Annual Activity Report 2012 of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

EPP Group in the European Parliament

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2012 OF THE EPP GROUP I N T H E E U R O P E A N PA R L I A M E N T

> Contents

Contents Foreword by the Chairman: Mr Joseph Daul The EPP Group

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1. The Group’s structure

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2. How we work 3. Description

>> The Presidency

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>> Heads of National Delegations

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>> EPP Group Vice-Presidents and Quaestors of Parliament >> EPP Group Chairs of Parliamentary Committees

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>> EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees

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>> EPP Group Chairmen of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations

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4. The President (EPP) of the European Council

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5. Members (EPP) of the European Commission 6. The 270 Members of the Group

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7. The EPP Group Secretariat - Management

External Meetings and Events > Conferences and Hearings

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Parliamentary Work Service

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1. Standing Working Group “Foreign Affairs”

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4. Standing Working Group “Budget and Structural Policies”

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2. Standing Working Group “Economy and Environment” 3. Standing Working Group “Legal and Home Affairs”

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National Parliaments Service

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Neighbourhood Policy and Intercultural Activities Service International Relations Service

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Press and Communications Service The European People’s Party (EPP)

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> Foreword by the Chairman

Joseph Daul,

Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Foreword by the Chairman: Mr Joseph Daul

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Group of the

family - and are as relevant in today’s challenging economic

European People’s Party in the European Parliament’s Annual

environment as they were when the conception of a united

Activity Report of 2012.

Europe aspired to a lasting peace and enduring prosperity for all its citizens.

With 270 directly elected active and dedicated members and three Croatian Observers, the Group of the European People’s

This annual EPP Group Activity Report demonstrates the

Party (Christian Democrats) represents the largest political

breadth and quality of our work throughout the past year;

grouping, and therefore the most influential political force in

it details our successes, and moreover emphasises that only

the European Parliament. The primacy of the Group’s position

through the continued fostering of understanding between the

is reflected through its political action, which is based on core

peoples and cultures of Europe can we achieve a more secure and

ideals, principles and values which I will summarise in two

inclusive future for all.

words: freedom and responsibility.

What is the fundamental goal that EPP Group MEP’s, alongside These underpinning values are inherited from the founding

members of the national Parliaments, and the 15 out of 27 Member

fathers of Europe - Robert Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi, Konrad

State governments that belong to our political family, aspired to

Adenauer, to cite only the most familiar names from our political

in 2012?

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Quite simply we want to guarantee a system of governance that

Strengthening the economic and monetary union additionally

ensures our present generation live in quiet confidence in a world

requires the rapid implementation of a banking union in order

of rapid change, and build a sustainable future for generations

to break the vicious cycle between sovereign debt and bank debt,

to follow.

thus ensuring financial stability.

How can this be achieved? The EPP Group strongly believes the

Further economic integration is equally important and here

sustained financial crisis that has engulfed the European continent

the key to success is completing the internal market whose

since 2008 can only be addressed and remedied by coordinated

20th anniversary we celebrated in 2012. The Single European

and collective action. We must reaffirm and strengthen our

Market was a momentous creation that ushered the free

commitment to the fundamental principles that have ensured

movement of goods, capital, people and services that have

reconciliation, solidarity and citizen welfare over the previous six

changed the way of life of 500Â million Europeans.

decades. The answer is greater interdependence between European countries: in short, more Europe.

The EPP Group, whilst recognising the Single Market as the backbone of the European Union and applauding its many

The current economic crisis has exposed fault lines in the

advantages - increased prosperity, more jobs, more opportunities

architecture of the eurozone. In our efforts to overcome the crisis

to live, study and work abroad and lower costs, to name but some

the EPP Group advocates legislation that deepens and reinforces

- also recognises that a lot more work remains to complete its

the economic and monetary union.

implementation.

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Due to our strength in numbers in the European Parliament the EPP Group is at the forefront in ensuring that these necessary alterations are carried through with speed and determination, thus inspiring a new wave of confidence in the European ideal.

We hope that this year’s publication will highlight the continuing efforts by our motivated and culturally diverse group of MEP’s, supported by a resolute and committed Secretariat, to set Europe on the path to a brighter future. As the fruit of our collective effort throughout the year we trust it will serve as a useful tool to illustrate the key principles that underlie our activities in the service of 500 million Europeans.

Joseph Daul Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

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> The EPP Group

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

It has always played a leading role in the construction of Europe.

1. The Group’s structure The Chairman of the EPP Group is Joseph Daul MEP. He chairs its governing bodies and speaks for the Group in keynote debates in the European Parliament.

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

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

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

2. How we work The Group of the European People’s Party (EPP Group) is the largest in the European Parliament with 270 Members and 3 Observer Members from Croatia.

It brings together centre and centre-right pro-European political forces from the Member States of the EU. Most of the parties represented in the EPP Group also belong to the European People’s Party. The EPP was the first-ever transnational political party to be formed at European level, and has the strongest representation in the 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.

As the largest political group in a Parliament where non-socialist parties now enjoy a clear majority, the EPP Group is in a stronger position than any other to set that body’s political agenda and to win its most critical votes. This strength is reflected in the fact that, since 1999, the EPP Group has been on the winning side of more votes than any other group in the European Parliament’s monthly plenary sessions. Strength of numbers also ensures that EPP Group Members hold a range of key positions within the Parliament - including in its Presidency, 7 of its Vice-Presidencies, Chairmanships of 10 of the EP’s 22 committees or subcommittees, and 2 of its 5 Quaestorships. Within the Parliamentary Committees, EPP Group Members are best placed to secure the right to author the EP’s position on key pieces of draft legislation and other major reports: the Group gets more of these “rapporteurships” on more important subjects, than any other group.

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

The Presidency

Composition: there are 754 Members of the European Parliament, representing close to 500 million Europeans.

The Presidency consists of the Group Chairman and ten Vice-Chairmen.

The Members of the Presidency agree among themselves on the allocation of tasks, including the Group Treasurer and the Chairmanships of the standing working groups, which shall be brought to the notice of the Group.

3. Description

The Bureau

With 270 Member and 3 Observers from Croatia, the EPP Group is by far the largest political Group in the European Parliament.

The Bureau, the Group’s political organ, consists of:

Its membership is made up of: 42 Members from Germany 34 Members from Italy 30 Members from France 29 Members from Poland 25 Members from Spain 14 Members from Hungary 14 Members from Romania 10 Members from Portugal 7 Members from Greece 7 Members from Bulgaria 6 Members from Austria 6 Members from Slovakia 5 Members from Belgium

5 Members from The Netherlands 5 Members from Sweden 4 Members from Ireland 4 Members from Lithuania 4 Members from Finland 4 Members from Latvia 4 Members from Slovenia 3 Members from Luxembourg 2 Members from Czech Republic 2 Members from Cyprus 2 Members from Malta 1 Member from Denmark 1 Member from Estonia

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

The four permanent Working Groups Working Group “Foreign Affairs”

Working Group “Budget and Structural Policies”

> Committee on Foreign Affairs > Subcommittee on Security and Defence > Subcommittee on Human Rights > Committee on Development > Committee on International Trade Chairman: Ioannis Kasoulides

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

Working Group “Economy and Environment”

Working Group “Legal and Home Affairs”

> Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs > Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety > Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection > Committee on Transport and Tourism > Committee on Employment and Social Affairs > Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Chairwoman: Corien Wortmann-Kool

> Committee on Legal Affairs > Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs > Committee on Constitutional Affairs > Committee on Petitions > Committee on Culture and Education > Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Chairman: Manfred Weber

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The Presidency

Joseph Daul

Manfred Weber

Jaime Mayor Oreja

Jan Olbrycht

Paulo Rangel

Vito Bonsignore

Marian-Jean Marinescu

József Szájer

Chairman

Vice-Chairman Relations with national Parliaments Communication Strategy

Vice-Chairman Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ Conciliations

Vice-Chairman Mediterranean Union, Euromed

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Vice-Chairman Political Strategy European Ideas Network

Vice-Chairman Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’

Vice-Chairman Treasurer Intercultural Relations

Vice-Chairman Parliamentary Work

The Presidency

Ioannis Kasoulides

Vice-Chairman Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’

Corien Wortmann-Kool Vice-Chairwoman Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’

Gunnar Hökmark

Vice-Chairman Neighbourhood Policy and EURONEST

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Heads of National Delegations Federal Republic of Germany (42 Members)

Herbert Reul

Poland (29 Members)

Jacek Protasiewicz

Markus Ferber

Spain (25 Members)

Jaime Mayor Oreja

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Italy (34 Members)

Giuseppe Gargani

Hungary (14 Members)

András Gyürk

France (30 Members)

Mario Mauro

Romania (14 Members)

Theodor Dumitru Stolojan

Jean-Pierre Audy

Portugal (10 Members)

Paulo Rangel

Heads of National Delegations Greece (7 Members)

Nuno Melo

Belgium (5 Members)

Marianne Thyssen

Marietta Giannakou

Netherlands (5 Members)

Wim van de Camp

Austria (6 Members)

Othmar Karas

Sweden (5 Members)

Gunnar Hökmark

Bulgaria (7 Members)

Andrey Kovatchev

Ireland (4 Members)

Gay Mitchell

Slovakia (6 Members)

Anna Záborská

Lithuania (4 Members)

Vytautas Landsbergis

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Heads of National Delegations Finland (4 Members)

Eija-Riitta Korhola

Cyprus (2 Members)

Ioannis Kasoulides

Latvia (4 Members)

Krišjānis Kariņš

Malta (2 Members)

Simon Busuttil

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Luxembourg (3 Members)

Frank Engel

Denmark (1 Member)

Bendt Bendtsen

Slovenia (4 Members)

Milan Zver

Estonia (1 Member)

Tunne Kelam

Czech Republic (2 Members)

Zuzana Roithová

EPP Group Vice-Presidents and Quaestors of Parliament

Alejo Vidal-Quadras

Georgios Papastamkos

Roberta Angelilli

Othmar Karas

Jacek Protasiewicz

Lรกszlรณ Surjรกn

Astrid Lulling

Jim Higgins

Vice-President

Vice-President

Vice-President

Vice-President

Vice-President

Quaestor

Vice-President

Rainer Wieland Vice-President

Quaestor

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EPP Group Chairs of Parliamentary Committees

Elmar Brok

Alain Lamassoure

Amalia Sartori

Danuta Maria H端bner

Gabriel Mato Adrover

Doris Pack

Klaus-Heiner Lehne

Carlo Casini

Erminia Mazzoni

Arnaud Danjean

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Committee on Culture and Education

Committee on Budgets

Committee on Legal Affairs

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Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Committee on Regional Development

Committee on Petitions

Committee on Fisheries

Subcommittee on Security and Defence

EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra

László Tőkés

Inese Vaidere

Michael Gahler

Filip Kaczmarek

Gay Mitchell

Daniel Caspary

Salvador Garriga-Polledo

Ingeborg Grässle

Jean-Paul Gauzès

Subcommittee on Human Rights

Subcommittee on Human Rights

Subcommittee on Security and Defence

Committee on Development

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Committee on Development

Committee on International Trade

Committee on Budgets

Committee on Budgetary Control

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

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EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees

Csaba Ĺ?ry

Peter Liese

Richard Seeber

Pilar del Castillo Vera

Andreas Schwab

Mathieu Grosch

Lambert van Nistelrooij

Albert Dess

Antonello Antinoro

Marco Scurria

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Committee on Transport and Tourism

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Committee on Regional Development

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Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Committee on Fisheries

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Committee on Culture and Education

EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees

Tadeusz Zwiefka

Committee on Legal Affairs

Simon Busuttil

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Rafał Trzaskowski

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Mariya Gabriel

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

Peter Jahr

Committee on Petitions

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EPP Group Chairmen of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra

Werner Langen

Mário David

Gunnar Hökmark

Eduard Kukan

Christian Ehler

Monica Luisa Macovei

Filip Kaczmarek

Paola Bartolozzi

Angelika Niebler

EU-South East Asia (ASEAN)

EU-Mashreq Countries

EU-Croatia

Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly

EU-USA

EU-Moldova

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EU-Belarus

EU-Central Asia

EU-Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo

EU-Arab Peninsula

EPP Group Chairmen of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations

Crescenzio Rivellini EU-China

Michael Gahler

Pan African Parliament

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski EU-Nato

Luis de Grandes Pascual EU-Andean Countries

Herbert Reul Korean Peninsula

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4. The President (EPP) of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy

5. Members (EPP) of the European Commission President José Manuel DURÃO BARROSO President of the European Commission

Vice Presidents Vivianne REDING Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Antonio TAJANI Industry and Entrepreneurship

Members

Tonio BORG Health and Consumer Policy Kristalina GEORGIEVA International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Johannes HAHN Regional Policy Connie HEDEGAARD Climate Action Janusz LEWANDOWSKI Budget and Financial Programming Günther OETTINGER

Energy Michel BARNIER Internal Market and Services Dacian CIOLOŞ Agriculture and Rural Development

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Andris PIEBALGS Development Algirdas ŠEMETA Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud

6. The 270 Members of the Group Germany (42) BALZ, Burkhard BÖGE, Reimer BROK, Elmar CASPARY, Daniel COLLIN-LANGEN, Birgit DESS, Albert EHLER, Christian FERBER, Markus FLORENZ, Karl-Heinz GAHLER, Michael GRÄSSLE, Ingeborg HOHLMEIER, Monika JAHR, Peter JEGGLE, Elisabeth KASTLER, Martin KLASS, Christa KOCH, Dieter-Lebrecht KUHN, Werner LANGEN, Werner LEHNE, Klaus-Heiner LIESE, Peter MANN, Thomas MAYER, Hans-Peter NIEBLER, Angelika PACK, Doris PIEPER, Markus POSSELT, Bernd

POETTERING, Hans-Gert QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Godelieve REUL, Herbert SCHNELLHARDT, Horst SCHNIEBER-JASTRAM, Birgit SCHWAB, Andreas SOMMER, Renate ULMER, Thomas VERHEYEN, Sabine VOSS, Axel WEBER, Manfred WEISGERBER, Anja WIELAND, Rainer WINKLER, Hermann ZELLER, Joachim Italy (34) ALBERTINI, Gabriele ANGELILLI, Roberta ANTINORO, Antonello ANTONIOZZI, Alfredo BALDASSARRE, Raffaele BARTOLOZZI, Paolo BERLATO, Sergio BONSIGNORE, Vito CANCIAN, Antonio CASINI, Carlo COMI, Lara

DE MITA, Luigi Ciriaco DORFMANN, Herbert FIDANZA, Carlo GARDINI, Elisabetta GARGANI, Giuseppe IACOLINO, Salvatore LA VIA, Giovanni MASTELLA, Clemente MATERA, Barbara MAURO, Mario MAZZONI, Erminia MOTTI, Tiziano PALLONE, Alfredo PATRICIELLO, Aldo RIVELLINI, Crescenzio RONZULLI, Licia SALATTO, Potito SARTORI, Amalia SCURRIA, Marco SILVESTRIS, Sergio Paolo Francesco TATARELLA, Salvatore TREMATERRA, Gino ZANICCHI, Iva France (30) AUCONIE, Sophie AUDY, Jean-Pierre BERRA, Nora

BOULLAND, Philippe CADEC, Alain CAVADA, Jean-Marie DANJEAN, Arnaud DANTIN, Michel DATI, Rachida DAUL, Joseph DE VEYRAC, Christine FRANCO, Gaston GALLO, Marielle GAUZÈS, Jean-Paul GROSSETÊTE, Françoise HORTEFEUX, Brice JUVIN, Philippe LAMASSOURE, Alain LE BRUN, Agnès LE GRIP, Constance MATHIEU, Véronique MORIN-CHARTIER, Elisabeth PONGA, Maurice PROUST, Franck RIQUET, Dominique ROATTA, Jean SAÏFI, Tokia SANCHEZ-SCHMID, Marie-Thérèse STRIFFLER, Michèle VLASTO, Dominique

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Poland (29) BORYS, Piotr BRATKOWSKI, Arkadiusz Tomasz BUZEK, Jerzy GRZYB, Andrzej HANDZLIK, Małgorzata HIBNER, Jolanta Emilia HÜBNER, Danuta Maria JAZŁOWIECKA, Danuta JĘDRZEJEWSKA, Sidonia Elżbieta KACZMAREK, Filip KALINOWSKI, Jarosław KOLARSKA-BOBIŃSKA, Lena KOZŁOWSKI, Jan LISEK, Krzysztof ŁUKACIJEWSKA, Elżbieta Katarzyna MARCINKIEWICZ, Bogdan Kazimierz NITRAS, Sławomir OLBRYCHT, Jan PROTASIEWICZ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Jacek SIEKIERSKI, Czesław Adam SKRZYDLEWSKA, Joanna Katarzyna SONIK, Bogusław THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, Róża Gräfin von TRZASKOWSKI, Rafał WAŁĘSA, Jarosław Leszek ZALEWSKI, Paweł

ZASADA, Artur ZWIEFKA, Tadeusz

VIDAL-QUADRAS, Alejo ZALBA BIDEGAIN, Pablo

Spain (25)

Hungary (14)

ARIAS ECHEVERRÍA, Pablo AYUSO, Pilar del CASTILLO VERA, Pilar CORREA ZAMORA, María Auxiliadora DÍAZ DE MERA GARCÍA CONSUEGRA, Agustín ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Rosa FISAS AYXELA, Santiago FRAGA ESTÉVEZ, Carmen GARRIGA POLLEDO, Salvador de GRANDES PASCUAL, Luis GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES, Cristina HERRANZ GARCÍA, Esther ITURGAIZ ANGULO, Carlos José JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO, Teresa LOPE FONTAGNÉ, Veronica LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Antonio MATO ADROVER, Gabriel MAYOR OREJA, Jaime MILLÁN MON, Francisco José NARANJO ESCOBAR, Juan Andrés ORTIZ VILELLA, Eva SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA, José Ignacio SEDÓ i ALABART, Salvador

BAGÓ, Zoltán BÁNKI, Erik DEUTSCH, Tamás GÁL, Kinga GÁLL-PELCZ, Ildikó GLATTFELDER, Béla GYÜRK, András HANKISS, Ágnes JÁRÓKA, Lívia KÓSA, Ádám ŐRY, Csaba SCHÖPFLIN, György SURJÁN, László SZÁJER, József

28 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

PREDA, Cristian Dan SÓGOR, Csaba STOLOJAN, Theodor Dumitru TŐKÉS, László UNGUREANU, Traian WINKLER, Iuliu Portugal (10) BASTOS, Regina CARVALHO, Maria Da Graça COELHO, Carlos DAVID, Mário FEIO, Diogo FERNANDES, José Manuel MELO, Nuno PATRÃO NEVES, Maria do Céu RANGEL, Paulo TEIXEIRA, Nuno

Romania (14)

Greece (7)

ANTONESCU, Elena Oana BĂSESCU, Elena BODU, Sebastian Valentin LUHAN, Petru Constantin MACOVEI, Monica Luisa MARINESCU, Marian-Jean MATULA, Iosif NICULESCU, Rareş-Lucian

GIANNAKOU, Marietta KOUMOUTSAKOS, Georgios KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU, Rodi PAPANIKOLAOU, Georgios PAPASTAMKOS, Georgios POUPAKIS, Konstantinos TSOUKALAS, Ioannis A.

