEPs of New FIFA Now, alongside Marc Tarabella and Santiago Fisas Ayxelà MEPs, chairs of Sport Intergroup.

Wednesday 27 January 2016 from 15.00 to 17.30 hrs Room PHS 3C050, European Parliament, Brussels Registration by mail: alexander.nicholson@europarl.europa.eu, if you require access to the European Parliament please include your full name, date of birth, passport number and nationality

Opening: Tuesday 14 June 2016 at 13.00 hrs Mezzanine Yehudi Menuhin European Parliament, Brussels

Ημερίδα

Επιχειρηματικότητα και τοπική ανάπτυξη:

Το παράδειγμα της Καβάλας Καλωσόρισμα: Θεόδωρος Ζαγοράκης, ευρωβουλευτής Ομιλητές:

Ευδοκία Αγαλιανού, DG REGIO, Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή Παντελής Γκάσιος, ΟΕΥ της Ελλάδας στο Βέλγιο Παύλος Δημητρίου, DG EMPL, Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή Θεοδόσιος Σαμπανιώτης, DG REGIO, Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή Διονύσιος Τσαγκρής, DG GROW, Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή Άγγελος Τσατσούλης, Πρόεδρος Επιμελητηρίου Καβάλας

What to expect from your osteopath

High standards of osteopathic care across Europe

Hosted by Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP with the European Federation of Osteopaths & the Forum of Osteopathic regulation in Europe Thursday 29 September 2016 - 12.30-15.30 Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels Sandwiches and refreshments will be provided at JAN Bar Brasserie on the third floor as from 12.00 hrs

FORUM FOR OSTEOPATHIC REGULATION IN EUROPE

Wednesday 16 March 2016 from 15.00-16.30 hrs Room ASP A3G-3 - European Parliament - Brussels

Subcommittee on Human Rights EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH OMBUDSMEN FROM EASTERN PARTNERSHIP & WESTERN BALKANS COUNTRIES

PHOTO EXHIBITION

RETHINKING OUR COMMON PRIORITIES

Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age

Colloquium with members of the presidency of the EU Convention on the future of Europe

Hosted by Adina-Ioana Vălean MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament

Hosted by Alojz Peterle MEP CONFERENCE

Special guest: Travis Kalanick, the co-founder and CEO of Uber

Tuesday 15 November from11.00-12.00 hrs Room P7C050, European Parliament, Brussels

Low Saxon languages, a sleeping giant

Hosted by MEPs Annie Schreijer-Pierik & Jens Gieseke Wednesday 28 September 2016 - 15.00-17.30 hrs Room 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

This event is strictly limited to accredited parliamentary assistants and political group advisors

EVGEN BAVČAR

Speakers:

Hosted by Alojz Peterle MEP Opening by Viviane Reding MEP Tuesday 26 April 2016 from 18.30 hrs Yehudi Menuhin space (1st floor) European Parliament, Brussels

Welcome address:

Mr Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

CONFERENCE

PROMOTING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT & INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS FOR CIVIL DRONE OPERATIONS Introduction by MEP Gabriele Preuss (S&D) Welcome note by Filip Cornelis (European Commission, DG MOVE) Debate and discussion moderated by MEP Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP Group)

chaired by Andrzej Grzyb MEP, Member of the DROI Enlarged Bureau

Mr Klaus Hänsch Mr John Bruton Ms Ana Palacio Mr Antonio Vitorino Mr Michel Barnier Ms Danuta Hübner MEP

Tuesday 6 September from 13.00-16.00 hrs Room JAN 4Q2 European Parliament, Brussels

Mr Paulo Rangel MEP Wednesday 9 November 15.00 to 18.00 hrs Room ASP 3G2 European Parliament Brussels

Interpretation: EN, DE, NL

in collaboration with a part of

Contact: andrzej.grzyb@europarl.europa.eu

THE ART OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

Conference on Croatian martyr blessed Alojzije cardinal Stepinac

Celebrating 25 years of the independence of Slovenia

The Role of Child Helplines in Strengthening Child Protection System

Hosted by Marijana Petir MEP, initiator of the conference with Rev. Željko Tanjic, rector of the Croatian Catholic University Alojz Peterle MEP

THE CASE FOR MINIMUM UNIT PRICING OF ALCOHOL

Hosted by

Alojz Peterle MEP

Wednesday 15 June 2016 from 09.30 to 11.30 hrs Room ASP 5E3 European Parliament Brussels

Interpretation: EN HR

Keynote address:

Protecting human rights, with a focus on migration and internally displaced persons (IDPs) - perspectives from the EU's Eastern Neighbourhood & the Western Balkans EU support to national human rights institutions - best practices and challenges

Addresses by

Music by Darja Švajger & Jaka Pucihar Followed by reception with Slovenian wine

Jerzy Buzek MEP Elmar Brok MEP Milan Zver MEP H.E. Matjaž Šinkovec Book presentation “The Art of the Impossible: 25 years of the independence of Slovenia”

by Dan Damon, BBC journalist

Hosted by Antonio López-Istúriz White MEP with the Co-Chairs of the Intergroup on Children's Rights Anna Maria Corazza Bildt & Caterina Chinnici MEPs Tuesday 14 June 2016 from 15.00 to 16.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Hosted by MEPs Brian Hayes (EPP Group) & Alyn Smith (Greens/EFA) WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER FROM 16.15-18.00 HRS ROOM ASP5E-3, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, BRUSSELS

SEMINAR

EU-UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: CONFERENCE

HOW TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN IN A DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT? Hosted by MEPs Santiago Fisas Ayxelà and Anna Maria Corazza Bildt Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Children's Rights

Tuesday 27 September 2016 from 15.00 to 17.00 hrs Room PHS 07C050, European Parliament, Brussels

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN A CHANGING POLITICAL WORLD Speakers:

HE Dr. Amal Abdullah Juma Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council Elmar Brok MEP, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Michèle Alliot-Marie MEP, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula Sergei Stanishev MEP, President of the Party of European Socialists H.E. Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Antonio López-Istúriz White MEP, President of the EU-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group, EPP Secretary-General

Tuesday 26 April 2016 - 16.00-18.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels Arabic, English, French interpretation will be available

Tuesday 21 June 2016 at 18.00 hrs Yehudi Menuhin Space European Parliament, Brussels

Military Operations/Missions

EUFOR ALTHEA Bosnia Herzegovina

Civilian Missions

EUAM

Since 2004

Ukraine Since 2014

EULEX Kosovo Since 2008

EUPOL Afghanistan Since 2007

EUBAM Libya Since 2013

EUPOL COPPS

Mediterranean Since 2015

EUTM

Palestinian Territories

EUNAVFOR MED

Mali

Since 2006

EUBAM RAFAH

Palestinian Territories

Since 2013

Since 2005

EUMM Georgia Since 2008

EUMAM RCA Central African Republic Since 2015

EUCAP SAHEL Mali

EUTM

Somalia

Since 2014

Since 2010

EUCAP SAHEL Niger

Since 2012

EUCAP NESTOR

EUSEC RD Congo Since 2005

Djibouti, Somalia, Seychelles, Tanzania

EU NAVFOR ATALANTA Somalia Since 2008

Since 2012

Source: European External Action Service

Source: European External Action Service

External Policies: Committees Service and Interparliamentary Delegations, Eastern Neighbourhood, and Enlargement Service 01

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External Policies: Committees Service and Interparliamentary Delegations, Eastern Neighbourhood and Enlargement Service

The EPP Group External Policies: Committees Service and Interparliamentary Delegations, Eastern Neighbourhood and Enlargement Service aims to assist the design of the EU external policy by promoting external action based on democracy and the rule of law, strengthening political relations

with third countries, ensuring the effectiveness of the enlargement process, encouraging the spread of fundamental principles and human rights, promoting free trade and contributing to the eradication of poverty throughout the world.

75 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

External Policies: Committees Service

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Standing Working Group 'Foreign Affairs' Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) Serbia: The EP adopted its resolution on the 2015 report on Serbia on 4 February 2016. Rapporteur David McAllister MEP (DE) ensured strong support. The EP welcomes the opening of negotiations and opening of Chapters 32 and 35, and Serbia’s commitment to European integration.

Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP): The EP reflected on the long-term future of the CSDP in the report on a European Defence Union. Members outlined the need to create a common defence policy and a revised CSDP.

UN recommendation: The EP adopted its recommendation to the Council at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly on 7 July 2016. Rapporteur Andrey Kovatchev MEP (BG) addressed important recommendations on peace and security, the fight against terrorism, non-proliferation and disarmament, migration, human rights, democracy and the rule of law, development, climate change, and UN reform.

Human rights: The Sakharov Prize in 2016 was awarded to Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, Yazidi survivors of Daesh enslavement.

Initiated by the EPP Group, several events with the 2010 Cuban Laureate Guillermo were hosted. Interreligious and intercultural dialogue together with a ‘free space for civil society’ were set as human rights priorities for 2016. Geographical focus was placed Ukraine and Latin America. EPP Group MEPs actively participated in election observation missions in Uganda, Peru, Mongolia, Zambia, Gabon, Jordan, Georgia, Moldova and Ghana.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: The resolution drafted by Cristian Dan Preda MEP (RO) on the 2015 report on Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the application for EU membership. The EP called for an effective coordination mechanism on EU integration.

Global Strategy: In April, the EP adopted a report on the EU in a changing global environment by Sandra Kalniete MEP (LV), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, responsible for Neighbourhood Policy, Euronest and European Values, which fed into the process of the EU Global Strategy by Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission. It focused on four areas: Defending European states, societies and values; stabilising Europe's neighbourhood; becoming a stronger actor in a multipolar world; and increasing engagement.

Energy: Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP (PL) drafted an opinion on measures to safeguard the security of gas supply by decreasing its dependence on Russian energy imports and increasing EU resilience to external pressure.

External Aspects of Migration: EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur Dubravka Šuica MEP (HR) advocated a common European list of safe countries of origin and transit to focus asylum and reception capacities on those truly in need of protection. To manage migration effectively and ensuring security, a European Border and Coast Guard was officially launched in October.

77 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

The EPP Group Position Paper on the Mediterranean stresses that regional stabilisation is a first priority for Europe but harnessing the economic and human potential of the Mediterranean region is key to enabling lasting peace and prosperity.

The EPP Group organised on 16 November together with the EIN a seminar on ‘The Peace Process in Colombia’ and on 17 November, with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung a conference entitled: ‘A Turning Point in EU-Latin American relations?’

A turning point in EU-Latin American relations?

Challenges and Opportunities

@EIN_ThinkTanks

Conference hosted by Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Parliament Luis de Grandes Pascual, Chair of the Delegation for relations with countries of the Andean Community, EPP Eurolat Assembly Coordinator & the Multinational Development Policy Dialogue of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Thursday 17 November 2016, 09.00 - 12.30 hrs Room A3G-2 - European Parliament, Brussels

Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

A Foreign Affairs meeting took place on 12 October whereby the Free Russia Foundation presented a report on Russia.

