Annual Activity Report 2018 of the EPP Group in the European Parliament by EPP Group in the European Parliament

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2018 OF THE EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Table of Contents Foreword by the Chairman: Manfred Weber (MEP) ........................................................................................................................ 5 01

Chapter 1: The EPP Group.............................................................................................................................................................. 9 1. The EPP Group Structure........................................................................................................................................................................9 2. How the EPP Group Works.....................................................................................................................................................................9 3. Description............................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 The EPP Group Presidency....................................................................................................................................................... 10 The EPP Group Bureau.............................................................................................................................................................. 11 The four Standing Working Groups........................................................................................................................................ 11 The EPP Group Presidency – Members................................................................................................................................. 13 Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations................................................................................................................... 15 EPP Group Members of the European Parliament (EP) Bureau..................................................................................... 16 EPP Group Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees of the EP...................................................................................... 17 EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees of the EP.......................................................................... 19 EPP Group Chairs of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Cooperation Committees

and Interparliamentary Delegations of the EP.................................................................................................................... 20

4. The President (EPP) of the European Council................................................................................................................................. 22 5. EPP Members of the European Commission.................................................................................................................................. 22 6. EPP Group Members of the European Parliament – Full Listing................................................................................................ 24 7. Senior Management of the EPP Group Secretariat....................................................................................................................... 27

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Directorate for Parliamentary Work......................................................................................................................................... 29 General Activities......................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Legislative Coordination and Whip Office............................................................................................................................. 32 Standing Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’..................................................................................................... 35 Standing Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’................................................................................................ 43 Standing Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’............................................................................................................. 49 EPP Group External Meetings and Events............................................................................................................................ 57 EPP Group Hearings................................................................................................................................................................... 63 EPP Group Conferences, Seminars and Events.................................................................................................................. 64

Directorate for the Presidency.................................................................................................................................................... 67

Directorate for External Policies – Committees ............................................................................................................... 75 Standing Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’............................................................................................................................. 76

Directorate for External Policies – Regions......................................................................................................................... 83 Interparliamentary Delegations and Parliamentary Assemblies..................................................................................... 83 Intercultural and Religious Dialogue...................................................................................................................................... 96

Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments....................................................................................................105

Directorate for Press and Communications.......................................................................................................................115

The European People's Party (EPP).......................................................................................................................................127

65 Years of History 1953-2018

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‘‘

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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

Foreword by the Chairman, Manfred Weber With 219 MEPs from 28 Member States, the EPP Group is the largest and most influential political force in the European Parliament. As the only democratically elected European Institution, the European Parliament protects the interests of citizens and works to deliver policies that provide a better future for all. The 2018 Parliamentary year, the last before the European elections, was a very successful one. The EPP Group was particularly active. On 23 June, the EPP Group marked its 65th anniversary, having progressively asserted its position, power and political authority since its foundation as the Christian Democratic Group in 1953. As Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, I was particularly proud when, on 8 November, I was elected by the Congress of the European People’s Party (EPP) as the EPP candidate for President of the European Commission, ahead of the May 2019 European Parliament elections. As a pioneer of the Spitzenkandidat process, the EPP Group is fully engaged with the process as it strengthens European democracy and brings Europe closer to its citizens. Voting for a Presidential candidate makes the EU more visible, more transparent and more accessible. On security and counterterrorism, the EPP Group stepped up its efforts to put the safety of Europeans first. Adopted in October, the improved Schengen Information System (SIS) will contribute to the EU’s fight against terrorism, cross-border crime and irregular migration. In 2018, the EPP Group welcomed the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This is an important tool to reinforce the control of the EU's external borders and the protection of citizens.

It will allow the identification of those who may pose a security threat before they reach the European Union and deny them the authorisation to travel. Completing the Digital Single Market is a top priority for the EPP Group. To this end, the EPP Group pushed hard for the Regulation on Geoblocking, adopted in February. Ending discrimination of consumers buying physical goods online will ensure that citizens will now benefit from better prices for goods all over Europe. Marking a major success for the EPP Group, the launching of the #DiscoverEU Interrail pilot project enabled 15.000 young Europeans to travel throughout Europe during the summer. In the next legislative term, the EPP Group will continue its fight to broaden the scope of the project to make it a reality for all Europeans turning 18. Engaging with its national partners, EPP Group external meetings were convened in 2018 in Valencia, Spain; Lyon, France; Riga, Latvia; Vienna, Austria and Mafra, Portugal. EPP Group Study Days were held on the sidelines of the EPP Congress in Helsinki, Finland. These gatherings provided a forum for debate on political priorities that are important at national level, thus feeding into the Group’s work in the European Parliament. A series of EPP Group Position Papers on the Euro, Innovation, How the EU Can Help to Heal Cancer and Security adopted at these meetings documented the positions on which the EPP Group is focused. On reflection, since 2014, the EPP Group has kept its promise to deliver policies that matter to citizens. The EPP Group has been the driving force

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in implementing security measures to ensure the safety of European citizens. On migration, at the initiative of the EPP Group, a number of steps have been taken to stablise the crisis that was at its height in 2016. The EPP Group was at the forefront in abolishing roaming charges and shaping the Digital Single Market. Eliminating roaming charges is one of the greatest and most tangible successes of the EU, delivering a concrete, positive result for European citizens. From the outset, the EPP Group supported the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). The results are now clear to see: investment has been boosted, the backbone of the European economy has been strengthened and sustainable growth and jobs for citizens has been created. Reflecting its commitment to invest in Europe's youth, securing extra funding for the Erasmus + programme marked a huge triumph for the EPP Group. In the 8th Legislature, working alongside Member States, the EPP Group delivered on a Social Europe to help and protect its citizens. In this regard, the establishment of a European Pillar of Social Rights aims to promote a sustainable and inclusive Europe, boost the fight against social and regional inequalities and contribute to the creation of a Social Market Economy. Europe today nonetheless faces a number of immense challenges. The European Union, which has played a central role in nurturing peace and prosperity over the past 70 years, is facing unprecedented threats. Populism is on the rise. Democracy, human rights and the rule of law are increasingly treated as irrelevant or of marginal value. Against this backdrop, Europeans are confronted with a common set of shared challenges: an aggressive Russia, Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disparaging of alliances,

climate change, migration, unregulated globalisation and the impact of the technological revolution. Therefore, the upcoming European elections are shaping up to be the most important since direct elections to the Parliament began in 1979. Only by working together can we overcome these challenges. The 2019 elections will clearly influence the remaining months of this European Parliamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term. Thus, the EPP Group will strive to reaffirm itself as the leading political force in the European Parliament working to address the concerns of European citizens. In the forthcoming election campaign, the EPP Group will set out its political priorities and highlight its achievements, remaining committed to improving the lives of the citizens it serves to represent. The EPP Group will work towards a Europe that delivers.

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

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The EPP Group

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Europe’s Founding Fathers – French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and Italian Prime Minister Alcide de Gasperi – wanted to rebuild a peaceful Europe. They worked together to take the first crucial step in creating a united Europe, forming the European Coal and Steel Community. The EPP Group, the then Christian-Democratic Group, was founded on 23 June 1953 as a political faction in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community. The following generation set its sights on the European integration needed for Europe's economy to develop into a single, large marketplace. Europe’s Institutes grew alongside integration, with the European Parliament (EP) holding its first elections in 1979. Following the election the Group changed its name to the Group of the European People's Party. Inspired by the idea of reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall and demise of Communism, the EPP offered its full support to the emerging pluralist democracies. Centre-right non-Communist parties won the support of the people, with the Group becoming, and remaining, the largest in the European Parliament after the European elections of July 1999. Over the years, the Group has adjusted its political philosophy to take stock of the changing electorate and has welcomed moderate and Conservative political groups from Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe. Between 1999 and 2009, the Group changed its name to the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats, reverting to the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) in June 2009.

The EPP Group 01

1. The EPP Group Structure

2. How the EPP Group Works

The Chairman of the EPP Group is Manfred Weber MEP. He Chairs its governing bodies and speaks for the EPP Group in keynote debates in the EP.

The Group of the European People's Party (EPP Group) is the largest in the EP with 219 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). 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 (EPP). The EPP was the firstever transnational political party to be formed at European-level, and has the strongest representation in the European Council of Ministers. 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.

He is supported by Coordinators on each of the EP Committees and by the Heads of the National Delegations represented in the EPP Group. The operational needs of the EPP Group are serviced by a Secretariat, providing policy and organisational support. The Group runs its own think-tank - the European Ideas Network - which brings together opinion-formers from the worlds of politics, business, academia and civic society across Europe, to discuss the major policy issues facing the European Union (EU).

As the largest Political Group in a EP 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 Political Group in the EP monthly Plenary sessions. Strength in numbers also ensures that EPP Group MEPs hold a range of key positions within the EP - including 6 of its Vice-Presidencies, Chairs of 8 of the EP 22 Committees or Subcommittees, and 2 of its 5Â Quaestorships. Within the EP Committees, EPP Group MEPs are best placed to secure the right to author the EP position on key pieces of draft legislation and other major reports: the EPP Group gets more of these "Rapporteurships" on more important subjects, than any other Political Group.

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The task of the EP - which is elected every five years by direct universal suffrage - lies in exercising democratic control over the decision-making process in the EU on belhalf of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s citizens.

5 Members from Slovenia

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

4 Members from Latvia

4 Members from Belgium 4 Members from Ireland

4 Members from Sweden 3 Members from Finland

3. Description (as of 28 November 2018)

3 Members from Lithuania

The EPP Group is the largest Political Group in the European Parliament. Its Membership is made up of:

3 Members from Luxembourg 3 Members from Malta 2 Members from the United Kingdom (UK)

34 Members from Germany

1 Member from Cyprus

22 Members from Poland

1 Member from Denmark

20 Members from France

1 Member from Estonia

17 Members from Spain 15 Members from Italy

3.1 The EPP Group Presidency

13 Members from Romania

The Presidency consists of the EPP 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.

12 Members from Hungary 8 Members from Portugal 7 Members from Bulgaria 7 Members from Czech Republic 6 Members from Slovakia 5 Members from Austria 5 Members from Croatia 5 Members from Greece 5 Members from the Netherlands

3.2 The EPP Group Bureau

Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’

The Bureau, the EPP Group political organ, consists of:

> Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) > Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) > Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) > Committee on Petitions (PETI) > Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) > Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

> The EPP Group Presidency > The Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations > The President and Vice-Presidents of the EP belonging to the EPP Group > The Chairs of Parliamentary Committees belonging to the EPP Group > The Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees belonging to the EPP Group > The Chairman and the Secretary-General of the European People’s Party (If they are members of the EP) > One co-opted Member for every 10 Members of a national delegation

3.3 The four Standing Working Groups EPP Group political strategy is formulated in the framework of four Working Groups which coordinate its Members' Parliamentary work in the 22 Committees and Subcommittees.

Chair: Esteban González Pons

Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’ > Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) > Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) > Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) > Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) > Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) > Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Chair: Françoise Grossetête

Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’ > > > > >

Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Committee on Development (DEVE) Committee on International Trade (INTA)

Chair: Sandra Kalniete

Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’ > Committee on Budgets (BUDG) > Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) > Committee on Regional Development (REGI) > Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) > Committee on Fisheries (PECH) Chair: Marian-Jean Marinescu

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Size of Political Groups in the EP by Member State (as of 1 April 2018)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

3.4 The EPP Group Presidency - Members

Manfred WEBER (Germany)

Andrey KOVATCHEV (Bulgaria)

Chairman of the EPP Group in the EP

Vice-Chair: Responsible for Enlargement and Mediterrranean Policy

Lara COMI (Italy)

Marian-Jean MARINESCU (Romania)

Vice-Chair: Relations with the Americas, China, EPP Youth Strategy

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

Esther de LANGE (the Netherlands) Vice-Chair: Responsible for Relations with National Parliaments and National Parties

Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS (Spain)

Paulo RANGEL (Portugal) Vice-Chair: Responsible for the European Ideas Network (EIN), Future of Europe, EPP Group Treasurer

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

József SZÁJER (Hungary)

Françoise GROSSETÊTE (France)

Tadeusz ZWIEFKA (Poland)

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

Vice-Chair: Responsible for Parliamentary Work

Vice-Chair: Responsible for Communications Strategy

Sandra KALNIETE (Latvia) Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Foreign Affairs’ Working Group and the Eastern Neighbourhood

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Strength of the Political Groups in Each Parliamentary Term

The relative size of the Political Groups in the EP is shown for each of the eight Parliamentary terms since the first direct elections in 1979. The data, in percentages of total seats, refer to the constituent session (in July) at the beginning of each Parliamentary term. The last column on the right shows the composition of the Parliament as of 1 April 2018. The colours used to denote Political Groups in the current Parliamentary term are also used in previous terms, so that the history of today’s Groups can be traced back. However, it should be understood that the names and constitutions of Political Groups, and indeed their membership, can change frequently. So, whilst we can often identify substantial continuity between the current Groups and their predecessors, they cannot in all cases be regarded as the same Group with an unbroken history. The category ‘others’ includes a number of Groups which no longer exist.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

3.5 Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations (as of 28 November 2018) Federal Republic of Germany (34 Members) Daniel Caspary Angelika Niebler Poland (22 Members) Andrzej Grzyb Janusz Lewandowski France (20 Members) Franck Proust Spain (17 Members) Esteban González Pons Italy (15 Members) Lorenzo Cesa Elisabetta Gardini Romania (13 Members) Theodor Dumitru Stolojan Adina-Ioana Vălean Hungary (12 Members) András Gyürk Portugal (8 Members) Nuno Melo Paulo Rangel

Bulgaria (7 Members) Andrey Kovatchev

Latvia (4 Members) Krišjānis Kariņš

Czech Republic (7 Members) Luděk Niedermayer

Sweden (4 Members) Gunnar Hökmark

Slovakia (6 Members) Ivan Štefanec

Finland (3 Members) Sirpa Pietikäinen

Austria (5 Members) Othmar Karas

Lithuania (3 Members) Laima Liucija Andrikienė

Croatia (5 Members) Dubravka Šuica

Luxembourg (3 Members) Frank Engel

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

Ireland (4 Members) Seán Kelly

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3.6 EPP Group Members of the European Parliament (EP) Bureau Antonio TAJANI (Italy) President of the EP

Main governing Bodies in the EP Bureau (as of 13 April 2018)

Mairead McGUINNESS (Ireland) Vice-President of the EP Rainer WIELAND (Germany) Vice-President of the EP Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO (Spain) Vice-President of the EP Lívia JÁRÓKA (Hungary) Vice-President of the EP Élisabeth MORIN-CHARTIER (France) Quaestor of the EP Andrey KOVATCHEV (Bulgaria) Quaestor of the EP

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

The Bureau is the body responsible for financial, organisational and administrative matters within the EP. It is composed of the President and the 14 Vice-Presidents, elected by an absolute majority of the votes in Plenary, with the order in which they attained that majority determining their order of precedence. The five Quaestors, elected in Plenary to manage administrative and financial matters directly concerning MEPs, also attend the Bureau in an advisory capacity, but cannot vote.

3.7 EPP Group Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees of the EP About Committees

The Work of the European Parliament

Committees are responsible for drafting EP positions on new legislative proposals. EP legislative work is carried out by 20 Standing Committees and two Subcommittees, each of which elects a Chair and four Vice-Chairs. Jerzy Buzek (PL) Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Alain Cadec (FR) Committee on Fisheries (PECH) Ingeborg Grässle (DE) Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) Danuta Maria Hübner (PL) Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) David McAllister (DE) Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

Source: European Parliament Research Service

Adam Czesław Siekierski (PL) Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Pavel Svoboda (CZ) Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) Adina-Ioana Vălean (RO) Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

The chart shows the number of reports adopted in each Parliamentary Committee between July 2014 and December 2017. ‘Own initiative reports,’ represented by light orange bars, includes both legislative initiative and other own-initiative reports. ‘Legislative reports,’ by blue bars, includes reports under the ordinary legislative procedure (co-decision), consent and consultation, as well as procedures relating to international agreements. ‘Other reports,’ in dark orange, primarily relate to work under procedures specific to a given Committee, such as on the budget, discharge, and questions of Members’ immunity in legal proceedings. The green bars concern procedures in which Committees consider whether to object to a delegated or implementing act of the Commission, based on earlier legislative acts. Thirty-one reports were adopted jointly (under Rule 55) by two Committees (and in one case by three Committees), and are presented as a separate category.

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Main Governing Bodies in the EP Committees (as of 13 April 2018)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

3.8 EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees of the EP (as of 28 November 2018) 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 MEPs during important votes and can appoint Shadow Rapporteurs. Cristian Dan Preda (RO) Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) Andrzej Grzyb (PL) Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) Michael Gahler (DE) Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl (DE) Committee on International Trade (INTA) Petri Sarvamaa (FI) Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) David Casa (MT) Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Krišjānis Kariņš (LV) Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

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

Andreas Schwab (DE) Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)

Sabine Verheyen (DE) Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

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

Roberta Metsola (MT) Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

Gabriel Mato (ES) Committee on Fisheries (PECH)

Axel Voss (DE) Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) José Manuel Fernandes (PT) Committee on Budgets (BUDG) Markus Ferber (DE) Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)

György Schöpflin (HU) Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) Peter Jahr (DE) Committee on Petitions (PETI) Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz (PT) Committee on Women’s Rights an Gender Equality (FEMM)

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

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

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3.9 EPP Group Chairs of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Cooperation Committees and Parliamentary Delegations of the EP (as of 28 November 2018) About Delegations The EP Delegations maintain relations and exchange information with parliaments in non-EU countries. Through its Delegations, the EP helps to represent the EU externally and to promote in third countries the values on which the EU 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 Alojz Peterle (SI) Delegation to the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee 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 (PL) 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 Source: European External Action Service (EEAS)

Janusz Lewandowski (PL) Delegation for relations with Iran Christian Ehler (DE) Delegation for relations with the United States

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

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

Source: European External Action Service

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

5. EPP Members of the European Commission President

Elżbieta BIEŃKOWSKA Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs Poland (PO)

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

Vice-Presidents

Miguel Arias CAÑETE Climate Action & Energy Spain (PP)

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS Euro & Social Dialogue Latvia (Unity)

Mariya GABRIEL Digital Economy and Society Bulgaria (GERB)

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

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

European Commissioners

Phil HOGAN Agriculture & Rural Development Ireland (FG)

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

Carlos MOEDAS Research, Science & Innovation Portugal (PSD) Tibor NAVRACSICS Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Hungary (Fidesz) Günther OETTINGER Budget & Human Resources Germany (CDU) Christos STYLIANIDES Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Cyprus (DISY) Marianne THYSSEN Employment, Social Affairs, Skills & Labour Mobility Belgium (CD&V)

Political Affiliation of Current EU Heads of State or Government (as of 9 July 2018)

Today, the European Council membership is made up of the Heads of State or Government of the 28 EU Member States, as well as the Presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission. Although not a member of the European Council, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission also takes part in its meetings. The President of the EP is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;invited to be heardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at European Council meetings. This has not always been the case, as the type of participants and organisation of the European Council have developed through successive Treaty changes, as well as expanding its role and areas of responsibility. The average length of European Council membership varies significantly between Member States. When considering the political composition of the European Council over time, it is clear that almost all Heads of State or Government belonged to the same three Political Groups until the early 2000s, whereas the diversity of political affiliation has broadened in recent years. Although female membership has increased in recent years, improving the gender balance, since its creation the European Council has remained a largely male-dominated forum. The average age of its members, being highest in 1992 at 59 years old, recently stabilised in the low 50s.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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6. EPP Group Members of the European Parliament - Full Listing (as of 28 November 2018) GERMANY (34) BÖGE, Reimer BROK, Elmar CASPARY, Daniel COLLIN-LANGEN, Birgit DEß, Albert EHLER, Christian FERBER, Markus FLORENZ, Karl-Heinz GAHLER, Michael GEHROLD, Stefan GIESEKE, Jens GRÄßLE, Ingeborg HOHLMEIER, Monika JAHR, Peter KOCH, Dieter-Lebrecht KUHN, Werner LANGEN, Werner LIESE, Peter LINS, Norbert McALLISTER, David MANN, Thomas NIEBLER, Angelika PIEPER, Markus QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Godelieve RADTKE, Dennis SCHULZE, Sven SCHWAB, Andreas SOMMER, Renate VERHEYEN, Sabine VOSS, Axel WEBER, Manfred

WIELAND, Rainer WINKLER, Hermann ZELLER, Joachim POLAND (22) 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 SIEKIERSKI, Czesław Adam SONIK, Bogusław Andrzej SZEJNFELD, Adam Von THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, Róża Gräfin WAŁĘSA, Jarosław ZDROJEWSKI, Bogdan ZWIEFKA, Tadeusz FRANCE (20) ALLIOT-MARIE, Michèle CADEC, Alain DANJEAN, Arnaud

