EPP in Action EPP in Action EPP in Action EPP in Action EPP in Action 2010
EPP in Action EPP in Action EPP in Action EPP in Action
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Contents page 01
Welcome to the EPP
page 02
EPP in The Europea n Council | EPP Summits
page 04
EPP Ministeri al Meetings
page 06
EPP Heads of State a nd Gov ernment
page 08
EPP in the Europea n Commission
page 10
EPP Group in the Europea n Parli a ment
page 11
EPP HEADING EUROPEA N INSTITUTIONS
page 12
Epp In The Committee of the Regions
page 13
EPP In the Council Of Europe a nd The OSCE
page 14
EPP Working Groups a nd Conferences
page 16
EPP Presidency | EPP Political Assembly
page 18
EPP Foreign Affairs
page 20
Communicating the EPP
page 22
EPP Structure
page 23
EPP Internship Progr a mME
page 24
EPP Member Associ ations
page 26
Centre For Europea n Studies
page 28
EPP Elector al Ca mpaigns
PAGE 29
2011 EPP Congress, M arseille
page 30
Who Is Who | EPP Presidency
page 31
Who is Who | EPP Secretari at
page 32
EPP Member Parties a nd Observ ers
Our Team in the EPP Headquarters
Welcome to the epp
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 GASPERI, 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 strives for a democratic, transparent and efficient Europe that is close to its citizens. EPP wants a prosperous Europe through the promotion of a free market economy with a social consciousness.
Antonio López-Istúriz EPP Secretary General
Wilfried Martens EPP President
EPP is by far the largest Europarty with 75 member-parties from 39 countries, 20 heads of state and government (14 EU and 6 non-EU), 13 European Commissioners, and the largest Group in the European Parliament with 265 members. The EPP is now leading all three main EU institutions: the European Commission with José Manuel BARROSO, the European Council with Herman VAN ROMPUY, and the European Parliament with Jerzy BUZEK. Moreover in the second half of 2010, Belgian Prime Minister Yves LETERME led with great success the rotating EU Presidency.
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. With the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009, the EPP (like all Europarties) is now able to be more politically engaged with the main EU institutions. Through our work, we strive to make the EU more political and, therefore, more accountable to the citizens.
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EPP IN THE EURPEAN COUNCIL - epp Summits
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epp SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS At the Summits, the EPP Heads of State and Government, party leaders in coalition governments and in opposition, the EPP Presidency and the EPP Presidents of the main EU institutions meet prior to the European Council Summits. The Statutory Summits are limited to leaders of the member countries of the European Union, while the Enlarged Summits are also open to non-EU leaders. These important meetings offer EPP leaders an informal and confidential setting to air their differences and seek consensus within the EPP family and to develop common positions that will impact the final decisions of the European Council.
In 2010, five summit meetings were held while the EPP was at the helm of the European Union with Herman VAN ROMPUY, as President of the European Council; José Manuel BARROSO, as President of the European Commission; and Jerzy BUZEK, as President of the European Parliament. Moreover during the second half of the year, Yves LETERME, the Prime Minister of Belgium, chaired the rotating EU Presidency. During 2010, the primarily focus of the EPP Summits was the economic and monetary crisis: building a strong and coordinated response from all Member States, handling the debt situation in certain EU member countries, establishing the financial stabilization mechanism, and implementing economic governance.
EPP Summit, Meise | 16 June 2010
ENL ARGED Summit Brussels, 25 M arch 2010 Following reports from José Manuel BARROSO and Herman VAN ROMPUY, the EPP stressed its support for the Commission President to formulate new rules and a new framework for an effective regulation and supervision of the markets and encouraged him to find the common ground needed for reinforcing the stability of the Eurozone. The leaders approved unanimously a resolution on Cuba. The EPP leaders from Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus reported on the political situation in their respective countries.
Statutory Summit Meise, 16 June 2010 Congratulations were expresssed to the newly elected Hungarian PM Viktor ORBÁN and to FIDESZ, as well as to the Slovak member parties SDKÚ-DS and KDH. The policy debate on the agenda points of the European Council focused on ‘EU2020‘, the financial situation after the euro crisis in May, the European Financial Stability Facility, economic governance and the preparation of the G20 Summit in Toronto. The leaders also reviewed the political situation in Belarus and the upcoming presidential elections.
Enl arged Summit Meise, 15 September 2010 The President opened the meeting by congratulating Slovak PM Iveta RADIČOVÁ, and welcoming her for the first time at the EPP Summit. The leaders discussed the paper on the future of the CAP and the process of updating the Basic Program of the EPP.
PM Yves LETERME reviewed the most recent initiatives of the Belgian Presidency. The leaders also discussed the progress of President VAN ROMPUY‘s taskforce as well as how to form a common position on the Roma issue.
Statutory Summit Meise, 28 october 2010 The EPP leaders congratulated Swedish PM Fredrik REINFELDT and Latvian PM Valdis DOMBROVSKIS for their reelection. The leaders observed a moment of silence for the late Egon KLEPSCH, former President of the European Parliament. After interventions on the financial and economic situation in different countries, the leaders underlined the need for a Treaty change for establishing a permanent crisis mechanism. Moreover, French President Nicolas SARKOZY presented his policy priorities for the upcoming G8 and G20 French Presidency.
Statutory and Enl arged Summit Meise, 16 December 2010 The leaders welcomed Maxime VERHAGEN, the newly elected Deputy PM of the Netherlands, and congratulated Moldovan PM Vlad FILAT, for his party’s victory in the 28 November elections. Following debates on the establishment of the permanent crisis mechanism and the Treaty change, EPP President Wilfried MARTENS welcomed His Majesty ABDULLAH II the King of Jordan, as a special guest of the Summit. King ABDULLAH II reviewed the Middle East peace process and underlined the importance of intercultural and interfaith dialogue. The EPP President, on behalf of the EPP Presidency, and King ABDULLAH II signed a “Declaration on Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue”.
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EPP MINisterial meetings
The European People’s Party organises and coordinates from its Brussels headquarters a total of 10 Ministerial meetings. The EPP Ministerial meetings underpin the horizontal activity of the Party with all the main EU institutions including the Council of Ministers. Christian KREMER EPP Deputy Secretary General
ECOFIN Ministers In February 2008, the EPP inaugurated the first EPP-ECOFIN Ministers meeting under the leadership of Finnish Finance Minister and EPP Vice President Jyrki KATAINEN and, since March 2010, cochaired by French Finance Minister Christine LAGARDE. This political coordination amongst the EPP Finance Ministers quickly became an extremely valuable political process, particularly in view of the financial and economic crisis. The EPP ECOFIN Ministers discussed the reform of the European and international financial architecture, the creation of new European cross-border regulatory agencies in the banking, securities and insurance sectors, and the handling of sovereign debt crisis in Greece and Ireland. Finally, the EPP ECOFIN meetings were instrumental in creating the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), strengthening the Stability and Growth Pact and improving economic governance.
Asylum System“ which was presented to the press in December by Minister Maria FEKTER (AT), Minister Tobias BILLSTRÖM (SE), State Secretary Ole SCHRÖDER (DE) and MEP Manfred WEBER.
Foreign Affairs Ministers In 2007, the EPP inaugurated a new political process with its first EPP Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting. This Ministerial meeting is currently led by Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franco FRATTINI and German MEP Elmar BROK. In 2010, the EPP Foreign Ministers held five regular meetings (20 February in Rome, 25 March in Luxembourg, 18 June in Assisi, 16 September and 12 December in Brussels) and two seminars (20 February in Rome and 19 June in Assisi) during which discussions focused on the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, Mediterranean Union, Middle East, Iran and Afghanistan.
Justice and Home Affairs ministers
Environment ministers
The EPP Ministerial Meeting for Justice and Home Affairs were organised for the first time this year under the chairmenship of the German Minister of Interior Thomas de MAIZIÈRE, and Manfred WEBER, MEP. The aim of these meetings is to facilitate the formulation of positions prior to the EU Council on Justice and Home Affairs. These meetings enabled the EPP to develop coordinated and efficient proposals such as the position paper on “Perspectives of the EU
The EPP Environment Ministers met for the first time in October 2010. The meeting was chaired by Joke SCHAUVLIEGE, Minister of Environment, in Flanders, Belgium, who was then President of the EU Environment Council. The main topic of discussion was the Climate Change negotiations in the framework of the COP 16 meeting in Cancun, as well as the outlook for 2011.
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Agriculture Ministers
Employment Ministers
The EPP Agriculture Ministers meeting is chaired by Austrian Minister of Agriculture Niki BERLAKOVICH. During the course the year, the Agriculture Ministers had a very dynamic and constructive debate on the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Dacian CIOLOŞ also took part in the discussions and contributed to the work of the EPP Agriculture Ministers. In September 2010, in a public event hosted by the EPP, Minister Berlakovich presented the conclusions of the discussions on the future of CAP.