The peace process in Colombia: New horizons for opportunities in Latin America Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network Wednesday 16 November 2016, 15.00-18.30 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

www.ein.eu

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Committee on International Trade (INTA) The EPP Group achieved a number of key objectives in 2016 and pushed forward the EU trade agenda in the global sphere.

Successful ratification of major Trade Agreements Several major trade agreements were given consent with the strong support of our Group: The Ghana Stepping Stone Interim EPA and the Economic Partnership Agreement with the Southern African Development Community (SADC EPA) were ratified. The EPAs establish stable

partnerships with African countries and end the legal incompatibility of the EU’s preferential treatment towards the ACP countries with WTO provisions. Led by Santiago Fisas Ayxelà MEP (ES) the EPP Group pushed to conclude the accession of Ecuador to the Trade Agreement between the European Union and Colombia and Peru. This will give the agreement a wider regional dimension and foster integration.

The signature and ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada (CETA) was welcomed by the EPP Group who worked to ensure the EP’s commitment and its role as co-legislator.

TTIP, TISA & CETA The EU and Japan made progress regarding negotiation conclusions and the exchange of offers between the European Union and Mercosur in May 2016. The EPP Group - led by MEPs Jarosław Wałęsa (PL) and Pablo Zalba Bidegain (ES) - supported negotiations for a balanced agreement.

The EP adopted the resolution on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) containing recommendations for ongoing negotiations to reinforce international rules and open accessible markets in the area of digital, financial and transport services.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

79 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

The State of EU Trade

Source: European Council

With regard to the Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement (TTIP), the EPP Group continued to support ongoing negotiations

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with the United States and stands ready to engage with the new US administration to conclude the TTIP deal.

Successful conclusion of EU Trade Legislation In May, supported by EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur Santiago Fisas Ayxelà MEP (ES), the EP and the Dutch Presidency reached a political agreement on the Anti-torture Regulation. The revised regulation establishes new provisions for the control and export of goods used for death penalties and torture whilst balancing legitimate trade and competitiveness of EU industries.

EPP Group Rapporteur Iuliu Winkler MEP (RO) achieved a deal with the Slovak Presidency on the Conflict Minerals Regulation. The EPP Group ensured effective and workable provisions based on the largescale participation of the European companies involved, leading to more stability in conflict areas and breaking the link between mineral extraction, trade and the financing of armed conflicts.

Committee on Development (DEVE) Post-Cotonou and the Future of EU-ACP Relationship The European Parliament adopted in October 2016 its position on the future of the partnership between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

While the Cotonou Agreement is valuable in the fight against poverty and has fostered closer political ties, results are insufficient and unequal when faced with recent political, structural and demographic changes. A reassessment is therefore demanded, and the establishment of a more effective and ambitious framework based on a common understanding.

The EPP Group reaffirms its priorities as regards the future EU-ACP partnership, notably on: • Maintaining the current binding acquis based on three pillars: political dialogue, development cooperation and trade; • Placing the new Sustainable Development Goals at the centre of future cooperation; • Ensuring the inclusiveness of the partnership by bringing together all stakeholders, including national Parliaments, local authorities, civil society and the private sector; • Increasing the regionalisation of the partnership, in particular by building and further integrating Economic Partnership Agreements.

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The EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUFT): Addressing the Root Causes of Migration

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

A report on the implications of the EU Trust Fund for Africa was adopted in September 2016.

The EUTF, established at the Valletta Summit on Migration in November 2015, supports the African countries most affected by irregular migration by fostering stability and promoting tighter Africa-EU cooperation on issues of migration management, security and development. Root causes of destabilisation, displacement and irregular migration in three regions - the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Lake Chad - and North Africa are addressed. Priority sectors include: economic programmes, resilience, migration management, and stability and governance.

The EPP Group insisted on the need for transparency, accountability, ownership and policy coherence in defining and implementing projects to bring concrete results.

Development Effectiveness

the quality of the image is not very good

Source: European Commission

Taking the lead on this central issue, the EPP Group reaffirmed its priorities as regards development cooperation: sustainable financing, shared responsibility, inclusiveness, monitoring and accountability, good governance and the respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The report by Cristian Dan Preda MEP (RO) on improving the effectiveness of development cooperation was adopted in November 2016, focusing on the implementation of the global commitments regarding aid and development effectiveness. In the new Agenda 2030 context, and given the necessity of ‘doing more with less’, more effective aid delivery and development cooperation remain crucial to help alleviate poverty, strengthen national resilience and empower local communities.

Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper on EU Development Policy Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Interparliamentary Delegations, Eastern Neighbourhood and Enlargement Service Migration Dynamics along the Western Balkans Route

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service The Western Balkans route has seen an unprecedented wave of migration, which peaked in the second half of 2015. In 2015 and 2016, the route experienced changes and a high degree of unpredictability due to modifications in the entry criteria. First a fast transit route, initially affording passage through Serbia to Hungary and later deviating towards Croatia and Slovenia (September 2015), it was finally closed in March 2016, leaving migrants trapped in Serbia and FYR Macedonia. New alternative routes appeared, such as the land route between Serbia and Bulgaria. Individual countries’ decisions to build fences, reinstate border checks and change policies triggered a ‘cascade effect’, which in turn sparked tensions between Serbia and Hungary, and later Serbia and Croatia, resolved relatively quickly. In early 2016, the Western Balkan route was closed to persons of other than Afghan, Syrian and Iraqi origin, as they were viewed as ‘economic migrants’.

In February, Afghans too were removed from that list, leaving a growing number of them stranded along the route. In March, a 19-point plan led to new restrictions: Slovenia

and Croatia started applying new Schengen zone entry rules, under which only migrants with valid passports and visas were allowed to enter. Serbia followed suit, reciprocally applying these rules on its southern and eastern borders. On 20 March, the EU-Turkey joint action plan came into effect, resulting in the official closure of the Western Balkan route. People who remained in transit sites in the region had limited legal options for moving on, which led to more migrants applying for asylum in both Serbia and FYR Macedonia, in order to extend their legal stay (beyond 72 hours) and receive shelter and assistance. Nevertheless, Serbia remained mainly a transit country where migrants spent two days on average. Although no exact data are available, Serbian NGO Grupa 484 says that over 650 000 migrants and refugees, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, were registered in Serbia between June 2015 and June 2016. There are no reliable estimates as to the number of unregistered asylum-seekers and migrants.

83 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

2016 was marked by dramatic developments in the EU Neighbourhood, including the ongoing war in Syria, instability in Libya, the impasse on Middle East talks and the subsequent migration flows with the loss of hundreds of lives. Security challenges for Europe have impacted on EU policy and EPP Group actions and initiatives.

The EPP Group further intensified its international contacts through its Interparliamentary Delegations which constitute an important tool of parliamentary diplomacy. The new developments have also provided new opportunities. Interparliamentary Delegations activities reflect these international developments by providing a forum for intensive debates and constructive proposals to favour democraticchange.

This ‘on the ground’ diplomacy proved an added value to the legislative work performed by the relevant EP Committees dealing with both internal and external affairs. Delegations have contributed to committee legislative activities in an improved manner due to closer cooperation among Delegations Chairs and Committee Rapporteurs, and more coordinated planning of external visits. A greater number of joint meetings testifies that this much needed synergy and cooperation has become part of parliamentary routine. This is a very positive feature.

Chair of the Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’ and Andrej Plenković MEP (HR), Chair of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee (PAC). Our Group drove many initiatives, for example ‘Ukraine Week in the European Parliament’. A three day high-level conference on capacity-building for reform brought together the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada, MEPs, national MPs and civil society representatives to share experience on good parliamentary practice.

In 2016, EU-Ukraine relations were marked by the referendum in the Netherlands on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, the Commission proposal on Visa Liberalisation, the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the newly created anti-corruption agencies and the release of Nadiya Savchenko - following an EPP Group initiative.

Ukraine - Military Conflict Area

In 2016, the EPP Group strengthened its relations with politicians and local actors from the EU Neighbourhood countries and continued its activities with Working Group meetings, conferences, fact-finding missions and Working Lunches with Ambassadors from Third Countries.

Eastern Neighbourhood Ukraine continued to warrant EPP Group attention, thanks to the commitment of our Members, including Sandra Kalniete MEP (LV), ViceChair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, responsible for Neighbourhood Policy, Euronest and European Values, Jacek SaryuszWolski MEP (PL), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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In 2016, our activities in the South Caucasus primarily focused on Georgia due to parliamentary elections and the issue of visa-free travel. Regarding parliamentary elections, the EPP Group monitored the activities of our sister party - the United National Movement (UNM).

Sandra Kalniete, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, led a fact finding mission to Georgia in September. In Tbilisi she highlighted issues of serious concern, including the instrumentalisation of justice (arrest of high profile politicians from the previous ruling elite, their prolonged pre-trail detention (deemed unconstitutional), the ruling of the case of former PM Merabishvili, freedom of media, and cases of political pressure on members of the Constitutional Court.

Stories in the Eastern Neighbourhood' in which concrete EU funded projects were presented by local beneficiaries from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. These projects target the priority areas, namely agriculture in Georgia, energy efficiency in Moldova and anti-corruption in Ukraine.

Tuesday 6 December 2016 from 14.30-17.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

In the parliamentary elections the ruling coalition - Georgian Dream secured a constitutional majority. The UNM came second with close to 30% of the vote. It will be now crucial to observe if the constitutional majority is used responsibly by the government.

The EPP Group was also strongly involved in the issue of visa-free travel.

After reaching a deal with the European Council on the suspension mechanism, thanks to the work of EPP Group Members, a visa-free regime for Georgian citizens should become a reality in the short term.

Alongside regular meetings with Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, to analyse important developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood, a number of public events with the participation of prominent experts and political personalities expressed further EPP Group commitment.

Fact Finding Missions to better understand the political situation in our Eastern Neighbourhood and to support our partners and EPP sister parties took place in Belarus, Georgia and Moldova.

EPP Group Conference

EU Success Stories in the Eastern Neighbourhood Opening by Sandra Kalniete MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group Introduction by Johannes Hahn Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations with participation of the beneficiaries of the EU funding from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

In December Sandra Kalniete MEP (LV), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, responsible for Neighbourhood Policy, Euronest and European Values, Chaired the conference on 'EU Success

85 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Enlargement: State of Play

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

When it comes to progress towards integration with the EU, a look at the region as a whole shows positive results but also stagnation and backsliding. Despite the common key priorities and reforms needed, each Western Balkans country is at a different stage in its relations with

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the EU, and has its own pace and specific sensitive issues to address.

To move forward, the region needs more political responsibility and willingness to rebuild trust, enhance cooperation and deliver results on a national and regional level.

Western Balkans and Turkey The migration crisis placed significant pressure on the region in 2016.