Bulgaria (7)

Belgium (5)

Lithuania (4)

Luxembourg (3)

GABRIEL, Mariya IVANOVA, Iliana KOVATCHEV, Andrey MALINOV, Svetoslav Hristov NEYNSKY, Nadezhda PANAYOTOVA, Monika URUTCHEV, Vladimir

BELET, Ivo DEHAENE, Jean-Luc DELVAUX, Anne GROSCH, Mathieu THYSSEN, Marianne

ANDRIKIENĖ, Laima Liucija LANDSBERGIS, Vytautas MORKŪNAITĖ-MIKULĖNIENĖ, Radvilė SAUDARGAS, Algirdas

BACH, Georges ENGEL, Frank LULLING, Astrid

Austria (6) BECKER, Heinz K. KARAS, Othmar KÖSTINGER, Elisabeth PIRKER, Hubert RÜBIG, Paul SEEBER, Richard Slovakia (6) BAUER, Edit KUKAN, Eduard MÉSZÁROS, Alajos MIKOLÁŠIK, Miroslav ŠŤASTNÝ, Peter ZÁBORSKÁ, Anna

Czech Republic (2) Finland (4)

Netherlands (5) van de CAMP, Wim de LANGE, Esther van NISTELROOIJ, Lambert OOMEN-RUIJTEN, Ria WORTMANN-KOOL, Corien Sweden (5) CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria FJELLNER, Christofer HÖKMARK, Gunnar IBRISAGIC, Anna SVENSSON, Alf Ireland (4) HIGGINS, Jim KELLY, Seán McGUINNESS, Mairead MITCHELL, Gay

ESSAYAH, Sari KORHOLA, Eija-Riitta PIETIKÄINEN, Sirpa SARVAMAA, Petri

BŘEZINA, Jan ROITHOVÁ, Zuzana Cyprus (2) KASOULIDES, Ioannis THEOCHAROUS, Eleni

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

Malta (2)

Slovenia (4)

Denmark (1)

JORDAN, Romana MAZEJ KUKOVIČ, Zofija PETERLE, Alojz ZVER, Milan

BENDTSEN, Bendt

BUSUTTIL, Simon CASA, David

Estonia (1) KELAM, Tunne

29 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

7. The EPP Group Secretariat - Management

Martin Kamp

John Biesmans

Paolo Licandro

Miguel Papí-Boucher

Pedro López de Pablo

Joanna Jarecka-Gomez

Johan Ryngaert

Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza

Secretary-General

Head of the Press and Communications Service (Assumed position in September 2012, replacing Robert Fitzhenry)

Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Internal Organisation Service

Head of the International Relations Service

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Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Neighbourhood Policy and Intercultural Activities Service

Head of the Presidency Service (Assumed position in July 2012, replacing Antoine Ripoll)

Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Parliamentary Work Service

Head of the Relations with national Parliaments Service

31 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

2

> External Meetings and Events

2

External Meetings and Events The EPP Group hosts meetings and events both in the European Parliament buildings and within individual Member States. Many of these meetings and events are organised by the Political Strategy Unit.

The EPP Group’s Political Strategy Unit provides a coordinating framework to debate and develop policies and political strategies. The Unit also plays a central role in steering and strategising political engagement between the Group and its external partners.

The Unit offers a valuable mechanism for further developing the Group’s political identity by increasing the number of forums for debate.

These consist of four primary platforms: › › Meetings of the EPP Group Bureau outside of the official three seats of the European Parliament: The goal is to better acquaint with Member States or to express support to an EPP sister party ›› Study Days: Organised in a different Member State each year, as understanding the different national realities allows a better grasp of the political themes that are important at a national level, and feed into the EPP Group’s work in the European Parliament (EP) ›› ‘Food for Thought’ Lunch-Debates: This forum brings together concerned stakeholders to explore a specific theme. On 28 March the Political Strategy Unit organised an exchange of views on “Immigration and Integration Policies in the EU” in cooperation with EMUNI, Euro-Mediterranean University, in Brussels ›› European Ideas Network: EIN represents an open pan-European think-tank designed to promote new thinking on the key challenges facing the European Union

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EPP Group Bureau meetings outside the three seats of the European Parliament Palma de Mallorca, Spain EPP Group Bureau Meeting - March 2012 The Bureau of the EPP Group met in Palma de Mallorca, Spain on 8-9 March.

The objectives of the meeting were to consider how to restore growth, improve competitiveness and create jobs across Europe. Themes included: ›› Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in order to boots growth and create jobs in European Parliament ›› Fighting against corruption › › Reforming the CAP: towards productive, competitive and environmentallyfriendly European agriculture ›› Connecting Europe and developing the trans-European transport networks, road, rail and maritime - financial perspectives dimensions - the example of the Mediterranean corridor

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Participants reaffirmed the values and principles shared by the EPP Group and its national partners, expressing a desire for ‘More Europe’ whereby: ›› European institutions - as well as Member States - establish incentives to promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial spirit ›› The enforcement of the Single Market and facilitation of SMEs’ access to markets to overcome growth obstacles is prioritised ›› The EPP Group will take the lead in a new special committee in the EP designed to fight organised crime, money laundering and corruption ›› Supporting the fundamental role of innovation and knowledge-based agriculture to guarantee a brighter economic future is a primary goal ›› Efforts are undertaken at resolving current patchworks of national transport networks in order to establish a European network, thereby ensuring growth across the continent

l-r: Paul Rübig MEP (EPP Group, Austria), Pilar del Castillo Vera MEP (EPP Group Spain), Sergio Arzeni, Director of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Local Development (CFE) and Head of the OECD LEED Programme, Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Miguel Papí-Boucher, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut MEP (EPP Group, Spain) and Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group

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r-l: Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, and Luis de Guindos Jurado, Spanish Minister of Economy and Competitiveness

36 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

l-r: Andreas Schwab MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Dacian Cioloş, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Esther Herranz García MEP (EPP Group, Spain)

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Killarney, Ireland EPP Group Bureau Meeting – May 2012 The Bureau of the EPP Group met in Killarney, Ireland on 17-18 May. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the European Union’s responsibility in relaunching growth and employment. Themes included: ›› The EU tourism strategy: a tool to boost growth and employment opportunities ›› Cohesion policy: an instrument to revitalise growth in the Atlantic Arc ›› The situation following the fiscal compact agreement - a strategy for Europe to create sustainable growth, employment and debt reduction After fruitful discussions participants recommended that the EPP Group in the European Parliament propose to strengthen the tourism sector as an important area for economic recovery in Europe by promoting the European tourism sector through focusing on the key areas with EU value, and by developing a comprehensive tourism strategy from 2014 onwards.

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In relation to the discussion on Cohesion policy, it was underlined that the Atlantic area has enormous potential for “blue growth”, specifically with regard to: marine renewable energy, maritime transport, naval industry, marine leisure, fishery and aquaculture. This economic potential remains largely unexploited. The EPP Group therefore strongly advocates the necessity of a European Atlantic strategy as a tool of regional and maritime development.

As regards the debate on the fiscal compact agreement, its ratification in Member States and ideas for an accompanying growth component, the EPP Group sends a clear message: to have an open and honest dialogue between politics and citizens, to built confidence that these two components, fiscal discipline and growth policy, based on structural reforms, will stabilise our economy and will give confidence to Europeans.

Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (in the middle), (l-r) Tim Buckley, Mayor of Kerry County Council, Gay Mitchell MEP, Head of the Irish Delegation of the EPP Group, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, and Seรกn Kelly MEP (EPP Group, Ireland)

39 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

l-r: Jรณzsef Szรกjer MEP (Hungary), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Seรกn Kelly MEP (EPP Group, Ireland), and Manfred Weber MEP (Germany), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

40 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

The Irish Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament: (l-r) Gay Mitchell MEP, Head of the Irish Delegation, Mairead McGuinness MEP, Seรกn Kelly MEP and Jim Higgins MEP, Quaestor of the European Parliament

41 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

Florence, Italy EPP Group Bureau Meeting – September 2012 The Bureau of the EPP Group met in Florence, Italy on 6-7 September. The objectives of the meeting were to consider mechanisms for a new political Europe inspired by the courage of our origins. Themes included: ›› The EPP Group and the defence of non-negotiable values ›› The crisis of the European project and the role of the EPP family ›› Economic growth and the defence of the social market economy Participants called for a genuine cultural debate: in this regard the EPP Group believes that the architecture of society must once again be based on the pillars of values inspired by the founding fathers. These values are based on: ›› The value of truth, especially when framing policies ›› A redefined set of contemporary values conducive to modern times ›› Values of humanism to be imbued into the political sphere

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As regards the crisis of the European project, the EPP Group expressed the need to take a lead role to synthesise responsibility and solidarity, convergence and discipline and growth and stability in a way to avoid polarised views of Europe and the fragmentation of the Union. This aspiration is manifested in the Group’s adoption of the Six-pack and Two-pack initiatives, and European Semester legislation.

With reference to the social market economy, participants emphasised their commitment to the model as the primary viable option to foster economic growth.

The EPP Group called on: ›› The institutions to agree on a binding calendar and concrete measures for enforcing the Single Market legislation, abolishing obstacles to the free circulation of goods, services, persons and capital within the framework of the social market economy ›› Support for the Multi-annual Financial Framework to finance an EU policy for growth, investment and jobs

r-l: Vito Bonsignore MEP (Italy), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

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Roberta Angelilli MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-President of the European Parliament

44 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

l-r: Carlo Casini MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Angelino Alfano, National Secretary of PDL (Popolo della LibertĂ ), and Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

45 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

Malta EPP Group Bureau Meeting – November 2012 The Bureau of the EPP Group met in Malta 15-16 November. The objectives of this were meeting were to consider the continued implementation of the economic and monetary union, and the state of affairs regarding the Southern Neighbourhood.

Themes were divided into two main categories:

›› Enhanced economic and monetary union needs to be complemented by deeper political integration. Dialogue with both national governments and national Parliaments certainly needs to be strengthened to go beyond the day-to-day politics and to move towards a real political dynamic for a future Europe.

›› Completing the economic and monetary union: towards a European federation of nation states? ›› The aftermath of the Arab Spring: a challenge for Europe

Regarding the monumental events that have unfolded in the Arab world over the previous two years, the EPP Group believes that the European Union - by utilising the instruments at its disposal - should strategically respond:

Participants noted that the completion of an Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has to support the social market economy by promoting fiscal stability, competitiveness, smart and sustainable growth, and employment. The EPP Group strongly recommends that:

›› Through the European Neighbourhood Policy, help these countries build a new momentum for efforts to promote and strengthen peace, security, freedom, dignity and democracy ›› Via the new European Endowment for Democracy, which will work to provide support to democratic forces under pressure from authoritarian governments

›› The completion of the EMU has to preserve and fully apply the rules of the Sixpack and the European Semester ›› The new legislation on enhanced budgetary surveillance - the Two-pack - should be swiftly finalised

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Ioannis Kasoulides MEP (Cyprus), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (speaking), (l-r) Simon Busuttil MEP, Head of the Maltese Delegation of the EPP Group, and EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, John Biesmans, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, and Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of Greece

47 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

l-r: EPP Group MEPs Andreas Schwab (Germany), Seรกn Kelly (Ireland), Carlo Casini (Italy), Alojz Peterle (Slovenia), Filip Kaczmarek (Poland), Andrey Kovatchev (Bulgaria) and Giorgos Papanikolaou (Greece)

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Doris Pack MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairwoman of the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament

49 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

Turku, Finland June 2012 EPP Group Study Days The joint series of the Annual Study Days 2012 were held in Turku, Finland on 27-29 June, and focused on the following themes:

EU Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era: Improving Competitiveness and Innovation for Growth and Jobs

Neighbourhood Policy, EU-Russia Cooperation

Discussions focused on the establishment of a regulatory environment to maintain a strong and competitive industrial base in Europe, thus boosting economic growth.

Discussions centred on enhancing cooperation, maintaining stability in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood and securing Russian energy supplies. Emphasis was placed on the Eastern Partnership as the policy framework to strengthen bilateral relations with eastern neighbours.

The EU Baltic Strategy The EPP Group stressed that the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea region was developed with the participation of national, regional and local stakeholders, which is a prerequisite for success. Themes included: ›› An integrated framework to address the challenges of growth, territorial and social convergences ›› Enhancing the region’s prosperity by removing barriers to economic activity and fostering innovation ›› Increasing accessibility and attractiveness regarding transport and energy ›› Insuring safety and security in the region through cross-border crime cooperation, and surveillance regarding accidental or deliberate marine pollution

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Data Protection Participants underlined the need for combining protection of fundamental rights and upholding growth. The EPP Group supports the revision of data protection in the EU to increase protection levels, restore free competition and reduce administrative burdens on businesses.

European Demography and Active Ageing Participants prioritised paying close attention to the effects of ageing in contemporary European society. The EPP Group strongly supports policies to: ›› Reform pension schemes and achieving a strategy for active ageing ›› Improve healthy ageing and support healthy living

r-l: Aleksi Randell, Mayor of Turku, Eija-Riitta Korhola MEP, Head of the Finnish Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, and Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

51 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

r-l: Petri Sarvamaa MEP (EPP Group, Finland), Danuta H端bner MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Chairwoman of the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament, Kari Liuhto, Director of the Pan European Institute, University of Turku, Director of Centrum Balticum, Hans Skov Christensen, Chairman, Baltic Development Forum, Joanna Jarecka-Gomez, EPP Group Advisor, Head of International Relations Service, and Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

52 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

Richard Seeber MEP (Austria), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament

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Bucharest, Romania October 2012 EPP Group Study Days The European People’s Party’s congress was complemented by a second set of study days convened in Bucharest, Romania on 17-18 October. Themes included: ›› Employment and social cohesion: promoting growth and jobs in a Europe of greater solidarity › › Regional development and social cohesion – increasing the impact of EU development policy for the well-being of citizens ›› Internet: free and fair Initial discussions focused on youth unemployment in Europe. Participants observed that the European Union must develop policies that combat the current trends afflicting the youth population. The EPP political family underlined the need to complete the Single Market Act to fight unemployment and further promote a united Europe.

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As far as cohesion and agriculture policies are concerned, the EPP Group underlined that investment policies facilitate economic recovery, creating jobs, generating growth and competitiveness, reducing disparities between regions and enhancing European integration.

Discussions regarding a fair and free internet centred on consolidating the position on ‘A Fair Internet for All’ adopted by the EPP Group in September 2011 for future EU policy guidance.

Following each external meeting, a publication is produced which includes all the speakers’ presentations that formed the basis for discussion and the conclusions drawn during the meeting.

Publications are published on the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/activities/en/publica.asp

Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (speaking), (l-r) Vasile Blaga, Chairman of the PD-L Party (Partidul Democrat-Liberal), Romania, Wilfried Martens, President of the European People’s Party (EPP), former Prime Minister of Belgium (1979-1992), Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, and Hunor Kelemen, Chairman of the RMDSZ Party (Romániai Magyar Demokrata Szövetség), Romania

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European Ideas Network Summer University Berlin, Germany October 2012 Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (speaking), l-r: Heinrich Hiesinger, CEO ThyssenKrupp, Wilfried Martens, President of the European People’s Party (EPP); former Prime Minister of Belgium (1979-1992), Wolfgang Schäuble MP, Minister for Finance of Germany, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Responsible for Political Strategy and the European Ideas Network, and Herbert Reul MEP, Head of the German Delegation in the EPP Group of the European Parliament

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The European Ideas Network

Hearings and Conferences

The EIN is an initiative of the EPP Group to bring a range of actors into the generation of policy ideas for the European centre-right. It comprises a network of over 600 policy-makers and opinion-shapers from nearly 30 countries to discuss the future policy direction of the European Union and its Member States.

On top of the meetings organised by the Political Strategy Unit, the EPP Group hosts a series of Hearings and Conferences with experts and stakeholders to discuss themes that are of relevance to the European Parliament and to EU citizens.

Members come from diverse backgrounds: elected political office, research institutes, political foundations, academia, business, and non-governmental organisations.

The EPP Group’s stands at the Open Days at the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg attract a large number of visitors, presenting an ideal opportunity for citizens to find out more about the EPP Group’s political priorities.

EIN organises a number of different types of activity to create a dynamic and lively centre for debate to stimulate fresh thinking and positive responses to the challenges faced in a rapidly changing world: ›› Breakfast Meetings and Working Group Seminars In 2012, the EIN has organised an active programme of breakfast meetings in the European Parliament and seminars to offer a forum for both elected policy makers and political researchers in Brussels to discuss subjects of topical interest stimulated by leaders in their field.

Throughout the year, numerous seminars were also organized by the EIN Working Groups. ›› Summer University The climax to the annual programme of the EIN is the Summer University.

This year’s event took place from the 4-6 October 2012, in Berlin, Germany.

The theme of this year’s event was: ‘Growth and Stability for Europe and the Euro’.

Summaries of the EIN meetings are published on the network’s website www.ein.eu along with papers and presentations which formed the basis for its meetings.

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11/01/2012 Hearing on The European Trademark System in the 21st Century

Marielle Gallo MEP (France), EPP Group Vice-Coordinator in the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament and Chairwoman of the Hearing (in the middle), (l-r) Annick Mottet Haugaard, President, European Communities Trademark Association, and partner in Belgian Law Firm LYDIAN, Marie-Christine Amiot, EPP Group Secretariat, Margot Fröhlinger, Director, Directorate Intellectual Property, DG Internal Market Services, European Commission, and Fabrice Claireau, Director of Legal & International Affairs, National Industrial Property Institute, France

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08/02/2012 Hearing on The Future of Roaming

Angelika Niebler MEP (EPP Group, Germany), European Parliament Rapporteur on the Roaming III Regulation (in the middle), Pilar del Castillo Vera MEP (Spain), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament (3rd from left), (l-r) Innocenzo Genna, Poste Mobile, Anthony Whelan, Head of Cabinet of Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Digital Agenda, Monika Štajnarová, BEUC, Junior Economic Officer, John Blakemore, Director of European Regulatory Affairs, Hutchinson Europe, and Roland Doll, Vice-President, International Governmental Affairs, Deutsche Telekom

09/02/2012 Hearing on Tourism for all, a challenge to win

l-r: Ádám Kósa MEP (EPP Group, Hungary), Carlo Fidanza MEP (EPP Group, Italy), both hosts of the Hearing, and Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission for Industry and Entrepreneurship

09/02/2012 Hearing on Youth and Volunteering: New Active EU Citizenship

l-r: Doris Pack MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairwoman of the Culture and Education Committee of the European Parliament, and Giuseppe Porcaro, Secretary-General, European Youth Forum

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9/02/2012 Conference on EU-Azerbaijan: new horizons for the partnership

r-l: Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), former President of the European Parliament, and Elmar Mammadyarov MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Azerbaijan

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06/03/2012 Seminar on How to Build a Young Entrepreneurial Region

r-l: Pablo Zalba Bidegain MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Vice-Chairman of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, host of the seminar, and L谩szl贸 Andor, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

07/03/2012 Hearing on Professional orders, Reform and Liberalisation of professions in the EU Single Market

Salvatore Iacolino MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament

07/03/2012 Hearing on Life after the Soviet Union

Sandra Kalniete MEP (EPP Group, Latvia), host of the Hearing (speaking), (l-r) Manfred Weber MEP (Germany), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Mariya Gabriel MEP (EPP Group, Bulgaria), Jean-Dominique Giuliani, President of the Robert Schuman Foundation (France), and Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska MEP (EPP Group, Poland)

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08/03/2012 Hearing on Social investments as a response to the crisis

l-r: Ria Oomen-Ruijten MEP (EPP Group, Netherlands), James Watson, Economics Director, BusinessEurope, Claude Denagtergal, European Trade Union Confederation, Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP (EPP Group, Poland), host of the Hearing, Bart Vanhercke, European Social Observatory, José Silva Peneda, President of the Economic and Social Council of Portugal and former Member of the EPP Group, and Professor Ina Druviete, Chairwoman of the Education, Culture and Science Commitee, Latvian Parliament

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11/04/2012 Hearing on European territorial cooperation and its instruments

r-l: Danuta Hübner MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Chairwoman of the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament, and Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid MEP (EPP Group, France)

11/04/2012 New challenges and directions in the labour law of central European Member States

l-r: Csaba Őry MEP (Hungary), EPP Group Coordinator in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Jan Březina MEP (EPP Group, Czech Republic) and Petr Simerka, State Secretary for Employment, Czech Republic