The EPP Employment Ministers officially started their meetings in March 2010, under the chairmanship of EPP Vice President and Fine Gael leader Enda KENNY and Italian Labour Minister Maurizio SACCONI. With unemployment levels rising across Europe due to the on-going economic crisis, EPP Employment Ministers discussed mainly how to reform the European Social Fund (ESF) and how to mitigate the effects of rising unemployment especially among women, youth, and older workers. Moreover, the Ministers discussed pension and welfare reforms, as well as maternity leave and retirement age limits across the European Union.
Industry Ministers Energy Ministers The EPP Energy Ministers meeting is chaired by EPP Vice President, MEP Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI. EU Commissioner for Energy, Günter ÖTTINGER, also took part in the discussions and contributed to the work of the EPP Energy Ministers. The 2010 meetings of EPP Energy Ministers focused on topics such as “European Energy Infrastructure Priorities” and “Energy Strategy 2020”. Moreover, the meetings have coordinated the positions of the EPP Ministers in view of the upcoming first EU Energy Summit of February 2011.
Defense Ministers The EPP Defense Ministers meeting, chaired by Belgian Minister of Defense Pieter de CREM, was launched in 2009 and continued successfully in 2010 (20 March in Palma de Mallorca, 26 March in Luxembourg, 23 September in Ghent, 8 December in Brussels). Since the Lisbon Treaty came into force and the European External Action Service established, these meetings have proven to be particularly important.
In March 2010, the EPP launched the first EPP Industry Ministers meeting, chaired by European Commission Vice President and EPP Vice President, Antonio TAJANI. Since then, Ministers have worked to find common ground on topics such as the “greening” of the car industry, the innovation potential of SMEs, and the Phare Europe 2020 Strategy. Discussions also focused on how to increase the competitiveness of Europe’s industry sector (compared to China and other rising world economies), and how to make industry more sustainable.
Tr ansport Ministers The EPP continued throughout 2010 to organize meetings of the EPP Transport Ministers under the leadership of Commission Vice President and EPP Vice President Antonio TAJANI, and Dutch Transport Minister, Camiel EURLINGS. Since its inception in December 2009, EPP Transport Ministers have discussed issues such as the development of a truly transEuropean transport network, the creation of sustainable and “green” transport systems in Europe, and the establishment of a Single European Railroad Area. Furthermore, Ministers have debated about the future of the GALILEO satellite project and the cross-border directive. In October 2010, Anca BOAGIU, newly elected Romanian Transport Minister, replaced Camiel Eurlings following the formation of the new Dutch government.
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EPP HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT
The EPP currently has 14 out of 27 EU heads of state and government, which meet at the EPP Summit meetings, in preparation of the European Council meetings.
Silvio BERLUSCONI | Italy, PdL “I am proud to be part of the European People’s Party.”
Emil BOC | Romania, PD-L “EU enlargement represented from its very beginning a historic opportunity to erase artificial dividing lines.”
Boyko BORISOV | Bulgaria, GERB “The government of GERB attaches great importance to its work and partnership with the European People‘s Party.”
Valdis DOMBROVSKIS | Latvia, JL “Latvia is committed to Europe and joining the Euro.”
Lawrence GONZI | Malta, PN “We want Europe to move forward, to respond to globalization, to modernize.”
Jean-Claude JUNCKER | Luxembourg, CSV “Only compromise inside the EU will make it possible to have a common position outside.” Andrius KUBILIUS | Lithuania, TS-LKD “Our movement of independence in Central and Eastern Europe was united by common goals, common values, and common courage.”
Yves LETERME | Belgium, CD&V “Strengthened economic governance in the EU has been put on the table and will make progress.”
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Angela MERKEL | Germany, CDU “We can only maintain our prosperity in Europe if we belong to the most innovative regions in the world.”
Viktor ORBÁN | Hungary, FIDESZ “I want to bring politics back to the people and make Hungary more democratic, more European.”
Iveta RADIČOVÁ | Slovakia, SDKÚ-DS “We are ready to take responsibility over the country at a time when it is coping with the impact of a deep economic crisis.“
Fredrik REINFELDT | Sweden, MOD “In the EPP, we come from different cultures, national histories and traditions, but we share values on freedom, people and politics.”
Nicolas SARKOZY | France, UMP “Each time Europe has been confronted to a financial crisis it has managed to respond.”
Donald TUSK | Poland, PO “Europe should be built on the fundamental values of freedom, private property, competitiveness, limiting the role of the state, and EU integration.”
Jadranka KOSOR Croatia, HDZ
Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN Turkey, AKP
Nikola GRUEVSKI F.Y.R.O.M, VMRO-DPMNE
Sali BERISHA Albania, DP
Non-EU Leaders The EPP has 6 non-EU heads of state and government, which are invited to attend the Enlarged EPP Summit meetings in Brussels. Doris LEUTHARD * Switzerland, CVP
Mikheil SAAKASHVILI Georgia, UNM
*Jan-Dec 2010
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EPP IN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
On 6 January 2010, the EPP hosted in its party headquarters the 13 EPP members of the Barroso II Commission, including Commission President José Manuel BARROSO. The aim of the meeting was to assist in the preparation of the Commissioners’ public hearings in the European Parliament, and to review the political priorities of the incoming Barroso II Commission. More ad hoc meetings with the EPP Commissioners have followed and will continue in 2011. Many EPP Commissioners also participate in the EPP Ministerial meetings.
Viviane REDING (Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship - Luxembourg)
“Over the next five years, I will be the first EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. These are policy areas where citizens expect the most from policy-makers in Europe. By placing the citizens at the heart of all Union policies, the new Lisbon Treaty has effectively revolutionised European Union policy-making in these areas. The creation of this new post comes therefore at the right moment. As Vice-President of the European Commission I am committed to work for Europe‘s citizens and for a Europe of results.”
Antonio TAJANI (Industry and Entrepreneurship - Italy)
“ The success of European industry is of central importance to the economic and social welfare of European citizens. My central aim as Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry is to ensure that all the EU‘s business sectors will come out of the current economic crisis stronger and more competitive then before, and will be able to support sustainable growth in a strong social market economy.”
Michel BARNIER (Internal Market and Services - France)
“ The single market is the engine of European growth. Defending the single market means verifying the application of the Community acquis by the Member States and guaranteeing equal rules for all without distortion or discrimination. No effort will be spared, especially in developing support tools for citizens and enterprises.”
John DALLI (Health and Consumer Policy - Malta)
“ I am determined to do all I can to see a healthy future for all citizens, no matter where they live or how much they earn. The rewards are too high and too many to ignore: a better quality of life, a positive impact on our workforce and the competitiveness of Europe‘s health industry.”
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Dacian CIOLOŞ (Agriculture and Rural Development - Romania)
“A thriving agricultural sector will be of strategic importance in Europe‘s future development, not only in ensuring food security, preserving the environment and protecting the countryside, but also in facing new challenges such as climate change while providing a fair standard of living for farmers. The successive reforms of the past decade have modernised the common agricultural policy. As Commissioner with responsibility for Agriculture and Rural Development I will continue to drive this process of adaptation and restructuring, to adapt to a changing and more challenging European and global environment.”
Kristalina GEORGIEVA (International
Cooperation,
Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response - Bulgaria)
“ International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. It is certainly one of the longer job descriptions among my fellow Commissioners. But at its heart the job description is very simple. It’s about delivering the resources available to the EU to help people in need: those caught up in humanitarian crises and those affected by disasters that range from catastrophic earthquakes to pollution spills.”
Johannes HAHN (Regional Policy - Austria)
“ In today‘s challenging economic conditions, the EU‘s regional policy must deliver tangible results and above all, the creation of jobs. In our ever more interconnected world, achieving growth in one region will lead to new employment in another. In the end, regional investment means European progress.”
Connie HEDEGAARD (Climate Action - Denmark)
“ The international community took the first steps towards a global climate deal in Copenhagen a year ago. Today, with the Cancún Agreement, we have taken the next steps. We have strengthened the international climate regime with new institutions and new funds. Europe has succeeded in speaking with one voice.”
Janusz LEWANDOWSKI (Financial Programming and Budget - Poland)
“ I shall strive to make an impact of the EU budget visible to the people across Europe. Its value added is best demonstrated via contributions to the wellbeing, security, healthy environment, innovation, territorial cohesion as well as to the global ambitions of our “old” continent.”
Günter OETTINGER (Energy - Germany)
“ Sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply have been at the centre of European energy policy over the past five years. Europe has to continue to pursue proactive and visionary policies on energy efficiency and renewable energy. This is not only about reducing fuel bills, it is about our competitiveness and our jobs.”