The process of reforms slowed down in some areas, such as the fight against corruption, respect for the rules of law and the independence of the media as reflected in the 2016 EC Progress Reports. The firm prospect of EU membership, as continuously reaffirmed by all Member States, continues to drive transformation and anchor stability and security in the countries of Southeast Europe. Therefore, a credible Enlargement Policy, based on strict and fair conditionality, remains an irreplaceable tool to strengthen these countries and to help support their modernisation through political and economic reforms, in line with the accession criteria.

Enlargement Policy continues to deliver results and reforms are moving forward in most countries, albeit at different speeds. Given the complex nature of the necessary reforms, it is a long-term process and structural shortcomings persist, notably in the key areas of rule of law and the economy.

A continued commitment to the principle of ‘fundamentals first’ remains essential. At the same time, it is important to recognise that accession negotiations are not – and never have been – an end in themselves.

They are part of a wider process of modernisation and reforms. The governments of the enlargement countries need to embrace the necessary reforms more actively and truly make this their political agenda – not because the EU is asking for it, but because it is in the best interest of their citizens. Public support for future enlargements will depend on the degree of preparedness of candidate countries.

Therefore, reforms through the EU accession process also help increase the confidence of citizens of EU Member States and of the candidate countries alike.

2014 Berlin

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2018

Vienna

Paris

Rome

not confirmed

Figure 1. Framework for the Western Balkans Summits (2014-2018).

In Turkey specifically, the EU-Turkey Summit of 29 November 2015 and the subsequent EU-Turkey Statement of 18 March 2016 led to a significant reduction in irregular migration flows and, more broadly, to revitalise EU-Turkey relations. On 15 July, democratic institutions and society as a whole were shaken by a violent coup attempt in Turkey, which the EU immediately condemned in the strongest terms.

87 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Despite uneven developments in the region, the EPP Group remained committed to candidate countries by organising the 5th EPP Group High Level Conference on the Western Balkans on 4 May. Exchanges of views focused on ways to improve political dialogue and the means to speed up the process of reforms crucial for EU accession, and also on the challenge of the migration crisis. EPP Group MEPs underlined that domestic consensus is key for successful European integration.

Wednesday 4 May 2016

14.00 - 17.30 hrs Room A5G-3 European Parliament Brussels

5th EPP GROUP CONFERENCE on WESTERN BALKANS:

WESTERN BALKANS: TOWARDS EUROPEAN FUTURE With Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP Party, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, EPP Members and Political leaders close to the EPP family from Western Balkans

Turkey’s Geopolitical Environment In March, the Working Group on Enlargement held an exchange of views with the Turkish Ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel, on Turkish foreign policy and its implications for the EU as regards the migration crisis.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Latin America The bilateral agenda was dominated by the Colombian Peace Process, the accession of Ecuador to the EU-Colombia-Peru Multiparty Agreement and a general election in Peru. An EP ad hoc Delegation travelled to Colombia to monitor the plebiscite called on 2 October by President Santos to confirm the peace agreements negotiated between the Colombian Government and the FARC. The agreement was rejected by 50.21% to 49.78%. While the result may have surprised the international community, it is important to note that Columbians rejected the ‘impunity’ aspect. We are confident that parties to the deal will overcome this obstacle and end this horrendous conflict that has raged for over six decades.

The EU-Cuba Political Dialogue, the Panama Papers scandal and the situation of human rights defenders in Central America, especially in Honduras (reflected in an EP resolution), were also addressed during meetings between MEPs and their counterparts.

Phases in the Columbian Peace Process

A central topic at the EU-Chile Delegation concerned the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement. The process is slightly less advanced than its Mexican counterpart, as the scoping exercise in still ongoing.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

The multiparty agreement with Ecuador is scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2017. An EP Delegation, forming part of an EU Election Observation Mission, led by the EPP Members, Luis De Grandes Pascual and Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, observed the Presidential elections in Peru, and stated that the electoral institutions were performing well and enjoyed the credibility of citizens and the political class.

The Mercosur Delegation which met four times in 2016 dedicated special attention to the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement and the situation in Venezuela. Regarding Argentina, after President Macri's election, strong political commitment may be observed. On a less positive note, Venezuela is a matter of great concern for the EPP Group, with the deplorable deterioration in democracy, the rule of law and social crises. The EP adopted a resolution in June.

89 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Asia/Pacific In May, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Delegation visited Thailand. Werner Langen MEP (DE), Chair of the ASEAN Delegation, underlined that fair and free elections are important and a permanent military regime could not be accepted. This will be an obstacle for the adoption of the FTA and the PCA by the European Parliament.

Other subjects centred on the presidential elections in the Philippines and the democratic process in Myanmar. The urgency resolutions related to the Member States of ASEAN - Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Thailand - were subject to an intensive exchange between the ASEAN Delegation and the embassies of the relevant countries in Brussels.

The ASEAN Delegation celebrates the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the 40th anniversary of relations between ASEAN and the EU in 2017.

African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of Sta­tes (ACP) At the 31st session in Namibia, Members of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPC) initiated discussions on the future of ACP-EU relations after the expiry of the Cotonou agreement in 2020.

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Over the last four decades, ACP-EU cooperation developed a strong relationship for mutual benefit. However, while the Cotonou Agreement has undeniably helped to bring about closer political ties between the two parties and has developed cooperation in the fight against poverty, the results may be seen as insufficient and unequal, in particular faced with the political, structural and demographic changes of recent years.

This debate provided an opportunity for the EPP Group to reaffirm its priorities as regards the future EU-ACP partnership, notably on the importance of maintaining the current binding acquis based on three pillars: political dialogue, development cooperation and trade.

Windhoek Dialogue The 2016 meeting of the Windhoek Dialogue marked its 20th anniversary.

The forum was established to enable cooperation between the EPP Group and its African partners and also between the African parties themselves. The meeting was attended by the Members of the EPP Group as well as representatives of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), the EU Delegation in Namibia and representatives from Angola, Namibia, Gabon and the Seychelles. Discussions centred on the state of democracy and rule of law in Africa as well as cooperation between European and African political parties. Participants additionally deliberated on the situation in Gabon ahead of the August presidential elections.

European Values In November, an EPP Group Conference entitled the ‘Abduction of Europe: Then and Now' took place. The event was hosted by Sandra Kalniete MEP (LV), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, responsible for Neighbourhood Policy, Euronest and European Values, with the participation of politicians, experts and historians.

Hungarian Revolution; from the 1968 Prague Spring to Solidarność and the independence movements of the Baltic States in the 1980s.

Reflecting on these extraordinary movements provided a source of inspiration. The host appealed for a strengthening of resilience in the face of hostile ideologies that seek to undermine European values.

Wednesday 19 October 2016, 14.00 - 18.00 hrs Yehudi Menuhin, European Parliament, Brussels

THEN AND NOW Keynote by Jeffrey Gedmin, Georgetown University and Institute for Strategic Dialogue With MEPs Manfred Weber, Sandra Kalniete, Nico Lange, Stephane Courtois, Anthony Kemp-Welch, Zsuzsana Miko, Roland Freudenstein, Alexandr Vondra, Christoph von Marschall, Taja Vovk Van Gaal, Mikulas Dzurinda

Eastern Europe was 'abducted' by totalitarians for most of the last century. Its history during the Cold War was punctuated by protests and resistance to these regimes - from the 1953 uprising in East Germany to the 1956

Source: European External Action Service

91 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

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National Parliaments Service

The Service for Relations with national Parliaments advises the EPP Group and its Members on institutional cooperation and legislative dialogue with national Parliaments, and provides support for developing dialogue with sister parliamentary groups and EPP Group Members.

Among the events the Service organises and the responsibilities it is charged with include: • Summits of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament • Networks of national parliamentarians o Network of EPP Members responsible for European Affairs o Network of Young EPP Members • Bilateral meetings with the Chairmen and Vice-Presidents of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments • Relations with COSAC o Participation in the meetings of Chairpersons o Participation in the plenary meetings o Assistance to the EP Vice-Chair responsible for Relations with national Parliaments and the Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs • Relations with the EPP Parliamentary Group of Assembly of the Council of Europe and the EPP Group of the Committee of the Regions o Common initiatives on common themes

EPP Group Summit and Network The EPP Group organises biannually the Summits of the Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the EP and the meeting of the Network of Members of the European Parliament and national Parliaments on European Affairs from the EPP political family. The Summit and Network meetings are the central contact points with EPP national parliamentarians.

15th Meeting of the European Affairs Network, 15 February 2016 - The latest European Developments in the Fight against Terrorism Focusing on the latest European developments in the fight against terrorism, the keynote speakers, Kristalina Georgieva, Vice-President of the European Commission, Gilles de Kerchove, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol, discussed the main challenges with European and national Members of Parliament.

The changing nature of terrorist threats and Europe’s responsibility to protect citizens from the threat of Islamic terrorism were discussed.

The necessity to finalise the PNR file was resoundingly called for and it was noted that European counter-terrorism intelligence must be improved through concrete steps based on mutual trust and effective laws. Esteban González Pons MEP (ES), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, responsible for the Working Group 'Legal and Home Affairs', insisted that in a changing world with changing terrorist methods our response also needs to change. Vice-President Georgieva focused on the importance of appropriate funding and flexibility in the European Budget to deal with the major challenges that migration and counter-terrorism represent.

• Communication and media relations with regard to the activities of the Service

93 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

EUROPOL: Fighting against Terrorism EUROPOL, as the EU's law enforcement agency, helps member states fight terrorism and international crime. It was given additional powers to help it to tackle terrorism better, under plans approved by MEPs on Wednesday 11 May 2016.

EUROPOL is the EU's law enforcement agency, assisting national authorities by exchanging information, intelligence analyses and threats assessments. It was launched in 1999 and became an EU agency in 2010.

The agency deals with terrorism and international crime such as cybercrime, drug smuggling and people trafficking and carries out more than 18,000 international investigations a year. However, it does not have any powers to arrest suspects or carry out investigations in member states.

EUROPOL, which boasts 900 staff members, has its headquarters in The Hague in the Netherlands.

New powers MEPs approved on 11 May new powers for Europol. These will allow the agency to set up specialised units more easily so that it can respond faster to emerging threats.

They also set clear rules for centres, such as the European Counter Terrorism Centre that started on 1 January 2016. In some cases EURPOL will also be able to exchange information with private companies. For example, EURPOL would be able to ask Facebook to remove pages run by Islamic State.

These new powers will be accompanied by strong data protection safeguards and democratic oversight rules.

The regulation will enter into force on 1 May 2017.

Source: European Parliament

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23rd Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament, Brussels, 20 June 2016 - The Global Terrorism Threat and the Challenges for EU Internal Security and External Borders EPP leaders at European and national level addressed the global terrorism threat and the challenges for EU internal security and external borders. The meeting focused on the concrete measures necessary to strengthen Europe’s anti-terrorism response. These included the intensification of data exchange between countries, more coherence between foreign and internal security policies and strengthening Europe’s external borders. The massive inflow of refugees has also increased the need for more cooperation. Europe needs a common asylum policy to better protect ourselves against possible dangers and protect the refugees that really seek our help and protection.