DANTIN, Michel DATI, Rachida DELAHAYE, Angélique DIDIER, Geoffroy GROSSETÊTE, Françoise HORTEFEUX, Brice JOULAUD, Marc JUVIN, Philippe LAMASSOURE, Alain LAVRILLEUX, Jérôme MORANO, Nadine MORIN-CHARTIER, Élisabeth MUSELIER, Renaud PONGA, Maurice PROUST, Franck SAÏFI, Tokia SANDER, Anne SPAIN (17) AYUSO, Pilar del CASTILLO VERA, Pilar DÍAZ DE MERA Y GARCÍA CONSUEGRA, Agustín ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Rosa FISAS AYXELA, Santiago GAMBUS Francesc GONZALEZ PONS, Esteban de GRANDES PASCUAL, Luis HERRANZ GARCÍA, Esther ITURGAIZ, Carlos JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL, Teresa LOPE FONTAGNÉ, Verónica

LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Antonio MATO, Gabriel MILLÁN MON, Francisco SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA, José Ignacio VALCÁRCEL SISO, Ramón Luis ITALY (13) CESA, Lorenzo CICU, Salvatore CIRIO, Alberto COMI, Lara DORFMANN, Herbert GARDINI, Elisabetta LA VIA, Giovanni MARTUSCIELLO, Fulvio MATERA, Barbara MUSSOLINI, Alessandra PATRICIELLO, Aldo SALINI, Massimiliano TAJANI, Antonio ROMANIA (13) BUDA Daniel BUŞOI, Cristian MĂNESCU, Ramona MARINESCU, Marian Jean MOISĂ, Sorin MUREŞAN, Siegfried PREDA, Cristian Dan SÓGOR, Csaba STOLOJAN, Theodor Dumitru

ŢURCANU, Mihai UNGUREANU, Traian VĂLEAN, Adina-Ioana WINKLER, Iuliu HUNGARY (12) BOCSKOR, Andrea DELI, Andor DEUTSCH, Tamás ERDŐS, Norbert GÁL, Kinga GYÜRK, András HÖLVÉNYI, György JÁRÓKA, Lívia KÓSA, Ádám SCHÖPFLIN, György SZÁJER, József TŐKÉS, László PORTUGAL (8) COELHO, Carlos FARIA, José Inácio FERNANDES, José Manuel MELO, Nuno MONTEIRO de AGUIAR, Cláudia RANGEL, Paulo RIBEIRO, Sofia RUAS, Fernando BULGARIA (7) ADEMOV, Asim

KOVATCHEV, Andrey MALINOV, Svetoslav MAYDELL, Eva NOVAKOV, Andrey 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 MANDL, Lukas RÜBIG, Paul SCHMIDT, Claudia

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CROATIA (5) MALETIĆ, Ivana PETIR, Marijana ŠUICA, Dubravka TOLIĆ, Ivica ZOVKO, Željana

ROLIN, Claude VANDENKENDELAERE, Tom IRELAND (4) CLUNE, Deirdre HAYES, Brian KELLY, Seán McGUINNESS, Mairéad

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

LATVIA (4) KALNIETE, Sandra KARIŅŠ, Krišjānis ŠADURSKIS, Kārlis VAIDERE, Inese

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

SWEDEN (4) CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria FJELLNER, Christofer HÖKMARK, Gunnar SELLSTRÖM, Anders

SLOVENIA (5) BOGOVIC, Franc PETERLE, Alojz SULIN, 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

LUXEMBOURG (3) BACH, Georges ENGEL, Frank HANSEN, Christophe MALTA (3) CASA, David METSOLA, Roberta ZAMMIT DIMECH, Francis UNITED KINGDOM (2) ASHWORTH, Richard GIRLING, Julie CYPRUS (1) CHRISTOFOROU, Lefteris DENMARK (1) BENDTSEN, Bendt ESTONIA (1) KELAM, Tunne

7. Senior Management of the EPP Group Secretariat Martin Kamp Secretary-General Joanna Jarecka-Gomez Deputy Secretary-General Director for External Policies – Regions Juan Salafranca Deputy Secretary-General Director for External Policies – Committees Natacha Scriban-Cuvelier Deputy Secretary-General Director for Parliamentary Work Harald Kandolf Director for Internal Organisation Andrea Laskavá Director for the Presidency Pedro López de Pablo Director for Press and Communications Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza Director for Relations with National Parliaments

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Directorate for Parliamentary Work 01

Directorate for Parliamentary Work

The Directorate for Parliamentary Work assists EPP Group MEPs in carrying out their duty in the Parliamentary Committees and in Plenary and is composed of five units:

- 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 (EP)

- The Legislative Coordination and Whip Office, under the responsibility of József Szájer MEP (HU), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP)

- 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 (EP)

- 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 (EP)

- The Parliamentary Research Unit and European Ideas Network, 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 (EP)

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General Activities A. Major Votes in Plenary

B. Personalities Attending the Sitting

- Setting up a Special Committee on the Union’s Authorisation Procedure for Pesticides, its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office (PEST) (6/2) - Early termination of the office of a Vice-President of the European Parliament (Ryszard Czarnecki) (7/2) - Nominal composition of the Special Committee on the Union’s Authorisation Procedure for Pesticides (8/2) - Election of a Vice-President of the European Parliament (to replace Ryszard Czarnecki) (1/3) - Guidelines on the framework of future EU-UK relations (14/3) - Nominal composition of the Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance (14/3) - Budget Discharge 2016 (53 reports) (18/4) - Report on Reform of the Electoral Law of the European Union (Rapporteurs: Danuta Hübner and Pedro Silva Pereira) (13/6) - Report on the Reform of the Electoral Law of the European Union (Co Rapporteurs: Danuta Hübner and Jo Leinen) (4/7) - Report on the Situation in Hungary (Rapporteur: Judith Sargentini) (12/9) - Interim Report on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 Parliament’s Position with a View to an Agreement (11/18) (Co-Rapporteurs: Jan Olbrycht, Isabelle Thomas, Janusz Lewandowski and Gérard Deprez)

- Address by a representative of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), Nobel Peace Prize 2017 (7/2) - Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (1/3) - Alpha Condé, President of the Republic of Guinea (29/5) - Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President of the Republic of Colombia (30/5) - João Lourenço, President of Angola (4/7) - Michel Aoun, President of Lebanon (11/9) - Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (4/9) - Milo Đukanović, President of Montenegro (2/10) - Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa (14/11)

Other personalities - Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia (16/1, 3/10) - Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission (16/1, 12/9) - Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria / Presidentin-Office of the Council (17/1) - Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach of Ireland (17/1) - Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia (6/2) - António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal (14/3) - Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic (17/4) - Charles Michel, Prime Minister of Belgium (3/5) - Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg (30/5) - Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands (13/6) - Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland (4/7)

- Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece (11/9) - Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary (11/9) - Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (13/9) - Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia (3/10)

- Viorica Dăncilă, Prime Minister of Romania (3/10) - Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania (23/10) - Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany (13/11) - Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark (28/11) - Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus (12/12)

Participants in Future of Europe Debates in the EP in 2018

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

C. Meetings/Activities - Follow up of the Secretary-General meetings and of the Conference of Presidents (CoP), in order to establish the Plenary agenda - Regular meetings with the Chairman, in order to follow up on Parliamentary Work and the policy strategy of the EPP Group

- Plenary session organisation: follow up of the votes and management of speaking time - Group meetings - Management of the Parliamentary Work Service

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Legislative Coordination and Whip Office A. EPP Group Meetings Agenda and Calendar of EPP Group Meetings, Chairman's Notes and Early Briefings

Personalities attending EPP Group meetings - Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria (16/1) - Dara Murphy, EPP Vice-President and Campaign Director for the 2019 European elections (31/1) - Assunção Cristas, Chair of the CDS - People's Party in Portugal (6/2) - Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia, (6/2) - Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources (7/2) - Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Founder of ‘Open Russia’ and leading supporter of civil society and political pluralism in Russia (7/3) - Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (13/3) - Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Former President of the French Republic (11/4) - Michel Barnier, EU Chief Negotiator for Brexit (12/6) - Ján Figeľ, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU (27/6) - Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary (11/9) - Alexander Stubb, Former Finish Prime Minister, EPP Spitzenkandidat (2/10) - Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament (23/10)

- Chairman's notes and files for the President - Internal briefings related to all items (reports, resolutions, and other points) which will be submitted to a Plenary vote ahead of each EPP Group meeting in Brussels and Strasbourg - Specific and detailed briefings related to all items treated at EPP Group meetings - MEPs’ presence list, minutes and documents to be distributed to MEPs

B. Whip Office The Whip Office is in charge of the follow up of EPP Group MEPs’ attendance and participation regarding the votes at Plenary and Committee level, and of the evaluation of the votes in accordance with the agreed EPP Group line. It has been entirely reorganised with a view to improving its efficiency in: - Reviewing the MEPs’ presence and participation during the votes in Committees and Plenary sessions. - Monitoring the unity of the EPP Group in Plenary votes. The President, the Presidency, the Heads of National Delegations, the Coordinators and MEPs are regularly informed about their participation and presence rates during votes at Plenary and Committee level.

C. Legislative Coordination Unit - Meetings and A ctivities Commission Work Programme (CWP) for 2019

and resources in solving conflicts of competences.

The European Commission decided to put forward a short and futureoriented Commission Work Programme for 2019 to complement the one adopted last year for 2018-2019.

In close cooperation with the Coordinators, an internal early warning system has been established, aimed at identifying possible conflicts of competences before they officially arise, especially between Committees where Chairmanships belong to the EPP Group.

The EP did not present any resolution; the regular timetable does not apply for EP election years coinciding with the end of the Commission’s term of office.

Rapporteurship and EPP Group line in Plenary votes

The Plenary debate on the Commission Work Programme 2019 took place on Tuesday 23 October, in the presence of Commission VicePresident Timmermans. József Szájer MEP (HU), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP), expressed the EPP Group's views.

The aim of the Presidency is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the EPP Group in Parliamentary Work, both at Committee and Plenary level. Newly appointed EPP Group Rapporteurs in all Parliamentary Committees and comparative charts with the other Groups are regularly submitted to the attention of the Coordinators, the Presidency and the Heads of National Delegations.

Conference of the Committee Chairs (CCC)

Elections of the EPP Group Coordinators

The Legislative Coordination Unit prepares and follows the Conference of the Committee Chairmen and pays special attention to avoid internal and time-consuming conflicts between Committees in the attribution of reports and competences among the Parliamentary Committees.

In order to fill the vacancy of the Coordinator post, an election for the ECON Committee EPP Group Coordinator took place in August.

Specific EPP Group preparatory meetings are organised monthly in order to inform all the EPP Group stakeholders about the issues to be treated at CCC level.

The Unit organised six Coordinators’ meetings to deal with horizontal Parliamentary issues.

In 2018, the CCC gave specific attention to the modalities of cooperation between the Parliamentary Committees on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)-related legislative proposals. This exercise allowed the relevant Committees to swiftly begin their work without wasting time

Coordinators' meetings

These meetings have been enlarged to EPP Group Committees' Chairs, with a view to reinforcing the cohesion of the EPP Group and preventing conflicts of competences.

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Main topics treated in 2018: - Assessment of the revised Rules of Procedure: entered into force in January 2017 - Brexit: regular state of play - Transparency and accountability of the European Institutions - Composition of the European Parliament - Potential conflicts of competences between Committees - Attendance of Plenary debates and Committee votes - Coordination with the other Political Groups

Cooperation with the other Political Groups and other Institutions Each month, the Unit provides the Presidency with 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 and a political priority might be given. In order to give a clear overview of the end of term legislative planning, the Unit regularly provided the Chairman and the Presidency with progress of pending Interinstitutional negotiations on the priority legislative files. This ensured that the conclusion of first reading agreements were announced to EPP Group MEPs and communicated as political achievements and successes.

EP Conference of Presidents

The Conference of Presidents (CoP) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; composed of the EP President and the Chairs of its eight Political Groups â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sets the agenda of the Plenary and determines the general political orientations of the Institution. The table shows the current members of the CoP, ordered by size of the Groups, in terms of their seats the EP. Three Groups have Co-Chairs. The nonattached (NI) Members are represented by a non-voting observer.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

Standing Working Group 'Economy and Environment'

The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) represents a major step in the integration of EU economies. Launched in 1992, EMU involves the coordination of economic and fiscal policies, a common monetary policy, and a common currency, the euro. Whilst all 28 EU Member States take part in the economic union, some countries have taken integration further and adopted the euro. Together, these countries make up the euro area. The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is not an end in itself. It is a means to provide stability and stronger, more sustainable and inclusive growth across the euro area and the EU as a whole for the sake of improving the lives of EU citizens. Following the outbreak of the economic and financial crisis, the European Union took unprecedented measures to strengthen the Economic and Monetary Union and make sure that Europe is better prepared for future shocks. As a result, the euro area architecture is now much more robust than before. However, further work lies ahead to make sure that the benefits of the Economic and Monetary Union reach all EU citizens.

Source: Eurostat, European Commission

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The Standing Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’ coordinates the following six Parliamentary Committees and two Temporary Committees: Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) In the area of financial services, important progress has been achieved with the development of the Capital Markets Union (CMU). The CMU is a key pillar of the Commission's Investment Plan for Europe, the so-called Juncker Plan. Through a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory reforms, this project seeks to better connect savings to investments. It aims to strengthen Europe's financial system by providing alternative sources of financing and more opportunities for consumers and institutional investors. Important dossiers are under discussion also in the context of the Banking Union, including the first review of the European System of Financial Supervision or the risk reduction measures that will pave the way for the future completion of the Banking Union with the pending adoption of the European Deposit Insurance Scheme.

ation files, the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) proposal, VAT reform towards a definitive regime and taxation in relation to the Digital Economy, to bring taxation up-to-speed with the 21st century.

Economic and Monetary Union

In the area of economic governance, the EPP Group continued its work on the consistent application and enforcement of the Stability and Growth Pact by the Commission and the Member States. Beyond those annual operational activities to implement EU fiscal rules, the EPP Group also worked on the proposals for strengthening the Economic and Monetary Union and making it more resilient. This included among other things the integration of the so-called ‘Fiscal Compact’ in EU law as well as the setting up of a new programme to support structural reforms, aiming at both sound fiscal policies and incentivising reforms for greater resilience, competitiveness and upward convergence. With the adoption of the revised Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5), the EU gained strong AML rules, yet much work remains to be done regarding the effective implementation and enforcement of these rules. Lastly, a huge amount of work was done to deliver on various tax-

Source: European Commission

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) After challenging negotiations with the Council, on 28 June 2018 the EP adopted the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposal for the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. The EPP Group successfully led the negotiations for the EMPL Committee. The EPP Group ensured that the revised rules would provide for all posted workers the same level of protection on health and safety at work and the same minimum rights on remuneration, which are applicable for the host Member State workers. Furthermore, the EPP Group succeeded to reset the level playing field for the free movement of services across borders and to narrow the possibilities against fraud and abuses.

EU 28: Employment Figures

Under the leadership of the EPP Group, the Europass portal and its documents (CV, language passport, Europass Mobility and supplements) were modernised and made more dynamic. The EPP Group especially succeeded in improving the user-friendliness of the Europass portal by ensuring that the portal includes information on labour market trends (including skills intelligence) for job-seekers and learners.

The differences in the evaluation of current EU involvement in the fight against unemployment amongst different Member States are very high. The share of citizens sharing positive evaluations vary between as high as 61% in the Czech Republic and 50% in Poland, to as low as 6% in Greece. The increase in the share of Europeans who evaluate EU action in the fight against unemployment as adequate is six percentage points. This trend is almost universal across the entire EU, with the Member States with the most significantly improved evaluation being Hungary (23 percentage point increase) and Poland (22 percentage point increase). The only Member State in which significantly fewer people evaluate EU action on fighting unemployment positively is Malta (13 percentage point decrease).

Source: Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Legislative and political work in the ENVI Committee covers a wide range of activities that affect EU citizens. Despite strong resistance from other Political Groups, the EPP Group managed to both conclude and influence a substantial number of dossiers in 2018. These included: • Enhancing cost-effective emission reductions and low carbon investments • Modernisation Fund (EU Emissions Trading System Regulation) • Binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 - contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement (Effort Sharing Regulation) • 2030 climate and energy framework: inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) • Waste Framework Directive • End-of-life vehicles, batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators • Waste electrical and electronic equipment • Packaging and packaging waste • Landfill of waste • Veterinary medicinal products • Medicinal products for human and veterinary use • Governance of the energy union (jointly with the committee) • New heavy-duty vehicles: monitoring and reporting of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption and procedural rules in the field of environmental reporting.

A number of remaining key legislative reports are currently under negotiation; the most important include: The Regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants; the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021–2027 - Health Program, Transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain; the European Medicines Agency (EMA): location of the seat; the Emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles and the promotion of clean road transport vehicles. The ENVI Committee has also adopted important resolutions on the COP 24 on Climate Change, vaccine hesitancy and the drop in vaccination rates in Europe and on a global ban to end animal testing for cosmetics. In 2018, two EPP Group Hearings on Cross-border Healthcare and Cancer were organised by the ENVI Committee.

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Ensuring balance between the interests of consumers and entrepreneurs in the vibrant Single Market remains a priority for the EPP Group. In this regard, more challenges lie ahead in meeting the new digital realities; the new Proportionality Assessment Rules for Professions will contribute to strike the right balance for a modern Single Market of services and to set the rules for the future of professions in Europe. The EPP Group ensured the unification of the EU data market with the swift adoption of the Report on the Free Flow of Non-personal Data which ensures that the freedom to store and locate data becomes the 5th freedom of the EU. The EPP Group strengthened the crucial principle of Mutual Recognition of Goods Lawfully Marketed in another Member State, making sure that non-harmonised products can freely and safely be marketed across the EU.

The EPP Group completed the work and received the mandate for the Interinstitutional negotiations on the Report on Certain Aspects concerning Contracts for the Sales of Goods, offering EU consumers a single set of rules to ensure the rights of consumers both buying online and offline. The EPP Group tackled the issues regarding Public Procurement Strategy in the EU, dealing with plans for the modernisation of the public procurement sector. The EPP Group has also began work on strengthening the new Car Safety legislative framework and is playing a leading role in the implementation of the Directive on Combating Late Payments in Commercial Transaction to help businesses within the Internal Market.

The Circular Economy

Under the EPP Group, the Regulation on EU Fertilising Products was adopted and successfully navigated through the trialogue negotiations, which are still ongoing. As a part of the Circular Economy Package, this regulation will provide harmonised up-to date rules for all European farmers and producers and will also open potential for new markets and innovations.

Source: European Commission

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Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) In 2018, the ITRE Committee was very active in the field of energy, telecom and industry. Launched in 2016, the ‘Clean Energy Package’ was essential in 2018. The EPP Group took the lead to prepare the EP position on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. It was the first file from the package to be concluded. Interinstitutional agreements were reached on the following legislative files: the Directive on Energy Efficiency, the Directive on Governance of the Energy Union and the Directive on Promotion of the use of Energy from Renewable Sources.

In June 2018, the European Commission published new proposals on the ‘MFF’ which includes programs and funds for which the ITRE Committee is responsible, such as: Horizon Europe; the Space Programme (including Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus); the Defence Fund; the Connecting Europe Facility and the Digital Programme. The EPP Group also took the lead in the ‘Specific Programme Implementing Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2021–2027,’ the ‘Space Programme’ and the Connecting Europe Facility.

The work on the Clean Energy Package continues with three Reports on Electricity Market Design, Risk-preparedness in the Electricity Sector and European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. In the field of telecom, the EPP Group reached a final agreement on the ‘European Electronic Communications Code,’ aiming to settle a framework for telecommunications taking into account changes in markets, consumer trends and technology. An agreement has also been found on the ‘Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications’ (BEREC), regulating the governance and structure of BEREC and the BEREC Office. Under the EPP Group, the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), which is the first European programme specifically dedicated to industrial defence projects in order to increase cooperation and strengthen the competitiveness of the EU’s defence industry, was established. The EPP Group was additionally responsible for preparing the EP position on the ‘EU Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA) and Information and Communication Technology Cybersecurity Certification (Cybersecurity Act).’ The Interinstitutional negotiations are currently ongoing.

Source: European Commission

Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) The EPP Group played a key role in reinforcing a European sustainable, safe, climate friendly and innovative legislation in all modes of transport. This will be reflected in the updated rules for rail passengers as well as on managing waste from ships in European ports. Moreover, the EPP Group is committed to promoting safe, clean, connected and automated mobility (Mobility Packages II and III) as well as better infrastructure management, trans-European deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, combined transport and the civil-military dual use of infrastructure throughout the TEN-T networks. The EPP Group is committed to prioritising the main pillars on which the EU is built: the free movement of people, goods and services within the EU's Internal Market, and the economic, social and cultural benefits of a Single European Transport Area (SETA).

The EPP Group calls for the most efficient ways of financing, improving fundsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; administration and enhancing the effectiveness of control.

Air Transport Challenges

Thanks to an EPP Group initiative, high-level representatives from all the fields of transport addressed the TRAN Committee on Brexit. Stakeholders discussed the challenges for all transport modes, commenting on ways in which the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departure from the EU is likely to affect them. The EPP Group played a key role in the major reform of European aviation rules, ensuring passenger safety, and a transparent, fair and environmental friendly legislation. This was reflected in the systematic revision of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency Regulation safeguarding competition in air transport via the constant support for new comprehensive air agreements with third countries (Canada and the US). The EPP Group demands maximum flexibility among the financial instruments available for transport and took the lead in ensuring better funding, including through the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Connecting Europe Facility - and in all other important financial files transport-related - Cohesion Policy, InvestEU, Space and Horizon Europe.

Source: European Commission

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Special Committee on the EU Authorisation Procedure for Pesticides (PEST) The PEST Special Committee was set up to analyse and make recommendations on the scientific quality, transparency of decisionmaking processes and industry independence regarding the authorisation procedure for pesticides in the EU. This also includes the approval or renewal of active substances such as glyphosate using an evidence-based approach. In this context, the EPP Group pushed to ensure a high-level of protection for both human and animal health and the environment. In addition, the EPP Group supported measures aimed at increasing independency and transparency which are important to restore citizens' trust in the system, as well as measures aimed at increasing harmonisation and efficiency of the authorisation system. The work of the PEST Committee was based on a number of hearings with representatives of national authorities, EU Agencies and a wide range of stakeholders. Moreover, the following fact-finding missions were organised:

- Mission to the European Food safety Agency, Parma - Mission to the European Union Minor Uses Coordination Facility, Paris, and the La Morinière Fruit Experimentation Station, Saint-Epain - Mission to International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, and to a farm (‘Le domaine d’Epoisses’), Dijon On 6 December 2018, the work of the Special Committee on the EU Authorisation Procedure for Pesticides was finalised with a Committee vote on the draft report.

Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance (TAX3) Following the continued revelations over the last five years (Luxleaks, the Panama Papers, Football leaks and the Paradise Papers), a Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance (TAX3) was established on 1 March 2018 and its mandate will expire at the end of February 2019. The TAX3 Committee is the fourth consecutive Committee dedicated to these topics. Its constitutive meeting took place on 22 March 2018. The Committee consists of 45 MEPs, of whom 14 are from the EPP Group. The TAX3 Committee follows up on the work of its predecessors (the TAXE, TAX2 and PANA Committees). In addition, the Committee examines new issues, such as digital taxation, VAT fraud, national citizenship programs (so-called Golden Visas), shell companies and free ports.

TAX3 also puts a special focus on the recent cases of massive money laundering in Denmark and Estonia (Danske Bank), Latvia (ABLV bank), Malta (Pilatus bank) and the Netherlands (ING). The TAX3 Committee held 18 ordinary meetings and 11 Coordinators’ meetings from March until December 2018. The Committee organised two fact-finding missions (USA, Latvia) and two additional missions are foreseen until the end of the mandate (Isle of Man; Denmark/Estonia).

Standing Working Group 'Budget and Structural Policies'

1. In February, Council and EP adopt guidelines 2. In March, Council and EP meet to present their priorities to each other and agree on main dates 3. By the end of May, the Commission draws up the draft budget and submits it to the Council and EP 4. In July, the Council establishes its position 5. In September, the Council adopts its position and sends it to the EP 6. Within 42 days, the EP either approves the Council's position or adopts amendments 7. In October, the Commission adopts an amending letter on agriculture. If the EP adopts amendments on the Council's position, a Conciliation Commitee is convened. It has 21 days to agree on a joint text. 8. If the Conciliation Committee agrees on a joint text, Council and EP have 14 days to approve it. Then, the yearly Budget is adopted. 9. If Council and EP do not reach an agreement, the Commission has to present a new draft budget. 10. If the annual Budget is still not adopted at the beginning of the new year, the system of provisional twelfths applies: one twelfth of the previous year's Budget is allocated to each month.

Source: European Council

43 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

The Standing Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’ coordinates the following five Parliamentary Committees: Committee on Budgets (BUDG) In 2018, the EPP Group in the Budget Committee played a decisive role in determining the EP position on the two main pillars of the Committee’s activity - the 2021-2017 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and reform of the Own Resources system on one hand, and the EU Budget 2019 on the other hand. 2021-2027 MFF and Own Resources The EPP Group led the preparation of the EP Reports with large majorities. First, in March 2018, two Own Initiative Reports outlined the initial EP position on the next MFF and Own Resources, with the aim of shaping the relevant Commission’s proposals (subsequently presented in May 2018). Second, in November 2018, a single MFF Interim Report outlined the EP negotiating mandate for the 2021-2027 MFF negotiations, including in the form of concrete amendments to the proposed MFF Regulation and Interinstitutional Agreement (IIA), together with a table of figures for each EU policy and programme for the period 2021-2027. The EPP Group was instrumental in shaping and consolidating EP positions on every aspect of the Commission’s proposals. Key requests were put forward, including for the overall level of the next MFF, the increase of funding for several EU policies, the creation of a single package in the negotiations between the MFF and Own Resources and the improvement of the proposed flexibility provisions in the MFF. The EP negotiating team participates at this stage in a structured dialogue with the respective Council Presidencies and the General Affairs Council, which is in charge of the MFF. The EPP Group is expected to also play a key

role in the official MFF negotiations that will be launched with the Council. Budget 2019 The EPP Group secured a very successful Budget for 2019. The final compromise, this time a result of the extended negotiations, has reinforced the EP position. The main political priorities include Erasmus+, research, SMEs, security, tackling migration and the root causes of migration, youth unemployment and climate protection. In order to respond to the security and migration challenge, the EPP Group managed to boost the budget for agencies with security-related tasks (Europol, Eurojust) and allocated more to the EU’s external action. At the same time, the EP made sure to cut pre-accession funds for Turkey, in light of the deteriorating situation there in relation to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The EPP Group in the BUDG Committee is in charge of other important legislative dossiers, like the InvestEU programme, the EU’s new investment instrument for the 2021-2027 period. The EPP Group was successful in building a strong negotiating position for the EP, adopted at Committee level in December 2018.

Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) The EPP Group welcomed a further significant improvement in EU Budget management in 2018. Illegal payments have decreased notably, showing that the efforts of budget controllers and the Commission are delivering results. However, research expenditures continue to be affected by an error rate of 4.2%. Another concern for the EPP Group is the slow uptake of financial instruments by the financial beneficiaries. Only 10% of the payments have reached the beneficiaries, while huge amounts of money for investment are parked at banks, making their balance sheets look nicer, instead of continuing to the final beneficiary.

visited the dismantling of a Chernobyl-type nuclear power plant in Ignalina, Lithuania. Following the brutal murder of a Slovak investigative journalist, Jan Kuciak, the CONT-LIBE Committee fact-finding mission to Slovakia monitored closely the investigation to ensure that all bodies concerned, including the EU anti-fraud body OLAF, reveal the full truth.

The EPP Group praised the valuable role of these public-private partnership bodies to conduct research and innovations in many fields such as biotechnology, medicine or energy technology. They also offer opportunities for many innovative small and medium-sized companies. The evaluation of the governance and the use of EU funds show that these undertakings have achieved results and represent excellent value for money for taxpayers. Besides controlling the implementation of the Budget, the Committee is also responsible for designing the new spending rules. The Omnibus Regulation on the EU Financial Rules sets out the principles and procedures for the establishment and spending of the EU Budget and the control of EU funds. The EPP Group managed to slim down the rules and chose flexible solutions wherever possible and appropriate. Good progress was also made towards establishing a performance budgeting culture. Anti-fraud provisions were given sharper teeth, and new rules on conflicts of interest mean that it will be a lot harder for government officials to give EU grants and contracts to themselves. In 2018 the CONT Committee undertook a fact-finding mission to the Island of Lesbos in Greece to oversee the implementation of EU funds devoted to refugees and migrants. Another Committee Delegation

Source: European Commission

45 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) In June 2018, the European Commission unveiled legislative proposals for a new Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2021 to 2027. The main proposal combines under one regulation the CAPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First and Second Pillars and proposes a new delivery model based on strategic plans to be designed by the Member States within a common EU framework. Regarding the Common Market Organisation and the Horizontal Regulation, the EPP Group is committed to ensuring that the legislative procedure advances as efficiently as possible in the interest of EU agriculture.

The Future of EU Agricultural Policy

Thanks to the EPP Group, the EP set out a political framework to underpin the CAP reform process now underway, insisting that the two-pillar architecture of the CAP continues and that funding should be maintained at the current level. Any new model for implementing the CAP must ensure a level-playing field within the Single Market, respect the division of competences within the Member States and must result in genuine simplification for farmers. Two EPP Group Reports also serve as key references for the CAP reform: the Report on the Apiculture Sector recognises the fundamental importance of beekeeping to European agriculture and demands an increase in aid levels along with measures to prevent adulterated honey appearing on the Internal Market, whilst the Report on the Sheep and Goat Sectors made a series of proposals to improve its prospects amid very challenging circumstances. A long-standing campaign by the EPP Group for enforceable measures to root out unfair trading practices in the food supply chain ultimately bore fruit with the publication by the Commission of a legislative proposal in April. Having been instrumental in the political process that convinced the Commission of the need for EU-wide regulation, the EPP Group is now negotiating so that robust new rules to protect farmers from unfair practices are agreed before the end of the year.

Source: European Commission

Committee on Regional Development (REGI)

Under the lead of the EPP Group, the REGI Committee proposes raising the next Multiannual Cohesion Policy Budget to €373bn, which represents a 13% rise compared to the Commission proposal, including €226bn for the European Regional Development Fund (€11bn for the Interreg territorial co-operation) and €46bn for the Cohesion Fund. The REGI Committee - backed by an EPP Group led amendment on the current Common Provisions Regulation on the use of the performance reserve under the ESI Funds for structural reforms - has rejected, with a clear majority, the Commission proposal in question for not being in line with the performance orientation principle of Cohesion Policy.

Cohesion Policy in the EU A reformed Cohesion Policy for Europe The main investment policy for jobs and growth The reforms agreed for the 2014-2020 period are designed to maximise the impact of the available EU funding.

GROWTH

Overall EU 2014-2020 budget

32.5 % Cohesion policy funding

€351.8 billion

€730.2 billion

siv e

€1 082 billion

Other EU policies, agriculture, research, external, etc.

67.5 %

a Su rt st ai In nab clu le

Four Regulations on Cohesion Policy (European Structural and Investment Funds - ESIF) for 2021-2027 were put forward by the European Commission in May 2018, including the Common Provisions Regulation and three fund - or instrument - specific related. They comprise of EU investment expenditure towards the objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion, and provide for the important part of economic growth and job creation that will come through the regions of the EU. Throughout 2018, these have been considered by the EPP Group in the REGI Committee. Reports and amendments to the regulations introduced changes in the sense of the provision of a modern, better focused, more effective and user-friendly Cohesion Policy, and rapid pursuit of the next stages of the legislative process.

Coh esio n Po Euro deliver licy s pe2 020 Goa ls

DELIVERED THROUGH 3 FUNDS

Europe 2020 in a nutshell

EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

THE EU’S TEN YEAR GROWTH STRATEGY Aims to delivery growth that is:

SMART through investments in education, research and innovation

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND

SUSTAINABLE thanks to a move towards a low-carbon economy INCLUSIVE with an emphasis on job creation and poverty reduction

COHESION FUND

€351.8bn

COHESION POLICY FUNDING

EXPECTED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

LIKELY IMPACT OF COHESION POLICY

€500bn +

Source: European Commission

47 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Committee on Fisheries (PECH) In 2018, the EPP Group in the Fisheries Committee was actively engaged in defending the socio-economic aspects of the fishing sector while respecting environmental and sustainable practices. The Fisheries Committee dealt with many important issues, such as Multiannual Management Plans; moreover it started working on the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2021-2027. Multiannual Management Plans are of utmost importance for the efficient implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy. They are tailored to each sea basin individually and offer a long-term perspective for the fisheries sector. Policies include: - The North Sea plan was adopted in May and the EPP Group substantially contributed to the setting of a stable framework of rules to govern future decisions on fishing opportunities in this area marked by the presence of mixed fish stocks. - Inter-institutional negotiations started in November on the Western Waters Multiannual Management Plan and a possible agreement is foreseen by the end of this legislature. - The plans on the Adriatic Sea and the Western Mediterranean are currently under discussion and are foreseen for Council negotiations in the next year. The key Report on Technical Measures for Fisheries Conservation - initiated by the EPP Group - served as a basis to launch intense negotiations with the Council, in the attempt to reach a positive compromise by the end of this legislature. The Report on European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) prepared by the EPP Group is part of the ‘MFF’ package that will shape the EU's financial assets and funding power for the 2021-2027 period. Discussions will continue in the coming months with the hope that the report will be adopted in Plenary before the European elections, in order to ensure the continuity of financing for fishermen and the fishing communities. A successful EPP Group PECH Committee mission to The Netherlands took place in February; MEPs met Dutch fishermen, stakeholders and the minister responsible.

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

The European Maritime And Fisheries Fund 2014-2020

Allocated in total from 2014-2020.

To help fishermen adapt to sustainable fishing, create jobs for the sector and diversify economies in coastal communities.

11%

Distributed between:

The EMFF assists Member States to co-finance operational programmes and projects, to reach the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy.

It is one of the five European Structural and Investment Funds which complement each other to deliver more jobs, welfare and growth in the EU.

Managed by the European Commission To support EU-wide objectives in maritime and coastal affairs: International governance Cooperation through exchange of information and best practices Public information and support to networking platforms Marine Knowledge Maritime Spatial Planning

89%

Managed by the member states Divided amongst EU countries, the funds are used for: Reducing impact of fishing on the marine environment More market tools for professionals and consumers Joint stewardship of protected areas and Natura 2000 sites Special support to small-scale fishermen Among which:

€4340 €580 M

Sustainable Fisheries

Making fisheries and aquaculture more sustainable and profitable: Ensuring and creating sustainable jobs Local development and support to fisheries areas Marketing and processing

Control and Enforcement

To monitor compliance with the European Common Fisheries Policy and protect a fair access to healthy stocks: Access to fishing grounds Controlling fishing effort, TACs and quotas Other technical measures to improve selectivity and sustainability

Source: European Commission

€520

Data Collection

To collect the data the scientists need to improve our knowledge of the seas and the long term management of our fisheries: Understanding and monitoring of commercial species Dynamics of single stocks and mixed fisheries Ecological modelling of regional basins

€71

Blue Economy

To unlock sustainable growth and job creation from our seas and oceans, in areas such as: Maritime surveillance (CISE) Improved knowledge of the seas and ecosystems Enabling rational exploitation of new marine resources (e.g. energy, biotech)

Standing Working Group 'Legal and Home Affairs'

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a highly efficient large-scale information system that supports external border control and law enforcement cooperation in the Schengen States. The SIS enables competent authorities, such as police and border guards, to enter and consult alerts on certain categories of wanted or missing persons and objects. An SIS alert not only contains information about a particular person or object but also clear instructions on what to do when the person or object has been found. Specialised national SIRENE Bureaux serve as single points of contact for any supplementary information exchange and coordination of activities related to SIS alerts. The SIS is in operation in 30 European countries, including 26 EU Member States (only Ireland and Cyprus are not yet connected to SIS) and 4 Schengen Associated Countries (Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland).

Source: European Council

49 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

The Standing Working Group â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Legal and Home Affairsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coordinates the following six Committees and one Special Committee: Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) The EPP Group successfully concluded negotiations on the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) adopted in October 2018. The new directive extends the scope of the regulation to Internet video services on video sharing platforms and to videos disseminated on Social Media platforms such as Facebook. European media regulation is now fit for the digital era by applying similar rules to similar services, whether online or offline.

EU Audiovisual Media Services

The European film sector and European cultural diversity are protected. Providers of on-demand audiovisual media services will have to ensure that at least 30% of their catalogues consists of European content. The revised rules give broadcasters more flexibility in television advertising: the overall limit of 20% of broadcasting time is maintained between 6:00 to 18:00. A primetime window was also set between 18.00 and midnight during which advertising will only be allowed to take up a maximum of 20% of broadcasting time. Moreover, the EPP Group insisted on the protection of minors and users from violent or harmful content, as well as hate speech, by introducing a clear responsibility for video-sharing platforms. The EPP Group additionally examined the financial, educational, structural and digital barriers and obstacles to cultural access and participation, and identified political priorities and measures to overcome them. Therefore the importance of coordinating cultural policy with other policy areas such as economic, educational, social, regional, foreign, digital and media policies was a priority.

Source: European Commission

Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) In 2018, the EP adopted its position on the Digital Contracts Directive. This legislative initiative eliminates key contract law-related barriers hindering cross-border trade and reduces uncertainty for businesses and consumers due to divergent national rules.

SMEs and the EU Economy

The EPP Group has always defended a balanced approach on copyright in the interest of creators and consumers. One major step forward was the adoption of the Report on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM). Furthermore, the Satellite and Cable Directive Regulation now proposes to facilitate cross border provision of news and current affairs programmes by broadcasters online while safeguarding the diversity of the EU creative sector. The EPP Group has always striven to improve the quality of European laws. To this end it successfully shaped the final text of the Report on the Progress of the 2016 Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making. The EPP Group adopted the following priorities: the impact of legislation on SMEs, competitiveness and innovation and reducing unnecessary regulatory and administrative burdens and ‘gold-plating.’

Source: European Commission

The Reports on the Regulatory Procedure with Scrutiny Alignment share the Commission’s proposal to update the existing cases of the Regulatory Procedure with Scrutiny (RPS) to delegated acts and build on the EP resolution of 2014 in order to align legislation to the legal framework introduced by the Lisbon Treaty. In the Report on Preventive Restructuring Frameworks and Second Chance for Entrepreneurs, the EPP Group achieved a proposal balancing interests of debtors and creditors, and providing for an EU framework which gives enterprises a chance for restructuring and a second start.

51 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) In 2018, while continuing the fight against terrorist financing, legislation was concluded on the Mutual Recognition of Asset Freezing and Confiscation Orders, the harmonisation of money-laundering offences across the EU, and tightened rules and improved information exchange regarding the control of big amounts of cash entering or leaving the EU. Eurojust will lead improved judicial cooperation while ensuring high data protection standards fully in line with the updated data protection rules for the EU Institutions and bodies. The EPP Group was actively involved in the EP inquiry into the major data breach relating to Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. During three Committee Hearings, MEPs grilled regulatory and industry experts about the current privacy practices of online platforms, the impact of disinformation and fake news on electoral campaigns and on the Brexit referendum.

The EPP Group played a key role in keeping Europe safe, improving security for European citizens and ensuring better management of borders by leading the negotiations on the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System, which completes the picture of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Smart Bordersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; system.

Security Controls when Arriving and Leaving the Schengen area

The reform of the Schengen Information System will enable to better secure European borders, fight and prevent crime in the EU, while preserving internal security in the Schengen states. The strengthened capacity of the EU-LISA agency will improve the EU's information systems for security and border management. Work continues on the file on the Interoperability of EU Information Systems. This aims to plug the existing gaps between all information systems and to ensure that information for border guards and law enforcement authorities is more complete and accurate.

Source: European Council

Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) The AFCO Committee amended the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the Statute and Funding of European Political Parties and European Political Foundations in order to address existing loopholes that lead to inappropriate use of funding and the possibility of multi-party membership of MEPs. The EP consent by absolute majority on the Reform of the European Electoral Law was a remarkable success for the EPP Group. It is the first time the EP modernised the rules for the European election since the adoption of the Electoral Act in 1976, making the elections more transparent and accessible to millions of citizens. The Regulation on the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) underwent a thorough revision. The revised regulation will make the ECI more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use and thus easier to foster

Trends in Turnout at National and EP elections

debate and participation - including that of young people at Europeanlevel - and to bring the EU closer to its citizens. The EPP Group successfully led the Report on the Review of the Framework Agreement between the EP and the Commission. In the resolution, the EP supported the Spitzenkandidaten process and warned that the EP will be ready to reject any candidate in the investiture procedure of the President of the Commission who was not appointed as a ‘Spitzenkandidat’ in the run-up to the European elections. In the Report on the Composition of the European Parliament, the EPP Group ensured that the next EP elected in May 2019 will have a more fair and balanced distribution of seats among the 27 Member States. As the UK is set to leave the EU, the EP will also be reduced in size, down from currently 751 MEPs to 705 MEPs after the elections.

The trend lines for turnout in four different types of election in the period since the first EP direct elections took place in 1979 show that voter turnout has been on a consistently downward path, both within the EU and in the United States. Indeed, these trends are consistent with a general decline in average turnout at elections in most G20 democracies since 1945 – from around 80% in the immediate post-war period to around 60% today. The graph above highlights the close relationship between the (downward) paths of turnout in EP elections and (mid-term) US Congressional elections, in both absolute values and trends. The parallel declines in turnout at Member States’ parliamentary elections and at EP elections demonstrate that voters treat EP elections in the same way as their national elections, but with an average turnout at national elections around 15 to 20 percentage points higher. In general, elections in which voters decide who runs the executive branch of government, as well as who controls the legislature, attract a higher turnout than other elections.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Centre

53 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) The EPP Group welcomed the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on Work-life Balance for Workers and Carers, which safeguards individual rights of paternity, parental and carers’ leave and the right to request flexible working arrangements. In parallel, the EPP Group, as outlined in the Report on Care Services in the EU for Improved Gender Equality, advocated the development of care infrastructures necessary to address the problem of women’s underrepresentation in the labour market. Since women constitute nearly 70% of journalism and information technology graduates, the EPP Group, as detailed in the Report on Gender Equality in the Media Sector, addressed the importance of a greater presence for women in the media, particularly in decisionmaking, as well as non-stereotyped media content.

In the Implementation Report on the Directive on the European Protection Order the EPP Group ensured that people who have been granted protection measures in one Member State continue to benefit from equivalent protection in another Member State. Moreover, through the implementation of the Victims Directive the EPP Group ensured that victims, particularly children, women and girls, receive proper protection, support and access to justice. The Report on Measures to Prevent and Combat Mobbing and Sexual Harassment at the Workplace, in Public Spaces and Political Life in the EU identifies steps taken by the EP to tackle this phenomenon. Meanwhile, the Report on Transforming the Lives of Girls and Women through EU External Relations 2016-2020 assessed measures to enhance equality and women’s empowerment through concrete actions.

Committee on Petitions (PETI) In February 2018, a PETI Committee Delegation visited Potsdam and Lusatia (Germany) to examine the impact of lignite-mining and coalfired power stations on the Sorb community, as well as pollution of the river Spree and the adjacent waters. The EPP Group greatly supports environmental protection and preservation of minorities’ rights. Moreover, the EPP Group encourages regions with coal mining activities to consult the Commission platform on Coal Regions in Transition in order to develop innovative projects for a viable economic and technological transformation.

In its report, the PETI Committee called on the competent authorities to create a concrete plan for economic restructuring and measures for regional development in the Lusatia region in close consultation with the Sorb minority while phasing out the lignite mining industry. MEPs asked the Commission to assess the compliance with the Water Framework Directive, the Drinking Water Directive and the Groundwater Directive in the state of Brandenburg. Furthermore, the EPP Group supports the work of the European Ombudsman in improving transparency in the Council of the EU. EU decisions must be taken as openly as possible. The EPP Group calls for the transformation of the Council into a true legislative chamber, thus creating a genuinely bicameral legislative system within the EU Institutions.

Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) The EP set up a Special Committee on Terrorism on 6 July 2017. During its mandate, the Committee organised consultations and hearings with the main actors involved in the EU Institutions and national experts on counter-terrorism, in all areas of activity, as well as with specialists in the prevention of radicalisation and in support for victims of terrorism. The Committee participated in several missions to the main EU capitals involved in terrorism matters (Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid and Rome) as well as to other places of interest. The mandate of the TERR Committee finished on 14 November 2018, with a Report containing recommendations and proposals for the Council and the Commission, thereby carrying out a significant contribution to improve the efficiency of Europe’s capacity to respond to and combat terrorism.

How Interoperable Databases will Boost Europe's Security

Source: European Council

55 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Fighting terrorist & violent online content

Strategic support capability

ECTC

Scenario & threat assessment

Direct and immediate on-the-spot support Emergency Response Team (EMRT) Live investigation support Incident response and coordination

European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC)

Counter terrorism expertise

ECTC

European Counter Terrorism Centre

Operational support, coordination and expertise

Information hub for counter terrorism

Fighting terrorist & violent online content

Strategic support capability Scenario & threat assessment

ECTC

Direct and immediate on-the-spot support Emergency Response Team (EMRT) Live investigation support Incident response and coordination

European Counter Terrorism Centre

Senior counter terrorism investigators and analysts with language expertise relevant for counter terrorism

Utilising Liaison Bureaux network at Europol

Utilising established counter terrorism networks and services at EU level Europol National Contact Points for counter terrorism Working Group Dumas EU Bomb Data System (EBDS) European Explosive Ordnance Disposal Network (EEODN) First Response Network (FRN)

Robust security and conďŹ dentiality framework

24/7 capabilities

Utilising Liaison Bureaux network at Europol

Robust security and conďŹ dentiality framework

24/7 capabilities

Source: EUROPOL

Counter terrorism expertise

Senior counter terrorism investigators and analysts with language expertise relevant for counter terrorism

EPP Group External Meetings and Events 1. Meetings of the EPP Group Bureau outside the three Working Seats of the European Parliament: These meetings are organised by the Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office to elaborate EPP Group positions on selected issues and to deepen relations with Member States and to express support to an EPP Member Party.

4. EPP Group Hearings: Hosted by EPP Group MEPs 5. EPP Group Conferences, Seminars and Events: Jointly hosted by EPP Group MEPs

2. Study Days: These meetings are organised by the Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office 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. 3. Parliamentary Research and the European Ideas Network (EIN): The Unit offers a valuable mechanism for further developing the political identity of the EPP Group by increasing the number of forums for debate.

The primary debate forum takes tangible form within the framework of the European Ideas Network (EIN), which represents an open panEuropean think-tank designed to promote new thinking on the key challenges facing the European Union.

57 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

1 - EPP Group Bureau Meetings outside the Three Working Seats of the European Parliament Valencia, Spain EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 8-9 March 2018 Discussions focused on: • The Success Story of Spain in Europe • Innovation: A Challenge for the EU • Innovation in Agriculture • Towards an Innovative Union

Lyon, France EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 12-13 April 2018 Discussions focused on: • Security for France and Europe • New Ways to Fight Radicalisation • Europe and the Future of Police Forces

Vienna, Austria EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 6-7 September 2018

VIENNA

LYON

Discussions focused on: • The New Fairness Issue for Europe • New Fairness in the Digitalised Society • New Fairness Throughout Europe • Brexit – State of Play

VALENCIA

Over the course of these EPP Group Bureau Meetings, four EPP Group Position Papers were discussed and adopted: • EPP Group Position Paper on Our Euro: Stable, Stimulating, Successful

• EPP Group Position Paper on Innovate Europe! We Put People at the Heart of Innovation

• EPP Group Position Paper on How the EU Can Help to Heal Cancer

• EPP Group Position Paper on We Put People’s Safety First

EPP Group Position Paper

Our Euro: Stable, Stimulating, Successful

Innovate Europe! We Put People at the Heart of Innovation

EU Can Help to Heal Cancer: Nobody to Die of

We Put People’s Safety First

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

Cancer in 20 years’ Time

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

59 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

2 - EPP Group Study Days

3 – Parliamentary Research and the European Ideas Network (EIN)

Munich, Germany EPP Group Study Days: 6-8 June 2018

In the field of Parliamentary Research, in collaboration with the IT Department and Legislative Coordination and Whip Office Unit, the database (EVA) for vote analysis allows for finding valuable information on voting records right away and defines prevailing trends as well as guidance for EPP Group strategy on votes. In 2018, there was a number of reports produced based on data obtained via the EVA Tool and a presentation was made to the Presidency and Heads of National Delegations. Cooperation with the EPP Party was established using the EVA Tool.

Discussions focused on: • The European Way of Life • Our Success for Europe • Our Priorities for the Next Legislative Period Helsinki, Finland EPP Group Study Days: 7-8 November 2018 Discussions focused on: • Moving Europe Forward • International Responsibility for a Brighter Future • EU and Tax Good Governance: Fighting Tax Evasion and Money Laundering

The EIN organises a number of different types of activities: Breakfast Meetings, Food for Thought Lunch-debates and Working Group Seminars In 2018, the EIN organised an active programme of Breakfast Meetings, Food for Thought Lunch-debates and Working Group Seminars. Special relevance was placed on: • • • • •

EU Transatlantic Dialogue in the Mediterranean Region Migration and the Common European Asylum System The Innovation Union in the Digital Age EU Defence and Security Policy The Future of the Transatlantic Political and Economic Relationship

EIN Trans-Atlantic-Group (TAG)

A selection of illustrations detailing EIN events that took place in 2018

The 2018 Trans-Atlantic-Group meeting celebrated its 10th anniversary. Held in Washington between 7-9 of July, this meeting provided a unique experience for 11 MEPs and various USA legislators from both Houses to evaluate the state of US-European Relations. Discussions focused on: • International Security and Transatlantic Challenges • Transatlantic Cooperation in the MiddleEast • The Future of NATO and Transatlantic Burden-sharing • Russia and China, • USA-EU Trade and Tariff Disputes • Economic and Demographic Challenges.

@EIN_ThinkTanks

EIN Seminar:

EU Transatlantic dialogue in the Mediterranean region Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

@EIN_ThinkTanks

EIN Seminar:

Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

What future for the EU-US relationship in a new era?

www.ein.eu

Investing in Education and Innovation Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network 11-12 October 2018 Olympion Cinema Complex Pavlos Zannas Film Theatre 10, Aristotelous Sq., GR-54623 Thessaloniki - Greece

www.ein.eu

Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

Wednesday 2 May 2018 from 16.30-19.30 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

@EIN_ThinkTanks

EIN seminar

EIN joint seminar with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation on:

The Future of Europe:

Towards an Innovation union in the digital age The future of the Welfare State Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

15-16 October 2018 Academy of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Tiergartenstr. 35 10785 Berlin, Germany

www.ein.eu

Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

www.ein.eu

@EIN_ThinkTanks

Technological leadership and industrial revolution: the role of the European Union

EU Defence and Security Policy: The role of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN)

Wednesday 28 February 2018 from 16.30-19.30 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

www.ein.eu

@EIN_ThinkTanks

EIN Seminar on:

The fairness mechanism; a Common European Asylum System

Wednesday 21 February 2018 from 12.30-15.00 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

@EIN_ThinkTanks

EIN Seminar:

EIN Lunch Debate:

Wednesday 24 January 2018 from 15.00-18.00 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

www.ein.eu

@EIN_ThinkTanks

EIN seminar

In-migration, out-migration: the last 25 years in Central Europe Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

7 November 2018, 15.00 - 18.30 hrs Messukeskus Hall 4 Messukeskus Congress Centre Helsinki, Finland

www.ein.eu

Tuesday 20 November 2018 15.00-18.00 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

www.ein.eu

61 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Summer University The 17th EIN Summer University took place in Riga, Latvia, between 24-25 September, focusing on ‘The European Way of Life.’ Debates were held on: • External Policies of the EU and Development • Economic Growth • Industrial Competitiveness • Research and Innovation, • EU Security and Defence • Strategies on Counter Terrorism and Extremism, • A Union of Values Young people participated as Youth Ambassadors during the 2018 EIN Summer University - individually or as a team - by submitting their creative and thoughtprovoking ideas on ‘Tomorrow’s European Way of Life.’ The three winning projects/ teams were given the opportunity to present their findings at the conference as well as to participate in the discussions. The highlight of the event was the awarding of the EIN Francisco Lucas Pires Merit Award, an award for achievements in promoting the European project, to Lech Wałęsa.

4 - EPP Group Hearings A selection of illustrations detailing EPP Group Hearings that took place in 2018

Public Hearing

EPP Public Hearing on

Public Hearing

From the ﬁelds to the table Hosted by Nuno Melo MEP Wednesday 7 March 2018 from 14.00-16.00 hrs Room ASP A3E2, European Parliament, Brussels

the Future of Food & Farming Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group Albert Dess MEP, EPP Group Coordinator Czesław Siekierski MEP, Chairman of the Agriculture Committee

Herbert Dorfmann MEP, EP Rapporteur with

Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development

Digitalisation for Development:

reducing inequalities through technology

Hosted by Bogdan Wenta MEP,

EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Development

Keynote speech by Mariya Gabriel,

and a panel of invited experts

European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Wednesday 11 April 2018 from 15.00-18.00 hrs Room JAN 2Q2, European Parliament, Brussels Registration: In case you do NOT have a badge to access the European Parliament, please send an e-mail by 3 April at the latest to epp-agri-cap-hearing@europarl.europa.eu including your full name, date of birth, nationality, type of ID document and number of ID document.

Interpretation: FR I DE I IT I NL I EN EL I ES I PT I HU I LV PL I SL I BG I RO I HR

EPP GROUP PUBLIC HEARING ON

A win-win situation in Cohesion Policy Hosted by Lambert Van Nistelrooij MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Regional Development

Wednesday 11 April 2018 from 14.30-17.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q2, European Parliament, Brussels

with Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market,

Registration: In case you do NOT have a badge to access the European Parliament, please send an e-mail by 4 April at the latest to martyna.rudka@ep.europa.eu including your full name, date of birth, nationality, type of ID document and number of ID document.

Wednesday 23 May 2018, 15.30 - 18.30 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

Interpretation: FR I DE I EN I ES I HU I PL

Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Interpretation: EN I FR I DE I RO I PL I ES

Wednesday 17 October 2018, 15.00-18.30 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

EPP GROUP HEARING ON THE NEW

ERASMUS+ 2021-2027

PROGRAMME EPP Public Hearing on Cohesion Policy post-2020:

INVESTMENTS AND SOLIDARITY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NEW EU BUDGET Hosted by Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) with Andrey Novakov MEP, EPP Group Vice-Coordinator (REGI) Joachim Zeller MEP, Vice-Chair (REGI) and Marc Joulaud MEP

Wednesday 26 September 2018 from15.30 to18.30 hrs Room ASP A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels Interpretation: FR I DE I BG I EN I ES

EPP Group Hearing

CROSS-BORDER HEALTHCARE Hosted by Ivo Belet MEP, EPP Group Rapporteur Wednesday 17 October 2018, 15.00-17.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q2, European Parliament, Brussels

Interpretation: FR I DE I NL I EN

EPP Group Hearing

THE FIGHT FOR THE TRUTH: FREE AND INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM IN TODAY’S WORLD Welcome and introduction: Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament Opening remarks: Esteban González Pons MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and Chair of the Working Group Legal and Home Affairs Closing remarks: Tadeusz Zwiefka MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for communication

Welcome address by Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group Welcome address by Sabine Verheyen MEP, EPP Coordinator in the Committee for Culture and Education (CULT) Closing remarks by Milan Zver MEP, European Parliament rapporteur for the Erasmus+ 2021-27

Interpretation:

EN, DE, FR, SL, HU

Thursday 18 October 2018 from 09.30-12.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q2, European Parliament, Brussels Registration by e-mail: epp-libe@europarl.europa.eu until 16 October 2018. If you require access to the European Parliament, please include your full name, date of birth, nationality, type and number of ID document.

Interpretation: EN I FR I DE I ES I IT

63 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

5 - EPP Group Conferences, Seminars and Events A selection of illustrations detailing EPP Group Conferences, Seminars and Events that took place in 2018 Tuesday 30 January 2018 from 17.00-18.30 hrs Room 03K002, European Parliament, Brussels

Fasting is an uplifting and energizing personal discipline. Come and discuss motivations for fasting,

Tuesday 27 February 2018 from 10.00-12.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament Brussels

worlddownsyndromeday.org

methods we follow and results we experience!

MEP György Schöpﬂin with the author Frank Furedi Invite you to the book launch:

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

European Culture Wars The conﬂict of Values between Hungary and the EU

The Paralympic Dynamic parallel to Rugby

The Art of Fasting Hosted by Alojz Peterle MEP Wednesday 31 January 2018 from 14.00 – 15.00 hrs Room ASP 5F-385, European Parliament, Brussels

Tuesday 30 January 2018 from 16.00-17.30 hrs Room ASP 5F385, European Parliament, Brussels

Concert

'Nem Adom Fel' Hosted by MEP

Ádám Kósa

Policy recommendations for EU action

Opening speech by Antonio Tajani MEP President of the European Parliament

stability in Libya

Brieﬁng on the prospects of Hosted by Jaromír Štětina MEP and the Konrad Adenauer Stiﬅung

Ádám Kósa

Breakfast Debate

Saving lives on Europe’s roads:

FOR DATA-BASED TRANSFORMATION

Speakers: Patrick Ky Executive Director, EASA Eamonn Brennan DG Eurocontrol Peter Bellew COO Ryanair Mike Murphy 737 Chief Engineer Boeing

Wednesday 21 March 2018 from 15.00-17.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

R o o m J A N 6 Q 1 , E u ro p e a n Pa r l i a m e n t , B r u s s e l s

Images of the success of deinstitutionalisation in Hungary

Hosted by MEP

POINTING THE WAY FORWARD Hosted by MEPs Deirdre Clune (EPP Group), Ismail Ertug (S&D Group) and Matthijs van Miltenburg (ALDE) in conjunction with Ryanair and Boeing

Under the patronage of Antonio Tajani MEP, President of the European Parliament

Wednesday 21 March 2018 18.00-19.30 hrs

Exhibition

It's MY Life

By the Hungarian band

AVIATION SECTOR

Hosted by: Marian Jean Marinescu MEP Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group Keynote speaker: Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action & Energy

Down Syndrome linked to Alzheimer’s, Autism and Cancer requires EU crossed research

Registration until 15 March at EPP-Bioethics@europarl.europa.eu

I won't give up! Big Data Improving Aviation Safety

Common Energy Policy

ROUND TABLE

Opening ceremony 20 March 2018, 17:30 hrs at Distribution Area D3 European Parliament

20 March 2018, 19.00 hrs PHS Yehudi Menuhin Area European Parliament

DISCUSSION ON EU EXTERNAL ACTION Hosted by the European Union-United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group

Hosted by Deirdre Clune MEP, with Mehdi Hocine, Deputy head of unit DG GROW, European Commission

Tuesday 27 March 2018 10.00-12.00 hrs Room ASP 5E3, European Parliament, Brussels

Wednesday 11 April 2018 from 08.00-09.30 hrs Member's Salon, ASP Floor 0, European Parliament

WITH DIPLOMATS FROM THE EMIRATES DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY

Sandwich buffet to follow with tasting of Hungarian wines

Tuesday 20 March 2018 from 16.00-18.00 hrs Room A5–E3, European Parliament, Brussels

What can a reform to the General Safety Regulation oﬀer?

RSVP: mailto:rybakowskam@ryanair.com more informations:

CONFERENCE ON CANCER

Breakfast on the occasion of the

1st World Bee Day th

The 3rd EDbU conference on deafblindness

ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE, TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH

May 20 2018

Hosted by MEPs Alojz Peterle and Franc Bogovič Lívia Járóka MEP has the pleasure to invite you to the Hungarian painting exhibition

Tuesday 15 May 2018 from 08.00-09.00 hrs Members' Restaurant, ASP, Block G, Level 0, European Parliament, Brussels

Gates of Faith Masterpieces of Attila Soproni-Somlai 4-8 June 2018 - "Distribution Centre Area - 3D" (ASP 3th floor), European Parliament, Brussels

Event organised by MEPs Ádám Kósa, Helga Stevens, Ivica Tolić and Dubravka Šuica in partnership with the European Deafblind Union Tuesday 5 June 2018 from 09.00-11.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Official opening: Tuesday 5 June 2018 Starting at 19.00 hrs Opening speech by Lívia Járóka Vice-President of the European Parliament The opening will be followed by a cocktail reception at the Member's Restaurant (ASP Block G, Level 0)

EPP Group Conference on:

Environmental zones in cities in the EU

Policy perspectives and regulation challenges

Chaired by Annie Schreijer-Pierik MEP

Roundtable hosted by Laima Andrikiene MEP

Wednesday 6 June 2018 from 16.00-18.00 hrs Room 5 F 385, European Parliament, Brussels

Wednesday 20 June 2018 from 14.00-16.00 hrs Room ASP 5E3, European Parliament, Brussels

Language: Dutch, German (no interpretation)

E-CIGARETTES & VAPING:

THE EU MUST TAKE ITS RESPONSIBILITY

TO FIGHT AGAINST CANCER Chaired by Françoise Grossetête MEP with MEPs Peter Liese and Alojz Peterle Cornelius Schmaltz, Head of Unit for Strategy, DG Research & Innovation, EC John Ryan, Director for Public Health, European Commission Prof. Dr Angelika Eggert, Expert on Cancer in children Françoise Meunier, MD, PhD, Director EORTC, Special Projects

Wednesday 27 June 2018 from 14.30-16.00 hrs Room JAN 2Q2, European Parliament, Brussels Interpretation: FR I DE I NL I EN I PL

EPP “Day of the European Accessibility Act” Wednesday 27 June from 12.45-14.15 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament

Symposium

Turning rights into reality 14.30-16.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1

Photo Exhibition Prisma

PS LetMEbe Hosted by MEPs

Lambert van Nistelrooij (EPP Group) & Dieter-Lebrecht Koch (EPP Group)

MEPs Luděk Niedermayer and Jeppe Kofod are pleased to invite you to a panel discussion on

Trump's tax reform:

short and long-term consequences for the global economic order Distinguished speakers are: European Commission: Hiddo Houben, DG Trade, Head of Unit USA&Canada Harvard Law School: Stephen E. Shay, Senior Lecturer Tax Law and Policy PwC Netherlands: Edwin Visser, Partner, Tax Policy Leader EMEA, Tax controversy and dispute resolution leader EMEA

Press conference

END THE CLOCK CHANGE IN THE EU With Pavel Svoboda MEP and many other MEPs of the Working Group against the biannual clock change

Opening: Monday 9 July 2018 at 17.00 hrs Location: Altiero Spinelli Building, 3rd Floor, Zone D European Parliament, Brussels

Wednesday 12 September 2018 - 16.30-17.00 hrs Daphné Caruana Galizia Press conference room, Strasbourg

Hosted by: Adina Valean MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Speakers: Isidro Laso, Head of Startup Europe, European Commission Nicholas Zylberglajt, President of the European Young Innovators Forum Oana Bouraoui, President of Romanian IT

Monday 24 September 2018 from 15.00-17.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Please RSVP to petra.prasilova@europarl.europa.eu

BUSINESS AVIATION:

STRENGTHENING EUROPEAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Tuesday 16 October 2018 at 08.OO HRS Members Salon EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, BRUSSELS

what’s in it for European citizens? Hosted by Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP

THE HUNGARIAN COMMUNITY IN SLOVAKIA A CENTURY OF MINORITY EXISTENCE PHOTO EXHIBITION

Wednesday 27 June 2018 from 16.00-18.00 hrs Room P3C050, European Parliament, Brussels

Scientific Research and Innovation The Future of Hygiene

2018 Global Hunger Index

Exhibition hosted by Pál Csáky MEP

Hosted by MEPs Brian Hayes (EPP Group) and Arne Lietz (S&D Group) Moderated by Linda McAvan MEP, Chair Committee on Development

Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections & AMR Evidence from Italy's new multi-center SAN ICA study Hosted by MEP Alojz Peterle (EPP Group/Slovenia)

Opening of the exhibition Tuesday 16 October 2018 at 13.00 hrs

Wednesday 10 October 2018, 17.00-18.00 hrs ROOM ASP 5E-3, European Parliament, Brussels

Conference:

Turning risk into opportunity

Launch of the

Guest Speakers Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Laura Hammond, Development Studies, SOAS, London Bucay Deng, Deputy Country Director, Welthungerhilfe South Sudan Amina Abdulla, Country Director, Concern Worldwide Kenya Dominic McSorely, CEO, Concern Worldwide

in Central and Eastern Europe Hosted by Lívia Járóka MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament

Wednesday 17 October 2018 from 16.00-18.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q-1, European Parliament, Brussels

For registration please send your name, ID number and date of birth by 16 October 2018 to livia.jaroka-office@ep.europa.eu

ASP 1G Balcony Area European Parliament Brussels

issue of early childhood intervention

World Children’s Day

Family Feud style-Game

On the occasion of #WorldChildrensDay

THE EUROPE KIDS WANT 20 November 2018 10.00-11.30 hrs

Yehudi Menuhin space European Parliament Brussels

Entry Song: Sion Hill, singer/songwriter Welcoming speech: Antonio Tajani, President of the EP Opening remarks: The Chair of DROI MEP Antonio Panzeri With: Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP, Co-Chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Foundation Antonio López-Istúriz MEP, Secretary General of the EPP

If you are less than 18 years old participate to the 'Europe Kids Want' survey available in ALL EU oﬃcial languages until 20 November 2018!

bit.ly/EuropeKidsWant

World Children’s Round table on the Day NEW MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK:

Group n the EPP ation withiRomania nian Deleg y of by the Romaof the National Da ted hos ion on Exhibit on the occasi

CONFERENCE

SHAPING EU EXPENDITURE (MFF)

Speakers: Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group Jerzy Buzek MEP, Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Andrey Novakov MEP, Member of the Committee on Regional Development

Tuesday 20 November 2018 from 09.00-11.00 hrs Room ASP A5E-3, European Parliament, Brussels

ibition visit the exh from ber Novem 26 to 28zzanine Me nuhin, ent Yehudi Me Parliam European ussels Br

TOWARDS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EUROPE Hosted by György Hölvényi MEP

Challenges in lung cancer clinical trials Hosted by MEP Alojz Peterle

with NOE (National Association of Large Families in Hungary) Tuesday 27 November 2018 from 13.00-17.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Wednesday 28 November 2018 from 16.30-18.30 hrs Room ASP A5E-3, European Parliament, Brussels

Family Feud style-Game

On the occasion of #WorldChildrensDay

THE EUROPE KIDS WANT

65 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Directorate for the Presidency 01

Directorate for the Presidency

1. Preparation of the Governing Bodies of the EPP Group

2. Internal Preparation for Meetings of the European Parliament (EP) Governing Bodies

In 2018, the Directorate for the Presidency fulfilled its traditional responsibility to prepare the governing bodies of the EPP Group (Presidency and Heads of National Delegations).

2.1. Conference of Presidents (CoP)

In 2018, the governing bodies of the EPP Group were focused - amongst other topics - on the MFF, Brexit, migration, security, taxation policy and political preparation for the 2019 European elections. Regarding the preparations for the 2019 European elections, two meetings of the EPP Group Presidency with the Heads of the National Delegations were held in the ‘Braga Format’ in Mont St. Odile, France and Genval, Belgium. In June 2018, a joint meeting of the Presidencies of the EPP Group and EPP Party was successfully held. The Presidency Directorate contributes to a better flow of information between the EPP Headquarters and the EPP Group. The Presidency Directorate took over the coordination of Political Groups on 1 November 2018.

The Presidency Directorate prepares the meetings of the Conference of Presidents (CoP) with the Secretaries-General of the Political Groups and with the EP Administration. The Chairman is briefed by the Presidency Directorate before each meeting of the CoP. After the meetings, the relevant EPP Group Directorates are debriefed on the decisions taken by the CoP. In 2018, debates within the CoP focused primarily on: • The preparations/follow-up of European Council meetings • The Multiannual Financial Framework post-2020 • Brexit • Monitoring of the Interistitutional negotiations of the Transparency Register • The Facebook/Cambridge-Analytica scandal • The Sakharov Prize • Setting up a Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance (TAX3) • Setting up a Special Committee on the Union’s Authorisation Procedure for Pesticides (PEST) • The proposal for setting up an Inquiry Committee on Animal Transport (not adopted) • The EU response to US trade protectionist measures • The roadmap for the adaptation of preventive and early support measures to deal with conflict and harassment in the EP • Measures to ensure the integrity of European elections.

67 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Within the framework of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the EP and the Commission, the Conference of Presidents held an exchange of views on the preparation of the Legislative Work Programme 2019 with Commission President Juncker and Vice-President Timmermans. The CoP continued with its tradition of external meetings with the representatives of the incoming Council Presidencies, visiting Austria and Romania.

The Governing Bodies in the EP

2.2. European Parliament Bureau and Quaestors Apart from regular meetings, the Bureau is currently running different Working Groups Chaired by the Vice-Presidents in view of their respective portfolios and composed of both the Vice-Presidents and the Quaestors. The purpose of the Bureau Working Groups is to prepare recommendations for the Bureau’s consideration and final decisions. Since 2017, the following Bureau Working Groups have been active: • Working Group on ‘Buildings, Transport and Green Parliament’ • Working Party on ‘Information and Communication Policy’ • High-Level Group on ‘Gender Equality and Diversity’ • Working Group on ‘ICT Innovation Strategy’ • Working Group on ‘General Expenditure Allowances’ • Working Group on ‘Security’

EP Conference of Presidents The Conference of Presidents (CoP) – composed of the EP President and the Chairs of its eight Political Groups – sets the agenda of the Plenary and determines the general political orientations of the Institution. The table above shows the current members of the CoP, ordered by size of the Groups, in terms of their seats in the EP. Three Groups have Co-chairs. The non-attached (NI) Members are represented by a non-voting observer.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

2.3. EPP Group Bureau Working Group on Brexit

2.4. 2019 European Elections

In May 2018, the President set up an ad-hoc Bureau Working Group on the administrative consequences of Brexit. Its task is to analyse the significant budgetary and administrative consequences of Brexit for the EP, and to clarify a number of implications of Brexit, linked to, inter alia, public procurement procedures, British nationals working in the EP, European Parliament Liaison Offices in the UK and the use of the English language.

In the context of the forthcoming European elections in May 2019, a ‘Task Force Departure, Welcome and Constituent Part-Session 2019’ was created in July 2018 to deal with all matters related to both outgoing and newly-elected MEPs. The departure of outgoing MEPs at the end of the 8th Parliamentary term and the arrival of MEPs elected in May 2019 will require specific measures to be implemented, on the basis of close cooperation between the relevant departments of the EP Secretariat and in consultation with the Political Group Secretariats. The Task Force’s three main objectives are to actively assist MEPs, reduce the related administrative burden and enforce an innovative approach, by inter alia, using electronic modes of communication.

Brexit Timeline

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

Following the UK notification and the European Council guidelines, the Commission made its recommendation to the Council on 3 May that talks be opened with the UK. The General Affairs Council should then, on 22 May 2017, adopt the negotiating directives and appoint the Commission as the Union negotiator. The Commission has already nominated Michel Barnier as its chief negotiator. According to the Commission, the actual negotiating period would only be around 18 months, to allow time for the conclusion of the withdrawal deal (EP consent, and conclusion of the agreement by the Council) to be completed in time for the 29 March 2019 deadline for UK membership of the EU to end (if the negotiating period is not extended). The UK government has committed to submitting a final deal to the UK Parliament for a yes or no vote, before the EP votes on the matter. It is unclear what would happen if the UK Parliament were to vote to reject a final deal.

69 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Number of MEPs and Voting System in the EU The EP currently has 751 MEPs (the maximum possible under Article 14(2) TEU). Following the United Kingdomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s withdrawal from the EU, some of the seats now held by Members elected in the UK will be redistributed among Member States, and the overall total number of seats reduced to 705. MEPs are elected according to national electoral systems, but these have to observe certain common provisions established by EU law such as proportional representation. As a general rule, voters can choose between political parties, individual candidates or both. While in some Member States, voters can only vote for a list, without the possibility to change the order of candidates on the list (closed list), in other Member States voters can express their preference for one or more of the candidates (preferential voting). Depending on the degree of freedom voters enjoy when casting their preferential vote, one can distinguish between semi-open lists, where voters can change the position of one or all candidates on a single chosen list, and open lists, where voters can vote for candidates from different lists. Instead of a list system, some Member States use the single transferable vote (STV). Under this system, the voter has one vote but can rank the candidates in order of their first, second, third, etc. choice. To be elected, a candidate needs to receive a minimum number of votes. Whilst in the majority of Member States the national territory forms a single electoral constituency for the European elections, certain Member States have divided their territories into multiple constituencies. These are: BE, IE, IT & IT. (NB: In France, on 3 January 2018 the government approved a reform to create a single electoral constituency. The AssemblĂŠe nationale voted in favour of the reform on 14 May. However, on 24 May 2018, 61 French MPs appealed to the Conseil constitutionnel against the act instituting the change (the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision is still pending).

Source: European Parliamentary Research

2.5. Measures to Fight Harassment

3. Archives

Regarding the fight against harassment, in March 2018, the Bureau began implementing a set of far-reaching measures. While some measures entered into force in September 2018, other measures require further regulatory decisions before they can be implemented.

The management of the Archives of the EPP Group, the website ‘Archives of the Group,’ the EPP Group Library - including the photodocumentation and the digitalisation of the EPP Group documents from the Konrad Adenauer Archives (Christian-Democratic Policy) - saw fruitful progression throughout 2018.

2.6. EPP Group Coordination As a well-established practice to prepare and coordinate the EPP Group position - a background note on the positions of the EPP Group - is prepared for the EPP Group Members of the Bureau, after a thorough consultation on contentious political points. A brief summary of the decisions taken at Bureau-level is distributed internally. The same practice as that adopted for the Bureau meetings is used for the monthly meetings of the Quaestors. 2.7. EPP Group Quaestors Weekly meetings with the assistants of the Vice-Presidents and Quaestors continue to be organised by the Presidency Directorate. Once a month an extra meeting is organised in Brussels for the VicePresidents and the Quaestors in order to better coordinate the position of the EPP Group in the Bureau. In Strasbourg, on a regular basis, the EPP Group Vice-Presidents and Quaestors meet before the Bureau meeting with a view to debate and agree the final EPP Group line.

The EPP Group has entrusted the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy, with an academic research study on the EPP Group’s contribution and impact on key episodes in the development of the European integration process in general and of the directly-elected EP in particular. Building upon the interviews that were carried out with former EPP Group Chairs and Secretaries-General in 2004 and 2008, the EPP Group has decided to complete this historical collection with further interviews from leading EPP Group figures. These testimonies should constitute a historical patrimony to understand the position and contribution of the EPP Group regarding the EU integration process. At the initiative of the EPP Group - and supported by all other Political Groups - the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) of the EP began working on a document on the history of the EP Political Groups from 1952 to present. The focus concerns the Political Groups’ establishment, structure and their role in the EP.

The Presidency Directorate organised informal meetings between the Chairman of the Group, the Vice-Presidents and the Quaestors to discuss political issues on an ad hoc basis. As in previous years, a list of EPP Group priorities in the Bureau was presented to the Heads of National Delegations in 2018, which served as a work plan for the EP Bureau Members of the EPP Group.

71 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

4. Legal Adviser

5. External Offices of the EPP Group

The Legal Adviser prepares legal opinions and provides legal advice. Moreover, the Legal Adviser examines administrative legal questions such as the legal positions of MEPs, contractual rights and obligations and supervision of contracts.

The five External Offices of the EPP Group (Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Warsaw) constitute an active link between the work of the EPP Group within the EP and the EPP political family in the Member States. Information on the activities and decisions of the EPP Group and its governing bodies are consistently communicated to the External Offices. Regular meetings in Brussels or Strasbourg with colleagues from the capitals complement this cooperation.

The Legal Adviser has been concentrating on the legal analysis of the Brexit negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK and its evolving drafts as well as its accompanying political declaration. The in-depth analysis of the legal consequences of landmark rulings of the European Court of Justice - including those related to the access of EP documents, the reform of the judiciary in Poland and the Banking Union – were a number of those considered. The Legal Adviser has been closely following the developments regarding the latest revision of the Rules of Procedure, the Transparency Register and the procedures related to the rule of law in various Member States. The Legal Adviser also began planning for the implementation of the new rules on Data Protection for the EU Institutions. Furthermore, legal analysis has been provided to different EPP Group Directorates on a wide range of subjects, including: requests from the Chairman's Office, from the Finance Unit on Members' reimbursement, copyright and trademark queries, call for tenders and Human Resources issues.

6. Protocol Within the Presidency Directorate, the colleague responsible for Protocol matters assisted with the organisation of high-level events involving the Chairman, the EPP Group Presidency, and the EPP Group Members of the EP Bureau. Support was also provided to the EIN external meetings, EPP Group Religious Dialogue meetings, EPP Group Study Days, and to various meetings with external guests organised by the EPP Group Directorates. In 2018, the inauguration ceremony of a meeting room, named after Ože Pučnik, a famous Slovenian anti-Communist dissenter, philosopher and leader of the Democratic Opposition, and the presentation of the Paris Schuman Foundation Annual Report were also organised.

Protecting EU Values

Source: European Parliament

73 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Directorate for External Policies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Committees 01

Directorate for External Policies – Committees

The Directorate for External Policies – Committees coordinates the following Committees/Subcommittees: • • • • •

Foreign Affairs (AFET) Security and Defence (DROI) Human Rights (SEDE) Development (DEVE) International Trade (INTA)

The Directorate works closely with all EPP Group Directorates, especially with the Parliamentary Working Groups belonging to the Parliamentary Work Directorate and the External Policies - Regions Directorate. The main tasks of the Directorate concern: the EP Committee's current activities; the preparation of the work of the Plenary related to foreign policy; the urgencies related to the violation of Human Rights around the world; the promotion of democracy; and the following of the Election Observation Mission Group. This relates to coordinating, in close cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS), the sending of Parliamentary Delegations abroad to observe third country elections and promote democracy worldwide.

75 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2018

Standing Working Group 'Foreign Affairs' (AFET) Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

Sakharov Prize

Human rights: The Sakharov Prize in 2018 was awarded to the EPP Group candidate Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian filmmaker detained for his vocal criticism against Russian oppression. Initiated by the EPP Group, the DROI Committee adopted the Report on Freedom of Religion or Belief, urging the continuous support of the EU Special Envoy for religious matters. The deteriorating human rights situation in Venezuela was addressed via the European Parliament (EP) ad hoc mission to its borders, and four resolutions adopted by the EP in 2018. The violation of democracy and human rights in Nicaragua was also addressed through an EP ad hoc delegation initiated by the EPP Group. MEPs actively participated in Election Observation Missions in the following countries: Sierra Leona, El Salvador, Montenegro, Paraguay, Tunisia, Lebanon, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Madagascar.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

EU-US Trade Serbia: The EP adopted its Report on the 2018 Commission Report on Serbia, welcoming Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued EU engagement. The EP underlines that thorough implementation of reforms and policies is key to successful integration. The Council and the Commission are called upon, provided that the necessary progress warrants this - in particular regarding the rule of law - to support the opening of the technically prepared chapters and to accelerate the overall accession negotiation process.

EU-US Relations: In September, the EP Plenary adopted the Report on the State of Play of EU-US Relations. The report provides a frank analysis of the current challenges facing Transatlantic relations. While clearly criticising some US decisions - e.g. to leave the Paris Climate agreement and the Iran nuclear agreement - the report highlights the chances for cooperation and pays tribute to the historic achievements of Transatlantic relations. Among others, the important role of the US Military in Europe is highlighted. The report also makes reference to the recent trade disputes and recalled the destructive impact of punitive tariffs while reiterating the EPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for a broad and comprehensive approach to trade agreements and multilateralism.

Source: European Council

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Committee on International Trade (INTA) EU-Ukraine Relations: The Report on the EU-Ukraine AA/DCFTA takes stock of the substantial reform efforts undertaken by Ukraine over the last four years. It hails progress regarding the reform of energy, health, pensions, education, public administration, decentralisation, public procurement, defence and security and the banking sector as well as macro-financial stability. It highlights the challenges that Ukraine faces regarding the fight against corruption, privatisation, judicial reform and de-oligarchisaiton. The report upholds its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The report considers the possibility of broadening EU engagement as regards conflict resolution through the appointment of an EU Special Envoy. Military Mobility: An EP Report on Military Mobility underlined its importance as a strategic tool enabling the EU and NATO to pursue their security and defence interests. It is a complex issue as it touches upon infrastructure, standards, transport regulations, customs, taxes and movement permissions. The importance of Military Mobility is highlighted by the allocation of €6.5 billion to the Connecting Europe Facility and the PESCO project. Faster, efficient and unhindered transportation of troops and equipment within the EU in today’s volatile security environment is the highest realisation of Europe’s responsibility for its own security.

In 2018, the EPP Group in the INTA Committee achieved a number of key objectives and contributed to delivering positive results in relation to the EU’s ambitious trade agenda and its position as a global leader in trade liberalisation.

Successful Ratification and Progress of Major Trade Agreements The conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan (JEEPA) marked an important milestone of high geopolitical importance. It was a top priority for the EPP Group to put in place the biggest bilateral trade agreement ever negotiated by the EU. The EPP Group considers that the swift ratification of the comprehensive and ambitious EPA with Japan is the best opportunity for European companies and citizens to start exploring its full potential and for the EU to deliver important results in trade policy in light of current global challenges. Moreover, the EPP Group has successfully contributed to a proactive EU strategy for the Pacific area, aiming at the swift ratification of the negotiated Free Trade and Investment Agreements with Singapore and Vietnam, which have the full potential to boost trade exchanges with ASEAN countries.

EU-Japan Trade

With regard to the remaining negotiations, the EU and Mexico reached a political agreement on the modernisation of the Global Agreement, which should be concluded at the beginning of 2019 once the newlyelected Mexican Government is in place. After many years of stagnation, the EU and MERCOSUR made considerable progress in the negotiations regarding the Association Agreement, and aim to conclude these negotiations in the first quarter of 2019. The EPP Group has taken and promoted initiatives to actively support these negotiations by visiting the relevant countries during the year. Furthermore, negotiations for the modernisation of the Association Agreement between the EU and Chile as well as for trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand have been launched and progressed well. The EPP Group has actively supported these processes through EP resolutions, sending a strong political signal to the Council and the Commission.

Source: European Commission

The major achievement of the year was the positive conclusion of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Modernisation of the Trade Defence Instruments,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which introduces new rules to facilitate and strengthen the utilisation of the mechanism with substantial benefits for EU industry. The EPP Group negotiated a balanced agreement, receiving the support of all three Institutions and relevant stakeholders. Agreement was also reached on the new Regulation on Foreign Direct Investment Screening, an initial proposal and continued priority of the EPP Group. The regulation sets up an EU screening mechanism for third country investments in the EU in the areas of public security and defence. For the first time, the Commission is able to intervene in the decision-making process and facilitate the regular information flow among the Member States in a sensitive area, while respecting the final decision by the national authorities. The new regulation sends an important message to our citizens and companies to prevent unfair trading practices.