11/04/2012 Conference on the Balkans Moving towards Europe integration

r-l: Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania, and Nikola Poposki, Foreign Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

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9/05/2012 Ceremony: Reviving the values of the European Union

Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (in the middle) (l-r) Hans-Gert Poettering MEP (EPP Group, Germany), former President of the European Parliament, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group

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09/05/2012 Hearing on Removal of fins from sharks on board vessels

l-r: Joaquín Cadilla Castro, President of the Spanish organisation ORPAGU Organización de Palangreros Guardeses, Christos Theophilou, DG MARE, European Commission, Maria do Céu Patrão Neves MEP (EPP Group, Portugal), Member of the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament, Gabriel Mato Adrover MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Chairman of the Fisheries Committee, Sarah Fowler, Member of Shark Alliance, NGO, and Miguel Neves dos Santos PhD, INRB I.P./IPIMAR

12/05/2012 Brussels and 20/05/2012 Strasbourg Open Days of the European Institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg

Alojz Peterle MEP (EPP Group), former Prime Minister of Slovenia, talks to visitors

Open Days in Brussels

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Ivo Belet MEP (EPP Group, Belgium) speaks with journalists

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Alojz Peterle MEP (EPP Group), former Prime Minister of Slovenia, and Lada Jurica, EPP Group Secretariat

06/06/2012 Hearing on Horizon 2020

l-r: Jacek Gulinksi, Polish Under-Secretary of State for Science and Education, Pilar del Castillo Vera MEP (Spain), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament, and Professor José Manuel Leceta, Director of the European Institute of Technology

06/06/2012 Hearing on the sexualisation of girls

l-r: Eve Hanson, Expert, CRIOC, (Centre de Recherche et d’Information des Organisations des Consommateurs), a research centre for consumer organisations, Jane Bevis, Director of Public Affairs of the British Retailers’ Consortium, Doris Pack MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairwoman of the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament, Joanna Skrzydlewska MEP (EPP Group, Poland), EP Rapporteur on the sexualisation of girls, Mariya Gabriel MEP (Bulgaria), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, and Chantal Jouanno, French Senator

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06/06/2012 Hearing on A Social European Label

r-l: Philippe Boulland MEP (EPP Group, France) and Michel Capron, Chairman of the Citizens’ Forum RSE (Responsabilité Sociale des Entreprises) and Professor Emeritus in Management Science

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07/06/2012 Hearing on Pensions

Sari Essayah MEP (EPP Group, Finland)

07/06/2012 Hearing on the prevention of age-related diseases of women

l-r: Roberta Angelilli MEP (EPP Group Italy), Vice-President of the European Parliament and Rapporteur on the issue, Mariya Gabriel MEP (Bulgaria), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament, and Lenia Samuel, Advisor, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

27/06/2012 Hearing on Cancer in Africa

Filip Kaczmarek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), host of the Hearing (speaking), (l-r:) Leon Prop, Director, Red Cross EU Office (RED CROSS), Miet Smet, President of the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA), Dr Christoph Hamelmann, HIV, Health and Development Practice Leader (UNDP), Natalia Alonso, Head of Oxfam International’s EU office (Oxfam), and Fasil Tezera, Head of the MSF Mission in Zimbabwe (Médecins sans Frontières)

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05/09/2012 Hearing on Towards a simpler, more effective and more efficient CAP

Mairead McGuinness MEP (EPP Group, Ireland), Shadow Rapporteur for the Direct Payments Regulation

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01/10/2012 Hearing on Collective Rights Management in the Digital Era

Marielle Gallo MEP (France), EPP Group Vice-Coordinator in the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament, and EP Rapporteur on the draft Directive on Collective Rights Management

01/10/2012 Hearing on Redefining Corporate Social Responsibility

Raffaele Baldassarre MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament, and European Parliament Rapporteur on the CSR

14/11/2012 Hearing on SMEs and Industrial leadership beating the economic crisis

Zofija Mazej KukoviÄ? (EPP Group, Slovenia), host of the Hearing

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05/12/2012 Hearing on Criminal systems and corruption in the EU perspective

r-l: VĂŠronique Mathieu MEP (EPP Group France), host of the Hearing, and EPP Group Coordinator in the Organised Crime, Corruption and Money Laundering Special Committee of the European Parliament, and Manfred Weber MEP (Germany), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

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05/12/2012 Hearing on Common European Sales Law

Hans-Peter Mayer (EPP Group, Germany), host of the Hearing

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3

> Parliamentary Work Service

3

Parliamentary Work Service The Parliamentary Work Service assists the MEPs of the EPP Group in their daily legislative work.

The Group’s staff uses its expertise and experience in ensuring that the EPP Group, as the largest political Group in the European Parliament, can maximise its objectives in all its political undertakings.

The following outlines the successes and achievements of the four Working Groups throughout 2012.

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1. Standing Working Group “Foreign Affairs”

l-r: Ioannis Kasoulides MEP (Cyprus), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, and Chairman of the EPP Working Group “Foreign Affairs” with Bill Gates

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Committee on Foreign Affairs: (AFET) Shaping the EU’s external relations: An effective and coherent EU policy on the global scene In July 2012, the Foreign Affairs Committee adopted its negotiating position on the new External Financing Instruments 2014-20201. Through its Coordinator José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (ES), the AFET Chairman Elmar Brok MEP (DE) as well as its Rapporteurs and Shadow Rapporteurs, the EPP Group has played a key role in this work, which has now entered the phase of negotiating trilogues.

Being co-legislator as well as budget authority for the instruments together with the Council, the European Parliament (EP) must make sure that they are formulated to promote EU objectives and values, based on democracy, rule of law and human rights.

Therefore, the EP will also insist on its rights of scrutiny of their implementation.

The instruments must become better targeted to achieve their political objectives and they must deliver visible results on the ground based on clear and measurable indicators.

Further differentiation and conditionality are needed. The “more for more” principle aims to reward progress in democracy-oriented reform efforts made by partner countries notably in the EU Eastern and Southern neighbourhood. Rapporteurs, include, on the European Neighbourhood Instrument, Eduard Kukan MEP (SK), on the Partnership Instrument, Mario Mauro MEP (IT) and Elmar Brok MEP (DE) on the common implementation rules.

1. On 9-10 July, AFET adopted its reports on the common rules and procedures for the implementation of the Union’s instruments for external action: The European Neighbourhood Instrument, the Instrument for Stability, the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the Partnership Instrument and the Instrument for Pre-Accession.

Finally, a stronger coordination and coherence is needed between the different instruments. Together, they should allow the EU to be a prominent and efficient foreign policy player, with sufficiently flexible tools to allow it to adapt quickly to new challenges.

Annual Report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy by the Plenary of the European Parliament This year’s report marks a new departure - it is not written as a review of the Council’s 2010 CFSP report, but intended as the EP’s contribution to framing a new strategic and forward looking approach to the European Union’s foreign policy as set out in the Lisbon Treaty.

The adoption and timing of this report is an important signal to the citizens of Europe that the EU is committed to achieving a more democratic and effective European foreign policy which puts their interests at its core, i.e. the promotion of security, economic prosperity and democracy starting in our neighbourhood and in our broader external relations.

In addition, the report calls for the deepening of the democratic foundations and accountability to European citizens of EU foreign policy.

It also confirms the argument that for the EU’s external action to be coherent, effective and efficient, it must be better coordinated to identify clear strategic priorities.

The EP also confirmed that we must prioritise our neighbourhood in order to be more credible and effective in enhancing the security and economic prosperity of our citizens and those around the world.

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José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (Spain), EPP Group Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament

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The EP furthermore stated that by working closely with national Parliaments we could achieve a more democratically legitimate EU external action, as well as ensure value for money and the effective leverage of scarce European resources.

The EPP Group threw its full weight behind calls for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Baroness Ashton, to show leadership in representing the interests of the Union by addressing serious challenges - in particular in negotiations with Iran, in responding to the Arab Spring and working to halt the bloodshed in Syria, as well as upholding attacks on democracy in our neighbourhood.

Finally, the report set the ground for our future work as budgetary authority by stating clearly that our financial instruments must be closely aligned and fully resourced with our strategic priorities to ensure precious resources are not wasted.

Committee on International Trade: (INTA) As regards international trade affairs in 2012, the EPP Group committed itself to support its traditional goals of enhancement of a fair and open trade policy, aiming at creating new opportunities for our industry worldwide and offering our partners, in particular the least developed countries, the possibility to enter our market. In this general context our trade strategy can be summarised as follows: a) a revision of the strategy in multilateral negotiations which, while preserving the role of the World Trade Organization as the core institution, concretely works to find appropriate ways forward after the collapse of the Doha Development Round b) backing (or supporting) the European Commission in the ongoing negotiations for new Trade Agreements, the conclusion of consent procedure for Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru, and a deep analysis of new possible trade agreements with Japan and the United States

c) regulation of the new scheme of system of generalized preferences for tariff concessions to our poorer partners (GSP scheme) Among the most important achievements for our Group this year was the positive conclusion of the consent procedure for the Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru which closes a long and controversial debate in the EP on the opportunity to grant this consent arising from human and labour rights concerns. Our strategic vision to grant consent to an Agreement which - with the Association Agreement with Central America - will increase our economic relations with Latin America, has received increased support in the EP over the past months. Our Rapporteur Mario David MEP (PT) successfully worked during the whole procedure to enlarge such a consensus in the EP by accepting the idea of a Road Map, and paying visits to the countries concerned. The large majority in the EP supporting consent is indicative of our Group’s positive vision. The EPP Group considers the Agreement a major step in both countries process of modernization, openness as well as a substantial improvement of social, labour and environmental standards.

In 2012 our Group, led by our Coordinator Daniel Caspary MEP (DE) and our Rapporteur for Japan Jaroslaw Wałęsa MEP (PL), advocated the Committee to reflect on launching negotiations with Japan for a Trade Agreement. After listening to different operators, stakeholders, the European Commission as well as the Member States, our political consideration, taken on board in the EP Resolution of October, was to prudently support the start of the negotiations for an agreement which, if concluded in a balanced way, will open extraordinary opportunities for our industry. As regards the automobile sector however, attention should be paid to avoid any negative effects. In this respect the political response of the EP should not involve issuing a blank cheque for the European Commission, rather developing early negotiations which, if not satisfactory, should be suspended and reviewed. In taking this approach the EP plays a novel role when the Council has to give its mandate.

In 2012 the EPP Group, led by our Coordinator Daniel Caspary MEP (DE) and the Member responsible for relations with the United States, Godelieve Quishoudt

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Elmar Brok MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament

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Rowohl MEP (DE), closely worked on the possibility of launching negotiations for a Trade Agreement with the US which has been a main goal considering its potential for bringing a positive revolution in world trade affairs. The mid-term report by the EU-US High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth has been positive, and thanks to a political willingness on both sides the launching of such negotiations should commence by the end of this year.

Finally, the completion of the procedure for the new Regulation on the system of generalized preferences which will enter into force at the beginning of 2014 and will take into account the new lines of our strategy for the developing countries in terms of tariff preferences. It will help countries most in need. The reduction of the number of beneficiary countries from 175 to 85 has been fully supported by our Group and by the Rapporteur Christofer Fjellner MEP (SE), who played a major role in completing the procedure.

Committee on Development: (DEVE) Policy coherence for development Improving coherence between development and non-development policies that impact on developing countries is the main challenge for the European Union’s external action. Initially, in 2005, twelve policy areas had been identified for applying the Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) approach in order to accelerate progress towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. These included trade, environment and climate change, security, agriculture, bilateral fisheries agreements, social policies, migration, research and innovation, information technologies, transport and energy. However, since 2009 these areas have been reduced to five including: trade and finance, climate change, food security, as well

as migration and security. PCD has been enshrined as an obligation in the Lisbon Treaty and the European Commission reports biannually on the progress made by pointing to policy areas which help to build synergies for the benefit of the developing countries on the one hand, and by assessing policy areas that contradict development goals on the other hand.

The EP continues to be active in safeguarding the coherence of the EU’s legislation with development policy. In 2009 Birgit Schnieber-Jastram MEP (DE) was appointed the Standing Rapporteur for PCD in the Development Committee. Her finalised report on the EU 2011 Policy Coherence for Development was adopted by the EP in October 2012. It underlines the significance of PCD by stressing that designing accountable, transparent, human-rights-based, and inclusive policies presents an opportunity for the EU to establish equal and sustainable partnerships with developing countries that go beyond development cooperation. This in return gives governments and societies of developing countries the chance and the responsibility to generate their own successes. Despite many improvements some inconsistencies between the EU’s policies and its development goals - enshrined in the European Consensus for Development - can still be identified. EU policies such as trade, energy and climate change, agriculture and fisheries, migration, as well as security must be better aligned with the PCD approach.

At the same time the EU and the Member States must remain committed to policy coherence for development as a central pillar in the fight against poverty.

This requires reinforcing existing mechanisms in order to ensure a more systematic follow-up of PCD issues at the European and domestic policy making level. It is of the utmost importance to underline that PCD remains a political priority for the whole Union, especially in times of economic crises when many Member States are looking inward and when EU citizens must be convinced that their money is spent in a sensible way.

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2. Standing Working Group “Economy and Environment” Going full steam for growth and stability Europe needs fiscal stability and structural reforms for growth, and growth for stability. To overcome the crisis we must engage fully with both sides of this coin.

Only then can we provide sustainable future employment, and maintain our model of the social market economy.

Our Members and staff in the six Committees constituting the WG (ECON, EMPL, ENVI, IMCO, ITRE and TRAN) have contributed to this aim: either by directly creating new rules that will prevent a repetition of this crisis, restore credibility and foster competitiveness, or by designing ‘smart’ legislation, granting full opportunities to our citizens and companies while avoiding the creation of red tape.

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs: (ECON) The sovereign debt crisis made 2012 a very busy year for the ECON Committee, with a dramatic increase in tension on the sovereign bond market, the threat of seeing a number of Member States facing bankruptcy, the risk of a melt-down of part of the banking sector, and other economic and social hardships. The legislative role of the European Parliament (EP) - not directly involved in rescue operations to stabilise endangered Member States or the banking sector - means it concentrated on creating the necessary conditions for avoiding a future emergence of similar crises, thus restoring credibility and trust. After the completion of the so-called Six-pack, which is a much-improved Stability and Growth Pact, it began shaping the European Semester, which is a powerful tool to avoid the emergence of negative spill-over effects originating from the economic and budgetary policies amongst Member

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States. It also practiced its role of ex-post accountability of the ECB’s monetary policy, as well as its action towards directly stabilising the banking sector and relieving the fragile bond markets. Work was additionally started on the Two-pack legislation to compliment the Six-pack. In all cases clashes occurred with the Left part of the House, which tried to avoid implementing structural reforms aimed at tackling the roots of the problem, preferring, rather, to seek salvation in additional government spending.

Completing Financial Services Regulation 2012 was marked by intensive work in the area of financial services regulatory reform. To revitalise the EU economy we need a financial sector that has the resources to fund. Restored credit must be channelled towards the real economy.

Therefore, the EPP Group has led the process of financial regulatory reform in the EP. The EMIR Regulation (Derivatives Regulation, Rapporteur: Werner Langen MEP (DE)) introduced transparency and supervisory requirements in this sector. The SEPA Regulation (Rapporteur: Sari Essayah MEP (FI)) is aimed at establishing an internal market for payment services that will reduce payment costs for transactions. Further reports - such as the ‘Access to Basic Banking Services’ or the ‘EU Social Fund or EU Venture Capital Fund’ - place the emphasis on particular sectors with special needs: for example SMEs and funding innovation and avoiding social exclusion. Two key reports still under discussion warrant highlighting: The Capital Requirements Directive (Rapporteur: Othmar Karas MEP (AT)) and the Omnibus 2 Directive/Solvency 2 (Rapporteur: Burkhard Balz MEP (DE)).

These measures will represent a major step in ensuring the stability and adequate capital ratios in banking and insurance respectively.

Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP (the Netherlands), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Chair of the Working Group “Economy and Environment”

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Towards a Framework on Taxation The ECON Committee devoted significant attention to the area of taxation, notably through the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) (EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur: Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP (FI)) and the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) reports (Rapporteur: Marianne Thyssen MEP (BE)). Proposals on the CCCTB and the FTT, which are strongly supported by the EPP Group, aim to fulfil critical EU objectives - promotion of growth and jobs, and ensuring that the financial sector makes a fair contribution to cover the costs placed on public finances in order to stabilise the financial sector during the crisis. The EPP Group’s firm stance regarding both reports enhanced the EP’s clear and well established position.

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection: (IMCO) 20 years on, the Single Market at a crossroads In 2012 the Commission adopted, at the behest of Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Service, 12 levers for growth, with the intention of easing the financial burden on of 500 million European citizens, and meeting our public sector competitiveness targets. Each lever has two main lines of action: simplifying and harmonising standards in fragmented markets, and establishing mechanisms for more effective enforcement of existing rules. The flagship initiatives currently being examined by the EP include: simplified public procurement rules, the establishment of a European patent, more effective systems for recognition of vocational qualifications and the creation of a genuine digital Single Market.

The EPP Group wishes to maintain the Commission’s momentum and is therefore pushing for the rapid adoption of all these proposals. The Group acted with speed, entrusting Lara Comi MEP (IT) with drafting, and subsequently reaching agreement on a report centred on a review of the Proposal for a Regulation on European standardisation.

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Frank Engel MEP (LU) has been entrusted with work on the revision of the legislative framework for public procurement, and Constance Le Grip MEP (FR) has been improving arrangements for the recognition of vocational qualifications in the Union.

Pending implementation of the twelve growth levers, the Commission adopted a legislative act on 3 October 2012 concerning transport, energy, public and business mobility, support for the digital economy and improving consumer confidence in the Single Market.

The EPP Group strongly advocates adopting and implementing these proposals.

In parallel with this major undertaking, the EP has adopted a proposal from Wim van de Camp MEP (NL) to make Europe’s motorcycles, mopeds and scooters cleaner. The agreement, reached in trialogue, imposes more stringent standards and conditions for the marketing of these vehicles and imposes improved safety standards. Lastly, Andreas Schwab MEP (DE), EPP Group Spokesman on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, has been asked to draft a report on the governance of the Single Market, with a view to providing strategic guidelines on its completion, effective utilisation, and contribution to strengthening the European Semester’s focus on the Single Market.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy: (ITRE) Lowering roaming tariffs and boosting mobile broadband The ‘Digital Agenda for Europe’ has established that differences between roaming and national telecoms tariffs should approach zero by 2015. The agreement negotiated by EPP Group Rapporteur Angelika Niebler MEP (DE) progressively lowers wholesale and retail prices through price caps and covers the three types of roaming services: voice, SMS and data. Increased provisions which are beneficial to users and the industry also include more competition as regards the number of operators.

This will furthermore lead to a greater choice for consumers.

l-r: Herbert Reul MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, G端nther Oettinger (Germany), European Commissioner for Energy, and Eija-Riitta Korhola MEP (EPP Group, Finland), Substitute Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

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Access to radio spectrum is essential for activities ranging from telephone and broadcasting to transport, energy, research and development, as well as space applications.

It is crucial to ensure that all EU citizens, in both urban and rural areas, benefit from the digital technologies and fast broadband connections. The EPP Group Rapporteur Gunnar Hökmark MEP (SE) imposed an agenda with a view to speeding up the development of mobile broadband for all EU citizens by 1 January 2013, thus overcoming the digital divide and contributing to the objectives of the Digital Agenda for Europe.

Pushing energy efficiency the smart way The EU has set itself the objective of using 20% less primary energy by 2020.