Andris PIEBALGS (Development - Latvia)
Algirdas ŠEMETA (Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud - Lithuania)
“ Every cent paid by the European tax-payer should be accountable and well spent. As Commissioner responsible for the Audit of EU accounts and for the budgetary discharge, I will ensure that transparency, simplicity, accountability and responsibility remain the pillars upon which EU expenditure rests.”
“Our development policy is based on our European values, such as solidarity, democracy, respect for fundamental human rights, the right to education, the right to health. Ending poverty is the best weapon we have to fight insecurity, terrorism, piracy, ensure the respect of human rights, good governance, and provide opportunities for economic and commercial growth.”
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EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
The EPP Group has been the largest political group in the European Parliament (EP) since July 1999. 265 Members of the European Parliament - elected from the 2009 candidate lists of EPP member-parties - sit in the EPP Group and represent about 36 per cent of the EP. The EPP Group strives to advance the goal of a more competitive and democratic Europe closer to its citizens, and to resist the political priorities of the left. Joseph Daul Chairman of the EPP Group
Originally founded in June 1953 as the Christian Democrat Group in the embryonic Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community (composed of nominated members of national parliaments), the Group has been centrally involved at every stage in the history of the European Union, from its earliest beginnings to date. As the largest political group in the European Parliament, the EPP Group is in a stronger position than any other to set the EP‘s political agenda and to win its most critical votes. In seeking to maximise its influence, the EPP Group has been able to draw on the fact that the European Parliament has become increasingly influential within the European Union. The EPP Group is led by French politician Joseph DAUL. In 2009 the European Parliament elected overwhelmingly as its President the former Polish Prime Minister and EPP candidate Jerzy BUZEK.
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EPP HEADING EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS
The European People’s Party is proud to have the three main EU institutions led by EPP leaders: President José Manuel BARROSO in the European Commission, President Herman VAN ROMPUY in the European Council, and President Jerzy BUZEK in the European Parliament. All three Presidents are ex officio members of the EPP Presidency.
José Manuel Barroso
”These are no ordinary times. What Europe needs is a transformational agenda. Only by working together can Europe have the critical mass needed. We face a choice: either we collectively shape the new order, or Europe will become irrelevant.”
Herman Van Rompuy
“We have together to fight the danger of a new Euroscepticism. In every member state, there are people who believe their country can survive alone in the globalised world. It is more than an illusion: it is a lie.”
Jerzy Buzek
“We may not have a European demos, but we do have a European spirit. We need to think European, and believe that what Europe offers guarantees the best solution for our societies.”
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EPP IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
The EPP Group of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has approximately 125 full members and 110 alternate members, which include Presidents of Regional governments, Presidents and Members of regional councils, Mayors and Members of municipal councils from 26 Member States of the European Union. The EPP Group is the driving force for strengthening and increasing the role and influence of local and regional authorities in the EU decision making process. Two thirds of the EU regulation is implemented by local and regional authorities, through the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality under the motto “think globally – act locally”.
Michael Schneider EPP Group Chairman in the CoR
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The EPP Group of the CoR is led since February 2010 by Michael SCHNEIDER from Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The same year Michel LEBRUN, Member of the Wallonian Parliament (BE) was elected as first Vice President, well as nine more Vice Presidents: Pavel BEM, Mayor of Prague (CZ); Jacques BLANC, Mayor and Senator of the Canourgue Canton, President of the Association of Mayors from the Lozére department (FR); Constance HANNIFFY, Member of Offaly County Council, President of the monitoring committee of the Border, Midland and West Regional Assembly (IRL); Anders KNAPE, President of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Councillor of Karlstad Municipality (SV); Eleni LOUCAIDES, Town Councillor of Lefkosia (CY); Constantin OSTAFICIUC, President of Timis County Council (RO); Roberto PELLA, Councillor of the Valdengo Commune (IT); Franz SCHAUSBERGER, Representative of the Salzburg Region to the Committee of the Regions (AT).
EPP IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE and The OSCE
Luca Volonte Chairman of the EPP Group in the CoE
The Group is chaired by Luca VOLONTE and has 14 Vice Presidents: Pedro AGRAMUNT FONT DE MORA, Spain; Patrick BREEN, Ireland; György FRUNDA, Romania; Joachim HÖRSTER, Germany; Elvira KOVÁCS, Serbia; Dariusz LIPIŃSKI, Poland; Jean-Claude MIGNON, France; João Bosco MOTA AMARAL, Portugal; Elsa PAPADIMITRIOU, Greece; Lajla PERNASKA, Albania; Christos POURGOURIDES, Cyprus; Latchezar TOSHEV, Bulgaria; Petré TSISKARISHVILI, Georgia; Egidijus VAREIKIS, Lithuania.
The Council of Europe is the continent’s oldest political organization. The Council of Europe is distinct from the 27 members of the European Union, but no country has ever joined the European Union without belonging to the Council of Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly in the Council of Europe (PACE) groups together 363 National Parliamentarians from 47 Member States and is divided into six political groups, including the European People’s Party (EPP). Created in 1964, it now has more than 209 members and is the largest political group.
The EPP Group in the PACE is committed to defending, consolidating and establishing freedom, democracy, human rights, peace, prosperity, solidarity and social cohesion throughout Europe and the world.
EPP IN THE OSCE-PA In recent years, the EPP has become particularly active in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE-PA) and has continued its work as the largest political group in the organisation. The group is composed by EPP and like-minded parliamentarians from 56 Member States. Since 2008, the group has been chaired by Walburga HABSBURG DOUGLAS (Moderaterna, Sweden). During the Annual Session in Oslo (Norway), the EPP and likeminded group elected the following Vice Presidents: Consiglio DI NINO (Conservative Party, Canada), Vigilia Aleknaite ABRAMIKIENE (TS-LKD, Lithuania), Laura ALLEGRINI (PdL, Italy) and George TSERETELI (UNM, Georgia). The OSCE is particularly active in promoting the resolution of conflicts, consolidating democracies and monitoring elections. Parliamentarians from the EPP’s political group observed the democratic conduct of elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with Pia CHRISTMAS-MØLLER (Denmark) as head of Delegation; in Montenegro, Moldova, and Albania with Wolfgang GROSSRUCK (Austria) as head of Delegation; in Kyrgyzstan with Consiglio DI NINO (Canada) as head of Delegation; and in Ukraine.
Charles GARDETTO (Monaco), Wolfgang GROSSRUCK (Austria), Riccardo MIGLIORI (Italy) and Pia CHRISTMAS-MØLLER (Denmark). The EPP is also strongly represented in the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security with KarlGeorg WELLMANN (Germany) as Chair and Canan KALSIN (Turkey) as Rapporteur; on economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment with Roland BLUM (France) as Chair and Serhiy SHEVCHUK (Ukraine) as Rapporteur; on Democracy, Human Rights and humanitarian Questions with Walburga HABSBURG DOUGLAS (Sweden) as Chair and Robert ALDERHOLT (United States) as Vice Chair.
During the Annual Session in Oslo (Norway), the EPP maintained its leading functions in the OSCE-PA with five Vice Presidents: Oleh BILORUS (Ukraine), Jean
For more information please contact: osce@epp.eu
Walburga Habsburg Douglas Chairwoman of the EPP Group in the OSCE-PA
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epp WORKING GROUPS AND CONFERENCES
The EPP Working Groups are central to the policy-making process of the EPP. High profile representatives from EPP member-parties, with the ad hoc participation of experts, Working Groups develop common EPP positions and strategies on key policy issues. The political documents drafted by Working Groups, are presented, discussed, and adopted by the EPP Political Assembly. EPP currently has three regular Working Groups: European Policy, Economic and Social Policy and EPP Membership. In 2010, the EPP set-up three ad hoc Working Groups: Agriculture, Climate Change, and on the Mediterranean Union. Moreover, the EPP organizes on a regular basis meetings of “Campaign Managers” from EPP member-parties.
WG 1 - European Policy
WG 2 - Economic and Social Policy
The EPP Working Group on “European Policy” is the cornerstone of EPP policies dealing with European issues. The Working Group is chaired by President Wilfried MARTENS and Parliamentary State Secretary and EPP Vice President, Peter HINTZE.
The Working Group on “Economic and Social Policy“ is co-chaired by Rumiana JELEVA, Vice President of the EPP, and MEP Gunnar HÖKMARK, Vice President of the EPP Group in the EP.
In 2010, the meetings of the Working Group on “European Policy” focused on the development of the new Party Platform, as a follow-up to the Basic Programme, adopted in 1992, in Athens. In view of this process, the EPP organised in cooperation with its think-tank, the Centre for European Studies, a seminar on “Future Challenges” with the participation of members of the EPP Drafting Committee, and outstanding experts and intellectuals from different fields and backgrounds. The purpose of this seminar was to raise the awareness on the key challenges facing European societies. The debates and the drafting of the new Party Platform will continue in 2011 and 2012, and will culminate with the adoption of the document at the EPP Statutory Congress in December 2012.