23Summit of Chairmen

of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments in the EU and in the European Parliament

The Italian Minister of the Interior, Angelino Alfano, appealed for a holistic migration policy to demonstrate European effectiveness: “Once external borders are effectively guarded, hotspots are allocated, and relocation is carried out as promised, all our energy needs to be focused on agreeing with third countries that they take back migrants who do not have any asylum prospects on our continent. Returning migrants should now be our principle priority.”

Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management spoke about the greater external threats and challenges that we are facing, and described the painful reality of the refugee crisis in the Middle East: The Commissioner insisted that we cannot leave Greece to manage the consequences alone.

Belgium's Minister of Justice, Koen Geens, stressed the importance of learning from the multiple crises that Europe is currently facing, underlying that these problems would have been worse if faced individually. Europe should not be something abstract, to be blamed for all wrongdoings and national sovereignty is not always the solution of the problem. Elements in the fight against terrorism such as the interoperability of data basis, so necessary with regards to, for instance, the Schengen information system and the full exchange of judicial information, were explained.

Other topics on the agenda were the EU referendum in the UK, and the presentation of an Erasmus Programme for young members of national Parliaments by Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP (BE), Coordinator of the EPP YMN.

Monday 20 June 2016 from 11.00 to 18.00hrs Room PHS P6 B001, European Parliament, Brussels

95 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

24th Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament, Brussels, 7 November 2016 Leaders of EPP parliamentary groups in national Parliaments and the EP discussed the future of Europe. Former President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, Spanish Government Spokesperson and Minister for Education, Culture and Sport, IĂąigo MĂŠndez de Vigo, European Commission Vice-Presidents Kristalina Georgieva and Jyrki Katainen, debated the major challenges facing the EP. Modernising national economies on a sustainable basis, safeguarding trade policies against populist critique, reinforcing human capital as a central pillar of the European model, defending representative democracy and EU fundamental values were topics that emerged. Major projects such as the Digital Single Market, the Energy Market Union, and the Capital Markets Union are essential initiatives that will reshape the internal market in Europe.

Source: European Council

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European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker presided over a working session and highlighted the importance of solidarity in the framework of migration as well as the importance of innovation and competitiveness as a prerequisite for growth and jobs. The relations between national Parliaments and the EP have to be strengthened and time taken to discuss the fundamentals and basic values of the European Union. President Juncker stressed the importance of getting closer to the national constituencies. To achieve this, Commissioners have travelled extensively to Member States and have attended over 300 meetings with national Parliaments. Around 100 citizens’ dialogues have been organised, involving around 27,000 citizens. He concluded that Member States should also make an effort to come closer to the EU.

In the afternoon session David McAllister MEP (DE), Chair of the EPP UK Advisory Group, focused on the procedural provisions related to Article 50 TEU and Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Member of Parliament for NE Bedfordshire, presented the latest institutional developments in the aftermath of the referendum.

Tour of Capitals In an attempt to personally meet all the chairs of parliamentary groups of EU national Parliaments, Esther de Lange MEP (NL), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, responsible for Relations with National Parliaments, visited a number of capitals aiming to strengthen cooperation and institutional ties: Vilnius, September 2016: meeting with the Chair of the Homeland Union Parliamentary Group, Andrius Kubilius.

Bucharest, September 2016: meeting with the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs in the Senate, Anca Boagiu, and with the Vice-Chair of the PNL in the Senate, Mariana Câmpeanu, as well as with representatives of the UDMR Parliamentary Group in the Senate, MPs Rozália Biró and Attila Korodi.

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of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments in the EU and in the European Parliament

Monday 7 November 2016 from 11.00 to 18.00hrs Room PHS P6 B001, European Parliament, Brussels

97 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

EPP Young Members Network (YMN) Activities

Timeline: Towards the UK’s in-out Referendum on EU Membership

The Young Members Network (YMN) was active in 2016 with various high quality events and programmes.

A hearing on Brexit took place on 29 February Chaired by Esther de Lange ME (NL), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, responsible for Relations with National Parliaments, Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, responsible for the European Ideas Network and Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP (BE), EPP Young Members Network Coordinator.

Speakers explored the possible outcome of the Brexit referendum in the panel ‘EU response to the question posed by the UK referendum’.

The second part of the meeting included an exchange of views entitled 'Brexit - An Academic Approach' Chaired by Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), ViceChair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, responsible for the European Ideas Network.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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EPP Sessions - Young Members Network meet in Nice, 31 May-1 June The YMN organised a meeting in Nice on innovative start-ups with the participation of young entrepreneurs from the Nice region. The meeting took place in parallel with the EPP Study days: twelve MPs from seven Member States participated - Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia. Six young EPP Group MEPs also took part.

Young Members on Future of Europe and TTIP

a young MEP colleague in his or her work. Nine MPs participated in this programme before the end of 2016, during six different weeks, comprising group, committee and mini plenary weeks. Participant MPs from Belgium, Ireland, Greece, Poland and Slovenia were welcomed.

All gave very positive feedback and found this programme very useful.

This has given the EPP Group the incentive to continue the programme in 2017. Learning from experiences, we propose to use political group weeks and mini plenary weeks in 2017 to receive young MPs within the framework of this programme. Thus, participants will be able to focus more on political decision-making in the EPP Group.

28 April: Franck Debie from DG Presidency delivered a presen­­tation entitled 'Global Trends to 2030: Can the EU meet the challenges ahead?'

10 May: an event took place to gather input for the prospective EPP Group publication on the ‘Future of Europe’.

6 July: a working breakfast was organised to provide further input for the prospective EPP Group publication on the ‘Future of Europe’, with the participation of Christian Mangold, Head of Cabinet of the EP Secretary-General.

13 October: a meeting on TTIP whereby participants explored the future prospects of an EU-US Trade Agreement in the context of the global economy.

Young MP Erasmus programme Would you like to gain an insider view on the workings of the European Parliament?

Would you like to get to know your European counterparts better?

Extend your European political network?

Experience for yourself how legislation is drafted before it reaches the national Parliaments?

Would you like to share your experience and the issues that concern you with your European colleagues?

Then the EPP Young MP Erasmus Programme is just the thing for you!

The EPP Young Members Network (YMN) organises a one week exchange programme for young MPs who are members of an EPP sister-party from a national Parliament. It is a unique experience that helps reinforce the links between Members of national Parliaments and Members of the European Parliament.

How does it work?

You are invited to move to Brussels for one week. There you will follow a young MEP colleague in his/her work, gain an in-depth understanding of European dossiers that match the topics you are working on, meet with influencers, decision-makers, voters and journalists and participate in any meetings that are relevant to your work.

The EPP Group’s Young Members Network will cover your accommodation and travel costs.

The dates available are:

EPP Group Young MP Erasmus Programme The EPP Group Young MP Erasmus Programme began towards the end of September 2016, offering young MPs from EPP sister-parties across the EU the opportunity to gain an insider view of the workings of the EP. Participants were invited to Brussels for one week, where they followed

July:

Read more about us: http://bit.ly/24ELEni

#UpToUs

What is it?

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5-8, 26-29

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10-13, 17-20

November:

7-10, 14-17, 28-01

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5-8

How to apply?

Just send us an e-mail: epp-youngmembers@europarl.europa.eu indicating the week of your choice and we’ll get in touch with you.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP (BE) Coordinator of the EPP Young Members Network

Further Reading: EPP Group: Young MP Erasmus programme Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

99 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

9th Annual Meeting of the EPP Young Members Network, Brussels, 10-11 November 2016 Young MPs from EPP parliamentary groups in national Parliaments and young politicians from the YEPP came together at the 9th Annual Meeting of the EPP Young Members Network (Brussels, 10-11 November 2016) organised by Esther de Lange MEP (NL), EPP Group Vice-Chair, responsible for Relations with National Parliaments, and Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP (BE), EPP Young Members Network Coordinator.

9th Annual Meeting of the

EPP Young Members Network

The EPP Group welcomed national MPs from across Europe for joint debates on the role of national Parliaments in the European Semester, the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union and the role of the EU Budget in the economic governance framework of the EU. The EPP Family meeting was Co-Chaired by Esther de Lange MEP (NL), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, responsible for relations with national Parliaments and Pieter Omtzigt, Member of the Tweede Kamer for the CDA in the Netherlands.

The European Semester Conference included two plenary sessions and three parallel interparliamentary committee meetings. Debates took place on the recently proposed changes to the European Semester process and on best practices in implementing the Semester cycles.

Strengthening cooperation to scrutinise the actions of the executive at national and European levels within the framework of the European Semester cycle was also discussed.

TO CHANGE EUROPE 10-11 November 2016 European Parliament, Brussels

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The EPP and Interparliamentary Cooperation in the EU European Parliamentary Week on the European Semester, 15-17 February 2016

PITCH WITH PRESIDENT JUNCKER

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The two-day event included presentations on EU foreign policy and on jobs, research and innovation. The main event was a ’pitch’ by EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker: participants were able to express their vision on today’s European Union and propose solutions for the future. Proposals included calls for a more European social dimension, as well as a curb on illegal immigration and the need to combat growing populism and extremism. Proposals on how to bring the EU closer to European citizens were also presented.

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The European Semester: who does what?

The European Semester is a cycle of economic and fiscal policy coordination within the EU. It is part of the European Union's economic governance framework. Its focus is on the 6-month period from the beginning of each year, hence its name - the 'semester'.

During the European Semester the member states align their budgetary and economic policies with the objectives and rules agreed at the EU level.

Why was the European Semester created?

The recent economic crisis demonstrated a need for stronger economic governance and better policy coordination between the EU Member States. In a Union of highly integrated economies, enhanced policy coordination can help prevent discrepancies and contribute to ensuring convergence and stability in the EU as a whole, and in its Member States. The economic policy coordination procedures that existed until 2010 were carried out independently of each other. The Member States therefore saw the need to synchronize the timetables of these procedures in order to streamline the process and to better align the goals of national budgetary, growth and employment policies, while taking into account the objectives they have set at the EU level.

Furthermore, there was a need to extend the areas of surveillance and coordination to broader macroeconomic policies.

For these reasons and as a part of a wider reform of the EU economic governance, the European Council decided to establish the European Semester in 2010. The legal basis for the process is the so-called 'six-pack' - 6 legislative acts that reformed the Stability and Growth Pact. The first European Semester cycle took place in 2011.

What policies are coordinated during the European Semester?

The European Semester covers 3 blocks of economic policy coordination: - structural reforms, focusing on promoting growth and employment in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy - fiscal policies, in order to ensure sustainability of public finances in line with the Stability and Growth Pact - prevention of excessive macroeconomic imbalances

Source: European Council 101 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Publications The Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union (IPC SECG) took place on 17 February, and was co-hosted and Co-Presided by the European Parliament and the Dutch Parliament. Debates centred on implementing the provisions of the Treaty - in order to strengthen cooperation between national Parliaments and the EP - contributing to ensure democratic accountability in the area of economic governance and budgetary policy in the EU, particularly in the EMU. Together with their counterparts in national Parliaments, a number of committees in the EP organised Interparliamentary Committee meetings. In 2016, among the subjects addressed were the parliamentary scrutiny of EUROPOL, the anti-tax avoidance package, the state of play regarding the CFSP, rules on the Posting of Workers, the role of cultural and creative sectors in the EU, and EP right of inquiry.