Commission’s estimations suggest that the EU will achieve only half of this target. As the measures already adopted by Member States seem insufficient, the Commission suggested a set of binding demand and supply side measures for Members States to overcome remaining obstacles in markets and in regulation. Thanks to the efforts by the EPP Group and its Shadow Rapporteur Markus Pieper MEP (DE), a compromise could be found between the EP and Council that combines binding measures with sufficient flexibility and less red tape. They address energy savings and efficiency in the building sector, the public sector as well as industry and energy companies.

Steps toward a common external energy policy The European Parliament adopted a law (Rapporteur: Krišjānis Kariņš MEP (LV)) on the exchange mechanism with regard to intergovernmental agreements between Member States and third countries in the field of energy. This legislation is an important first step in moving towards a common and more coherent EU energy policy: it will increase transparency in energy supply agreements with third countries, thereby ensuring that EU law is adhered to. The legislation requires that Member States share information with the European Commission on existing agreements and on future agreements before they are ratified.

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Supporting an internationalisation of our SMEs Only 25% of EU SMEs are internationally active within the Single Market, while only 13% have been internationally active outside the EU. The EP’s report led by Paul Rübig MEP (AT) outlined the priorities for an EU strategy for promoting SMEs’ activities outside the EU, such as mapping and assessing the effectiveness of existing support schemes at EU, national and local level. The report stresses the importance of cutting red tape and addressing the entrepreneurial potential of EU citizens, in particular among young people, women and migrants.

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety: (ENVI) Reconciling economy and environment Legislative and political work in the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) covers a wide range of activities that affect EU citizens.

Despite strong resistance from other Groups, the EPP Group managed to conclude or influence substantive dossiers covering all sectors within the ENVI competence.

On the legislative level, the plenary adopted numerous pieces of legislation, notably on waste electric and electronic equipment (Rapporteur: Karl-Heinz Florenz MEP (DE)); the market placement and use of biocidal products (Rapporteur: Christa Klaß MEP (DE)); food for infants and young children and food for special medical purposes (Shadow Rapporteur: Esther De Lange MEP (NL)); export and import of dangerous chemicals (Shadow Rapporteur: Mairéad McGuinness MEP (IE)); control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (Seveso III) (Rapporteur: Janos Áder MEP (HU)); the sulphur content of marine fuels (Shadow Rapporteur: Christopher Fjellner (SE)) and on pharmacovigilance (Shadow Rapporteur: Pilar Ayuso MEP (ES)).

Key additional initiative reports including: a roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 (Shadow Rapporteur: Romana Jordan MEP (SL)); the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 (Shadow Rapporteur: Boguslaw Sonik MEP (PL)); the 6th and 7th Environmental Action Programmes (Shadow Rapporteur: Gaston Franco MEP (FR)): the implementation of EU water legislation (Rapporteur: Richard Seeber MEP (AT)) as well as on the voluntary and unpaid donation of tissues and cells (Shadow Rapporteur: Peter Liese MEP (DE)), have been adopted. Resolutions on nutrition claims, diabetes or defective breast implants have also been adopted in 2012.

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs: (EMPL) Working for a job-intensive recovery Close monitoring of employment and social policy was a primary concern of the Employment and Social Affaires Committee (EMPL) throughout 2012. Furthermore, the EPP Group was committed to supporting all actions which stimulate job creation, ensuring a job-intensive recovery in line with the employment priorities of the Europe 2020 employment objectives and suggestions made to Member States in the Employment Guidelines.

The Commission communication ‘Towards a job-rich recovery’ indicated that Member States are undergoing structural reforms to stimulate employment. In response, EPP Group Members in EMPL initiated two reports in 2012 in order to stimulate favourable conditions for job creation whilst safeguarding the equilibrium between budgetary efficiency of Member States and adequate social welfare systems.

Committee on Transport and Tourism: (TRAN) Improving passenger rights Though much has been done to protect passengers and ensuring legal rights across the EU, certain areas still require improvements. In 2012, the EPP Group worked actively to promote safe and reliable travel in all Member States. A report on rights of people travelling by air, under the coordination of our Shadow Rapporteur Artur Zasada MEP (PL), outlined necessary improvements in the assistance and services to people with reduced mobility, and access to information about passenger rights.

A report on passenger rights across all modes of transport drafted by Georges Bach MEP (LU) focused on contrasting passenger rights between different transport modes and necessary improvements. Suggestions included the development of single legislation for all transport modes, better access to information and more clarity with regards to extraordinary circumstances.

Both reports were adopted, sending a clear signal to the European Commission that the EP expects more efforts to be made to make travelling safer and easier based on harmonised rules in the EU. As always, the EPP Group was a leading force in shaping these key projects as we believe that the EU should be a global leader in passenger protection and quality of transport services.

The Social Business Initiative report, compiled by Heinz Becker MEP (AT), aimed at stimulating the creation of a favourable climate for social enterprises and key stakeholders in the social economy and innovation. The Social Investment Pact compiled by Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP (PL) was drafted to require investments to curb the pressing problem of youth unemployment, as well as supporting measures for entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship.

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3. Standing Working Group “Legal and Home Affairs” A free and just Europe for our citizens The Legal and Home Affairs Working Group of the EPP Group is responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the members of the EPP Group in the seven Parliamentary Committees on Legal Affairs: on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, on Organised Crime, Corruption and Money Laundering, on Constitutional Affairs, on Petitions, on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and on Culture and Education. Our activities have a direct and significant impact on European citizens: the following are but a few examples of some of the most important developments in 2012.

Committee on Legal Affairs: (JURI) In the field of justice, it is of paramount importance that Europe maximises the growth opportunities offered by its Single Market. The EPP Group motto is: efficient justice systems across the EU and a well-balanced regulatory environment. This can help create legal certainty for citizens, consumers and businesses.

Efficient justice systems Lengthy and unclear procedures cause legal uncertainty and extra costs. In this respect, the rapporteur and EPP Group Coordinator in the Legal Affairs Committee, Tadeusz Zwiefka MEP (PL), achieved a breakthrough on the reform of the Brussels 1 Regulation which abolishes the time-consuming and costly procedures for the recognition and enforcement of judgments in another Member State. This will save consumers and businesses more than €47 million per year.

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Another major step towards providing legal certainty for thousands of families accomplished in 2012 is the Regulation on international successions. There are around 4.5 million successions a year in the EU: 10% of these have an international dimension, adding up to €123 billion a year. The EPP Group Rapporteur Kurt Lechner MEP (DE) worked hard to bring this complex matter to a successful conclusion. As a result, people living abroad will finally be able to choose the law of their nationality to apply to their successions. Moreover, with the introduction of a European Certificate of Succession people can prove that they are heirs without burdensome formalities.

Well-balanced regulatory environment In the fast developing digital era, cross-border sales and purchases in the Single Market should become easier and cheaper by eliminating trade barriers. The EPP Group Co-Rapporteur, and Chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee, KlausHeiner Lehne MEP (DE), worked actively on the proposal for an optional Common European Sales Law. This instrument has immense potential, in particular for e-commerce, and will help boost trade and expand consumer trust in purchasing cross border goods.

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs: (LIBE) In the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs the positions of the political groups are often very controversial. As the largest group in the European Parliament (EP) the EPP Group has a strong influence on political decision-making

Manfred Weber MEP (Germany), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and Chairman of the EPP Group Working Group “Legal and Home Affairs”

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l-r: Carlo Casini MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and Constance Le Grip MEP (EPP Group, France), Vice-Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament

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as it provides the Rapporteurs for the most important legislative acts. One of these EPP Group Rapporteurs is Simon Busuttil MEP (MT), who was able to put a clear EPP Group stamp on the revision of the Frontex directive. This agency deals with the security of the external borders of the Union. The legislative act strengthens the agency’s efficiency and increases its resources. The EPP Group’s particular merit lies with the introduction of European Border Guard Teams as a step towards a stronger European identity for the agency. Moreover, thanks to the EPP Group Rapporteur’s work, the agency may now purchase, lease and (co-)own its own material and its operations may be fully financed from the EU budget.

EPP Group Members have also had significant influence on European decisionmaking as Shadow Rapporteurs: Axel Voss MEP (DE) ensured the EP’s approval of the new EU-US agreement on passenger name records (PNR), against the negative views of the Liberals. PNR include data on flight passengers created by airlines in a computer reservation system. These data can be used for preventing and combating terrorism and organized crime. In the view of the EPP Group, not supporting the agreement would have been irresponsible, as it would have left European citizens without safeguards as to the use of their personal data. The EPP Group assured that transatlantic relations continue to be based on trust, with the US and the EU relying on each other’s commitment to ensure their citizens’ security.

The protection of human rights has for a long time been a matter of concern for the EPP Group and an intensive effort was made to finalize the negotiation for EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty the European Union is obliged to accede to the ECHR. Negotiations with a view to drawing up an accession agreement between the Union and the states parties to the ECHR have been underway for more than a year, with Marietta Giannakou MEP (GR) representing the EPP Group in the high-level negotiating team. This unique agreement involves many states on two sides of the negotiation table (the Council of Europe’s 47 Member States and the EU’s 27) which makes the whole process particularly lengthy. A common position has been reached and negotiations on the final agreement should resume without delay.

Citizens have their say With similar determination, the EPP Group’s Co-Rapporteur Alain Lamassoure MEP (FR) has contributed to the entry into force of the Citizens Initiative allowing Europe’s citizens to participate in the EU legislative process by asking the Commission to propose rules on issues that fall within its competences. This is an unprecedented opportunity to enhance citizens’ participation in democracy and to make Europe more visible.

Committee on Constitutional Affairs: (AFCO)

Committee on Petitions: (PETI)

Towards a true “Citizen’s Europe - The protection of human rights”

Thanks to the efforts of the EPP Group when shaping the framework for the European Citizens Initiative, the Petitions Committee shall be the co-organizer of the public hearings for successful initiatives, which have been signed by more than one million citizens from at least seven Member States.

In 2012 the EPP Group has widely contributed to the entry into force of the European Citizens Initiative, paving the way for a true Citizens Europe and pushing to finalize the negotiation on EU Accession to the European Convention for Human rights.

The Petitions Committee has been dealing with numerous petitions with regard to the Spanish Coastal Law. While aiming to ensure public access to the coast line, this law can lead to the expropriation and demolition of private properties in areas

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located adjacent or in proximity to the sea. The EPP Group Members welcomed the determination of the Partido Popular, currently in government, to review the Spanish Coastal Law to reconcile the protection of the coastline with legal certainty for property owners.

The report by Carlos Iturgaiz MEP (ES) on the application of the Waste Management Directive highlighted serious shortcomings with regard to the application by Member States. The EPP Group shall therefore continue to monitor the ongoing revision of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality: (FEMM) The EPP Group, under the leadership of the EPP Coordinator for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, Mariya Gabriel MEP (BG), and of the Vice-Coordinator Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio MEP (ES), actively engages in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in society. As a general principle, women and men should have the same possibilities to participate in university research, the labour market and political decision-making.

Furthermore, the EPP Group attaches great importance to women being able to obtain the same salaries and pensions as men in comparable positions. With her report on the existing Directive on Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value Edit Bauer MEP (SK) asked for a revision of the existing legislation due to its ineffectiveness.

This issue was taken up at the event organised on the occasion of the International Women’s Day in 2012.

The EPP Group did not only look at women’s issues from an economic or political angle: the eradication of violence against women is a core priority of the EPP Group. With the work of Regina Bastos MEP (PT), the EPP Group was a central

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actor in ensuring that women and children who are victims of violence continue to receive support and attention. In her report adopted on the “Daphne” programme: achievements and future prospects, she stressed the success of this EU-wide programme.

Committee on Culture and Education: (CULT) A European strategy to unlock potential of cultural and creative industries The digital era has profoundly changed our approach towards cultural goods. MarieThérèse Sanchez-Schmid MEP (FR) asked for a real European strategy to unlock the potential of cultural and creative industries. This strategy must take into account the dual nature of these industries, i.e. their “economic vs. cultural nature.”

Promoting cross-border voluntary activities in the EU The EPP Group promotes and supports volunteering as an important pillar of our societies. It plays a crucial role in improving social cohesion and helping people in need. Cross-border volunteering in particular gives young European citizens opportunities for enrichment. In his report on Recognising and promoting cross-border voluntary activities in the EU, Marco Scurria MEP (IT) asks for EU funding for volunteering and highlights its social dimension as an expression of European citizenship as well as its benefits in terms of education, sport activities and humanitarian aid. The report proposes measures to promote voluntary activities such as the establishment of a centralised EU portal, the creation of a “European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corp” and the development of a “European Skills Passport”.

4. Standing Working Group “Budget and Structural Policies” Working to ensure the EU is able to finance its commitment to the benefit of all of its citizens

Committee on Budgets: (BUDG) The EPP Group in the European Parliament fought for a strong EU budget to boost growth and employment across the continent throughout 2012.

Our most important activities were: ›› Negotiating the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014 - 2020 The MFF negotiation team has a strong plenary mandate of 517 votes, reflecting a clear qualified majority. The negotiation team including: the Chairman of the Committee on Budgets Alain Lamassoure MEP (FR), the Rapporteur for the MFF Reimer Böge MEP (DE), and the Rapporteur for own resources Jean-Luc Dehaene MEP (BE), are invited to informal General Affairs Councils and integrated in the negotiations through debriefings of the Trio Presidencies before other important meetings. The European Council of 22-23 November was dedicated to the MFF. The negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework will continue with another Extraordinary European Council in February 2013. ›› Budget 2013 and shortfall in payments for 2012 The responsibility for the EU Budget 2013 was assigned to Giovanni La Via MEP (IT). The EPP Group proved to be successful in defining political priorities in the areas of growth, competiveness and the creation of new jobs. The Chairman of the Committee on Budgets Alain Lamassoure MEP (FR) led on behalf of the European Parliament (EP) the negotiations with the Council in view of reaching an agreement not only on the Budget 2013, but also on amending a shortfall of 6 billion

EUR in the budget for 2012. The EP ensured, therefore, the necessary resources to cover pending bills, especially in the field of cohesion policy as well the smooth continuation of EU programmes like Erasmus, research framework programmes and support for SMEs. For the Budget 2013, the EP was successful in securing its political priorities in terms of committing appropriations in the fields of research, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning and employment programmes in order to trigger economic growth and job creation in the EU. It also reinforced European external policy as a timely and much needed response to the crisis in the Middle East.

Monika Hohlmeier MEP (DE) was the EPP Shadow Rapporteur for the budgets of the EP and the other institutions for 2013. The EPP Coordinator for Budget is Salvador Garriga Polledo MEP (ES), and Vice-Coordinator Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska MEP (PL).

Committee on Budgetary Control: (CONT) In 2012, the EPP Group Budgetary Control Committee Members worked to ensure and improve the efficient spending of European Union funds. Increasing accountability of the European Institutions and cutting red tape have been major incentives for the EPP Group Members in the Committee. The following are some of the achievements in 2012. ›› The revision of the Financial Regulation was negotiated by the CONT Rapporteur Crescenzio Rivellini MEP (IT) together with the Co-Rapporteur Ingeborg Grässle MEP (DE) from the BUDG Committee. Both members managed to successfully negotiate a Regulation that is now simpler, more transparent and friendlier to the beneficiaries than before. ›› In 2012, the revision of the OLAF Regulation 10/73 - handled by the CONT Rapporteur Ingeborg Grässle MEP (DE) - was finalised, leaving OLAF in a stronger and more effective position to prevent and combat fraud.

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›› EPP Group Rapporteur Iliana Ivanova MEP (BG) negotiated the steering of an improved and more effective Regulation through the EP. This represents an important cornerstone in the combat against the losses in tax and customs duties caused by cigarette smuggling. ›› With his efforts in the field of the decommissioning nuclear power plants in the new Member Sates, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (RO) scrutinised the efficiency and effectiveness of the European Union support on projects in Ignalina, Lithuania, Kozloduy, Bulgaria and Bohunice. ›› Due to his efforts relating to the Commission discharge 2010 by Christopher Fjellner MEP (SE) the Commission is now applying interruptions and suspensions in a more systematic way meaning the Commission is more alert to fraud and waste in the Member States.

Committee on Regional Development: (REGI) Legislative package of the regulations on the renewed cohesion policy in the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 This legislative package is the cornerstone of European Union preparations of its activities in this decade. It comprises practically the entire investment expenditure of the EU towards the objectives of Europe 2020 Strategy, underpinned by the objectives of the cohesion policy towards the achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU. The cohesion budget is crucial for recovery in many Member States.

The proposed regulations were voted on in the form of mandates in the Regional Development Committee in July 2012, allowing for the commencement of the trilogues between the EP and the Council. Their adoption before the beginning of the new MFF is of utmost priority to the EPP Group’s Regional Development Committee, as they are necessary for the appropriate implementation of the multiannual budget.

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The Regional Development Committee is pursuing clear objectives in improving competitiveness, achieving higher sustainable growth rates and ensuring convergence between the EU’s regions. Cohesion policy must remain accessible to all European regions as it is a strong instrument for achieving the EU growth agenda. The Common Strategic Framework (CSF) aims to coordinate and balance priorities of the EU 2020 objectives and targets, and establish coherence and consistency of programming between cohesion policy and rural and fisheries funds. Therefore, cohesion policy contributes in a concrete and measurable way to the Europe 2020 goals of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It is crucial the policy receives an adequate budget in order to deliver maximum results in the new period. The REGI Committee strongly supports solid multilevel governance and an enhanced partnership principle, strengthening the role of the regional and local authorities in defining and implementing programmes. The REGI mandate for negotiations, adopted with EPP Group support, ensures these objectives are being vigorously pursued.

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development: (AGRI) 2012 has been a pivotal year for the future of European agriculture. Since the Commission published its legislative package for a new Common Agricultural Policy in 2011, EPP Group Members on the Agriculture Committee, under their Coordinator Albert Dess MEP (DE), have worked intensively to ensure that the reform process results in a strong, sustainable and fair CAP, which serves European farmers and consumers, promotes rural development and protects and enhances the natural environment. Agriculture, food security and the natural environment are key concerns for the EU as we face fundamental economic and budgetary challenges. For the EPP Group, agriculture is a strategic priority; abundant, affordable food is no longer taken for granted and by 2050, the world will need to double its food production to meet global demand. EPP Group Members are Parliamentary Rapporteurs for two of the four main regulations that will make up the CAP after 2013: Michel Dantin MEP (FR) is Rapporteur for the Single Common Market Organisation dossier and Giovanni La Via MEP (IT) is Rapporteur for the Horizontal and Financial Regulation. In addition, Mairead McGuinness MEP (IR) and Elisabeth Köstinger MEP

Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Chairman of the EPP Working Group “Budget and Structural Policies”

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l-r: Mairead McGuinness MEP (EPP Group, Ireland), Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament, and Sofoclis Aletraris, Cypriot Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

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(AT) are the Group’s Shadow Rapporteurs for the Direct Payments and Rural Development dossiers respectively. Central to their work is the EPP Group’s conviction that the new CAP must cut red tape and make implementation easier for national administrations.

The EPP Group welcomes efforts to improve the environmental performance of the CAP, but insists that this should not entail further administrative burdens being placed on farmers. Along with simplifying the CAP, the crippling volatility of agricultural markets must be decisively tackled and the position of farmers in the food supply chain needs to be strengthened. Providing our farmers with the means to make a sustainable living is critical for the future viability of a thriving European agricultural sector. In this context, the EPP Group underlines the importance of a strong budget to preserve the multifunctional role of European agriculture and is adamant that there can be no overall deal on the reform without first knowing the future budget for the CAP. The EP has been very clear that the amounts devoted to agriculture in 2013 must be of acceptable standard. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has placed agriculture under co-decision, meaning that this will be the first ever CAP reform in which the EP will be on an equal footing with the Council in the decisionmaking process. The Agriculture Committee is set to vote on the reform in early 2013.

Committee on Fisheries: (PECH) The legislative activity in 2012 focused essentially on the adoption of the first package of proposals on the CFP reform. The EPP Group played an important role in reaching a fair balance between the preservation of sustainable fishing resources and a decent standard of living for fishermen. The main reports adopted in 2012 were: The Stevenson report (A7-0217/12) on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products: The EP voted in favour of strengthening producer organisations (POs) and providing them with sufficient financial support to play a meaningful role in the management of fisheries. There should be a representative participation of smallscale fisheries in POs. The EPP Group insisted that financial support is needed to create databases/markets for information exchange between market operators and processors.

Programmes should encourage young people to enter the sector. Finally, the EP invites the Commission to submit, by 1 January 2015, proposals on an eco-label scheme for fisheries products. The EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur is Jim Higgins MEP (IE).

The Salavrakos report (A7-0253/12) on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Regarding environmental sustainability, the EP considers that the prime objective is to ensure fish supply, develop coastal communities, promote employment and better working conditions for fishing professionals, and establish sustainable resources. Populations of all stocks of harvested species should be maintained at levels close to the producing maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Regarding socioeconomic sustainability, living marine resources are a common public asset, which cannot be privatised. Members support the idea of establishing regionalisation as one of the main instruments to address this need. The EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur is Werner Kuhn MEP (DE).

In the Haglund report (A7- 0225/12) on reporting obligations on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy, Parliament stresses the need for a balance between the ecological and the economic and social situation in fishery. It highlights the need to develop an effective no-discards policy.

Scientific fisheries research is an essential tool for identifying factors that influence the development of fishery resources. The EP calls on the Commission to establish a definition of overcapacity, taking into account local specificities. The future European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) must provide for adequate financial assistance to mitigate the socio-economic impact of measures, reducing overcapacity, and to adjust the size of fishing fleets in line with fishing opportunities and longterm sustainability. The EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur is Carmen Fraga MEP (ES).

Adopting the Ferreira report (A7- 0291/12) on small-scale (“artisanal”) fishing and coastal fishing, the EP agreed on the definition of small-scale (“artisanal”) fishing. The EP calls for special attention to be paid to this kind of fishing, allowing investment in the future, especially through the replacement of motors for boats and the renewal of old vessels. The EP also calls for investments to be made in the safety of boats, and funding to cover temporary cessation of fishing activity (due to crises or failing fish stocks). The principle of transferable fishing concessions has been rejected. The EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur is Antonello Antinoro MEP (IT).

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National Parliaments Service Developing closer ties between the EU and national levels through the framework of inter-parliamentary cooperation The EPP Group attaches great importance to maintaining close links with the Member States’ national Parliaments through regular meetings.

The Group’s maintains relationships with national Parliaments through four main platforms: › › Summits of Chairmen of the EPP Group in the national Parliaments of the European Union; ›› Network Meetings of EPP national Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and EPP Members of the European Parliament (EP); ›› EPP Young Members Network below the age of 36, both from the European Parliament and national Parliaments; ›› Publications and newsletters of the Group’s Service for Relations with national Parliaments.

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16th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels, 4-5 June 2012 The 16th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU took place in the EP on 4 and 5 June 2012. Debates focused on growth and employment and an updated overview on the achievements of the Single Market. The meeting concluded with a presentation of the upcoming Cypriot EU Presidency.

Opening the debates, the Chairman of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul MEP, said: “In today’s European Union, our ideas of sovereignty also need to change. This is why we need a political union and this is why I believe that there has to be greater cooperation between all of our Parliaments. Together we need to define this new European sovereignty. I believe that it is our role, as the political family who created Europe, to create this new sovereignty.

But it cannot happen without you, national Parliamentarians, and it cannot happen without the support of our citizens.”

The Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with the national Parliaments, Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), added: “Europe has a long history of peoples united by common roots, by a rich and diverse culture since the beginning of the European Community, by an unambiguous political will of freedom and peace. I would say that we need to remember and to, again and urgently, approach the EPP ideal of federalism and the vision of the European Union’s Founding Fathers, Adenauer, Monnet, Schuman, De Gasperi and so many others.”

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I. Growth and employment: a European recipe for a way out of the crisis Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, Secretary of State for European Affairs in the Spanish Government, considered that the European Union has not done enough to reform the supervision of the banking system, the pension system or private insurance.

Despite the adoption of the economic Six-pack, he did not believe that national budgets must be approved by the Commission before being implemented by national governments. The solution proposed envisaged that Member States could sign a contract to bring the deficit to zero according to a schedule, one which could rapidly help countries in difficulty.

Rafał Grupiński MP (PL), Chairman of the Civic Platform group, said that Europe needs a two fold reform: firstly, cutting red tape for SMEs in each Member State and secondly, reactivating the labour market. Moreover, he insisted that Europe needs less national egotism and more European solidarity. He agreed with Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, stating that a common currency was not enough to cement Europe as “complete integration extends from social affairs to the economy”.

Othmar Karas MEP (AT), Vice-President of the EP, stated that there is a crisis of management due to the difficulty of implementing measures by Member States as they require unanimous decision making. He insisted that democratic legitimacy is needed by correctly using the EU institutions to find a solution and a way out of the crisis. He concluded by stating that only the EPP has the ideological underpinning and the historical background, and can demonstrate leadership in this crisis.

l-r: Carlo Casini MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs; Miguel Seabra, EPP Group Adviser; Paulo Rangel MEP (Portugal), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with national Parliaments; Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza, Head of the EPP Group Service in charge of Relations with national Parliaments; Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission for Industry and Entrepreneurship; Silvia Bartolini, Member of Commissioner Tajani’s cabinet; and Peter Michael Ikrath MP, Vice-Coordinator of the Committee on Financial Affairs of the Austrian Nationalrat

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Charles Flanagan MP (FG, IE), Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Group, insisted on the importance of further and deeper integration in Europe and underlined that a stable eurozone was of vital national interest to Ireland.

He stressed that the IMF Program will focus on the creation of jobs as a top priority.

He concluded by saying that the support for growth had to be consistent with the position of the Euro based on the creation of mutual confidence and trust between the Member States by providing a program of positive political action.

Marianne Thyssen MEP (BE), Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, said that budget “orthodoxy” was a precondition for solidarity: “we need more solidarity between Member States, but we can only achieve growth if serious policies are implemented”, she said. She remarked that the socialist’s position was to move away from the Six-pack and only implement the Two-pack based on growth and jobs. However, she underlined that, although the Two-pack was very important, the Six-pack is also fundamental to achieving confidence and credibility, and increasing discipline and supervision.

During the debate, the following speakers took the floor: Anna Kinberg Batra MP (M, SE), Antonio Rodrigues MP (PSD, PT), Jean Bizet MP (UMP, FR), Gian Luca Galletti MP (UDC, IT), Esteban González Pons MP (PP, ES), Konstantinos Mousouroulis MP (ND, GE), Paulo Mota Pinto MP (PSD, PT), Frank Engel MEP (LU), Martin Dimitrov MP (GERB, BG), Nicola Formichella MP (PDL, IT), Astrid Lulling MEP (LU), Luca Volontè MP (UDC, IT) and Tasos Mitsopoulos MP (Democratic Rally, CY).

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II. An updated development on the achievement of the Single Market Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, encouraged national representatives to get involved in the debates on the reforms begun by the Single Market Act, and on the governance of our Single Market. “I am particularly counting on MEPs and national MPs to get involved in Single Market week, which will commence with an event in Brussels on 15 October and continue throughout Europe until 20 October”.

Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Commissioner responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said that Europe needs to focus on the green economy, on the competitive automotive sector, on key enabling technologies, on the space sector, on the tourism sector - in short, Europe must work to achieve a qualitative leap. The Commissioner stated that this is his aim, and he is convinced that “we cannot win in terms of quantity but can win on quality, with - I would add, since we are talking about the Internal Market - an external trade policy that is not naive”.

Peter Michael Ikrath MP, Vice-Coordinator of the Committee on Financial Affairs of the Austrian Nationalrat, said that a social market economy is needed, as the European Union is a social union. Members should include national community issues in our decisions. To revive the European idea, members of national Parliaments must convince our governments to include community interest in the decisions.

Andreas Schwab MEP (DE), EPP Coordinator of the Committee for the Interior Market and Consumer Protection, urged members to work together towards the proper implementation of the measures. Furthermore, he added, “in the following months, I will be working on a report to assess how to solve the problem of the implementation and transposition of EU law, so that SMEs and the Single Market can benefit from the existing legislation”.

At the end of the session, there were interventions by: Francesco Casoli MP (PDL, IT) and Giuseppe Gargani MEP (IT).

III. Presentation of the forthcoming Cyprus Presidency Tasos Mitsopoulos MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group “Democratic Rally Party”, Cyprus, stated that the Cyprus Presidency will work towards a better Europe, a more efficient Europe, contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth and job creation, through effective policies. The aim is to work towards a better Europe based on the principle of solidarity and by committing for a better future, especially for the younger generations.

Summit’s declaration Concluding, the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups adopted a declaration affirming their strong belief in a social market economy, using the best practices of the more advanced European countries for inspiration, helping to develop EU standards and remembering that social investment and inclusive labour markets are key to Europe’s long-term economic growth.

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17th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels, 3-4 December 2012

l-r: Rubén Moreno Palanques MP, Speaker of the Partido Popular in the Spanish Congress; Anna Kinberg Batra MP, Chair of Moderaterna Parliamentary Group, Sweden; Iñigo Mendez de Vigo, State Secretary for European Affairs (Spain), Former Chairman of the European Parliament delegation to the Convention; Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza, Head of the EPP Group Service in charge with Relations with national Parliaments; Paulo Rangel MEP (Portugal), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with national Parliaments; Tasos Mitsopoulos MP, Spokesman of the “Democratic Rally Party”, Cyprus; Miguel Seabra, EPP Group Adviser; and Rafał Trzaskowski MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Member of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs

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The 17th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU took place in the European Parliament on 3-4 December 2012. Debates focused on the Economic and Monetary Union and the future role for national Parliaments.

In addition, the main conclusions of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council were presented jointly with an overview of the future Irish Presidency.

Sybrand van Haersma Buma MP (CDA, NL), Chairman of the CDA Parliamentary Group in the Tweede Kamer, the Netherlands, believes that for Europe to hold a prominent position among world economies, tight budget and economic reforms are needed. In this regard, the European Commission should reveal its strength to keep the Member States on track. This way also, solidarity with the countries lagging behind would be realised.

Opening the debate, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with the national Parliaments, Paulo Rangel MEP (PT) said: “European economic governance based on the convergence of national economic policies, on solidarity and on financial discipline, is essential to guarantee the prosperity and coherence of the eurozone. This can only be accomplished if the national Parliaments of the European Union take a leading role.”

Marianne Thyssen MEP (BE), Member of the Economic and Monetary Committee, Rapporteur on the report “Towards a genuine Economic and Monetary Union” said that in order to strengthen the economy, the EU needs a Banking Union; for this we first need monetary union, and therefore more discipline and more budgetary agreement between Member States. “Things can be improved in term of political union too and we want to emphasise accountability, democracy and transparent decision making in economic and monetary matters”, added the Belgian MEP.

I. Towards a real Economic and Monetary Union: a new step to achieving a political Union?

II. What is the future role for the national Parliaments?

Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, stated that in order to solve the shortcomings of the eurozone, political instruments are necessary to involve national Parliaments and, in general, the people of the continent, in the decision-making process.

Anna Kinberg Batra MP (M, SE), Chair of Moderaterna Parliamentary group, Sweden, underlined 3 key aspects: the excessive number of new regulations which may affect Member States on banking issues, too much centralisation, and lack of communication and understanding of citizens of the European project.

Anders Borg, Minister of Finance, Sweden, underlined that growth, fiscal challenges and avoiding divisions among euro and non-euro countries should be carefully considered.

Rubén Moreno Palanques MP (PP, ES) speaker at the Spanish Congreso, stated that it is very important to increase the cooperation with the national Parliaments and stressed that they have a significant role, as the so called: “third co-legislators”.

Francis Delpérée MP (CDH, BE), Chairman of CDH Parliamentary Group in the Belgium Senate, underlined the need for democratic accountability of economic governance. “Europe can not complete the missions of governance which are assigned to her if European citizens are not convinced of the usefulness of its interventions”.

Michael Ikrath MP (ÖVP, AT) insisted that there is a need to strengthen the Parliamentary system at EU and national level and to extend co-decision power to the European Parliament with regard to European legislation. In his view, national Parliaments must be emancipated from their national Governments.

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Iñigo Mendez de Vigo, State Secretary for European Affairs (Spain) suggested the creation of an “Assembly of the European Citizens” which would gather representatives of the national Parliaments, European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions, which would not have a legislative function and would allow national and European parliamentarians to give their views: “It could consist of a bi-annual meeting, where the President of the Commission or the President of the Council, could bring forward for discussion, for example, the program of the European Commission, and hear the inputs from MEPs and MPs”.

Rafał Trzaskowski MEP (PL) underlined that there has been increased dialogue and engagement from national Parliaments, since the introduction of the subsidiarity check, through reasoned opinions and contributions.

Summit’s declaration The Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Group in the European Union adopted a declaration of commitment to the reforms process, which aims to promote growth, create jobs and increase the competitiveness of the EU economy.

Among the participants of the two-day Summit of Chairmen were: Tasos Mitsopoulos MP, Chairman of the Democratic Rally Party Parliamentary Group, Cyprus, Anders Borg MP, Minister of Finance, Sweden, Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, Francis Delpérée MP, Chairman of CDH Parliamentary Group in the Senate, Belgium, Sybrand van Haersma Buma MP, Chairman of the CDA Parliamentary Group in the Tweede Kamer, the Netherlands, Marianne Thyssen MEP, Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament, Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Alain Lamassoure MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Budgets of the European Parliament, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Spain, Anna Kinberg Batra MP, Chair of Moderaterna Parliamentary Group, Sweden, Ruben Moreno Palanques MP, Partido Popular, Speaker of the Congress, Spain, Dara Murphy MP, Chairman of the Fine Gael Foreign Affairs Committee, Ireland.

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EPP EU Affairs Networks The EPP Group EU Affairs Network, created in early 2009, brings together, two times per year, Members of the European Parliament and Members of the national Parliaments who act as spokespersons for European Affairs in their parliamentary groups. These are either the Chairs or Vice-Chairs of the national Parliamentary Committees dealing with EU Affairs, or the spokespersons for the Chairs of parliamentary groups.

The 7th Network Meeting of EPP national Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and EPP Group Members of the European Parliament, Brussels, 5 March 2012 The meeting focused on various topics: the Arab Spring; the European Semester and the new Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance. Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), Vice-President responsible for Relations with national Parliaments, chaired the meeting and emphasised the importance of strengthening the dialogue, as each meeting “was a new step in the right direction to update our views on the most important issues”.

outlined the need to invest more in education and students exchange programmes, to increase relations with Islamic parties within the EPP, and to enforce the relationships with Russia and Turkey in order to find a suitable strategy towards Syria and Egypt.

I. “ The Arab Spring”: political consequences for the Mashreq and Maghreb countries

The debate on the European Semester was introduced by Othmar Karas MEP (AT), who began by saying that we should work harder to ensure parliamentary cooperation at European level in order to avoid the danger of re-nationalising European politics.

Monika Panayotova MP (GERB, BG), Chair of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, insisted that the second European Semester will focus on the exit from the crisis and thus 2012 will be a year for implementing priorities and taking concrete actions. Konstantinos Mousouroulis MP (ND, GR), Member of the Standing Committee on Production and Trade, pointed out that the programme countries - Greece, Ireland and Portugal - are being forced to introduce measures that go against the Treaties of the EU. Antonio Rodrigues MP (PSD, PT) said that due to the existing crisis being witnessed in Europe, cooperation between national Parliaments should be improved and remembered that solidarity between Member States was one of the founding principles of the Union. Nicola Formichella MP (PDL, IT) focused on the topic of economic freedom, which he felt was also restricting our competitive position. Gustav Blix MP (M, SE) also referred to economic freedom within the EU by referencing international rankings. Jean-Pierre Audy MEP (FR) insisted that the difference relative to S&D is that in the EPP Group have learned lessons and feels that growth should be based on solid public finances.

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (ES), Chairman of the Monitoring Group on the Southern Neighbourhood and Middle East, took the floor on the issue of the Arab Spring and indicated that the EU has introduced some policies based on the principle of “more for more”. Mário David MEP (PT), Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries, said that the cause of the revolution was mostly due to the unemployment of highly qualified young people, and new technologies facilities that enabled people in the Arab world to fight for their dignity and rights. Roberto Soravilla MP (PP, ES), spokesperson for the Partido Popular Joint Committee of EU Affairs, stressed the need for Europe to strengthen its relations with North-African countries and coordinate institutions to control EU funds. Henk Jan Ormel MP (CDA, NL), spokesperson on European/Foreign Affairs, remarked on the lack of comments about the problems of minorities in terms of sexual discrimination, religion and gender, and urged the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton to show the European flag in these countries more often. René Van Der Linden MP (CDA, NL)

II. The European Semester

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l-r: José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (Spain), EPP Group Coordinator in the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Monitoring Group on the Southern Mediterranean and Middle-East; Henk Jan Ormel MP, CDA Spokesperson on European Affairs in the Dutch Parliament; Miguel Seabra, EPP Group Adviser; Paulo Rangel MEP (Portugal), Vice-President of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with national Parliaments; Mário David MEP (Portugal), Member of Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq countries; and Roberto Soravilla MP, Partido Popular’s Spokesperson in the Spanish Parliament’s Joint Committee on EU Affairs

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III. The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance Gunther Krichbaum MP (CDU, DE) raised the debate on The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance and indicated that a common currency without a common economic policy could not succeed: “politicians need to win back the confidence of public opinion and its citizens”. Jean Bizet MP (UMP, FR), ViceChair of the Committee on European Affairs, commented that fiscal consolidation was a good step towards reviving economic growth, as having a serious budget is a guarantee of democracy. Elmar Brok MEP (DE), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs indicated that the Fiscal Pact was only one step towards resolving the crisis through various serious measures and believed that the European Semester will help analyse the fiscal development in the Member States and will allow the EC to give advice on budget issues. Frank Engel MEP (LU) focused on the EU’s lack of real growth, saying that this is a situation that needs to be tackled urgently. Dara Murphy (FG, IE) gave details on Ireland’s decision to hold a referendum on the Fiscal Compact and concluded by reiterating his government’s support for the Treaty.

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The 8th Network Meeting of EPP national Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and EPP Group Members of the European Parliament, Brussels, 1 October 2012 EPP national and European parliamentarians gathered in the EP in Brussels to discuss the Economic and Monetary Union, the European Semester and youth unemployment. The speakers underlined the major role of national Parliaments together with the EP in shaping European policy-making.

Paulo Mota Pinto MP (PSD, PT), Chair of the European Affairs Committee in Assembleia da Republica, gave his views on the Financial Assistance Programme and economic situation in Portugal in comparison to the other Member States.

He underlined that “a country which needs economic and financial assistance requires parliamentary strength and a stable government”.

Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), EPP Group Vice-President responsible for Relations with national Parliaments, reiterated that national Parliaments play a key role in democracy and highlighted the EP’s growing influence in EU legislation under the Lisbon Treaty. The national Parliaments have given the ‘yellow card’ to the proposed Monti II regulation and the European Commission accepted their democratic decision, and also the concerns of the EP, and decided to withdraw it.

I. Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union Theodor Stolojan MEP (RO), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, delivered a presentation on the context and content implied by the new EU vision on how to step forward “Towards a genuine Economic and Monetary Union”. Thus, the short, mid and long-term recovery paradigms of the Union were addressed, while pointing to the degree of hope created by the proposals of the European institutions. The Vice-Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs also referred to the existing divergent positions expressed at European level about the way genuine Economic and Monetary Union should be achieved, with the Single European Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) at the core of the opposing views.

