European Youth Parliament
February 2015
Committee Topics - Izmir 2015 78th International Session of the European Youth Parliament 1. COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS I (AFCO I) After almost a decade of accession negotiations and more than 15 years as a Candidate, how should the framework for exploiting the full potential of EUTurkey relations look like? Introduction Caught between two stools: will Turkey ever become a Member State of the EU or only go into privileged partnership? Since the opening of negotiations in 2005 only one of 35 chapters, the EU’s benchmark assessment criteria of legal compatibility with potential members, has been closed. At the same time, Turkish President Erdogan’s government has been harshly criticised for its violent handling of the Gezi Park and Taksim Square protests in 2013, along with his restriction of freedom of speech and media. These latter issues are regarded as a consequence of opposition from parts of the Turkish population deploring their increasingly authoritarian state. However, the EU is also divided on the issue of further enlargement: whilst some Member States call on the Turkish government to initiate reforms, others question Turkey’s compatibility with European values and argue in favour of a partnership deal instead of full membership. The Committee on Foreign Affairs I will be tasked with taking all of the aforementioned developments and concerns into account and proposing a way forward for the future of EU-Turkey relations. Progress or breakoff; the decision may very well redefine the EU’s limits.
2. COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS II (AFCO II) How should the EU react to the ever-declining voter turnout in European elections, the low levels of trust in EU institutions and the rise of Eurosceptic parties? Introduction Opposition to the European project, both its intended goal of an ever-closer union and its current form, are nothing new. However, the political and economic crises following the turmoil of the European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 (0)30 97 00 50 95 Fax::+49 (0)30 280 95 150
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sovereign debt crisis have increased pressure on the EU to respond to growing criticisms of its structure, ideals and policies. The Committee on Constitutional Affairs II must distinguish between the various causes and forms of Euroscepticism and determine if the recent successes of anti-austerity parties, such as Syriza, are separate from a broader mistrust of EU institutions, exemplified by Britain’s UKIP. If the basic structure of the EU is to blame for declining trust and low voter turnout, then there are many possible solutions that could fundamentally change the future of the Union. From symbolic measures such as removing the Parliament’s seat in Strasbourg to declaring the end of integration in its current form, members of this committee will debate the viability of the European Union as we know it.
3. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS I (AFET I) Crisis at the EU’s Eastern borders? Considering the ongoing violence in EasternUkraine, what role should the EU play in bringing back peace and stability to Ukraine? Introduction At the wake of 2015, Ukrainians continue to live in distress as violence and unrest keep on ravaging the eastern parts of the country where the annexation of Crimea and underlying tensions between the Ukraine and Russia are felt strongly. Despite these developments, Ukraine remains divided over whether to strengthen its ties with the EU or not. At the same time, the Union takes a more active role in supporting Ukraine in trilateral talks. Following the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on January 30th, the High Representative of the Union, Federica Mogherini announced the continuation and intensification of sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, she emphasised that the EU will continue exerting pressure on both parties to fulfill conditions set out in the Minsk Protocol, a trilateral agreement between the representatives of Ukraine, Russia and OSCE to halt the war in the Donbass region. The Committee on Foreign Affairs I will discuss the role of the European Union in resolving this conflict while at the same time respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
4. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS II (AFET II) With numerous Member States taking part in military actions against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the European Council calling for a comprehensive strategy to tackle this threat, what measures should the EU take to eradicate violence and bring back stability to the region? Introduction The actions of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and the activities of other extremist groups in Iraq and Syria, are a growing threat to the security of the European countries. In response to significant territorial expansion, violent massacres and forced conversion during the recent years from ISIL, an international Anti-Islamic State coalition led by the US began a military campaign against ISIL in Iraq and Syria in September 2014, supported by more than a dozen European and Arab states. More European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 (0)30 97 00 50 95 Fax::+49 (0)30 280 95 150
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than six months after said events, significant gains in counter-attack are yet to be realised. The Committee on Foreign Affairs II will dive into the history of the Islamic State as a radical Islamist group, into its aims and and intentions, define whether it is a direct, imminent threat to the EU, or just a potential risk for the future, as well as focus on designing the comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism in Iraq and Syria.
5. COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (AGRI) The second pillar of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): In light of the priorities announced for the Rural Development Policy (RDP) for the period 2014-2020, how should the EU endeavour to balance the competitiveness of its agricultural sector, sustainable management of natural resources and the territorial development of rural economies? Introduction The rural sector has a crucial impact on the economy of the European Union. Despite being the source of numerous products sold worldwide, as well as providing jobs for millions within the Union, Member States’ agricultural profits have decreased by 1,2% in 2013. Should the 2020 targets for RDP not be met, profits are likely to decrease even further. Although the European Commission continues to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with a view to accommodating all Member States’ needs, striking the right balance and protecting both small and big farms’ interests remain as some of the largest challenges. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will have to find a way to take the different economies, resources as well as consumers and producers’ needs across the Union into account, and pave the way for a more sustainable and competitive agricultural sector.
6. COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE (CLIM) The upcoming 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris could mark a decisive stage in the negotiations of a post-2020 international agreement on climate change. What role should the EU play in the negotiations of a binding and universal climate agreement? Introduction From Kyoto in 1992 to Paris this coming year, climate negotiations have been a significant area of disagreement amongst nation-states since the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Whilst the threat and urgency of climate change have been acknowledged, there has been no effective legally binding agreement to mitigate the effects of global warming. The Kyoto Protocol attempted to do this but failed as a comprehensive treaty, only securing the participation of one of the top five major emitters. The US, the largest emitter, refused to ratify the agreement, undermining the potential long-term sustainability of Kyoto. The upcoming Paris conference offers the chance to produce a new universal agreement committing all members, including major emitters, European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 (0)30 97 00 50 95 Fax::+49 (0)30 280 95 150
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to achieving set goals whilst accommodating the respective capabilities of each country. With successful initiatives such as Horizon 2020, the EU has so far set a precedent in international climate negotiations. Committee on Climate Change will have to decide what approach to take to guarantee ambitious targets for all whilst still contributing to an enforceable and palatable agreement.
7. COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT (DEVE) Donor or investor in the fight against poverty? With the European Commission declaring 2015 as the European Year for Development, what role should the EU play in supporting sustainable growth in developing countries? Introduction In 2010 the world surpassed its goal of cutting the poverty rate in half by 2015. Despite this incredible feat, the number of people living in extreme poverty remains unacceptably high. Today, there is a growing gap between the rich and the poor throughout the globe, made indisputable by the suffering in developing countries. While 85% of Europeans currently believe that it is important to give to developing countries, it is increasingly evident that there is more that can be done to close the gap. The Committee on Development will look at the work of Concord Europe, a coalition of European development NGOs, and the relationship between the EU and the UN. In doing so, it will investigate the successes of the Millennium Development Goals and reshape how we support the development of countries so that they may become self-sufficient in the long-term and thus reduce poverty on a more permanent basis.
8. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS I (ECON I) Evasion versus avoidance? How should Member States address tax avoidance, while respecting their citizens’ right to privacy and Third-Party States’ sovereignty? Introduction The loss in revenue stream from tax avoidance and evasion practices has a large impact on different Member States and the EU in its entirety. The loss of revenue severely hinders Member States from meeting their economic and social responsibilities, hence affecting EU citizens directly. Tax avoidance and evasion practices include aggressive tax planning by individuals and corporations in order to reduce tax liability. It can also involve transferring funds to offshore accounts in or outside of Europe to places offering stability and low, or even zero, tax rates. In an already complex environment when it comes to the discerning between legal and illegal tax avoidance practices, other key factors complicate things further. Member States' right to fiscal sovereignty, discrepancies in tax regulations, tax havens outside the EU that cannot be influenced by regulation, and the right of depositors to financial privacy, are all issues that members of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs I
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will grapple with in order to produce a solution that could greatly increase the capacity of Member States to provide for their citizens.
9. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS II (ECON II) With funding for European Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) coming primarily from banks and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker calling for a better access for SMEs to capital markets: what should the EU do to diversify the sources of funding, and cut the costs of raising capital, for SMEs? Introduction If SMEs are the lifeblood of European economy, funding is the pump that keeps the blood running through its veins. SMEs, which make up 99% of European businesses, are a key factor of growth, job creation and innovation. Securing funding for these businesses is vital, yet challenging. While banks remain SMEs’ preferred source of funding, they are reluctant to invest their capital as a result of recession and increased regulation. The barriers to SMEs’ access to alternatives in private equity, public capital markets and government programmes depend on their size, location and business type. The European Commission has recently launched its plans for a Capital Markets Union that will make access to finance easier and more diverse for all firms. So now is the time to develop innovative solutions that can both address the urgent, short-term needs of SMEs and secure their long-term prosperity. The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs II will explore the fascinating world of small business funding and have a chance to make a contribution in the very topical debate on improving SMEs’ access to funding throughout Europe.
10. COMMITTEE ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY (FEMM) The role of services and the support of partners and communities in family planning: what measures should be taken to ensure European women have better control over their sexual and reproductive lives and provide consistent access to basic support and services pertaining to reproductive health? Introduction Problems in reproductive and sexual health are today considered by many to be a plague of the global south, an issue long conquered by developed countries. Indeed, maternal and child mortality across Europe is not only less than that of the rest of the world, but also decreasing faster. However, this does not mean that Europe is free from problems where reproductive rights are concerned, merely that the problems faced are different, and often far from obvious. Nor does it mean that the quality of reproductive and sexual health services are uniform across Europe. Support varies wildly between states and quality of care in Eastern Europe remains a concern. Many European women report delaying starting a family because of a lack of structural support, preventable deaths and diseases are European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 (0)30 97 00 50 95 Fax::+49 (0)30 280 95 150
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still prevalent and many states continue to fail to provide adequate medical and educational services. The Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality will discuss how best to raise standards in all European states, including benchmarking care in Eastern Europe, and work towards a genuine conquering of the problems that exist across the continent.
11. COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE (INTA) A threat for the acquis communautaire or a quantum leap for economic growth? How should the EU position itself in the next round of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations? Introduction TTIP is a proposed free trade agreement between the EU and the USA. A study by the European Commission shows that after the ratification of the agreement, the size of the EU´s economy is expected to grow by 0.5% of GDP, which, among others, means that the exportation sector of the EU could increase by several millions of jobs and that wages for both skilled and less skilled workers alike might grow by 0.5%. Though TTIP is neither a recent project nor the first of its kind, the inner-EU debates about the secretive nature of the negotiations have recently culminated, leading to the eventual publication of the negotiated texts on January 7, 2015. In essence, the to-be free trade area could lead to a negative readjustment of European food safety and labour standards; more broadly the consumer protection aspect of the agreement and the widely opaque ISDS clause worry the EU citizens and the Member States. The newly elected European Commission lists the trade agreement as one of its priorities, but the next rounds of negotiations are coming at a time where European governments, numerous activists’ groups and EU citizens reject the agreement.
12. COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY (ITRE) Improving the hardware and software towards a single European energy market? What further steps should the EU take to ensure all Member States have access to energy that is affordable, competitively priced, secure and environmentally sustainable? Introduction Economic growth as well as the EU citizens´ quality of life highly depends on basic resources such as energy. All societies need energy; therefore the ability to provide it plays a dominant role in global geopolitics. The EU currently meet over 50% of their energy needs by importing crude oil and natural gas. The shared competence in the field of energy policy between the EU and the Member States has allowed great energy prices diversification as well as different energy mixes among the Member States. The EU has already agreed on a decarbonalised common future, bringing the volatile renewables in the game. It seems that the new European Commission is planning to revise the current European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 (0)30 97 00 50 95 Fax::+49 (0)30 280 95 150
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Europe 2020 energy targets, with a focus on the internal market and technological developments pave the way for smart, dynamic energy grids. The new strategy will come at a time of turbulences with the major trade partners, like the ongoing Ukraine crisis and the significant drop of oil price, but also and massive US investments in fracking.
13. COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS I (LIBE I) Pandering to domestic party politics or a genuine concern of European citizens? How should the EU respond to Member States wishing to curtail the right to free movement? Introduction Free movement is one of the most emblematic rights of EU citizens. Though arguably seen as one of the greatest achievements of the European Union, it is also harshly questioned and criticized by several Member States. A striking example is the United Kingdom, where politicians argue such internal movements have negative effects on national welfare systems, as there seems to be a mismatch between immigrants’ minor contribution and their access to national benefits. It is not very easy to tell whether this line of thought is prevalent among and is backed by majority of the citizens, or if it is the result of parties hoping to capitalise on recessionary mistrust. Amid such uncertainty and split opinions, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs I will reflect on the underlying questions of how European citizens understand migration in the EU, to what extent ‘complete’ freedom of movement is feasible, and what European solutions should be developed in response to the recent concerns raised in relation to free movement.
14. COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS II (LIBE II) Je suis Charlie? What measures should the EU take to guarantee the safety of its citizens and the protection of basic civil liberties such as the right to freedom of expression and speech, as well as of thought, conscience and religion? Introduction Just hours after the attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, millions of people took to social media to express their condolences and their support for freedom of speech through the hashtag #jesuischarlie (I am Charlie), and millions marched for free speech all over Europe. While #jesuischarlie is one of the most used hashtags in Twitter’s history, criticism towards it didn’t take long to surface. Many people also took to Twitter and other social media platforms to state their discontent with the drawings published by Charlie Hebdo and news media used the slogan "Je ne suis pas Charlie" to discuss why they chose not to publish any Charlie Hebdo cartoons as part of their news reporting. In the aftermath of the attacks, hate crimes towards religious groups are peaking in many European countries with several mosques and synagogues being victim to right-wing attacks in recent weeks. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs II will take a closer look at the EU European Youth Parliament, Sophienstraße 28-29, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Tel.: +49 (0)30 97 00 50 95 Fax::+49 (0)30 280 95 150
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and Member States that are now faced with the challenge of guaranteeing free expression and speech while combating religious extremism and rising right-wing extremist groups at the same time.
15. COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS III (LIBE III) How should the EU support companies and citizens in safely gaining access to virtual currencies, given their recent weaknesses to cybercrime? Introduction A virtual currency is a form of decentralised and encrypted digital money, issued and usually controlled by its developers. This also means that national governments or other financial institutions have limited to no regulatory power on the current usage of virtual currencies. With the digital market taking a more prominent role in the everyday life of the EU citizens and the shift of business cultures, several virtual communities are emerging, and with them different virtual currencies. Faster, cheaper and safer transactions can be made using virtual currencies. However, there are still concerns about the risk of fraud, unexpected exchange rates as well as potential for illegal activity such as money laundry or tax evasion. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs III will dive into the world of 1s and 0s, and attempt to come up with measures that should be taken by the EU with a view to making virtual currencies less vulnerable and ensuring their safe usage.
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