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Two brochures were published on the Summits of the Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups, as well as six separate newsletters relating to the general activities of the Service and the EPP Young Members Network.

These publications were sent out to all Members of the EPP Group and national Parliaments. Corroborated with online activity, these instruments help the Service reach in a timely and informative manner a wide array of interested parties at EU and national level on key policy issues, instructive debates and main topics addressed by leading EPP Group MEPs.

Relations with National Parliaments Newsletters 2016

Newsletter Relations with National Parliaments

Newsletter

March 2016 - N° 43

Relations with National Parliaments

oUs UpT

Terrorism: Europe needs unity more than it needs money Focusing on the latest European developments in the fight against terrorism, the European Affairs Network meeting which was held on 15 February 2016, in the European Parliament, Brussels, gathered a large number of members of parliament from the capitals of Europe and the European Parliament itself. During the intense debates the changing nature of terrorist threats and Europe’s responsibility to react to protect citizens from the medieval threat of Islamic terrorism were discussed. Among the issues highlighted, the necessity to finalize the PNR file was resoundingly called for. Exceptional contributions were given by the guest speakers including Kristalina Georgieva, VicePresident of the European Commission responsible for Budget and Human resources, Gilles de Kerchove, EU

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• Terrorism: Europe needs unity more than it needs money • The UK referendum: there is no way back • EPP Group calls for responsibility and solidarity in the EU

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The Future of Europe. Consultation with Young Members

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Fighting tax multinationals

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The Future Financing of the European Union: the road ahead

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European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2016 priorities

23rd Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments and the European Parliament

September 2016 - N° 46

In times when Member States and the EU are so often juxtaposed and pursuing different interests, the EPP Young Member’s Network (YMN), under the leadership of Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP, is taking action to bring national and European politicians closer together. The Young MP Erasmus Programme offers young MPs from EPP sister-parties across the EU the opportunity to gain an insider view of the workings of the European Parliament. Participants are invited to the European Parliament, Brussels, for one week, where they follow a young MEP colleague in his or her work. As such, they are able to gain an indepth understanding of European decision-making, meet with people of influence, decision-makers, voters and journalists, and participate in any meetings that are relevant to their work.

All available places for 2016 have been filled and the dates for 2017 will be made available soon.

Please see below the testimonials of the first two young Members of Parliament who participated in the programme.

Relations with National Parliaments - Newsletter N°46 - 1

An holistic migration policy The Italian Minister of the Interior, Angelino ALFANO, appealed to his colleagues for an holistic migration policy to demonstrate European effectiveness. “Once external borders are effectively guarded, hotspots are allocated, and relocation is carried out as promised, all our energy needs to be focused on agreeing with third countries that they take back migrants who do

SUMMARY •

A message on the European migration policy and the British referendum by the EPP Chairmen of parliamentary groups

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The Future of Europe. Perspectives and initiatives by young politicians

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Europe’s defence, security and foreign dimension.

Strategic actions and synergies

Chairman Manfred Weber and YMN Coordinator Tom Vandenkendelaere with Lara Comi MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, Elisabeth Köstinger MEP, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and Tomáš Zdechovský MEP, Member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

An Exchange of best practices and debates on rule of law and migration at the COSAC meeting in The Hague

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EU and national politics go hand-inhand: Erasmus for young politicians

Relations with National Parliaments - Newsletter N°44 - 1

The Young MP Erasmus Programme: National and European politicians closer together

The Young MP Erasmus Programme: National and European politicians closer together

Europe is not an abstract concept, we are Europe and cross-border problems such as migration and the fight against terrorism would be much more difficult to manage without European cooperation. This was the key message of the participants at the 23rd Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments and in the European Parliament, which took place on 20 June 2016.

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Newsletter

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A message on the European migration policy and the British referendum by the EPP Chairmen of parliamentary groups

SUMMARY

avoidance

July 2016 - N° 45

On 28 April 2016, the EPP Young Members Network organised a meeting in Brussels to mark the launch of a widespread consultation with its members on their input to the upcoming EPP Group Bureau meeting in Nice (1-3 June, 2016). At this meeting there was a lively exchange on the future challenges of young people in Europe and how the EPP group should connect with them and their issues.

Manfred Weber MEP (DE), EPP Group Chairman began the meeting by opening discussions on the future of Europe. “We cannot work as if it is business as usual in Europe”, stated Chairman Weber. “The EPP Group needs to connect with the big questions of today, such

l-r: Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol; Esther de Lange MEP, Vice-Chairwoman responsible for relations with national Parliaments; Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza, Head of the EPP Service for Relations with National Parliaments; and Gilles de Kerchove, EU CounterTerrorism Coordinator

SUMMARY

Relations with National Parliaments

The Future of Europe. Consultation with Young Members

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• The EPP focused on parliamentary scrutiny of Europol and migration at the Hague COSAC Chairpersons Meeting

Relations with National Parliaments

Newsletter

May 2016 - N° 44

Angelino Alfano, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers, Minister of the Interior, Italy

Relations with National Parliaments - Newsletter N°45 - 1

Newsletter Relations with National Parliaments

October 2016 - N° 47

Many new visiting MP’s in 2017 with the Young MP Erasmus Programme

SUMMARY •

Many new visiting MP’s in 2017 with the Young MP Erasmus Programme

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Potential contributions to growth and jobs by cultural and creative industries

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Posting of Workers Directive: perspectives from the Commission, European and national Parliaments

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Newsletter Relations with National Parliaments

The Young MP Erasmus You ng programme offers young Era MP sm us MPs from EPP sisterPro gra parties across the EU the mm Chec e opportunity to gain an k th e ne w da inside view of the workings tes for 2017 of the European Parliament.

Participants are invited to the European Parliament, Brussels, for one week where they follow a young MEP colleague in his or her work. By the end of 2016, about a dozen MPs will participate in the programme and many more are expected in 2017.

The new dates for 2017 are available now!

The limits of the Economic and Monetary Union and proposals for more resilient EU economies

Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP, Coordinator of the EPP Young Members Network and Esther de Lange MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, responsible for relations national Parliaments

The idea behind the Young Members Erasmus programme is to provide the opportunity to gain indepth understanding of European decision-making, meet with influencers, decision-makers, voters and journalists, and participate in any meetings that are relevant to their work. It is a truly unique experience, which will reinforce the links between Members of national Parliaments and Members of the European Parliament. Vice-chairman of the EPP Group responsible for relations with national Parliaments, Esther de Lange MEP, and the coordinator for the Young Members network, Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP, look forward to welcoming many new visiting MP’s in 2017. For more information please send an email to: epp-youngmembers@europarl.europa.eu

Relations with National Parliaments - Newsletter N°47 - 1

December 2016 - N° 48

Future of Europe: provide answers or lose the trust of voters SUMMARY •

Future of Europe: provide answers or lose the trust of voters

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Young members: Innovation and defence for a strong Europe

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National Parliaments and a public reasoned debate on TTIP

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State of Play of the Common Foreign and Security Policy

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Combating complexity and fraud with European funds

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Stronger Europol at the heart of a safer Europe

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Crisis of EU legitimacy national and European problem

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MP’s get involved in the EPP group

EPP-affiliated group leaders met on 7 November, 2016, in the framework of the 24th Summit of Chairmen of Parliamentary Groups in National Parliaments and the European Parliament, to discuss the “future of Europe”. Just before the U.S. elections, it was clear that traditional parties need to listen better to the concerns of citizens and provide concrete answers that reach the hearts and minds of Europe’s citizens.

No more business as usual Esther de Lange MEP (NL), EPP Group Vice-Chair responsible for national Parliaments and Chair of the debates, insisted that, after Brexit, business as usual is

Hans Peter Friedrich MP, Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Paulo Rangel MEP, EPP Group ViceChairman, Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza, Head of the EPP Group Service for Relations with National Parliaments, Esther de Lange MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, and Antonio López-Istúriz White MEP, EPP Secretary-General

Relations with National Parliaments - Newsletter N°48 - 1

Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/national-parliaments

103 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Mediterranean Policy and Intercultural Activities Service 01

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Mediterranean Policy and Intercultural Activities Service

Mediterranean Policy The EPP Group considers the development of an advanced Neighbourhood Policy fundamental as it contributes to a better understanding between the EU and its Mediterranean partners. The EPP Group promotes numerous initiatives to this end.

2016 witnessed a deepening of the Syrian crisis, new terrorist threats in the Middle East and beyond, and the continuous flow of migrants to the European mainland. Relations between Russia and the West additionally became frayed.

The European Neighbourhood

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

105 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

The EPP Group tackled the situation in the Middle East through many political and legislative initiatives. Meetings with Middle East representatives provided an opportunity to discuss common challenges, including the management of migrant flows - particularly emergency situations arising from political instability - armed conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, the stabilisation of democratic regimes and countering youth unemployment.

Migratory Routes and EU Readmission Agreements in Force

The acute refugee crisis has changed the strategic priorities of the European Union and the EPP Group adapted its strategy in order to face these challenging political circumstances. Stability in neighboring countries is of a great importance for the EU; for that reason the EPP Group will continue to emphasise political dialogue. No progress can be achieved in a climate of military conflict, violence and intolerance.

The EPP Group continued to consolidate its political network and extend its influence in countries embracing democratic transition - as an alternative to the old ‘Socialist International’ - given that it is perceived as a strong political force. The EPP Group also offers cooperation based on true values and shared objectives. The EPP Group will continue to give its support to the EPP in developing a political party network within the PA-UfM and to establish itself as a credible partner with real plans for the Euromed region.

The EPP Group has developed its Euromed work and strategy in three different frames: the EPP Group Working Group Euromed, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) and Political Activities.

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Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

EPP Group Working Group on Mediterranean Affairs (Euromed) The EPP Group Euromed Working Group met monthly in Brussels under Mariya Gabriel MEP (BG), EPP Group Vice-Chair in the European Parliament, responsible for Mediterranean Policy and Euromed. The attendees included relevant Parliamentary Committee Members and Members from Delegations working on Mediterranean Policy and Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM).