Jean Bizet MP (UMP, FR), Vice-Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, expressed his hope that a stronger Europe will emerge at the end of the crisis, based on the efficiency of the measures already in place. A real Economic and Monetary Union may be created by putting in place a real banking union and a uniform supervision mechanism. At the same time, without impinging on Member States sovereignty, the European Commission’s powers should be increased in order to back-up the enhanced policy coordination.

Jürgen Hardt MP (CDU, DE) emphasised that the importance of debates in Europe is not to deliver ready-made solutions (e.g., the way the banking union would look and the number of people to be part of the scrutiny committee), but to prove the ability and strength to provide answers.

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l-r: Paulo Rangel MEP (Portugal), Vice-President of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with national Parliaments; Theodor Stolojan MEP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs; Jean Bizet MP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on European Affairs in the French Senate; and Antonio Rodrigues MP, Member of the Committee on European Affairs in the Portuguese Assembly

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Various other members of national Parliaments, Peter Ostman MP (KOK, FI), Kiriakos Gerontopoulos MP (ND, GR), Paulius Saudargas MP (TS-LKD, LT), Nicola Formichella MP (PDL, IT), Dara Murphy MP (FG, IE), and Carlota Ripoll MP (PP, ES), took the floor during the debate and expressed their views on the latest EU developments on the economic crisis, presenting the reality as perceived in their home countries and underlining the need of thinking and acting as a Union.

II. The European Semester: where are we?

Jean-Paul Gauzes MEP (FR), European Parliament Rapporteur on the European Semester, and EPP Group Coordinator for the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, stated that for the European Semester to play its full role Member States are expected to deliver on their obligations, with national Parliaments called to exercise democratic scrutiny over the measures taken at national level.

Antonio Rodrigues MP (PSD, PT) considered the European Semester as an opportunity for assessing the measures by governments or EU institutions and preventing unwanted developments. At the same time, it is an opportunity for decision-makers to get involved in Europe’s economic governance and to find the way to improve cooperation.

During the debates, Francis Delpérée MP (CDH, BE), Chairman of the CDH within the Belgian Senate, addressed the division of tasks, competencies and decisionmaking among the entities involved in the European Semester. Christos Stylianides MP (DISY, CY) talked about a possible mistake being made by attaching a higher importance to the formal aspects of the institutional framework, while neglecting that up to a certain point markets behave differently than is expected.

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III. Youth unemployment Pablo Zalba Bidegain MEP (ES), Coordinator of EPP Young Members Network and Vice-president of the Economic Affairs Committee, agreed that youth unemployment is a problem in all Member States and thus considered it as a structural problem that was not dependant on the economic crisis. He underlined that: “we must undertake all reforms to facilitate young people’s access to the market - flexibility of the labour market, a leading educational system and the fostering of entrepreneurship.”

Monika Panayotova MP (GERB, BG), Chairperson Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, focused on the European dimension of the problem and outlined that the potential solutions for keeping young Europeans in Europe could be based on the “3 R policy”: Restarting, Reform and Regions.

Furthermore, she stressed that to overcome the crisis, Europe needs both the young and the old generations involved.

Nicola Formichella MP (PDL, IT), Paulo Mota Pinto MP (PSD, PT), and Kiriakos Gerontopoulos MP (ND, GR), agreed with the panellists: young Europeans must understand that “it is better to create a job than to have one”.

The Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group paid tribute to Roberto Soravilla MP (PP, ES), Member of the EPP Parliamentarian Network, and Spokesman for the Joint Commission for the European Union of the Spanish Parliament, who passed away in September.

EPP Young Members Network In the framework of relations with sister groups in the national Parliaments, the EPP continues to further develop its ‘Young Members Network’ (YMN), which was set up in 2006. The YMN is comprised of Members of the national and European Parliaments’, who were 36 years old or younger at the time of their election.

Pablo Zalba Bidegain MEP (ES) received the support of his colleagues to take over the coordination of the EPP Young Members Network from Andreas Schwab MEP (DE). Zalba is assisted by two Vice-Coordinators: Lara Comi MEP (IT) and Petru Luhan MEP (RO).

The 6th Meeting of the YMN was hosted by the Vice-Coordinator of the YMN, Lara Comi MEP (IT) and took place in Varese, Italy, on 27-29 September 2012.

The meeting focused on three key subjects: the upcoming event Milan EXPO 2015: Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life; the importance of agriculture for job creation and how to win confidence of EU Citizens.

EPP and Inter-parliamentary cooperation in the EU Over the past year, different EP Committees have organised several joint committee meetings on specific themes. In 2012, these included among others: the European Semester; Equal Pay for Equal Work; the preparation of the Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development; the CAP Reform and Cohesion Policy 2014-2020: Towards a Common Strategic Framework and Partnership Contracts.

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> Neighbourhood Policy and Intercultural Activities Service

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Neighbourhood Policy and Intercultural Activities Service EURO-MEDITERRANEAN POLICY: Back the genuine path toward true democracies The EPP Group has forged close ties with Mediterranean countries under the Neighbourhood Policy and within the Union for the Mediterranean. These are assuming growing importance now that the Arab Spring has ushered in a new phase in neighbourly relations in which our Group is searching for a role commensurate with its status as Europe’s leading political force.

The Group is active in two key areas: ›› Proceedings within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, coordinated by one of the EPP Group’s Vice-Chairmen, Vito Bonsignore MEP (IT). Our Group, in the shape of Tokia Saïfi MEP (FR), also holds the chair of the PA-UfM’s Committee on Political Affairs; ›› The EUROMED Working Group - set up within the EPP Group and chaired

by Vito Bonsignore - meets in Strasbourg every month to take stock of the Group’s Mediterranean-related activities in the PA-UfM and at political level.

The Working Group enlists the aid of eminent figures with a view to cementing our relationships with political parties, embassies, NGOs, and Mediterranean Members of the European Parliament. Academic experts often attend our meetings, and the European Commission is involved at the highest level.

In the European Parliament (EP), the work of EPP Group Members has given a substantial boost to Euro-Mediterranean relations, especially since the Arab Spring and the political changes that have taken place in several Mediterranean countries.

Our work is founded on universal values, namely democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and respect for ethnic and religious minorities, as well as on dialogue and cooperation.

We are guided by a shared political resolve to build an area of dialogue, peace, security, and prosperity spanning the two shores of the Mediterranean: this is becoming increasingly necessary for the democratic development of the region, which is still in danger of sliding into violence and political and religious extremism.

Our Group deplores the violence in certain Mediterranean countries, notably the ongoing crisis in Syria. Our Members have taken a number of initiatives aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis under international law.

Our political family has been at the heart of the attempts to establish the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean as the parliamentary arm of the Union for the Mediterranean and strengthen the role of its committees and working parties. The Rome and Rabat plenary sessions in 2011 and 2012 enabled the PA-UfM to raise its profile. Our Group has demonstrated its ability to work with our Mediterranean partners while securing the involvement of the Council and Commission.

Our Group is proposing that the PA-UfM be organised according to political families and called upon to deliver its opinion on every matter to be discussed in the Union for the Mediterranean Council of Ministers. The EU Council and Commission

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l-r: EPP Group Working Group on EUROMED - Situation in Syria and possible future scenarios in the Middle East Ribal Al-Assad, Member of the Syrian Opposition, and Vito Bonsignore MEP (Italy), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament 23Â October 2012

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EUROMED meeting with Tunisian MPs and representatives from youth movements from the Arab Spring l-r: Jan Olbrycht MEP (Poland), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament responsible for Intercultural Dialogue, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for political strategy, Ioannis Kasoulides MEP (Cyprus), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for foreign affairs, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group, and Jorge Soutullo Sánchez, EPP Group Secretariat Brussels, 28 September 2012 117 / A NNUA L AC T I VIT Y R E P ORT O F T H E E P P G RO U P / 2012

should additionally be involved in the Assembly. The Assembly should, moreover, play an active role in the preparations for the twice-yearly summits of Heads of State and the annual meetings of Foreign Ministers of the Union for the Mediterranean member countries.

The EPP Group’s plan is to establish political families within the Assembly.

The members of the Assembly would thus be able to form political groups mirroring the existing political families (without having to observe the present distinction between Mediterranean parliaments, the European Parliament, and the parliaments of EU Member States): this would make for closer integration and more effective action.

An exchange programme for political parties from all the UfM partner countries, organised by the EPP Group in collaboration with the EPP party and the CES Foundation, was launched in September 2012, the first visitors being four parties from Tunisia. The following topics were discussed: the Neighbourhood Policy, the future of the PA-UfM, human rights, democracy, the rule of law, the role of religion and religious freedom, respect for minorities, and the Mediterranean charter of values.

The EUROMED Working Group has been pursuing its activities through conferences, seminars, and meetings held since the start of the 2004-2009 parliamentary term.

EPP Group Delegations have visited several Mediterranean countries, thus enabling us to intensify our political contacts, at bilateral and multilateral level, with a view to establishing a more active Group presence and setting up a political network in the Mediterranean region via developing joint strategies and relations with regional parties. The next Group visits to be organised by the EUROMED Working Group will be to Egypt (on account of the constitutional process and the political change which has resulted in an Islamist parliament and government) and Libya (a divided country in turmoil since the fall of Gadaffi).

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Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood: EU accession, common Assemblies and Eastern Partnership. Three ways offered to join Europe.

Eastern Europe is a key area of the EPP Group’s foreign policy. Since the collapse of the communist system, our Eastern neighbours have gravitated towards, and gained membership of the European Union. The EPP Group initiated the creation of the multilateral Parliamentary Assembly EURONEST, which gathers the parliamentarians of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It should be noted that Belarus - due to its poor human rights record and its autocratic form of government - is not part of the Assembly. After thorough discussions in which the EPP Group took a positive lead the Assembly was finally launched in 2011.

It represents a space for shared common values of democracy and human rights and provides a platform for parliamentary debate and dialogue aiming at the promotion of the political association and further economic integration between the European Union and the Eastern European partners.

The deterioration of the position of the pro-western forces in Eastern Europe (recent elections in Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine confirms this trend) strengthens the argument raised by the EPP Group that the European Union needs to further elaborate an effective strategy on how to induce countries to adopt pro-reform agendas which would extend their ties with the European Union. The EU is negotiating the new set of Association Agreements which is part of the new legal structure in the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. Developments in Ukraine throughout 2012 - note the political charges against Yulia Tymoshenko - raises questions as to whether the EU is offering enough to contradict the authoritarian trend of the current administration.

l-r: Gunnar Hรถkmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Chairman of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee of the European Parliament, and Andrej Plenkoviฤ (Croatia), EPP Group Observer Member

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The Working Group on Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood Policy, led

by Gunnar Hökmark MEP (SE), EPP Group Vice-Chairman, provides the platform for engagement with our Eastern neighbours. The Working Group monitors the political development in Eastern Europe and South East Europe, focusing on the problems related to the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly and the Enlargement process. It also cooperates closely with the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, who attends Working Group meetings on a regular basis during the plenary sessions in Strasbourg.

The EPP Group focuses on building close relations with the EPP and like minded parties from the Eastern Neighbourhood. Prior to the Plenary Session of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly which took place on 3-4 April 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the EPP Family meeting was held in Tbilisi, Georgia. On the joint initiative of the Group and the EPP Party, the meeting was chaired by Jacek SaryuszWolski MEP (PL), EPP Vice-President. Dialogue with the parliamentarians from Eastern Europe centred on the overall strategy within the EURONEST and on a number of different reports designed to forge closer ties. The plenary session in Baku was very successful, and the EPP Party and the EPP Group will continue to hold EPP family meetings in the near future.

The EPP Group is committed towards the European integration process of South East Europe. In April 2012, the Group organised an annual high level conference entitled ‘Balkans - Moving towards European Integration’. The keynote speakers at the conference were Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania, Nikola Poposki, Foreign Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Skënder Hyseni, former Foreign Minister of Kosovo. The EPP Group’s commitment to the enlargement process is reflected in its support of Croatia’s imminent accession to the European Union. This sends a signal to other countries in the region that the European Union provides a unique framework for democracy and economic stability open to all. Since April 2012, the EPP Group counts in its ranks three Observers from Croatia.

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The integration agenda is clear, yet much depends on the will of political leaders to engage with the reform agenda and transformation of the national legislation.

Progress regarding negotiations with the European Union is expected from Iceland, Serbia, Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the near future. Negotiations on the accession of Iceland are developing promisingly following successive European Commission reports.

The EPP Group monitors closely the political processes in the Balkans and remains engaged in close dialogue with political parties.

Intercultural and inter-religious relations: EPP continues to lead the most valuable investment for the future of EU international relations The EPP Group’s initiatives throughout 2012 continued to provide a forum to deepen the understanding of issues at the nexus of religion and EU policies. At the beginning of the year Jan Olbrycht MEP (PL), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament took over from Othmar Karas MEP (AT), Vice-President of the European Parliament (EP), the role of Member of the European Parliament in charge of Intercultural and Interreligious Relations in the EPP Group.

Religion has re-emerged as a significant force in the public sphere bringing with it a host of challenges to the manner in which social, political and cultural issues are debated and decided.

Religions have the opportunity and the right to enter social and political debates on the basis of Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty which explicitly recognises the particular contribution of churches and religious communities by according a consultative status to them. The EPP Group seeks to connect with Church and religious leaders, scholars, and thinkers whose voices are important to the European policy debates. Modern pluralism is not threatened or harmed by allowing religious argumentation concerning relevant social debates.

15th EPP Group Dialogue with Churches and Religious Institutions l-r: Joseph Levi, Chief Rabbi, Florence, Katharina von Schnurbein, Adviser at the Bureau of European Policy Advisers, European Commission, Archimandrite Father Aimilianos Bogiannou, Assistant to the Director of the Liaison Office of the Orthodox Church to the European Union, Mons Gino Battaglia, Director of the Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue Office of the Italian Bishops Conference, Jan Olbrycht MEP (Poland), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament responsible for Intercultural Dialogue and Religious Affairs, R端diger Noll, Director of the Church and Society Commission of Conference of Churches, Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, and Othmar Karas MEP (EPP Group, Austria), Vice-President of the European Parliament

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The major event of the year was organised on 7 and 8 September in Florence, Italy.

Members of the EP, religious leaders and national politicians discussed the practical aspects of Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty as well as the economic crisis. The meeting was held in the framework of the open dialogue tradition between EPP Group politicians and religious representatives. This was the 15th occasion that the EPP Group has organised this dialogue with churches and religious institutions. The conference was chaired by Jan Olbrycht MEP (PL). Representatives of the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches as well as delegates of Judaism and Islam addressed the international public.

The EPP Group has placed considerable emphasis on the importance of religious freedom as a matter of human dignity and individual flourishing, and central to a just and democratic society. Outside the European Union, the persecution of Christians and others has reached significant, perhaps even crisis, proportions.

Members of Parliament expressed their concerns and called for a greater role of the freedom of religion and significant efforts against the persecutions in the external policy of the European Union.

Another major external event was held in September in Krakow, Poland. For the 12th occasion, high ranking religious leaders and politicians discussed the role of the Catholic Church in the process of European integration. Participants from the ecclesiastical side, the world of culture, national and European politics and science debated topics concerning the future political shape of the EU, secularity - value or threat, and the Christian vision of the future of Europe. The conference was co-organized by the Robert Schuman Foundation in Luxembourg with the EPP Group in European Parliament, the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Cracow and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Poland, the Publishing House ‘Wokol Nas’ in Gliwice, and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU. Additional events regarding the issue of religion and politics as well as meetings with visitors coming from EU and non-EU Member States (e.g. Lebanon, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pakistan and Indonesia) were held in the European Parliament in Brussels and in Strasbourg.

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15th EPP Group Dialogue with Churches and Religious Institutions Othmar Karas MEP (EPP Group, Austria), Vice-President of the European Parliament Florence, Italy, 10 September 2012

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6

> International Relations Service

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International Relations Service Fostering collaboration with political partners to assert the EU’s power at global level From an international relations viewpoint the year 2012 represented a mixed picture of lightness and darkness. We witnessed notable positive developments in international affairs: the remarkable speed of democratic transition in Myanmar, and the framework agreement between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; but also a share of uncertainty and failures in seeking solutions for long standing conflicts: the escalation of violence in Syria, and an upsurge in military tensions between Israel and Hamas. Furthermore, new challenges are emerging. There is no doubt that the ongoing crisis of the global economy continues to have an important impact on international politics, by attracting a lot of attention and consuming a lot of efforts.

In 2012 the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP) intensified its international presence and contacts with political actors all over the globe, inter alia, through the work of inter-parliamentary delegations - which constitute an important tool of parliamentary diplomacy. Their activities are marked by continuity (dialogue with counterparts on regular basis), but also are “caisse de résonance” - reacting ad hoc to unexpected situations which might constitute a threat for peace, democracy, human rights or the rule of law.

Since the onset of the Arab Spring, our Group has been actively supporting the political aspirations of people in the region. The inter-parliamentary delegations covering the Maghreb, Mashreq and the Arab Peninsula closely followed the developments on the ground, engaging in dialogue with new leaders and

strengthening contacts with representatives of civil society in order to support the necessary democratic changes in the most efficient way. Group Members have also highlighted the negative impacts of the Libyan crisis in the entire Sahel zone, particularly the situation in Mali. Furthermore, the EPP Group Members have used the meetings with their counterparts to express their concern regarding the worrying phenomenon of violence against Christians, which has significantly increased during the last year in countries such as Egypt and Nigeria.

Our Group’s Members were strongly involved in the work carried out by Election Observation Missions during various parliamentary and presidential elections of key importance for the political future of countries in the Southern Neighbourhood: a prime example were the parliamentary elections in Tunisia, the first held in the region after the Arab Spring.

Needless to say that election observation is a vital EU activity aiming to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It contributes to building public confidence and helps to deter fraud and violence. Many EPP Group Members participate in these missions and often chair such missions (for example, Michael Gahler MEP (DE) in Tunisia, Mariya Gabriel MEP (BG) for the constitutional referendum in South Sudan and José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (ES) for the legislative elections in Algeria).

In the Eastern Neighbourhood EPP Group Members actively participated in election observation missions with a view to overseeing fair and free parliamentary elections in Belarus, Georgia, Montenegro, and recently in Ukraine where, very much to our regret, the elections did not comply with international standards and were assessed as neither free nor fair.

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There is, however, also some good news, notably concerning Croatia which will become a new Member State as of 1 July 2013. Looking back on the work of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee ( JPC) under the Co-Chairmanship of Gunnar Hökmark (SE), we can declare that the Committee was very successful in pushing for reforms, and provided important political support at several stages based on the consistent and strong commitment of the EPP Group in the Balkans.

Given current global challenges, our Group continued to foster cooperation with our traditional ally - the United States of America - in particular through the Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue (TLD). It allowed us to discuss issues of common interest such as the current state of the economy and the financial markets on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as international affairs related, inter alia, to the situation in Syria and Iran, and the effectiveness of imposed sanctions.

EPP Group Members have been also very much involved in strengthening dialogue and cooperation with BRICS countries which, due to their impressive economic performance, are gaining influence in world affairs. Their self-declared overall goal is to play a major role in international economic organisations and to become representatives of emerging countries in the G20 and the WTO, where they have defined a joint strategy of opposing proposals of more advanced countries, and are provoking a serious deadlock in these negotiations. The veto of China and Russia against a UN Security Council Resolution condemning Syria is also a very significant example. Our Members were actively involved in various meetings with politicians from China, in inter-parliamentary Delegation with China, but also in the framework of the EU-China Forum held once a year (convened in Brussels in May 2012). Hence a number of sensitive issues were raised with our Chinese guests, such as respect for intellectual property and human rights. Furthermore, we conveyed the message that with more global importance more global responsibility must also be assumed by China.