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Committee on Development (DEVE) In June 2018, under the leadership of the EPP Group, the EP approved a â&#x201A;Ź1 billion Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan to help Ukraine cover part of its external financing needs in 2018-2019, which is an exceptional emergency resource for EU Neighbourhood countries struggling to pay their bills. Upon the request of the EPP Group, the EP, Council and the Commission issued a joint statement on policy conditions on Ukraine. These stated that Ukraine must fulfil, due to concerns over the pace of reforms and the fight against corruption, the setting up of a specialised Anti-Corruption Court in line with the Council of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Venice Commission recommendations.

The EPP Group has constantly pushed for the strong position of the EP and the EU in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The EPP Group has ensured that its priorities in terms of global Development Policy were mainstreamed in the EU's partnership with key international partners, notably the UN and the ACP Group.

Sustainable Development Goals

Furthermore, the EPP Group finalised the legislative process to establish a horizontal safeguard mechanism, which will accompany the entry into force of the agreements between the EU and Japan, Vietnam and Singapore, by providing specific provisions that could be activated when specific requirements are met. This legislation constitutes a further guarantee for EU citizens and industry. Finally, the EP adopted its negotiating mandate on the review of the Dual Use legislation with the aim to start and possibly end informal trilogue negotiations before the end of the mandate. The EPP Group worked hard in this regard. Source: European Commission

Those were reflected in the negotiating mandate that was delivered this year on the post-Cotonou partnership, with a strong focus on sustainable growth, private investment, job creation, migration and security.

EU-ACP Relations The European Commission announced a strategy for mainstreaming digitalisation into EU Development Policy in late 2017, making clear statements that Europe is dedicated to help Africa build a single Digital Market so that e-commerce can pave the way to better jobs and greater equality. Against this background, the EPP Group proposed that an own initiative report should be drafted on the subject in the Development Committee, to give a EP dimension to the strategy. In order to get a full overview of a technical subject, the EPP Group organised a Hearing on ‘Digitalisation for Development: Reducing Inequalities through Technology.’ This was held on 11 April, with Commissioner Mariya Gabriel as keynote speaker. Many other speakers were also present, from industry, academy, civil society and the European Commission. The conclusion of the hearing was that rapidly growing digital technologies have huge potential in terms of reducing poverty, increasing the competitiveness of the economy and creating employment opportunities. The fact that Africa and Latin America continue to lag behind is something that needs to be addressed by Europe. The Report on Digitalisation for Development: Reducing Poverty through Technology welcomed the Commission’s Digital for Development strategy. It insists on the importance of enhancing an SDG-centred digitalisation, reiterating the huge potential of digital technology, and recalls that digital strategy must be fully in line with and contribute to the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also calls for sufficient funding under the MFF for 2021-2027 to enable streamlining of digital technologies into all aspects of development policy, and for digitalisation to be featured prominently in the future post-Cotonou agreement as an enabler of inclusive and sustainable development, in accordance with the negotiation guidelines.

Source: European Council

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Directorate for External Policies: Regions 01

Directorate for External Policies - Regions

Interparliamentary D elegations and Parliamentary Assemblies and Intercultural and Religious Dialogue1 1. Interparliamentary Delegations and Parliamentary Assemblies In 2018, the activities of the Interparliamentary Delegations and Parliamentary Assemblies were closely linked to the political actuality and socio-economic realities in different parts of the world. Besides monitoring closely the situation in a number of countries and regions, the Directorate elaborated on pertinent issues, thereby giving voice to those who are silenced under authoritarian rule, and are fighting for the same values for which the EPP Group stand. To this end, the Directorate organised various Hearings and Conferences attended by high-level politicians and civil society representatives coming from the Neighbourhood countries. The Directorate set up regular meetings with Commissioner Johannes Hahn, responsible for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, thus allowing EPP Group MEPs to discuss EU policy with regard to issues of particular importance to the regions within the Commissioner’s portfolio and to keep MEPs fully informed of allimportant developments.

The Directorate paid special attention to the Western Balkans as well as to the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood. Various Fact-finding Missions (FFMs) to regions, which were highly valued by EPP Group MEPs, were organised. These missions proved very useful to understand in depth the situation on the ground. The close cooperation with EPP Group Advisers from the AFET/DEVE/INTA Committees, as well as from the EPP Party, ensured necessary coherence when preparing urgency resolutions or Plenary debates. The Directorate provided regular publications on the Eastern Neighbourhood Review and the Western Balkans Review, reporting on EPP current and forthcoming activities and also inviting sister party representatives to express their opinion on issues of common interest. Given the exceptional and rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, Euronest Weekly kept EPP Group MEPs fully aware of the situation in the East of Ukraine and political challenges ahead of presidential elections scheduled for March 2019.

1 On 1 September 2018, the Directorate for Intercultural and Religious Activities joined the Directorate for External Policies – Regions, assuming the position of Intercultural and Religious Dialogue Unit.

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Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia The EPP Group in the EP responsible for the AFET Working Group (WG) and Eastern Neighbourhood Policy ensured the 7th Ordinary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly (PA) was successful: thanks to effective coordination, all the reports were voted on following the EPP Group line. The Urgency Resolution on ‘The Ukrainian Political Prisoners in Russia, notably Oleg Sentsov’ initiated by the EPP Group was adopted, paving the way for the EP Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for Senstov. In addition, the Euronest PA received media coverage in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, showing our standing commitment to the region.

BELARUS 2018:

The EPP Group Conference on ‘Belarus 2018: the Voice of Civil Society’ (June 2018) saw representatives from civil society voicing two alternative opinions on the future of Belarus. Some defended the hypothesis that Belarus is looking for new types of cooperation with the EU, which could bring EU-Belarus relations to a higher level. Others suggested that Belarus was fully absorbed by Russia and Russia-led integrationist policy so that every EU offer, scrutinised and approved by Kremlin, would have very limited effect.

The EPP Group Conference on ‘Russia’s Trojan Horses in the EU: Populism, Cash and Fake News’ (April 2018) gave MEPs the opportunity to discuss with leading experts the multifaceted strategy applied by the Kremlin in influencing the EU and its policies. Prominent experts elaborated on Russian state-led manipulation in European media, the energy sector, in money laundering as well as in interference with domestic affairs, such as the Catalonia case in Spain.

the voice of the civil society

Hosted by MEPs: Sandra Kalniete, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, Bogdan Zdrojewski, Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Belarus Introduction: Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso MEP, Vice-President of the EP Keynote speech: Prof Andrew Wilson, Senior Policy Fellow at the ECFR with participation of Belarusian civil society representatives Tuesday 5 June 2018 from 14.30-17.15 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament Brussels

EPP GROUP CONFERENCE:

RUSSIA’S TROJAN HORSES IN THE EU: POPULISM, CASH AND FAKE NEWS Hosted by: Sandra Kalniete MEP, Vice-Chair responsible for Eastern Neighbourhood Policy Key speaker: Alina Polyakova, The Brookings Institution With other prominent experts and journalists: Boris Reitschuster, Ilya Zaslavskiy, Brian Whitmore and David Alandete

Tuesday 10 April 2018 14.30-17.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament, Brussels

At the end of the year, a Hearing on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Political and Societal Impact of the Independence of the Orthodox Church of Ukraineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - attended by representatives of the religious community of Orthodox Churches (including from the Ecumenical Patriarchate) as well as leading academic experts - analysed new developments from historical and political points of view, engaging in discussions with the audience.

The European Neighbourhood

Tuesday 4 December 2018 from 14.30-16.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Political and Societal Impact of the Independency of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine Hosted by Sandra KALNIETE MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for EPP Group AFET WG and Eastern Neighbourhood Policy and Jan OLBRYCHT MEP, EPP Group Co-Chair of the WG on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue

Interpretation: FR I DE I EN I ES I FI I CS I ET I HU I LT I LV I PL I SK I SL I BG I RO I HR

The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was designed in the early 2000s, to provide a consistent institutional framework with instruments for the EU to negotiate its relationship with partner countries in the eastern neighbourhood (Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova in 2004, and then Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan after 2005) and in the southern neighbourhood (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Tunisia) after the 2004 Enlargement.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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The European Neighbourhood Several activities and events dedicated to the Western Balkans (WB) Countries, confirming EPP Group commitment to support the six countries in their EU accession process, were organised in 2018. Two Enlargement WG Breakfasts and the two ‘Western Balkans Review’ publications were supplemented by three FFMs to Western Balkans countries (FYROM, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina) and two Highlevel Conferences. As the EPP Group is committed to enhancing political dialogue with its partners in the Western Balkans, the Directorate arranged two High-level Conferences dedicated to Western Balkans countries. The first Conference ‘Digital Economy, Connectivity and a Roaming Roadmap in the Western Balkans’ took place on 6 March with Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, as a key speaker. Participants discussed the recent developments and the prospects of cooperating with the EU to strengthen connectivity in the region. The Commissioner presented her roaming roadmap for the Western Balkans, which will generate growth and business opportunities, increase productivity, transform public services and foster innovation.

Source: European Council

Tuesday 6 March 2018 from 09.00 -10.30 hrs

CONFERENCE Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

DIGITAL ECONOMY, CONNECTIVITY AND ROAMING ROADMAP FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS Hosted by: Andrey Kovatchev MEP Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Responsible for Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy Key speaker: Mariya Gabriel Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Conclusions: Lívia Járóka MEP Vice-President of the European Parliament

Interpretation: BGIDEIELIENIFRIHRIHUIPL

On 16 October, the 7th Annual High-level Conference on the Western Balkans: ‘EU-Western Balkans: How to Build Together our Common Future?’ took place. The EPP Group reconfirmed its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. The speakers included EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber, EPP President Joseph Daul and representatives of EPP sister parties in the region. MEPs insisted that WB countries implement reforms, in particular the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the strengthening of regional cooperation. They underlined a need for a cross-party political dialogue and for the leaders to engage in regional cooperation, which is fundamental to stabilise this region.

referred to the challenges faced by candidate countries on their path towards NATO and European Union integration. In order to follow up and confirm EPP Group support to the Western Balkans countries and political partners in the region, the second FFM took place in Kosovo on 7 and 8 May 2018. This mission allowed MEPs to gather first-hand information on the situation in the country after the celebration of its tenth anniversary of independence on 17 February 2018, and the Kosovo Parliament’s approval of the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro, signed on 21 March. The continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue is an important EU condition for further progress toward EU accession. The EPP Group MEP presence in Pristina confirmed support for EPP sister parties and for the European aspirations of the country and its citizens.

EPP High Level Conference

EU-WESTERN BALKANS:

HOW TO BUILD TOGETHER OUR COMMON FUTURE? Hosted by Andrey Kovatchev MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group with Joseph Daul, President of the EPP Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations and political leaders from Western Balkans close to EPP family

Tuesday 16 October 2018 from 14.30-17.15 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels Interpretation: FR I DE I IT I EN I EL I ES I PT I PL I CS I HU I SK I RO I HR I SL I LV

In 2018, the EPP Group furthermore organised three FFFMs to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The FFM to FYROM intended to take stock of the situation after the ratification of the agreement of good neighborly relations between the country and Bulgaria, and of the window of opportunity to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on the name issue with Greece. EPP Group MEPs

The FFM to Bosnia and Herzegovina occurred shortly before the October general elections. EPP Group MEPs delivered a political message of support to EPP sister parties and encouragement to pursue necessary reforms in order to meet EU requirements. MEPs pledged their support to assist the countries in overcoming political crises, and their hopes that the elections would create a positive

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The EU and the Western Balkans atmosphere that would enable the government to make progress in implementing reforms to move further towards the EU accession process. Throughout all these activities, the EPP Group reaffirmed its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the six Western Balkans countries, promoting ‘reconciliation’ after violent conflict, in line with the EU’s Founding Fathers after the Second World War.

Source: European Council

Mediterranean Policy A stable and prosperous EU Southern Neighbourhood continues to be the main goal of EPP Group External Policy. The EPP Group Working Group (WG) on Mediterranean Policy conducted multiple conferences, missions and strategic/thematic meetings in order to deepen the relationship with Southern Mediterranean countries. During the EPP Group Mission to Beirut in February, EPP Group MEPs supported the leaders of EPP partners – the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb Party - ahead of the crucial May parliamentary elections, and met with Prime Minister Hariri to address issues such as the economic downturn, geopolitical turmoil and the refugee crisis. Concerning the Mission to Jerusalem and Ramallah in October, tensions between Israel, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) were high. To address these and other regional conflicts MEPs met with the President of Israel, the Prime Minister of the PA, Hamdallah, and the UN Special Coordinator in the region. Furthermore, EPP Group Conferences focused on current events affecting the region, such as the debriefing by Commissioner Stylianides, responsible for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, on the Brussels II Conference on ‘Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region,’ in April. The meeting with EU Ambassadors of North African Countries (on the margins of the EU Annual Ambassadors meeting in Brussels) to address their strategy on migration and security, in October, led to fruitful discussions on current affairs. Relevant subjects, for example energy, saw experts such as the Director of the Mediterranean Observatory for Energy, the Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) for Energy and the Ambassador of Egypt, discussing with EPP Group MEPs, in November, ways to improve regional cooperation on energy and gas.

As is tradition, the Annual meeting with the Ambassadors of the Mediterranean Countries took place on 4 December. MEPs and the Ambassadors not only exchanged information on the current situation on the ground, but also engaged in a frank discussions on how to foster cooperation, for example, by pursuing enhanced partnership with the EPP Group, as was the case with the Moroccan parties at the EPP Congress in Helsinki. Regarding the work of the Interparliamentary Delegations, EPP Group MEPs participated actively in the 14th Plenary Session of the PA-UfM in Egypt (28-29 April), and in the 9th Meeting of the EU-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee (21 June) in Brussels. The Constituent Meeting of the EU-Algeria Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPC) (28 June) was also attended by EPP Group MEPs. Finally, the third EU-Tunisia JPC took place in Tunis (17-21 November); EPP Group MEPs boosted negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and praised upcoming reforms, such as permitting women and men to share equal inheritance, representing a historical boost for women’s rights in the Arab world. With the conviction that political stability and economic prosperity in the Mediterranean region lies in our common interest, the EPP Group remains strongly committed to all initiatives, which may contribute to this end.

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EU Mediterranean Operations 2015-2019

Source: European Council

The Americas In 2018, the bilateral agenda was dominated by the following events: • The situation in Venezuela • The situation in Nicaragua • The modernisation of the Mexico and EU-Chile Association Agreements • The ongoing negotiations for an EU-Mercosur Association Agreement The Eurolat Assembly held Committee and Plenary meetings in Panama (3-6 April) and Vienna (17-20 September). In 2018, Venezuela continued being a focus of concern for the EPP Group due to the significant deterioration of democracy, the rule of law and human rights violations, leading to an unprecedented migratory crisis affecting the whole Latin American region, with over 2.3 million Venezuelans having left their country since 2015. The EPP Group sent an ad hoc mission to the Venezuelan borders with Brazil and Colombia to assess the situation first-hand. The Mercosur Delegation met three times and special attention was paid to the Association Agreement negotiations and the context of the Brazilian general election. An EP Delegation travelled to Uruguay and Paraguay from 29 October to 1 November. The modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement was concluded in April and two Joint Parliamentary Committee’s (JPC) took place (in February, in Mexico and in July, in Brussels). The EU-Chile Delegation focused its works on the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement with a JPC meeting in January (Santiago de Chile) and one in June (Brussels).

The EP sent several Election Observation Missions (EOMs) to monitor the presidential elections held on 27 May and 17 June (second round) in Colombia; the legislative and municipal elections in El Salvador, held on 4 March; and the Paraguayan presidential, legislative, gubernatorial and Mercosur elections held on Sunday, 22 April. The EP’s Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America (DCAM) focused on the preoccupying situation in Nicaragua, with deteriorating democracy and the severe crackdown by the police and government forces on the opposition. Moreover, a DCAM Delegation visited Guatemala from 28 October to 1 November. The Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community (DAND) travelled to Quito, Ecuador, on 7-9 May.

Asia/Pacific This year’s ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Singapore marked a milestone in the relations between the EP and Parliamentarians from the 10 Member States of ASEAN. Following a meeting between the EPP Group and Isra Sunthornvut, Secretary-General of the AIPA, in Jakarta in May, a draft ‘Declaration of Intent’ was negotiated with the aim to intensify relations between respective Parliamentarians by adding one additional annual meeting between Parliamentarians from both regions, alternating between Asia and Europe. The long-term goal is to establish a Joint EP-AIPA Interparliamentary Forum. The events in Myanmar (the case of the journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo) and Vietnam (the situation of political prisoners) were addressed in a number of urgency resolutions, as well as the case of Kem Sokha in Cambodia and the situation of the Rohingya refugees, in particular the plight of children.

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Another historic moment for the ASEAN Delegation was the visit to Malaysia on the eve of election day. The democratic decision of the Malay People towards a new government warrants immediate EPP Group support, for example in the area of economic relations and questions related to the renewable energy directive. In December 2018, the ASEAN Delegation visited the Philippines and Thailand. During the visit to the Philippines, the ‘war against drugs’ and the upcoming regional election in Mindanao were of special interest. In Bangkok, the preparations for the general election in 2019 caught the attention of EPP Group MEPs. Since the beginning of the year, positive developments took place on the Korean Peninsula. At the end of 2017, a nuclear conflict between North Korea and the United States was feared. However, Kim Jong-un’s New Year address surprised the international community when he announced a willingness that North Korea participates in the Pyongchang Winter Olympic Games and showed readiness to discuss the fate of his nuclear arsenal with the US. A first meeting between the two Korean Heads of State took place in April during which it was agreed to

work towards a nuclear free peninsula and permanent peace. On 12 June, President Trump and the North Korean leader met in a historic summit in Singapore to discuss nuclear disarmament, peace on the peninsula, stability in the region and closer cooperation.

Regional Economic Groupings

Source: European Commission

How the EU Helps North Korea

According to information released by the United Nations, more than 40% of the total population (25 million people) are undernourished, have limited access to basic services, and are in need of humanitarian assistance. As humanitarian organisations have not been able to conduct assessments in the country over the past few years, the current situation remains unclear. The country is also prone to extreme weather conditions, particularly droughts, floods, and storms. Hwanghae in late August 2018, the European Union committed €100.000 for the International Federation of the Red Cross to provide essential assistance such as shelter, hygiene kits, water purification tablets, and kitchen sets to those most affected. In 2016, the EU offered €300.000 for the provision of life-saving relief items to families affected by devastating flooding that swept across large parts of the northernmost province of North Hamgyong. In early 2016, continuing its support to the most vulnerable communities, the EU provided €300.000 for an initiative led by the Finnish Red Cross (FRC), focusing on enhancing the capacity of people in rural areas to respond to future floods and droughts, at both local and national levels. The programme, which ran until November 2017, directly benefited over 7.000 people in targeted localities. Earlier in 2015, when summer floods affected

various villages on the outskirts of the cities of South Hwanghae and North and South Hamgyong provinces, the EU released €200.000 in humanitarian aid funding to ensure that emergency relief items reached the impacted families. Similar assistance was also provided in the wake of the floods in 2012 and 2013. Between 2014 and 2015, a total of €72.000 was provided to North Korea as part of a multi-country initiative on disaster preparedness across Asia. This action, implemented by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aimed to increase capacities for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in agriculture, including the promotion of information sharing, the use of good farming practices and awareness-raising on core technical and institutional requirements. The European Union has responded to humanitarian needs in North Korea since 1995, providing €135.7 million in humanitarian aid funding to support over 130 projects. The aid focuses on providing food assistance, the improvement of health services and access to clean water and sanitation to the most vulnerable populations.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) After last year’s EU-Africa Summit, 2018 was marked by the follow up on the implementation of the agreed engagements as well as progress on the Joint Africa-EU Strategy. EPP Group MEPs participated in several EU Election Observation Missions (EUEOMs) to Sierra Leone (5-9 March), Zimbabwe (30 July) and Madagascar (7 November) and took part in the FFM of the ACP JPA to Mauritania from 24 to 26 April 2018. The 36th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) was held in Cotonou (Benin) from 3 to 5 December 2018. Three reports were debated and voted both in the committees and in plenary, including a report on the fight against cybercrime and drug trafficking, and a report aiming to put SMEs’ development at the heart of ACP countries’ economic transformation. Members debated also the report on reducing the number of out-of-school children and youth in ACP countries. At the request of the EPP Group, Members of the JPA also debated on the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region, and the political situation in Cameroon. The EPP Group chaired the negotiations on the impact of the rise of populism on globalisation, which allowed the EPP Group to significantly influence the final resolution on this matter, and impose its priorities on such a topical issue.

Windhoek Dialogue The traditional Windhoek Dialogue meeting was held on the margins of the 35th and 36th sessions of the ACP-EU JPA. During the 35th session of the ACP-EU JPA in Brussels (18-20 June), EPP Group MEPs led the debates on the most prominent issues, including the fight against international terrorism, migration, demographic growth and the fight against racism and discrimination. In Cotonou, on the margins of the 36th JPA session, the discussions focused on Brexit and future relations between the Members of the EPP Group and its African counterparts.

EU-ACP Relations

Source: European Council

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2. Intercultural and Religious Dialogue Unit I. Overview Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue are the very essence of the promotion of cultural pluralism, mutual understanding and mutual respect among people, religions and nations at large. Throughout 2018, the EPP Group was consistent in its support for such a dialogue in developing a culture of peace, tolerance and moderation as well as combatting extremism and radicalism. In order for such a dialogue to have deeper impact, it must be structured and conducted in such a way that it can reach the grassroots of society, through promoting tolerance and inclusivity, a significant feature of social cohesion, stability and peaceful coexistence. In its daily activities, the EPP Group Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Unit maintains contact with Churches and religious organisations, communities and NGO's, and has done so for more than 20 years. The objective is two-fold: to get to know the religious point of view on a number of policy areas, and to spread information about EPP Group policy initiatives. Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue activities also aim to promote mutual understanding, a peaceful existence together and an active sense of European citizenship. Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty lays down the legal basis for such a dialogue and encourages us to strive for more cooperation. Interreligious Dialogue activities offer a historical perspective, with a timespan representing a third of the EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. The importance and relevance of such a dialogue increased enormously for Europe during the last two decades. Through its numerous events, the EPP Group Working Group (WG) on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue represented a solid platform for discussions between politicians and high-level religious representatives (Christians, Jewish, Muslims) and organisations.

Political and religious leaders can move forward from understanding to cooperation, can learn from each other and figure out a way to establish real Interreligious cooperation, where they have the same common meaning in the different fields of society. Today, Interreligious Dialogue belongs to the core identity of the EPP Group. No other political Group in the EP has this level of engagement. High-level Conferences with religious representatives were organised in Tbilisi (Georgia), Krakow (Poland), Lisbon (Portugal) and the Vatican City (Vatican City and Rome).

The EPP Group believes that religious leaders are able to inspire actions for rebuilding societies. They defend the basic ideas of respect for life and human dignity, charity and solidarity. Such a task for religious leaders is especially important in times of conflicts and increasing religious intolerance. The EPP Group can assist in this important effort to pursue Intercultural exchange, people-to-people dialogue, peace-building initiatives and the strengthening of social cohesion. Dialogue is a powerful tool and the EPP Group can be a key player in such exchanges.

The meetings provided an excellent opportunity to underline the importance of Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue. For instance, with a view to the EU Development Policy, it is of great importance to listen to religious experts and practitioners working in this specific area of development cooperation. MEPs and experts emphasise continuously that without the involvement of the religions element in EU Development Policy, the EU will not be able to meet all its challenges. Especially in these times when religion is used as an argument to justify terrorism and violence, there is an urgent need to improve cooperation with religious communities for peace and development.

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II.

2018 Events Overview

A selection of illustrations detailing the EPP Group Working Group (WG) on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue events that took place in 2018 Interpretation: EN, FR

Conference on EPP Group Interreligious Dialogue Conference on

EPP Group Interreligious Dialogue Seminar on

Oriental Christians in MASHREQ Region:

The Importance for Europe to Protect Christian Cultural Heritage

the Consequences of the conflicts in the Middle-East

on the Christian Communities Hosted by MEPs György Hölvényi and Jan Olbrycht, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the EPP Group Keynote speech: Mons. Jean-Clément Jeanbart, Archbishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Aleppo, Syria

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

Wednesday 28 February 2018, 16.30-18.00 hrs Room ASP A5G-1, European Parliament, Brussels

Tuesday 6 March 2018, 16.00-18.00 hrs Room ASP A5H-1, European Parliament, Brussels

and

Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU)

Registration at EPP-Interreligious@europarl.europa.eu

RELIGIOUS RITUALS & FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS MEPs Jan Olbrycht and György Hölvényi, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Activities and Religious Dialogue Rabbi Avi Tawil, Director of the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC)

Registration: In case you do NOT have a badge to access the European Parliament, please send an e-mail to EPP-Interreligious@europarl.europa.eu including your full name, date of birth, nationality, type of ID document and number of ID document.

Tuesday 27 June 2018 from 16.00-18.00 hrs Room 6Q-1, European Parliament, Brussels

Institut d'Etudes du Judaïsme

Religious and cultural pluralism in the Middle East:

The Bologna’ experience as European Value

The importance of interreligious dialogue and cross-cultural exchanges Hosted by MEPs: Jan Olbrycht and György Hölvényi, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Activities and Religious Dialogue Opening message: Michèle Alliot-Marie MEP, Chair of the EP Delegationfor relations with the Arab Peninsula and Head of the Study Group on Eastern Christians in the EP

Tuesday 4 September 2018 from 16.30-18.00 hrs Room A5H-1, European Parliament, Brussels

Hosted by MEPs György Hölvényi and Jan Olbrycht, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Relations and Interreligious Dialogue of the EPP Group with Rev. Mons. Stefano Ottani, General Vicar of the Diocese of Bologna Marina Marini, Professor and Counsellor of the Jewish Community in Bologna Yusuf Pisano, Imam and President of the Italian Islamic Community of Bologna Beatrice Draghetti, President of "Abramo e Pace” Association Massimiliano Zarri, lawyer, scientific collaborator of the ISSR, expert in vocational training and family mediation Wednesday 28 November 2018, 16.30-18.00 hrs Room ASP 5H1, European Parliament, Brussels Registration at EPP-Interreligious@europarl.europa.eu

Interpretation: EN I FR I IT

Interpretation: EN FR

Interventions by:

Registration at EPP-Interreligious@europarl.europa.eu

Seminar

Hosted by MEPs: Jan Olbrycht and György Hölvényi, Co-Chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural Activities and Religious Dialogue H.E. Joseph Tobji, Maronite Archbishop of Aleppo (Syria) Prof. Ennio Grassi (IT), Prof. Natalino Valentini (IT) Prof. Massimiliano Zarri (IT) MEP Elisabetta Gardini, President of the Italian Delegation FI of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Tuesday 10 April 2018 from16.00-18.00 hrs Room A5H-1, European Parliament, Brussels

Interpretation: EN I FR

Seminar on

Interreligious Dialogue in International Relations

Tuesday 4 December 2018 from 16.00-18.00 hrs Room ASP 5H1, European Parliament, Brussels EPP GROUP INTERRELIGIOUS AND INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE

FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND EUROPEAN POLICY Hosted by Jan OLBRYCHT MEP, Co-Chair of the WG on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue with H.E. Mgr. Alain Paul LEBEAUPIN, Apostolic Nuncio to the EU Mark von RIEDEMANN, Chairman of the Editorial Committee, Pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need H.E. Mgr. William AVENYA, Bishop of Gboko, Nigeria Sister Fida CHAAYA OF DAMASCUS (Syria) Dr. Ulil Abshar ABDALLA, Head of the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace Registration by 30 November on: EPP-Interreligious@europarl.europa.eu Interpretation: FR I EN

Interpretation: EN, FR, IT, DE, ES

1. EPP Group Working Group (WG) on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue: meetings In 2018, the EPP Group WG on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue developed and defended concrete political actions, which served to strengthen links with political and religious representatives, with civil society and other relevant personalities from the cultural, economic and academic fields.  Testimonies of Christian University Students from the Middle East and Africa This meeting welcomed young people from the Middle East (Iraq) and Africa (Nigeria) visiting the EP and meeting MEPs. They presented their unique testimonies on the situation of Christianity in their countries of origin and their experiences in university studies in Hungary’s special programme ‘Scholarships for Christian Young People.’ The scholarship’s most important goal is to enable Christians who are persecuted or suffer discrimination to remain in the land of their birth.  Situation of Christians in Syria Prior to the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, two million Christians lived in the country, representing 10 percent of the overall population. By 2018, approximately two-thirds of the Christians escaped Syria. According to current estimations, the remaining Christian population is still exposed to serious existential threats and martyrdom. Christians in Syria are experiencing a historic moment as regards the preservation of their existence in the country. Churches and religious leaders are strategic partners for providing European aid for reconstruction.

 Victims of Ethnic and Religious Violence in the Middle East An exchange of views with the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, was held.  Religious Freedom in Light of the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights An exchange of views with Salvatore Martinez, President of the Vatican Foundation ‘International Centre Family of Nazareth’ was held, as 2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In Article 18 it is stressed, "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”  Initiatives of Religious Organisations to Face Climate Change Meeting with Rev. Dr Peter Pavlovic, Study Secretary at the Conference of European Churches (CEC).  The Roots of Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law Meeting with Fr Olivier Poquillon OP, General Secretary, Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the EU (COMECE).  Antisemitism and Nationalism - An Attack on the Religious and Democratic Foundations of Europe Exchange of views with Ludwig Spaenle, Bavarian State Government appointee in charge of issues related to Jewish Life and fighting Antisemitism.

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 The Role of Religious Actors in Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Brot für die Welt).  Meeting with Israel’s Ambassador to the EU, HE Aharon LeshnoYAar Exchange of views on the Interreligious dimensions and different aspects of the EU relationship.

 Meeting with Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., elected new President of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) At a time when the EU is facing many challenges, cooperation and close coordination of efforts are crucial. The meeting allowed an exchange of views on how to foster bilateral cooperation with COMECE, with the aim of playing a responsible role in European Affairs, as well as to contribute to the construction of a strong European Union.

 Meeting with Journalists on Politics and Religions 2. Meetings with High-level Religious and Political Leaders The meetings provided EPP Group MEPs with the opportunity for an exchange of views with high-level representatives from Churches, religious communities, Ambassadors of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and politicians.  Religious Delegation from Azerbaijan A high-level religious Delegation from Azerbaijan, Chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations of Azerbaijan (SCWRO), Shia, Sunni and Orthodox representatives and representatives from the European External Action Service (EEAS), exchanged experiences in the field of Interreligious tolerance in Azerbaijan. The delegation informed of the creation of the Institute of Theology aiming to educate modern theologians with Islamic, Christian and Judaism studies.

 Meeting with H.E. Joseph Tobij, Maronite Archbishop of Aleppo Archbishop Tobij explained the difficult situation faced by Christians in Aleppo. The city was destroyed: private and public buildings, hospitals and Churches were ruined. The food, water and medicine delivery was stopped by embargo. Foreign help was very difficult and poverty pervaded across the city. Now, the Archbishop is trying to raise funds to rebuild and renovate Churches, thus giving hope to the people. He asked the EPP Group for its support.  Representatives of the Conference of European Churches (CEC)  The Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, Patriarch Philaret, visited the European Institutions and held important meetings in the EP with President Tajani and EPP Group MEPs. Ukrainian Bishops and the Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU accompanied the Patriarch. The topic of the discussion was the difficult situation in Ukraine after the annexing of Crimea by Russian separatists.

Another big problem concerned the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate. It is in open conflict with the Russian Moscow Orthodox Church. The Kyivan Patriarch asked for independence (autocephaly). The Pro Moscow Orthodox Church opposes this request in order not to lose influence and its rights. The All Orthodox Patriarch Bartolomeos from Constantinople supports the position of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate. Patriarch Philaret also asked the EPP Group and the other European Institutions for their support in this very sensitive issue.

 Annual Dinner with the Ambassadors of the OIC  OIC Ambassadors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Muslim majority countries (Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia) 3. Thematic Conferences As 2018 was the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the EPP Group WG on Intercultural Activities and Interreligious Dialogue held a Seminar on the ‘Importance of Europe Protecting its Christian Cultural Heritage.’ Building ties with the Orthodox Churches and Eastern Christianity has remained a permanent item on the EPP Group agenda over the past two decades. These Interreligious encounters showed a potential for peacebuilding and a better understanding in many parts of Europe. They stressed the importance of religious symbols, which are not neutral, but are very important for the respective cultures. The demolition of these symbols would mean destroying a culture, an identity.

The WG expressed, in its several meetings and conferences on Syria and testimonies from Aleppo, important concerns on the conflicts in the Middle East affecting the Christian communities.  Protection of Christian Cultural Heritage  Consequences of the Conflict in the Middle East on Christian Communities and Future Perspectives  Religious Rituals and Fundamental Rights  Religions and the Culture of Peace - The Bologna Experience as a European Value  Ukraine in Times of Independence: the Orthodox Kiev Patriarchate and the Challenges of a Changing Society  Annual Report on ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ Presentation of the Religious Freedom in the World 2018 Report of the Pontifical Foundation ‘Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).’ The report is ACN’s comprehensive assessment of the threat to religious liberty today. More than 190 nations were examined with a special focus in each case on the place of religious freedom in constitutional and other statutory documents, incidents of note and a projection of likely trends. The focus of the report is concerned with state and non-state actors who restrict and deny religious expression, be it in public or in private, and who do so without due respect for others and for the rule of law.

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4. Visits

with the rule of law as a reassurance of a strong EU. The last session concerned nationality and identity in Europe.

 Tbilisi, Georgia An EPP Group Delegation visited Tbilisi (Georgia) on 28-29 June in the framework of the Conference ‘Role of Churches and Religious Communities in the European Integration Process: Georgia - EU Perspective.’ It was an occasion to discuss the role of Churches in religious, social and political life in Georgia with representatives from academia and civil society as well as high representatives of Churches and religious communities. During the reception by His Holiness Patriarch of Whole Georgia - Ilia II - the importance of EU support to Georgia was underlined.  Krakow, Poland The 18th International Churches Conference on ‘The Role of the Catholic Church in the Process of European Integration - Perspectives for the Development of the European Union’ was held on 5-6 October and gathered high-level politicians, such as the EP President, the President of the European Council and EPP Group MEPs. Fellow guests included organisers Prof. Tadeusz Pieronek and the Organising Committee, the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Poland, the Robert Schuman Foundation in Luxembourg and the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE).

The topic of this conference related to the political, economic and juridical factors regarding EU development. For example, the debate on the euro - as a social, political and economic binding EU factor and the debate on Schengen - as a zone of stability and external frontier of the EU. Another session dealt

 Vatican City ( Vatican City and Rome) The visit focused on the new initiatives at the local, national, regional, and international levels of the Catholic Church aimed at promoting a culture that embraces encounter and fosters respect. The meetings with leaders of the Roman Curia shed light on the unique role that the organisations of the Catholic Church play in fostering interfaith and Intercultural dialogue and the dialogue with non-believers. The discussions highlighted the ‘power of religion’ in the promotion of peace and reconciliation as well as the maintenance of constructive channels of communication and collaboration among various communities. 5. 21st Annual Intercultural Dialogue with Churches and Religious Institutions The EPP Group 21st Annual Intercultural Dialogue with Churches and Religious Institutions took place in Lisbon (Mafra- Ericeira) from 18-19 October 2018. EPP Group MEPs, including Chairman Manfred Weber, religious leaders and academics discussed the role of religion in debates on the Future of Europe. As the 2019 European elections approach, this Dialogue Conference was an extremely relevant event. The agenda was divided into three main sessions and it included important issues such as the role of religion in the debate on the Future of Europe, family, education and youth as a primary source of society’s human, social, economic and spiritual capital, and promoting peace and

security in Europe and in EU external policies. EPP Group MEPs underlined that Portugal, due to its geographical position as the most western country in Europe and to its centuriesold global experience of evangelisation, is the right location to host and discuss issues related to Interreligious Dialogue.

XXI Annual EPP Group Intercultural Dialogue with Churches and Religious Institutions

What kind of Europe do we want? 18-19 October 2018, Lisbon, Portugal

Guest speakers included Rev. Olivier Poquillon, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops' Conference of the EU, Natan Peres, Rabbi of the Israelite Community of Lisbon, European and Portuguese politicians as well as intellectuals and academics. It was highlighted that, approaching the end of the current legislative period, the 2018 Dialogue offered the opportunity to overview how the EPP Group facilitated the visibility of the role of Churches and religious organisations during this Parliamentary term. It is high time to present all the achievements regarding Dialogue that the EPP Group carried out for religious freedom and beyond, and to define new directions for the future. It was furthermore pointed out that the significance of the debate on the Future of Europe foments dialogue between politicians, intellectuals, Churches and religious communities; this, participants agreed, is inevitable.

New European Peace Facility worth â&#x201A;Ź10.5 billion to Bolster ÂInternational Security

Source: European External Action Service

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Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments 01

Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments EPP Group Summit and Network

The Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments advises the EPP Group and its MEPs on institutional cooperation and legislative dialogue with national Parliaments, and is responsible for the content programming that goes towards facilitating and developing dialogue with sister parliamentary groups and EPP Group MEPs. The EPP Group, over the course of 2018, facilitated this process by tailoring the programmes of its usual annual activities to focus on the very subject matters that appear closest to the hearts and minds of EU citizens and their elected representatives.

27th Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament, 25 June 2018, Brussels

National Parties and Political Groups in the EP

7 Summit of Chairmen

of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments in the EU and in the European Parliament Over the eight terms of the EP to date, the successive increases in the number of Member States and MEPs have been outpaced by the growth in the number of national political parties represented in the EP. However, whilst the number of Political Groups has remained broadly stable, at between seven and ten, the threshold for forming a Group has been raised over time, and groups now tend to include MEPs from a greater number of Member States than in previous terms.

Monday 25 June 2018 from 11.00 to 18.00hrs Room PHS P6 B001, European Parliament, Brussels

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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The 27th Summit covered three central topics:

EU Cybersecurity

• The Preparation of the Post-2020 Multi annual Financial Framework (MFF) • The Secureness of the EU’s Borders, the Fight against Terrorism and the Issue of Cybersecurity • The EPP’s Priorities for the 2019 European Parliament (EP) Elections The side event featured as key speaker Dara Murphy TD, Vice President of the European People’s Party and Director for the 2019 European elections campaign, who presented the EPP’s priorities.

Source: European Council

The EPP Group stressed the need to “be united and ambitious to make Europe stronger where it is absolutely needed, where our citizens expect Europe to deliver.” Alongside EPP Group MEPs, special guest Alexander Stubb, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Former Prime Minister of Finland, broadened the debate to new EU investment objectives. Addressing security issues, Sir Julian King, European Commissioner for the Security Union, emphasised the role of national authorities on the frontline in this area and Europe’s capacity to help, as the threats are often cross-border and indiscriminate. The EPP Group added that “the European Commission needs to have a new security perspective because it has not been tasked with security in the past.”

28th Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament, 26 November 2018, Brussels

The 28th Summit covered two major subjects: • The Importance of Subsidiarity1 and Proportionality as Foreseen in the Treaties • The State of the Union: EPP Vision for the Future of Europe The event was co-chaired by the EPP Group and Angelika Winzig, Deputy Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Group ÖVP, representing the Austrian Presidency. The side event featured as key speaker the President of the EPP, Joseph Daul, who touched upon the challenges ahead of the European Elections and the vision of the EPP for the future.

8 Summit of Chairmen

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

Monday 26 November 2018 from 11.00 to 18.00hrs Room PHS P6 B001, European Parliament, Brussels

Reinhard Lopatka, Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on the EU, National Council, Member of the Task Force on Subsidiarity, Austria, provided a presentation of the political, legal and administrative aspects of Subsidiarity, outlining the legal basis and more recent developments. Michael Schneider, EPPCoR Group President, Member of the Task Force on Subsidiarity, presented some of the specific proposals included in the Task Force’s Final Report aiming for greater involvement of local and regional authorities in the decisionmaking processes also with a view to reduce density. The EPP Group underlined the

1 In areas in which the European Union does not have exclusive competence, the principle of Subsidiarity, laid down in the Treaty on European Union, defines the circumstances in which it is preferable for action to be taken by the EU, rather than the Member States.

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importance of carefully examining the addedvalue of EU action and that the ‘cost of nonEurope’ should be always carefully examined, furthermore warning against the misuse of proportionality by populists who claim it for taking power and control back from Brussels. The EPP Group suggested that the EPP focuses, in the run-up to the future European elections, on solutions backed up by strong campaigning. Michel Barnier, Chief Negotiator of the Article 50 TEU Task Force, said on Brexit that the future relationship between the UK and the EU involves key areas. Europe cannot become a mere spectator with no control over its destiny. Mr Barnier emphasised security, competitive social market economics and migration as priority areas for the EPP political family, before concluding on Brexit and the next steps. Manfred Weber (MEP), EPP Spitzenkandidat for the European Commission and Chairman of the EPP Group, highlighted the most important topics on the European agenda, mainly the MFF, the Single Currency, and the importance of the creation of a European Monetary Fund (EMF) to give stability and independence to Europe. The position of the EPP is clear. It is the party of border control and the fight against illegal migration but also the party that defends humanitarian values.

Step by Step Article 50 of a Member State A pplication to Leave the EU

Source: European Council

Christian Jacob MP, President of the Parliamentary Group ‘Les Républicains,’ Asssemblée Nationale, France, said that defining external borders, the fight against illegal migration, terrorism, security and purchasing power are serious issues. Ben Knapen MP, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Senate, The Netherlands, pleaded for a common, convincing narrative that unites the entire EPP political family, built on values like protection, security, borders and defence. The EPP Group underscored that the changes in terms of security, migration and other events made people, especially the young, much more attached to the European framework. Georgios Koumoutsakos MP, Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, New

Democracy Party, said that the EPP needs to concentrate on its common values, unity and solidarity, as well as on a criteria and conditions-based relationship with Turkey.