EUROMED WORKING GROUP

Cementing the GCC-European Partnership in Light of Regional and International Shifts Mariya Gabriel MEP

Chairwoman of the EPP Euromed Working Group, EPP Group Vice-Chair Panelists:

Dr. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President of the Emirates Policy Centre Antonio López-Istúriz White, President of the European Union-United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group and EPP Secretary General Florence Gaub, Senior Analyst on the MENA, Security Sector reform and the Arab world, European Union Institute for Security Studies Ambassador Delphine Borione, Deputy Secretary-General, Union for the Mediterranean

Tuesday 1st March 2016 - 09.00-10.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 - European Parliament - Brussels

The Working Group dealt with the implementation of EPP Group strategy regarding the Mediterranean, the following-up of all legislative events concerning the Mediterranean region and the strengthening of networks to enhance Mediterranean Policy. Meetings were held with third country personalities, international organisations and the EU Institutions in order to exchange views and find common cooperation links. In particular, meetings were regularly held with Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

In June and July 2016, Mariya Gabriel MEP (BG), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, responsible for Mediterranean Policy and Euromed, presented an EPP Group Strategy Document for the Mediterranean Region, outlining EPP Group commitment in developing a strategy to: • • • • •

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Promote intelligent and coordinated migrant flow management; Introduce measures to combat terrorism and religious radicalisation; Encourage a peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region; Support authentically democratic efforts; Develop wide trade in the Mediterranean and boost free trade agreements; Adopt a joint approach to energy challenges.

107 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

In September 2016, the EPP Group adopted its Position Paper on the Mediterranean.

Migration routes towards Europe, main countries of origin and detention centres

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on the Mediterranean Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis (’Madad Fund’) (EUTF for Syria)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

109 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) The EPP Group is a leading European parliamentary force in the PA-UfM. The EPP Group has a long-term vision and believes that the PA-UfM must become more than a consultative body. In order to strengthen the role of the PA-UfM, the EPP Group works for new competences for the PA-UfM within the Union for the Mediterranean, with mandatory instead of consultative consultation. The EPP Group also believes that the PA-UfM should be organised by political groups - as is the case in the EP - instead of having rigid separation among continents and among countries.

In 2016, the PA-UfM held meetings of five parliamentary committees and the Plenary Assembly in Tangers (Morocco) on 28-29 May 2016.

• EPP Group Working Group Euromed hosted representatives from the Centre for Integration in the Mediterranean (CMI). A series of debates on ‘Economic Transitions in the Mediterranean’ served to enforce EU consultation on a new Neighbourhood Policy, Brussels, 6 September • Third High-Level Conference on the Union for the Mediterranean on ‘Empowering Women: Driving for Development and Stability’, Brussels, 10 October • EPP Group Working Group Euromed on ‘How to Counter Islamic Radicalisation in Europe and the Mediterranean Region’, Brussels, 18 October • The EPP Group hosted a conference entitled ‘A European Strategy for the Stabilisation of Libya', Brussels, 15 November

Political Activities Conferences, Seminars, Meetings • Meeting with the ‘Libyan Minorities’, Strasbourg, 8 June • Working session on ‘The Role of Women in Democracy Building and Socio-economic Development in Mediterranean Region’, in the framework of the EIN, Brussels, 21 June • Working session on ‘The Mediterranean - Geopolitics and European integration: Challenges and opportunities’, in the framework of the EIN, Split, 29 June • Traditional EPP Group Working Breakfast with the Ambassadors of the Countries of the Mediterranean. Special attention was given to the war in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the migration issue, Brussels, 6 September

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Tuesday 15 November 2016 from 14.30 -17.00 hrs Room 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

A European strategy for the stabilisation of Libya Supporting the inclusion of local actors Chaired by MEP Mariya Gabriel, Vice-President of the EPP Group with representatives of the Tuareg, Tebu and Amazigh communities

MEP Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee MEP Roberta Metsola, EPP Group Vice-Coordinator for the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee MEP Michael Gahler, Chairman of the delegation for the relations with the Pan African Parliament Eric Blanchot, Director of Operations, Promediation Martin Griffiths, Executive Director, European Institute of Peace

Fact Finding Missions and Political Visits

EU Mediterranean Operations: 2016

• EPP Group Delegation visit to the Union for the Mediterranean Headquarters, Barcelona, 11 March • EPP Group Delegation visit to Lebanon for an exchange of views on the political situation in Lebanon, the situation in the refugee camps, the conflict in the Middle East and relations with the EU, 29-31 March • EPP Group Delegation visit to Egypt where it stressed its engagement to building strong cooperation between the EU and Egypt, 30 October-3 November

Source: European Council

111 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Daily global events continuously highlight the fundamental importance of churches and religious communities in resolving conflict and promoting social peace both on a regional and local level. Religious institutions in many ways help create, communicate and protect societal values. By doing so, they exert a significant amount of direct and indirect influence on society. Churches do not operate by themselves but through the people who belong to them. So when we speak about churches, we are not speaking only about institutions, but also about hundreds of millions of people around the world who are believers.

It is important for the EPP Group (Christian-Democrats) to keep contact with the representatives of various religious groups while mutually acknowledging the independence of each other. The EPP Group is the only Group in the European Parliament with a long-standing dialogue with monotheistic religions such as the Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Islam and Jewish faiths.

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In contemporary European and global politics, there are numerous problems that can only be solved by broad social cooperation. The financial crisis, the ever-increasing social tensions and issues related to migration are all global challenges that we are faced with today. It is important for the EPP Group to have knowledge about the thoughts and activities of various religious organisations relating to these issues.

Freedom of religion is a basic right. Whether it is speaking against the mass persecution of Christians in the Arab Spring countries, or about helping the increasing numbers of Islamic communities relocating to Europe find their place in the scheme of European principles and values, the EPP Group believes that it is its duty to defend the right to freedom of religion, to openly discuss these issues, bring them closer to the public eye and into the mainstream of European debates. We can only live up to this enormous challenge if we seek opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with the religious communities involved.

Our activities Our events provide for interaction at the highest possible level between religious authorities and politicians. We aim to spread information about EPP Group policy initiatives; represent the religious and cultural aspects regarding a number of policy areas; contribute to an attractive vision of modern Christian Democracy in Europe; reinforce non-negotiable European fundamental values; and promote a model of society that strengthens cohesion and the peaceful coexistence of cultures.

We organise a wide range of events on a regular basis: • • • • •

EPP Group Annual Dialogue with Religions and Cultures; Monthly Working Group meetings; Thematic Working Breakfasts with Ambassadors of Muslim Countries; Visits of religious leaders from the Middle East, Africa and Asia; Conferences on current affairs related to religion (Religious radicalisation, Persecution of religious minorities); • Exhibitions on Intercultural relations; • Seminars on relevant topics with the participation of experts from the EU and non-EU countries.

In 2016, many religious leaders from European and non-EU countries (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, and Pakistan) met with the EPP Group Members, including Manfred Weber MEP (DE), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and György Hölvényi MEP (HU) and Jan Olbrycht MEP (PL), Co-Chairs of the EPP Group Working Group on

Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue and Antonio Tajani MEP (IT), Vice-President of the European Parliament, responsible for Intercultural Dialogue. Discussions, both in the EP and abroad, were primarily focused on ‘religion and politics’ and the international political agenda, with government representatives and representatives from Christian, Islamic and Judaism faiths.

The most relevant issues in 2016 were based on the worldwide influence of religion on the political and social spheres. Religion is more important globally than at any time in the last 20 years. It is no longer possible to view religion as something of only private relevance, largely unconnected to broader political and security issues.

In contemporary European and global politics, there are numerous major problems that can only be solved by broad social cooperation.

The economic crisis, ever-increasing social tension and issues related to migration are global challenges that the EU faces today. There is also an increase of anti-religious incidents that target all three monotheistic religions in Europe.

For these reasons the EPP Group increased its initiatives and activities to improve discussions with churches and religious organisations.

113 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Political Initiatives In 2016, the EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue developed concrete political actions, which served to strengthen links with political and religious representatives, with civil society and other relevant personalities from the cultural, economic or university field.

Events included: • EPP Group Conference on ‘Interreligious Dialogue: the Tool for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation. The Albanian Case’, Brussels, 26 January

• Visit of the Lebanese Maronite Cardinal Patriarch Bechara Boutrous Rai, 77th Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, and Head of the Maronite Church, Brussels, 26-28 April

Conference on

Interreligious Dialogue: the tool for conflict Resolution & Reconciliation

The Albanian case

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Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rahi, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, and head of the Maronite Church

Organised by György Hölvényi MEP, Co-Chairmen of the WG on Intercultural Dialogue Antonio Tajani MEP, First Vice-President of the EP Mairead McGuinness MEP, Vice-President of the EP with High Level Speakers from Tirana

Hosted by MEPs Jan Olbrycht and György Hölvényi, Co-Chairmen of the Working Groupon Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the EPP Group

Tuesday, 26 January 2016 from 09.30 to 12.30 hrs Room ASP 3E2, European Parliament, Brussels

Interpretation: DE EN FR IT HU PL

Interpretation:

DE EN FR HU IT PL

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Wednesday 27 April 2016 from 16.30-18.30 hrs

Room ASP 3E2, Consequences of the European conflicts in the Middle-East Parliament, Brussels on the Christians and their future

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• EPP Group Conference on ‘Religious Radicalisation: The Case of Boko Haram and Terrorism in Nigeria’, Brussels, 3 May

• EPP Group Conference on ‘The Alarming Situation and Persecution of Aramean Christians’, Brussels, 25 May

Conference on the Tuesday 3 May 2016 from 14.30 to 18.00 hrs Room ASP 3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

Conference on Religious radicalisation

The case of Boko Haram and Terrorism in Nigeria

Opening by Joachim Zeller MEP Hosted by MEPs Jan Olbrycht and György Hölvényi Co-Chairmen of the WG on Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the EPP Group

Wednesday 25 May 2016

16.30-18.30 hrs alarming situation Room ASP3E-2 European Parliament and persecution Brussels of Aramean Christians

Welcome by MEPs Annie Schreijer-Pierik György Hölvényi and Jan Olbrycht, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the EPP Group

Testimonies of two Aramean among them ISIS-exiled Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Mosul, His Excellency Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf

Interpretation: DE EN FR IT NL

• EPP Group Conference and exhibition on the ‘Croatian Martyr Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac’ open to the public at the European Parliament, Brussels, 14-15 June • XVI Krakow International Conference on ‘Does Solidarity challenge Europe?’, Krakow, 21-22 September • 19th Annual EPP Group Interreligious Dialogue on ‘Building up Peace and Security for Europe and all its Neighbours’, Venice, 19-21 October

115 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Intercultural and Interreligious Working Group Meetings The EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogues was Co-Chaired by György Hölvényi MEP (HU) and Jan Olbrycht MEP (PL). Monthly meetings were held during the plenary in Strasbourg.