One of the most optimistic developments in 2012 on the international scene was the launch of a substantial reform process in Myanmar. The by-elections in April were deemed fair and were won by the party of Aung San Suu Kyi. The next elections, scheduled for 2015,

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will constitute a genuine test for the government’s commitment to democracy. It should be noted that in February the ASEAN delegation, chaired by Werner Langen MEP (DE), held the first EP-Myanmar inter-parliamentary meeting reflecting this important historical moment. During the visit the Delegation also met with Aung San Suu Kyi who was able to resume her political activities after her lengthy detention.

The region of Latin America represented a particular focus of attention for our Members throughout 2012. Through the existing inter-parliamentary delegations (EU-Andean Community, EU-Central America, EU-Mercosur countries) and Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPC Mexico and Chile) as well as the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly, our Members have closely followed all significant evolutions in the countries concerned, seeking to positively influence their political developments.

Due to close cultural and social ties, the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly constitutes a genuine forum for exchange built on the basis of a symbiotic partnership. With the exception of Venezuela and Cuba, the EU and the Latin American countries share a common set of values and therefore are considered by the EPP Group to be natural partners to jointly tackle the challenges of the 21st century and to achieve greater prosperity and security. Regarding trade, it is important to highlight two recent agreements signed between the EU and Central America and between Colombia and Peru. The EP must still give its consent, which may occur before the end of 2012.

Negotiations with the Mercosur countries are currently in a situation of stalemate, mainly due to political deadlock. Paraguay’s membership has been suspended and Venezuela has joined the block which, from the EPP Group’s point of view, complicates negotiations. The situation in Venezuela is further compounded by the re-election of Hugo Chavez on 7 October 2012. It is worth mentioning that our relations with Brazil, one of the biggest emerging economies, with its growing impact on global politics, proved to be more intense in 2012 and the prospects for further cooperation are high.

In 2012 over 60 missions of the inter-parliamentary delegations took place. This reflects the high intensity of meetings which allow us to seek closer relationships with our partners around the world and promote our values and interests. Thanks to this activity we have gained greater visibility in a global context.

Since the EEAS was formally launched on 1 January 2011, contacts between the inter-parliamentary delegations and EU delegations - which cover 140Â countries of the world - became more frequent and more efficient. EPP Group Members can expect to receive all necessary support they might seek in host countries in terms of briefings, contacts with the authorities or representatives of civil society etc.

The annual conference with the EU Delegations Ambassadors, hosted jointly by the AFET Committee and the EP Delegations Chairs last September, presented the opportunity to discuss how to further strengthen this cooperation, which is particularly useful for the work of inter-parliamentary delegations.

To illustrate in a more concrete way the work done by our Members in interparliamentary delegations, the following pages highlight some of the activities in 2012.

Western Balkans 2012 was a key year for the Western Balkans. In May, the 15th meeting of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee was held in Zagreb. The JPC focused amongst other issues - on the remaining steps to be taken until accession. Croatia plays a critical role as a force of stability in the region. Hence, its upcoming membership is of importance for the entire region. EPP Group Members highlighted the importance of creating efficient administrative structures managing regional development programmes.

Next to Croatia, the EPP Group was actively pursuing relations with other countries in the region. An important step in establishing regional stability was taken in June when the European Council conferred Montenegro with candidate status.

This decision was taken two months after the 4th EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), which was held in April in Podgorica, under the Co-Chairmanship of EPP Group Member Eduard Kukan MEP (SK).

In June the EP further deepened its cooperation with the Former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia (FYROM), during the 7th JPC. The JPC addressed current developments in the context of the High Level Accession Dialogue (HLAD). In September another important meeting took place in Belgrade, when the 6th IPM with Serbia was convened. The main challenges for the country continue to be: resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations; the tackling of economic problems, fighting corruption, judiciary reform; the Vojvodina policies and the situation in Sandzak.

In October, EPP Group Members visited Sarajevo to attend the 14th Bosnia-EP Interparliamentary Meeting. After a lively discussion between the two delegations a joint statement was adopted. Given the positive experience of merging the offices of the EU Special Representative and of the EU Delegation, the Joint Statement called for the EU’s presence in the country to be further enhanced, including in the fields of law enforcement, the rule of law and in economic matters. It also expressed concern about the political situation in the second half of 2012, which was characterised by a lack of progress in implementing political agreements.

Ukraine 2012 saw the 18th and 19th EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committees.

In February, Members met in Kiev to discuss this problematic partnership. At this meeting EPP Group Members highlighted the legal cases against Yulia Tymoshenko.

Furthermore, issues of energy supply and the negotiations about a possible Association Agreement were key topics. In June the 19th PCC took place in Strasbourg. The agenda featured the treatment of Yulia Tymoshenko and other political prisoners in Ukraine; the progress of the EU-Ukraine Association agreement; the Russian language status in Ukraine; visa liberalisation; energy policy; the Kwasniewski-Cox mission to Ukraine; and the Euro 2012 football championship organised jointly by Ukraine and Poland.

Furthermore, Jacek Protasiewicz, EP Vice-President, reported about his recent visit to Ukraine, where he met Yulia Tymoshenko.

The parliamentary elections in late October unfortunately did not meet the electoral standards as held by the EU. As the ODIHR report stated, the elections were a step

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MEPs with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic at the 15th EU-Croatia JPC in Zagreb, Zagreb, May 2012

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Eduard Kukan MEP (EPP Group, Slovakia), Chair of the Delegation for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo, centre, during the 14th EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina IPM in Sarajevo, October 2012

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backwards for the Ukrainian democracy. In particular, due to the imprisonment of Tymoshenko and Lutsenko, no level playing field was created. Six EPP Group Members went to Ukraine and were part of the EP Election Observation Mission.

Vice-Chair Michael Gahler MEP (DE) afterwards put forward a highly critical assessment of the elections. Despite various shortcomings and complaints the ruling party did claim a strong victory at these elections. Gahler denounced the inequality of the media access for political candidates. Furthermore, he referred to the selective justice system which led to the exclusion of political actors. Back in Brussels, EPP President Wilfried Martens criticised the “unfair play” by the government.

He voiced his support for the imprisonment of opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko and condemned the undemocratic practices of the government. Nevertheless, the EPP Group declared that it will continue to engage with Ukraine, will strongly support its political partners and will continue to cooperate with the Ukrainian people and those forces striving for democracy, human and civil rights, and the establishment of a fair and legitimate justice system.

ASEAN The ASEAN Delegation, led by Chairman Werner Langen (DE), was among the most active delegations in 2012. The year started out with a historic meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar. In February, Chairman Langen and other Members met with Aung San Suu Kyi and the President U Thein Sein in the new capital Nay Pyi Taw. EPP Group Members made it clear that the EP wishes to support Myanmar in its efforts towards the consolidation of democracy, the rule of law, and the respect of human rights. Earlier this year international attention had centred on Myanmar. After the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from her 15-year-long house arrest on 13th November 2010, the military junta allowed her political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD) to run in by-elections on 1 April 2012, where it won 43 of the 45 seats it contested. In response, a number of high-ranking Western politicians such as Catherine Ashton and Hillary Clinton have visited Myanmar to support the democratic process and demand further political reforms. In November

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2012 US President Obama visited Myanmar, the first US President ever to do so, and highlighted the need to support the reform movement.

Further missions by the ASEAN Delegation took place. In May, ASEAN-Members met in Singapore for the 8th EU-Singapore IPM to discuss plans for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In August, EPP Members, in the context of the 6th EU-Thailand IPM highlighted the important regional role of Thailand and discussed a possible upcoming FTA. Members met, among others, with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinnawatra.

Africa and ACP In 2012 relations with Africa were at the centre of the EPP Group policies. Given the Group’s commitment to Africa - as evidenced by our Windhoek Dialogue - EPP Group members, after an intense round of meetings, displayed a renewed assurance to developing and strengthening EU-Africa relations.

In February, Members attended the 7th regional meeting of the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Zambia. The meeting centred on regional integration in Africa, which in southern Africa is overseen by three organisations, SADC (Southern Africa Development Community), COMESA (Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa) and EAC (Eastern Africa Community). Delegates also spoke about elections and electoral processes. Parliamentarians emphasised that democracy goes beyond the organisation of free, transparent and credible elections. Election observation missions enhance public confidence in the consolidation of democracy, peace, stability and the protection of human rights.

In February and March, EPP Group Members actively followed the electoral process in Senegal, where after two rounds of voting, President Wade was outvoted and Macky Sall won the presidency. The EP EOM was successfully headed by EPP Group Member Dan Preda MEP (RO). In February and March an IPM was convened in South Africa. The EP visit combined parliamentary debate exchanges with civil society representatives, experts and think tanks. Furthermore, field visits related to health, education and poverty alleviation projects (financed by the EU) were organised.

l-r: Klemen Zumer EPP Group Secretariat, Michael Gahler MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Joachim Zeller MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP (EPP Group, Sweden), Vitali Klychko, opposition candidate, Andrzej Grzyb MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Marian Apostol EPP Group Secretariat, and Jacek Protasiewicz MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Vice-President of the European Parliament, during the Election Observation Mission to the Ukraine, October 2012

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23rd ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Horsens, Denmark, May 2012

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In May, the 23rd session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly was held in Horsens, Denmark. The Assembly adopted the three resolutions prepared by the standing committees as well as an urgent resolution on the situation in Nigeria with regard to security. EPP Group Members expressed their concern in relation to the attacks of Boko Haram against Christians and Muslims, making it clear to Nigerian parliamentarians that the problem of religious intolerance must be urgently addressed.

Latin America

the welfare of Venezuelan citizens, but instead is spent on spreading the Bolivarian revolution throughout the continent. Secondly, it contaminates the already difficult ongoing negotiations with Mercosur with an additional factor of complexity and instability due to the populism of the Chavez regime. It seems obvious that negotiations involving an association agreement between the EU and Mercosur will become much more difficult with Chavez in office. Facilitation of such an agreement would be eased should this rich South American country assume a fully democratic system of governance in the near future. Given the fact that in late 2012 Chavez, due to serious health problems, will most likely be unfit for inauguration the situation in Venezuela is unclear. The EPP Group will closely follow events in 2013 and will continue to support the democratic opposition.

In May a fruitful meeting of the Executive Bureau of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly was held in Hamburg. During the meeting the state of play of the EU-LAC Foundation activities was underlined. The Foundation took up its activities in November 2011 and is composed of the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean and the EU Member States, as well as the EU’s institutions, all of which are represented in its Board of Governors. The Foundation’s President is former EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The Executive Bureau adopted the activities programme for this year, and paved the way for a constructive meeting of the three standing committees of EuroLat in Cadiz, which was held on 9-10 November.

Another important meeting was the EUROLAT Seminar on Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime in the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held in Mexico from 21-23 February. Co-chaired by José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (ES), experts from different organisations and institutions held presentations during the seminar. Reference was made to the dimension of drug trafficking and its trends, to organised crime, and to regional cooperation on these issues.

Furthermore, the EPP Group was active in monitoring the presidential elections in Venezuela in October. The re-election of Chavez is a set-back for progress in the region since it contaminates the strengthening of democracy in the wider continent.

Progress is hindered since the money issued by the Chavez regime will not benefit

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Executive Bureau of the Euro-Latin American Assembly in Hamburg, Germany, May 2012

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Werner Langen MEP (Germany), Chair of the EPP Group Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN, meets with Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar, Feburary 2012

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> Press and Communications Service

7

Press and Communications Service Embracing social media in 2012 to reach out and connect with citizens and stakeholders Avenues for communicating with European citizens have changed dramatically in recent years. With more direct channels of communications, the Press and Communications Service of the EPP Group has embraced the free digital revolution in order to disseminate effective and timely information to our various audiences.

Our goal is to ensure that Europeans can easily discover how policies decided upon by our MEPs affect their daily lives.

Bringing news to Europeans 2012 was an eventful year, with the European Parliament (EP) further strengthening its role in the balance of powers inside the European institutions and making its voice heard on the international political stage.

Over the past 12 months the financial and economic crisis continued to dominate the news headlines. The sovereign debt crisis, unemployment, low growth all factors have cast a shadow over the EU, and posed fundamental questions about its future direction.

Our effort is focused on making the voices of the EPP Group and its MEPs heard not only in a competitive news market such as Brussels, but also in national media.

The Press and Communications Service was at the forefront in communicating how the EPP Group is leading the way out of the financial crisis.

To make this possible the EPP Group Press and Communications Service has press officers following all Member States press, and is able to communicate fluently in all of the EU’s 23 official languages.

As always, a daily effort was made to cover EPP Group news and deliver it in a timely manner and appropriate format in order for European citizens to read about proceedings in their newspapers, or access information via tv, radio, or online.

All of the issues announced to the media in the EPP Group’s weekly “Highlights” are followed up by press friendly material, thus increasing the reach of our message.

More important issues are simultaneously covered by the Group’s web TV, internet site, photo service and social media feeds. In Strasbourg and Brussels we hold regular press conferences to directly inform concerned parties.

The Brussels corps of EU reporters’ counts over 600 journalists. This represents a considerable figure; however, the impact of the economic crisis on the media was strongly felt throughout 2012, thus reducing journalist numbers. Consequently, fewer journalists travelled to Strasbourg to attend plenary sessions.

The Press and Communications Service continuously strives to present European news in a dynamic manner that captures the interest of media and citizens in the Member States. Our press releases are available in several languages.

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Staff: EPP Group Press and Communications Service

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Several joint communication campaigns in specific subjects were particularly successful throughout 2012. One such example was the campaign relating to the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Single Market. A simultaneous outreach via social media, press releases, op-eds and printed leaflets allowed us to effectively communicate the many achievements the Single Market has brought to the everyday lives of European citizens, and how it remains the key instrument to drive growth and create jobs across the continent.

The successful social media campaign surrounding the nomination of Tonio Borg as new European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy furthermore illustrated how the Press and Communications Service engaging with different channels of communications serves the political agenda of the EPP Group.

Our Press and Communications Service therefore continued to expand its activities on social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. All of our MEPs are active on Facebook - 113 Members have their own Fanpage - whilst almost half have their own Twitter account. Our Chairman, Joseph Daul, is one of the most active political leaders on Facebook. Mr Daul’s Facebook page has over 9.000 fans and reaches many more citizens weekly. Mr Daul was also the first chairman of a political group to hold a live chat with citizens.

EPP TV

Listening to Europeans - Internet and Social Media

The above examples have proved that online communications play an ever increasing role in contemporary political communications. We therefore embarked upon an overhaul of the EPP Group’s website in 2011. The new site, due to be launched in 2013, will make it much easier for a larger audience to find topical information of interest to them. The website will pull together content produced by the EPP Group on a number of topics with links to content produced by third parties, such as online news platforms and blogs. It will also make it much easier to subscribe to and share that information, thanks in part to a greater integration of social media in the site.

Social media play a crucial role in our daily communications as they allow us to receive direct feedback from European citizens. Listening to citizens is essential to the EPP Group, and we strive to take into account their views and concerns.

The EPP Group was the first political group to launch its own EP TV feed. EPP TV is a welcome addition to the Press and Communications Service as it brings news concerning EPP Group activity directly to European citizens. Edited news programmes explain and provide more background about the decisions made by the EP and the role of the EPP Group in the decision-making progress, as well as the impact EU law has on citizens’ lives. In addition, EPP TV offers material to media professionals: in partnership with Blastmedia, EPP TV also offers raw material for download in broadcast quality on a platform for media professionals.

Infomaterial The volume of visitors coming to meet our MEPs in Brussels and Strasbourg is constantly growing. All visitors receive leaflets, brochures and other material to inform and help them understand our daily workings. The quality and origin of the material we distribute is extremely important to us: as a principle, the EPP Group uses renewable material and European production for its promotional material.

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l-r: Marianne Thyssen MEP (EPP Group, Belgium), Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Robert Fitzhenry, Head of the EPP Group Press and Communications Service, and Antoine Ripoll, Chairman’s Spokesman and Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

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Currently, over 85% of the items the Group distributes are sourced in Europe.

Suppliers are required to give detailed certification that all material complies with employment and environmental directives.

Meet your MEP Programme In 2010, the EPP Group launched the Meet your MEP Programme, the new version of the previous Special Visitors Programme, to continue allowing both journalists and young people to learn about the work of the European Parliament as well as the EPP Group. Since its inception nearly 10.000 visitors have met more than 75% of MEPs of the EPP Group, in Brussels or Strasbourg.

European Parliament Open Days The European Parliament opened its doors to the public on Saturday 12 May 2012 in Brussels and Sunday 20 May 2012 in Strasbourg. The event was hugely successful attracting 18.000 and 18.800 visitors to each city respectively. Each year, the EPP Group displays interactive stands in both locations to present itself, its priorities and provide behind-the-scenes insights into our activities. We invest considerable time and energy to the Open Days as we regard the occasions a unique opportunity to meet and personally engage with citizens.

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EPP Group Publications European citizens, including those with a professional interest in the EU and in our activities, have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of publications produced by the EPP Group. In 2012, a new Group brochure was made available in 23 languages outlining the Group’s successes and achievements over the course of the year. In addition, the Press and Communications Service produced various publications covering the Group’s meetings outside of Brussels and Strasbourg, and delivered publications dealing with topics of interest to the Group.

New Head of Press and Communications Service On 1 September 2012 Mr Pedro López de Pablo replaced Mr Robert Fitzhenry as Head of the Press and Communications Service. The EPP Group would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Fitzhenry for his longstanding dedication and commitment to the Service and wish him continued success in his newly assigned Special Advisory role in the Group Secretariat of the Secretary-General. We are delighted to welcome Mr López de Pablo, a trusted and highly regarded member of the EPP Group since 2001, to the position of Head of Service. His valuable experience will be of great benefit to the Service.

Robert Fitzhenry, long-time Head of the EPP Group’s Press and Communications Service, bids farewell to colleagues

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Open Days at the European Parliament in Brussels

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Open days at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

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> The European People’s Party (EPP)

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

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.

EPP is the largest political organisation of Europe with 74 member-parties from 40 countries, 22 heads of state and government (15 EU and 7 non-EU), 13 European Commissioners (including the President), and the largest Group in the European Parliament with 270 members. The MEPs that form the EPP Group in the European Parliament are elected on the lists of national parties that are members of the EPP. The EPP is governed under the 2003 “EU Regulation on political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding.” In late 2007, this Regulation was revised in order to allow all European level political parties to campaign for the European Parliament elections. Hence, for the 2014 European elections, the EPP will conduct – in close cooperation with its national member-parties - its first Europe-wide campaign, which will be spearheaded by its candidate for post of the President of the European Commission.

Political formations of the centre-right can be tracked back to the early 1920’s.

Unlike the case of the Socialists, Christian Democratic and Conservative panEuropean cooperation was the child of national parties and derived from a federal tradition. The experiences of the First World War and the threat of fascism led to the conviction among leaders that overcoming nationalism was the precondition for preserving peace. The first attempt at cooperation between like-minded Christian Democrats was made in 1926, when the International Secretariat of Democratic Parties of Christian Inspiration (Secrétariat International des Partis Démocratiques d’Inspiration Chrétienne, SIPDIC) was founded. However, fascism increased tensions between governments, and the spirit of revenge and the dictators’ obsession with power all eventually brought to an end cooperation among the Christian Democratic parties, and led finally to the outbreak of the Second World War. The lessons and experiences of cooperation between 1925 and 1939 were key when leaders of the re-established or newly founded Christian Democratic parties in Europe formed the Nouvelles Équipes Internationales (NEI) in 1946. The ecumenical elements were decisive: reconstruction and reconciliation were born amidst the ruins of the national states, as was the vision of a united continent in the future. Christian Democratic parties were banned in Central and Eastern Europe once communist rule was imposed. In July 1950, the exiled representatives of these parties established the Christian Democratic Union of Central Europe (CDUCE). Their political, journalistic and lobbying activity was focused mainly on fighting Communism, attacking the Soviet Union and liberating and democratising their countries.