19th Meeting of the European Affairs Network, 5 March 2018

The programme of the European Affairs Network featured: • The Existing Priorities of and New Challenges Facing EU Budget Financing • Expectations for European Agriculture • The 2019 Pan-European Elections

Monday 5 March 2018

from 11.00 to 18.00 hrs

Room Loyola de Palacio 6Q1 European Parliament,Brussels

19th Meeting of the

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS NETWORK EPP National Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and Members of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Jyrki Katainen, European Commission VicePresident for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, presented the overall aim of the next MFF. He stressed the importance of being clear on priorities for reasons of efficiency and value for money. Katja Leikert MP (DE), Deputy Chair of the CDU/ CSU Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag and Pedro MOTA Soares MP (PP, ES), alongside EPP Group MEPs, further contributed to the panel discussion. Essentially, the common message was that the EPP Group should ensure agreement on EU Budgeting within the EPP political family be reached swiftly. Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasised the huge role the CAP has to play in addressing the challenges that Europe currently faces, as does the EPP Group, in advancing the values for which it stands.

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Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Source: European Council

EPP Young Members Network (YMN) The EPP ‘Young Members Network Sessions’ series continued in 2018 with different events held in Brussels, Strasbourg and further afield. ‘The Centre-right Electoral Success: Lessons and Strategies for the Future’ was the theme of the YMN meeting from 7 June 2018, during the EPP Study Days in Munich. Members of regional, national and the EP were invited to address the theme in question, alongside representatives of the European People's Party and social researchers. The EPP Group underlined the importance of analysis in relation to recent electoral achievements by the EPP political family and pointed to the highly pertinent background of the panel invitees. Markus Blume, Secretary-General of the CSU and Member of the Bavarian State Parliament; Nicolas Becuwe, Senior Director Kantar Public Brussels; Hans Janssens, Head of Communications in the CDA Group in the Dutch Parliament and Nathan Shepura, EPP Party Policy Adviser, identified key issues for the upcoming electoral campaigns. During the exchange of views, EPP Group MEPs actively participated in this lively debate in the run up to the next European elections. In the build-up to the 2019 European elections, the YMN decided to hold 'results breakfasts' with the goal of allowing MEPs to present the results achieved so far in their Committees over the term of the 8th Legislature. 'Results breakfasts' hosted Members who delivered informative presentations on the latest developments in international trade and treaty negotiations, amongst other areas. On another occasion, Alexander Stubb, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, broadened the scope to include Europe’s future in respect of the digital revolution, Artificial Intelligence and skills.

At the EPP Congress, on 7 November 2018, in the framework of the ‘Meet your Spitzen!’ event, the YMN invited young delegates and MEPs to an exchange of views with Spitzenkandidats Alexander Stubb and Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the EP. The two contenders addressed the guests in an informal setting, presented their visions and ideas, and provided answers to some of the hot topics raised by those present. EPP Group Young MP Erasmus Programme The Young MP Erasmus Programme is a one-week exchange programme for young MPs from EU Member States - from the EPP political family whereby MPs gain an insider view of how policy-making in the EP and the EPP Group works. It offers an in-depth understanding of European dossiers that match the MPs work on. In 2018, 13 MPs from eight EU Member States took part in the programme, which will continue in 2019. 11th Annual Meeting of the EPP Young Members’ Network The EPP Group underscored the importance of this meeting just before the end of the current legislature and before Brexit, and chaired the panel on ‘EPP Election Strategy for 2019 - Winning the Hearts and Minds of Citizens.’ The importance of improved messaging of EPP policies and giving a stage to the citizens who love the EU in a time when the European idea is under attack was stressed. The complementarity of the various Social Media tools in reaching out to the citizens was additionally underlined. Young Member of the Finnish Parliament Elina Lepomäki MP spoke about Kokoomus’ electoral strategy for the 2019 general and European elections campaigns. The main issues include climate change, human rights and democracy in the EU, employment and social security and defence. Dara Murphy TD, provided insight on the latest developments of the campaign preparations in the EPP. He elaborated on the EPP

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campaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s human resources, political intelligence from Member States and on the tailored online and offline messages.The 11th YMN Annual meeting continued with a side event in the presence of Joseph Daul, President of the European People's Party, while in the afternoon participants joined the 28th Summit of Chairmen of Parliamentary Groups.

Connectivity of the Western Balkans

Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) The Bulgarian Presidency hosted the Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC in January to reflect upon the future of the EU and the role of macro-regional strategies for sustainable development, stability and security. In June, the latest developments on Subsidiarity and proportionality were addressed by the EPP Group in an intervention at the Plenary Meeting. The integration and connectivity of the Western Balkans, the European Pillar of Social Rights and Cohesion Policy post-2020 were also on the agenda.

Source: European Council

EU Cohesion Policy Under the Austrian Presidency, the July Meeting of the Chairpersons of COSAC held in Vienna featured the principle of Subsidiarity within the EU, pressing challenges such as Brexit, migration and the next MFF. The debate on the ‘Future and Perspectives of the European Union’ considered citizens’ perception of the EU and the challenges the EU is facing. In November, the COSAC focused on Brexit and transparency in the EU. An orderly withdrawal of the UK from the Union was advocated by EPP Group MEPs, as an agreement would ensure legal certainty for all parties involved and set the basis for a new relationship in the forthcoming period. It was underlined that enhanced trust and transparency will bring the EU closer to its citizens. Just weeks ahead of the Katowice UN Climate Summit (COP24), climate policy and the Energy Union was also on the agenda.

Source: Eurostat

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Directorate for Press and Communications 01

Directorate for Press and Communications

The EPP Group Directorate for Press and Communications ensures the dissemination to the media and the general public of EPP Group political priorities using the most advanced communication techniques.

EPP Group Joint Communication Campaigns 2018 Making Europe Fit for the Future

The Directorate includes a team of press officers and press assistants who communicate in the 24 official languages of the EU, an Internet and Social Media Unit, EPP TV and a Publications Unit. The Directorate for Press and Communications also manages several programmes aimed to help MEP communications, such as the ‘Meet your MEP’ Visitors Programme, Media Training and Social Media support, Newsletters and activity report publications and communication projects for National Delegations. In dem o ns t ra t in g th e work of th e Directorat e fo r Pre ss a n d Communications, the following provides an example of two EPP Group joint communications campaigns and presents an overview of the work carried out by the Units of the Directorate in 2018.

For the EPP Group, Europe needs to be more ambitious in shaping better opportunities for every European. To this end, in 2018, the EPP Group presented its ambitious political plans for a Europe that protects its citizens, preserves its unique way of life and is fit for the future.

Browse the latest news - your daily go-to for learning on EPP Group news and activities as well as reaction to and comment on news and events both inside and outside the European Parliament (EP): https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom

During the EP 8th Legislative term (2014-2019), the EPP Group worked hard to make a better Europe: in securing EU borders, boosting job creation, slashing roaming fees, protecting citizens’ data, promoting innovation, farming, fair trade, battling climate change, to name but some policy priorities. However, the migration crisis, the terrorist threat, radical economic changes and a world in disorder have demonstrated that the upcoming years will be decisive for everyone in Europe. To counter these challenges, a strong Europe is required that can defend itself, preserve European values and its unique way of life.

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To deliver a protected, proud, confident and future-oriented Europe, the EPP Group launched its #AmbitiousEurope strategy in the run-up to the 2019 Parliamentary elections, and beyond.

For more information, follow the EPP Group on its website: www.eppgroup.eu and Social Media channels #AmbitiousEurope

Successfully communicated across all channels, the EPP Group #AmbitiousEurope umbrella campaign alerted and engaged citizens on the most pertinent issues facing Europe in the future.

#AmbitiousEurope - EPP Group Future Priorities

Secure Borders

The Fight Against Terrorism

Defence

Investment for New Jobs

Free and Fair Trade

People at the Heart of the Digital Economy

Opportunities for Young Europeans

Helping Small Business Thrive

Affordable Energy and the Fight against Climate Change

Innovation

A Fair Deal for Europe

Support for Farmers

#DiscoverEU Free Interrail Passes for 18 year-olds: #DiscoverEU started in 2018 - and this is just the beginning

The EPP Group believes the initiative will allow young people to experience Europe’s diversity, better understand each other and learn more about Europe. The EPP Group expects encouraging young EU citizens to travel in the EU and meet people from other countries will foster European identity and reinforce common EU values. How it Works Participants will be able to travel for up to 30 days to at least one foreign country. Travel will be mainly by rail, but also by bus and ferry to ensure wide access. Flights will be allowed in exceptional cases where no other form of transport is available. This could be for example for people coming from remote areas or outermost regions. Participants with reduced mobility or special needs may be eligible for extra help; for example support with the costs for an accompanying person or dog for those with a visual impairment.

The EPP Group was successful in enabling young people to freely travel and discover Europe and strengthen their European identity. 2018 was a momentous year for the #DiscoverEU campaign. The initiative, launched by the EPP Group in December 2016, saw 15.000 18-year-olds travel in the EU by rail for free. An additional 12.000 people will enjoy the chance to travel Europe by rail in 2019.

The joint EPP Group #DiscoverEU communications campaign was heavily promoted on Social Media, where it enjoyed huge success – especially regarding online engagement. The campaign was additionally supported by a tailored publication and press releases from the EPP Group news desk. Find out more on the EPP Group campaign site: http://www.youdiscover.eu

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Duration of Selected European Rail Journeys

A free Interrail ticket for every European who turns 18

Source: Eurostat

#DiscoverEU publication

EPP Group Internet and Social Media Unit Social Media

account continued to grow, In 2018, the EPP Group Twitter gaining 5.000 more followers to bring it to a total of 95.168 followers.

Social Media plays a decisive role in EPP Group communication to European citizens. The EPP Group therefore is active on multiple channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. In 2018, the EPP Group Social Media Unit worked to enhance means to use these channels to reach different groups of audiences. Success was reflected through citizen interaction, mainly in the following campaigns:

The Social Media Unit used Twitter in a variety of ways, namely to share EPP Group press releases, to share posts by MEPs, to live-tweet from important sessions, to post videos (interviews with MEPs and Strasbourg Plenary recaps), to post messages related to EPP Group priorities and to announce events. Twitter was additionally used to interact with followers.

• • • • • •

Top tweets in 2018 centred on innovation, copyright and news-related items, whilst collaboration with EPP Group followers was particularly noticeable in the #AmbitiousEurope and #DiscoverEU campaigns.

Introduction to #AmbitiousEurope campaign #DiscoverEU campaign #UKsLastSummer - summer holidays campaign EPP Group Bureau Meetings and Study Days EIN Riga Summer University Topical campaigns

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

2018 was a successful year for the EPP Group on Facebook . The current structure of the EPP Group Facebook page is unique, in that it contains a global (default) page, which is visible in 9 Member States and 19 subpages. Where other Political Groups use one page and one language, the EPP Group distinguishes itself by adapting its messages to specific country audiences and using the language of the country. In 2018, the EPP Group increased the use of short videos and livestreams on Facebook to give citizens even more access to information on EPP Group priorities and the actions of its MEPs. Follow the EPP Group on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup

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In 2018, the EPP Group published 191 posts on Instagram , with an average reach of 1.348 people. At the end of the year, the EPP Group had 7.551 followers - gaining more than 2.500 followers. The EPP Group ran three highly successful Instagram campaigns in 2018. These included: • #UKsLastSummer • Christmas campaign • #AmbitiousEurope

The EPP Group LinkedIn page currently has almost 3.500 followers, the largest number of all Parliamentary Groups. The LinkedIn platform is principally used to publish EPP Group vacancies, IT/copyright-related news and industry/business-related news. The #AmbitiousEurope campaign was also ran on LinkedIn. Follow the EPP Group on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ epp-group-in-the-european-parliament/

The most popular videos of 2018 were videos made for the campaigns #AmbitiousEurope and #DiscoverEU. Follow the EPP Group on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/ eppgrouptv/videos

Follow the EPP Group on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup

In 2018, the EPP Group began combining EPP TV videos and Social Media channel. Videos explaining EPP videos on the EPP Group YouTube Group priorities, informative animation videos and interviews with MEPs were those most commonly viewed. In 2018, livestreams from EPP Group external meetings proved successful.

EPP Group EPP TV In 2007, the EPP Group was the first to establish its own EP Web TV platform. The EPP Group has a WebTV team with its own studio and a full-time camera operator and technician, producing high-quality professional videos. EPP-TV communicates the latest news from inside the EP and reports on EPP Group success stories, events and activities. Videos are distributed to media outlets via the professional ‘Newsmarket’ platform. EPP TV videos are additionally shared across EPP Group Social Media channels, thus increasing viewership. At the end of 2018, EPP TV produced 14 EPP Group Success Story videos to be published during the 2019 electoral campaign. Follow EPP TV at: http://www.eppgroup.eu/videos Access EPP Group videos from The Newsmarket: http://epp.synapticdigital.com/

EPP Group ‘Meet your MEP Visitors Programme’ (MYMEP) Launched and managed by the EPP Group Directorate for Press and Communications, the ‘Meet your MEP Visitors Programme’ showcases the daily work and activities of EPP Group MEPs. It allows EPP Group MEPs to invite regional journalists, young people, people with disabilities and staffers of EPP sister parties in the national Parliaments to see them at work. Since its inception in 2010, the programme has accommodated more than 20,000 visitors in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Information and Promotional Material Responding to the ever-increasing numbers coming to meet EPP Group 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 distributed is of utmost important: as a principle, the EPP Group uses renewable material and European production for its promotional material. At present, over 85% of the items the EPP Group distributes are sourced in Europe. Detailed certification that all materials comply with employment and environmental directives is required from suppliers.

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Europe Day Europe Day is held on 9 May every year to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical 'Schuman Declaration.' At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French Foreign Minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable.

His vision was to create a European Institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman's proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union. Europe Day - EP Open Days To celebrate Europe Day, the EU Institutions opened their doors to the public on 5 May in Brussels, 5 and 9 May in Luxembourg and 10Â June in Strasbourg. Local EU offices in Europe and all over the world organised a variety of activities and events for all ages.

In Brussels and Strasbourg, the EPP Group treated visitors to exhibitions, information and interactive stands as well as informal debates with MEPs so that citizens had the opportunity to discover how the work of the EPP Group in the EP directly impacts on their daily lives. Visitors also took part in special activities such as public debates and enjoyed guided tours of the EP, all in a festive atmosphere.

EPP Group Publications Unit In 2018, the Publications Unit produced, coordinated, distributed and managed an extensive print and online publishing programme to bring EPP Group policies and activities closer to European citizens and targeted professional circles.

A selection of 2018 EPP Group publications

All you need to know

Erasmus+

6 5 Y E A R S O F H I S TO R Y

1953 - 2018 EPP Group: 65 Years of History 1953-2018

Erasmus +: All You Need to Know

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EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

EPP Group: Presentation Leaflet

EPP Group: Achievements 2014-2019

EPP Group Positon Papers published in 2018

EPP Group Position Paper

Our Euro: Stable, Stimulating, Successful

Innovate Europe! We Put People at the Heart of Innovation

EU Can Help to Heal Cancer: Nobody to Die of

We Put People’s Safety First

Cancer in 20 years’ Time

Where can you find EPP Group publications? View and download all publications on the EPP Group website: www.eppgroup.eu/publications View and download a selection interactive eBook publications from the EPP Group shelf on the Issuu digital publishing platform: https://issuu.com/eppgroup The EPP Group presence on the Issuu publishing platform, managed by the Publications Unit, continued to grow in 2018. By December, almost 300 interactive publications had received almost 430.000 Impressions. EPP Group publications are integrated with the EPP Group Social Media channels. Relevant Facebook and Twitter posts are frequently supported by EPP Group publications, as are EPP Group Press Releases. Almost 90.000 publications were distributed in Brussels and Strasbourg, and across Member States. Publications were moreover circulated to

the five EPP Group External Offices in Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Warsaw. Internal Publications and Stationery The Publications Unit also worked on several one-off publications at the request of EPP Group Delegations and Directorates. In March, an in-house publication on Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rights and Gender Equality was produced for International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Days in conjunction with the FEMM Committee. In 2018, at the request of the Presidency Directorate, the Publications Unit updated the EPP Group Handbook for Members. At the request of the Latvian and Croatian Delegations, in October, the Publications Unit issued a revised The Reunification of Europe: Antitotalitarian Courage and Political Renewal. The updated edition brings together a collection of narratives documenting the struggle to overthrow Communist totalitarianism in Central and Eastern Europe. EPP Group: The Reunification of Europe

THE REUNIFICATION OF EUROPE A N T I -T O TA L I TA R I A N C O U R A G E AND POLITICAL RENEWAL

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

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#Up2EU The European Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party (EPP) 01

The European People’s Party (EPP)

Overview

Structure

The European People’s Party (EPP) is the political family of the Centreright, 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, Council of the EU, European Commission and the EP. In addition to the EP, the EPP has Groups in the Committee of the Regions, in 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 80 Member Parties and Partners from 42 countries, 11 Heads of State and Government (8 EU and 3 non-EU), 14 European Commissioners, and the largest Group in the European Parliament (EP) with 219 MEPs.

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 and the President of the EP (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 1 December 2018 is as follows:

President

Vice-Presidents (alphabetical order by surname)

Joseph DAUL France (Les Républicains)

Kinga GÁL Hungary (Fidesz)

Secretary-General

Ex Officio Vice-Presidents

Jyrki KATAINEN Finland (Kokoomus)

Jean-Claude JUNCKER Luxembourg (CSV)

Esther de LANGE The Netherlands (CDA)

Antonio TAJANI Italy (Forza Italia)

David McALLISTER Germany (CDU)

Donald TUSK Poland (PO)

Dara MURPHY Ireland (Fine Gael)

Manfred WEBER Germany (CSU)

Paulo RANGEL Portugal (PSD) Marianne THYSSEN Belgium (CD&V) Rafał TRZASKOWSKI Poland (PO)

Christian SCHMIDT Germany (CSU)

Honorary President

Johannes HAHN Austria (ÖVP)

Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ Spain (PP)

Treasurer

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 Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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EU Heads of State and Government of the EPP (As of 1 December 2018, in alphabetical order by surname)

President

Chancellor

Nicos ANASTASIADES Cyprus (DISY)

Angela MERKEL Germany (CDU)

Prime Minister

Boyko BORISSOV Bulgaria (GERB)

Viktor ORBÁN Hungary (FIDESZ)

Chancellor

Prime Minister

Sebastian KURZ Austria (ÖVP)

Andrej PLENKOVIĆ Croatia (HDZ)

President

Taoiseach

Klaus IOHANNIS Romania (PNL)

Leo VARADKAR Ireland (Fine Gael)

Non-EU Heads of State and Government of the EPP (As of 20 November 2018, in alphabetical order by surname)

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Role of the European Council

Bakir IZETBEGOVIĆ Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDA)

Prime Minister Erna SOLBERG Norway (Høyre)

President Aleksandar VUČIĆ Serbia (SNS) Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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EPP Members of the European Commission President

Mariya GABRIEL Digital Economy and Society Bulgaria (GERB)

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

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

Vice-Presidents

Phil HOGAN Agriculture & Rural Development Ireland (FG)

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS Euro & Social Dialogue Latvia (Unity)

Carlos MOEDAS Research, Science & Innovation Portugal (PSD)

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

European Commissioners

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

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

Günther OETTINGER Budget & Human Resources Germany (CDU)

Elżbieta BIEŃKOWSKA Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs Poland (PO)

Christos STYLIANIDES Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Cyprus (DISY)

Miguel Arias CAÑETE Climate Action & Energy Spain (PP)

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

How the President of the European Commission is Elected

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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European Council (As of 1 October 2018)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

Summits 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 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.

Ministerial Meetings

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 EP, and all other EPP-affiliated groups and organisations.

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 Groups 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.

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.

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. Ad hoc Working and Expert Groups On topics such as climate change, agriculture, migration, digital technologies or budget, the EPP organises on an ad hoc basis meetings to bring experts, academics and representatives of Member Parties together.

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Associations European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW)

Youth of the European People‘s Party (YEPP) YEPP, led by President Lidia Pereira, is the EPP’s official youth organisation. YEPP’s 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 more than one million young people in 39 countries of Europe, making it the largest party-political youth organisation in Europe.

Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurs of Europe (SME 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 Virgilio Falco, EDS has 39 Member Organisations from 33 countries, representing over 1,600,000 students and youngsters.

European Seniors’ Union (ESU)

SME Europe, led by Bendt Bendtsen MEP (DK), is the EPP organisation for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, shaping EU policies in a SME-friendly 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)

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.

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.

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. 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.

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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Publisher:

Publications Unit Directorate for Press and Communications EPP Group in the European Parliament Editor: Pedro López de Pablo Responsible: Pete Pakarinen 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