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In the framework of this WG the EPP formulated during the course of the year positions on many financial and economic topics. In June 2010 the WG adopted a position paper on the “EU 2020” strategy, which called, among others, for more competitiveness, better conditions for SMEs and entrepreneurs, and higher investment in a European knowledge society. In autumn 2010 the WG launched a cycle of four conferences under the theme of “Managing Europe´s crisis effectively”. During the first meeting we discussed “Economic Governance” and received the expert views of Jean PISANI-FERRY, Director of the Brussels based think-tank Bruegel, and Lars JONUNG, Member of the Swedish Fiscal Policy Council. These discussions will continue in 2011 and will conclude with the adoption of an EPP resolution at our December 2011 EPP Congress. Furthermore, the WG organized a big public EPP conference on “Stability, Security, Prosperity – The Future of Europe and the Euro“ with high profile speakers such as the President of the European Council, Herman VAN ROMPUY and the European Commissioner on Internal Market and Services and EPP VP Michel BARNIER.
WG 3 - EPP Membership
Ad hoc WG 4 - Agriculture
The Working Group on “EPP Membership”, chaired by EPP Vice President and MEP Corien WORTMANN-KOOL, promotes, facilitates and incorporates new parties which request to join the EPP as full, associate, or observer members.
The EPP ad hoc Working Group on “Agriculture” under the chairmanship of Wilhelm MOLTERER, MP, and Piet BUKMAN, both former Ministers for Agriculture of Austria and the Netherlands, convened in order to contribute to the pan-European debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013. After fruitful discussions held with the participants of the WG, the EPP formulated a document on “The future of CAP – Competitive and Sustainable”.
In 2010 the WG dealt with the applications of the following parties: the Civic Union of Latvia (PS) and the TOP09 of the Czech Republic, the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM) and the Belarusian Christian Democratic Party (BCD). The WG also discussed the status of VMRO-DPMNE of FYROM, which led to the upgrading of its membership to Associate Member. Following the application of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM), the Working Group organized a Fact Finding Mission to Moldova to review and assess the party’s development. Another Fact Finding Mission was carried out to the Czech Republic in order to deal with the membership request of the TOP09 party. The WG also organized workshops with external experts on the following topics: “EPP Involvement in Belarus: what should be done?”, “What Role for the EU in the South Caucasus?”, and “Challenges and reforms in Georgia”. The WG also organized study trip to Serbia and to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The document was presented to the public in September 2010 and received significant attention from the European Commission, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in European Parliament as well as from other important organisations and representative bodies that deal with Common Agricultural Policy.
Ad hoc WG 5 - Climate Change The EPP ad hoc Working Group on “Climate Change”, which is chaired by Karl-Heinz FLORENZ, MEP, was established in order to discuss in depth perspectives on the battle against Climate Change and the European initiatives for Cancun. In this framework, the WG organized a meeting on “Combating Climate Change after Copenhagen – chances for a global agreement and opportunities for the EU” featuring Jules KORTENHORST, Chief Executive Officer European Climate Foundation. The WG also organized a public Conference on the “Fight against Climate Change – a Wish List for Cancun” featuring the European Commissioner on Climate Action Connie HEDEGAARD and Professor and Vice-chair of the IPCC Jean-Pascal VAN YPERSELE DE STRIHOU.
Campaign Managers Meeting The EPP organises twice a year meetings with Campaign Managers of member-parties to review national and regional election campaigns and in order to exchange experiences, to develop different strategies, and to analyze communication platforms. The 2010 meetings were held in Valetta, Malta and in Limassol, Cyprus. Among others, the meetings featured presentations by the EPP Spokesman Kostas SASMATZOGLOU on the new EPP communication strategy, as well as on the elections in the United Kingdom, Hungary, Sweden, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and regional elections in Northrhine Westphalia and Vienna. The meetings also reviewed public opinion research, e-campaigning, and the rise of populism in Europe.
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epp PRESIDENCY | EPP Political Assembly
EPP Structure The EPP has three levels of decision-making: Presidency, Political Assembly and Congress. The EPP Heads of Government and EPP Ministers can also give policy recommendations, whereas the EPP Working Groups perform the preparatory political work.
The Presidency The Presidency decides on the general political guidelines and presides over the Political Assembly. The Presidency is composed of the President, 10 Vice Presidents, the Secretary General and the Treasurer. The Presidents of the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament, as well as the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament are ex officio members of the EPP Presidency.
The CONGRESS 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 parliamentary groups. The EPP Congress meets statutorily once every three years and elects the EPP Presidency. The Congress decides on the main policy documents and electoral programmes, and highlights our EPP heads of government and party leaders.
The Political Assembly The Political Assembly defines the positions of the Party between each Congress, decides on membership applications, and finalizes 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 Political Assembly meets three to five times a year.
Working groups The Political Assembly (PA) 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.
4-5 February 2010 | Brussels The PA elected for a 3-year term Christian KREMER as Deputy Secretary General, Luc VANDEPUTTE as Deputy Secretary General, Kostas SASMATZOGLOU as Spokesman, and Nicolas BRIEC as Secretary of External Relations.
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EPP Political Assembly - Highlights
4-5 February 2010 | Brussels The PA welcomed the membership application of Latvian political party Pilsoniskā Savienība (PS, Civic Union), a member of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS. The PA re-affirmed that the Party should organize EPP Ministerial meetings for the following Council formations: Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Transport, Industry, Employment, Energy, Agriculture, Environment, Justice and Home Affairs. The PA established three permanent Working Groups (European Policy, Economic and Social Policy and Membership) as well as 3 ad-hoc Working Groups (Common Agricultural Policy, Climate Change and Eastern Partnership/Mediterranean Union).
10-11 May 2010 | Vilnius The PA was held in Vilnius to commemorate the 20 years of the restoration of independence of Lithuania. The event was hosted by the Prime Minister of Lithuania and leader of TS-LKD, Andrius KUBILIUS. The EPP adopted a strong statement calling for the correction of Eurozone flaws and proposing concrete measures to ensure the long-term stability of the euro and prevent further turbulence. The meeting debated the economic and financial crisis with the Lithuanian Minister of Finance, Inga SIMONYTE. The PA unanimously approved Latvia‘s ‘Civic Union’ as a full member party of the EPP. Two resolutions tabled by the EPP member association EDS, on youth unemployment and on the Bologna Process, were unanimously approved. The meeting elected Patrick MOULIN (UMP, France), Leif HALLBERG (KD, Sweden), Othmar KARAS (ÖVP, Austria), and Klemens MOEMKES (CDU, Germany) as EPP Internal Auditors. The EPP also honoured with the ‘EPP Merit Award’ Professor Vytautas LANDSBERGIS - Lithuania’s first Head of State after the country’s restoration of independence from the Soviet Union - for his decisive contribution to freedom and democracy in Europe.
13-14 September 2010 | Brussels The meeting adopted a policy document of the Working Group on Agricultural Policy, chaired by Wilhelm MOLTERER (ÖVP) and Piet BUKMAN (CDA), on “The Future of the CAP – Competitive and Sustainable”. This document underlines the importance of the CAP for the European Union, highlights its future challenges, and presents the EPP strategy for CAP‘s sustainable and competitive development. The EPP also adopted a resolution which expressed its deep concern over Ukraine’s democratic development and, in particular, government interference with the democratic activity of the opposition, including EPP sister parties Batkivshchyna, Rukh and Our Ukraine. The resolution also expressed its regret over the government’s curtailment of media freedoms and interference in the work of foreign charities and other foundations.
18-19 November 2010 | Brussels The PA unanimously approved a resolution that condemns the undemocratic conduct of the local elections in Ukraine and the regrettable alliance of the European Socialists with the governing Party of Regions. A resolution tabled by the European Democrat Students on “digital media in higher education and research with a European perspective” was unanimously approved. The PA also approved its Budget and Membership Fees for 2011 and adopted a series of amendments to its Internal Regulations concerning the statutes of its Member Associations.
13-14 September 2010 | Brussels The PA received a delegation of recently released Cuban dissidents who came to report on the situation in Cuba and ask the EU not to change its ’Common Position on Cuba’ until the Cuban government fully respects human rights and implements democratic reforms.
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epp FOREIGN AFFAIRS
As the European Union is becoming a global actor in the international arena, the biggest political force of the EU, the European People’s Party, is actively assisting in strengthening foreign relations on a political level, whilst influencing Europe’s foreign policy priorities. Nicolas BRIEC EPP Secretary of External Relations
The European Neighborhood Policy
The Western balkans
The European Neighborhood Policy is the cornerstone of EPP’s foreign relations. This successful framework enabled the EPP to enhance its political cooperation with EU‘s neighbouring countries and to help them safeguard their stability, security and prosperity.
The relationship with the countries of the Western Balkans is one of the priorities of the EPP. We help our partners to build stability, prosperity, and democratic institutions by sharing our EU experience.
During difficult political moments, the EPP showed its support to the opposition parties in Ukraine and Belarus, which remain our political partners. As the Republic of Moldova is undergoing a democratic transition, EPP President Wilfried MARTENS, visited the country twice to encourage the country’s European orientation and to promote political stability and democratic principles. Furthermore, in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, President Martens visited Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and met with government representatives. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen EPP‘s political cooperation with the countries of the South Caucasus, and to get first-hand information and insight in the region‘s political, economic and social developments.
In 2010, the EPP Vice-President, Rumiana JELEVA, took part in the Regional Conference on cooperation and joint stance towards the EU in Sarajevo, which led to the signing of a Joint Statement between like-minded political forces in the Western Balkans for closer political cooperation. The EPP also organized a Study trip to Serbia, and to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and hosted a workshop on the Balkans.
ministerial meetings EPP Foreign Ministers convene on a regular basis and discuss issues such as the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, Mediterranean Union, Middle East, Iran and Afghanistan. In 2010, the EPP organized two seminars with its Foreign Ministers (Rome and Assisi) with participation also of non-EU Foreign Ministers from our political family, thus enhancing its foreign relations beyond the EU.
The Union for the Mediterranean and interfaith dialogue The EPP, as a political party of values, has for years placed great importance on interfaith and intercultural dialogue. In 2010, in the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean and interfaith dialogue, President MARTENS visited Turkey and the Middle Eastern countries of Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon. The main aim of this trip was to develop political cooperation, strengthen the dialogue between cultures and religions (meeting with the Grand Imam in Egypt), and enhance peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding in the region (meeting with leaders in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt). As a result of the trip, the KING ABDULLAH II of Jordan participated in Brussels as a special guest at the EPP Summit in 16 December 2010.
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Transatlantic Relations In the United States, the EPP cooperates with its longstanding partner, the International Republican Institute (IRI). Since 2007, high-level political delegations from the EPP and
the IRI have met in Washington and Brussels to promote of common transatlantic goals and values, including the fight for freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law.
In this framework, the EPP visited Washington DC in early December 2010. The delegation, led by President Wilfried MARTENS and Secretary General Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ,
MEP, met in the US Congress with John BOEHNER (R-OH), the new Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The EPP delegation also met with IRI Chairman, Senator John MC CAIN (R-AZ), the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Senator John CORNYN (R-TX), Congresswoman Kay GRANGER (R-TX), and Congressman Patrick J. KENNEDY (D-RI). Moreover, Secretary General Lopez-Isturiz presented EPP‘s position on Cuba in a roundtable meeting in Congress with Congressman Lincoln DIAZ-BALART (R-FL), Congressman Mario DIAZ-BALART (R-FL), Congresswoman Ileana ROS-LEHTINEN (R-FL), Congressman Chris SMITH (R-NJ), Congresswoman Debbie WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL), and Congressman Albio SIRES (D-NJ). The delegation also met with Barry JACKSON, Chief of Staff to House Speaker BOEHNER, Rob JESMER, Executive Director of the NRSC, and Brian WALSH, Political Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). The EPP also met representatives from various Washington-based think-tanks including the German Marshal Fund, the Heritage Foundation, the Hudson Institute, and the CATO Institute. President MARTENS and Secretary General LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ also gave keynote speeches on transatlantic relations at Georgetown University. Members of the delegation also met with former Senator Trent LOTT, former Under Secretary of State Paula DOBRIANSKY, Frank FAHRENKOPF, former RNC President and President of the American Gaming Association, Dana PERINO, former White House Press Secretary, Brian GUNDERSON, former State Department Chief of Staff, and with representatives and members of the European American Business Council. Finally, the EPP delegation met with IRI President Lorne CRANER and the IRI leadership and, together, decided to organize in mid 2011, in Washington, a conference on transatlantic relations. The event will be co-organized by the IRI and EPP‘s thinktank, the Centre for European Studies (CES).
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Communicating THE EPP
EPP COMMUNICATION - Getting our message across
Kostas SASMATZOGLOU
The mission of the EPP Press and Communication Department is to disseminate and promote - systematically and in real-time - our positions to the general public and to the European and international media. Our team works closely with our like-minded colleagues in the EU institutions and with the communication departments of our member-parties in the national capitals in order to streamline our messaging and to maximize our impact in public opinion.
EPP Spokesman
epp.eu
In 2010, the EPP continued to upgrade its communication strategy in an effort to help close the gap between the EU and the citizens. We strive to explain in an open and transparent manner our policies through a set of new web-based platforms. Thus, the EPP is currently present in all the main social networks and is expanding its outreach to people who want to be engaged with our work.
Through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and other social networks, the EPP is listening to the public, explaining our policies, and connecting with people who share our point of view on Europe. We have also set-up our very own social network myepp.eu, which is open our all our friends and supporters. Moreover, following the success of DialogueTV in 2009, our team has expanded our webTV efforts on a new platform called myepp.tv, which also includes channels for our member-parties.
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facebook.epp.eu
twitter.epp.eu
flickr.epp.eu
myepp.eu
myepp.tv
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epp STRUCTURE AND RESOURCES
Legal EU personality for European political parties through a comprehensive European Statute
Luc VANDEPUTTE EPP Deputy Secretary General
Through our representatives in the EP Committee on Constitutional Affairs, the EPP has taken the lead in the discussion to provide the European Political Parties with a comprehensive European Statute, giving them added legal legitimacy in their role inter alia in:
Already in 2006 the EP Report on European Political Parties underlined explicitly that ‘the current Financial Regulation constitutes a first step towards a legal frame for European Political Parties’ and stressed the need for a genuine European party statute which goes further than the Regulation on the funding of political parties at European level, establishing their rights and obligations and enabling them to attain a legal personality based on Community law and effective in the Member States.
· the European Political Debate (art 191 in the Nice Treaty) and ‘take on a further role than that of umbrella organizations‘ and become active proponents of ‘European policy options’ (Leinen Report) · the nomination of a candidate for the Commission President, according to the Lisbon Treaty · the European Parliament Elections
Public funding
10 European Political Parties were recognized in 2010 and received funding from the European Parliament
The European funds were allocated as follows (in million EURO):
· European People‘s Party (EPP)
EPP
· · · · · · · · ·
Party of European Socialists (PES) European Liberal Democrat and Reform party (ELDR) European Green Party (EGP) Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR) Party of the European Left (EL) European Democratic Party (EDP) European Free Alliance (EFA) EU Democrats (EUD) European Christian Political Movement (ECPM)
The European Union budget for 2010 set aside 13.9 million euros for party funding. 15% of the budget is distributed among the parties in equal parts. 85% is distributed on the basis of the number of Members of Parliament accounted for by every Party. After the victorious European Elections of June 2009, the EPP increased its number of MEPs and accounted now for 265 MEPs (MEP’s elected on a list of an EPP Member Party and Individual Members who have signed a declaration of EPP affiliation).
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PES ELDR EGP AECR EL EDP EFA EUD ECPM
4.9
3.4 1.5 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.2
The European Parliament funds constitute 2/3 of EPP income. The remaining income is generated through membership fees. The membership fees of full member-parties are calculated on the basis of the political strength of the party and the number of the party‘s MEPs. The membership fee of the associate and observer member parties is calculated by the Political Assembly on the basis of the votes obtained by these parties during their last national elections.
EPP INTERNSHIP programme | EPP HEADQUARTERS
EPP INternship programme In 2010 EPP continued its successful Internship Programme and gave 6 young university graduates the opportunity to acquire useful experience in European political life. The EPP internship is focused on immersing the trainees with the short- and long-term political planning and activities of the Party: organizing meetings and conferences, preparing reports and press releases, editing publications, updating the website and databases, communicating with memberparties, EPP Groups, associations and other affiliated organizations, liaising with officials from the EU institutions, etc.
The 2010 interns: · Julia ZALUSKAJA (Estonia) · Ana Maria MARTIN (Spain) - top left · Alena DZEMIDZENKA (Belarus) - sitting right · Bernada CUNJ (Croatia) - sitting left · Marta JIMENEZ DE LOS GALANES (Spain) · Christopher HELBIG (Germany) - top right
EPP Headquarters: the Brussels Meeting Point of the EPP Family
The EPP Headquarters are the true Brussels meeting point for everyone that is linked to our large European People’s Party family. The meeting rooms and attractive lounge hosts numerous Working Groups, Conferences, Seminars, Presidency and Ministerial meetings. The EPP HQ regularly welcomes visitors from member-parties and high level delegations from all over the globe. All of them are charmed by the modern, efficient and inviting look and feel of our premises. Apart from the EPP Staff, our headquarters also host most EPP Member Associations, the CDI, and the Forum for European Studies.
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epp member ASSOCIATIONS Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Union of the EPP (SME UNION) SME UNION Events in 2010 The SME UNION is the business organization of the EPP and network of probusiness Christian-democrat, conservative and centre-right politicians and political organizations. As an officially recognized EPP member-association, its main objective is to shape EU policy in a more SME-friendly way. Set-up in 1996 the SME UNION believes in the principles of the EPP - freedom and responsibility - and in fostering the environment and social conditions in Europe by market mechanisms. President: Peter JUNGEN | Secretary General: Nelu Neacsu, a.i.
03.03. 24.03. 11.05. 11.05. 01.06. 22.06. 23.06. 14.07. 14.09. 28.09.
European Senior Citizen’s Union (ESCU)
With about 500.000 members, the ESCU is the largest political senior citizens’ organisation in Europe. Represented in 26 countries with 45 organisations, the ESCU is dedicated to the advancement of the rights of European senior citizens and the promotion of issues such as the role of the elderly in ageing European societies, discrimination of the elderly, European pension systems, seniors and volunteering.
SME UNION Working Breakfast: “Active Reduction of Emissions according to the Air Quality Directive“, Brussels, Belgium SME UNION Conference, Innovating in challenging times: “What is the role for SMEs?“, Brussels, Belgium SME UNION Working Breakfast, Financial crisis: “How the EU Can Help the Entrepreneurs. Focus on Lithuanian SMEs“, Vilnius, Lithuania SME UNION Working Breakfast, “Energy Efficiency - renewables and the role of SMEs“, Brussels, Belgium SME UNION Working Breakfast, “Services Directive and the impact on SMEs“, Brussels, Belgium SME UNION Working Breakfast, “A Way out of the Economic Crisis – Boosting Consumer Confidence and Supporting Industry Competitiveness“, Brussels, Belgium SME UNION Working Lunch, “Current Trends in Banking - Financing the SMEs“, Brussels, Belgium SME UNION Conference, “A Competitive Digital Market for SMEs“ SME UNION Working Breakfast, “Can the € survive?“, Brussels, Belgium SME UNION Working Breakfast, “Common Frame of Reference Do SMEs need a European Contract Law?“, Brussels, Belgium
For more information please visit: www.sme-union.org
European Union of Christian Democr atic Workers (EUCDW)
President: Bernhard WORMS | Secretary General: Ingeborg UHLENBROCK
The EUCDW is the workers‘ organisation of the EPP with 24 member organisations from 18 countries. As the officially recognised representative EPP member-association of the wage-earners, the EUCDW promotes all related work of the EPP and its affiliated democratic trade union forces.
ESCU activities in 2009
President: Elmar BROK | Secretary General: Ivo BELET
23.03. Board Meeting in Brussels, Belgium 02.- 04.11. VII Congress of the ESCU, Bad Honnef, Germany 02.-04.05. ESCU Regional Conference „South“, Valletta, Malta 29.06. Board Meeting in Brussels 02.11. and 04.11. 30.06. Executive Committee Meeting in Brussels, Belgium 23.- 25.08. 1st ESCU Summer Academy, Vienna, Austria 18.- 19.09. ESCU Regional Conference „Baltic region“, Klaipeda, Lithuania 02.11. Board Meeting in Brussels, Belgium 04.11. Board Meeting in Brussels, Belgium
EUCDW activities in 2010
For more information on ESCU, please visit: www.eu-seniorunion.info
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13.02. 14.05. 16.09. 25.09. 09.10.
Presidium and Board Meeting in Athens, Greece Presidium and Board Meeting in Malta Meeting of the Financial Working Group in Brussels, Belgium Meeting of the Political Working Group in Wrocław, Poland Presidium and Board Meeting in Luxemburg
For more information on EUCDW, please visit: www.eucdw.org
European Democr at Students (EDS) EPP WOMEN (EPPW)
EPP WOMEN is recognised by the EPP as the official member-association of women from all like-minded political parties in Europe. EPP WOMEN have over 40 member organisations from EU and nonEU countries. All member organisations are women‘s organisations from political parties which are members of the EPP. In 2010 the focus of the EPP WOMEN was the policy of the European Commission 2010 - 2014, and women in conflict zones and conflict situations. President: Doris PACK | Secretary General: Hillie van de STREEK
EPPW activities in 2010 25.03. 22-26.07. 08.10.
EPPW General Board Meeting, Brussels, Belgium EPPW Summer Academy for Leading Women, Mallorca, Spain 4th EWA-Congress, “Women in Conflict Zones and Situations” The Hague–Scheveningen, The Netherlands
EDS is the official student organization of the EPP. It is a pan-European centre-right political association representing over 300.000 students in 37 member organizations from 32 countries. It advocates a free, democratic and united Europe through greater student mobility and comprehensive education policies across the continent. Founded in 1961, EDS is one of the largest student youth organizations in Europe. Chairman: Bence BAUER | Secretary General: Ildze KANEPAJA EDS activities in 2010 08-10.01. 23-28.02. 05-09.03. 10-13.06. 18-25.07. 26-29.08. 21-26.09. 16- 19.12.
EDS Bureau Meeting, Vienna, Austria EDS XX Winter University “Europe today, 20 years after – priorities for the youth”, Brussels,Belgium EDS Council Meeting-Seminar ”EU and Russia: A new page in our relationship?”, Vilnius, Lithuania EDS Policy Days “New Challenges or new perspectives for development ?”, Kiev, Ukraine EDS XXXIV Summer University ”Living together in diverse societies“, Zilina, Slovakia EDS Bureau & Working Groups Meeting, Balatonszarszo, Hungary EDS Council Meeting-Seminar ”Human Rights and Democracy – promoting European Values“ , Chisinau, Moldova EDS Council Meeting-Seminar ”Higher Education in times of crises“ , Berlin, Germany
For more information on EDS, please visit: www.edsnet.org
For more information please visit: www.epp-women.org
Youth of the European People's Part y (Y EPP)
YEPP is the official youth organisation of the European People‘s Party bringing together 50 centre-right youth organisations. One of YEPP’s main objectives is to maintain good contacts within EPP political family, provide opportunities for training, discussion and cooperation, and prepare the younger generation to lead tomorrow‘s Europe. Through its member organisations, YEPP brings together between 1-2 million young people in 38 European countries.
YEPP activities in 2010 18- 21.02. 08- 11.04. 01-04.07. 16-19.09. 02- 05.12.
YEPP Seminar, Sofia, Bulgaria YEPP Chairman Conference, Paris, France YEPP Summer School, Riga, Latvia YEPP Seminar, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina YEPP Seminar, Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
President: Laurent SCHOUTETEN Secretary General: Carlo DE ROMANIS
More information can be found at: www.yepp-online.net
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CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN STUDIES
In 2010, the Centre for European Studies (CES), the official think-tank of the EPP, played a significant role in reaching out to the people of Europe and enabling them to better understand the concept and processes of politics at the European level. Through research, policy papers and over than 50 events across Europe in 2010, the CES presented crucial European issues from the point of view of the core values of the European centre-right. Through these initiatives, the CES exerted a significant influence on the EU political scene, and acted as a catalyst for raising awareness of citizens’ mutual responsibility for the future of Europe. The CES also offers the centre-right prospective into a great scope of topics through diverse types of publications.
Tomi Huhtanen Director of the CES
ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH The activities of the Centre for European Studies (CES) in 2010 included the publication of research papers, policy briefs, monitoring papers as well as seminars, conferences and workshops on EU policies in diverse fields.
The Economic Ideas Forum, an ambitious pioneer initiative taken by the CES, took place on 15 April 2010 in Madrid, Spain. This forum brought together high level economic exper ts, Ministers of Economy, Commissioners, former EU Prime Minister, CEOs of companies from around the world and enterprise representatives, in an ef for t to set in motion a synergetic chain by involving EU leaders and inspiring them with strategic insights.
The 1st US-EU Centre Right Think Tank Conference was another significant initiative CES carried out in 2010 in cooperation with the International Republican Institute (IRI). Under the title ‘The Future of the West - Transatlantic Relations in a More Difficult Global Environment’, the CES organized a two-day centre-right think tank forum in Brussels with the aim of reassessing the transatlantic relationship a year and a half into the Obama administration and one year after the Lisbon Treaty came into force.
The European Factbook 2010: ’The European People’s Party and Centre-Right Politics’ is a regular CES Publication, providing a snapshot of the centre-right’s political activities each year. The European Factbook includes information about EPP member-parties in the EU and non-EU countries as well as EPP member-associations, and about CES and its memberfoundations and provides readers with a set of important supplementary documents.
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As the official think-tank of the EPP, the CES monitors, analyses and contributes to the debate on the EU’s policy priorities. A wide range of specific political issues were covered in books, research papers and policy briefs: · · · · · · · · · ·
Turkey’s Accession to the European Union; The Power of Freedom: Central and Eastern Europe after 1945; Avoiding the Debt Trap: Public Finances in Public and Recovery; The New Eastern Europe: Challenges and Opportunities for the EU; GDP and its Enemies: the Questionable Search for a Happiness Index; The Baltic Sea Strategy: A Pilot Project for Macro - Regionalization in the EU; Muslim Brotherhoods Parties in the MENA Region; EU – Africa Relations; Dealing with the Challenges of the Future; European Political Parties as Campaign Organizations; Towards a greater politicization; · Six years after 2004 enlargement; · Flat but Fair; A Proposal for a socially conscious Flat Rate Tax.
President Martens book “I struggle, I overcome” Wilfried MARTENS has devoted his entire life to politics: starting out as a student leader and youth activist, becoming the President of the Flemish Christian Democrats, Prime Minister of Belgium, President of the European People’s Party, and a European statesman. In his autobiography, Martens offers the inside story behind running of a complex country like Belgium, fighting for European integration and unification, and transforming the European People’s Party into a strong, united centre-right movement and leading European political family. Above all, this is a book about the intricacy of European politics, including how policy is made and what ideas, values and principles inspire them. The presentation of the book took place in: Oslo, Athens, Sofia, Nicosia, and Istanbul.
“ The Future of the WestTransatlantic Relations in a More Difficult Global Environment ” The West as a whole is being challenged today. Sustainable recovery from the financial and economic crisis is far from guaranteed and may yet be interrupted by reversals. Economic and political power is shifting eastward. Global democracy promotion has encountered a backslide, even in parts of Central Asia and Eastern Europe where it had seemed to be successful after 1989. Authoritarian models of state capitalism are more openly competing with market democracies than ever before. The threat posed by jihadism and Islamic fundamentalism has not receded. Meanwhile, Europe and America are still recalibrating their relationship. The Centre for European Studies (CES), in cooperation with the International Republican Institute (IRI), held on 12 – 13 October 2010 a two-day centre-right think-tank forum in Brussels aiming to make a forceful point about the desirability as well as the viability of a strong and unified West, as opposed to fashionable theories about a “post-Atlanticist” world.
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epp ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS
Campaigns and elections are central components to the political activity of the EPP. That is why the EPP actively follows and supports its member parties on a political level. In 2010, EPP leaders played an active role in many election campaigns, leading to great victories. The President and the Secretary General of the EPP, Wilfried MARTENS and Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ also personally participated in several campaigns and conventions of EPP member-parties.
The EPP was present in Bratislava, Slovakia to support the campaign of the SDKÚ-DS that lead to the election of Iveta as the new Prime Minister. In Hungary, the EPP actively supported Fidesz, leading to the landslide victory of Viktor ORBÁN, who became Prime Minister. The EPP gave its full backing to Pál SCHMITT who has been elected President of Hungary. EPP also strongly supported Christian WULFF, who became President of Germany and Bronisław KOMOROWSKI who has been elected President of Poland. 2010 also saw the re-election of Prime Minister Fredrik REINFELDT and his alliance in Sweden and of Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVKIS in Latvia proving that the centre-right EPP approach, is the only credible approach to resolve the current economic and financial crisis in Europe. President MARTENS also participated in the final days of the campaign of Prime Minister Vlad FILAT and the PLDM in Moldova. FILAT‘s pro-European alliance achived a stunning victory!
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2011 EPP CONGRESS, MARSEILLE
On 7-8 December 2011 on the invitation of EPP member-party Union pour un Mouvement Populaire (UMP) as well as French President Nicolas SARKOZY, the EPP will hold its XX Congress in Marseille, France. The Congress will also celebrate EPP’s 35th anniversary.
More than 1.200 delegates from 75 parties and 39 countries will have a chance to participate in various working groups, seminars, conferences and high level debates. All EPP Heads of State and Government, Presidents of the EU institutions as well as other highlevel guests will be invited to take the floor during the plenary session. On the occasion of the Congress, EPP’s official think-tank, Centre for European Studies,
will organize the 3rd edition of International Visitors Programme, bringing together like-minded partners from all around the globe. For more details please follow: www.epp2011.eu as well as follow twitter – hashtag #epp2011
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WHO IS WHO – epp PRESIDENCY
PRESIDENT Wilfried MARTENS
VICE PRESIDENTS
Following the amendment of the EPP By-laws at the December 2009 Congress in Bonn, the Presidents of the Commission, Council and Parliament and the Chairman of the EPP Group in the EP are also an "ex officio" Vice Presidents of the EPP Presidency. Peter HINTZE Germany, CDU
Michel BARNIER France, UMP
Antonio TAJANI Italy, PdL
Viktor ORBÁN Hungary, FIDESZ
Mario DAVID Portugal, PSD
Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI Poland, PO
Corien WORTMANN-KOOL Netherlands, CDA
Jyrki KATAINEN Finland, KOK
Enda KENNY Ireland, FG
Rumiana JELEVA Bulgaria, GERB
Ingo FRIEDRICH | Treasurer Germany, CSU
EX OFFICIO VICE PRESIDENTS
José Manuel BARROSO Portugal, PSD
PAGE 30
Herman VAN ROMPUY Belgium, CD&V
Jerzy BUZEK Poland, PO
Joseph DAUL France, UMP
WHO IS WHO - EPP SECRETARIAT
SECRETARY GENERAL Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ
DEputies SecRETARY general
Christian KREMER ckremer@epp.eu
Luc VANDEPUTTE lvandeputte@epp.eu
Kostas SASMATZOGLOU spokesman@epp.eu
Head of President‘s cabinet
Brenda FURNIERE bfurniere@epp.eu
EVENTS AND COMMUNICATION
Marta PRZYSIECKA mprzysiecka@epp.eu
Nicolas BRIEC nbriec@epp.eu
Officials
Mélanie DURSIN Political Adviser mdursin@epp.eu
Emanuela FARRIS Senior Political Adviser efarris@epp.eu
Galina FOMENCHENKO Political Adviser gfomenchenko@epp.eu
PRESS AND COMMUNICATION OFFICERS
Javier JIMENEZ Senior P&C Officer jjimenez@epp.eu
Secretary of external relations
SPOKESMAN
Karine MILHEIRO kmilheiro@epp.eu
Ines PRAINSACK Political Adviser iprainsack@epp.eu
Juan MAGAZ Political Adviser jmagaz@epp.eu
ASSISTANTS
Beatriz DE ANTA Assistant to the Secretary General | bdeanta@epp.eu
Christopher HELBIG Daphné LAMAL Assistant to Christian Kremer Assistant to Luc Vandeputte chelbig@epp.eu dlamal@epp.eu
SPECIALISED PERSONNEL
Sophie PAEME General Administration & Logistics spaeme@epp.eu
Guy VOLCKAERT Manager of Informatics & Internet gvolckaert@epp.eu
Pavlina HEYMANS-ŠPAČKOVÁ Assistant to the Spokesman pheymans@epp.eu
ASSISTANTS
Julia ZALUTSKAJA Assistant to Nicolas Briec jzaluskaja@epp.eu
Yelba TORRES Ministerial Meetings ytorres@epp.eu
PAGE 31
epp member Parties and observers
AT
BE
BG
Österreichische Volkspartei · ÖVP · (Austrian People’s Party)
epp.eu/oevp
Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams · CD&V · (Christian-Democratic and Flemish) Centre Démocrate Humaniste · cdH · (Humanistic Democratic Centre)
epp.eu/cdenv
Граждани за европейско развитие на България · ГЕРБ/GERB · (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) Съюз на Демократичните Сили CДC SDS/UDF
epp.eu/gerb
· (Union of Democratic Forces)
Демократи за силна България · ДCБ/DSB · (Democrats for a strong Bulgaria)
Демократическа партия · ДП/DP · (Democratic Party)
Земеделски Народен Съюз · ЗHC/ZNS · (Agrarian People’s Union)
Δημοκρατικόs Συναγερμόs · DISY CY
· (Democratic Rally of Cyprus)
TOP 09 - Tradice Odpovědnost Prosperita 09 CZ
· (TOP 09 - Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09)
Křesťanská a Demokratická Unia – Česká Strana Lidová · KDU-ČSL · (The Christian Democratic Union – Czech People’s Party)
DK
Det Konservative Folkeparti · DKF · (Conservative People’s Party) Kristendemokraterne · KD · (Christian Democrats)
Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit · IRL EE
· (Pro Patria and Res Publica Union)
Kansallinen Kokoomus · KOK FI
· (The National Coalition Party)
Kritillisdemokraatit · KD* · (Finish Christian Democrats)
Union pour un Mouvement Populaire · UMP FR
· (Union for a Popular Movement)
Christlich Demokratische Union · CDU DE
· (Christian Democratic Union)
Christlich Soziale Union in Bayern · CSU · (Christian Social Union of Bavaria)
Νέα Δημοκρατία · ND GR
· (New Democracy)
Fidesz – Magyar Polgári Szövetség · FIDESZ HU
· (Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Union)
Kereszténydemokrata Néppárt · KDNP · (Christian Democratic People’s Party)
Fine Gael · FG IE
· (Family of the Irish)
Popolo della Libertà · PdL IT
· (People of Freedom)
Unione di Centro · UDC · (Union of the Centre)
Popolari per il Sud · (People for the South)
Südtiroler Volkspartei SVP* · (South Tyrolean People’s Party)
Jaunais Laiks · JL LV
· (New Era Party)
Pilsoniskā Savienība · PS · (Civic Union)
Tautas Partija · TP · (People’s Party)
PAGE 32
epp.eu/cdh
epp.eu/udf epp.eu/dsb epp.eu/dp epp.eu/zns epp.eu/disy epp.eu/top09 epp.eu/kdu epp.eu/dkf epp.eu/kd-dk epp.eu/irl epp.eu/kokoomus epp.eu/kd-fi epp.eu/ump epp.eu/cdu epp.eu/csu epp.eu/nd epp.eu/fidesz epp.eu/kdnp epp.eu/fg epp.eu/pdl epp.eu/udc epp.eu/popolari epp.eu/svp epp.eu/jl epp.eu/ps epp.eu/tp
Tėvynės Są jungos-Lietuvos Krikščionys Demokratai · TS-LKD
epp.eu/ts-lkd
· (Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats)
LT
epp.eu/csv
Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei · CSV · (Christian Social People’s Party)
LU
epp.eu/pn
Partit Nazzjonalista · PN · (Nationalist Party)
MT
epp.eu/cda
Christen Democratisch Appèl · CDA · (Christian Democratic Appeal)
NL
epp.eu/po
Platforma Obywatelska · PO · (Civic Platform)
PL
Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe · PSL
epp.eu/psl
· (Polish People’s Party)
Partido Social Democrata · PSD
epp.eu/psd
· (Social Democratic Party)
PT
Centro Democrático e Social-Partido Popular · CDS-PP
epp.eu/cds
· (Democratic and Social Centre-People‘s Party)
Partidul Democrat-Liberal · PD–L
epp.eu/pd-l
· (Democratic-Liberal Party)
RO
Uniunea Democrată Maghiară din România/ Romániai Magyar Demokrata Szövetség UDMR/RMDSZ
epp.eu/rmdsz
· (Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania)
Partidul Naţional Ţărănesc Creştin Democrat · PNŢCD
epp.eu/pntcd
· (Christian-Democratic National Peasants‘ Party)
Slovenská Demokratická a Kresťanská Únia Demokratická Strana · SDKÚ-DS
SK
epp.eu/sdku
· (Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party)
Kresťanskodemokratické hnutie · KDH · (Christian Democratic Movement) Strana Maďarskej Koalície/Magyar Koalíció Pártja · MKP
epp.eu/kdh epp.eu/mkp
· (Party of Hungarian Coalition)
Slovenska Demokratska Stranka · SDS · (Slovenian Democratic Party) Slovenska Ljudska Stranka · SLS
SI
epp.eu/sds epp.eu/sls
· (Slovenian People’s Party)
Nova Slovenija – Krščanska Ljudska Stranka · NSI
epp.eu/nsi
· (New Slovenia – Christian People’s Party)
Partido Popular · PP
epp.eu/pp
· (People’s Party)
ES
Unió Democràtica de Catalunya · UDC
epp.eu/unio
· (Democratic Union of Catalonia)
Moderaterna · MOD
epp.eu/mod
· (Moderate Party)
SE
Kristdemokraterna · KD
epp.eu/kd-se
· (Christian Democrats)
Single Party Government Senior Coalition Partner Junior Coalition Partner Not in Government
*
Observer Status
Symbols next to the country name correspond to governmental status of EPP member parties in respective country. Order of national member parties is correlated with their governmental status or representation in respective national parliaments. Asterisk next to the party name corresponds to observer status within the EPP.
Other European Countries Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë · PD* AL
Беларускі Народны Фронт · БНФ/BPF* BY
epp.eu/pd
· (Democratic Party of Albania)
epp.eu/bnf
· (Belarusan Popular Front)
Объединенная Гражданская Партия · ОГП/UCP*
epp.eu/ucp
· (United Civil Party)
Stranka Demokratske Akcije · SDA* BA
epp.eu/sda
· (Party of Democratic Action)
Hrvatska Demokratska Zajednica Bosne i Hercegovine · HDZBiH*
epp.eu/hdzbih
· (Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Партија Демократског Прогреса/Partija Demokratskog Progresa · ПДП/PDP*
epp.eu/pdp
· (Party of Democratic Progress)
Hrvatska Demokratska Zajednica · HDZ HR
epp.eu/hdz
· (Croatian Democrat Union)
Hrvatska Seljačka Stranka · HSS
epp.eu/hss
· (Croatian Peasant Party)
Demokratski Centar · DC*
epp.eu/dc
· (Democratic Centre)
MK
Внатрешна македонска револуционерна организација – Демократска партија за македонско национално единство · ВМРО-ДПМНЕ/VMRO-DPMNE*
epp.eu/vmro-dpmne
· (Internal „Macedonian“ Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for „Macedonian“ National Unity)
GE
ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა / Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba · UNM* · (United National Movement)
Partidul Liberal Democrat din Moldova · PLDM* MD
epp.eu/unm
epp.eu/pldm
· (Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova)
Partidul Popular Creştin Democrat · PPCD*
epp.eu/ppcd
· (Christian Democratic People’s Party)
Høyre NO
epp.eu/hoyre
· (Conservative Party)
Kristelig Folkeparti · KrF*
epp.eu/krf
· (Christian Democratic Party)
Partito Democratico Cristiano Sammarinese · PDCS* SM
RS
epp.eu/pdcs
· (Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party)
G17 PLUS
epp.eu/g17plus
Демократска странка Србије/Demokratska Stranka Srbije · DSS
epp.eu/dss
· (Democratic Party of Serbia)
Savez Vojvođanskih Mađara/Vajdasági Magyar Szövetség· VMSZ*
epp.eu/vmsz
· (Alliance of Hungarians in Vojvodina)
Christlich Demokratische Volkspartei · CVP CH
Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi · AKP* TK
epp.eu/akp
· (Justice and Development Party)
Батьківщина/Batkivshcyna* UA
epp.eu/cvp
· (Christian Democratic People’s Party)
epp.eu/batkivshchyna
· (Fatherland Party)
Народний Союз „Наша Україна”/Narodnyi Soyuz Nasha Ukrayina · NSNU*
epp.eu/nsnu
· (People’s Union “Our Ukraine“)
Народний Рух України/Narodnyi Rukh Ukrajiny · RUKH* · (People’s Movement of Ukraine)
epp.eu/nru
Map of Europe
EU Country with EPP lead government EU Country Non-EU Country with EPP lead government Non-EU Country
Iceland Reykjavik
Finland
Sweden Norway
Helsinki Oslo Tallinn
Stockholm
Estonia Moscow
Russia Riga
Denmark
Latvia
Lithuania Copenhagen
Vilnius
(Russia)
Minsk
Ireland Dublin
Berlin
Amsterdam
United Kingdom London
Belarus
Warsaw
Netherlands
Poland
Germany Brussels
Kiev
Belgium
Prague
Czech Rep.
Luxembourg Paris
France
Switzerland
Ljubljana
Italy Monaco
Moldova
Budapest
Hungary Croatia
Belgrade
Bosnia & Herzegovina
San Marino
Chisinau
Romania
Zagreb
Slovenia
Andorra
Bratislava
Austria
Bern
Ukraine
Slovakia
Vienna
Bucharest
Serbia
Sarajevo
Sofia
Montenegro Rome
Podgorica
Georgia
Bulgaria
Tbilisi
Skopje
F.Y.R.O.M
Portugal Lisbon
Armenia
Tirana
Madrid
Albania
Ankara
Yerevan
Turkey
Spain
Athens
Malta
Valletta
Nicosia
Cyprus
EPP Headquarters | Rue du Commerce 10 | B-1000 Brussels February 2011 | Funded by the European Parliament
Not visible on this Map: Guadaloupe (F) / Guayana (F) / Martinique(F) / RÊunion (F) Curaçao (NL) / Bonaire (NL) / Sint Maarten (NL) Azores (P)