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Political refugees in Latin America contributed to the establishment of the intercontinental network. From the middle of the 1950s onwards the NEI lost its relevance. With the Coal and Steel Union and the foundation of the European Economic Community (EEC), practical cooperation among Christian Democrats gradually shifted in favour of the framework presented by the Common Assembly and the European Parliament. The organisation revitalised itself by changing its name to the European Union of Christian Democrats (EUCD) and revising the key aims of the organisation. The EUCD forged a closer relationship with the Parliamentary group of European Christian Democrats and the national member parties, and steadily grew more ambitious in its vision for Europe. With the decision to organize direct elections for the European Parliament in 1979, the need for a truly European party became evident.

The formal establishment of the European People’s Party (EPP) took place in 1976 in Luxembourg, with member parties from the following EEC countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The platform was the result of considerable consensus and expressed a common intention to promote integration in the context of the European Community, leading to a political union equipped with federal and democratic institutions.

Once the EPP had been founded, a degree of pressure to establish formal links between Christian Democratic and Conservative forces was exerted by EUCD parties in countries that were not European Community members. Yet the EPP’s strong insistence on the federal model of European integration led to the formation of the European Democratic Union (EDU), a broader pan-European organisation. Thus three parallel political organisations of Christian Democrats and Conservatives were now in place.

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However, the EPP soon politically outweighed the EUCD, and the members who also belonged to the EPP concentrated more and more on their work in the latter group.

The issue of merging the two organisations re-surfaced when Spain and Portugal joined the European Community in 1986, but the revolutionary events which took place in Moscow and in other Eastern European capitals delayed the idea of a “big” EPP. Moreover, the EUCD’s loose framework was better suited to the unclear political situation in Eastern Europe; in fact, the organisation played an important role in supporting democratic progress and shaping the political landscape in the post-communist countries.

The political upheavals in 1989 meant that previous positions taken by the EPP had to be rethought and reformulated. The international context had been altered with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the ideological conflict between East and West. And it was clear that the population of the German Democratic Republic wanted unification with the Federal Republic, as well as democracy. At the same time public opinion had shifted: the change enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty meant a political redefinition of Europe.

In April 1991, party and government leaders of the EPP decided that, while the party would be open to the British and Nordic Conservative parties, Christian Democracy would be preserved as the cornerstone of EPP identity. The EPP needed to integrate like-minded forces in order to achieve the majority needed to make ideas and concepts a reality. Although Greece’s Nea Demokratia had already been admitted in 1983, in the early 1990s parties from Spain and the Nordic countries were included under the committed leadership of Wilfried Martens.

With the prospect of Central and Eastern European countries joining the European Union (EU), the previous arguments supporting EUCD membership lost relevance – this led to the merger of the EUCD with the EPP in 1999. And since the EPP had accepted most European Conservative parties from the EU and beyond, the EDU also lost relevance, leading to its merger with the EPP in 2002. The development in the EPP reflected that of the EU itself; the inclusion of centre-right parties from accession countries in Central and Eastern Europe proved to be particularly successful. The new members brought a new dimension to the EPP and consolidated it as the pre-eminent European force of the centre-right.

Structure The European People’s Party is horizontally engaged with all the main EU institutions – European Council, Council of the EU, European Commission, and European Parliament – and in addition to Parliament, has Groups in the Committee of the Regions and also in the Council of Europe, the OSCE, NATO, etc.

The EPP has three levels of decision making in its structure: Presidency, Political Assembly and Congress. The EPP Heads of State and Government can give policy recommendations at the level of the EPP Summit, whereas the EPP Working groups perform the preparatory political work.

Presidency The EPP led by the Presidency, the executive body of the EPP. 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 on Foreign and Security Policy, the President of the European Parliament (to the extent that these persons are affiliated to 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; and (vii) the Secretary General

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The composition of the EPP Presidency as of 18 October 2012 is as follows President

Vice Presidents

Wilfried Martens Country: Belgium Affiliation: CD&V

Lucinda Creighton Country: Ireland Affiliation: Fine Gael

Secretary General

Michel Barnier Country: France Affiliation: UMP

Antonio López-Istúriz Country: Spain Affiliation: PP

Ex Officio Vice-Presidents José Manuel Durão Barroso Country: Portugal Affiliation: PSD Herman Van Rompuy Country: Belgium Affiliation: CD&V Joseph Daul Country: France Affiliation: UMP

Peter Hintze Country: Germany Affiliation: CDU Antonio Tajani Country: Italy Affiliation: PdL Johannes Hahn Country: Austria Affiliation: ÖVP Corien Wortmann-Kool Country: The Netherlands Affiliation: CDA

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Mário David Country: Portugal Affiliation: PSD Jacek Saryusz-Wolski Country: Poland Affiliation: PO Tobias Billström Country: Sweden Affiliation: Moderaterna Anca Boagiu Country: Romania Affiliation: PDL

Treasurer Ingo Friedrich Country: Germany Affiliation: CSU

Honorary Presidents Sauli Niinistö Country: Finland Affiliation: Kokoomus Leo Tindemans Country: Belgium Affiliation: CD&V

Political Assembly

Congress

The Political Assembly defines the political positions of the Party between each Congress, deciding on membership applications and final 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 associated member parties, member associations and groups. 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 taking decisions by majority.

The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the Party. It is composed of delegates from EPP member and associated member parties, member associations and groups. The EPP Congress meets once every three years. It elects the EPP Presidency and decides on the main policy documents and electoral programmes, and provides a platform for the EPP Heads of Government and Party Leaders.

The Political Assembly meets three to five times a year. The Political Assembly defines the mandate of the Working Groups which prepare the Party’s policy documents and recommendations. All EPP member and associated member-parties, member associations and groups, as well as members of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, have the possibility to participate in the Working Groups.

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The EPP has organized a total of 21 Congress meetings ›› 2012 Congress XXI in Bucharest approved the new “Party Platform” and “Manifesto” ›› 2011 Congress XX in Marseille approved the document “Moving Europe Forward” ›› 2009 Congress XIX in Bonn approved the document “The Social Market Economy in a Globalised World”. ›› 2009 Congress XVIII in Warsaw approved the “Strong for the People” EPP Election Manifesto. Endorsed José Manuel Durão Barroso as its candidate for Commission President, for a second term. ›› 2006 Congress XVII in Rome approved the “Rome Manifesto” document. ›› 2004 Congress XVI in Brussels where the main objective was to prepare for the European Elections. The “Action Program 2004-2009” was approved. ›› 2002 Congress XV in Estoril prepared for the Constitution process, and declared that EU needed “A Constitution for a strong Europe”.

EDU formally merged with EPP.

›› 2001 Congress XIV in Berlin revisited its roots, and adopted the working document “A Union of Values”.

›› 1986 Congress VI in The Hague focused on Economic Development and Environmental Problems.

›› 1999 Congress XIII in Brussels outlined its new vision for Europe, “On the Way to the 21st Century”. EUCD formally merged with EPP.

›› 1984 Congress V in Rome formulated the EPP Action Program.

›› 1997 Congress XII in Toulouse approved the document “We are all Part of One World”. ›› 1995 Congress XI in Madrid was hosted under the thematic slogan “EPP- Force of the Union”. ›› 1993 Congress X was held in Brussels and adopted the action program, “Europe 2000: Unity in Diversity”. ›› 1992 Congress IX in Athens discussed, drafted, and approved the EPP “Basic Programme”. ›› 1990 Congress VIII in Dublin faced a new political landscape and published “A federal constitution for the European Union”. ›› 1988 Congress VII in Luxembourg prepared for another European Election and approved the document “On the Side of the Citizens”.

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›› 1982 Congress IV took place in Paris under the slogan “Preserve Peace – Create Peace – Unite Europe”. ›› 1980 Congress III in Cologne discussed the overall theme “The Christian Democrats in the Eighties – securing Freedom and Peace Completing Europe”. ›› 1979 Congress II also in Brussels, decided the electoral platform for the first direct elections to the European Parliament. ›› 1978 Congress I held in Brussels adopted the EPP’s political program.

EU Heads of State and Government of the EPP President of Romania

Valdis Dombrovskis Country: Latvia Affiliation: Vienotﾄｫba

Antonis Samaras Country: Greece Affiliation: Nea Demokratia

Lawrence Gonzi Country: Malta Affiliation: PN

Mariano Rajoy Country: Spain Affiliation: PP

Janez Janﾅ｡a Country: Slovenia Affiliation: SDS

Fredrik Reinfeldt Country: Sweden Affiliation: Moderaterna

Chancellor

Jean-Claude Juncker Country: Luxemburg Affiliation: CSV

Donald Tusk Country: Poland Affiliation: PO

Angela Merkel Country: Germany Affiliation: CDU

Jyrki Katainen Country: Finland Affiliation: Kokoomus

Prime Ministers

Viktor Orbﾃ｡n Country: Hungary Affiliation: FIDESZ

Traian Bﾄピescu Country: Romania Affiliation: former leader of PDL

Taoiseach Enda Kenny Country: Ireland Affiliation: Fine Gael

Boyko Borissov Country: Bulgaria Affiliation: GERB

Pedro Passos Coelho Country: Portugal Affiliation: PSD

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Other European Heads of State and Government of the EPP Prime Ministers

Member of the Presidency

Sali Berisha Country: Albania Affiliation: PD

Bakir Izetbegović Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina Affiliation: SDA

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Country: Turkey Affiliation: AKP Vlad Filat Country: Moldova Affiliation: PLDM Nikola Gruevski Country: FYROM Affiliation: VMRO-DPMNE

Presidents Mikheil Saakashvili Country: Georgia Affiliation: UNM Serzh Sargsyan Country: Armenia Affiliation: HHK

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EPP Members of the European Commission President

Members

José Manuel Durão Barroso President of the European Commission Country: Portugal Affiliation: PSD

Michel Barnier Internal Market and Services Country: France Affiliation: UMP

Vice Presidents Viviane Reding Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Country: Luxembourg Affiliation: CSV Antonio Tajani Industry and Entrepreneurship Country: Italy Affiliation: PdL

Tonio Borg Health and Consumer Policy Country: Malta Affiliation: PN Dacian Cioloş Agriculture and Rural Development Country: Romania Affiliation: EPP Johannes Hahn Regional Policy Country: Austria Affiliation: ÖVP Connie Hedegaard Climate Action Country: Denmark Affiliation: DKF

Kristalina Georgieva International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Country: Bulgaria Affiliation: EPP Gunther Oettinger Energy Country: Germany Affiliation: CDU Andris Piebalgs Development Country: Latvia Affiliation: EPP Janusz Lewandowski Budget and Financial Programming Country: Poland Affiliation: PO Algirdas Šemeta Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud Country: Lithuania Affiliation: TS-LKD

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Activities Summits At the Summits, the 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, the European Commission and the European Parliament, meet prior to the European Council Summits. These important sessions offer EPP leaders an informal and confidential setting to air their differences and seek consensus within the EPP family in an effort to develop common positions at the European Council.

Ministerial Meetings In 2007, the EPP inaugurated a new political process with the its first EPP Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting. These meetings continued in 2008 and 2009 under the leadership of veteran German MEP, Elmar Brok. The purpose of this meeting was - and still is - to discuss, in a private and informal setting, the wide-range of foreign policy priorities on the EU Ministers’ agenda, such as the Western Balkans, the Middle East peace process, the enlargement process and many other crisis situations world-wide.

Following these particularly successful meetings, and on the eve of the financial and economic crisis which hit the United States and subsequently the EU, the EPP decided to launch informal meetings with the EPP EcoFin Ministers in February 2008 under the Chairmanship of EPP Vice President Jyrki Katainen and France’s Chrisitine Lagarde. This political initiative by the EPP quickly became a very valuable coordination mechanism for its Ministers especially in the midst of the financial crisis. The topics for discussion included the reform of the international financial architecture, the bailing out of European banks and ultimately the reform of the European banking system.

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In 2010, the EPP further enlarged the Ministerial meetings, since they provide a useful coordination platform for the EPP’s political family in view of the different Council meetings.

Here is the complete list of EPP Ministerial Meetings and their current chairs: ›› Foreign Affairs - Elmar Brok & Paulo Portas ›› Economic and Financial Affairs - Anders Borg & Luc Frieden ›› Employment & Social Affairs - Ursula von der Leyen ›› Competitiveness (Industry and Single Market) Antonio Tajani & Richard Bruton ›› Defence - Pieter de Crem ›› Agriculture - Nikolaus Berlakovich & Simon Coveney ›› Environment - Phil Hogan ›› Energy - Jacek Saryusz-Wolski & Günther Oettinger ›› Justice - Beatrice Ask & Viviane Reding ›› Home Affairs - Hans-Peter Friedrich & Manfred Weber ›› Transportation - Anca Boagiu & Melchior Wathelet ›› General Affairs - Lucinda Creighton & Jacek Saryusz-Wolski

Working Groups

European Policy

Working Groups are the backbone of 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. A Working Group can be given a specific mandate for preparative work for EPP Summits and the EPP Congress. Working Groups are also responsible for organising conferences, roundtable discussions and other important events.

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

Campaign Management The coordination of the persons responsible for campaigning from the headquarters of member parties is the main task of this Committee. The exchange of experiences in recent election campaigns as well as the long-term preparation of European issues and the campaign for the European Parliament election, brings added value to the member-parties and to the EPP.

Economic and Social Policy The working group is focused on responding to the current economic and financial crisis, the Lisbon process, demographic issues, and research and development.

Seminars The EPP organizes regularly seminars and conferences on themes relevant to its on-going policy agenda. For example, during the campaign for the European elections, the EPP organized conferences focused on its five main policy themes included its campaign manifesto ‘Strong for the People’: economy and how to deal with the current crisis; climate change; the response to the challenge of demographic change; security (including immigration, food security and the threat of terrorism); and the role of the Europe in the world.

Nevertheless, the Centre for European Studies (CES), the official think-tank of the EPP established since five years, has taken over most of these activities: organising conferences and seminars and presenting publications on relevant topics for Europe with the participation of high profile researchers and speakers.

More information about CES can be found on its website: www.thinkingeurope.eu

EPP Membership This Working Group is mandated to promote, facilitate and incorporate new EPP members, associate members, and observers throughout the continent. When a party is accepted in the EPP, its elected representatives automatically join the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and all other EPP Groups and organisations.

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Associations Youth of the European People‘s Party (YEPP) YEPP led by President Csaba Dömötör is EPP‘s official youth organisation, self-governed by its own statutes, political program and elected representatives.

YEPP’s members are national party-political youth organisations. The purpose of all 55 member organizations as well as for YEPP is to provide young people a channel in order to influence the shaping of their societies with democratic means and centre-right, Christian democratic and conservative ideas. Through its member organisations YEPP brings together between 1 and 2 million young people in 38 countries of Europe. This makes YEPP the largest party-political youth organisation in Europe.

European Democrat Students (EDS) EDS is the official students’ organisation of the EPP. Since it was founded in 1961, EDS brings together students and young political leaders from all over Europe to promote a political pro-European exchange. Although being a students’ organisation, and therefore taking a special interest in topics like the Bologna Process, the organisation is especially aware of the importance of promoting values like Freedom, Democracy and the Human Rights. Led by its Chairman Juraj Antal, the structure has 43 member organisations from 36 countries, representing over 1.600.000 students and youngsters, including non-EU member countries like Turkey, Israel, Belarus and Georgia. EDS is therefore the biggest youth organisation in Europe.

EDS is not a centralised organisation, it is an “organisation of organisations”, a networking structure whose general aim is to bundle the power of the various members in order to give young people and students a strong voice. Every year the

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organisation hosts Summer and Winter universities and several seminars, publishes a bi-annual magazine “Bullseye” and campaigns, through various forms, for the interests of young people.

Also the BullsEye magazine is published four times a year

European Senior Citizen’s Union (ESCU) Founded in Madrid in 1995 and led by its President Bernhard Worms, ESCU is the largest political senior citizens’ organisation in Europe. The ESCU is represented in 27 states with 40 organisations and about 1.269.000 members. The ESCU is dedicated to the advancement of rights of European senior citizens and their engagement in society. The aims of the ESCU are the promotion of the role of the elderly in ageing European societies, the fight against the discrimination of the elderly, the European pension systems, seniors and volunteering, intergenerational relationship & participation.

European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) The EUCDW is the workers’ organisation of the EPP with 24 member organisations from 18 different countries. As the officially recognised EPP association of workers, the EUCDW is led by its President Elmar Brok, MEP, and has the following aims: to press for the political unification of a democratic Europe; to promote the development of the EPP on the basis of Christian-social teaching; to represent and defend worker interests in European Policy; to work for the achievement of Christian-social principles and policies in the European workers’ movements; to step up co-operation with the workers and their representatives to realise step by step the European Social Model. Therefore, in the last years, the EUCDW has spent a lot of effort in influencing employment policy and defending an undivided Europe of social justice.

Women of the European People’s Party (EPP Women) EPP Women is recognised by the EPP as the official association of women from all like-minded political parties of Europe. EPP Women have over 40 member organisations from countries of the European Union and beyond. All member organisations are women’s organizations from political parties which are members of the EPP. EPP Women, led by its President Doris Pack, MEP, is dedicated to the advancement of women‘s political participation throughout Europe and to the promotion of important women-related issues.

Think-Tanks, Foundations Centre for European Studies (CES) The Centre for European Studies (CES) is a European political foundation, representing a new phase in Europe-wide policy formation and research, embodying a pan-European mindset. Founded in 2007, the Centre is the official think-tank of the European People’s Party (EPP) and, in particular, serves as a common European framework for national foundations and think-tanks recognized by EPP memberparties. CES is governed under the revised 2007 “EU Regulation on political parties at European level and rules regarding their funding”.

The core activities of the 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 and opinion leaders, such as EPP head of states and government, and EPP party leaders, to formulate new and effective policy options. Its role is to bring together likeminded foundations, think-tanks, academics, experts and decision-makers across

Europe to debate and exchange views and to debate and exchange views and ideas as well as to disseminate the results of the proposed activities to the public and the decision-makers.

Ordinary members of the Centre include individuals, political foundations and think-tanks. In order for a political foundation or think-tank to become an ordinary member of the Centre, it must be recognized by its respective EPP member party and be engaged in promoting political information and debate, and facilitating EU integration. All members have to be committed to support the objectives and aims of the Centre. In essence, the Centre is a European hub that brings together inspirational individuals and groundbreaking research to create an environment from which new ideas and relationships emerge. As the official think-tank of the EPP, the Centre for European Studies monitors, analyses and contributes to the debate of the policy priorities of the EU.

Robert Schuman Institute The “Union of the Robert Schuman Institute for Developing Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe” (RSI) has been operating under the auspices of the EPP with an extended scope of activities since 1995. The RSI organizes international courses for potential young leaders, party members and officials of the EPP sister and co-operating parties of the developing democracies in the region receiving both theoretical and practical training. Since the 2004 EU enlargement, the Institute has been focusing mostly on East and Southeast European countries. Othmar Karas is the President of RSI since 2006.

In 2011 Kinga Szabó was appointed as Director of RSI.

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EPP Headquarters Rue du Commerce 10, 1000Â Brussels, Belgium Switchboard: +32-2-2854140 Fax: +32-2-2854141 Email: info@epp.eu Website: www.epp.eu

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EPP Group in the European Parliament

Published by:

EPP Group in the European Parliament Press and Communications Service Publications Team

Head of Service:

Pedro L贸pez de Pablo

Coordinator:

Mark Dunne

Internet: http://www.eppgroup.eu Photos:

Martin Lahousse

漏:

EPP Group in the European Parliament, 2012