The meetings provided EPP Group Members with the opportunity for an exchange of views with several high representatives from churches, religious communities, NGO’s and politicians. These included: • Working Group meeting with Marcela Szymanski, EU Liaison Officer of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Strasbourg, 8 March • Working Group meeting with H.E. Rami Mortada, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Mission of the Lebanese Republic to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, for an exchange of views of the conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Strasbourg, 12 April • Working Group meeting with Willy Fautré, Executive Director of Human Rights without Borders, for a presentation and exchange of views on the Annual Report 2015 on the Freedom of Religion, Strasbourg, 10 May • Working Group meeting with Professor Cécile Renouard, ESSEC Business School Paris, Institut de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement sur la Négociation en Europe (IRENE) and Centre Sèvres in Paris, on the ‘Challenges to Companies in the Implementation of Social Justice and Ecological Justice Requirements’ (Building on Pope Francis' Laudato si' Encyclical), Strasbourg, 7 June

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• Working Group meeting with a presentation by Reverend Baudoin Roger, Chaplain in the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris and Co-Director of Research in the ‘Département Économie, Homme, Société’ in the Collège des Bernardins, for a discussion on ‘How to Foster Dialogue in Secular Society: the Model of the Collège des Bernardins' in Paris, Strasbourg, 5 July • Working Group meeting with H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, Strasbourg, 12 September • Working Group meeting with Father Henri Boulad, former President of Caritas Middle East and former Director of the Jesuit Schools of Egypt, for a discussion of the situation of Christians in the Middle East, Strasbourg, 24 November

Working Breakfasts A series of working breakfasts were hosted by György Hölvényi MEP (HU) and Jan Olbrycht MEP (PL), Co-Chairs of the EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue. Participants included Antonio Tajani, MEP (IT), Vice-President of the European Parliament, responsible for Intercultural Dialogue and a host of EPP Group MEPs. • Meeting with Indonesian Ambassador Yuri Octavian Thamrin and Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Nafisah Mohamed, Brussels, 06 April • Meeting with OIC Member State representatives from the East and the Horn of Africa, for a discussion on regional humanitarian crises, Brussels, 31 May

• Meeting on development and religion with the participation of Ján Figeľ, EC Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU, Martin Mauthe-Kaeter, Deputy Head of Policy Division at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Michael Hansmann, Expert, "Brot für die Welt" Organisation and Marcela Szymanski, Head of the EU office ‘Aide to the Church in Need’, Brussels, 22 June

Intercultural Dialogue Newsletter

• Meeting with OIC Member State representatives from Benin, Cameroon, Comoros, Gabon, the Maldives and Mozambique for an exchange of views on the latest political and social developments, Brussels, 28 September • Meeting with Patriarchs from Syria for a discussion on the current situation in Syria, Brussels, 12 October • Meeting with OIC Member States Representatives from the Arab Peninsula for an exchange of views on the latest political and social developments, Brussels, 24 November

Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/intercultural-dialogue

117 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

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Press and Communications Service

Delivering news to European Citizens The Press and Communications Service ensures the dissemination to the media and the general public of EPP Group political priorities using the most advanced communication techniques.

The Service includes a team of press officers and press assistants who communicate in the 24 official EU languages, an Internet and Social Media team, EPP TV and a Publications team.

The Press and Communications Service also manages a number of programmes aimed to facilitate MEPs' communications, such as the "Meet your MEP" Programme, media training and social media support, newsletters, activity reports and communication projects for national delegations on EPP Group political priorities.

The following provides an example of two EPP Group joint communications campaigns and presents and overview of the work carried out by the Press and Communications Service’s different units in 2016.

119 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Joint communication campaign: 1 Adoption of the EU Passenger Name Record (PNR)

Most Important Issues for EU Citizens

Adopted on 4 April 2016, the EU PNR Directive will oblige airlines to hand EU countries their passengers' data in order to help the authorities to fight terrorism and serious crime.

As the safety and protection of citizens is paramount, the EPP Group pushed from the beginning of 2016 for the adoption of legislation which had been blocked because of a power game by Left-wing Groups. A joint media campaign across all relevant communication channels actively engaged citizens on this subject and fostered interest and involvement.

Through its campaign, the EPP Group made clear its commitment to fight against terrorism. The adoption of the PNR legislation represented a clear success for the EPP Group and demonstrated the effectiveness of a comprehensive media campaign.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Joint communication campaign: 2

#DiscoverEU

#DiscoverEU: EPP Group launches campaign for 18th-birthday free Interrail ticket On 7 December, the EPP Group launched a campaign to gather support for the initiative of a free Interrail ticket for every European on their 18th birthday, with the aim of strengthening the European identity of young people.

The joint EPP Group communications campaign was promoted on social media and supported through EPP Group press releases and news stories.

As Manfred Weber MEP (DE), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and chief instigator of the initiative points out, there is more to the proposal than free train tickets. It is an investment in young people and in Europe’s future. It reinforces the main aim of the European Union: to bring people together. We want young Europeans to discover the EU is also about emotions, not just politics. We want to give them a taste of what it feels like, not only to be Slovak, German or Greek, but also European. And what better way than by taking the train?

The European Parliament has called for a specific budget to cover the free ticket programme and the European Commission is eager to explore the idea further. Naturally we are seeing enormous support for our initiative from youth organisations all around Europe.

The EPP Group believes that a free Interrail ticket could help hundreds of thousands of young Europeans fulfil aspirations that are beyond their means. And funding travel costs is just the start. Regions and cities could follow up by welcoming young Interrailers with languagelearning, cultural and social activities, or even targeted assistance for accommodation. The possibilities are endless.

Find out more on our campaign site at: http://www.youdiscover.eu

"It is so important to get familiar with your neighbours, to discover what Europe is all about. It’s all about you, it’s about people, who are so different and yet so similar. It is about getting to know one another. That's why Interrail is great. You get to travel all around Europe and find out how beautiful our continent is."

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

121 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Internet and Social Media

Improving our communication with subscribers

Social Media

In 2016, the Internet and Social Media team launched new subscription pages on the EPP Group website to simplify signing up to our newsletters and press releases.

2016 was a successful year for the EPP Group Facebook page. We reached nearly 500,000 followers. We are present on the social network with a master page (visible in 9 Member States) and 19 subpages run in local languages. Bulgarian, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, Latvian and Slovak subpages were added to our Facebook family in 2016.

‘Hot topics’ were added to our site to make it easier to find our priorities and positions on some of the most important topics in the news and throughout the legislative term.

In 2016, we also increased the livestreaming of events and press conferences on our site and social media channels, making press conference videos available for a longer period on our site for journalists.

We collectively published nearly 7,000 stories on Facebook. In return, we earned nearly 400,000 likes, more than 71,000 shares and received more than 42,000 comments.

The EPP Group Twitter account is currently the Twitter account with the most followers amongst all the political groups in the European Parliament.

In December 2016, the EPP Group had 82,814 followers – 4,099 more than 30 days previously. We gained around 137 new followers per day – approximately 61% of whom are male and 39% female.

Follow the EPP Group on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ EPPGroup Follow the EPP Group on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/EPPGroup

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Meet your MEP Programme (MYMEP)

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Since its debut the "Meet your MEP Programme" launched and managed by the EPP Press and Communications Service has accommodated more than 15,000 visitors in Brussels and Strasbourg.

The Programme showcases the daily work and activities of EPP Group MEPs and allows our Members to invite regional journalists, young people, people with disabilities and staffers of EPP sister parties in the national Parliaments Networks to learn from best EU practice in the environment of the EP.

likes per day

11

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Our top tweet earned

808,413

Information and Promotional Material Responding to the ever increasing numbers coming to meet our MEPs in Brussels and Strasbourg involves ensuring that all visitors receive leaflets, brochures and supplementary material to inform and help them understand the day-to-day activities of the EPP Group. The quality and origin of the material we distribute is of utmost importance to us: as a principle, the EPP Group uses renewable material and European production for its promotional material. At present, over 85% of the items the Group distributes are sourced in Europe. Detailed certification that all material complies with employment and environmental directives is required from suppliers.

impressions

123 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

Europe Day - European Parliament Open Days On Sunday 8 May in Strasbourg and on Saturday 28 May in Brussels, the European Parliament and other EU Institutions opened their doors to the general public, presenting a unique opportunity to discover the diversity of Europe in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere.

The EPP Group treated visitors to exhibitions, information and interactive stands as well as informal debates with MEPs so that citizens had the chance to discover the daily work of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

The events mark the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, which is regarded as the key event in the creation of a united Europe. As well as commemorating this historic event, Europe Day is an opportunity to further promote transparency and encourage closer ties between the European Union and its citizens.

19,000 people took the opportunity to find out more about how the European Parliament works in Strasbourg, 8 May 2016

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EPP TV The EPP Group Press and Communications Service was the first to establish, in June 2007, its own European Parliament Web TV platform.

The Group has a WebTV team with its own studio and a full-time camera operator and technician.

EPP TV communicates the latest news from inside the European Parliament and reports on EPP Group success stories, events and activities. Videos produced in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish are uploaded on ‘The Newsmarket’, and our EPP TV Media Centre, an online video distribution platform that is accessible to media professionals.

Follow EPP TV at: https://www.eppgroup.eu/videos Access EPP Group videos from The Newsmarket: epp.synapticdigital.com

Live coverage

short reports

documentaries

on-the-spot reactions

interviews

are uploaded on the EPP Group website

YouTube channel with more than

1.000 subscribers

92

video stories,

More than 200 EPP Group MEPs have participated and contributed to our videos

194

Content reached 55 countries

video clips ordered by

88

media outlets

125 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

EPP Group Publications In 2016, the Publications Team focused on wider circulation and audience enlargement by publishing and disseminating EPP Group political messages through traditional print and new media platforms.

A total of 213 interactive electronic publications have received almost 285,000 'Impressions', on the EPP Group Issuu page.

Reader-friendly publications are displayed in the Parlamentarium and are distributed to visitors, e.g. for the EP Open Days and the Meet your MEP programme.

Publications were moreover circulated to the EPP Group external offices in Berlin, Warsaw, Paris, Madrid, Rome and Bucharest.

Group publications are integrated with our social media channels.

Relevant Facebook and Twitter posts are frequently supported by our publications, as are EPP Group Press Releases.

Collage of EPP Group Position Paper Cover images published in 2016

Newsletters and Service activity reports documenting EPP Group initiatives and external meetings are additionally produced. The team also produces for internal purposes branded stationery, business cards, signage for corridors and panels for the various Services.

Where can you find our publications?

View and download all publications on the Group website: www.eppgroup.eu/publications View and download interactive eBook publications from the EPP Group shelf on the Issuu digital publishing platform: https://issuu.com/eppgroup

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Internal publications and stationery

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In 2016, the Publications Team published, disseminated and received: Customised Delegation Leaflet in

A selection of multi-lingual EPP Group Position Papers and Policy Papers, Activity Reports

EPP Group Stories

languages

EPP Group Presentation Leaflet

Vademecum of the Members of the EPP Group in the EP

EPP Group Annual Activity Report

EPP Group has received

Over

Over

43,000 publications were distributed in Brussels, Strasbourg and across EU Member States in 2016

280,000

Branded stationery, business cards, Christmas cards, signage for corridors and panels for the various Services

‘Impressions’ on the Issuu publishing platform

EPP Group publications are additionally catalogued, indexed and archived to record our activities. Publications are of value not only to those involved in the Group and its work, but also to students, researchers, visitors and the media.

127 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2016

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The European People’s Party (EPP)

About us

Structure

The European People’s Party (EPP) is the political family of the centre right, whose roots run deep in the history and civilisation of the European continent, and which has pioneered the European project from its inception. Tracing back its roots to Europe’s Founding Fathers – Robert Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi, and Konrad Adenauer – the EPP is committed to a strong Europe based on a federal model that relies on the principle of subsidiarity.

The European People’s Party is horizontally engaged with all the main EU Institutions including the European Council, the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. In addition to the EP, the EPP has Groups in the Committee of the Regions, in the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, OSCE, NATO and EuroNest. Internally, the EPP has three levels of decision making: the Presidency, Political Assembly and Congress.

Founded in 1976, the EPP is a party of values, based on the Christian view of mankind and the Christian Democratic concept of society. The EPP strives for a democratic, transparent and efficient Europe that is close to its citizens. Through the promotion of the social market economy, the EPP aspires to achieve a prosperous Europe. The EPP is the largest political party in Europe, currently with 79 member parties and partners from 41 countries, 14 Heads of State and Government (8 EU and 6 non-EU), 14 European Commissioners, and the largest Group in the European Parliament with 217 Members.

Presidency The EPP is led by the Presidency, an executive body. It decides on the general political guidelines of the Party and presides over the Political Assembly. The Presidency is composed of: (i) the President of the EPP (ii) the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, the President of the European Parliament (if these persons are affiliated with the EPP) (iii) the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (iv) the Honorary President(s) (v) ten Vice-Presidents (vi) the Treasurer (vii) the Secretary-General

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The composition of the EPP Presidency as of 15 November 2016 is as follows:

President

Johannes Hahn Austria (ÖVP)

Joseph Daul France (Les Républicains)

Jyrki Katainen Finland (Kokoomus)

Secretary General

David McAllister Germany (CDU)

Antonio López-Istúriz White Spain (PP)

Ex Officio Vice-Presidents

Dara Murphy Ireland (Fine Gael)

Jean-Claude Juncker Luxembourg (CSV)

Paulo Rangel Portugal (PSD)

Donald Tusk Poland (PO)

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski Poland (Civic Platform)

Manfred Weber Germany (CSU)

Antonio Tajani Italy (Forza Italia)

Vice-Presidents (alphabetical order by surname)

Marianne Thyssen Belgium (CD&V)

Kinga Gál Hungary (FIDESZ)

Corien Wortmann-Kool The Netherlands (CDA)

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Treasurer Christian Schmidt Germany (CSU)

Honorary President Sauli Niinistö Finland (Kokoomus)

Political Assembly

Congress

The Political Assembly defines the positions of the Party between each Congress, decides on membership applications and finalises political guidelines. The Political Assembly also decides on the budget and safeguards the political presence of the EPP between Congress meetings.

The Political Assembly is composed of designated delegates from EPP member and associate member parties, member associations and groups, and guests of observer member parties. The number of delegates for each party is linked to the election result in the last European election so that parties are weighted according to their strength. This allows the taking of decisions by majority. The Political Assembly meets at least four times per year and defines the mandate of the Working Groups, which prepare the Party’s policy documents and recommendations.

The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the Party. It is composed of delegates from EPP member and associate member parties, member associations and parliamentary groups, as well as representatives from observer member parties. The EPP Congress meets statutorily once every three years and elects the EPP Presidency. The Congress, attended

by EPP Heads of State and Government and party leaders, decides on the main policy documents and electoral programmes.

The next Congress takes place in Malta on 29-30 March 2017.

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EU Heads of State and Government of the EPP (As of 15 November 2016, in alphabetical order by surname)

President

Chancellor

Nicos ANASTASIADES Cyprus (DISY)

Angela MERKEL Germany (CDU)

Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Boyko BORISSOV Bulgaria (GERB)

Viktor ORBÁN Hungary (FIDESZ)

President

Prime Minister

Klaus IOHANNIS Romania (PNL)

Andrej PLENKOVIĆ Croatia (HDZ)

Taoiseach

Prime Minister

Enda KENNY Ireland (Fine Gael)

Mariano RAJOY Spain (PP)

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Non-EU Heads of State and Government of the EPP (As of 15 November 2016, in alphabetical order by surname)

Caretaker Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Emil DIMITRIEV Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (VMRO-DPMNE)

Aleksandar VUČIĆ Serbia (SNS)

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

EPP Members of the European Commission

Bakir IZETBEGOVIĆ Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDA)

Prime Minister

President Jean-Claude JUNCKER President of the European Commission Luxembourg (CSV)

Isa MUSTAFA Kosovo (LDK)

President Serzh SARGSYAN Armenia (HHK)

Prime Minister Erna SOLBERG Norway (Høyre)

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Vice-Presidents

Phil HOGAN Agriculture & Rural Development Ireland (FG)

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS Euro & Social Dialogue Latvia (Unity)

Carlos MOEDAS Research, Science & Innovation Portugal (PSD)

Kristalina GEORGIEVA Budget & Human Resources Bulgaria (GERB)

Tibor NAVRACSICS Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Hungary (Fidesz)

Jyrki KATAINEN Jobs, Growth, Investment & Competitiveness Finland (Kokoomus)

Günther OETTINGER Digital Economy & Society Germany (CDU)

European Commissioners

Christos STYLIANIDES Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Cyprus (DISY)

Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS Migration, Home Affairs & Citizenship Greece (ND)

Marianne THYSSEN Employment, Social Affairs, Skills & Labour Mobility Belgium (CD&V)

Elżbieta BIEŃKOWSKA Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs Poland (PO) Miguel Arias CAÑETE Climate Action & Energy Spain (PP) Johannes HAHN European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Austria (ÖVP)

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College of Commissioners

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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The College of Commissioners in a historical perspective

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Summits

Working Groups

EPP Heads of State and Government, party leaders in coalition governments and/or in opposition, the EPP Presidency and the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission meet for EPP Summits prior to the European Council meetings. These important sessions offer EPP leaders an informal and confidential setting to seek consensus within the EPP family in an effort to develop common positions at the European Council.

Working Groups are the backbone of the EPP’s political work, where high-profile representatives from the EPP member parties develop common positions and strategies on major policy areas and submit specific recommendations to the Political Assembly for final approval.

Ministerial Meetings In 2007, the EPP inaugurated a new political process with the first EPP Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in order to discuss the foreign policy priorities on the EU Ministers’ agenda. Following this successful model, the EPP then launched informal meetings with the EPP Ecofin Ministers in 2008, and again expanded the concept in 2010. The current list of meetings includes: Foreign Affairs, Economic and Financial Affairs, Defence, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, Justice and Home Affairs, Trade and General Affairs.

Working Group 1: European Policy The European Policy Working Group has the task of preparing the EPP’s most vital policy papers and Congress documents on European issues.

Working Group 2: Economic and Social Policy This Working Group is focused on responding to the current economic and financial challenges facing Europe, social and demographic issues, as well as research and development.

Working Group 3: EPP Membership This Working Group promotes and facilitates the accession of new ordinary EPP member, associate, observer member parties and partner parties. When a party from an EU country is accepted into the EPP, its elected representatives automatically join the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and all other EPP Groups and organisations.

Campaign Managers Meeting This committee coordinates with member parties to plan campaigns.

The exchange of experiences in past election campaigns, as well as the long-term preparation of European issues and the campaigns for the EP elections, brings added value to the member parties and to the EPP.

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Associations Youth of the European People‘s Party (YEPP) YEPP, led by President Konstantinos Kyranakis, is the EPP’s official youth organisation. YEPP members are national party-political youth organisations. The purpose of all 58 member organisations, as well as for YEPP, is to provide young people with a channel to influence the shaping of their societies with democratic means and centre-right, Christian Democratic and conservative ideas. YEPP brings together 1.5 million young people in 39 countries of Europe, making it the largest party-political youth organisation in Europe.

European Democrat Students (EDS) EDS is the official students’ organisation of the EPP. Founded in 1961, EDS brings together students and young political leaders from all over Europe to promote a political pro-European exchange. Led by Chairman Georgios Chatzigeorgiou, EDS has 42 member organisations from 29 countries, representing over 1,600,000 students and young people.

European Seniors’ Union (ESU) Since 1995, the ESU is a growing network of seniors’ associations from all over Europe. Today, it consists of 34 member organisations in 27 countries. Led by President An Hermans, the ESU is dedicated to the advancement of the rights of senior citizens and their engagement in society, and to respond to the challenges of demographic changes.

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European Union of Christian Democratic Wor­kers (EUCDW) The EUCDW is the voice and official association of Christian Democratic workers in the EPP, with 24 member organisations from 18 different countries. Led by Elmar Brok MEP (DE), EUCDW represents workers’ interests in EU policy-making, promotes Christian-social principles and policies in the EPP and provides ground for training, discussion and cooperation to prepare European workers’ organisations to build tomorrow’s Europe.

Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurs of Europe (SME Europe) SME Europe, led by Bendt Bendtsen MEP (DK), is the EPP organisation for small and medium entrepreneurs, shaping EU policies in a SMEfriendly way. As a proactive organisation within the political networks of Christian Democrats and conservatives, SME Europe brings a new spirit and a fresh entrepreneurial wind into the political debate.

Women of the European People’s Party (EPP Women) EPP Women (European’s People Party) is an official association dedicated to the advancement of women in the European Union. The association consists of members of likeminded European parties and is led by its president, Doris Pack, former EPP Group MEP. EPP Women is composed of over 50 member organisations from EPP political parties which are members of the EPP in the European Union and non-EU countries. All member organisations are women’s organisations from political parties.

Think Tanks, Foundations Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

Robert Schuman Institute

Founded in 2007 as the Centre for European Studies and renamed in 2014 - in honour of the late EPP President - the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies (Martens Centre) is the official think tank of the EPP. Led by President Mikuláš Dzurinda, the Martens Centre serves as a common European framework for national foundations and think tanks recognised by EPP member parties. It is governed under the revised 2007 “EU Regulation on political parties at European level and rules regarding their funding.”

The “Union of the Robert Schuman Institute for Developing Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe” (RSI) has been operating as the European level training centre for politicians and parties of the EPP family since 1995, in Budapest. The RSI organises international courses for youth and women leaders, newly elected politicians, staff and officials of the EPP sister and co-operating parties of the developing democracies in the region. Since the 2004 EU Enlargement, the Institute has focused mostly on eastern and south-eastern European countries. The President of RSI is Doris Pack, former EPP Group MEP.

The core activities of the Martens Centre are its research and study projects, which are complemented and supported by conferences, seminars, workshops and publications, many of which are executed in conjunction with its member organisations. The aim of the foundation is to contribute both to the public awareness of European citizens on the development of European integration and to help decision-makers, such as EPP Heads of State and Government and EPP party leaders, to formulate new and effective policy options.

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Publications Team Press & Communications Service EPP Group in the Euopean Parliament Editor: Pedro López de Pablo Responsible: Greet Gysen Coordinator: Mark Dunne EPP Group Graphic Designer: Constantin Deaconescu Address: European Parliament Rue Wiertz, 60 B - 1047 Brussels Internet: www.eppgroup.eu Email: epp-publications@ep.europa.eu Copyright: EPP Group in the European Parliament © European Parliament Publisher: