YEARBOOK 2011 OF THE EPP GROUP I N T H E E U R O P E A N PA R L I A M E N T
EPP Group in the European Parliament
Foreword by the Chairman
11
The EPP Group
15
1. The Group’s structure
15
2. How we work
15
3. Description
16
> The Presidency
> EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees
19 20 23 25 26
> EPP Group Chairmen of EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations
29
4. The President (EPP) of the European Council
31
5. Members (EPP) of the European Commission
31
6. The 271 Members of the Group
32
7. The General Secretariat of the Group
36
> Heads of National Delegations > EPP Group Members in the Bureau of the European Parliament > EPP Group Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees
> Contents
Events
39
12/01/2011: Inauguration ceremony of the Loyola de Palacio meeting room in the European Parliament in Brussels 12/01/2011:
Hearing on A Radio Spectrum Policy Programme for Europe
26/01/2011: MEP 2.0 Workshop: Communicate and dialogue with electors through social networks like Facebook 01/02/2011: Conference on The European dimension of organized crime in the light of the Lisbon Treaty
40 43 44
09/02/2011: Hearing on Combatting Trafficking For Forced Labour
45 46 49
09/02/2011: Hearing on H1N1 influenza pandemic: Which lessons to learn for a better EU Management and EU Coordination with Member States?
50
08/02/2011: European Evening of the EPP Group
3 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
01/03/2011: MEP 2.0 Workshop - Become a real 2.0 MEP through blogging, YouTube and other 2.0 tools 02/03/2011: Hearing on GMOs cultivation: Towards safe freedom of choice for farmers and consumers?
51
10/03/2011: Meeting with the President of Hungary
52 53 54
23/03/2011: Inauguration ceremony of the Alcide De Gasperi meeting room at the European Parliament in Brussels
55
02/03/2011: Conference on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
23/03/2011: MEP Workshop 2.0: What is changing in politics? The emergence of an e-democracy 29/03/2011: Hearing on What do Young Europeans know about Totalitarianisms? 30/03/2011: Presidency meeting with the Ambassadors of the Member countries of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean 30/03/2011: Hearing on Sport 30/03/2011: Hearing on The Future of EU Intelligence and Internal Security 30/03/2011: Hearing on Storage and Management of Hazardous Waste in the EU 31/03/2011: Hearing on Who pays for Data Protection? 12/04/2011: Conference on Generational Renewal in Agriculture 12/04/2011: Conference on European Energy Research Alliance 19/04/2011: Conference on Georgia - Reactivation of the future of EU-Georgia relations 20/04/2011: Presentation of the Schuman Report 2011 on the state of the EU 07-08/05/11: Open Days of the European Institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg
58 59 60 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
30/06/2011: Hearing on Financial Regulations in Cohesion Policy
71 73 74 75 76 77
30/06/2011: Hearing on Traceability and Labelling of Fish Products on the EU Market
78
01/06/2011: Hearing on What Future for European Research? 15/06/2011:
In Memoriam: Paolo Barbi, Former Chairman of the EPP Group
29/06/2011: Hearing on New Psychoactive Substances 30/06/2011: Hearing on EU-Taiwan Trade Relations
04/07/2011:
I n Memoriam: Otto von Habsburg, first Honorary Member of the EPP Group
13/07/2011: Hearing on Shale Gas Drilling and Underground Water 30/08/2011: Inauguration of the ‘Agora Simone Veil’ and ‘Esplanade Solidarność 1980’ 07/09/2011: Hearing on the Mobility and Inclusion of People with Disabilities
4 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
79 80 81 82
07/09/2011: Hearing on The Future European Space Policy 07/09/2011: Hearing on EU Migration Policy 07/09/2011: Conference on the 2011 International Year of Forests - ‘European and global forests - which way for the future?’ 13/09/2011: Meeting with the President of the European Commission 21/09/2011: Hearing on The Migration of Young Women 21/09/2011: Conference on Regional Policy 21/09/2011: Conference on The Central Place of Human Work for the European Social Market Economy
83 84 85 86 87 88
12/10/2011: Hearing on Facing the threat of Piracy
89 90
18/10/2011: Hearing on Agriculture in times of climate change - organic farming approaches to face the challenge
92
18/10/2011: Conference on the 20 anniversary of the re-independence of the Baltic States
93
th
19/10/2011: Hearing on the Commission’s Report on the memory of the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes in Europe 20/10/2011: Hearing on Rehabilitation of former prisoners 20/10/2011: Hearing on the mobility of workers in the Single Market in times of crisis 08/11/2011: Presentation of Leo Tindemans’ Archives 10/11/2011: Hearing on Medical care in developing countries 10/11/2011: Hearing on Building European Energy Diplomacy: External Dimension of Energy Security for Europe 16/11/2011: LUX 2011 - European Parliament Film Prize 30/11/2011:
Conference Persecuted Christians in the Middle East
30/11/2011:
Exchange of views with the President of the European Council
01/12/2011:
Hearing on Internet - Fair, Open and Secure
13/12/2011:
Joseph Daul re-elected Chairman of the EPP Group
External meetings
94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 106 109
1. BUREAU MEETINGS
110
03-04/03/2011: Bureau Meeting in Zagreb, Croatia
110 116 124
08-09/09/2011: Bureau Meeting in Wrocław, Poland 13-14/10/2011: Bureau Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria
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2. STUDY DAYS
130 11
> Recast - Eurovignette
210 214 218
3. Standing Working Group “Legal and Home Affairs”
221
155
> Impact Assessment
4. 14th Dialogue with Religions and Cultures and the EPP Group
156
> EU Accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
222 225 228
10-11/11/2011: Esztergom, Hungary
156
07-08/12/2011: Study Days in Marseille, France
130 11 145 11
3. EIN SUMMER UNIVERSITY
155
22-24/09/2011: Bucharest, Romania
04-06/05/2011: Study Days in Palermo, Italy
> Financial Markets Supervision > Governance Package
> The Schengen area > The application of the Waste Management Directive, and related directives, in the Member States of the European Union > The European dimension of Sport
230 233 235
4. Standing Working Group “Budget and Structural Policies”
237
> The EU budget 2012
> The EC 5th Cohesion Report and the strategy for the post-2013 Cohesion Policy
238 242 245 247 250
> Objective 3: future agenda for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation
253
> Women and business leadership
Parliamentary Work Service
165
Head of Service: Miguel Papi-Boucher, Deputy Secretary General
1. Standing Working Group “Foreign Affairs”
166
> Increasing the impact of EU development aid
167 170 173
> Activities of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in 2010 > EEAS > Developments in the Southern Mediterranean region & the Middle East > The EU and the United Nations
175 178 180 183 187
> The revision of the EU financial rules > The discharge of the European Parliament 2009 > Implementation of the Cohesion Policy programmes for 2007-13
> The CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future
191
> New Protocols of the Fisheries Partnership Agreements
254 258 260 263 268
2. Standing Working Group “Economy & Environment”
195
> The EP’s political and budgetary priorities on the future Multiannual Financial Framework
270
> New skills and new jobs
196 199 201 202 204 208
5. Additional contributions
273
> Annual Legislative programme
274 276 278 287
> New Trade Policy under the Europe 2020 strategy > EU-Central America Association Agreement > EU-Colombia and Peru Trade Agreement > International investment policy of the EU: common standards and better protection of European investors
> Single Market Act > Roaming III > Remit > Food labelling > Forest Policy
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> Contractual relations in the milk and milk products sector > Agricultural product quality schemes and marketing standards > The proposals for the new Common Fisheries Policy
> Co-decision procedure > Political Strategy > CRIS Committee
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National Parliaments Service
293
Publications in 2011
353
> The EPP Group and National Parliaments
293
The European People’s Party (EPP)
365
> 14th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels 27-28 June, 2011
294
Head of Service: Beatrice Scarascia-Mugnozza
> 15th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels, 5 December 2011 > EPP EU Affairs Networks > EPP Young Members Network > EPP and Interparliamentary cooperation in the EU > Joint Parliamentary Meeting on “Social Cohesion and Demographic Development in a Sustainable Europe” 5-6 December 2011 > Joint Committee Meetings > Communicating with our partners
International Relations Service
298 303 307 308 312 315 322 329
Head of Service: Joanna Jarecka-Gomez > Outlook of the activities of the Service in 2011 > Arab Spring: Challenges and prospects > Relations between the EU and BRICS: Towards a global partnership? > Croatia: Sprint > The Arab Peninsula Countries
329 334 337 340 342
365 367 368 369 369 371 372
> About us > Structure > Presidency > Political Assembly > Congress > EU EPP Heads of State and Government > Other EU Heads of State and Government
> Seminars
373 373 373 374 375
> Associations
376
> Think-Tanks, Foundations
378
> General Secretariat
380
> Activities > Summits > Ministerial meetings > Working Groups
Contents of the CD-ROM
383
> Yearbook 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > The Reunification of Europe (SL, PL)
Press and Communications Service
347
Head of Service: Robert Fitzhenry > Communication strategy and planning > Internet and New Media > Website > Social Media > EPP Group TV > Promotional Material/VIP Gadgets > Group Publications > Meet your MEP Programme > Open Days 2011
348 349 349 349 350 350 350 351 351
> Alcide De Gasperi Christian, Democrat, European (EN, FR, DE, IT, ES) > Foreign Affairs - More Europe is the answer EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Economy & Environment - More Europe is the answer, EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Budget & Structural Policies - More Europe is the answer, EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Legal & Home Affairs - More Europe is the answer, EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Meeting of the EPP Group Bureau in Zagreb, Croatia (EN, FR, DE) > EPP Group Bureau Meeting, Sofia ,Bulgaria (EN, FR, DE, BG) > EPP Group Bureau Meeting, Wrocław, Poland (EN, FR, DE, PL) > EPP Group Study Days in Palermo, Italy (EN, FR, DE, IT)
8 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
9 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Foreword by the Chairman The Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) in the European Parliament is the most influential political force in the European Parliament, not only because it has 271 active and committed members but also and above all because its political action is based on ideals, principles and values that I will summarise in two words: freedom and responsibility.
> Foreword by the Chairman
Never have those values, which we have inherited from the founding fathers of Europe – Robert Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi, Konrad Adenauer, to cite only the most familiar names – been as modern, as relevant as they have been during the difficult, but also fascinating times our countries and the European Union have lived through since the financial crisis of 2008. What is it that EPP Group MEPs, alongside members of the national parliaments and the 21 out of 27 governments that belong to our political family, actually want? Quite simply we want to guarantee our generation and generations to come a governance that allows us and them to live with quiet confidence in a world of rapid change. Our top priority is to enable each and every individual to live from their work, their talents, to be able to express their creativity and their ambition. That applies to young people, who must have the chance to receive the best kind of education and training. It applies to both those engaged in work and those who have reached the age of retirement. And of course it also applies to those, of whom fortunately there are increasing numbers, who can enjoy their free time and social life at the end of their working career. People can best express themselves if they live in a good and healthy environment, if they can make use of their talents, be they cultural or social. In short, it relates to every aspect of private life and participation in society.
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Our second priority is to enable the 500 million Europeans to maintain, deepen and develop their way of life, their cultural heritage and their specific qualities that are the envy of much of the world.
We hope that this publication, the fruit of a collective effort over an entire year, will serve as a useful tool to illustrate these key principles that underlie our activities, in the service of 500 million Europeans.
To be European does not just mean living in relative comfort, does not just mean freedom of thought, the freedom to speak, publish and even protest.
Happy reading!
To be European also and above all, I repeat, means sharing common values, based on faith and/or humanism. In an increasingly globalised world, how can we protect that heritage and how can we maintain if not increase our influence in the world? For us, MEPs, the answer is self-evident: only if we are united will we succeed.
Joseph Daul,
It is true that our countries no longer have the necessary influence to guarantee their fellow citizens the freedom and security they need in the modern world. That can only be done at the regional level, at European level.
Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament
In relation to all the major issues, whether climate, energy, individual safety, food security, protection of human rights, economic governance or migration, we can no longer achieve anything enduring or sustainable at national level alone: we must join forces. That is why the EPP Group has, throughout the past year, stood up for the Community method, for the idea of sharing rather than every man for himself. It is a difficult fight because it is not in tune with the times. It is an ambitious but necessary fight, which looks to the long term rather than to the next elections. Our proposal to Europeans is to work more closely together rather than each fighting their own corner, to share our sovereignty. That in no way prevents each and every one of our compatriots from being proud of their own country, their own language, their own culture and customs. To be European, to stand up for a vision of society that is not based solely on a power struggle but on respect for others, even if they are ‘weaker’ in one way or another, that is an asset for the world. An asset that all EPP Group’s MEPs do their utmost to protect, vis-à-vis and against all others.
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13 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
THE EPP GROUP 1. The Group’s structure Founded as the Christian Democrat Group on 23 June 1953 as a faction in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the Group changed its name to the ‘Group of the European People’s Party’ (Christian-Democratic Group) in July 1979, just after the first direct elections to the European Parliament, and to ‘Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats’ in July 1999. After the European elections in 2009, the Group went back to its roots as the ‘Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)’. It has always played a leading role in the construction of Europe.
1 > EPP Group
The Chairman of the EPP Group is Joseph Daul MEP. He chairs its governing bodies and speaks for the Group in keynote debates in the European Parliament. He is supported by Coordinators on each of the Parliament’s Committees and by Heads of the national delegations represented in the Group. The operational needs of the Group are serviced by a Group secretariat, providing policy and organisational support. The Group runs its own Think-Tank - the European Ideas Network - which brings together opinion-formers from the worlds of politics, business, academia and civic society across Europe, to discuss the major policy issues facing the European Union.
2. How we work As the largest political group in a Parliament, with 271 Members, the EPP Group is in a stronger position than any other to set that body’s political agenda and to win its most critical votes. This strength is reflected in the fact that, since 1999, the EPP Group has been on the winning side of more votes than any other group in the European Parliament’s monthly plenary sessions. Strength of numbers also ensures that EPP Group Members hold a range of key positions within the Parliament - including the Parliament’s Presidency, 5 of its Vice-Presidencies, Chairmanships of 10 of the EP’s 22 committees or subcommittees, and 2 of its 5 Quaestorships. Within the Parliamentary committees, EPP Group Members are best placed to secure the right to author the EP’s position on key pieces of draft legislation and other major reports: the Group gets more of these “rapporteurships” on more important subjects than any other Group.
15 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
The task of the European Parliament, which is elected every five years by direct universal suffrage, lies in exercising democratic control over the decision-making process in the European Union on behalf of Europe’s citizens.
EPP Group
The Presidency
Composition: there are 753 Members of the European Parliament, representing close to 500 million Europeans.
The Presidency consists of the Group Chairman and of ten Vice-Chairmen. The Members of the Presidency agree among themselves on an allocation of tasks, including the Group’s Treasurer and the chairmanships of the standing working groups.
3. Description
The Bureau
With 271 Members, the EPP Group is by far the largest political Group in the European Parliament.
The Bureau, the Group’s political organ, consists of:
Its membership is made up of:
> The Presidency > The Heads of national delegations > The President and Vice-Presidents of Parliament belonging to the Group > The Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees belonging to the Group > The Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees belonging to the Group > The Chairman and the Secretary-General of the European People’s Party if they are members of the European Parliament > One co-opted Member for every 10 Members of a national delegation
42 35 30 29 25 14 14 10 7 7 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 1 1
Members from Germany Members from Italy Members from France Members from Poland Members from Spain Members from Hungary Members from Romania Members from Portugal Members from Greece Members from Bulgaria Members from Austria Members from Slovakia Members from Belgium Members from The Netherlands Members from Sweden Members from Ireland Members from Lithuania Members from Finland Members from Latvia Members from Slovenia Members from Luxembourg Members from Malta Members from Cyprus Members from the Czech Republic Member from Denmark Member from Estonia
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The four permanent Working Groups Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’ > Committee on Foreign Affairs > Subcommittee on Security and Defence > Subcommittee on Human Rights > Committee on Development > Committee on International Trade Chairman: Ioannis Kasoulides Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’ > Committee on Budgets > Committee on Budgetary Control > Committee on Regional Development > Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development > Committee on Fisheries Chairman: Marian-Jean Marinescu
17 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’
EPP Group
The Presidency
> Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs > Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety > Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection > Committee on Transport and Tourism > Committee on Employment and Social Affairs > Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Chairwoman: Corien Wortmann-Kool Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ > Committee on Legal Affairs > Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs > Committee on Constitutional Affairs > Committee on Petitions > Committee on Culture and Education > Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Chairman: Manfred Weber
Joseph Daul
Jaime Mayor Oreja
Corien Wortmann-Kool
József Szájer
Manfred Weber
Vito Bonsignore
Jan Olbrycht
Paulo Rangel
Marian-Jean Marinescu
Ioannis Kasoulides
Gunnar Hökmark
Chairman
Vice-Chairman Parliamentary Work
Vice-Chairman Treasurer Intercultural Relations
Vice-Chairman Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’
18 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Vice-Chairman Political Strategy European Ideas Network
Vice-Chairman Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ Conciliations
Vice-Chairwoman Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’
Vice-Chairman Mediterranean Union, Euromed
Vice-Chairman Relations with National Parliaments Communication Strategy
Vice-Chairman Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’
Vice-Chairman Neighbourhood Policy and EURONEST
19 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
EPP Group
Heads of National Delegations
Heads of National Delegations
Werner Langen
Markus Ferber
Mario Mauro
Marietta Giannakou
Othmar Karas
Andrey Kovatchev
Giuseppe Gargani
Jean-Pierre Audy
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski
Anna Záborská
Marianne Thyssen
Wim van de Camp
Jaime Mayor Oreja
József Szájer
András Gyürk
Gunnar Hökmark
Gay Mitchell
Vytautas Landsbergis
Theodor Dumitru Stolojan
Paulo Rangel
Nuno Melo
Ville Itälä
Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš
Frank Engel
Germany
Italy
Spain
Romania
Germany
France
Hungary
Portugal
20 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Italy
Poland
Hungary
Portugal
Greece
Slovakia
Sweden
Finland
Austria
Bulgaria
Belgium
The Netherlands
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
21 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
EPP Group
Heads of National Delegations
EPP Group Members in the Bureau of the European Parliament
Milan Zver
Zuzana Roithová
Ioannis Kasoulides
Simon Busuttil
Bendt Bendtsen
Tunne Kelam
Slovenia
Malta
Czech Republic
Denmark
Cyprus
Jerzy Buzek
Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou
Alejo Vidal-Quadras
Roberta Angelilli
László Tőkés
Rainer Wieland
President
Estonia
Vice-President Responsibilities: > Budget and Buildings > Member of Working Group on Information and Communication Policy > Member of Interinstitutional Working Group on Communication > Statute of Members > Assistants, Pension Fund
Vice-President Responsibilities: > Education (including European Schools) and Sports > UNESCO > Intercultural Dialogue and Relations with Churches > Parliamentary Assembly of Members of the European Parliament and Members of national parliaments of countries forming part of the Eastern European Neighbourhood Policy - Euronest > Western Balkans
22 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Vice-President Responsibilities: > Information Policy: Press and Citizens Relations > Chair of Working Group on Information and Communication Policy > Chair of Interinstitutional Working Group on Communication > Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly > Network of Mediterranean Universities
Vice-President Responsibilities: > Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly > Personnel > Children’s Rights
Vice-President Responsibilities: > Informatics and Telecom > Audit Panel > Statute of Members > Assistants, Pension Fund
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EPP Group
EPP Group
EPP Group Members in the Bureau of the European Parliament
EPP Group Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees
Jim Higgins
Gabriele Albertini
Alain Lamassoure
Herbert Reul
Danuta Maria Hübner
Carmen Fraga Estévez
Doris Pack
Klaus-Heiner Lehne
Carlo Casini
Erminia Mazzoni
Quaestor of the European Parliament Responsibilities: > Register of Members’ financial interests > Relations with the Members’ Voluntary Pension Fund > Use by Members of the Parliament’s library and document management > Relations with political groups and non-attached members - rules concerning intergroups - use of Parliament’s premises > Contacts with Former Members’ Association (with Ms Lulling) > Information Offices in the following countries: United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Belgium and Greece (support to Ms Geringer de Oedenberg)
Astrid Lulling
Quaestor of the European Parliament Responsibilities: > Members’ transport facilities, including the car service, the Travel Agency, and facilities at Strasbourg and Brussels airports > Members’ language and computer courses > Relations with national and local authorities in Parliament’s three places of work > Members’ restaurants and bars > Mail department and print shop > Contacts with Former Members’ Association (with Mr Higgins) > Information Offices in the following countries: Latvia, Czech Republic, Malta, France, Romania, Portugal and Austria (support to Ms Geringer de Oedenberg)
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Regional Development
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Budgets
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Committee on Fisheries
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Petitions
Arnaud Danjean
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
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25 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
EPP Group
EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees
EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees
José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra
Elmar Brok
Michael Gahler
Csaba Őry
Peter Liese
Richard Seeber
László Tőkés
Inese Vaidere
Gay Mitchell
Pilar del Castillo Vera
Andreas Schwab
Mathieu Grosch
Filip Kaczmarek
Daniel Caspary
Salvador Garriga-Polledo
Lambert van Nistelrooij
Albert Dess
Antonello Antinoro
László Surján
Ingeborg Grässle
Jean-Paul Gauzès
Marco Scurria
Tadeusz Zwiefka
Simon Busuttil
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Human Rights
Committee on Development
Committee on Budgets
Subcommittee on Human Rights
Committee on International Trade
Committee on Budgetary Control
26 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Committee on Development
Committee on Budgets
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Committee on Regional Development
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Committee on Fisheries
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
27 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
EPP Group
EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees
EPP Group Chairmen of EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations
Íñigo Mendez de Vigo
José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra
Werner Langen
Mário David
Elmar Brok
Gunnar Hökmark
Eduard Kukan
Christian Ehler
Monica Luisa Macovei
Jacek Protasiewicz
Paolo Bartolozzi
Angelika Niebler
Crescenzio Rivellini
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Othmar Karas
Special Committee on Financial, Economic and Social Crisis
Edit Bauer
Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Reimer Böge
Special Committee on the Policy Challenges and Budgetary Resources for a Sustainable European Union after 2013
Peter Jahr
Committee on Petitions
EU-Mashreq Countries
EU-Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly
EU-United States
Korean Peninsula
EU-Central Asia
28 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EU-South East Asia (ASEAN)
EU-Croatia
EU-Moldova
EU-Arab Peninsula
EU-Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo
EU-Belarus
EU-China
29 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
EPP Group
EPP Group Chairmen of EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations
4. The President (EPP) of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy
5. Members (EPP) of the European Commission Michael Gahler
EU-South Africa Pan African Parliament
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski EU-NATO
José Manuel DURÃO BARROSO President of the European Commission Vivianne REDING Vice-President Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Antonio TAJANI Vice-President Industry and Entrepreneurship Michel BARNIER Internal Market and Services Dacian CIOLOŞ Agriculture and Rural Development John DALLI Health and Consumer Policy Kristalina GEORGIEVA International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Johannes HAHN Regional Policy Connie HEDEGAARD Climate Action Janusz LEWANDOWSKI Budget and Financial Programming Gunther OETTINGER Energy Andris PIEBALGS Development Algirdas ŠEMETA Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud
30 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
31 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
EPP Group
6. The 271 Members of the Group GERMANY (42) BALZ, Burkhard BÖGE, Reimer BROK, Elmar CASPARY, Daniel DESS, Albert EHLER, Christian FERBER, Markus FLORENZ, Karl-Heinz GAHLER, Michael GRÄSSLE, Ingeborg HOHLMEIER, Monika JAHR, Peter JEGGLE, Elisabeth KASTLER, Martin KLASS, Christa KOCH, Dieter-Lebrecht KUHN, Werner LANGEN, Werner LECHNER, Kurt LEHNE, Klaus-Heiner LIESE, Peter MANN, Thomas MAYER, Hans-Peter NIEBLER, Angelika PACK, Doris PIEPER, Markus POSSELT, Bernd PÖTTERING, Hans-Gert QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Godelieve REUL, Herbert SCHNELLHARDT, Horst SCHNIEBER-JASTRAM, Birgit SCHWAB, Andreas SOMMER, Renate ULMER, Thomas VERHEYEN, Sabine VOSS, Axel WEBER, Manfred
32 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
WEISGERBER, Anja WIELAND, Rainer WINKLER, Hermann ZELLER, Joachim ITALY (35) ALBERTINI, Gabriele ANGELILLI, Roberta ANTINORO, Antonello ANTONIOZZI, Alfredo BALDASSARRE, Raffaele BARTOLOZZI, Paolo BERLATO, Sergio BONSIGNORE, Vito CANCIAN, Antonio CASINI, Carlo COMI, Lara DE MITA, Luigi Ciriaco DORFMANN, Herbert FIDANZA, Carlo GARDINI, Elisabetta GARGANI, Giuseppe IACOLINO, Salvatore LA VIA, Giovanni MASTELLA, Clemente MATERA, Barbara MAURO, Mario MAZZONI, Erminia MOTTI, Tiziano MUSCARDINI, Cristiana PALLONE, Alfredo PATRICIELLO, Aldo RIVELLINI, Crescenzio RONZULLI, Licia SALATTO, Potito SARTORI, Amalia SCURRIA, Marco SILVESTRIS, Sergio Paolo Francesco TATARELLA, Salvatore
TREMATERRA, Gino ZANICCHI, Iva FRANCE (30) ABAD, Damien AUCONIE, Sophie AUDY, Jean-Pierre BOULLAND, Philippe CADEC, Alain CAVADA, Jean-Marie DANJEAN, Arnaud DANTIN, Michel DATI, Rachida DAUL, Joseph DE VEYRAC, Christine FRANCO, Gaston GALLO, Marielle GAUZÈS, Jean-Paul GROSSETÊTE, Françoise HORTEFEUX, Brice JUVIN, Philippe LAMASSOURE, Alain LE GRIP, Constance LE BRUN, Agnès MATHIEU, Véronique MORIN-CHARTIER, Elisabeth PONGA, Maurice PROUST, Franck RIQUET, Dominique ROATTA, Jean SAÏFI, Tokia SANCHEZ-SCHMID, Marie-Thérèse STRIFFLER, Michèle VLASTO, Dominique POLAND (29) BORYS, Piotr BRATKOWSKI, Arkadiusz BUZEK, Jerzy GRZYB, Andrzej HANDZLIK, Małgorzata HIBNER, Jolanta Emilia
HÜBNER, Danuta Maria JAZŁOWIECKA, Danuta JĘDRZEJEWSKA, Sidonia Elżbieta KACZMAREK, Filip KALINOWSKI, Jarosław KOLARSKA-BOBIŃSKA, Lena KOZŁOWSKI, Jan LISEK, Krzysztof ŁUKACIJEWSKA, Elżbieta Katarzyna MARCINKIEWICZ, Bogdan Kazimierz NITRAS, Sławomir Witold OLBRYCHT, Jan PROTASIEWICZ, Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Jacek SIEKIERSKI, Czesław Adam SKRZYDLEWSKA, Joanna Katarzyna SONIK, Bogusław THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, Róża Gräfin von TRZASKOWSKI, Rafał WAŁĘSA, Jarosław Leszek ZALEWSKI, Paweł ZASADA, Artur ZWIEFKA, Tadeusz SPAIN (25) ARIAS ECHEVERRÍA, Pablo AYUSO, Pilar del CASTILLO VERA, Pilar CORREA ZAMORA, María Auxiliadora DÍAZ DE MERA GARCÍA CONSUEGRA, Agustín ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Rosa FISAS AYXELA, Santiago FRAGA ESTÉVEZ, Carmen GARRIGA POLLEDO, Salvador de GRANDES PASCUAL, Luis GUTIÉRREZ-CORTINES, Cristina HERRANZ GARCÍA, Esther ITURGAIZ ANGULO, Carlos José JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL BARRIO, Teresa LOPE FONTAGNÉ, Veronica LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Antonio MATO ADROVER, Gabriel
33 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
MAYOR OREJA, Jaime MILLÁN MON, Francisco José NARANJO ESCOBAR, Juan Andrés ORTIZ VILELLA, Eva SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA, José Ignacio SEDÓ i ALABART, Salvador VIDAL-QUADRAS, Alejo ZALBA BIDEGAIN, Pablo HUNGARY (14) ÁDER, János BAGÓ, Zoltán DEUTSCH, Tamás GÁL, Kinga GÁLL-PELCZ, Ildikó GLATTFELDER, Béla GYÜRK, András HANKISS, Ágnes JÁRÓKA, Lívia KÓSA, Ádám ŐRY, Csaba SCHÖPFLIN, György SURJÁN, László SZÁJER, József ROMANIA (14) ANTONESCU, Elena Oana BĂSESCU, Elena BODU, Sebastian Valentin LUHAN, Petru Constantin MACOVEI, Monica Luisa MARINESCU, Marian-Jean MATULA, Iosif NICULESCU, Rareş-Lucian PREDA, Cristian Dan SÓGOR, Csaba STOLOJAN, Theodor Dumitru TŐKÉS, László UNGUREANU, Traian WINKLER, Iuliu
EPP Group
PORTUGAL (10) BASTOS, Regina CARVALHO, Maria Da Graça COELHO, Carlos DAVID, Mário FEIO, Diogo FERNANDES, José Manuel MELO, Nuno PATRÃO NEVES, Maria do Céu RANGEL, Paulo TEIXEIRA, Nuno
BELET, Ivo DEHAENE, Jean-Luc DELVAUX, Anne GROSCH, Mathieu THYSSEN, Marianne THE NETHERLANDS (5)
GIANNAKOU, Marietta KOUMOUTSAKOS, Georgios KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU, Rodi PAPANIKOLAOU, Georgios PAPASTAMKOS, Georgios POUPAKIS, Konstantinos TSOUKALAS, Ioannis
van de CAMP, Wim de LANGE, Esther van NISTELROOIJ, Lambert OOMEN-RUIJTEN, Ria WORTMANN-KOOL, Corien
BULGARIA (7) IVANOVA, Iliana KOVATCHEV, Andrey MALINOV, Svetoslav NEDELCHEVA, Mariya NEYNSKY, Nadezhda STOYANOV, Emil URUTCHEV, Vladimir AUSTRIA (6) BECKER, Heinz K. KARAS, Othmar KÖSTINGER, Elisabeth PIRKER, Hubert RÜBIG, Paul SEEBER, Richard SLOVAKIA (6)
ITÄLÄ, Ville KORHOLA, Eija-Riitta PIETIKÄINEN, Sirpa LATVIA (4)
BELGIUM (5)
GREECE (7)
BAUER, Edit KUKAN, Eduard 34 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
MÉSZÁROS, Alajos MIKOLÁŠIK, Miroslav ŠŤASTNÝ, Peter ZÁBORSKÁ, Anna
SWEDEN (5) CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria FJELLNER, Christofer HÖKMARK, Gunnar IBRISAGIC, Anna SVENSSON, Alf IRELAND (4) HIGGINS, Jim KELLY, Seán McGUINNESS, Mairead MITCHELL, Gay LITHUANIA (4) ANDRIKIENĖ, Laima Liucija LANDSBERGIS, Vytautas MORKŪNAITĖ-MIKULĖNIENĖ, Radvilė SAUDARGAS, Algirdas
KALNIETE, Sandra KARIŅŠ, Arturs Krišjānis SADURSKIS, Karlis VAIDERE, Inese SLOVENIA (4) JORDAN CIZELJ, Romana MAZEJ KUKOVIČ, Zofija PETERLE, Alojz ZVER, Milan LUXEMBOURG (3) BACH, Georges ENGEL, Frank LULLING, Astrid MALTA (2) BUSUTTIL, Simon CASA, David CYPRUS (2) KASOULIDES, Ioannis THEOCHAROUS, Eleni CZECH REPUBLIC (2) BŘEZINA, Jan ROITHOVÁ, Zuzana DENMARK (1) BENDTSEN, Bendt ESTONIA (1)
FINLAND (4)
KELAM, Tunne
ESSAYAH, Sari 35 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EPP Group
EPP Group
7.  The General Secretariat of the Group
Martin Kamp
John Biesmans
Miguel Papi-Boucher
Paolo Licandro
Antoine Ripoll
Robert Fitzhenry
Beatrice Scarascia-Mugnozza
Joanna Jarecka-Gomez
Secretary-General
Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Parliamentary Work Service
Head of the Press and Communication Service
Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Internal Organisation Service
Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Neighbourhood Policy and Intercultural Activities Service
Head of t he Relations with National Parliaments Service
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Deputy Secretary-General Head of the Presidency Service
Head of the International Relations Service
37 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
EVENTS
2 > Events
Every year the EPP Group hosts a series of meetings. These include Hearings and Conferences with experts and stakeholders to discuss themes that are of relevance to the European Parliament and to EU citizens. The EPP Group’s European evening has also become a tradition on the Brussels scene with a larger turnout each year. Finally, the EPP Group’s stands at the Open Days at the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg give a large number of visitors a chance to find out more about the EPP Group’s political priorities.
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Events
Events
12/01/2011 Inauguration of the Loyola de Palacio meeting room in the European Parliament in Brussels Headed by EPP Group Chairman, Joseph Daul and President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, the EPP Group organised a ceremony, on Wednesday 12 January, to honour former European Commission Vice-President, Loyola de Palacio, who died in 2006. The room, allocated by the European Parliament for meetings of the EPP Group Presidency, will as of Wednesday 12 January be known by the name of the Spanish politician. The ceremony was attended by Mariano Rajoy, the leader of the Spanish EPP party, Partido Popular, former Spanish Prime Minister José Maria Aznar, and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. Many colleagues during Loyola de Palacio’s political career in Spain and the European Institutions like former Commission President, Romano Prodi, and former EU Commissioner, Mario Monti were also in attendance. Ana de Palacio, sister of Loyola de Palacio, former EPP MEP and Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister, also participated in the ceremony where she unveiled, together with EP President Jerzy Buzek, the plaque and a bust honouring Loyola de Palacio. The decision to allocate the name of Loyola de Palacio to one of the European Parliament meeting rooms - room 6Q1 and usually the meeting room of the EPP Group Presidency - was taken the previous September by the Bureau of the House, after an initiative by the Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and head of the Spanish Delegation of the EPP, Jaime Mayor Oreja. It was decided, in agreement with the family of Ms de Palacio, to honour the contribution of Loyola de Palacio to the development of democracy in Spain and to the advancement of the European Union. Loyola de Palacio (1950-2006) was the first woman to be named Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries in Spain and the first woman to be appointed as Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Transport, Energy and Relations with the European Parliament.
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l-r: José María Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, Leader of the Partido Popular, Spain, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, Ana de Palacio, former Member of the EPP Group and sister of Loyola, and Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group
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Events
Events
12/01/2011 Hearing on A Radio Spectrum Policy Programme for Europe
Inauguration of the Loyola de Palacio meeting room in the European Parliament. A crowd gathers outside the meeting room named after former EPP Group MEP and European Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio
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l-r: Bridget Cosgrave, Director General, Digital Europe, Caroline Van Weede, Managing Director, Cable Europe, Mats Nilsson, Vice-President & Head of EU affairs, Ericsson, Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and host of the Hearing, Edina Toth, EPP Group Advisor, and Zsolt Nyitrai, Minister of State for Information and Communications, Hungary, representing the Hungarian Presidency
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Events
Events
26/01/2011 MEP 2.0 Workshop: Communicate and dialogue with electors through social networks like Facebook
01/02/2011 Conference on The European dimension of organized crime in the light of the Lisbon Treaty
Damien Abad MEP (EPP Group, France), host of the workshop, Richard Allan, Europe Public Affairs Director, Facebook, and Damien Van Achter, responsible for New Media, RTBF
Salvatore Iacolino MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament and host of the Hearing (speaking), (l-r) Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Angelino Alfano MP, Italian Minister of Justice, and Stefano Manservisi, Director-General, DG Home Affairs, European Commission
44 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
45 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
08/02/2011 European Evening of the EPP Group On Tuesday 8 February 2011, the EPP Group in the European Parliament celebrated its annual ‘European Evening’ in the Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels “The Euro turned out to be an efficient shield limiting the impacts of the financial crisis. However, the crisis showed that we can’t take anything for granted and that we need more Europe to safeguard our future. The demographic, industrial, technological and security challenges ahead are numerous, and the EPP Group in the European Parliament works every day to find solutions to them. We recognise the great responsibility this involves and see it as our task to keep Europe moving forward”, said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. The purpose of the EPP Group’s European Evening was to bring together key political players in an informal setting to inspire for the future. The EPP Group was pleased to welcome the following speakers at its European evening: > Jerzy Buzek MEP, President of the European Parliament > Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council > José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission > Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary > W ilfried Martens, President of the EPP
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission (speaking), (l-r) Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Wilfried Martens, President of the European People’s Party, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union
Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (on the right), with Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council (on the left), and Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group
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47 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
09/02/2011 Hearing on Combatting Trafficking for Forced Labour
Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union (on the left), and Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister of Latvia and former Member of the EPP Group in the European Parliament
l-r: Edit Bauer MEP (EPP Group, Slovakia), host of the Hearing, Doris Peschke, Secretary-General, Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), Torsten Moritz, Project Secretary CCME, and Rudi Delarue, Director ILO Brussels
l-r: Hans-Gert Poettering MEP (EPP Group, Germany), former President of the European Parliament, Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Budget and Financial Programming, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP (Netherlands), Othmar Karas MEP (Austria), both Vice-Chairpersons of the EPP Group, Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), both Vice-Chairmen of the EPP Group
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49 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
09/02/2011 Hearing on H1N1 influenza pandemic: Which lessons to learn for a better EU Management and EU Coordination with Member States?
01/03/2011 MEP 2.0 Workshop - Become a real 2.0 MEP through blogging, YouTube and other 2.0 tools
l-r: Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General, World Health Organisation, Amarylli Gersony, EPP Group Advisor, Anne Delvaux MEP (EPP Group, Belgium), host of the Hearing, Michèle Rivasi MEP, John F Ryan, Head of Unit, Health Threats, DG SANCO, European Commission, and Paul Flynn, Deputy, Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe
l-r: Pablo Zalba Bidegain MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Angela Steen, Google Policy Analyst, and Laurence Modrego, EU Blogger
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51 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
02/03/2011 Hearing on GMOs cultivation: Towards safe freedom of choice for farmers and consumers?
02/03/2011 Conference on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
l-r: Catherine Soullie MEP, host of the Hearing, John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, and Peter Liese MEP (Germany), EPP Group Coordinator in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament
Barbara Matera MEP (EPP Group, Italy)
52 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
53 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
10/03/2011 Meeting with the President of Hungary
Events
23/03/2011 Inauguration ceremony of the Alcide De Gasperi meeting room at the European Parliament in Brussels “Alcide de Gasperi, a Christian, Democrat and European, is without doubt the most influential and most prestigious personality of the difficult and troubled period that Italian and European democracy went through after the Second World War. Like Adenauer and Schuman, he was modest and possessed the ability to detach himself from the events of that era, which enabled him to have a forward-looking vision. A man of values, a great humanist and a visionary, Italian patriot and citizen of Europe at the same time, Alcide De Gasperi reminds each of us of the reasons for our political commitment”, said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, during the inauguration ceremony of room 2Q2 of the European Parliament in Brussels, which, since 23/03/2011, has been called the Alcide De Gasperi Room. Joseph Daul continued: “Today, with the economic crisis and a crisis of values affecting our continent, his heritage teaches us that national integrity and defence of the Community project are not only compatible but inseparable. We, Alcide de Gasperi’s heirs, have a heavy responsibility on our shoulders to ensure that Europe does not lose its soul, to ensure that Europe does not lose its main objectives, namely to make our region a place of solidarity and exchange, and share the wealth of households and brotherhood”, concluded Joseph Daul.
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (on the right), and Pál Schmitt, President of Hungary and former Member of the EPP Group
“Alcide De Gasperi was able to clearly identify the potential of European development, he was deeply convinced that the peoples of Europe share a common heritage of spiritual values, inherited from the same Christian roots, and that these common values should constitute the common basis on which to build a new future for European society. Europe has now more than ever the need to rediscover the message, the example and the dedication of Alcide De Gasperi vis-à-vis a Union that is based precisely on those values that our political family still represents”, said Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. “Alcide De Gasperi’s memory must not only be a celebration, but also guide our future action. In Italy, De Gasperi is remembered as the President of the reconstruction. Now, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification, he may be remembered as the President of Italian unification, after the civil war that steeped the country in blood after WWII. We also need new reconstruction and unity in Europe, based on De Gasperi’s values. We have to rediscover the European soul that is rooted in Christian humanism. The European People’s Party has a crucial role to play - the name given to this room is a symbol of this”, said Carlo Casini MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC-SVP) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.
r-l: József Szájer MEP (Hungary), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Pál Schmitt, President of Hungary and former Member of the EPP
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55 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
l-r: Vito Bonsignore MEP (Italy), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group, José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, Maria Romana De Gasperi, daughter of Alcide De Gasperi and Vice-President of the Alcide De Gasperi Foundation, Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group, and Carlo Casini MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC) of the EPP Group
r-l: Carlo Casini MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission
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Events
l-r: Maria Romana De Gasperi, daughter of Alcide De Gasperi and Vice-President of the Alcide De Gasperi Foundation, and Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship
Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament (back to the camera) speaks to Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Maria Romana De Gasperi, daughter of Alcide De Gasperi and Vice-President of the Alcide De Gasperi Foundation
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Events
Events
23/03/2011 MEP Workshop 2.0 - What is changing in politics? The emergence of an e-democracy
29/03/2011 Hearing on What do Young Europeans know about Totalitarianisms?
Damien Abad MEP (EPP Group, France), host of the workshop (in the middle), (l-r) Sandrine Bélier MEP, Bridgette Wessels, Director of the Interdisciplinary network of Socio-digital Research at the University of Sheffield, Judith Merkies MEP and Benoît Thieulin, Director of Netscouade, social and community web agency
r-l: László Tőkes MEP (EPP Group, Romania), Vice-President of the European Parliament and Chair of one of the panels, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Alejo Vidal-Quadras MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Vytautas Landsbergis MEP (EPP Group, Lithuania)
58 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
59 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
30/03/2011 Presidency meeting with the Ambassadors of the Member countries of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean
Dr Badr Abdelatty, Deputy Chief of Mission, Egypt (on the left) and HE Amar Bendjama, Ambassador of Algeria to the EU
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (in the middle), r-l: Vito Bonsignore MEP (Italy), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, and Elmar Brok MEP (Germany), EPP Group Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament
l-r: HE Branko Baričević, Ambassador of Croatia to the EU, and Dr Badr Abdelatty, Deputy Chief of Mission, Egypt
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61 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
30/03/2011 Hearing on Sport
l-r: Mohammed Mahmoud Brahim Khlil, Deputy Head of Mission, Mauritania, Galit Peleg, representative of the Ambassador of the State of Israel to the EU, and Antoine Ripoll, Spokesman of the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament
l-r: Seán Kelly MEP (EPP Group, Ireland), Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Marco Scurria MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Santiago Fisas Ayxela MEP (EPP Group, Spain) and Josef Müller, Director of a sport grammar school in Austria
62 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
63 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
30/03/2011 Hearing on The Future of EU Intelligence and Internal Security
30/03/2011 Hearing on Storage and Management of Hazardous Waste in the EU
r-l: Ferenc Bánfi, Director of CEPOL (European Police College), Manfred Weber MEP (Germany), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament responsible for Justice and Home Affairs, Ágnes Hankiss MEP (EPP Group, Hungary), Levente Nagy, Advisor to Mrs Hankiss and Security Policy Expert, Olivier Luyckx, Head of Unit, Crisis Management and the Fight Against Terrorism, DG HOME, European Commission, and Dr Patryk Pawlak, Research Fellow at the European Union Institute for Security Studies
r-l: Bogusław Sonik MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament and host of the Hearing, Hugues Levasseur, European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services, Marek Bukała, ECOTECH POLSKA, and Prof. János Szépvölgyi, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
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65 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
31/03/2011 Hearing on Who pays for Data Protection?
12/04/2011 Conference on Generational Renewal in Agriculture
r-l: Ronald Zink, Associate General Counsel and COO of the Microsoft European Affairs Office, Brussels, Axel Voss MEP (EPP Group, Germany), host of the Hearing, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, and Jan Ostoja, member of Mrs Reding’s Cabinet, responsible for data protection
l-r: Yves Madre, Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Dacian Cioloș, Elisabeth Köstinger MEP (EPP Group, Austria), President of Austrian Young Farmers, Milan Zver MEP (EPP Group, Slovenia), host of the event, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and former Vice-President of CEJA (European Council of Young Farmers), and Joris Baecke, President of CEJA
66 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
67 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
12/04/2011 Conference on European Energy Research Alliance
19/04/2011 Conference on Georgia - Reactivation of the future of EU-Georgia relations
r-l: Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Antonio Cancian MEP (EPP Group, Italy), host of the conference, and Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (in the middle), Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group (on the right), and Giorgi Baramidze, Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia
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69 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
20/04/2011 Presentation of the Schuman Report 2011 on the state of the EU
Events
07-08/05/2011 Open Days of the European Institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg
Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP (EPP Group, Greece), Vice-President of the European Parliament (on the right), shows Princess Astrid of Belgium around the Parliament’s premises (Brussels)
l-r: Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, Jean-Pierre Audy MEP (EPP Group, France) and Hans-Gert Poettering MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and former President of the European Parliament
Ivo Belet MEP (EPP Group, Belgium) explains European legislation to a visitor (Brussels)
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71 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
01/06/2011 Hearing on What Future for European Research?
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, chats to visitors
l-r: Herbert Reul MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Jean-Pierre Audy MEP (EPP Group, France), Rapporteur for the Interim Evaluation of FP7, Maria Da Graça Carvalho MEP (EPP Group, Portugal), Rapporteur for Simplifying the Implementation of the Research Framework Programmes, Robert-Jan Smits, Director-General of DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, and Alfredo Sousa de Jesus, EPP Group Advisor
Strasbourg, 08 May 2011 Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, chats to visitors
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73 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
15/06/2011 In Memoriam: Paolo Barbi, former Chairman of the EPP Group
Events
29/06/2011 Hearing on New Psychoactive Substances
“With the passing of Paolo Barbi, the EPP Group has lost an historical figure. A convinced European and a Christian Democrat who, in his role as Chairman of our Group, was able to give EPP tradition and Europe the best of his great political experience. We have lost a leading personality of our political family”, said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. “We are grateful to Paolo Barbi because he contributed to making our Group what it is today. He strengthened its values, our Christian Democratic values. Europe and the EPP political family have lost one of their strongest supporters”, said Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group. “What I remember in particular about Paolo Barbi, a colleague of mine in the European Parliament, is his constant smile. Even when age and an accident weakened this great man, his smile could be considered as the expression of all that he ever wanted: a strong Europe with a human face”, said Carlo Casini MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC) of the EPP Group. “On behalf of all the EPP Group, I wish to express our sincere condolences and our deepest sympathy to his family”, concluded Joseph Daul MEP. Paolo Barbi was a Member of the EPP Group from 1979-84, chairing the Group from 1982-84. He was a Member of the Italian Parliament from 1958-76 and served in the Senate from 1976-79 with the Democrazia Cristiana Party. He held the position of Under-Secretary for Budgets from 1969-70, for Industry in 1968 and for State Holdings from 1978-79. He was a very active Member of the political Bureau of the European People’s Party where he represented his own Party for many years.
74 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
r-l: Bogusław Sonik MEP (EPP Group, Poland), host of the Hearing, and Thomas Kattau, Deputy Executive Secretary, Pompidou Group, Council of Europe
75 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
30/06/2011 Hearing on EU-Taiwan Trade Relations
30/06/2011 Hearing on Financial Regulations in Cohesion Policy
l-r: Laima Liucija Andrikienė MEP (EPP Group, Lithuania), Vice-Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament, João Aguiar Machado, Deputy Director-General of DG TRADE, European Commission, Botond Török-Illyés, EPP Group Advisor, Paweł Zalewski MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Ioannis Kasoulides MEP (Cyprus), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, David Lin, Head of the Taipei Representative Office in Brussels, and Stefan Johansson, Vice-President, Region North Europe and Central Asia, Ericsson Global Services, Ericsson AB
Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP (Netherlands), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament, Inge Gräßle MEP (EPP Group, Germany), EPP Group Coordinator of the Budgetary Control Committee of the European Parliament (on the right), and Rudolf Niessler, Director, Policy Coordination, DG REGIO, European Commission
76 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
77 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
30/06/2011 Hearing on Traceability and Labelling of Fish Products on the EU Market
Events
04/07/2011 In Memoriam: Otto von Habsburg, first Honorary Member of the EPP Group Otto von Habsburg: EPP Group mourns a true European Following the death of Otto von Habsburg, the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP, said: “Otto von Habsburg embodied the history of European integration like no-one else. The son of the last AustroHungarian Emperor fought all his life for democracy, freedom, and an understanding of the peoples of Europe. From the beginnings of the movement for European integration following the end of World War II until the now-famous Paneuropean picnic on the border between Austria and Hungary in 1989, he succeeded in overcoming borders and showing Europeans a way forward to a common future. Otto von Habsburg was elected to the European Parliament at the first direct elections in 1979 and for the following 20 years worked tirelessly to help strengthen the European institutions. His main interests were in European integration and foreign policy. The EPP Group is mourning a true European, a convinced fighter for democracy and freedom, and a very good friend.”
Carmen Fraga MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Chairwoman of the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament
78 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
79 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
13/07/2011 Hearing on Shale Gas Drilling and Underground Water
30/08/2011 Inauguration of the ‘Agora Simone Veil’ and ‘Esplanade Solidarność 1980’
Cristina Gutiérrez Cortines MEP (EPP Group, Spain), host of the Hearing
l-r: Piotr Duda, Head of Solidarność, Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium, Wim Kok, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Bogdan Borusewicz, Member of the first Solidarity Movement, Speaker in the Polish Senate, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, former Prime Minister of Poland, first non-Communist Prime Minister in Central and Eastern Europe after WWII, Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, Simone Veil, former President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering MEP (EPP Group, Germany), former President of the European Parliament, José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Head of the Polish Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Jean Leonetti, Member of the French National Assembly
80 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
81 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
07/09/2011 Hearing on the Mobility and Inclusion of People with Disabilities
07/09/2011 Hearing on The Future European Space Policy
l-r: Donata Vivanti, Vice-President, European Disability Forum, Alena Carna, EPP Group Advisor, Ádám Kósa MEP (EPP Group, Hungary), host of the Hearing and the only deaf MEP in the European Parliament, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, and Morten Kjaerum, Director, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
l-r: Herbert Reul MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament, Aldo Patriciello MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Rapporteur of the ITRE Report ‘Towards a space strategy for the European Union that benefits its citizens’, and Professor Franco Ongaro, Director of the European Space Agency
82 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
83 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
07/09/2011 Hearing on EU Migration Policy
07/09/2011 Conference on the 2011 International Year of Forests - ‘European and global forests - which way for the future?’
l-r: Constantin Traian Igas, Minister of the Interior and Administration, Romania, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Bulgaria, Jerzy Miller, Minister of the Interior and Administration, Poland, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Andrey Kovatchev MEP, Head of the Bulgarian Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Mariya Nedelcheva MEP (EPP Group, Bulgaria) and Carlos Coelho MEP (EPP Group, Portugal)
l-r: Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP (EPP Group, Greece), Vice-President of the European Parliament, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, and Gaston Franco MEP (EPP Group, France), Chairman of the ‘Forestry’ Group of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development and host of the conference
84 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
85 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
13/09/2011 Meeting with the President of the European Commission
21/09/2011 Hearing on The Migration of Young Women
r-l: Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission
l-r: D. Mamadian, a young girl living in a migration centre, Neil Datta, Secretary, European Parliamentary Forum on Population & Development, Brussels, Véronique Mathieu MEP (EPP Group, Belgium), host of the Hearing, Edit Bauer MEP (Slovakia), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament, Tokia Saïfi MEP (EPP Group, France) and Eleni Theocharous MEP (EPP Group, Cyprus)
86 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
87 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
21/09/2011 Conference on Regional Policy
21/09/2011 Conference on The Central Place of Human Work for the European Social Market Economy
l-r: Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP (Netherlands), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament, Danuta Hübner MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Chairwoman of the Committee on Regional Development, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Minister of Regional Development, Poland, Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, Antonio López-Istúriz White MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Secretary-General of the European People’s Party, and Jan Olbrycht MEP (EPP Group, Poland)
Othmar Karas MEP (Austria), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, responsible for Interreligious Dialogue and Religious Affairs (in the middle), Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group (on the left), and Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
88 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
89 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
12/10/2011 Hearing on Facing the threat of piracy The urgency to effectively combat piracy in international waters as well as its growing impact on international security, trade, shipping and seafarers’ lives were among the issues raised during the hearing organised on the initiative of Greek MEP Georgios Koumoutsakos. Guest speakers in the debate were, on behalf of the Polish EU Presidency, Ms. Anna WypychNamiotko, Undersecretary of Infrastructure responsible for the maritime economy, Mr. Chris Trelawny, Deputy Director in the Maritime Safety Division of the International Maritime Organization, Mr. Didier Lenoir, Head of Unit in the European External Action Service, Rear Admiral Christian Canova, Deputy Operation Commander (EU NAVFOR - Atalanta) and Mr. Marnix van Overklift, President of European Community Shipowners. The European Union makes a decisive contribution to fighting against piracy. However, the international military presence and the European Naval Force in Somalia (Operation ATALANTA) are not enough. In the last year alone, there was a marked 27% increase in piracy incidents and from the beginning until October 2011, more than 108 million dollars was paid in 22 ransoms. Piracy is not only dangerous and life threatening, but has also become expensive for seafaring nations. According to recent studies, piracy in Somalia and the Indian Ocean has cost the global community almost 10 billion dollars. Piracy since 2005 has become a real threat for international trade. 12%-15% of global oil trade and 20% of total world trade is circulated through the Gulf of Aden in East Africa. Thus, substantial measures need to be taken to eliminate the modern scourge in the maritime world. But, as the IMO underlined, the real causes and the solution to the problem of piracy are found less in the sea of Somalia and more in its territory. The development of alternative activities, such as fish farming, agriculture and maritime trade would bring an improvement in the social and economic conditions in the country and consequently would have a positive impact in combating piracy. Three operational conclusions emerged from the discussion: > It is necessary to trace and investigate where the money paid in ransom to pirates flows to > It is essential to fill the legal gaps that impede the fight against piracy > Reinforcement of measures to protect ships, crew and cargo, even with additional armed certified personnel, is needed
90 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
91 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
18/10/2011 Hearing on Agriculture in times of climate change organic farming approaches to face the challenge
18/10/2011 Conference on the 20th anniversary of the re-independence of the Baltic States
Elisabeth Köstinger MEP (EPP Group, Austria) (in the middle), Rudi Vierbauch, President, Bio Austria (on the left), and Thomas Fertl, Vice-President, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements EU Group
r-l: Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, Krišjānis Kariņš MEP, Head of the Latvian Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Toomas-Hendrik Ilves, President of the Republic of Estonia, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group
92 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
93 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
19/10/2011 Hearing on the Commission’s Report on the memory of the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes in Europe
20/10/2011 Hearing on Rehabilitation of former prisoners
r-l: Doris Pack MEP (EPP Group, Germany), Chairwoman of the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament, Sandra Kalniete MEP (EPP Group, Latvia), Mercedes Alvargonzález, EPP Group Advisor, Simon Busuttil MEP (Malta), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, and Aristotelis Gavriliadis, Policy Officer, DG Justice, European Commission
r-l: Salvatore Iacolino MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, Lotte Knudsen, Director for Criminal Justice, DG JUST, European Commission, and Wolfgang Götz, Director of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addictions, Lisbon
94 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
95 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
20/10/2011 Hearing on the mobility of workers in the Single Market in times of crisis
08/11/2011 Presentation of Leo Tindemans’ Archives
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (2nd from left), (l-r) Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, Iliana Ivanova MEP (EPP Group, Bulgaria) and Hristo Stoichkov, a prominent former footballer and Honorary Consul to Spain
r-l: Leo Tindemans, Honorary President of the European People’s Party, former Prime Minister of Belgium, and former Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Professor Emmanuel Gerard, Chairman of KADOC (Documentation and Research Centre for Religion, Culture and Society at the Catholic University of Leuven), Dr Godfried Kwanten, Head of the Archive Department, KADOC, and Wouter Beke, Chairman of the CD&V Party (Belgium)
96 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
97 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
10/11/2011 Hearing on Medical care in developing countries
10/11/2011 Hearing on Building European Energy Diplomacy: External Dimension of Energy Security for Europe
l-r: Santiago Fisas Ayxela MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Cristian Dan Preda MEP (EPP Group, Romania), and Dr Javier Beut, President & Founder, Balearic Islands
l-r: Daniel Guyader, Head of Division, Global Issues, EEAS, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (Spain), EPP Group Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Frank Umbach, Senior Associate for International Energy Security at the Centre for European Security Strategies, and Reinhard Mitschek, Chief of the Nabucco Consortium
98 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
99 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
16/11/2011 LUX 2011 - European Parliament Film Prize
30/11/2011 Conference on Persecuted Christians in the Middle East
Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, presents Director Robert Guédiguian with the winning prize for his film ‘The Snows of Kilimanjaro’ l-r: Doris Pack MEP, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament
Othmar Karas MEP (Austria), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and Chairman of the EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural Dialogue and Religious Affairs, Kinga Gál MEP (EPP Group, Hungary), Vice‐Chairwoman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, and Camille Eid, Lebanese journalist, Professor of Arabic at the Catholic University of Milan
100 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
101 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
30/11/2011 Exchange of views with the President of the European Council
Events
01/12/2011 Hearing on Internet - Fair, Open and Secure The evolution of the Internet - a user-oriented approach
1. Internet The Internet constitutes an exceptional platform for innovation, economic growth, job creation and social communication. It has become the central nervous system of our information economy and society. With clear opportunities and challenges, there is an evident need for a political debate, as a matter of interest for citizens, businesses and States. For policy-makers, the main challenge is how to approach these issues preserving the extraordinary potential and the freedom of the Internet without impeding innovation. For us, the EPP Group, the question is to present what we stand for in a coherent and consistent manner.
2. Stronger users’ rights Private users’ expectations focus on an open Internet which is easily accessible and where there is certainty about the way their personal information is managed. Users and not platforms or networks are the owners of personal information and they must be in full control of the information they provide. Social networks must inform users about the purpose and different ways in which they intend to process members’ data.
l-r: Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP Group
3. More transparency, fairer competition This Strategy Paper is the result of almost 6 months of work, exchanges with stakeholders, hearings, internal political discussions. This document aims to present what the EPP Group stands for and how we intend to strengthen our citizens’ rights and secure a fair business environment on the Internet. We believe our action at EU level needs to follow three objectives: coherently apply the principle of transparency; strengthen users’ online rights and guarantee fair competition on the Internet.
102 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
103 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
4. How do we get there? Our strategy proposes 10 key actions to reach these 3 major objectives: > Clarify international jurisdiction > Guarantee search neutrality > Ensure net neutrality > Clarify and harmonise data protection rules > Ensure users’ rights in social networks > Guarantee user anonymity > Prohibit data profiling > Create a European Cloud > Effectively protect IPR online > Establish safeguards for quality journalism
5. Launching a transparent debate - tell us what you think! The Hearing aimed to present the EPP Group’s strategy related to Internet issues and create a space where MEPs exchange with stakeholders and civil society. The presence of three major players like Facebook, Google and Microsoft was the occasion to publicly learn about their position on the key topics addressed.
Angelika Niebler MEP (Germany), Chairwoman of the EPP Group Internet Working Group (in the middle), (l-r) Simon Hampton, Director of Public Policy, Google, Jean Gonié, Director for Data Protection, Microsoft, Manfred Weber MEP (Germany), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Philippe Juvin MEP (France), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group Internet Working Group, Erika Mann, Head of EU Policy Brussels, Facebook, and Peter Schaar, German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
104 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
105 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Events
Events
13/12/2011 Joseph Daul re-elected Chairman of the EPP Group The Group of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament has re-elected its Chairman Joseph Daul (UMP, France) by a very large majority. Joseph Daul has been Chairman of the EPP Group since 2007 and will lead the biggest Group in the European Parliament (centre-right) to the next European Elections in 2014. A farmer from Alsace, Joseph Daul has been a Member of the European Parliament since 1999. He has presided over the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, and was Chairman of the Conference of Chairs of the parliamentary committees before succeeding Hans-Gert Poettering as Chairman of the EPP Group. Thanking his 271 colleagues for having shown their confidence in him for the third time, Joseph Daul said that he will continue to work on a quick exit from Europe’s crisis and for the respect of the Community method which has given us 60 years of peace and prosperity. The Vice-Chairmen of the EPP Group elected or re-elected are: Vito Bonsignore, Gunnar Hökmark, Ioannis Kasoulides, Marian-Jean Marinescu, Jaime Mayor Oreja, Jan Olbrycht, Paulo Rangel, József Szájer, Manfred Weber and Corien Wortmann-Kool.
r-l: Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament with Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, former President of the European Parliament
106 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
107 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Ex ter nal meetings
EXTERNAL MEETINGS
3 > External meetings
The EPP Group regularly holds Bureau meetings in other venues than the three seats of the European Parliament. The goal is to get better acquainted with a Member State or to express support to an EPP sister party. These experiences are very valuable, as understanding the different national realities allows a better grasp of the political themes that are important at a national level and feed into the EPP Group’s work in the European Parliament. The Study Days are for the same reason organised in a different Member State each year. The European Ideas Network (EIN), the pan-European think-tank sponsored by the EPP Group, ran a very interesting Summer University in Bucharest in 2011, grouping politicians, businessmen, academics, policy advisers, journalists and representatives of civil society who share a common outlook Europe-wide, as well as outside non-party experts and commentators interested in the topic of the economic and social crisis Europe is experiencing.
109 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Ex ter nal meetings
1. Bureau meetings 03-04/03/2011: Bureau Meeting in Zagreb, Croatia
Ex ter nal meetings
Opening Session: Croatia: A new model of enlargement Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, opened the EPP Group Bureau meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, by welcoming the Prime Minister of Croatia and President of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Mrs Jadranka Kosor, and the Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, President of the Croatian Peasants’ Party (HSS), Mr Josip Friščić. Joseph Daul said: “It is an honour and a pleasure to be in Zagreb and to offer the political support of the EPP Group, the largest and most influential political force in the European Union, to Croatia’s adherence to the European Union. Croatia would be the 28th Member of the European Union and an example for the Balkan countries.” With the help of the EPP Group, Mr Daul is confident that Croatia can accelerate the pace of its reforms. Joseph Daul expressed his pride and solidarity with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and said it was a pleasure to have such a courageous expert working on behalf of Croatia’s accession to guarantee a stronger European Union. Mrs Kosor thanked the EPP Group and Joseph Daul for their support. She said Croatia had to make an extraordinary effort to meet the accession criteria and that it was harder for Croatians, who were being asked for more than any other previous applicants, but she said Croatia was very close to finishing the long road to becoming a modern society and the 28th Member of the European Union. She also welcomed the presence of Wilfried Martens, EPP Party President, and thanked him for his support. She remarked on the progress Croatia had already made by closing 28 chapters of the accession negotiations including reforms of the judiciary and the resolution of border issues with Slovenia.
l-r: Bernd Posselt MEP (EPP Group, Germany), EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur on Croatia, Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP) and Chairman of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee of the EP, Josip Friščić, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, President of the Croatian Peasants’ Party (HSS), Jadranka Kosor, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and President of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, and Dražen Bošnjaković, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Croatia
110 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Josip Friščić took the floor and welcomed the EPP Group to Croatia. He said that the Croatian Peasants’ Party was the oldest political party in Croatia, being more than 100 years old, and he was confident that the accession of Croatia would be to the benefit of all. Joseph Daul informed Mr Friščić and Mrs Kosor that they could count on the continued support of the EPP Group.
111 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Ex ter nal meetings
Ex ter nal meetings
Croatian EU Accession: Challenges and Expectations Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and Chairman of the Delegation to the EP’s EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee, opened the first panel entitled ‘Croatian EU Accession: Challenges and Expectations’. Mr Hökmark pointed out the great progress Croatia has made in the past five years and praised the various reforms its government has carried out. He explained that Croatian accession to the EU is an opportunity both for Croatia and the region as well as for the EU. “We must not forget that without the EU enlargement process, Croatia and this region would be in a very different position today”, said Mr Hökmark, expressing the strong desire of the EPP Group to have Croatia complete the negotiations in June 2011. Dražen Bošnjaković, the Croatian Minister of Justice, explained in detail the reforms that the Croatian Government has carried out in the area of the judiciary. Bošnjaković showed that Croatia has focused on ensuring independent, transparent and efficient running of the courts and has also developed a special strategic framework to persecute war crimes between the years 1991 and 1995. In addition, the fight against corruption has been at the forefront of government activity and its success can be seen in the increased number of cases being brought to court. Important public administration and electoral law reforms have also been carried out to ensure transparency in this area. The Minister concluded by saying that he hopes Croatian efforts will be recognised by European partners and ensured that Croatia will not stop working on these issues when it enters the EU.
r-l: Doris Pack MEP, Chairwoman of the Culture and Education Committee of the European Parliament (EP), Member of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee, Member of the Interparliamentary Delegation for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo of the EP, Gordan Jandroković, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia, and Alojz Peterle MEP (EPP Group), former Prime Minister of Slovenia
Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, congratulated the substantive progress that Croatia has made towards meeting the criteria for membership. Mrs Reding interpreted the most recent Commission report by saying that “conclusion of negotiations is now within reach.” Reding pointed out the transparency procedures on the selection of judiciary that have been introduced and the improved treatment of minorities. The Commission has presented a clear outline of the issues that still need to be addressed. Reding said that, as is normally the case, the most difficult issues remain for the final stages of negotiations. “Trust in judges and prosecutors as well as citizens in the judicial system is crucial as we are building a European judicial area”, she pointed out adding that for this reason, no weaknesses should remain in this area on the day of accession. Reding concluded that efforts need to continue for the benefit of the EU and Croatia itself: “Croatia is setting standards for the entire region and its accession is a test for Croatia as well as the EU enlargement process as a whole.” Bernd Posselt, EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur on Croatia and Member of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee of the EP, described how much progress Croatia has made in the past 20 years and stressed that its accession will benefit not only Croatia, but also the EU. According to Posselt, the reason Croatia did not become an EU member at the same time as Slovenia was not the fault of Croatia, but the Yugoslav war, where Croatia was amongst the victims. He pointed out that while its justice system still needs improvements, the EU should acknowledge the efforts that have been made in this area. Finally, Posselt stressed that while we must get the message across to the Croatians that all criteria must be respected, the EU should not impose stricter criteria on Croatia
112 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
113 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Ex ter nal meetings
Ex ter nal meetings
than it did on previous candidate countries. “Croatians used to be very keen on the EU and we must ensure they remain so”, concluded Posselt.
European Perspectives of South-East Europe
Economic impact of EU accession
Doris Pack MEP, Chairwoman of the Culture and Education Committee in the European Parliament and Member of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee, opened the Friday morning session of the EPP Group Bureau meeting in Zagreb on the subject of European perspectives of South-East Europe. She reminded those present of the long and difficult road Croatia had managed to travel to be a few steps away from a successful accession to the European Union. She emphasised that the south-eastern region of Europe is a priority for the EPP Group and has always received particular attention. She said it is in all our interests to pursue our efforts to foster the reinforcement of political, economic and social structures in these countries. The EPP Group supports Europe’s southeastern countries in their desire to draw closer to the EU. She said that the European perspective constitutes a driving force for our south-eastern neighbours. The EU’s attractiveness is helping to keep the region’s countries moving towards institutional and political reforms, development and democratisation.
EU Ambassador Paul Vandoren, Head of the EU Delegation to Croatia, highlighted the economic advantages of Croatian accession to the EU. Not only would the country participate in the EU decision-making mechanism, but it would also gain full access to the Single Market and would benefit from EU funding. Given the size of the country and its population, EU accession itself would not have a direct impact on the EU budget. Access to the Single Market is a great opportunity for Croatia and for its business community, however, the Croatian Government still needs to focus on the completion of several important tasks such as the further strengthening of their administrative capacity in order to cope with future funding. The Croatian Finance Minister, Martina Dalić, introduced the three pillars of the Croatian Government’s economic programme: 1) fiscal consolidation and reduction of expenditure; 2) administrative efficiency at all levels of government; 3) promotion of the economic potential of a number of investment projects, i.e. railways and water management. EU accession would bring a new stimulus to the Croatian economy which has also been hit by the economic crisis. Jan Olbrycht MEP, Vice-Chairman of Parliament’s Special Committee on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Resources, assured those present that Croatia will enjoy the support of the upcoming Polish Presidency of the EU in the second half of the year. MEP Olbrycht pointed out the positive consequences of EU membership for Poland and said that EU membership will have a similar positive impact on Croatia. Elmar Brok MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, concluded the session by saying that Croatia has culturally always been part of Central Europe. Concerning the negotiation talks, he stressed that most of the goals have been achieved and judicial reform has largely been successful. On behalf of the EPP family, he expressed the wish that the accession negotiations would be successful and completed this year.
Gordan Jandroković, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia, took the floor by thanking the EPP Group for its visit to Croatia. He said the public at large were deeply European and he hoped that the accession negotiations would be finished by June this year and that the Croatian Government would be ready and able to fulfil the criteria to finalise the accession. He said it was crucial that the EU keeps providing support to all the countries in the region. He said Croatia served as an excellent example to South-East Europe and the European perspective had provided a positive trend for cooperation between all countries in the region. He said the rules and criteria for entry into the European Union should be clear, coherent and transparent. Dialogue with the EU has to remain a stimulus for regional cooperation. Croatia had started an active dialogue with Serbia last year and this was important for the reconciliation process. He said that Croatia would continue to work intensively to encourage the pro-European parties in Serbia. He said Croatia had learned a lot and that even the most difficult problems could be solved in a civilised and political way. Alojz Peterle MEP, Member of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee and Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the EP, congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister. He said that in the past, many changes were imposed by stronger players in this region but the European dream to be free and living in a democracy was becoming a reality. Three countries in the region now have candidate status, Croatia is a few steps away from becoming a Member and Serbia is close to candidate status. These are great signs of hope that things have been moving, sometimes at a slow pace, but moving. He wished Croatia all the best on its way to taking the final steps to accession. Finally, Oerd Bylykbashi, Head of Cabinet of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, thanked the EPP Group for its support and gave a brief overview of the situation in Albania. He said negative attitudes had changed due to the European perspective. The EU’s role has been a catalyst in the region and Croatia is an excellent example to other countries in South-East Europe. He said entry to the European Union was not a gift and that it was based on a process of performance and merit.
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08-09/09/2011: Bureau Meeting in Wrocław, Poland
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Opening session Welcoming Members and guests to the EPP Group meeting in Wroclaw, Poland, Joseph Daul, EPP Group Chairman, said that Poland was an example to the rest of Europe with a 4% economic growth rate and first class political leadership. He hoped that on October 9 next the people of Poland would make the right choice for its future government. The EPP Group met in Wroclaw with neighbourhood policy and energy policy the main items on its agenda. Joseph Daul said that Europe needs to win the battle for jobs and competitiveness and adapt to the new world reality. China, India and Brazil are growing rapidly and Europe needs ambitious and responsible policies, like those implemented by the Civic Platform government, to overcome the current crisis. He also mentioned the courageous actions of the Vladis Drombrovskis government in Latvia and the Basescu government in Romania. Only through ambitious measures on a European level based on realism and solidarity can we hope to overcome the current crisis and provide a bright future for our citizens. Europe is a leading economic world power and we must build on the advantages we have.
l-r: Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, Grzegorz Schetyna, Speaker of the Lower House of the Polish Parliament, First Vice-Chair of the Civic Platform, Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, and Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Head of the Polish Delegation of the EPP Group
Joseph Daul congratulated Poland on its excellent Council Presidency and welcomed its success in achieving an outline agreement on strong future economic goverance in Europe. Concluding his remarks Joseph Daul welcomed Prime Minister Filat of Moldova to the meeting. The leader of the Polish MEPs in the EPP Group, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, in his opening remarks said that this was an important meeting during the Polish presidency, he referred to some of the important issues, such as government budget deficits, and threats to the Schengen Treaty which were being tackled by the Polish Presidency. History, he said, has taught Poles to deal well with crises. The EPP has an important leadership role in Europe with Jerzy Buzek as President of the European Parliament, José Manuel Barroso as President of the Commission and Herman van Rompuy as President of the Council. The EPP also leads the governments of 17 Member States and will hopefully add another, Spain, soon. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski said that more Europe is the answer to the current crises and we must never seek narrow nationalistic answers to our problems.
l-r: Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Radosław Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Poland, and Vladimir Filat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova
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Opening session II “Although Wroclaw has a difficult history it has always kept its character and is a good place for policy making”, said Grzegorz Schetyna, speaker of the Lower House of the Polish Parliament, welcoming the EPP Group Bureau meeting to his home town. He added that Poland, due to its economic situation, is a good place to talk about solutions to overcome the financial crisis. Schetyna underlined that economic growth and also the European neighbourhood policy are priorities of the Polish Presidency in the Council. “Eastern and southern EU neighbours have different problems but deserve our equal involvement and commitment”, he concluded. Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament, agreed that the EU’s message to its neighbours should be clear, efficient and effective. “The European Union was there for us Poles in the nineties, now the EU should be there for our eastern and southern neighbours. We can see that the changes in Africa are about liberty, dignity, not terrorism. They want our values”, said Jerzy Buzek.
l-r: Lena Barbara Kolarska-Bobínska MEP (EPP Group, Poland), Alejo Vidal-Quadras MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Vice-President of the European Parliament, Nikolay Mladenov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bulgaria, Gunnar Hökmark MEP (Sweden), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Kai Wynands, EPP Group Secretariat, Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, Tunne Kelam MEP (EPP Group, Estonia) and Pilar del Castillo Vera MEP (Spain)
Summing up the opening session of the EPP Group Bureau meeting in Wroclaw, Janusz Lewandowski, EU Budget Commissioner said that “handling the crisis is a litmus test for political EU and national leaderships”. He said that “without clear budget lines talk on funding is just repeating slogans”. However, two policies will stay at the core of the EU budget - cohesion and agricultural policy. Lewandowski announced that there will be an increase in spending on research, development and foreign EU policy next year.
Neighbourhood Policy Theme I of the meeting, entitled ‘European Neighbourhood policy: the Eastern Dimension’, was chaired by Marian-Jean Marinescu, (MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the EP and Chairman of WG Budget and Structural Policies). Pointing to positive developments, Marinescu welcomed the setting up of Euronest, which will give a real impetus to our relations with our neighbours to the East and to the South and which is going to help change things in Belarus. Marinescu also expressed his hopes that Moldova will be the first former Soviet Republic to become a member of the EU. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (MEP, Head of the Polish Delegation of the EPP Group in the EP) outlined how European neighbourhood policy should evolve. He pointed out that we have only one European neighbourhood policy, not two, and stressed that this policy is much more important than we often acknowledge. “It is a policy mix of internal and external policy and failure here would imply a failure in EU foreign policy and reduce hopes for the EU to be a global actor”, said Saryusz-Wolski, but added that the EU is on the right path.
r-l: Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Head of the Polish Delegation of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Joanna Jarecka-Gomez, EPP Group Advisor, Head of the International Relations Service, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (Romania), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Alakansdar Milinkevich, Leader of the Movement for Freedom, Belarus
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According to Saryusz-Wolski the EU needs a change of paradigm, not just changes of policy. The EU should become more demanding towards the governments in our neighbouring countries and should never again help the military or the police of dictators.
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The change of paradigm needs to go beyond the current toolbox. Most importantly, we should decentralise neighbourhood policy by giving guidance and financial support not only to governments, but also to various actors in society, for example political parties, farmers, employers, youth, religious organisations, women, academia and local governments. Society must feel a sense of ownership of the policy. The EU should move from an oligarchic approach to a true democracy and not have a paternalistic attitude, but listen more to its neighbours. According to Saryusz-Wolski, what is on paper now is not yet a sufficient strategy and a better long-term strategy should be specified. The EU should invest in its young people and most crucially in respect to education. Saryusz-Wolski concluded that the EU today is clearly not able to promise membership to its neighbours, but must build a very robust neighbourhood policy: “This is not an external investment; it is an investment in our EU future. With our neighbours to the East we will either swim together or sink separately.” In the debate MEPs approved the ideas presented by Saryusz-Wolski. Alejo Vidal-Quadras commented on the importance of the southern dimension of the neighbourhood policy; Jean-Pierre Audy and Tunne Kelam discussed the importance of the EU’s relations with Russia in this context; Doris Pack proposed the extension of the education programmes to neighbouring countries and Manfred Weber stressed the need to select carefully the members of the European Commission that deal with this policy.
Conclusions on Neighbourhood Policy Concluding the first session of the EPP Group’s Bureau meeting in Wroclaw, Mr Gunnar Hokmark (EPP Group Vice-Chairman) said that the time had come to improve the Eastern partnership. To be successful, European neighbourhood policy must, in the middle of the debt crisis, support progress in countries striving for democracy and rule of law. It takes decisiveness and a capability to prioritize both in political co-operation and between reforms. The Eastern Partnership, a Swedish-Polish initiative that is a logical consequence of the successful 2004 enlargement, aims to give the countries in the eastern neighbourhood access to the EU internal market and further European co-operation but requires at the same time political and economic reforms. Both the EU and its neighbours can gain much from this. The Eastern Partnership includes six countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. We should also soon dispose of visa regulations to give citizens of our neighbouring countries free movement in the Schengen area thus enhancing closeness and co-operation. This requires specific reforms and strict criteria to be fulfilled by our neighbours.
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But the neighborhood policy is about more than the economy, trade and free movement. It also includes educational support, such as grants to help young people from these countries to study at European universities. Co-operation on energy is likewise important. Concluding his remarks Gunnar Hokmark said that respect for Human Rights must never be compromised but we should seek progress whenever possible to the benefit of ourselves and our neighbours.
European Neighbourhood - The Eastern Dimension The Moldovan Prime Minister Vladimir Filat, the Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova, recalled that Moldova sees European integration as an historic chance to return to Europe. He said that Moldovans believe in European integration and that the implementation of the institutional and economic reforms should be rewarded on the basis of the merit-based principle. He said that the eventual EU aspiration is the main goal of the Moldovan Foreign Policy. Many reforms have been carried out under the new government and they touch upon sectors of public life including the adaptation of the safeguards of freedom of press, democratisation of the institutions and improvement of the justice system. The Prime Minister stressed that the Republic of Moldova is fully committed to a closer relationship with the EU. Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, welcomed the EU initiative to launch the Comprehensive Institution-Building programme, which is designed to assist Armenian State Institutions in preparing for the negotiations and the implementation of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement. Minister Davtyan said that within one year 18 chapters of the Association Agreement were finalised. Mr Davtyan, member of the Armenian Republican Party himself, underlined the importance of the political integration and explained that this was the reason for his political party, whose centre-right ideology has a strong Christian-Democrat inspiration, taking a decision to apply to the European People’s Party for observer membership. Radoslaw Sikorski, Foreign Minister of Poland, spoke about the preparation of the Eastern Partnership Summit which took place on 29-30 September in Warsaw. The Heads of States and Governments met to evaluate the current achievements of the Eastern Partnership and discuss new initiatives and challenges. He confirmed that the negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements with Moldova and Georgia will be launched soon. Alaksandr Milinkievich, the leader of the Movement for Democracy in Belarus reviewed the past EU-Belarus relations. The Former Sakharov Prize Winner expressed his hope that the parliamentary elections which will take place in 2012 would be transparent and that the representatives of the opposition parties in Belarus would be allowed to observe the counting of the ballots. He underlined that Belarus should not be blocked economically from the side of the EU as it would push the current regime of Lukashenka towards full dependence on its Eastern neighbour. He emphasised
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however that the normal dialogue should not start before the remaining 23 political prisoners are freed and fully rehabilitated. Elmar Brok MEP, the EPP Group’s Coordinator in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, recalled article 49 of the Lisbon Treaty which outlines European perspectives for European countries. However, he said the EU still has to finalize domestic projects and implement domestic reforms before it gives promises to Eastern neighbours. Instead, it should pay attention to the conclusion of the Association Agreements that includes the negotiation and subsequent ratification of the Free Trade Agreements with the east European countries. Elmar Brok MEP expressed strong dissatisfaction with the current development in Ukraine, where the former Prime Minister and the leader of the EPP sister party, Yulia Tymoshenko, is being prosecuted by the authorities and is currently in prison. This development questions the intention of the Ukrainian government to achieve closer ties with Europe.
Energy Policy Theme II of the meeting, entitled ‘Towards a coherent European energy policy’, was chaired by Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP), responsible for EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy. Mr Hökmark noted the recently announced proposal of the European Commission to boost the coordination of external energy policy amongst Member States and underlined the importance of the EU speaking with one voice. The first speaker on the panel was Gunther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, who agreed that speaking with one voice makes Europe stronger. “When united we have authority”, he said. Commissioner Oettinger spelled out the main points of the EC energy communication saying it is a coherent approach to dealing with third countries in energy matters. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Nickolay Mladenov, recalled the 2008 gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine which ended up leaving Bulgaria completely cut off from gas supply. “The EU should now make every effort in diversifying supply of energy. One process in particular is important and that is the Nabucco pipeline”, said Mr Mladenov. Tunne Kelam MEP, Member of the Committee of Foreign Affairs in the EP, said that the European Parliament already in its 2007 report called for an external policy for energy. “Back then it was considered political utopia. The policy on external energy is crucial to complete the internal EU energy market”, concluded Mr Kelam.
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Towards a coherent European energy policy Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice-President of the European Parliament chaired the final debate of the EPP Group Bureau meeting in Wroclaw entitled ‘On the way to better energy efficiency and safety’. He pointed out that the energy efficiency policy needs to have a long-term vision and mentioned that sudden and unpredictable changes to the system create difficulties in its management and effectiveness. As an example, the decision to suddenly backtrack on nuclear power by the German government was mentioned. Vidal-Quadras also pointed out that this policy needs to create a level playing field and let the competitive market fix the price of carbon, with a long-term goal to eliminate subsidies. Lena Kolarska-Bobinska, Rapporteur for ‘Towards a new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020’ explained that a comprehensive new energy strategy will require a significant expansion of funds: “In this respect it will be essential to convince our citizens that the investments we make today are very important for our future.” Kolarska-Bobinska also explained that this policy is in principle supported by all the political forces in the Parliament, but many details still need to be defined. For example, 80% of households could need to have their energy meters changed and businesses could have to adapt to new energy efficiency rules. Therefore, clear impact assessments and steps for efficient implementation need to be specified.
Conclusions Pilar del Castillo Vera, EPP Group coordinator in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the EP, concluded the meeting saying that at a time when the European project is often perceived as damaged by EU citizens, it is more important than ever for the EU to show on the inside and towards our partners that we want to do such important things together: “This is an excellent opportunity to give a signal of strength, clarity and will to be a leader beyond the EU, in this very vital matter.” The panelists and participants agreed that the debates of the EPP Group Bureau meeting in Wroclaw were very productive and that the conclusions will contribute significantly to the EU policy and towards the improvement of the lives of EU citizens.
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13-14/10/2011: Bureau Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria
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Opening session Opening the EPP Study Days in Sofia, Joseph Daul, EPP Group Chairman congratulated the Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov on his leadership of Bulgaria. The policies of investing in key infrastructures and good financial management of public finances were an example to all European Union countries. In addition, Joseph Daul said that the Bulgarian authorities were committed to Europe and were able to make their voices heard in Brussels and the other European capitals. The Group Chairman thanked Commission President Barroso and European Parliament President, Jerzy Buzek for their presence and very positive statements which they had made the previous evening. He welcomed Commissioners Hahn, Lewandowski and Georgieva. Turning to Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov, Joseph Daul said he was impressed with the progress achieved in recent years in Bulgaria, unemployment was stable, public debt was under control and the government had clearly shown that it could administer European funds in an open and transparent way. The opening session of the EPP Group Bureau meeting was attended by the Bulgarian Prime Minister as well as the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, as well as several other government ministers.
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (in the middle), (l-r) Andrey Kovatchev MEP, Head of the Bulgarian Delegation of the EPP Group, Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, and Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria
In his remarks the Prime Minister Boyko Borissov thanked the European Parliament for its “clear resolution” adopted by a huge majority on the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen. He said that Bulgaria had met, and fully met, all the criteria for Schengen membership and Bulgaria was implementing the Schengen rules on its borders. Mr. Borissov said he had to combat on a daily basis all the “isms”, populism, extremism, socialism, nationalism. All these “isms” made extravagant promises but all had failed to deliver for the people of Bulgaria. Referring to upcoming local and presidential elections the Prime Minister said the GERB candidates had a European view, well tested qualities and were well known for their commitment to Bulgaria and its future growth. Andrey Kovatchev MEP, Head of the Bulgarian delegation in the EPP Group, also welcomed his colleagues and guests to the Sofia Bureau meeting. He said Europe was facing a risk of nationalism and fragmentation. We in the EPP must fight to prevent the collapse of the euro area and all the achievements of the European Union. We need bold measures to prevent any backward step in Europe and to ensure that cohesion policy and regional development are not jeopardised. Mr. Kovatchev said the freedom to work and move within Europe were important and the work of the EPP was to ensure that Europe was both strong and stable. Concluding his remarks he said that he was confident today’s meeting would help restore confidence.
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, is joined by the EPP Group Presidency, the Bulgarian and Romanian Delegations of the EPP Group, European Commissioners and the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria
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Deputy Prime Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov, referred to the substantial progress achieved in Bulgaria over the past few years in the area of developing economic infrastructures and fighting crime. He welcomed the recent failure of populism in Denmark when attempts to destroy the Schengen system had been defeated in the general election. If we can remain open and free, free to move and work and provide services, then we will prosper. Fragmentation would destroy our common future.
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The Future of EU Cohesion Policy Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and Chairman of the Working Group: Budget and Structural Policies, opened theme 1 of the EPP Group Bureau meeting on the future of EU cohesion policy. He welcomed the distinguished panel of three European Union Commissioners, Hahn, Lewandowski and Georgieva and Mr Rosen Plevneliev, GERB Candidate for President of the Republic of Bulgaria. Mr. Plevneliev said he had spent two and a half years in government, he said over 80% of Bulgarians are pro European even in the middle of the current crisis and that the conclusion of the 2020 cohesion policy proposals are very important for opening up Bulgarian potential. Regional cohesion is vitally important to Bulgaria: Mr Plevneliev said he was no longer in government but travelling through Bulgaria and two messages are constantly being repeated by Bulgarian citizens, they want “results” and “justice”. Tangible results in their regions and a speed up of reforms in the field of justice. Bulgaria needs a single 2020 strategy and to develop a strong national approach. Populists need to be judged by their actions and not their words. Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn presented the thinking of the future shape of the cohesion policy. The difficulty was to deal with great demand using limited resources. In the future more European added value will have to be shown investment policy by regions and people. There needs to be a better return on investment, not only financial but also in welfare. He quoted the American Declaration of Independence: “The highest aim is the happiness of the people”. There are currently 271 regions in Europe needing assistance. 80% of citizens want to live where they were born. More attention needs to be given to life being organised in a collective way. subsidiarity will play a role but substantial negotiations with the particular regions to achieve their goals will also be necessary. The devil is in the detail and all these details will have to be thrashed out to find the best and fastest way to achieve these goals. There will need to be a performance reserve where meeting your goals will pay. It is essential to have proper land registers as investors find it difficult to invest without one. He said that Bulgaria had done an excellent job and had played an active part in the debate. Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget did not want to repeat what had already been covered by his colleague but he wanted to place cohesion in the overall design for the future. He said it was a major problem to have more Europe with more money and to know how to be realistic. Agriculture and Cohesion have been nominally frozen but needed to be handled in a more sensitive way environmentally. He said that cohesion policy was one of the most visible Community policies from Tallin to Valetta. He said that Bulgaria had a decent forecast for the future and despite the capping of funds they will receive more. We all have to remember that the Community budget is a budget born out of the current European crisis. Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response was the final speaker before the floor was opened to debate. Mrs Georgieva said it was an honour and a pleasure to have the EPP Group Bureau in her home town. She wanted to focus on the potential of the cohesion policy to face the crisis in Europe. She said, in her short year and a half as Commissioner, that she had experienced nearly every possible disaster: famine,
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floods, heat waves, droughts and a volcanic eruption. She stressed that the fragility of Europe was increasing due to disasters. She said we should not have famine due to crop failure in the 21st century. She highlighted on a map the high risk areas, the Pacific, Asia, South America and Africa, but she said that we should not ignore the huge threat Europe faces from hazards such as floods, temperature events, forest fires and earthquakes. Europe was not protected, there were 80 000 fatalities between 1998-2009 with EUR 100 billion in economic loss. She asked, what can the Cohesion Fund do? The Cohesion Fund can provide substantial economic potential for mitigation abatement purposes. She said there were three opportunities for the future, to encourage risk analysis, to support investment in resilience (flood management) and to allow for funding for equipment for civil protection systems. Europe should be strong in the face of disaster. The Cohesion Fund complement Member States’ funds and not substitute them. We should face disaster together. She said her job was to meet the pledge to save lives, limit damage and reduce costs.
Towards sustainable and inclusive growth As moderator of the last panel, EPP Group Vice-Chairwoman Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP introduced participants to the discussion by stressing that sustainable and inclusive growth were key in these times of crisis. Apart from the package on economic governance adopted recently, the so-called six-pack, we also need a strong crisis management mechanism with enough fire-power. Wortmann-Kool echoed the words of GERB candidate for Bulgarian President Rosen Plevniev - we owe it to our citizens to act responsibly because we will be faced with another crisis and we will prove our worth by how we manage it. EPP Group Vice-President Rumiana Jeleva agreed that the people expect the European leaders to assume responsibility in tackling the crisis. In order to successfully do that, Europe needs to sing from the same sheet. The European project is still not complete, and as the strongest political family in Europe, the EPP needs to push forward in that direction. Jeleva argued a link beween the current crisis and the need for institutional and cultural integration. What we need is a holistic governance approach involving a greater degree of fiscal, social and economic coordination. Jeleva called for more ambition in European policies, saying that the goal was not only to preserve the euro, but also to strengthen the Internal Market and reform of institutional architecture. Completing the Internal Market was the main thread of the intervention of Andreas Schwab MEP, EPP Group Coordinator on the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection. According to Schwab, the Internal Market can only function if there is economic governance. The six-pack was a good step, but in essence it is a package of rules. Rules were what we had before, rules we did not respect and this would need to change. A more radical reform of the Internal Market is needed to get over the national debt crisis, including an ambitious tax reform. Schwab supported the European Commission proposals aimed at improving the Internal Market which are expected to generate more than 4% growth Europe-wide.
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Iliana Ivanova MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis, focused on SMEs that are finding it harder to get access to Community funding. She welcomed recent Commission proposals aimed at tackling that problem as well as proposals for an Erasmus for young entrepreneurs with a view to cross-border recognition of professional qualifications. Ivanova believed that opening the labour market would help Europe complete the Internal Market. In conclusion Ivanova thanked Corien Wortmann-Kool for taking into account the views of new Member States and of those that do not belong to the euro area when negotiating on the six-pack and recalled that today Bulgaria meets the Stability Pact criteria. Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and EPP Coordinator of the Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis, concluded the last panel.
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2. Study Days 04-06/05/2011: Study Days in Palermo, Italy
l-r: Francesco Cascio, President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, Carlo Casini MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group, Abbes Fassi Fihri, Prime Minister of Morocco, Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, and Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta
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Opening Session Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, opened the EPP Group Study Days in Palermo, Italy by extending the apologies of Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi who could not attend the Study Days until Friday morning due to pressing business. Joseph Daul was delighted to be in Palermo and mentioned his many recent visits to Italy; ten days ago he had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, and last week he was in Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, so he has a strong affinity with Italy. He expected this meeting in southern Europe to be highly constructive and productive. We have many difficult issues to tackle, Lampedusa, migration, social cohesion, etc. Mr Daul said that when he goes to other continents he is always struck by the courage shown by other people, like the Japanese. We, as Europeans, need to find our way back to confidence. Our values, EPP values, are deeply rooted in the Mediterranean area. We stand shoulder to shoulder regarding immigration, climate, energy and security and we need to demonstrate this. He thanked all the guests, Italian and Sicilian, and was delighted to be in the wonderful city of Palermo. There needs to be Community solutions and this is what we are here to do in Palermo. Jerzey Buzek MEP, President of the European Parliament, took the floor and said it was the best place to discuss our neighbourhood policy and current problems in North Africa: “We need to remember what the EU has done regarding neighbourhood policy. It is important not to make the same mistakes again”. He made three points: “We need to show more solidarity. Instability in North Africa could lead to more illegal immigration and countries cannot be left alone to deal with this. We need to help each other in times of crisis. FRONTEX needs to be used, our membership borders are our common borders, a return to internal border controls will lead to divisions and will further harm our economic recovery. Secondly, we need to re-think our neighbourhood policy. Our neighbours from North Africa will ask to have democratic dividends in the future, prosperity being the most important. How can we support them in prosperity? The EP said a month ago that a greater opening up of the Internal Market for goods coming from North Africa is a long term investment, and sometimes investments only give rewards in the long-term. The third issue is a long-term perspective issue. We need to be honest with ourselves. We made a mistake with Northern Africa, that only stability is important, real stability comes from democracy. Certain common lessons may be applied. North Africa does not need more aid but better aid and democratic reforms. We must not impose but consult and advise, opening up our markets will be their reward. The European Union can be strengthened by cooperation with North Africa. Our southern partners are very important to us.” Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group, thanked the Mayor of Palermo and the Sicilian MEPs for organising the meeting: “The President-in-Office of the European Council, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Malta, Lawrence Gonzi, and the Prime Minister of Morocco, Abbes Fassi Fihri, are joining us at this significant meeting. In a few years, we have managed to establish a strategy for eastern Europe to guarantee a path which has led to the integration of 150 million people. We have to have a specific objective in which Europe will remain true to itself. The Lisbon Treaty has set up new mechanisms but we were astounded by Ashton’s statement that she had no mandate to aid Libya. We, the EU, have to shape
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our own strategy for the hundreds of thousands of refugees. We are under major pressure from migratory flows, Europe needs to be able to meet these challenges to answer to history.” Carlo Casini MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC) of the EPP Group, said: “We have to think of opportunities which are to be found in southern Europe. This is an opportunity to re-launch Europe. Europe could be a beacon of civilisation by meeting this challenge without force”. Pope John Paul II said that man has to reconcile himself with all creatures on the earth and that there should be no exception to this rule. Man should try and ensure that there is reconciliation between all peoples on all continents. Not just accepting people on one’s own territory but to be a beacon for civilisation.”
Salvatore Iacolino MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament (on the left), and Stefania Prestigiacomo, Italian Minister for the Environment and Protection of Land and Sea
Francesco Cascio, President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, thanked the EPP Group for coming to Palermo: “Today we are looking at security, at joint control and dealing with the number of immigrants and trying to curb the illegal trafficking of immigrants. Sicily is heavily involved with Lampedusa, the Sicilian island that is in the spotlight at the moment. It is the first landing site for immigrants. We need to make sure that we have the resources available to deal with the situation, we need more resources and a coordinated European response to this problem. Sicily is a bridge between Europe and Africa. I hope these Study Days will remind us that we need to cooperate together. We need to be masters of our destiny and move forward and involve the African continent in our developments.” He was looking forward to a lively discussion and to finding ways to deal with this situation for our future and our children’s futures.
Rebuilding a strong partnership in the Mediterranean: an answer to the crisis in the Arab world and North Africa “Currently, the European project is under significant strain, brought about by economic migrants coming to the southern European shores. The question is should we open our doors to uncontrolled economic migration?”, asked the President-in-Office of the EU Council and Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. Viktor Orbán was addressing the first debate of the EPP Group Study Days entitled ‘Rebuilding a strong partnership in the Mediterranean: an answer to the crisis in the Arab world and North Africa’. This debate was chaired by the EPP Group Chairman, Joseph Daul. Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, and Abbes Fassi Fihri, Prime Minister of Morocco, gave their respective keynote speeches and answered direct questions from Members of the European Parliament. “Taking in unlimited numbers of economic migrants may weaken our welfare state. On the home front, we should strive to change our welfare society into a ‘workfare society’. On the Southern front, we need to create an historic alliance with North African states, an alliance based on North Africans staying at home.”
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and other Members of the EPP Group visit the refugee centre ‘Mission of Hope and Charity - Biagio Conte’ in Palermo
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Mr Orbán briefly mentioned that Romania and Bulgaria should be admitted to the Schengen area and that Schengen should not be dismantled. “We should never step back from any common EU
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acquis”, he explained. However, he did concede that the EU needs new tools that allow Member States to protect their borders in special circumstances. The Maltese Prime Minister stopped short of calling the EU’s assistance to North African states a ‘Marshall Plan’ but insisted that this plan must contain concrete action. “Our support must discriminate in favour of those countries which translate EU financial support into democratic practices. Europe needs to invest a lot in this transition to democracy. We cannot fail on this.” “We have to listen carefully to the wishes of these people who risk their lives for a better future. Throwing money at them is not the answer. Just law courts, good schools, incorruptible police services and setting up robust institutions are crucial aspects of any democratic society and this is where we can step in to help these people, drawing on our wealth of experience in these areas”, said the Maltese Prime Minister. “We have to understand that these revolts are home-grown. It is a genuine desire of the people to embrace democracy and human rights. Let’s not be naive. These revolts have very serious ramifications. These revolts have a bearing on all Europe not just on Malta and Italy”, said Lawrence Gonzi.
l-r: José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission, Renato Schifani, President of the Italian Senate, Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, and Salvatore Iacolino MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament
“I don’t think that North African countries are calling for a Marshall Plan”, stated the Moroccan Prime Minister. “Most North African countries are doing well economically. We need assistance; symbolic assistance rather than anything else, like training for managers, grants in the innovationdriven sectors, youth exchange programmes and training in the health sector because we have a shortage of doctors. We have a very healthy, thriving civil society covering the whole board. We’re combating illegal migration but we accept immigrants from Africa because Morocco has its roots in Africa”, declared Mr Fassi Fihri. “Major changes in the Arab world bring with them a lot of hope for us. Our societies need democratic reforms as much as they need economic opening. We need pragmatic changes to boost a dynamic partnership around the Mediterranean littoral.” “We need to breathe new life into the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). We are ready to host the UfM University. We need to establish a Euromed research centre which would help the educational policies of Mediterranean countries.” The Moroccan Prime Minister stated that the EU recognised the Moroccan Government’s efforts towards reform. “On the 9th of March 2011, we decided to change our Constitution. It’s an audacious reform, boosting the role of the Prime Minister, enhancing the role of the political parties and entrenching the separation of powers”, said Mr Fassi Fihri.
l-r: Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Abbes Fassi Fihri, Prime Minister of Morocco, Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group, Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, and Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta
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Agriculture and fisheries in the Mediterranean: the prospects of the reform of the CAP and the CFP Key subjects Members discussed during the EPP Group Study Days in Palermo were the prospects of the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the common fisheries policy (CFP). The main challenges coming up in this context are fleet over-capacity, the implementation of a customs policy which guarantees fair, transparent and sustainable trade while protecting the environment, as well as the financial means for the CAP and the CFP. Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and Chairman of the Working Group Budget and Structural Policies, said that the CAP and the CFP are two important policies of the European Union. The years 2011 and 2012 will be decisive concerning the definition and the approval of reforms for these policies. Member States take different stances concerning the EU budget. Therefore, it is of exceptional importance to find a balance between the needs of the CAP and the CFP and the capacity of the EU budget. Currently, the two policies are in a state of elaboration of which the majority of the European Parliament already agrees on several important aspects. Mr Marinescu hoped that discussions would lead to a good solution for European citizens. l-r: Francesco Cascio, President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, Carlo Casini MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament
The Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Francesco Saverio Romano, said that agriculture has always been one of the key policies of the European Union. As we are dealing with the reform of the CAP now, we have to find a solution for the allocation of the financial means for the Member States. We also have to clarify what the objectives of an agricultural policy will be within the coming years and what its perspectives are. Today, we have to deal with multi-functionalism and a new definition of the profession of the farmer. The security and quality of the products have to be maintained and we have to deal with the problem of false descriptions. To defend our market, we have to count on quality as regards food labelling and backtracking. Countries should follow rules to ensure food safety which all the Member States should respect and fulfil so that we can be competitive on the world market. Europe also offers opportunities: a policy shall be structured where all stakeholders are included and which fosters Europe as a leader within the global context. The Member States have to speak with one voice in order to strengthen Europe. Single interests should be left behind in order to go forward as a successful Europe. Giovanni La Via, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, summarised the history of the CAP and stressed the importance of maintaining the first pillar: “The direct support for farmers has to be maintained but under the condition that the farmers produce public goods like cultivating land. The second pillar strengthens the rural development policy: a certain percentage of the money goes to rural development, for example, for the prevention of natural disasters, climate change, to find alternatives to pesticides and to have a better quality of products. One of the main challenges is to maintain the budget for agriculture as not all Member States want to increase the EU budget.�
Franco Frattini, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs (on the left), and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship
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The EPP Group Coordinator of the Committee on Fisheries in the European Parliament, Antonello Antinoro, pointed out that for setting up the new CFP, we have to keep a close eye on making sure 137 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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that the different characteristics of the fisheries sector are taken into account. The Mediterranean region in particular has its own richness in its own species and also has its own problems to tackle. To survive economically, it is important to accept these differences among the regions as well as the different situations in the fisheries sector. The coastal fishery is not able to fulfil the same conditions as the industrial fishery. Furthermore, the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) have to be re-assessed and it has to be ensured that non-EU states also follow the rules of a more stringent fishery policy. Against the background of the crises in the Mediterranean region, he also pointed out the humanitarian aspect of the fisheries sector as many Tunisians are employed in the fisheries sector. He made it clear that the economic aspect has to be emphasised and that we need an economic as well as a political Europe. Michel Dantin, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in the European Parliament, concluded that the CAP and the CFP are important EU policies and emphasised what the EPP Group had already done in this perspective. He pointed out the importance of food safety and the need to consider environmental protection. The objective has to be to support farmers’ income in the agricultural sector as only then can we ensure food safety. Further questions were how more transparency in the food chain could be achieved and how fair criteria for the allocation of the financial means could be guaranteed. The CAP budget should be maintained. The interests of our famers have to be protected, especially as regards international agreements. Concerning the fisheries sector, the role of the EU in trade has to be strengthened. Major points are also the establishment of new sustainable management as well as better governance in this sector, where the EPP Group shall play a major role.
SMEs, young entrepreneurs and services, social fabric of the Mediterranean Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament responsible for the Mediterranean Union, Euromed and the Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis, opened the second session of the afternoon on SMEs, young entrepreneurs and services, the social fabric of the Mediterranean. He welcomed the distinguished guests and speakers and looked forward to a lively discussion in Palermo on the role of the Mediterranean and formulating a new cohesion policy post-2014.
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Jean-Pierre Audy MEP mentioned other areas where sharing of national experience and ideas in culture, music, media and sport can allow us to share experiences with citizens on either side of the Mediterranean. He felt an important issue that hadn’t been mentioned more specifically was the role of women. Where a woman is a victim, there is a disaster, where she is at the centre of society, she is also the centre of stability. He said that in terms of the Mediterranean, this was important, important to see women more as a stabilising force. Daniel Caspary MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament, said that Europe was going through an emergency situation. He said it was important to focus on youth and it is necessary if we want to create new firms and new entrepreneurs. The EPP Group, the largest Group in the European Parliament, could be more involved with youth and all the issues related to new entrepreneurs and new companies. The EPP Group did well to focus on the Mediterranean and it did well to underline the importance of this area for any important strategies that are to be implemented. Giorgia Meloni, Italian Minister of Youth, thanked the EPP Group for having a session looking at younger generations. “These are issues not of secondary importance; the focus on youth in Europe and the policies we should be driving forward, investing in people and trying to extend this to the Mediterranean area is crucial. It’s a strategic choice so I express my gratitude to all those who made today a reality. I can only talk of the Italian Government’s initiatives which will give us a chance to look in a new and different way at youth. The University of the Mediterranean is one concept, a place where we could train people and give them trades and professions suited to the needs of the region. This is one of the ideas that has been floated, but we obviously need political input if we want to rebuild a system in which we see cooperation between young people in the Mediterranean. This is a starting point for considerations in the European Union. Implementing European mobility is the key. There are two benefits of being young today: the internet is available everywhere which has massively improved opportunities, and young people can now travel very readily, learn other languages and gather information; a wealth of inter-generational exchange. The Italian Government is endeavouring to do this nationally, to help individuals achieve, regardless of background. The Youth on the Move flagship initiative we are promoting is one of the chief priorities which should be used to build a relationship between the world of education and the world of work. This is the generation which can rebuild Europe”. Following the conclusions, Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, awarded the Group’s highest honour, the Schuman Medal, to a former Member of the EPP Group, Pietro Adonnino (IT), for his legal expertise and service to Italy and Europe.
Paolo Romani, Italian Minister for Economic Development, gave a brief overview of the Italian situation and the difficulty for economic development in the current economic crisis. He said it was essential that the European Union exploited the experience acquired by national and urban centres when formulating policy, particularly in regard to water in the Mediterranean area. The use of water and water resources, and maintaining the water table is also an issue for many other Member States, including Ireland. He said that local knowledge is crucial in finding a common and effective solution to these problems.
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The Mediterranean and security: the role of the European Union “The solution is in the Lisbon Treaty. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. All we need to do is put into action what we already agreed upon. But do we have the political will to do so?”, asked Simon Busuttil MEP at the EPP Group Study Days in Palermo. The EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament was wrapping up the debate ‘Migration and dialogue in the Mediterranean’. The debate was chaired by Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber MEP. Mohammed Benhammou, Professor at Mohammed V Rabat-Souissi University and international expert on security and terrorism, Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group, and José Ignacio Salafranca MEP, EPP Group Co-Coordinator of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, gave keynote speeches during the debate. They also answered direct questions from Members of the European Parliament. “We have long had solutions on the table. The European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, endorsed by the European Council in October 2008, already contains the solutions needed. Yesterday’s European Commission Communication contains the same solutions. Article 80 of the Lisbon Treaty states that “our common immigration and asylum policy must be built on solidarity and on the sharing of responsibilities”, said Mr Busuttil. Manfred Weber MEP said that migration is not just a technical policy area but indeed very political with far-right political parties thriving on the back of migration issues. Simon Busuttil MEP put it in a slightly different way: “We have to learn to deal with migration and asylum without losing votes. The EPP Group has always looked at the problems head-on, in an honest way, without resorting to populist positions.” Manfred Weber MEP drew a line between legal and illegal migration. “Europe needs to be a safe haven for asylum seekers. But Europe should have a completely different approach for economic migrants.” Professor Mohammed Benhammou drew attention to the “gulf in economic development between the two sides of the Mediterranean. The North is a dream for the South but the South is a nightmare for the North.” The Professor referred to the demographic imbalance. “You have an ageing population in the North and a young population in the South. The North needs new blood to address its ageing population. The South is always seen as a potential threat with migration; a cultural threat, a crime threat, an Islamic extremism threat. The view most Europeans have of migration is that it is a threat in one way or another. The countries surrounding the Southern basin of the Mediterranean should not be pushed to police the Mediterranean border. We would be making a mistake today if we took the North African states as a homogenous block. Each state has taken a different path. Each case is different. The Mediterranean should not be a divider but a uniter”, the Professor concluded.
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“We could think of an Erasmus programme for North Africans, if we want the new generation of North Africans to be aware of our values. If these countries do not accept freedom of religion they will not evolve into a fully fledged democracy. An intercultural dialogue is of the essence”, MEP Mario Mauro said. “I really believe that Europe should have a very special relationship with North African countries. A special partnership with Turkey would be extended to a number of democratic North African countries”, said Mario Mauro MEP. He also analysed the demographics of the new wave of migrants. “They are almost all males and almost all young and quite well educated.” He said that the migrants who set up business in their host countries are those who integrate most. José Ignacio Salafranca MEP said: “A key plank of our policy should be solidarity. Migration flows must be managed in a dignified manner but our dialogue with North African countries should be conducted on a case by case basis with clear conditions attached.”
Judicial cooperation, fight against organised crime and money laundering This session was chaired by European Parliament Vice-President, Roberta Angelilli, who said that the EU must take the initiative in all items such as organised crime as it is “no longer an artisanal activity but, in fact, uses the more modern technologies and the EU needs to fight that with cooperation”. The European Union institutions must take the political initiative in concrete fields, such as fighting against child pornography on the Internet, and push all Member States to adopt best practices, such as using existing Italian law that provides for the confiscation of the property of criminals. Vice-Chairman of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Salvatore Iacolino MEP, thanked everybody for the strong message the EPP Group being in Palermo sends “to fight against the mafia”. He also said that national borders are in fact an obstacle in the fight against organised crime. The cost of organised crime in Europe could be estimated at around EUR 100 billion “more or less the amount that Italy spends on its social security system”. Faced with that figure, there is an imperative need to adopt measures. As he is Rapporteur for an own-initiative Report on the fight against organised crime due to be voted in the Civil Liberties Committee, he made a call to introduce ideas on this matter. He mentioned some of the proposals he will make: more coordination between secret services, support to companies that face the threat of mafias, the confiscation of personal goods and property of criminals, etc. The President of EUROJUST, Aled Willliams, suggested to the MEPs three ways to move forward in the field of the fight against organised crime. The main one should be to pass from mutual assistance in judicial matters to mutual recognition of judicial decisions. He quoted the example of the European Arrest and Extradition Warrant: more than 14 000 orders of this kind were issued
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successfully in Europe in 2009. He also mentioned the importance of creating a unique tool for investigation against organised crime as, right now, there are too many protocols, which is very confusing and, in fact, they are an obstacle to judicial cooperation. Finally, he proposed giving EUROJUST the power to open an inquiry on concrete cases. Nevertheless, he admitted that this last proposal is highly politically sensitive. Italian Justice Minister, Angelino Alfano, called on the EPP Group to lead the debate and the decisions to create a real European Area of Freedom and Security and to find “the right balance between freedom and security. We need to move forward for the mutual recognition of judicial decisions and the harmonisation of national legislations”. During the debate, EPP Group Chairman, Joseph Daul, made a call to Member State Governments to follow the “method of the founding fathers, the community method” in the area of Justice and the Interior.
Judicial cooperation, fight against organised crime and money laundering “The EPP is a party of values, a party of fundamental rights. Justice is at the heart of the EPP’s manifesto. We need to build a common European area of freedom and security. This area must be built by all EPP Group MEPs, MPs and EPP governments. We need meaningful cooperation between national and European levels within the EPP family. This political venture should be driven by EPP politicians wherever they may be”, stated Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Mrs Reding was speaking during the debate ‘Judicial cooperation, fight against organised crime, money laundering and drug trafficking’. The debate was chaired by Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group. Franco Frattini, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, also gave a keynote speech.
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Mediterranean and the environment the role of the European Union “Governance is really the key to the management of water resources. Financial considerations come after that. We need to dovetail private and public capital into water infrastructure. It is important that regulatory and control authorities are in place. The authorities should guarantee access to water for all”, said Stefania Prestigiacomo, the Italian Minister for the Environment. Ms Prestigiacomo was speaking during the debate ‘A strategy in the field of water and sea’. The debate was chaired by Vice-President of the European Parliament, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP. Giovanni Pitruzzella, Professor of constitutional law from the Faculty of Law at the University of Palermo, gave an account of the legal and constitutional aspects of water management. “European law says there must be fair prices in water. Tools should be created to set up such a structure”, said Professor Pitruzzella. “Governance and the proper use of the water network are crucial. Using private investment in the water infrastructure is a valid idea, as is the idea of setting up an independent authority tasked to check whether prices are fair and monitor the operators working in water resources”, stressed the Professor. Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines MEP wrapped up the debate by saying that the EPP Group has always, and is still supporting the idea that structural and cohesion funds be allocated to investment in water policy and in the infrastructure of water networks. “Governance is about transparency as well, because this is how we can wipe out the black market. The maintenance of river basins is important.” “The Mediterranean is the responsibility of all Mediterranean countries. This sea needs to be monitored by all these countries, coordinating between themselves. We need to monitor the aquifers in these countries. Technology needs to be developed by public and private partnerships. We need to recycle more. This is critical”, stated Mrs Gutiérrez-Cortines.
“Our security is at risk if we rely on dictatorial regimes because if they’re forced out, Islamic extremists step in to take their place. It is in our interest to foster democratic forces as opposed to relying on dictatorial regimes. This should be a central plank of our security policy”, declared Mr Frattini.
A strategy in the field of energy
“We should be self-critical. We tolerated these autocratic regimes. These countries helped us in the fight against terrorism. These countries helped us better manage the flow of migrants. The price we paid was that it turned into serious breaches of human rights.
Renato Schifani, President of the Italian Senate, expressed his delight at attending the EPP Group Study Days as they were taking place in his home town of Palermo. The choice of place is also significant as Europe faces major challenges in the south of the Mediterranean. “We are on the borders of Europe. We should look at the area as a place of dialogue and economic integration, share common values of freedom, the values of the EPP Group. The security and well-being of the whole EU depends on a common approach”, said President Schifani.
“Now we have to support the democratic forces. I’m not saying that we should export our democratic models. We should not be paternalistic. But we would like to see the democratic principles upheld in these countries. We cannot turn our back now on serious breaches of human rights”, stated the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
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Renato Schifani proposed a partnership with North African countries based on democracy, launching a request for greater solidarity in immigration policy and the fight against organised
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crime. “The EU should be based on the principle of solidarity. We managed this in economic governance now we need a common policy on immigration. Closing borders is not the solution. The Messina Conference 56 years ago launched the integration process, now I hope for a re-launch of a more united Europe”, concluded President Schifani.
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07-08/12/2011: Study Days in Marseille, France
Strategy on Energy Opening the debate on a strategy in the field of energy, European Commissioner Günter Oettinger stressed the need to think beyond the EU-27. In the context of recent developments in North Africa, the Commissioner suggested involving those countries in common energy projects. “We must propose projects that go beyond the neighbourhood policy. The region is perfectly suited for renewable energy, solar energy for example. We need to work on requisite infrastructure and common projects. If we get this off the ground, we can contribute to stabilising the region. It’s a winwin situation for both sides of the Mediterranean”, said Oettinger. The Algerian Minister for Energy and Mines, Youcef Yousfi, underlined that Algeria has always been a reliable and stable partner for the EU and that it has never failed, even in times of regional disturbances. He proposed speeding up the partnership process with the EU as “our economies are complementary”, he said. Touching on the environmental dimension of energy policy, Peter Liese MEP, Co-coordinator of the Committee on the Environment in the EP, said that lowering CO2 emissions is one of the EPP Group’s main commitments. “Reducing EU emissions is in our election manifesto. Therefore, a policy that is not in line with environmental sustainability is not growth-oriented”, he said.
Joseph Daul MEP (France), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (2nd right), (l-r:) Jean-Pierre Audy MEP, Head of the French Delegation of the EPP Group, Jean-Claude Gaudin, Mayor of Marseille, Chairman of the UMP Group in the Senate, Chairman of the Committee of the Presidential Majority, and Martin Kamp, Secretary-General of the EPP Group
“There is no growth and industrial policy without a good energy policy”, said Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship. “Energy prices are too high. The aim is to have a genuine, open energy market, an EU energy strategy”, he said. Summing up the debate, Herbert Reul MEP, Chairman of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee of the European Parliament, pointed out three political issues for discussion in the future. “Energy will determine the economic future of Europe. Therefore, should energy policy stand in its own right or should it be dependent on environmental aspects?”, he asked. Herbert Reul thinks we should move towards an energy mix, not merely rely on renewables. And finally, he stressed that the EPP Group should have a clear policy on nuclear energy. The panel on energy policy was chaired by Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. Ioannis Kasoulides MEP (Cyprus), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, EPP Group Coordinator in the Culture Committee of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) (in the middle), (l-r:) José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra MEP (EPP Group, Spain), Chairman of the Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Youssef Amrani, Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, and Tokia Saïfi MEP (EPP Group, France), Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the EMPA
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Opening Session Mr. Jean-Claude Gaudin, Mayor of Marseille, President of the UMP in the Senate and President of the Presidential majority, welcomed the EPP Group to Marseille for its Study Days focussing on the themes of defending our citizens, our economies and our values. He said the EPP Group had the potential to open Pandora’s box of hope and courage. The European Union has provided peace, prosperity and security for the last 60 years and although there are sacrifices to be made in this crisis he was confident that Europe would find solutions to our problems. He was particularly delighted that Marseille had been chosen to be the European City of Culture for 2013. Europe must stay united in difficulty. Without Europe nothing would be possible and it is Europe’s challenge to find solutions to the current crisis. EPP Group Chairman, Joseph Daul MEP said it was time for an efficient plan for the future. We need real debate to show unity, to meet, discuss and find solutions. He hoped that this would be possible at this week’s European Council. He looked to the energy and hope of the Arab Spring and their desire to adopt our values of respect for human rights, democracy and respect for the rule of law. r-l: Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP (EPP Group, Greece), Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Dominique Vlasto MEP (EPP Group, France)
Wilfried Martens, President of the EPP Party, said that it was a decisive moment in time for the European Union. The challenge is for the triumph of the values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. We need to look at Muslim culture from a new perspective and we need closer cooperation with the USA with both the government and the NGOs. The European neighbourhood policy was a decisive instrument for the changes caused by the Arab Spring. The European Union needs a new and better visa policy. We need a more liberal common visa policy for students, reearchers and business people. Jean-Pierre Audy MEP, President of the French delegation (UMP) in the EPP Group in the EP, said that diversity is our wealth and that the motto of the EU, Unity in Diversity, was the best way to achieve political alliance and the best path for France in 2012.
r-l: Jerzy Buzek MEP (EPP Group, Poland), President of the European Parliament, Mário David MEP (EPP Group, Portugal), Vice-President of the European People’s Party, Salvatore Iacolino MEP (EPP Group, Italy), Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, and Simon Busuttil MEP (Malta), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
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Future orientation of the Euro-Mediterranean integration process within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and of the Union for the Mediterranean Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Foreign Affairs, chaired the first session at the EPP Group Study Days in Marseille, introducing the first topic dedicated to the future orientation of the Euromed integration process. “We have witnessed a turnaround in the Mediterranean. The youth in Arab countries have shown us that the rules of democracy are universal. This applies to the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. We have, to date, had a series of democratic elections in the region. Our duty is to help our southern neighbours without interfering in their internal affairs. Today we will discuss how to do this.” Youssef Amrani, Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, opened the debate by stating that the EU must engage in partnerships with newly-elected Parties in the Arab countries, based on common universal values. The rise of Islamist Parties in the region must not hinder European Parties from dialoguing with them. The European Parliament is, according to the Lisbon Treaty, a key actor in foreign policy. He also mentioned the role of the youth. They started the Arab Spring, out of a desire for a better life. In this respect, a reform of the labour market is needed. Job creation should be a key priority in order to achieve social stability. The second speaker was Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas, Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs. He said the Arab Spring was a clear defeat of terrorist movements like Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda played no role in the Arab Spring. He marked the events in the Arab world as important as the fall of the Berlin Wall. It changed the world and created at the same time an opportunity for a new partnership between the EU and the Arab countries. For too long the EU saw allies in the war against terrorism in North African dictatorial regimes. In the new partnership, the EU must be aware that the region is not homogeneous. Morocco doesn’t have much in common with Egypt; the situation in Libya is not the same as in Syria. The EU must avoid trying to export the European democratic model to the southern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The Arab society is spiritually very strong and is much different from the European society. The EU must identify moderate political groups based on the Turkish political concept. Former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franco Frattini, stressed the need for mutual trust. The idea of a ‘Fortress Europe’ is not in the interest of Europe. But an open strategy cannot work without drawing lines: human rights, rule of law, religious freedom. The EU cannot close its eyes should extremist groups emerge. The EU, and especially the EPP Group, has a special responsibility in protecting the Christian minorities in the Middle East.
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Tokia Saïfi MEP, Chairwoman of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, gave her support to Mr Amrani’s views. We have the duty to respect the outcome of the democratic elections held in Tunisia and Egypt. The situation in Syria is worrying. The fall of the Libyan regime has had many repercussions in other sub-Saharan countries such as the return of many migrant workers to Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The Touareg population could stress their wish for independence, the proliferation of heavy and light arms in the region, etc. Arnaud Danjean MEP, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence of the European Parliament, said that the EU has a major role to play. The EU must show willpower. EU foreign policy in the region should foster regional stability and promote religious freedom. José Salafranca MEP, EPP Group Co-Coordinator in the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Monitoring Group on the Southern Mediterranean, called for self-criticism and to learn from this. The Arab Spring caught the EU by surprise. Islamic Parties have emerged stronger after the elections, and in the past, the EU supported the autocratic regimes. Elmar Brok MEP, EPP Group Co-Coordinator in the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, stressed that the EU must get in touch with the moderate Muslim groups in the Arab world. Furthermore, the EU must monitor the position of the religious minorities in the new political environment. For example, Christian minorities were protected in Egypt and Syria in the past. He also said that EU funds must be spent on the ground. In the past, too much money was used for studies executed by European companies.
I. Supporting the Arab Spring through trust building Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Chairwoman of the Working Group “EMUNI” welcomed the speakers and said that the Arab Spring is a historic opportunity for cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Southern Mediterranean area. Nizar Baraka, Minister in charge of Economy and General Affairs of Morocco, recalled the enormous economic challenges, which need to be addressed. For example, youth unemployment presently ranges from 24-40% in countries of the region, and demographic change will put the job markets under even stronger pressure. In order to meet those challenges, stronger regional integration is needed, because this alone could bring about an added 2% annual economic growth. The President of Young Tunisian Lawyers, Dhya Mourou, said that this revolution, when it started in Tunisia, was largely due to poverty, unemployment and precarious living conditions. While there is broad consensus on the transition towards democracy and the respect for liberty and civic rights, a durable change can only occur in a context of economic development of all sectors. Europe’s help is crucial for this process to become a success.
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Mario Mauro MEP stressed that institution-building and the adoption of new constitutions in the Southern Mediterranean region is the responsibility of each sovereign country, but that the European Union should be a credible and active interlocutor in this process. Turkey has quickly become a strong diplomatic actor in the zone; the EU – and the political family of the EPP in particular – should be at least as active. Dominique Vlasto MEP said that one of the major challenges is job creation, but not only jobs for those with university level education. Jobs for the less qualified must also be a priority, and therefore a re-launch of activity in the construction sector is a strategically crucial objective. Another extremely important task is to promote the dialogue between the education sector (schools and universities) and the job markets (companies), in order for future generations to have education and training that match the available jobs. She underlined that the Union for the Mediterranean is an excellent tool for the necessary cooperation and exchange between the EU and the countries of the region, and it must be fully used.
II. Supporting the Arab Spring through trust-building Under the theme of the Arab Spring and the democratic awakening in the Mediterranean, the Members of the European Parliament focused on migration. Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, introduced the topic pointing out the importance of migration flows as a political issue. He also referred to the assessment of the situation which is already showing good progress. Among the points raised were the perspective for migrants to stay in a country, and how much the governments are willing to work in partnership with Europe. Mr Weber also raised the question of the cultural impact in conjunction with migration. Nadim Gemayel, Member of the Lebanese Parliament who has lived in Europe, was grateful to have the opportunity to air his point of view at the Study Days. Mr Gemayel works in migration in Lebanon, with the aim of reducing migration figures. The development of the Arab Spring should be supported. Migration is one problem of the overall economic crisis. The Arab countries see Europe as a source of inspiration. This should be borne in mind with a view to creating an open debate. He stressed that the real causes for migration have to be identified. Arab countries want to keep their people in their own countries. With efficient and concrete cooperation, we could go towards reduced migration. Here, the cultural aspect would be of important interest. Even if the Lebanese system still shows democratic deficits, he emphasised the enrichment of incorporating human rights, art and culture. Cultural exchange would be vital for Arab countries on their way to democracy. The boost in his country would depend on the political conditions as well as the level of freedom. Mutual comprehension and cultural openness would be the best guarantors for democratic development. Military operations wouldn’t help, the way to freedom and democracy has to be paved in mutual understanding in everyone’s interest.
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Jean-Dominique Guiliani, President of the Robert Schuman Foundation in Paris, stated that the migration issue cannot be reduced in terms of quantity and that we should consider a reformation of cooperation and the realisation of Schengen and Dublin as there are countries which are much more affected by migration. Furthermore, the European Parliament should get much more involved when emergency situations occur. Financial aid screened by the European Commission should also be looked at. He pointed out the necessity to give young people a special status if they want to come to study in Europe as sixty to seventy percent of the population in the Arab countries are young people. He said that we should understand that the Arab transition will take time. Mr Guiliani, a Christian Democrat himself, said: “The problem doesn’t relate to religion. The problem is that religion is used for political purposes”. In his view, we cannot simply transpose our own example to the Arab world. With regards to our attitude to the role of women in society, the European Parliament could take a role in defending women in these countries. Mediterranean women play an important role as they transmit values, so we should protect these women and their rights. Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, believes that the economic crisis also has a big impact on the Arab world as nothing in Arab society would have happened if there had been no crisis. The Arab countries are part of the worldwide crisis and we are living in a new era. The question is: has the crisis brought us into a new world or has the new world brought the crisis to us?”, Mr Oreja said. In his view, it is urgent to deal with immigration policy, as without it, there can be no neighbourhood policy. We should develop a common answer with a solid neighbourhood policy, especially against the background of extremism. Vice-President of the European People’s Party, Mário David MEP, explained the importance of solidarity. The people of the Arab Spring now have dreams and need perspectives. This won’t happen overnight. He said that people will be disappointed in their expectations. We will see how far the democratic process develops over the next months. Salvatore Iacolino MEP, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, wants to implement bilateral agreements to regulate migration flows that would prevent illegal immigration and crime. The European External Action Service should also play a crucial role in establishing political dialogue. He also spoke of the framework needed for promoting youth programmes like Erasmus and to enhance opportunities in education and jobs for European youth as well as supporting people from North Africa who wish to study in Europe. Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil explained that we have to strengthen trust by different measures which the Arab countries and the European Union have to work on together. Both sides have to take measures such as accepting that the Arab side must stop illegal crossings and accept a Chapter on immigration. They should also sign up to the Geneva Refugee Convention.
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The EU should provide more technical support for border controls as well as give financial support and apply rules for e.g. the facilitation of receiving visas. “We need a truly common asylum policy”, Mr Busuttil said. The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek concluded that we have a true independent diplomacy in the European External Action Service. The most important point is to cooperate with Muslim Parties as is the case in Turkey and establish this contact not only with the political Parties but with civil society as well, such as journalists, NGOs or women’s organisations. Stability will only be possible through democracy and prosperity. Vito Bonsignore MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, closed the discussion pointing out that the neighbourhood policy has to be profoundly reformed. The challenge we face is to support all countries and to cooperate with moderate Islamic Parties.
Fight against the volatility of raw material prices and food security EPP Group Vice-President Corien Wortmann-Kool opened the second day of the EPP Group Study days dedicated to the “Fight against the volatility of raw material prices and food security - how to restore real value to the markets”. Mrs Wortmann-Kool MEP presented the speakers: Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry, Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Space; Michel Barnier, Commissioner on the Internal Market and Services; Dacian Cioloş, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development; Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, and Michel Dantin MEP, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament.
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Food and agricultural products Dacian Cioloş, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development explained that after 2013, the common agricultural policy (CAP) will be simple for both administrations and farmers while being efficient in ensuring food security, a sustainable use of natural resources and a balanced development of all rural areas. The farming sector in Europe is the largest sector in terms of turnover and employment and the “key issue is what should be done so that farmers, who produce food, can live off their work”, said Mr Cioloş, adding that the reform of the CAP proposes various mechanisms to ensure this. In addition, Commissioner Cioloş presented proposals that will ensure the EU has “tools available so that required market interventions can be applied rapidly when needed, for example in order to offset price volatility.” Finally, Dacian Cioloş explained that issues of agricultural production and food security cannot be managed simply on an EU level and the “reform of the CAP will give the EU the tools to tackle these important questions also on the international level.”
Energy Security
Commissioner Antonio Tajani started his intervention by underlining the importance of a European policy on raw materials to help our industries. “It is crucial to act now when you have the Chinese who - for example - are the ones fixing the prices in the raw materials stock exchange in London”, he said. He illustrated the European Commission strategy, which is based on two pillars: internal and external action. He used the example of the Mines Directive, which will open more possibilities for the European mine industry, respecting at the same time the environment. Mr Tajani added that innovation partnerships and recycle substitution are important and he explained the work that he is doing on raw materials with the Swedish and Greenland governments. He also referred to the second pillar which consists of a number of agreements and common work that the EU has to do and to finalise with third countries in South America and Africa. He said that he is opening a discussion on raw material with Russia too.
Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for Energy, reminded the participants that the dependency of Europe on third countries would be growing in the next 15-20 years up to 70% due to a decline in internal gas production by the UK and the Netherlands. He also expressed his concerns about countries obtaining energy on several grounds particularly regarding the question of respecting democracy and the rule of law. Due to these concerns, the Energy Commissioner strengthened his commitment to the need for a common European energy strategy. In the face of current and future energy challenges, Mr Oettinger highlighted the importance of the use of internal resources, such as nuclear energy and coal. In this regard, both the upcoming stress tests of nuclear plants and the future of CCS (Carbon Capture and Sequestration) technology is becoming more important. The Commissioner called for enhancing energy efficiency, in particularly improving the energy efficiency of public buildings so as to set an example. Also, as 90% of the EU’s oil consumption is based on imports, changing the powering of vehicles could significantly reduce the EU’s energy dependency. In this regard, the electricity strategy would become more and more important. Emphasis shall be placed on developing several industrial policies in line with EU energy policies.
Commissioner Antonio Tajani concluded his intervention by saying that “industrial policy has been neglected for too long in Europe. Now is the time to work on a less pollutant, more modern and more competitive EU industrial policy. I want to thank the EPP Group who have always been on my side in my activity as a Commissioner”.
Regarding the question of renewable energies, Mr Oettinger confirmed that by 2020, 25% of energy would come from renewable sources at EU level. However the question of storage is the biggest challenge to this sector. There is a lack of solutions regarding the storing of energy coming from renewables in the electricity sector; security of supply cannot be ensured.
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The Commissioner also referred to the importance of the recently adopted Gas Supply Directive, under which Member States shall store natural gas that satisfies national demands for 30 days and make commitments for the construction of new gas interconnectors. A similar initiative in the electricity sector would be a huge step, including interlinking electricity networks. Mr Oettinger also called for a common European voice on the main third-world energy exporting countries. Replying to questions, Mr Oettinger confirmed his commitment to diversifying imported natural gas sources and routes and noted that shale gas and LNG could be supplements but cannot replace natural gas in the energy mix of Europe.
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3. EIN Summer University 22 - 24/09/2011 Bucharest, Romania A clear vision and solidarity as the way forward for the EU What the EU needs today is a clear and common vision based on some of the fundamental ideas upon which the EU was built - economic integration and freedom of movement. There is nothing to be gained by playing the national card, but everything to be lost if we forget that it was solidarity that pushed the EU to grow and prosper. In these times of economic crisis, which is also to a large extent a crisis of identity, we must draw down on our roots. This was the main message of the 10th annual Summer University of the EPP Group’s think-tank, the European Ideas Network (EIN), held in Bucharest. It was highly significant that the meeting took place in Romania amidst discussions on its Schengen entry together with Bulgaria and following the regrettable veto by two Member States of their entry application. The EPP Group, and its Chairman Joseph Daul, invoking the principle of solidarity and the respect of EU rules, strongly supported Romania and Bulgaria’s bid to join the Schengen area. In an important announcement, the President of the European People’s Party Wilfried Martens revealed that the EPP would hold its next statutory Congress in Romania in 2012. The Congress would adopt the EPP’s basic programme for the next decade. The meeting in Bucharest focused on the challenges Europe is facing in view of present-day economic and societal realities. A series of panels debated issues such as a competitive free single market for a cohesive continent within the multi-financial framework EU 2020, financial market regulation, demography and inclusion, innovation and creativity in European society, a renewed role of the Transatlantic Community, defence of Christian democratic values and the path towards the EU for countries from the Balkans. Speakers included Jerzy Buzek MEP, President of the European Parliament, Traian Basescu, President of Romania, Emil Boc, Prime Minister of Romania, Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium, Vlad Filat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Tigran Sargsyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, Wilfried Martens, President of the European People’s Party, Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Dacian Cioloş, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Iurie Leanca, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, as well as numerous Ministers and Secretaries of State in the current Romanian Government.
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4. 14th Dialogue with Religions and Cultures and the EPP Group
Session I - Identities. Discerning and transmitting meaning and values: religion’s mission in a secular society
10 -11/11/2011 Esztergom, Hungary
Chaired by Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, the first debate focused on religion’s mission in a secular society. Metropolitan Emmanuel opened the debate and said the Dialogues between Churches and the State are important for reconciliation in a secular world. We must return the Lord to the world. Carlo Casini MEP, Chairman of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament and Head of the Italian Delegation (UDC) of the EPP Group, promoted a new concept of secularism. In his view, secularism should not be a total separation of Church and State, but cooperation between believers and non-believers who live and work together for the common good. Reverend Rüdiger Noll, Director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches, said that Churches must not remain on the level of values. They have something to say on public issues like the situation of minorities, social and economic issues, the environment etc: “We live in a post secular society which to date is searching for meaning and sense.” Other participants of the debate were Bernd Posselt MEP and Zoltán Balog, Hungarian Minister of State for Social Inclusion.
Session I - Approaches of religious actors in debating moral issues in the public sphere This theme was opened by Gergely Pröhle, Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for EU Bilateral Relations and Cultural Diplomacy, who spoke in his capacity as one of the heads of the Hungarian Evangelical Church.
József Szájer MEP (Hungary), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (speaking), (l-r) Cardinal Péter Erdö, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, President of the Council of the European Episcopal Conference, Zsolt Semjén, Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary, Paolo Licandro, Deputy Secretary-General of the EPP Group, Othmar Karas MEP (Austria), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, and Ján Figeľ, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic and former European Commissioner
The second speaker, Reverend Piotr Mazurkiewisz, General Secretary of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the EU, said Christianity is not a private religion confined to the home. It is a public affair and it should influence society. But, the Christian faith is not a law book. The link between faith and society is ethics. Via ethics, Churches can influence society and politics and bring more rationality back into today’s society. If we talk about ethical norms, we are talking about a natural law which can be recognised by everybody, believers and non-believers. The Church must not be political. Chief Rabbi Dr Domán István, Professor at the University of Jewish Studies in Budapest, predicts many imminent catastrophes - ecological, military, nuclear, political, social and economic - but few expectations of an oncoming renaissance. Many of the cultural, social, political and economic conditions that we presume to be lasting have broken down or failed. The challenge before us, Jews and Christians alike, is to utilise the collective wisdom of our respective traditions to move towards a just, righteous and compassionate society.
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Session II - Church and State relationship 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall In the first panel of the afternoon session, relations between Church and State were in focus. According to László Tőkés MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Hungary has to struggle first of all with the heritage of Communism and the tradition of the so-called ‘StateChurch’. Earlier, the State tried to have influence over the financially-vulnerable churches, however, luckily, the situation has changed now. Mr Tőkés emphasised the importance of continual co-operation in the relationship of the State and the Church 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He considers the social engagement of churches exceptionally important and exhorts each church to take on this noble role.
r-l: Jaime Mayor Oreja MEP (Spain), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Metropolitan Emmanuel, Archbishop of France, Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch to the EU and President of the Conference of European Churches, Reverend Rüdiger Noll, Director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches, and Zoltán Balog, Junior Minister of Social Inclusion, Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, Hungary
Tadeusz Pieronek, Bishop of Cracow, briefly analysed the situation in Poland and declared that, other than some small exceptions, there are no significant disputations between the State and the Church. There is a separate ‘mixed committee’ in Poland for handling such issues which consists of State and Church members and has comprehensive scopes of duties. On the whole, he emphasised the existence of good relationships between the Polish State and Churches, and the financial support of the latter, even in spite of the economic crisis and the monetary problems. Next to Poland, the relationship between the State and the Churches is also excellent and prosperous in the Czech Republic. According to Pavla Bendová (Director of the Department of Churches of the Ministry of Culture), in his country there are 32 registered churches and the State endeavours to have good relationships with them. Bence Rétvári, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, Hungary, presented official data that shows churches have a very important role in shaping society. Moreover, the religious communities spend 84% of their income not on religious life, but specifically on communal service. He emphasised how important it is that only those churches which pursue actual church activities should get State support. The most important common goal is the welfare of the citizens, and churches are also a part of this, since people are not only material creatures, they should aspire to spiritual welfare. In his closing remarks, Csaba Sógor MEP drew attention to the differences between the countries and to the arguments among the State and the Churches which in many cases are still happening today, such as judging the past, the issues of property or education. Since the State and the Church both equally have the same task, which is the well-being of the citizens, he encourages every actor to guide the whole society.
The presence of religion in the media In the second afternoon panel called the Presence of Religion in the Media, Eija-Riitta Korhola MEP put two questions to the panel: how does the image of religious media in society look, and how can these spiritual elements have an influence on society?
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Ulrich Ruh, Chief Editor of ‘Herder Korrespondenz’ tried to size up his opinion from a Catholic and German point of view, as leader of a private publishing house. He said there is an ‘in-between position’, since they strive to keep up continuous observation with both the State and the Church. He considers the whole German media expressly unfriendly with churches - which should be changed in the future. Balázs Rátkai, Director & Chief Editor of the Hungarian Catholic Weekly ‘Új Ember’, thinks the Hungarian Catholic press is powerless and weak. His newspaper is actually confronted with the spirit of age, trying to keep his readership and solving its self-preservation, even in spite of the economic crisis. The mission of the newspaper is to mediate the Christian perspective, to find solutions to the readers’ problems and to make their standpoint understood. Levi Matusof, Rabbi and Director of the European Jewish Community Centre, talked about the present identity crisis and emphasised the importance of concentrating on values. Ha also talked about the growing significance of social media and mentioned the role of Twitter. Conclusions were made by Anna Záborská MEP who highlighted that in this dispute, focus should be put on values and that the media should report on religious issues in a more balanced manner.
Session III - Economy. Social market economy, financial crisis and the social teaching of Churches The afternoon session was chaired by Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, and focused on social market economy, the financial crisis and the social teaching of Churches. He asked if there would have been a financial crisis if we had had a real functioning social market economy. A social market needs to be established not only as an answer to the financial crisis, but also as a prevention of any future threats. With the Lisbon Treaty, there has been a redefinition of the market; it has been pushed closer to the Christian social market. Since the Lisbon Treaty, competition is not only the objective, but also an instrument in achieving full employment or fighting social exclusion. Reverend Frank Turner, General Director of the Jesuit European Office in Brussels, noted the contrast between the free market economy and a free economy. According to John Paul II, the State must respect subsidiarity. Responding to the question of whether he sees the EU as a State or not, he considers the EU as not being a State. By sharing Member States’ sovereignty through the EU, goals can be achieved. Member States would not be able to achieve them on their own. On the other hand, he dislikes the misuse of the EU’s position in international trade when it acts as a State. According to Mr Turner, there cannot be solidarity without subsidarity. The discussion continued with a speech by László Surján MEP. The crisis gives us an opportunity to act differently, as we obviously did something wrong. Now is the time to come up with a new system, a new area. The first bank crisis created a loss of trust and confidence. This situation directly affected the currency and capital. Today we have the G20 which was established in the wake of
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the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, to bring together major advanced and emerging economies to stabilise the global financial market; before there was the G7. The G20 cannot pass laws, only policies. This change makes a shift from decision-making on national level to the supranational level. The IMF greatly helped Hungary to overcome its crisis. Shared challenges can only be resolved together at international level. Something can also be done at EU level, for example a tax on transactions. Although it seems there will be no agreement on that. Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group, asked if we really think that the churches’ social doctrine can be the right response to the crisis or is it only a complex of moral judgements. The institutional crisis went hand in hand with the financial crisis. The social Catholic crisis should also be used to find joint solutions to the financial crisis and to make the Institutions stronger. It will only take one more step to have common taxation in the EU - the United States of Europe. The session ended with the conclusion that subsidarity and solidarity belong together. It is only a question of balance, they cannot exist without each other.
Session IV - Challenges for the Future Mutual understanding and cooperation between politicians and religious leaders Barbara Matera MEP highlighted our biggest challenge in the European Union: finding harmony between the political sphere and the religious community. She emphasised in her speech the importance of dialogue among the parties, and suggested that they be patient, tolerant and united. According to Kinga Gál MEP, finding the right ways for our children and future generations is not easy, but absolutely necessary. Politicians and parents are responsible for mediating the most important values and traditions, such as respect, love and collaboration. She highlighted that we are living in a ‘key time’, when the right political orientation and the appropriate education are crucial. Reverend Ferenc Janka, Deputy General Secretary of the Council of the European Episcopal Conference, said we should bring our ideals closer to reality. The fate of Christians cannot be indifferent for the political community in the European Union, moreover, the understanding and preservation of traditional Christian values are every believer’s obligation. Latchezar Toshev MP, Vice-President of the EPP/CD Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, talked about the current differences between the political and the religious sphere, but these disagreements are not significant. He said there is a need for a strong common position in the EPP Group on the relationship with the Churches. According to Toshev, the biggest challenge of our times is to reverse the negative trends occurring, but he believes in our commitment to resolving the difficulties. Máté Botos, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Pázmány Péter Catholic University, sadly informed delegates of the growing political and religious passivity of young people. A secularisation
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process can be observed in society, therefore, a new language is needed for the younger generation. It is important to pass our common values on to the next generations. This is why we have to overcome the emerging difficulties. Mario Mauro MEP, Head of the Italian Delegation (PDL) of the EPP Group, said in his conclusion that we have to learn from our previous mistakes, thus, we should not marginalise religions. He was speaking simply about feasible things that only require our commitment and continuous enthusiasm. The EPP Group should adhere to its own lines, traditions and values, and he also stressed the importance of the dialogue between the State and the Churches. András Gyürk MEP, Head of the Hungarian Delegation of the EPP Group, talked about the current crisis in his overall concluding remarks, the solutions to it and the prosperous relationship between the State and the Churches. He is convinced that we cannot put the crisis behind us with the aid of conventional measures. Deciding on one new package after another will not suffice, and adopting new legislation and directives will not be enough either, so we will have to dig down to the very foundations and we will have to reinforce them, our identity, communities and traditions. The EPP Group understands the social teachings of churches and religious communities, and it has sufficient experience in conducting dialogue. Additionally, the foundation of cooperation is a shared responsibility for society, the public good and our own community. Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Inter-religious Dialogue and Religious Affairs, expressed his conviction in his closing remarks: there is no doubt that the challenges we face will be accomplished, no matter how little time we have. According to him, there should be different answers and solutions to the current crisis in the European Union, and the simple answer should not be “just the money”. We have to respect and listen to each other, and this way we will find ourselves in a position of mutual understanding, help and encouragement.
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PARLIAMENTARY WORK SERVICE
4 > Parliamentary   Work Service
Head of Service: Miguel Papi-Boucher, Deputy Secretary General
The Parliamentary Work Service assists the MEPs of the EPP Group in their daily legislative work. The Group’s staff uses its expertise and experience in ensuring that the EPP Group, as the largest political Group in the European Parliament, can pull its full weight in all political dossiers. 2011 was a busy year, with legislative activities in the European Parliament reaching full speed in the months leading up to mid-term. What follows is an overview of the main topics on the table of the different Working Groups.
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Increasing the impact of EU development aid “ The European Consensus on Development has served us well and rightly remains the reference point for common EU principles, values and commitments on development policy.” Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development
Introduction
1. Standing Working Group “Foreign Affairs”
The European Union and its Member States are the biggest world donors, accounting for 60% of global aid for development, thereby providing help to millions in their struggle out of poverty. Yet the question of enhancing the impact of that development policy has been high on the European Commission’s and European Parliament’s agendas. In the global pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals, which were agreed in 2000, and with the new Multiannual Financial Framework in mind, the debate at the EU level focuses on greater policy coherence for development as enshrined in Article 208 of the TFEU, meeting the target of the 0.7% of GNI for official development assistance by 2015, as well as on strengthening aid effectiveness and accountability.
EU development policy review In November 2010, the European Commission published the Green Paper on EU development policy in support of inclusive growth and sustainable development aiming at increasing the impact of EU development policy and targeting the underlying causes of poverty. At the same time, the Commission reconfirmed the MDG agenda and poverty reduction as an overriding priority of the EU development policy, stressing the importance of inclusive growth and high impact policy. It was particularly highlighted that interventions should be chosen on the basis of their added value and potential to leverage reforms in recipient countries. In July 2011, European Parliament adopted the report of Filip Kaczmarek MEP on increasing the impact of EU development policy. This sent an important signal to the Commission, by calling on European development policy to be more effective and have a greater impact on developing countries. The rapporteur enumerates the most important elements on which the focus of EU development policy should be, namely a stronger focus on human development, promoting propoor growth, involving the private sector, fighting climate change, improving agriculture techniques and skills as well as safeguarding policy coherence for development. On the EU side, the high-impact development policy can be attained if there is a strict linkage of the EU development aid with the ODA criteria as defined by the OECD/DAC, and the
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financial commitments are met. On the recipient side, it is especially important to improve public financial management, transparency, the upholding of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the involvement of national parliaments and civil society organisations as well as the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance. The pro-poor growth approach should focus on the poor in order to foster the increase of their share in growth, and support the build-up of social security systems and fair tax systems. In addition, investing in children and youth and securing access to basic social services, particularly for health and education, is essential for sustainable development. This should include increasing investments from the private sector, and creating employment opportunities and environments conducive to SMEs, thus enhancing wealth creation. In this context, it is especially important to promote sustainable small-scale agricultural production and access to energy and address the root causes of food insecurity and ‘land grabbing’ in developing countries.
Debate on aid effectiveness The last 50 years of global development have undergone a significant evolution process. For many years, the effects of delivered aid were unsatisfactory mostly due to poor international donor coordination, over-ambitious targets, overlooked time and budget constraints, as well as political self-interest. Therefore, the issue of aid effectiveness has been debated widely at the international level starting with the First High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, which took place in Rome in 2002. However, it was the Second High Level Forum which took place in Paris in 2005 where donors and recipients both agreed on commitments and to hold each other accountable for achieving these. The commitments were laid out in the Paris Declaration outlining five fundamental principles for making aid more effective, namely:
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commitments were put in place, especially in relation to effective aid principles in the South-South co-operation (Bogotá Statement), the role of civil society (Istanbul Principles), and effective aid in fragile and conflict-affected states (Dili Declaration). Ahead of the Fourth High Level Forum scheduled for November 2011 in Busan, MEP Cristian Preda, the EPP Development Committee’s rapporteur, prepared a report to voice the European Parliament’s position on increasing EU aid effectiveness. According to the rapporteur, the EU has to have an ambitious position at the Busan High Level Forum. It must strongly commit to aid effectiveness with clear and measurable objectives and have a differentiated (individualised?) approach, taking into account the level of development of the receiving countries and their specific needs. Furthermore, in taking into consideration the implementation deficits of the Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action, the rapporteur underlines the importance of development “ownership” following a bottom-up approach, non-fragmentation and transparency of aid, stronger engagement in the implementation of MDG-related projects of local governments, civil society organisations and the domestic private sector. However, he underlines that financial aid is not in itself enough to guarantee sustainable development. Therefore, developing countries should also mobilise necessary resources on their own, set up clear fiscal systems and strongly involve private undertakings, such as small and medium enterprises, in order to boost sustainable and inclusive growth and wealth creation. Finally, the point was also made that it is important to lay the foundations for a more inclusive global partnership for development, by involving emerging donors more closely. Sylwia Kosinska Advisor
i) ownership - developing countries set their own strategies for poverty reduction, improve their institutions and tackle corruption, ii) alignment - donor countries align behind these objectives and use local systems, iii) harmonisation - donor countries coordinate, simplify procedures and share information to avoid duplication, iv) results - developing countries and donors shift focus to development results and results get measured, v) mutual accountability - donors and partners are accountable for development results. In 2008, in Accra, the Third High Level Forum took place. It resulted in the adoption of the Accra Agenda for Action which took stock of achieved progress and set the agenda for accelerated advancement towards the Paris targets. Special improvements in the area of ownership, partnership and delivering results were put forward. This allowed for better international aid practice, and new 168 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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Activities of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in 2010 The Joint Parliamentary Assembly: a unique institution The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly brings together the elected representatives of the European Community - the Members of the European Parliament - and the elected representatives of 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific states (“ACP countries”) that have signed the Cotonou Agreement: it is the only international assembly in which the representatives of various countries sit together regularly with the aim of promoting North-South dialogue and interdependence. Significantly, a substantial part of the work of the JPA is directed towards promoting human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance in ACP countries, and the EPP Group in the EP has always been at the forefront in defending these fundamental principles.
Successes of the EPP Group in the JPA in the period under consideration i) T he 20 th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly from 30 November to 4 December 2010 in Kinshasa (DRC) The EPP Group continued to play the leading role on the EU side, thus securing a number of successes: i) The unanimous adoption, with 6 amendments and largely in accordance with the EPP whip, of the report on Free and Independent media, Co-rapporteurs: Jean Roldolphe Joazile (Haiti) and Rainer Wieland (Committee on Political Affairs) ii) The unanimous adoption, with 3 amendments and largely in accordance with the EPP whip, of the report on Post-Copenhagen: technology transfer, new technologies and technical capacity building in the ACP countries, Co-rapporteurs: Marlene Malahoo Forte ( Jamaica) and Jo Leinen (S&D) (Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade) EPP shadow rapporteur Hans-Peter Mayer replacing Maria da Graça Carvalho iii) The adoption by a large majority, with 10 amendments and largely in accordance with the EPP whip, of the report on Achieving the MDGs: innovative responses to meet the social and economic challenges, Co-rapporteurs: Odrile Motlhale (Botswana) and Licia Ronzulli (Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment) It was interesting to see that the ACP side rejected the paragraph on reproductive health and rights. iv) The unanimous adoption, with 25 amendments and largely in accordance with the EPP whip, of the Urgent Resolution on Food Security EPP Chair: Michael Gahler, EPP negotiator: Horst Schnellhardt
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v) The unanimous adoption, with 3 amendments and fully in accordance with the EPP whip, of the Urgent resolution on The security problem in the Sahel-Saharan region: terrorism and trafficking in drugs, arms and human beings EPP Chair: Mariya Nedelcheva, EPP negotiator: Edith Bauer vi) The adoption by acclamation of the urgent declaration on Côte d’Ivoire
ii) The 21st session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly from 14 to 18 May 2011 in Budapest (Hungary) The EPP Group continued to play the leading role on the EU side, thus securing a number of successes: i) The unanimous adoption, with 2 amendments and largely in accordance with the EPP whip, of the report on Challenges for the future of democracy and respecting constitutional order in ACP and EU countries, Co-rapporteurs: Olle Schmidt (ALDE, Sweden) and François Ibovi (Republic of Congo) (Committee on Political Affairs) EPP shadow rapporteur Mariya Nedelcheva ii) The unanimous adoption, with 5 amendments and fully in accordance with the EPP whip, of the report on Budgetary support as a means of delivering Official Development Assistance (ODA) in ACP countries, Co-rapporteurs: Enrique Guerrero Salom (S&D, Spain) and Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Guelaye (Mauritania) (Committee on Economic Development, Finance and Trade) EPP shadow rapporteur Frank Engel iii) The unanimous adoption, with 1 amendment and fully in accordance with the EPP whip, of the report on Water pollution, Co-rapporteurs: Bobo Hamatoukour (Cameroon) and Christa Klass (Committee on Social Affairs and the Environment) iv) The unanimous adoption, and fully in accordance with the EPP whip, of the Urgent resolution on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire EPP negotiators: Maria Da Graca Carvalho and Michèle Striffler v) The unanimous adoption, with 5 amendments and fully in accordance with the EPP whip, of the Urgent resolution on the democratic upheavals in North Africa and the Middle East: consequences for the ACP countries, for Europe and for the world EPP Chair: Michael Gahler, EPP negotiator: Mariya Nedelcheva vi) The unanimous adoption, and fully in accordance with the EPP whip, of the Amendments to Rules of procedure vii) The adoption by acclamation of the Budapest declaration on the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, South Korea, 2011
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viii) The adoption by acclamation of the Budapest declaration on Uniting for Universal Access in view of the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS in June ix) The adoption by the Co-Presidents of a declaration on Madagascar Carlo Palassof Advisor
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The European External Action Service and its role in EU Foreign and Security Policy (EEAS) Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security and the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for external relations were merged into one, and the new HR/VP Catherine Ashton is therefore fully responsible for the coherence of EU external action. To assist the HR/VP, Lisbon Treaty article 27 creates the European External Action Service (EEAS), also charged with cooperation with the diplomatic services of the Member States. This was in itself a victory for the European Parliament, which had repeatedly called for a common European diplomatic service to raise the visibility of the Union and to enhance its capacity to act effectively in the international arena. From the beginning, it was clear that the EEAS could neither be made part of an existing EU institution nor become a new EU institution in the traditional sense but rather a sui generis body both from an organisational and from a budgetary point of view. The exact structure of this new body became subject to negotiations with high political stakes, and the European Parliament made its view clear as early as October 2009: the EEAS should be subject to parliamentary control from the start. “This is the only possibility to ensure parliamentary oversight over the EEAS and prevent it from leading a life of its own�, said the Rapporteur Elmar Brok, one of the two EPP Coordinators in the Foreign Affairs Committee. Although the European Parliament was formally only consulted on the organisation and functioning of the EEAS, Elmar Brok, Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE) and Roberto Gualtieri (S&D) skillfully used the parliament powers to take a strong position in negotiations with the other institutions and strike a deal securing a number of key objectives, concretized by a quadrilateral political agreement (The Portuguese Council Presidency, the HR/VP, the Commission and the EP) in Madrid on 25 June 2010: (1) The new EEAS must be strong and autonomous enough to enhance the role of the EU on the international scene. (2) The Community identity of the Service must be safeguarded. The College of Commissioners remain responsible for the programming of EU external assistance and will have the final word on development and neighbourhood policy, thus preserving the Community method. Furthermore, at least 60% of EEAS staff will have to be permanent EU officials, thus assuring the Community character of the Service, and all staff will have the same rights, regardless of their origin. (3) The EEAS must have political and budgetary accountability towards the European Parliament. Concretely, the Parliament political and budgetary control over the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), also including Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, is largely strengthened, recognized by two separate official declarations by the HR/VP. Parliament has full
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budget discharge rights over the EEAS. The Parliament Foreign Affairs and Budget Committees will have stronger scrutiny rights over CFSP missions financed by the EU budget than in the past.
Developments in the Southern Mediterranean region & the Middle East
On a political level, it was agreed that EU Special Representatives as well as Heads of Delegations for countries considered “strategically important” by Parliament will appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee to outline their views and positions and to respond to questions by MEPs. The HR/VP undertakes to seek the views of Parliament on key CFSP policy options and to share confidential documents with a selected group of MEPs.
2011 was the year when populations in North Africa and the Middle East said “enough” to their authoritarian, sometimes dictatorial, leaders and decided to act for change.
The Madrid political agreement was, however, not the final building block of the EEAS. Its creation also required a change to the EU financial and staff regulations, and here the European Parliament had co-decision power. Again, EPP Members played an instrumental role, and an EPP internal Working Group led by Mario Mauro was created to closely follow developments and to elaborate EPP positions. Early on, the EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Budgetary Control, Ingeborg Grässle, expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the process of creating the EEAS as well as the risk of the Service becoming a 28th diplomatic service of the Member States.
There were signs prior to 2011, and the event creating the spark that ignited the “Jasmine revolution” in Tunisia took place on 17 December 2010 when an unemployed man, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire in desperation. Nevertheless, it was 2011 that saw the demise of one leader after another, first the Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali who fled the country on 14 January, then Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who stepped down on 11 February, and finally the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who first had to flee from Tripoli and then was killed on 20 October. The protests were not limited to these countries but spread through the region like wildfire. Tragically, 2011 also saw thousands of protesters being killed in countries like Syria and Yemen, where the leaders still cling to their power.
Elmar Brok underlined the need for appointments to the EEAS to be made strictly on the basis of merit, while also striving for geographical and gender balance. The issue of geographical balance was something also fought hard for by MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, draftsman of the Foreign Affairs Committee opinion to the Legal Affairs Committee report on the Staff Regulations.
The European response to the Arab Spring
The European Parliament adopted its position on the Financial and Staff Regulations on 20 October 2010, thus clearing the final hurdle for the EEAS which was officially created on 1 December 2010.
It soon became clear that the Arab Spring events would result in a total shake-up of the geopolitical situation of Northern Africa and the Middle East, possibly spreading even further, and that the European Union had to put its whole policy towards this region into question and act swiftly and firmly in support of populations having long suffered injustices and now striving to manifesting for their democratic aspirations.
“Setting up the EEAS is one thing but making it work properly is another”, said Elmar Brok. It is yet too early to evaluate the functioning and added value of the EEAS, nevertheless the EPP Group has consistently acted to improve its functioning and has not hesitated to criticize the Service as well as the HR/VP for shortcomings in their policy implementation but also to propose ways forward to strengthen the Union’s Foreign and Security Policy. What is already clear is that the EPP Group was the driving force behind the creation of the EEAS and that the result is a key success not only for the EPP Group but also for the European Parliament and for the EU as a whole. Jesper Haglund Advisor
The question was whether the EU could, and would, rise to the occasion. Its past action had been criticized both from within, mainly from European NGOs, and from outside for being too focused on security and stability, leaving issues of human rights, freedom and democracy on the backburner. The European Parliament resolution on Tunisia adopted on 3 February 2011 recognizes this. It states that “the European Union has proved unable to develop a genuine foreign policy that is consistent and effective vis-à-vis its partners”. It therefore calls on the EU to “draw lessons from events in Tunisia and to revise its democracy and human rights support policy”, it “insists that the review of the neighbourhood policy must prioritise criteria relating to the independence of the judiciary, respect for fundamental freedoms, pluralism and freedom of the press and the fight against corruption” and it “calls for better coordination with the Union’s other policies vis-à-vis those countries”. The European Union did rise to the occasion and from early 2011 started to provide urgent humanitarian assistance first to Tunisia and then to other countries in the region, followed by further and stepped-up funds and assistance to help in the democratic transition processes, combined with the freezing of assets, travel bans and other forms of sanctions on authoritarian regime leaders and persons associated with them.
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A number of high level EU visits to the region in the spring and summer of 2011 gave further proof of the EU determination to give its support to the democratic transitions and to show that its new policy towards the region will be one based on democracy and respect for human rights. The High Representative Catherine Ashton set up a Task Force for the Southern Mediterranean, bringing together EU institutions as well as international financial institutions, and she also appointed Mr. Bernardino Leon as new Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean in July. An EU office was opened in Benghazi at the end of May in support of the Transitional National Council. In Tunisia, the EU gave its support to the elections for the Constituent Assembly that took place on 23 October, and dispatched a strong and highly qualified Election Observation Mission, led by EPP MEP Mr. Michael Gahler, also supported by a European Parliament EOM, led by EPP MEP and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commmittee Mr. Gabriele Albertini. The European Parliament showed its dedication to the region in a number of ways. It sent an ad hoc delegation to Tunisia early February and to Egypt in March to show its support and to determine what challenges lie ahead. It also set up its own Monitoring Group on the Southern Mediterranean, chaired by one of the two EPP coordinators in the Foreign Affairs Committee Mr. Ignacio Salafranca, and Mr Panzeri from the S&D Group. The Parliament, with the EPP Group playing a key role, expressed itself on the situation in countries in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East on numerous occasions in 2011. On 7 July a resolution was adopted by the Parliament on the situation in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain in the context of the situation in the Arab world and North Africa. In this resolution, the Parliament strongly condemns the disproportionate use of force by the regimes against peaceful demonstrators, deplores the large number of persons killed and wounded and calls for an immediate end to the bloodshed and the release of the people arrested. The people are praised for the courage they have demonstrated in their peaceful fight for democratic change. The Parliament calls on the political leaderships of the Arab countries to honour their commitments by engaging without delay or precondition in an open and constructive political dialogue, involving all democratic political parties and movements and representatives of civil society, aimed at paving the way for genuine democracy and the implementation of real, ambitious and significant institutional, political, economic and social reforms, which are essential for long-term stability and development in these countries and in the region as a whole.
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The Middle East The European Parliament, with the support of the EPP Group, adopted a resolution on 29 September 2011 on the situation in Palestine, following the request by the President of the Palestinian National Authority for recognition of Palestinian statehood and membership of the United Nations. The Parliament calls on the Vice-President/High Representative and the governments of the EU Member States to continue their efforts to find a common EU position on the request by the Palestinian Authority for UN membership, and to avoid divisions among Member States. The Parliament stresses that peaceful and non-violent means are the only way to achieve a sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that direct negotiations leading to a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians should be resumed without delay and according to the deadlines called for by the Quartet, in order to overcome the unacceptable status quo. All steps that may undermine the prospects of a negotiated agreement should be avoided.
Conclusion Shortly, the European Parliament will send an ad hoc delegation to Libya to meet with its new leadership and make an assessment of challenges ahead and the EU contribution to it. 2011 was the year of the Arab Spring, but events will continue to unravel, hopefully spreading democracy also to other countries in the region, and the EPP Group will continue to take a leadership role in making sure that the European Parliament and the EU as a whole meets the challenges ahead. Jesper Haglund and Jan-Willem Vlasman Advisors
The Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Ashton spoke in the debate in the Parliament on the situation in the Arab world and North Africa that took place the day before the adoption of the resolution. The VP/HR indicated that the Parliament has an important role to play in the process of political reform in countries in North Africa and the Middle East: “You are the representatives of democracy: you demonstrate the power of the citizen, and the qualities of open debate and freedom of expression. Many of you know only too well the challenges of building democracy, fighting for causes and working for people. You have much to offer the people that I have met all over the region who long for greater dialogue and for the opportunity to meet with as many of you as they can.”
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The EU and the United Nations The main focus of this article is the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the participation of the European Union (EU) in the work of the United Nations (UN) on 3 May 2011. This resolution was adopted with 180 votes in favour. There were no votes against, and there were 2 abstentions (Syria, Zimbabwe). The UNGA decided to adopt the modalities, set out in the annex of the resolution, for the participation of the representatives of the EU, in its capacity as observer, in the sessions and work of the UNGA and its committees and working groups, in international meetings and conferences convened under the auspices of the UNGA and at United Nations conferences. The representatives of the EU are: the President of the European Council, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Commission, and European Union delegations. In accordance with the resolution, the representatives of the EU, in order to present positions of the EU and its Member States as agreed by them, shall be: (a) allowed to be inscribed on the list of speakers among representatives of major groups; (b) invited to participate in the general debate of the UNGA, in accordance with the order of precedence as established in the practice for participating observers and the level of participation; (c) permitted to have its communications relating to the sessions and work of the UNGA and to the sessions and work of all international meetings and conferences convened under the auspices of the Assembly and of UN conferences, circulated directly, and without intermediary, as documents of the Assembly, meeting or conference; (d) permitted to present proposals and amendments orally as agreed by the Member States of the EU; such proposals and amendments shall be put to a vote only at the request of a Member State; (e) allowed to exercise the right of reply regarding positions of the EU as decided by the presiding officer; such right of reply shall be restricted to one intervention per item. The representatives of the EU shall be ensured seating among the observers. They shall not have the right to vote, to co-sponsor draft resolutions or decisions, or to put forward candidates. The President of the European Council, Mr Herman van Rompuy, welcomed the adoption of the resolution by the UNGA in a statement issued on 3 May 2011. Mr van Rompuy stated that “thanks to today’s adoption of the UNGA resolution the EU will have its voice at the General Assembly” and that “thanks to this resolution the EU achieves an important recognition as a global actor at the United Nations”. The Vice-President/High Representative, Baroness Catherine Ashton, speaking just after the vote in the UNGA on 3 May 2011, indicated that with the adoption of the resolution “what you will hear is a clearer voice from the European Union”.
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in the work of the UN is not only an EU strategic priority, but also consistent with achieving the UN’s goals and, as such, in the interests of all UN members. The European Parliament recommended that the Council also: to strengthen the coherence and visibility of the EU as a global actor at the UN; authorise the Vice-President/High Representative to draft guidelines for regular consultations between the ambassadors of the Member States and the EU ambassadors; to provide the representatives of the EU with a proper mandate to negotiate effectively on behalf of the Member States; seek better prioritisation and transmission channels between the EU in Brussels and the EU delegation in New York; to engage with the EU’s strategic partners within the UN system. During a debate at the European Parliament on 11 May 2011 Baroness Ashton stated that she “looked for proper status for the EU on the UN General Assembly, and we got that with nobody opposed to it”. Several Members of the EPP Group, speaking in the debate, congratulated Baroness Ashton with the result of the vote on the UNGA resolution. The Vice-President/High Representative also received the message from Members that a strengthening of the role of the EU within the United Nations system remains an important point on the agenda of the European Parliament. The EU priorities for the 66th Session of the UNGA were approved by the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 June 2011. The EU will attach importance to full and effective implementation of the UNGA resolution, and will continue to strive for building a stronger multilateral system, notably by enhancing the representativeness, transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness of the UN. The EU will engage in the reflection started in UNGA on the role of the UN in Global Governance. On 22 September 2011, the President of the European Council delivered the EU statement in the General Debate of the 66th Session of the UNGA, in which he also underlined the importance of the UN. Mr van Rompuy spoke about our hope, some of our worries and about the responsibility the EU assumes in this world of hope and worries. Jan-Willem Vlasman Advisor
In a recommendation to the Council on the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted on 8 June 2011 with the support of the EPP Group, the European Parliament recommended the Council to make full use of the provisions contained in the UNGA resolution on the EU’s participation in the work of the United Nations, which makes the necessary arrangements for the EU to participate effectively in the work of the UNGA, and to reconfirm its commitment that the UN is at the centre of the EU’s foreign policy and to reiterate the view that its effective participation
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New Trade Policy under the Europe 2020 Strategy On 9 November 2010 the Commission published its Communication on ‘Trade, Growth and World Affairs’ regarding the European Union’s future trade strategy, to set out the external aspects of the EU’s 2020 strategy. This communication was basically a continuation of the Commission’s 2006 ‘Global Europe’ strategy. As in 2007, Parliament took a position on the ‘Global Europe’ strategy in the form of an INI report - welcoming it in principle; it seemed adequate to react again to the communication on ‘Trade, Growth and World Affairs’. On 26 September 2011 the European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report on a ‘New Trade Policy for Europe under the Europe 2020 Strategy’.1 Proposed by the EPP Group in the INTA committee, the report was drafted by EPP Coordinator Daniel Caspary. The report welcomes in principle the Commission’s Communication on Trade, Growth and World Affairs, published at a time when the EU has secured additional powers, in the field of investment policy for example, with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. It welcomes in particular the fact that the Communication recognises that our prosperity and growth heavily depend on a functioning international trade system. The world has changed dramatically in recent years, and not necessarily in favour of the EU. The emerging countries are rapidly increasing their performance, while the European Union’s and the United States’ share in the world’s relative GDP is declining. According to Eurostat data, this relative decline in the Union’s GDP is mirrored in its trade performance as well. Thanks to the WTO and many multilateral and bilateral initiatives, world trade has increased hugely. Although the European Union accounted for 25% of world GDP when the Lisbon Strategy was introduced in 2000, it is now estimated that the EU will account for only 18% of world GDP in 2020. Conversely, the two most populous countries, China and India, accounted for just 10% of world economic output in 2000, but it is forecast in various quarters that they will account for 25% in 2020. This change alone shows that any such developments are bound to have an impact on EU policies too. Trade policy as an important element of the Union’s new industrial policy should be based on fair global competition and full reciprocity to maintain a healthy manufacturing base in Europe. Since the 1990s, an increasing number of emerging and developing countries have become integrated into the world trading system and become drivers of the world economy. This became particularly apparent in the crisis years of 2008 and 2009, when the emerging economies played a leading role in stabilising the world economy. Bearing in mind the Union’s demographic estimates and their adverse effects on the growth potential, it is paramount to harness, and benefit from, the growth potential inherent in increasing productivity, and the growth potential inherent in external trade.
1. 2010/2152(INI)
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EU and US exports accounted together for barely 29% of all exports worldwide in 2009, compared to around 37% in 1999. The BRIC countries, by contrast, increased their share of world exports from 9.3% in 1999 to 20.4% in 2009, and that upward trend is continuing. Many emerging economy countries have trade surpluses, their exports and economies are showing strong growth, and their debts are shrinking. South-South trade, in particular, is booming, resulting in a steep decline in their dependency on demand from industrialised countries. A multilateral approach within the WTO is strongly preferable. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are important instruments for market access. All new FTAs concluded by the EU should be WTOcompatible, comprehensive, ambitious including with regard to sustainable development, balanced and lead to real reciprocal market access and go beyond both existing multilateral commitments and those expected to result from a successful conclusion of the DDA. Parliament also demands more and better results from high-level dialogues with major trading partners such as the US, China, Japan and Russia. Jobs are at the stake as the Union’s economy is highly dependent on participating in external growth. If we consider that 18% of jobs inside the EU, in other words 36 million jobs, are dependent on external trade at present, and 90% of worldwide economic growth will probably be generated outside the European Union by 2015, we see how important it is to formulate and implement a long-term external trade strategy which takes account of the EU’s changing role in the world economy. We must take account of the fact that EU population growth is declining steeply, while the population of developing countries continues to increase dramatically. This will have an impact on countries’ economic situations. It gives some room for criticizing the fact that although the Communication raises many relevant issues, it misses the opportunity to present a forward-looking trade and investment strategy. The Communication on Trade, Growth and World Affairs offers guidance for the policy to be pursued over the next few months rather than a comprehensive trade strategy for the EU as it confronts the challenges of a rapidly changing world economy and a dramatic shift in the economic balance of power. Parliament expected in fact to receive a real future trade strategy, which took account of mid and long-term developments and did not build on the false assumption of a continuing status quo on the world trade stage. A trade strategy should be based on a thorough analysis of the current trends in world trade, the Union’s internal and external development as well as the diversity of European enterprises, their know-how and their technological advances; the Communication fails to deliver in this regard a profound forecast of how the ‘world of trade’ could look in a policy-planning perspective of 15 to 20 years. In this regard the Commission should establish real ambitions for its bilateral trading relationships over this period including a distinct geographical strategy, for example through the creation of new agreements or targets for eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers with its major trading partners. Given the strongly increased potential of goods and services in international trade, EU competitiveness and economic success cannot exist without services and well protected foreign direct investments. At the same time better market access to our service providers in industrialised 181 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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countries or major emerging economies has to be ensured, bearing in mind that the EU internal market is already quite open to foreign service providers.
EU-Central America Association Agreement
The report reminds the Commission to pay particular attention to the ‘non-tariff barriers’ and regulatory barriers used by many countries, including WTO members, vis-à-vis EU exports, not least with a view to future trade partnership agreements.
“I think it is difficult to find two regions that have more in common in terms of values and interests than Europe and Latin America.”
Micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent a large majority of all enterprises in the EU and have great potential for creating new jobs and innovation. Therefore, internal and external policies should better address their specific needs in order to enhance SME competitiveness. There should also be a special focus on the improvement of the EU cohesion funds in terms of accessibility and transparency in order to boost their competitiveness. External trade policy must safeguard the EU’s ability to maintain a strong agricultural sector in order to guarantee food security and food sovereignty for nearly 500 million consumers in the EU. It is vital to have a sustainable and undistorted supply of raw materials through a consistent, sustainable, comprehensive and cross-policy strategy concerning raw materials with the aim of preventing and eliminating unfair trade practices. In order to reach this goal, raw material suppliers shall be diversified and long-term bilateral agreements in this area shall be concluded. The arguments above clearly show the need for the Commission to act fast to produce a genuinely long-term external trade strategy. Trade opening leads to higher productivity; it contributes to increased external competitiveness and could contribute immediately to more than 1.5% of direct economic growth and bring significant consumer benefits. In the light of these developments, a forward-looking study should first be drawn up that takes into account the current realities of the world economy and the current situation of the European Union in addition to probable future developments. This should provide a basis on which the Commission could draw up a long-term strategy which fully addresses the current and future needs of the European Union and of its citizens. Botond Török-Illyés Advisor
Jose Ignacio Salafranca, European Parliament Plenary Debate 20 April 2010
1. Introduction After eight rounds of negotiations starting in May 2007 the EU-Central America Association Agreement (AA) was concluded at the EU-LAC Summit in Madrid in May 2010. With still ongoing difficult negotiations with Mercosur and only partly successful negotiations with the Andean Community (Colombia and Peru), the agreement is of historic importance: The fact that this AA is the first region-to-region agreement the EU has ever concluded, outlines the willingness to build upon the traditional, cultural, political, economic and social ties between the parties and to strengthen them further.
2. Political dialogue and Cooperation Components of the Association Agreement The Association Agreement brings the political dialogue and the bi-regional cooperation between the EU and Central America to a new level based and institutionalizes the San Jose dialogue: In the framework of a political dialogue the aims is to develop a privileged political partnership based on universal values, principles and common objectives with the commitment to promote and protect these values on world stage, in particular democracy, human rights, sustainable development, good governance and rule of law. The dialogue comprises areas such as disarmament, fight against terrorism, development funding, migration and environment. Secondly the AA aims at enhancing bi-regional cooperation in all areas of common interest in order to achieve more sustainable and equitable social and economic development in both regions. In order to enforce issues of common interest the cooperation part contains a non-exhaustive list of issues under the titles of Democracy, Human Rights and Good Governance; Justice, Freedom and Security; Social Development and Social Cohesion; Migration; Environment; Economy and Trade; Regional Integration; Culture and Science (Art 29 - 76). The Agreement foresees also the possibility to extent the scope of cooperation in areas that are not mentioned yet (Article 27: Evolution Clause). In order to built up a strong partnership and an effective implementation the Agreement foresees an institutional framework with the establishment of an Association Council at ministerial level,
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assisted by an Association Committee of senior officials which will consider specific issues for political dialogue, co-operation and trade. Furthermore, an Association Parliamentary Committee shall be established, which will consist of members of the European Parliament, on the one hand, and of members of the Parlamento Centroamericano (PARLACEN), on the other hand. The implementation of the agreed cooperation will be supported by the existing Commission’s Regional Strategy Paper (RSP) for Central America 2007-2013, which pledges Euro 105 million € in total.
3. The Trade Component The Free trade chapter represents a substantial component of the whole agreement and aims at enhancing the economic relations between the two parts, as well as the internal economic integration in Central America. After a long period of economic stagnation the regions’ economies rebounded due to the various aid programmes that were accompanied by privatisation of companies and utilities as well as closer economic cooperation within the region and free trade arrangements with Latin American neighbours and beyond. Imports from Central America represent only 1.4 of total EU imports but we can register a substantial increase between 2006 and 2010 by nearly 33%, which shows that there are substantial margins of potentiality in the level of these imports. Around 32% of these imports are primary products, the rest are manufactured products. EU exports more than it imports from Central America; the deficit is around 5 billion euro. Exports mainly consist of manufactures and in particular machinery and transport equipment (45%) followed by chemical products (18 %).Imports from EU represent 7% of total imports for Central American countries. If we compare with the US- Central American trade flows the difference is impressive: 35% of exports from the region go to the US the imports of which represent 20% of total imports. This gap is slowly declining. Another impressive data: Costa Rica has the largest share in the Central American exports to the EU (around 60%), while the share of both Nicaragua and El Salvador lies around 5%. Food and live animals represent the most important export products to the EU for Guatemala (69%), Honduras (84%), Nicaragua (81%) and El Salvador (75%). The agreement indicates that 99% of manufactured goods imported from Central America to the EU will be immediately liberalized, the exception is represented by pharmaceutical, chemicals, leather and furs, non ferrous metals. From its side Central America will immediately liberalize 69% of existing trade. In the other sectors liberalization will be more progressive and will last 10 or 15 years.
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In the more sensitive sectors of agriculture both parties made mutual concessions, in particular on beef and diary product, which facilitated the conclusion of the agreement. On all of these concessions on agriculture made to Central America countries, those on banana are probably the most important, given the incidence of this product in these exports. The EU will progressively cut its tariff to 75 Euro per tonne by January 202, compared to the tariff negotiated in Geneva which was 114 Euro per tonne. As usually this agreement will be accompanied by a Regulation on a safeguard clause which could be adopted in case of substantial increases of imports of a specific product which could cause or threaten to cause serious injury. In case of banana a stabilisation clause will immediately entry into force in case of a trigger import volume established in the agreement is exceeded. The Agreement will also cover other important sectors such as trade in services, the improvement of quality standards, technical barriers to trade and intellectual property right chapter including geographical indications with a full satisfaction of both parties. The European Union conducted these negotiations with 6 countries as a whole in order to foster regional economic integration in the area. In this respect the integration process started more than 20 years ago but it is still imperfect, in particular as a customs union since the free circulation of goods is quite granted for 94% of the products. The Agreement tries to promote such a regional integration and foresees specific commitments of Central American countries in order to foster it, such as the reimbursement of the duty paid on EU goods when such goods are exported into another CA state, the use of a single administrative document or electronic equivalent for the purpose of establishing customs declaration and more generally the harmonisation of customs legislation and procedures. The enhancement of the regional integration will depend on the effective capacity and willingness of Central American countries to implement within the established time framework the commitments taken in this agreement. The overall impact of the agreement should generally be positive for both parties, in particular for the Central American countries which could increase and diversify their export and benefit of additional EU investments, thanks to the climate generated by the agreement. From the EU side due to the low incidence of trade with Central America, the Agreement has not yet received much public attention. However it has created the basis and real conditions for a future boost of such economic and trade relations.
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4. Latest Developments
EU-Colombia and Peru Trade Agreement
On 22 March 2011 the text of the agreement was initialised in Brussels. Presaisine has been transmitted to the European Parliament where the debates will presumably start in December. All Members States will have to sign and the European Parliament will have to give its consent. The adoption of the agreement is expected for 2012.
“A good agreement for Colombia and Peru, a good agreement for Europe and, potentially, a good agreement for the entire region.”
EPP Group position The EPP supported this agreement from its beginning with full conviction and welcomes an agreement that comprises besides a comprehensive trade chapter components on political dialogue and development cooperation and can really generate a more intense and fruitful relationship between the European Union and Central American countries. In this respect the EU should increase its presence in this area, without undermining the economic growth of the region. The EPP considers that the regional economic integration can be boosted and enhanced once this agreement enters into force and implemented in all of its components. The economic integration should give the opportunities and means for a stronger and closer cooperation in other sensitive fields such as the fight against drug smuggling,criminality and insecurity. The EPP appointed Mr Salafranca as a general rapporteur for the Agreement in Foreign Affairs Committee and Mr. Zalba as a rapporteur for the Trade chapter of the Agreement, what shows the great importance of this topic for our Group. The Group will work in the European Parliament for a rapid adoption of a positive decision which will pave the way to the entry into force of the Agreement. Silke Dalton, Pier Giuseppe Rizza Advisors
Commissioner Karel de Gucht, Debate INTA Committee 16 March 2010
Genesis of the agreement On 15 December 2003 the EU and the Andean Community signed a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement. Three years later at the EU-Latin America summit it was decided to open negotiations on a regional Association Agreement founded on the 3 pillars, namely political, cooperation and trade. Negotiations effectively started in June 2007 but were suspended one year later after Bolivia decided to leave the negotiations based on political and economic considerations. The negotiations re-started with the three other countries aiming at a Multiparty Trade Agreement focusing on progressive and reciprocal trade liberalisation. After two rounds of trade negotiations from January 2009, Ecuador suspended its participation, probably also for political and ideological reasons. The negotiations were concluded in May 2010 and the redenominated agreement “Trade Agreement” was initialled on 23 March 2011 in Brussels with the two remaining countries Colombia and Peru. Therefore, the Trade Agreement, as proposed by the two Andean countries does not include political or cooperation pillars. Recently, there have been signals that Ecuador could come back to negotiations in order to sign a quite similar agreement.
Trade statistics Despite a significant increase over the past ten years - nearly 70% - trade remains behind its potential with the two countries accounting together for only 0.6%. of the EU foreign trade with a trade deficit for the EU of €3.7 billion in 2010, mainly due to Colombia and Peru’s exports of oil and raw materials. EU imports from Colombia and Peru were in 2010 mineral fuels - respectively 50% and 40% -, followed by food and live animals - respectively 25% and 30%. The rest are manufactured goods.
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The EU essentially exports to Colombia and Peru machinery and transport equipment (respectively 44% and 50%); other items are chemicals and manufactured items. Food and beverages are very limited. Foreign direct investments and trade in services are small.
Content of the Agreement With the entry into force of the Trade Agreement all customs duties on imported manufactured goods and fisheries products originating in Colombia and Peru will be removed. The EU will benefit from immediate liberalisation for manufactured goods and fisheries products (respectively 80% and 65% of EU exports to Peru and Colombia). After 5 years an additional 18% of tariff lines will reach zero in Colombia and 6% in Peru. The remaining tariff lines will be liberalised in 10 years. Similarly to the Korea FTA, the TA allows parties to impose bilateral safeguard measures when certain basic conditions are met. With regards to agriculture, the EU has secured a deal with a high degree of liberalisation of the EU’s main interests, interests while Colombia and Peru will have substantial improvements in their market access conditions for other relevant goods like bananas, sugar and rum. In particular, significant and appropriate zero duty Tariff Rate Quotas have been set up for EU dairy products exported to Colombia and Peru while longer periods for dismantling tariffs have been established for whey, pork meat, wines and spirits, notably whisky and vodka. The EU will open duty free quotas for bananas, with a special safeguard triggering until 2020, sugar, rice and beef. An agricultural safeguard has been foreseen and its application is rather simple, since it will enter into force as soon as some ceilings are exceeded. A list of geographical indications has been included. Furthermore the Agreement contains detailed provisions on enforcement of IPRs to ensure an effective implementation of these rights to the benefit of all right holders. However, Article 196 of the Treaty recognises the need to maintain a balance between IPRs and the interest of the public, particularly regarding education, culture, research, public health, food security, environment, access to information and technology transfer. The TA also contains a highly ambitious procurement chapter which guarantees an extensive access to procurement markets in both countries. The chapter on sustainable development is probably the most innovative included in the TA. The contracting parties reaffirm their commitment to promote international trade in such a way as to contribute to the objective of sustainable development and to work together to integrate and reflect this objective in their trade relationship.
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The Agreement foresees full compliance of both parties with core ILO standards and important and specific environmental commitments. The human rights situation which caused concerns in the past has significantly improved, especially with regards to Colombia, while efforts still need to continue. Even though the agreement does not involve a political component the TA outlines in a general clause the respect of democratic principles, fundamental human rights and the rule of law as well as the non-proliferation of weapons of mass-destruction. The chapter on technical barriers to trade contains a number of TBT plus provisions compared to the WTO TBT Agreement for enhanced communications and cooperation between the parties in the area of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment.
Impact assessment of the Trade Agreement The impact of the trade agreement on the EU’s global trade flows is very small (0.1% growth on imports and exports); on the other side the expected relative impact on Colombia and Peru is much bigger: Colombia at around 8% and Peru 5.5%.
EPP position The EPP strongly supported a positive conclusion to these negotiations with the Andean countries as a vital and fundamental step to increase the trade and economic link between the European Union and Latin America in accordance with the Strategic Partnership launched in 2006 in Vienna. Therefore we are particularly happy with the result and the content of this Trade Agreement which will be a milestone in the relations with these countries as well as an instrument for their growth and development. The EPP acknowledges the importance of regional integration for both the EU and the Andean countries and therefore regrets that during the negotiations Bolivia and Ecuador decided to walk away from negotiations, for political and ideological reasons. This decision backfired since the other two countries reasonably decided to continue the negotia-tions. Ecuador has recently given some signals that it would come back to negotiations and the TA has been tailored to enable the accession of the remaining Andean countries; therefore the EPP considers that such a step would have a positive impact on the region and in particular on Ecuador’s economy but it will closely evaluate the real intentions of this country to accept the structure of the agreement and therefore its willingness to join the Trade Agreement between the EU and Colombia and Peru. The EPP is convinced that when the negotiations for a regional Association Agreement were launched in 2007, Colombia and Peru met the necessary requirements in terms of respect for human and labour rights; during the negotiations the situation further improved and the positive 189 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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conclusion of the TA will contribute to additional and significant steps in the right direction. The recent outline of labour rights advances in Colombia made by the US Trade Representative, some of them stemming from the Action Plan related to Labour Rights agreed upon by the two countries, confirms our original consideration.
International investment policy of the EU: common standards and better protection of European investors
Given the political and economic importance of such an Agreement the EPP has appointed one of its Members - Mr David - as a rapporteur in the Committee on International Trade and will try to ensure a fast procedure in the European Parliament so that this important agreement can enter into force as soon as possible.
The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) establishes the European Union’s exclusive competence on foreign direct investment (FDI), as part of the Common Commercial policy (Article 207(1) and Article 3(1)(e)). This means that now only the EU may legislate and adopt legally binding acts in an area where exclusive competence is conferred upon the Union as in the case of bilateral investment treaties (BIT), which provide inter alia guarantees on the conditions of investment in Member States and in third countries, in the form of specific commitments that are binding under international law.
Pier Giuseppe Rizza, Silke Dalton Advisors
This development has significant consequences, on the one hand it offers a challenge for the European Commission to manage more than 1200 BITs already concluded by the Member States (MS) before the entry into force of the FTEU and on the other hand to face the expectations of investors and beneficiary states, while at the same time respecting the objectives of the EU’s external action. In the absence of an explicit transitional regime in the TFEU clarifying the status of existing investment agreements the European Commission presented a proposal for a regulation to establish transitional arrangements for bilateral investment agreements between EU Member States and third countries. The main goal in establishing transitional arrangements is the creation of equal opportunities for all investors from EU countries, to provide them with a secure legal environment and to guarantee legal certainty as regards the conditions under which investors operate. On 10 May 2011, the European Parliament adopted an EPP position on the regulation in the first reading under ordinary legislation, although the report was originally prepared by the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance and then subject to various amendments by other political groups represented in the INTA Committee. Pawel Zalewski, MEP, Vice-Chairman of the International Trade Committee (INTA) of the European Parliament and EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur of the dossier, stressed that the EU’s investment policy must focus on both the legal protection of investments and equalising the opportunities of investors from different EU Member States. The general objective of this proposal is to authorise the continuation of international agreements related to ongoing investments concluded between Member States and third countries. It also aims at establishing conditions and a procedural framework for the negotiation and conclusion of such agreements by the Member States. The main impact of this proposal is to avoid a very negative result, i.e. the potential erosion of rights and benefits available to investors and investments under international investment agreements.
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The proposed regulation establishes the procedure and the terms and conditions under which Member States are authorised to maintain, amend or conclude BITs with third countries, including the following provisions: a) Member States must notify the Commission of all BITs with third countries concluded or signed before the regulation comes into force. b) The Commission must review existing BITs and withdraw authorisation if the BIT is incompatible with EU law or there is an overlap with an EU agreement in force with the third country and if the BIT constitutes an obstacle to the development and implementation of the EU’s policies on investment. c) Member States are authorised to enter into negotiations to amend an existing BIT with a third country or conclude a new investment agreement with a third country. The position adopted by the European Parliament suggests amendments to the proposed regulation, which generally aims to weaken the Commission’s power to review existing BITs and withdraw authorisation for them. The amendments include: a) Giving the Commission a discretionary, rather than mandatory power to review BITs notified under the regulation. b) L imiting the scope of the Commission’s review in cases where a BIT is incompatible with EU law or constitutes a serious obstacle to the conclusion of future investment agreements with the third country. c) P lacing similar limits to those set out in the point above in circumstances in which the Commission should withdraw authorisation for an existing BIT. The end of the dialogue process on this issue between the European Parliament, Council and Commission will most probably come at the end of the year and will constitute a significant challenge for the Polish Presidency. This regulation only addresses the transitional aspects of the management of the new EU competence on investment. The objectives, criteria and content of the new EU investment policy, to be developed on the basis of the newly-gained exclusive competence on foreign direct investment is not addressed by this regulation but is addressed in a separate Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament which the Council adopted simultaneously with this regulation proposal.
The future of the European international investment policy: common guidelines According to Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU, foreign direct investment (FDI) is an exclusive competence of the EU. This new situation after Lisbon has considerable consequences, throwing up a double challenge: on the one hand managing the well over 1 000 BITs concluded by the Member States,
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on the other hand defining a future international investment policy for Europe which at the same time offers excellent prospects for foreign investors and beneficiary states at the same time. In order to face this double challenge, a report on the future European international investment policy was adopted at the March Plenary. The situation is far from being simple; at bilateral level, nearly 3 000 BITs have been signed since 1959 by states that are EU members today. Concluded mainly between developed and developing countries with the aim of ensuring legal and financial protection to investors from the former, these are based on three priorities: non-discrimination, protection of investors and their investments, and the existence of a legal mechanism ensuring compliance with these principles, through international arbitration. When, however, the first suits were filed in the 1990s, a number of problems became clear, particularly concerning the possibility of conflict between private interests and the regulatory tasks of public authorities. At multilateral or plurilateral level, investment negotiations broke down at OECD level when, in 1998, discussions on an international investment agreement (IIA) ran up against the question of protecting the public intervention domain, which was in danger of no longer being able to intervene independently of private interests. The negotiations restarted at the WTO in 2004 but were again interrupted by complaints from developing countries, on the same grounds. These past events must be borne in mind at every stage of the definition of the future European investment policy. It is largely agreed that investor protection for all EU investors must remain the first priority of investment agreements; the Commission therefore should provide a clear definition of the investments to be protected, including both FDI and portfolio investment; making sure at the same time that speculative forms of investment are not protected. The standard EU Member State BIT uses a broad definition of ‘foreign investor’; the Commission shall assess where this has led to abusive practices, and provide a clear definition of a foreign investor based on this assessment and drawing on the latest OECD benchmark definition of FDIs. Future investment agreements concluded by the EU should be based on the best practices drawn from Member State experiences and include the standards of non-discrimination, fair and equitable treatment and protection against expropriation. > Non-discrimination (national treatment and most favoured nation), with a more precise wording in the definition mentioning that foreign and national investors must operate ‘in like circumstances’ and allowing some flexibility in the MFN-clause in order not to obstruct regional integration processes in developing countries > Defining fair and equitable treatment, on the basis of the level of treatment established by international customary law, is a must > Giving a clear definition of protection against direct and indirect expropriation, that establishes a clear and fair balance between public welfare objectives and private interests. Allowing for adequate compensation in accordance with damages incurred in the event of illegitimate expropriation is also essential
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The expected improvements in certainty will also help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to invest abroad; the voice of SMEs must be heard during negotiations. The Commission shall present, as soon as possible, a draft regulation on how responsibilities are to be divided between the EU and national levels, particularly in financial terms, in the event that the EU loses a case in international arbitration. Joanna Warchol, Botond Török-Illyés Advisors
2. Standing Working Group “Economy & Environment”
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New skills and new jobs As a consequence of the economic crisis of 2008, primary and manufacturing sectors lost more jobs than expected and the trend is expected to continue. We are still projected to lose around 2.5 million jobs by 2020. Unemployment currently affects 23.1 million people; youth unemployment stands at 20.4% and long-term unemployment continues to increase especially for workers with undergraduate education who are at major risk of loss of employment. However, jobs demanding higher qualifications are expected to rise. The EPP Group is backing and encouraging concrete initiatives in order to reach the Europe 2020 employment target of 75% for the 20-64 years age group by 2020. We are aware that the employment rate is closely linked to economic performance and we strongly recommend that the Member States follow the guidelines for employment policies together with broad economic policy guidelines. We also stand for a better coordination of economic policies between Member States in order to avoid unfair competition and market distortion and we urge Member States to respect the rules on budgetary discipline in order to diminish the risk of falling into excessive deficit. The combination of demographic change and changes in production chains calls for better employment, education and work organisation strategies in order to maximise the competitiveness of the European economy, minimise the loss of human capital and create new job possibilities. The whole EPP Group is working to make the change towards a sustainable economy fast and effective. In the last year, under the leadership of many members of the EPP Group, several reports related to employment policies were adopted by the European Parliament, such as: Agenda for new skills and jobs by MEP Regina Bastos; Promoting workers’ mobility within the European Union by MEP Traian Ungureanu; Mobility and inclusion of people with disabilities and the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 by MEP Ádám Kosa, or the European Year of Active Ageing 2012 MEP Martin Kastler and others.
How to increase demand for labour and stimulate job creation Major investments are needed in the European economy, therefore we have to ensure efficient use of EU funds, such as the ESF, ERDF and Cohesion Fund, and facilities such as the Microfinance Facility, for job creation, since 85% of jobs in the EU are provided by SMEs. The members of the EPP Group in the European Parliament in its everyday activities call on all the relevant stakeholders at national and EU level to stimulate creation of small and medium-sized enterprises, to provide them with a regulatory-friendly environment and to improve their access to finance. We also urge the removal of barriers to business creation and its free movement. Another important objective is a barrier-free and competitive single market which has to be completed in order to facilitate free movement of workers and portability of their social rights and benefits. The EPP Group condemns undeclared work which endangers both society and workers. Member States must carry out regular checks and initiate information campaigns in order to raise awareness of long-term disadvantages for workers employed in the black economy. 196 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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We are aware that the healthcare sector and other service sectors such as sales, security, cleaning, catering and caring, are still expected to provide most job growth between now and 2020 and could be the fastest growing area with an important role to play in achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy; furthermore, because of demographic change, the health and social care sector is an important employer, whose significance is likely to grow. We need to provide this sector with all the necessary tools to be able to maximise its expansion.
How to ensure the availability of a skilled labour force The EPP Group welcomes the Commission’s initiative to produce an EU Skills Panorama and to reform the European Employment Services EURES network to improve transparency for jobseekers. We consider it important to monitor the upcoming skill demand in Europe with regards to the changes in world production chains and we stand for an immediate transposition of the findings into education and the lifelong learning policies of the Member States so as to be able to promptly address innovation and skills gaps. In this regard we welcome the Commission’s proposal to promote European centres of excellence within new academic specialisations for tomorrow’s sustainable jobs. We fight for more investments in research and education to reach at least the same level of investments as our world economic partners and competitors. In our view the number of early school leavers still remains high. We urge Member States to implement policies to prevent early school leaving and to offer learning and training alternatives to students with learning difficulties and to integrate ICT competences, digital literacy and transversal key competences such as communication in foreign languages, as well as entrepreneurship, into their vocational training and lifelong learning policies. We also explore the dual system of education/training in order to introduce young people to the labour market from the earliest stage and to ensure that traineeships and apprenticeships lead to the provision of new jobs. Finally the EPP Group sees a necessity to improve mutual recognition of competences, diplomas and skills at EU level. Tackling youth unemployment is a matter of priority for our political family. We urge the Commission and Member States to continue their efforts to foster youth integration in the labour market, including the provision of incentives for young people and employers. In this context we believe facilitating the transition from school to work, as well as skills anticipation, upgrading and matching, are crucially important.
How to improve the functioning of the labour market Europe needs to make full use of its labour force potential! We believe that, under the new momentum of social and economic changes, the four components of flexicurity (flexible and reliable contractual arrangements, active labour market policies, lifelong learning, and modern social security systems) and the balance between them should be reviewed and reinforced. Nevertheless 197 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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the national flexicurity arrangements must be strengthened and adapted to the new socio-economic contexts of each individual Member State, in accordance with its specific needs, in order to ensure a flexible and active labour market, efficient training and secure social security systems. We are against one-size-fits-all solutions and we urge the Commission, Member States and the social partners to pay special attention to workers from disadvantaged groups, such as young people, low-skilled workers and workers with disabilities in order to reduce segmentation and improve labour market inclusion in order to increase disadvantaged groups’ opportunities to enter and make progress in the labour market. We consider that pursuing the objective of full employment has to be complemented by strengthened efforts to improve the job quality and the working and living conditions of all employees. Job quality has to be promoted as a multidimensional concept, covering both employment relations and work itself. We cannot ignore that for many workers the reconciliation of work and family life remains a difficult task and we want to give all parents, especially single-parent families, opportunities for integration not only into working life but also into lifelong learning processes. The appropriate policy instruments, including legislation, policy coordination, exchange of good practice and autonomous agreements of the social partners are crucial to reaching our employment goals. In this context we agree with the Commission’s plans to review the effectiveness of the legislation concerning job quality and working conditions, taking due account of all the latest socio-economic developments of the global economy. Alena Carna Advisor
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Single Market Act The Single Market is almost 20 years old and continues to be the cornerstone of Europe’s integration and sustainable growth1. However, this project is an ongoing process that continues to be incomplete in certain areas, therefore companies and citizens are still not benefitting from its full potential. The Commission regarded the Single Market as a key strategic objective for the new Commission, under the Barroso II leadership, and realised that a new political determination was needed. Therefore the Commission asked Professor Mario Monti to prepare a report containing options and recommendations that would relaunch the Single Market. The result of this report gave origin to the Single Market Act, a Commission Communication with fifty measures to give a new strategy to the Single Market. This proposal followed the EPP Group’s call upon the European Commission, led by the EPP Coordinator in IMCO Andreas Schwab, to put forward a consistent policy agenda for the implementation of Professor Monti’s initiatives. At the Parliament, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee decided to split the Communication into three reports, as there was a clear division in the document: the first chapter proposes measure to have strong, sustainable and equitable growth for businesses; the second chapter highlights the means to restore confidence by putting Europeans at the heart of the Single Market and the third chapter develops the concepts of dialogue, partnership and evaluation as the keys to good governance of the Single Market. The EPP Group nominated Sandra Kalniete (Latvia) to be the Rapporteur of Governance and Partnership in the Single Market. This report describes what actions need to be taken at the European level to improve access to information and governmental services to businesses and consumers. The report also touches upon necessary improvements in the area of European legislation, involvement of national parliaments and infringements regarding implementation of existing legislation. The Report A Single Market for Enterprises and Growth, shadowed by EPP MEP Othmar Karas, focused on the improvements necessary for the business environment, especially to increase crossborder trade and provision of services. It also called on the Commission and on Member States to boost the confidence of businesses and citizens in online trading and urged the Commission to make public procurement procedures more effective and less bureaucratic. The need to create EU project bonds to support long-term innovation and job creation and fund major cross-border infrastructure projects for energy, transport and telecommunications is a key message of the report. The Report A Single Market for Europeans concentrated on the ways to improve the everyday lives of the citizens of the EU. The Group’s shadow, Roza Thun, had quite different views from the S&D Rapporteur and managed, with the ALDE and ECR shadows, to shift the tone of the report into a more positive and pro-market text. It called for better recognition of professional qualifications across borders and the establishment of a European Skills Passport. It insisted on an 1. José Manuel Barroso letter to Professor Mario Monti
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extension of the existing “roaming” regulation to cut costs and cap prices for mobile data roaming, improved coordination of national market surveillance and customs checks on imports from nonEU countries. The report also calls for greater transparency and comparability of banking charges, and full portability of pension rights. One week after the European Parliament adopted these reports, the European Commission came out with the final document of priority initiatives that need to be carried out to strengthen the internal market called Twelve levers to boost growth and strengthen confidence taking on board many conclusions from the three above-mentioned reports and feedback gathered from consultation with other stakeholders. Here again the EPP Group was the leading force in ensuring the relaunch of the Single Market for the benefit of consumers and businesses. Tereza Pinto de Rezende and Janis Birks Advisors
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Roaming III In July 2011, the European Commission presented its recast of the Roaming Regulation, known as Roaming III (3rd version after 2007 and 2009) that established EU rules on the use of mobile phones abroad for voice, message and data services. The roaming retail market accounted in 2009 for nearly EUR 5 billion in revenues. Since the beginning, the EPP Group has been a strong advocate of more competition and lower roaming prices within the Internal Market of the European Union. Despite being fully in favour of lower price for roaming, the EPP Group has been nevertheless someway sceptical about establishing a “price cap mechanism”, favouring instead structural measures that really stimulate the competition. The practice has indeed shown that the operators fix their price just below the threshold, offering lower prices but without real competition allowing consumers to have the choice among the operators. Generally speaking, Ms Niebler on behalf of the EPP Group is therefore satisfied with the Roaming III Regulation as it combines the continuation of the price cap regime with new structural measures to introduce more competition in the international mobile roaming market. Those structural measures that have been requested by the EPP Group consist in the following: > from July 2012, mobile operators without their own network (MVNO - Mobile Virtual Network Operators) will have the right to use other operators’ networks in other Member States at a low regulated wholesale price; the consequence of this will be an increase in the number of operators and the competition in the roaming market; > from July 2014, by imposing the decoupling of domestic and roaming services, consumers will have the option to sign up for a cheaper mobile roaming contract, separate from their contract for national services, while keeping the same phone number and the same SIM card. Consumers will therefore be able to easily switch to a cheaper operator for roaming services if his/her national operator does not provide a competitive offer for international services. The European Commission is expecting to have the structural measures fully in place by the end of 2016 and therefore proposes in the meantime to extend the duration of the price cap mechanisms, with decreasing lower prices applying to voice, SMS and data. If in the meantime, there is evidence that competition has developed sufficiently and delivered lower prices, the price caps mechanism could be removed. The EPP Group is of the opinion that further efforts could be made to further decrease the prices, especially as far as data retail is concerned, nevertheless keeping the market competitive and attractive enough for new entrants to start offering roaming services. Alfredo Sousa de Jesus Advisor
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Remit
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The Regulation on Energy Market Integrity and Transparency (REMIT) is a crucial step towards the implementation of the Single Energy Market to establish Union-level supervision of wholesale energy trading transactions.
3. Penalties: harmonisation and minimum standards In the joint declaration by all 3 institutions on penalties it is stated that proposals on the reinforcement of the penalties regime will be made - without mentioning a precise timeframe. The Commission should - based on the findings of its consultation on “Reinforcing sanctioning regimes in the financial services sector” - consider presenting a proposal to harmonise minimum standards for penalties.
It was a big success for the Group that MEP András Gyürk, EPP Shadow Rapporteur of the Regulation managed to reach a first reading compromise agreement during the Hungarian Presidency.
4. ACER review clause: staffing and resources It was stressed that ACER should be provided with the appropriate financial and human resources to fulfil its new tasks and that the budgetary procedure should take account of these.
The different market monitoring activities of Member States are currently unable to cope with the cross-border nature of different energy products. The REMIT proposal aims at establishing a Union-wide monitoring regime in order to keep a close eye on wholesale natural gas and electricity trades. The purpose of the Regulation is to enhance transparency and prevent market abuse, especially in cases of cross-border trading transactions.
5. Delegated vs. implementing acts As part of the final package, it was agreed that all aspects of data collection (including the setting of a “de-minimis” threshold for defining reporting obligations) shall be defined by an implementing act. The Committee procedure for elaborating the implementing act does not include a sentence prohibiting the Commission to adopt a draft implementing act, in case the Committee does not deliver an opinion.
The Union-wide monitoring activity will be exercised by the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) which shall be responsible for data collection, trade monitoring and coordination of the Member States’ potential actions. National regulatory authorities shall have access to ACER’s database and carry out investigation and proper enforcement. Due to the specific characteristics of CO2 emissions, the monitoring of the Emission Trading System (ETS) is not included in the scope of this Regulation, however access to emissions trading data shall be ensured in order to prevent cross-commodity manipulations. Based on the results of the future consultation with stakeholders, the exact method and form of reporting shall be elaborated by the European Commission and approved by the Parliament and the Council. Furthermore, the Regulation takes a significant step towards the creation of a single European energy market by establishing a database of wholesale energy trading transactions and creating a European register for energy traders where no licensing scheme exists. The key points of the agreement are: 1. Registration/licensing scheme for energy traders Establishing a European register for energy traders laying down the content of the register and asking ACER to set out its format, and asking the Commission to conduct an assessment of the registration system with a view to proposing further instruments aimed at ensuring a level playing field for market participants and integrity of the markets.
6. Prohibition on insider trading Limited exemption will apply to gas and electricity on the grounds that market participants would otherwise not be able to meet contractual obligations. Limited exemption also applies, where such action is undertaken in agreement with the relevant TSOs to ensure security of the system. 7. Trade repository A provision has been added stating that ACER’s non-sensitive trade database should be made available for scientific purpose, which complements the obligation to make information publically available, which does not distort competition on the energy markets. 8. Minimum requirements for trading floors In the context of the ACER annual report, a reference was included stating that ACER shall assess the operation of different market places and ways of trading, and the Commission may - based on this assessment - evaluate, whether any minimum requirements for organised market places could enhance market transparency. The compromise text is the result of a first reading agreement with the Hungarian Presidency and fully respects the EPP position. Edina Tóth Advisor
2. Reporting on CO2 emission trading Referring to the Commission to consider bringing forward a proposal to tackle shortcomings of emission trading markets and access for ACER to existing data on emission trading, but not being responsible for the supervision of emission trading.
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Food labelling
majority, and mandatory as well as voluntary national schemes for labelling remained be excluded. A success was also the provision of an impact assessment with regard to the origin labelling of processed food.
New provisions on food information to consumers A joint effort of Parliament and Council
From a general point of view, the future labelling of five nutrients, including fat, proteins and salt plus calories on the front of packs was considered to be useful in giving consumers a chance to evaluate food products all over the European Union in a consistent manner. Furthermore the rapporteur had brought through clear labelling references, e.g. calories per 100 grams or 100 millilitres, enabling people also understand and compare the individual food labels. Additionally, the plenary voted in favour of a clear labelling of imitations or combined meat. Taking into account that the EPP Group secured the majority of its priorities, it followed the rapporteur’s recommendation to vote in favour of the whole report.
After tough and extensive negotiations the European Parliament was able to finally conclude the second reading of this regulation on the future provisions of food information to consumers. Parliament therefore fulfilled the growing need and pressure for clear, balanced and feasible standards in a crucial part of every citizen’s daily life. In doing so, the Parliament and Council led by the Hungarian Presidency finally managed as co-legislators to strike a consistent balance between the needs of consumers to make an informed choice and to provide the industry with a level playing field on all market levels in the European Union. To this end, the Commission had already in 2003 started a consultation of stakeholders to evaluate food labelling legislation in the European Union. It turned out that a recast of existing provisions and adjustments to new developments and expectations was needed. The respective Commission proposal for the reformulation of EU provisions on food labelling was presented after a long and very complex consultation process in January 2008. It intended to meet the requirements of better law-making by combining and replacing seven directives and a regulation. In addition, it was designed to reduce red tape, offer stakeholders in the food chain a greater degree of legal certainty, improve the competitiveness of the European food industry, guarantee food safety, ensure that consumers are provided with comprehensive information about foods and promote healthy eating as part of the EU’s strategy against obesity.
First reading to open the race In the run-up to the second reading agreement it was necessary not only to substantially revise the original Commission proposal that contained key provisions like mandatory particulars, indication and presentation of nutritional values plus possibilities to adopt or maintain national labelling rules, but also to finalize a comprehensive compromise package where all political Groups as well as the Council had to give in. In view of the often very tight voting results in Committee, there was a broad consensus between all political Groups that both consumers and the industry had to be provided at first with a majority position of the European Parliament. Again, as in Committee the result of the first plenary vote had turned out to be much better than could be expected with regard to the controversial and sometimes hotly disputed positions in the House. The Group managed to defend the good results already obtained in Committee. The traffic light system for food labelling was rejected by a very large
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Mission accomplished in second reading After the succesful conclusion of the first reading in June 2010 it was the declared the aim and top priority of the EPP rapporteur in charge, Dr Renate Sommer (CDU/D) to conclude the second reading in July 2011 and to avoid a conciliation process opening up again the opportunity of emotional and often almost ideological controversy in this very technical dossier. This aim was fulfilled in a joint effort of Parliament and the Presidency. It also turned out to be a huge political success receiving an overwhelming majority in the second reading of 606 votes in favour, 26 abstentions and only 46 votes against. Based on another 402 amendments tabled on the common position then presented by the Council in February 2011 for the second reading in Committee, it had already been possible to seal at least three compromise amendments on legibility, allergen labelling and the date of freezing which had been adopted. Furthermore, the Group had won a key consolidated amendment on front-of-pack labelling, asking for mandatory labelling of energy value of prepacked food, while losing two consolidated amendments on origin labelling and again on front-of-pack labelling, demanding additional labelling per portion size or consumption unit. The Committee reiterated its demand for clear labelling of so-called food imitations while at the same time exempting non-prepacked and handcrafted food from mandatory labelling requirements. With a clear mandate having been reconfirmed by the Committee, Parliament, Council and the Commission then started negotiations with the aim being to find a second-reading agreement. After long and difficult negotiations, it was finally possible to conclude a compromise package. It contains the following key elements: 1. Allergen labelling: Council agreed to highlight scientifically proven allergens which are already included in the product ingredient list. This enables consumers to immediately recognize possible allergens causing the most common allergies at one glance.
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2. Vegetable oils: Council agreed to the labelling of specific vegetable oil to be grouped together in brackets in the ingredients list. The indication “proportions may vary” can be added to the list therefore avoiding additional costs to producers and protecting their intellectual property rights. 3. Transfatty acids: Parliament and Council agreed on a compromise by asking the Commission to carry out, within 3 years, a report on the amounts of transfats in Member States thereby evaluating possibilities for tackling potential health risks related to the consumption of transfatty acids. Depending on the results, the Commission shall then make proposals for mandatory labelling and even the introduction of threshold values for these substances.
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about the different slaughter measures. Apart from that, the Commission shall have a look into the implementation of the Slaughter Directive in the Member States to avoid most meat coming from ritually slaughtered animals. Knut Gölz Advisor
4. Alcoholic beverages: Council accepted the full exemption of alcoholic beverages, including the so-called alcopops from the scope of the regulation, also due to the fact that alcohol cannot be considered as food. In return, the Commission shall present a report on possibilities for labelling alcoholic beverages within three years and for providing a feasible definition of alcopops, as well. This report may then be accompanied by a legislative proposal on the labelling of alcoholic beverages. 5. Country of origin labelling: Parliament accepted mandatory labelling of the origin for fresh meat only. However, the Commission shall establish within two years implementing rules on the respective labelling requirements. For all other product categories originally foreseen by Parliament such as meat in processed food, milk and milk products, single ingredient products etc. the Commission will conduct impact assessments about the feasibility and potential costs on a sectoral basis within 3 years. For processed food the impact assessment already has to be done within two years. Additionally the Commission shall evaluate in all meat categories the possibility of and the potential costs of labelling the place of birth, rearing and slaughter of these animals. 6. Labelling of so-called imitations: Parliament and Council agreed to prohibit misleading information with regard to the appearance, description or pictorial presentation of a food product. The main ingredient used to replace another ingredient such as vegetable fat instead of animal fat has to be labelled with the brand name, e.g. for imitation “cheese” on pizza etc. The same provision shall apply to other food like glued meat or formed meat. 7. L egibility: Parliament and Council agreed on a definition of legibility and also on the development of binding criteria by the Commission. In addition, specific rules shall apply to small packages with a surface of less than 25 square centimetres, including an exemption from the mandatory nutrition declaration. On packages of less than 10 square centimetres, only a restricted number of particulars have to be indicated. 8. R itual slaughter: Due to the fact that a substantial amount of meat is placed on the markets from animals which have been slaughtered without prior stunning, Parliament and Council agreed to ask the Commission to deal with this issue in the context of the upcoming animal welfare strategy. Thus, a recital was introduced calling for a study on the possibilities for informing consumers
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Forest Policy
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The report focuses on: > EU forests: state and governance
Forest protection and information in the EU: preparing forests for climate change
EU forests and other wooded land cover account for more than 42% of the EU’s surface. Forests provide livelihoods for millions of workers, entrepreneurs and 16 million forest owners. The forestbased industries provide more than 2 million jobs, mostly in SMEs, and have a EUR 300 billion turnover. 350 000 people are employed in forest management.
Forest protection is one of the major challenges is Europe. This ENVI-led own-initiative report follows on from the Commission Green Paper on Forest Protection in the EU: preparing forests for climate change.
> Threats to forests
For the EPP Group, forests play a key role in the provision of socio-economic development while contributing to the economy through wood and non-wood products and services, beside its effect on climate change and public good. Also, the EPP strongly supports the Forest Fire Prevention System and the European Forest Fire Information System.
> EU perspective
Ms Jolanta Hibner, the EPP shadow rapporteur, highlights that forests provide many benefits. Sustainable forest management will not only give environmental benefits but also provide sustainable economic development and improve the quality of life of people. Ms Hibner put special emphasis on the most important goal of the present forest protection policy: apart from preparing forests for climate change and protecting biodiversity, forests must remain sustainable in order to maintain a sustainable industry. It is necessary to reconcile requirements of economic growth with the demands of environmental protection. The EPP Group welcomes the Commission Green Paper but believes that a strengthened EU role in forest management needs to have regard to the subsidiarity principle i.e. to the overall competence of Member States in the area of forest policy.
The EPP Group calls for a more effective fight against forest fires and pest outbreaks.
The EPP Group’s view is aiming at improving and protecting the environment, developing longterm competitiveness and fostering communication and coordination regarding the subsidiarity principle. The EPP Group will continue to support the protection of Europe’s forests as well as the potential of the forest sector in the fight against climate change. Sustainable forest management provides jobs, environmental and economic benefits as well as well-being, vitality and health for our citizens. Gábor Lejkó Advisor
The report analyses the success of the Forest Action Plan and also examines Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Information as other main issues covered in the Commission Green Paper. Ms Hibner also supports the rapporteur’s recommendations calling for legislative proposals on forest fire prevention and forest information, for the introduction of payments for ecosystem services and for funding for the European Forest Fires Information System. It also examines specific climate change aspects of forest protection including the ETS and LULUCF (land-use, land-use change and forestry), and calls on the Commission to develop sustainability criteria for woody biomass. Finally, the report also looks at the forest protection aspects of the CAP. Under the leadership of the EPP shadow rapporteur the report on “the Commission Green Paper on forest protection and information in the EU: preparing forests for climate change” was adopted with the support of the EPP Group and all other Groups, and this with great success.
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Financial Markets Supervision Introduction Following the outbreak of the financial crisis in 2008, the stabilisation of financial markets became a priority and financial sector reform a crucial instrument to achieve it. Filling in the gaps in financial sector regulation and strengthening the supervision of the financial sector in Europe have been the two main areas of work. EPP works for a financial services policy to deliver stable, secure and efficient financial markets and ensure coherence and consistency between the different policy areas, such as banking, insurance, securities and investment funds, financial markets infrastructure, retail financial services and payment systems.
Main reports adopted by the European Parliament in 2011 2011 adopted legislation is intended to supplement and complete the legal provisions adopted since the beginning of the crisis for the purpose of strengthening the financial sector, such as the transformation of the European Committees of supervisors into the European Supervisory Authorities with real teeth, the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD III), the Solvency II Directive for insurance companies, the reform of the UCITS (Investment Funds) legislation and the regulation of Alternative Investment Fund Managers (Hedge Funds). The present crisis has made it necessary to introduce fundamental financial markets reforms. The financial markets legislation is adopted in the European Union through the Codecision process (known as the Ordinary Legislative Procedure after the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty), therefore the role of the biggest political group in the European Parliament has been fundamental.
Financial Conglomerates Directive Financial conglomerates may include banks, insurance undertakings, investment firms and possibly asset management companies. The Financial Conglomerates Directive supplements the Sectoral Directives - insurance, banking - in order to eliminate unintended consequences and technical omissions of the Sectoral Directives. The objective of this directive (STOLOJAN report) is to render the supplementary supervision framework for financial conglomerates more robust, leading to more effective risk management incentives and practices. This will be beneficial to the international competitiveness position of EU financial groups.
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Corporate governance of financial institutions The EPP Group regards the strengthening of corporate governance a key element of financial market reform and crisis prevention programmes. Corporate governance must take account of the interest of stakeholders - depositors, savers, insurance policy holders… - and of the stability of the financial system, owing to the systemic nature of many of the players involved. Legislative proposals on this are under discussion and will be adopted during 2012.
Credit Rating Agencies CRA ratings fulfil several useful purposes, they aggregate information about the credit quality of issuers in a global environment with asymmetric information between debt issuers and investors, allowing issuers to access global and domestic markets, reducing information costs and widening the potential pool of investors, thus providing liquidity to markets and helping find prices. Three key problems that the financial crisis has highlighted are lack of competition, over-reliance on external ratings in the regulatory framework and no liability for ratings by CRAs. Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 was the first reaction to the financial crisis and already deals with the most pressing issues, subjecting CRAs to oversight and regulation; however, it does not address all the fundamental problems. The EPP Group considers that the most important problems with CRAs are the lack of competition, oligopolistic structures and the lack of accountability and transparency. Another key problem of the dominant rating agencies in particular is the payment model. The regulatory system’s key problem is over-reliance on external credit ratings. The report underlines that the recent developments in the euro crisis have highlighted the significant role of sovereign debt ratings and both inconsistency and pro-cyclicality in the regulatory use of ratings. At the time of writing this note, Parliament is discussing the amendments to the Credit Rating Agencies Regulation - GAUZES Report.
Derivatives Regulation (LANGEN Report) Derivatives are financial products with a value derived from an underlying asset. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives are contracts that are traded - and privately negotiated - directly between two parties, without going through an exchange or other intermediary. In September 2009, G-20 leaders agreed in Pittsburgh that all standardised OTC derivative contracts should be traded on exchanges or electronic trading platforms, where appropriate, and cleared
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through central counterparties by the end of 2012 at the latest and that OTC derivative contracts should be reported to trade repositories. This Regulation delivers the EU commitment to proceed rapidly and with determination. At the time of writing this note, negotiations between Parliament and Council are under way.
Short selling Regulation Short selling of securities is a practice where a natural or legal person sells a security he or she does not own with the intention of buying back an identical security at a later point in time. It is a common practice in most financial markets. Short selling can be divided into two types: covered short selling where the seller has borrowed the security or made arrangements to ensure they can be borrowed before the short sale, and uncovered or naked short selling (where at the time of the short sale the seller has not borrowed the securities or ensured they can be borrowed). As a consequence of the financial crisis, competent authorities in several EU Member States and the USA have adopted emergency measures to restrict or ban short selling in some or all securities and sovereign debt. The measures adopted by Member States were divergent, as the European Union lacks a specific legislative framework for dealing with short selling issues. Therefore, an EU framework Regulation was needed.
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International dimension At global level, the EU collaborates with its international partners by actively taking part in the G-20 and other international fora in order to improve global financial supervision and crisis management. In particular, the Commission is a member of the Financial Stability Board. The Commission has also developed regulatory or other dialogues with the EU’s main trading partners, namely the United States (in the context of the EU-US Financial Market Dialogue) and Japan, but also the emerging financial services markets in China, India, Russia and Brazil. The EPP Group has always insisted on ensuring a level playing field with our main partners in order to preserve the competitiveness of the EU’s financial centres. José Botella Advisor
The adopted regulation harmonises requirements relating to short selling across the European Union, harmonises the powers that regulators may use in exceptional situations where there is a serious threat to financial stability or market confidence and ensures greater coordination and consistency between Member States in such situations. The proposal covers all financial instruments but provides for a proportionate response to the risks that short selling of different instruments may represent. “The Parliament has successfully fought for very strict conditions for short selling to contain destructive speculation. The new transparency rules will help stabilise financial markets”, said Markus Ferber MEP, EPP representative for the Regulation.
Insurance Guarantee Schemes The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs adopted an Initiative report in response to the White Paper presented by the Commission on Insurance Guarantee Schemes (IGSs). The financial crisis has demonstrated that consumer confidence in the financial system can be quickly undermined in the absence of adequate compensation processes for consumer losses incurred as a result of the failure of financial institutions. In this context, the Parliament report calls on the Commission to come forward with proposals for a cross-border standardisation directive establishing a coherent and consistent cross-border framework for IGSs across Member States. This framework will be adopted in 2012. 212 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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Governance Package
Divisions between the institutions
Recent events have shown that the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) didn’t work as well as it should have, as several Member States (three outside the euro area, and three inside) encountered severe balance of payment problems and risked defaulting on their sovereign debt. For the origins of the crisis one should read this author’s contribution to the Yearbook 2010. Suffice to say that the sovereign debt crisis has morphed into a second banking crisis and both of them are amplifying the ongoing economic crisis. There are worldwide repercussions, but the most dramatic effects are for the euro area itself.
Despite the fact that all institutions saw the necessity to act in order to avoid future occurrences of sovereign debt crises, there were a number of dividing issues. Most obviously the Council was anxious not to lose sovereignty to the Commission. The possible consequence of allowing the Council to take most of the decisions is horse-trading between Member States leading to a reduced efficiency of the SGP, something which could be observed around 2004. The ECB heavily criticized the first agreements in principle between Member States, which were reflected in the results of the van Rompuy Task Force, and advised for a much tougher line. The EP’s majority was also leaning towards the Commission.
Parliament is not an executive body, so it does not directly participate in the diverse rescue efforts, all the more because some of these, such as the future European Stabilization Mechanism (ESM), are based on the inter-governmental method rather than the community method. But the EP is an important player in the shaping of the future legislation. The aim is to avoid future occurrences of sovereign debt crises.
Divisions inside the EP Parliament’s and vote in committee
The Commission, in an operation that is totally separate from the rescue and re-structuring of these Member States, presented six interlinked legislative proposals which are meant to amend and strengthen the SGP. This goes by the name of the Economic Governance Package, and is casually referred to as the ‘Six-Pack’. These proposals can be divided into three groups.
Four of the dossiers were co-legislative procedures, whilst the Feio and Ford reports were consultations. Yet it was decided to treat them as a package. The rapporteurs often met formally during the drafting time to coordinate their positions and continued to do so during the run-up to the votes in committee and plenary.
First, where there were only two texts in the original SGP, which represented the preventive and the corrective arm of the Stability and Growth Pact, there will now be three. The one added concerns the imposition of sanctions in the form of deposits and fines at an early stage. In Parliament these proposals were covered by the Wortmann-Kool, Feio and Goulard reports respectively. The aim is to increase the bite of the SGP, to pay attention not just to the budget deficit but also to the debt level, and to start with infringement proceedings at an early stage in order to avoid corrective actions being triggered when it is too late.
Finding common ground proved to be difficult. The evaluation of the causes of the sovereign debt crisis by the Left and the Right is totally different and that reflects the approach taken in these dossiers. From the beginning on it was felt that the Left would not vote favourably on all of the reports. The S&D, GUE and Greens were trying to diminish the effectiveness of the SGP by all means, which included creating exemptions, raising the 3% deficit limit, proposing to delay the entry into force of the new legislation, wanting to increase the steps foreseen within the procedures, and reducing the level of fines. Where the EPP, ALDE and ECR tried to reduce the risk of overindebtedness in Member States, the Left’s answer was to increase the investment expenditures which would be financed by additional debt.
The second group establishes a system that is intended to prevent the occurrence of macro-economic imbalances. It is meant to identify and correct problems at an even earlier stage, which is well before there are negative effects on a government’s finances. Trade imbalances will play a big role here. A scoreboard would be used by the Commission to identify possible imbalances. Where necessary, an in-depth review of the economy of a Member State would be conducted by the Commission. An Excessive Imbalances Procedure (EIP) - which is similar to the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) already known from the SGP - might then be activated. Fines are foreseen in case of non-compliance by a Member State. Parliament dealt with the proposal establishing the new system in the Ferreira report, whilst the proposal on the fines was covered by the Haglund report. The third and last category comprises just one proposal, which harmonises a whole range of aspects of the budgetary framework of the Member States, mainly to insure the effectiveness of the excessive deficit procedure and to ensure the comparability of data. The EP’s rapporteur was Mrs Ford.
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When it came to the committee votes the Left did not vote in favour of all the reports, and it was a majority formed by the EPP, ALDE and ECR that shaped the results. However, it is to be noted that in several cases the reports went much further than the original scope of the Commission’s propositions, something that was most evident in the Goulard report.
First set of trilogues A first reading agreement was sought because of the urgency of the matter. A relentless series of trilogues was held between the Council and the EP. On June 15 a supposed last one started at 15.00 hrs. only to finish at 03.00 hrs. the following morning. It ended up inches away from a final deal, with Council and EP slightly disagreeing on the actual outcome. 215 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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The plenary vote on June 23, 2011 went well, with all reports adopted, and all amendments tabled by the Left defeated. However, the vote on the legislative resolution was postponed in order to allow for last minute adjustments to be made and align the still somewhat divergent positions of Council and Parliament. Shortly after that, Poland took over the Presidency of the Council from Hungary and started building on what had previously been agreed.
economic and employment policy guidelines. In the second half of the year (the ‘National Semester’) the usual budgetary procedures of the national states would apply.
Results of the last trilogue meeting
Christian Scheinert Advisor
There is an extensive debate getting started about possible Treaty changes in relation to economic governance.
In September the Council and the EP were able to reach a final agreement on all points that were still outstanding. Three remaining fields were addressed. The reversed simple majority was introduced at one crucial point in the Wortmann-Kool report. Further, clarification of the non-symmetric approach in the excessive deficit procedure was provided. Third, the comply or explain principle was added to the economic dialogue. The results of the trilogue corresponded to the EPP’s expectations.
Results of the September 2011 plenary votes The vote on the 6-pack went very well. The entire package was adopted with a comfortable majority despite the fierce opposition by the Left. This was not only a victory for the EPP, which shaped the package in a major way, but also and more importantly an important step for the future of the EU, as the foundation for a system to prevent future occurrences of sovereign debt crises was laid. At the same time more coordination of the economic policies of the Member States will lead to an increase in competitiveness and growth.
Legislative steps ahead, the European Semester and possible Treaty changes The governance package will be supplemented with other pieces of legislation. The first one will be drafted by the EPP rapporteur Gauzès and concerns the setting of provisions for strengthening the economic and budgetary surveillance of euro area Member States requesting or receiving financial assistance, and the second will deal with monitoring the national budgetary policies of euro area Member States in excessive deficit procedure. In the meantime the European Semester was set up as a system of enhanced budgetary surveillance and instrument for economic policy coordination. During the first part of the year the finance ministers of the Member States would present the broad lines of their draft budgets, check if these are likely to result in an excessive deficit and further check if they are in line with the broad
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Recast - Eurovignette More Europe on Road and Rail Transport is very important for EU citizens because it defines mobility. EU citizens are the beneficiaries of the European transport area, as it helps them to be mobile in all situations in daily life, allowing them to benefit from their right to free movement across Europe for professional and private purposes. On average, 13.2% of the budget of private households is spent on transport goods and services. Furthermore, passenger and goods transport provides jobs for many Europeans and serves the completion of the European internal market, as it accounts for some 5% of EU wealth (in terms of GDP) and employs over 10 million Europeans. Transport is an important factor for towns and regions, as it not only connects towns and regions but also contributes to the EU’s status as a research and innovation centre and is therefore an important factor for the development of the EU and its regions, with immediate influence on the social cohesion of the regions. The creation of a Single European Transport Area as a goal of the future European transport policy is thus directly linked to regional, environmental, economic, social, and employment policy. Owing to this link, the transport sector can make a significant contribution to the EU 2020 Strategy. As it has been underlined in Mathieu Grosch’s (EPP TRAN coordinator) report on the ‘Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system’, it is amazing that the Member States still underestimate the European added value of transport policy and obstruct it by implementing directives incorrectly or late. The current challenges of European transport policy also concern environmental problems. European standards which are laid down should promote a single European transport area. The de-carbonisation of transport continues to be an important political goal. Clear standards should be set for all modes of transport, and relevant incentives should be created to ensure that all forms of transport increase their sustainability. The assessment of the sustainability of forms of transport should be based on objective criteria which include not only their use, but also their entire ‘footprint’, from creation and required infrastructure to disposal. The internalisation of external costs could make a major contribution to the sustainability of carriers by reducing exhaust gases and bottlenecks, but only if the internalisation of external costs applies to all carriers and revenue is re-invested in the sustainability of mobility, transport and infrastructure.
Eurovignette That is why the EPP Group and its rapporteur Corien Wortmann-Kool supported the Second Reading Agreement on the “Eurovignette-Directive” (6 July 2011) which contains new rules
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designed to strike a balance between the economic interests of the countries on the EU’s periphery and environmental needs. Although divided between Southern European and Central European Member States, the EPP Group supported the overall compromise with the Council in which the main EPP issues were achieved. One of those issues of the “Eurovignette” provisions is that revenues should be reinvested in transport infrastructure with at least 15% initially being earmarked for the trans-European transport network. Member States should, but are not obliged to earmark revenue generated by the infrastructure and external cost charges for projects in the transport sector. There is, however, an earmarking obligation for revenue stemming from infrastructure charge mark-ups in mountainous regions or from the simultaneous application of such a mark-up and an external cost charge to the most polluting vehicles. In the future, road toll prices for the haulage industry shall reflect the cost of noise and air pollution as well as infrastructure costs. The level of tolls will differ depending on the emissions of the vehicle, the distance travelled, and the location and the timing of road use. This differentiated tolling system is planned to support the move to transport patterns which are more environmentally-friendly. The new legislation allows exemptions for trucks between 3.5 and 12 tonnes provided the Member State offers a good justification. To promote fleet renewal, it includes phased, time-limited exemptions for heavy vehicles with the cleanest engines (EURO V, VI), including in sensitive areas such as mountain regions. Toll prices can also vary according to the time of day but must remain revenue-neutral. The aim is to encourage heavy trucks to avoid certain road stretches during peak hours, without generating additional revenue. However, in the future, the Commission must examine the efficiency of this measure and the opportunity of adapting it for other forms of pollution and vehicle categories. Further, the Committee achieved a clear definition for interoperability of the different toll devices. The EPP Group could finally achieve the goal where a corridor on which a mark-up is allowed can include parallel and directly competing mountainous road sections within a reasonable distance to which the traffic may be diverted as a result of the introduction of the mark-up.
Single European Railway Area With the “First Railway Package” adopted in 2001, a first serious attempt was undertaken to stop the steady decline of railway transport and to reform the European regulatory framework. It aimed to ensure the sector’s integration and to enhance its attractiveness compared to other transport modes. Ten years later we see that this first reform was unable to significantly improve the railway’s situation: rail transport was unable catch up with other modes of transport. For example, between 1996 and 2008 rail freight’s share decreased by almost 2% to 10.8% whereas road freight transport increased from 42.1% to 45.9%. This development is even more worrying against the background of a steady overall growth in freight transport of around 2.3% annually. The railways sector has been unable to profit from an otherwise favourable environment. Where trucks and planes cross borders 219 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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seamlessly, transnational rail services encounter numerous technical, legal and political obstacles. Yet while road transport in particular shows more and more signs of oversaturation, rail transport still holds potential for growth. For these reasons, if the railway sector is to grow its modal share, the existing legislation needs a thorough revision, the so-called “Recast of the First Railway Package”. This proposal for a directive establishing a Single European Rail Area is a merger of three directives in force and contains provisions regarding the adequate financing of and charging for rail infrastructures, the conditions of competition on the railway market, and the organisational reforms needed to ensure appropriate supervision of the market. The Recast was intended to give better rail services for passenger and freight users by increasing competition on the railway market, reinforcing the authority and competencies of national regulators and improving the framework for investment in the railway sector. The EPP Group and its rapporteur, Werner Kuhn (EPP TRAN Vice-Coordinator), supported an adequate, transparent and sustainable funding of the infrastructure, better predictability of the infrastructure development and access conditions, as well as the improvement of the competitiveness of rail operators vis-à-vis other transport modes, contributing to the internalisation of environmental costs.
3. Standing Working Group “Legal and Home Affairs”
As the main issue, the EPP Group asked for a strong regulatory body through reinforced independence, extended competencies and additional financial means. Further, in regard to the resolutions of the European Parliament of 12 July 2007 and of 11 June 2010 and in regard to the implementation of the Directive 2001/12, the European Commission should present a legislative proposal on the separation of the infrastructure manager and the operator by the end of 2012. As the railway sector is not yet fully open, the European Commission should also present a legislative proposal on the market opening by that date. Rupert Krietemeyer Advisor
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Impact Assessment Improving the added-value of European legislation Introduction Impact Assessments are a key instrument for the legislative process. Their benefits are obvious, as they can show legislators the possible consequences of their different policy options and support decision making without of course substituting political debate. Since its first reports on better lawmaking the EP supported the objective to enhance the quality of legislation through the use of impact assessment: Parliament recognises that Impact Assessment (IA) is a necessary tool for improving the quality of legislation in connection with better lawmaking, underlining at the same time where improvements are needed in terms of quality criteria and control, transparency and independent scrutiny of the system. The EPP Group has always been the driving force behind the demand for more and better impact assessment. Already in 2005 the EPP Group Members of the Legal Affairs Committee had visited the United States for a fact finding mission on the use of impact assessment in the regulatory process. A second visit of the Legal Affairs Committee to the United States took place in September 2010. Conclusions and possible solutions were drawn and reflected in various reports over the years. For example in the framework of reports on better legislation, the EPP had been strongly advocating an independent impact assessment already in the previous legislature.
The Parliament’s report on guaranteeing independent impact assessments As a consequence of the discussions over the past years, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee upon suggestion of the EPP Group drafted an own-initiative report on “guaranteeing independent impact assessments”. The Rapporteur was Angelika Niebler (EPP, DE). This has been the first report entirely dedicated to the issue of impact assessments. The report was adopted by the Plenary almost unanimously in June 2011 and reflects the position of the EPP Group as its key demands were incorporated in the report. The underlying idea is that Impact Assessments are a necessary tool for analysing the concrete impact of legislation. Of course they shall not lead to more bureaucracy and unnecessary delay in the legislative procedure. In its resolution of June 2011, the EP firstly addresses the Commission’s impact assessments. It calls on the Commission to conduct an impact assessment with every new piece of legislation, to take a
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larger number of criteria into account and to employ a clear methodology. Not only should the cost of legislation be analysed, but - amongst other things - also criteria like the impact of legislation on SMEs, business and industry, environment, health, citizens and society. One of the EPP priorities in this respect is the demand that the Commission also analyse the option of taking no action. In our view, legislation is not always the best answer - sometimes the option of taking no action is the recommendable option, and this needs to be taken into account by the Commission’s impact assessments. As a European added value should be given in every case to justify legislation, this aspect is of utmost importance for the EPP Group. The reports stresses that IAs are to be updated during the course of legislation to reflect changes occurring during the process and should take place not only ex-ante but also ex-post. The Commission is also asked to guarantee maximum transparency when carrying out IAs the EPP Group insists that it discloses the names of the experts and stakeholders involved. The EP also criticises the fact that the Commission’s Impact Assessments are not carried out completely independently: the members of the Commission’s Impact Assessment Board (IAB) are independent only in formal terms and are subject to the instructions of the Commission President. The rapporteur therefore calls for the IAB members to be scrutinized by the EP and the Council and no longer be subject to the instructions of the Commission President. Experts from outside the Commission should also be involved in the IABs’ work to add an objective perspective. But the Commission’s Impact Assessments were dealt with not only in the Parliament’s resolution. Following its EPP rapporteur, Mrs. Niebler, the EP also calls for the creation of a uniform integrated impact assessment mechanism within the European Parliament based on a common system and methodology. The rapporteur proposes an autonomous structure making use of the EP’s own resources as well as external experts on an ad-hoc basis, which would be answerable to the EP through a supervisory board consisting of Members. Parliamentary Committees shall be able to request impact assessments from this autonomous impact assessment body.
Next steps Following the decision of the Plenary, the European Parliament is currently starting to implement the provisions of the Niebler report in-house and to create Parliament’s own Impact Assessment Structure. As a response to the economic crisis and to avoid creating additional cost for the taxpayer, and following the line of the EPP rapporteur, the new Impact Assessment Structure will be created in a budget neutral manner through redeployment of existing staff and resources. It will also work in close synergy with the EP’s library. The new directorate for IA consisting of two different units is currently being set up by the Parliament which will have two principle tasks: a first unit will automatically assess impact assessments carried out by the Commission as well as the impact of any legislative initiatives originating from the EP or major amendments. All Legislative Own Initiative reports of the EP
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will also be accompanied by an Impact Assessment. A second unit will follow a truly innovative approach: it will be dedicated to assessing the option of ‘no action’ and to analysing the European added value. The new directorate will be supervised by a board consisting of Members of the European Parliament. The structure of the board and the nominal composition of the board are currently being discussed in detail, as is the triggering mechanism for committees ordering an Impact Assessment.
Conclusion The EPP Group welcomes the improvement already achieved by the Commission through its revised impact assessment guidelines but nevertheless considers that further developments on the Commission’s side are needed with special attention paid to the introduction of an independent control of impact assessments. With the creation of the European Parliament’s impact assessment directorate, a long awaited project finally sees the light. The new structure will play a key role throughout the legislative cycle and will enable the Parliament as a fully-fledged legislator to effectively evaluate the impact of legislation. Boglarka Bolya Franziska Neher Advisors
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The Schengen Area The creation of the Schengen area in the 1980s and 1990s is one of the European Union’s most important and successful achievements. This year, the Schengen area celebrated its 26th anniversary.
Background Twenty-six years ago, in 1985, the leaders of France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands met and reached an agreement which marked a turning point in international relations by creating an internal territory without borders. Schengen was born. The signing of the Schengen Agreement led to a Convention being drawn up, which was ratified in 1990 and entered into force five years later. The European Union incorporated these developments into the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999 and embarked on the process of integrating Schengen legislation into the Union’s legal framework, thereby bringing the zone under the parliamentary and judicial scrutiny of the EU institutions. The key rules adopted within the Schengen area framework are as follows: a) removal of checks on persons at the internal borders, thereby allowing free movement within the area; b) a common set of rules applying to people crossing the external borders of the Schengen Member States and harmonisation of the rules on visas for short stays (introduction of a common visa policy and the VIS system that will come into operation in the next few months); c) enhanced police cooperation; d) stronger judicial cooperation through a faster extradition system and transfer of enforcement of criminal judgments; e) establishment and development of a computer system for border control, namely SIS (Schengen Information System), an international network allowing the Schengen countries’ national border control and judicial authorities to obtain information on objects and persons. An improved version, SIS II, is under development, but behind schedule at present. The Agreement gave rise to what is known as the Schengen area, which currently comprises 22 EU countries. Thanks to Schengen, tourists make more than 1.25 million trips each year between the different member countries across the whole of Europe without getting caught up in tiresome red tape at the internal borders of the countries which accepted the Agreement. Almost all the EU Member States (22 out of 27) are signed up to the measures. The United Kingdom and Ireland do not form part of the Schengen area but, since 1999 and 2000 respectively, have cooperated with the police and judicial authorities in criminal matters, the fight against drugs,
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and the use of SIS. In addition to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania remain outside the area, because although they are members of the EU, they are not fully-fledged members of Schengen.
France) highlighted the problem caused by the massive influx of migrants owing to revolutions in Arab countries and actions by other States (e.g. Denmark) on the grounds that more internal controls were needed in order to combat crime.
Countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein also implement the Schengen Agreements, despite the fact that they do not belong to the EU.
Our group considers that the EU urgently requires a robust common asylum and immigration policy (finalisation of the common asylum system by 2012 now seems unrealistic) and also needs to open up legal immigration channels. All this should be backed up by effective border control and an effective policy on returning illegal immigrants.
Schengen Today. Bulgaria and Romania Each enlargement of the Schengen area begins with a formal request by the State concerned. Following this, visits, on-the-spot checks and assessment procedures are carried out to determine whether the country in question complies with the Schengen legislation or acquis (data protection; SIS; land, air and sea borders; police cooperation; and visas). With respect to Bulgaria and Romania, the experts have confirmed that both countries meet the required criteria and that they could lift checks at technical borders. Furthermore, following Mr Coelho’s report, the European Parliament supported this decision. The Council now has the final say, by unanimous decision. However, two countries (Finland and the Netherlands) announced in September that they would use their vetoes on the grounds that there is corruption in both countries. Since then Finland has dropped its veto, leaving the Netherlands as the only blocking country. The EPP believes that if the technical evaluation reports conclude that both countries are ready to enter the Schengen zone, the Council should not abuse the unanimity rule or advance arguments that were not applied to other States when they applied to join. The citizens of Romania and Bulgaria have made a significant effort to comply with the rules and should not have new criteria imposed on them that would postpone their ability to exercise their rights as European Union members.
The Future The abolition of internal borders requires mutual trust between all the States that form part of the zone. The EPP considers that the security of the Schengen area is of paramount importance and that it depends on the rigour and effectiveness with which each Member State carries out controls at its external borders as well as on the accuracy and speed of information exchange through systems such as SIS (Schengen Information Systems). Our group, represented by Carlos Coelho (PT) who has been, and continues to be, the rapporteur on this topic, believes that the free movement of persons is one of the European Union’s most tangible achievements and that it is of direct benefit to citizens and should be pushed forward rather than held back.
It is in the interests of the European Union and its citizens that common criteria be applied more credibly in future, but the right to free movement should not disappear on account of a unilateral decision taken by a single country. At the same time, it is vital to strike a balance and give States room for manoeuvre so that when they are faced with unforeseen events they are able to take certain decisions quickly to ensure the uniform application of the Schengen provisions. The EU must also show solidarity and not abandon States under pressure from extraordinary migratory situations that are impossible to manage at a purely national level. In response to the debate, the European Commission has submitted several communications and a legislative package proposing changes to the Schengen evaluation mechanism. It has also put forward a set of rules for the possible re-establishment of internal border controls by a Member State in exceptional circumstances. The Commission suggests that there should be a coordinated EU approach to the possible reintroduction of the aforementioned controls and that Member States should continue to be able to take unilateral decisions, but only in exceptional cases and for a period of 5 days (experience has shown that longer periods have never been needed). The proposals made in September 2011 are in line with the resolution adopted by the EP in July this year and our group considers that they provide a good basis for negotiation with the Council (co-decision procedure). The EPP believes that in order to strengthen Schengen it is vital to ensure that all Member States can control their own part of the external borders effectively and the new evaluation mechanism which we will shortly begin to debate in Parliament is a step in the right direction. The evaluation criteria must be the same for all States and there cannot be one set of criteria for older members and another set for new ones. The evaluation mechanism must be a coordinated EU system and there must be a means of helping States that have to tackle certain problems (Frontex support, for example). The rapporteur, Mr Coelho (PT), considers that sanctions should be imposed where failings persist and the security of the entire Schengen area is put at risk. Our group is convinced that the Schengen area is essential for each and every person who lives in Europe – a Citizen’s Europe – which is why Schengen should be strengthened rather than weakened, a goal that we are working towards in the European Parliament. Mercedes Alvargonzalez Advisor
A debate is currently taking place on possible changes to Schengen policies relating to border controls and free movement. The debate was sparked when several Member States (e.g. Italy and 226 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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EU Accession to the European Convention for Human Rights (ECHR) 2011: A step closer to the EU accession to the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR): The entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009 was a major step forward in protecting European citizens’ human rights, as it gave binding character to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and required the EU’s accession to the ECHR. 2011 constituted a substantial step towards the EU accession to the Convention as it was a phase of negotiation of the necessary legal instrument for the EU’s accession to the ECHR which will require a unanimous endorsement of the EU’s Council of Ministers after the approbation of the European Parliament. Rationales for EU accession: the main rationale for accession is increasing coherence in European human rights protection and offering individuals the possibility to access the court n Strasbourg which can externally control the “acts, measures or omissions of the EU”. Accession by the EU to the convention will among other things give more credibility to the EU when calling on its neighbours to adhere to the convention; it will also give citizens of the EU the same protection against actions of the EU as we have against those of the Member States; and it will lead to more harmonious development of the case law on human rights between the Luxembourg and the Strasbourg Courts. The Group of the European People’s Party is convinced of these benefits of accession, since it will constitute the minimum standard of protections for human rights in Europe, in particular in cases where the protection granted by the EU is inferior to that provided under the ECHR.
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> There will be a judge elected from the EU who will have the same duties and status as the others judges and will participate on an equal footing in the work of the Court. This means that the work of this judge will not be limited to cases related to the EU. > For the procedure of election, a delegation of the EP, in which the EPP will be represented, will participate with the same number of representatives in the assembly as a state with the highest number of representatives, in others words 18. > A respondent mechanism is foreseen (this means that both the EU Member States and the EU can, when they so wish, ask to be involved in cases as co-respondent party rather than as mere third intervening party). > The EU will also participate in the work of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and have voting rights. > The EU will fund part of the budget of the Council of Europe’s human rights machinery. Future Developments: The EU Commission has sought the European Court of Justice’s Opinion on the provisional agreement, after which the EU’s Council of Ministers and the EP will have to give their approval. Then the draft will be sent for ratification to the Council of Europe’s 47 Member States and the EU’s 27. This unique agreement involves many states on two sides of the negotiation table, so the whole process may take a few years. The agreement will enter into force 3 months after ratification by all Council of Europe Member States and by the EU. The EPP will pursue its efforts to complete the process of accession to the Convention as one of the key components of a comprehensive and strengthened fundamental rights policy at EU level. Ouarda Bensouag Advisor
What would the accession of the EU bring as a change? This accession will supplement the system for the protection of fundamental rights and foster greater and in-depth dialogue between the two European Courts. The accession will also allow better coherence between the Union and the countries belonging to the Council of Europe. For these reasons the EPP has always been a strong supporter of the accession and has made it one of its political priorities. Progress that makes a welcome change: Since a vote on a negotiating mandate in June 2010, the EPP Group, through its Members represented in the negotiating team, has followed carefully the different steps of negotiation and has largely contributed to the arrangements made to better involve the EP in the process. Over summer this year, a provisional agreement on the accession has been reached. This draft was negotiated between the Steering Committee of Human Rights of the Council of Europe (CDDH), and the European Commission of the EU. It sheds light on the practicalities of the accession, and notably covers the following:
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The application of the Waste Management Directive, and related directives, in the Member States of the European Union Background The committee on Petitions receives more petitions on issues related to environmental legislation than on any other subject. The number is increasing every year; particularly those on waste and improper implementation of EU legislation. The Petitions committee seeks to defend citizens’ interests, notably with regards to the application of EU law by the Member States, by cooperating with the responsible authorities to find solutions for the complaints made by EU citizens. A large majority of petitions on waste issues concern waste management facilities, with about 40% concerning the permitting procedure for new plants and another 40% referring to the operation of existing ones, of which 75% concern landfills and 25% concern incinerators. In Spring 2011, the EPP Group commissioned an expert study to gain deeper insights into the problems that Member States face when trying to implement European waste legislation successfully and highlight ways to improve the situation. The objective was to pinpoint common problems and possible solutions which would be of general validity for the further development of the European waste sector. The Petitions committee has also conducted a number of fact-finding missions to regions in which alleged breaches of the regulatory framework were detected (e.g. Ireland, France, UK, Italy, Spain) and which have allowed Members to obtain first-hand information from interested parties on the problems faced by local communities on the waste issue. Also from an economic point of view, a permanent debate is needed on the question of how to respect the hierarchy of waste processing (prevention, re-use, recycling before incineration and landfills). The recycling industry offers the potential of up to half a million jobs by developing the EU into a greener economy by using waste as a resource which may lead to the resource efficiency goal. Taking all these observations into account, the rapporteur Carlos Iturgaiz Angulo (EPP, ES) drafted a working document and, consequently, an initiative report in which he identifies the major problems in the Member States. The main problems are: > A lack of a sound environmental impact assessment and of public consultations in the permitting procedure for landfills;
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> Deficiencies in the Waste management systems as well as the implementation and enforcement of the EU law in the Member States (WFD1, EIA2,…); > A lack of coordination at national, regional and local level; > A lack of information, administrative capacity and financial resources at local, regional or national level; > An insufficient active participation and public awareness of civil society as well as stakeholders’ involvement. Bearing in mind that the Member States have the main responsibility for implementing EU legislation, the EPP Group strongly believes the EU should play an important role of control and guidance to enforce waste legislation properly. Consequently, on behalf of the EPP Group, Carlos Iturgaiz Angulo, made the following proposals: > Urge Member States to transpose the Waste Framework Directive and to speed up the introduction of an advanced Waste Management strategy; > Ask the Commission for more specific guidance and to carefully monitor the transposition by the Member States of the EU Environmental Directives as well as promote greater environmental awareness among the population; > Ask the public authorities to recognise that major investments are required to establish waste managements strategies, infrastructures and facilities in most Members States; > Reinforce the existing European Environment Agency instead of creating a new one; > Support closer cooperation between local, regional and national level helping to build trust among the populations affected by essential waste policy implementation; > Promote cooperation between Member States and the Petitions committee that would provide an excellent opportunity for facilitating dialogue between responsible authorities and local communities; > Suggest an EU standard for colour-coding of waste as well as an effective tracking system for especially hazardous waste; > Recommend the imposition of adequate and dissuasive fines and penalties for illegal disposal of waste, especially toxic and hazardous waste, partly to compensate for environmental damage in accordance with the polluter-pays principle; > Finally, insist on effective measures to combat any infiltration of waste management by organised crime, industry or public authorities.
1. Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain directives. 2. Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.
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Committee vote
Women and business leadership
Around 70 amendments were tabled in the PETI committee and compromises were negotiated with all groups except the S&D group. Indeed, at the last moment, S&D shadow Mrs Merkies tried to bypass EPP compromises and to convince, without any consultation with the rapporteur, the other political groups to follow her point of view.
Women and business leadership Rapporteur: Mrs. R. Kratsa (EL) EP Vice-President
Nevertheless, on 3 October 2011, during the vote, the EPP Members voted united whereas most of the other political groups followed the rapporteur. The report was adopted unanimously.
Plenary The report, as approved by the Committee on Petitions, was approved by a large majority at the plenary session of December 14, 2011. It was a massive success for the EPP Group. Virginie Remacle and Leo Cox Advisors
On 6 July 2011 the European Parliament adopted by 534 votes in favour, 109 against and 29 abstentions Mrs Kratsa’s report on “Women and Business Leadership”. This own initiative report was proposed by the rapporteur in 2009 to the Women’s Rights Committee, and a public hearing was held in October 2010 with high level experts and personalities from international organisations, national parliaments as well as important actors in business leadership policy-making. The report highlights the lack of women on company boards and underlines the importance of promoting women in leadership in a fair and just society, as well as in an efficient economy. Moreover, the report integrates the “New Strategy on Equality Between Women and Men 20102015” issued by the Commission in 2010, in which one of the thematic priorities of the road map was “gender balance in economic decision making positions” considering that women represent only one in ten board members of the largest publicly listed companies in the EU and only 3% among Presidents of the board. In the European Union, women constitute 60% of university graduates, but currently only 10% of the board members of the EU’s largest stock exchange listed companies are women and just 3% of those boards are chaired by a woman, and the data is slowly increasing by around half a percentage point per year. Research and studies, such as the 2010 McKinsey study “Women Matter”, have demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between the presence of women in senior positions and company performance: in fact companies with a higher percentage of women on their boards tend to perform better commercially and financially and adapt better to changes in the market and in the economy, this being particularly relevant in the current time of crisis and demographic changes. Mrs Kratsa stressed that Europe cannot afford to leave talent untapped and that empowering the role of women on management boards of companies is not only about ethics and equality, it is also essential for economic growth and a competitive internal market. Some Member States have tried ways of improving low rates of female involvement in management by adopting legislation, such as France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, while in other countries such as Germany and the UK discussions on this important issue are currently ongoing. Hence, facing this situation at EU level seemed mandatory. By adopting Mrs Kratsa’s report the European Parliament seized this important political momentum showing its strong determination and sending out a clear message to the Commission, Member States’ governments, social partners and enterprises in the EU, challenging them to take their responsibilities in order to tackle the phenomenon of underrepresentation of women on company boards.
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In order to help more women to assume management posts, the Commission and Member States should implement new policies and set out specific, measurable and attainable targets, while taking into account the current state of play of women’s access to top jobs in Member States, the various economic, legal and regional specificities in Member States as well as the EU-wide diversity that exists in this field, both in terms of company structure and in terms of professional and economic sectors. At the same time, Member States should introduce special arrangements for the provision of highquality and affordable services such as childcare facilities, and fiscal incentives for companies or other compensations to help women to better balance family and work commitments. Companies are also encouraged to adopt and implement corporate governance codes as a means of promoting gender equality on company boards. Nevertheless the report stresses that recruitment for positions in corporate management bodies should be based on skills, qualifications and experience of candidates, and should be done under the same salary condition as men in order to tackle the gender pay gap phenomenon. The report drafted by Mrs Kratsa welcomes and supports Commission Vice-President Reding’s commitment to get more women into top decision-making jobs and announcement to propose targeted actions in 2012 if companies do not manage to reach through voluntary measures the critical threshold of 30% female membership of management bodies by 2015 and 40% by 2020. In that respect, and in order to gain a complete overview of the situation throughout the EU, the report invites the Commission to present comprehensive current data on female representation within all types of companies in the EU and on measures taken by the business sector and by Member States aiming at increasing women representation in business leadership. Furthermore, the report encourages the Commission to set up a website dedicated to good practice in this area, with a view to disseminating and exchanging best practice and stresses the importance of establishing a communication strategy in order to inform the public and the social partners effectively about the significance of such goals and measures. Michela Laera and Anne Vahl Advisors
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The European dimension of Sport During the last term, to reflect the importance of sport, the European Parliament produced several motions for resolutions, namely ‘The Future of professional football in Europe’, ‘The Role of Sport in Education’ and ‘The White Paper on Sport’ (implemented by the Commission in 2007). It is important to stress that for all these three reports, the rapporteurs were from the EPP Group (Ivo Belet, B; Pal Schmitt, HU and Manolis Mavrommatis, GR). Mr Santiago Fisas Ayxela (EPP, ES) was appointed as rapporteur on the initiative report “European Dimension of Sport” in March 2011. The report was adopted in the committee in November and adopted in the plenary session in December 2011. This report is a European Parliament reaction to the European Commission’s Communication on Sport of 18 January 2011 entitled ‘Developing the European Dimension in Sport’ (COM (2011)0012 final), which is the first contribution to defining new EU competences for sport. The position of the EPP Group reflects the following aspects: > respect for the principle of subsidiarity; > social role (active contribution of European citizens to society and social inclusion); > healthy lifestyle (lack of physical activity has bad consequences on the health budget and general economy of Member States); > fight against doping, violence and intolerance (there is a need for a more active EU approach in the fight against doping and to reduce the risk associated with violence and intolerance in sport); > economic impact (3.7% of EU GDP and 15 million jobs); > better governance in sport (free movement of citizens; nationality of sports people; transparency in transfer of players; integrity of sporting competition). Speaking in more detail, the EPP Group strongly believes that sport can contribute to the strategic objectives of the European Union, given its educational and cultural value (Member States’ educational programmes should be coordinated in such a way as to allow athletes to combine learning with sports training). Many things have to be done in order to guarantee the openness of sport to all citizens regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, age, nationality and social status; and to strengthen representation of women in decision-making bodies of sports organisations. Member States should consider in their higher education programmes the experience of former athletes and valorise volunteers’ activities in sport. Member States should furthermore promote health benefits of sport. At EU level, the focus should be on bigger issues such as doping, trafficking, mobility of athletes, racism and violence and on the fight against criminal activities such as money laundering, match fixing, human trafficking and exploitation of minors. In order to guarantee good governance standards of sport, good practices should be promoted and Member States’ legislations on the selling of media rights should be harmonised, in order to prevent
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a situation in which only large associations benefit (see the European Court of Justice verdict on the broadcast rights of the Premier League). Regarding sports agents the EPP Group believes that like any other regulated professional activity, sports agents should be subject to a minimum qualification and calls for the establishment of a register of European players’ agents, in which the names of athletes with whom they work and their salaries would be listed, for reasons of minors’ protection and transparency. A fair distribution of income among sports clubs of different sizes and professional and grassroots sport has to be recognised. For the EPP Group, appropriate budget coverage for sport needs to be considered, in view of a future programme dedicated to the new competence. Huge importance is given to traditional sports as part of our cultural heritage and for their importance in tourism. The EPP Group asks for the following actions in order to strengthen European identity through sport: > to organise an annual ‘European Day of Sports’, raising public awareness of the benefits of sport (e.g. conferences and debates on sport, discounts on sports equipment in shops and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle);
4. Standing Working Group “Budget and Structural Policies”
> to support the annual designation of a ‘European capital of sport’ under the leadership of ACES, with financial support and the necessary controls; > the European flag to fly at major sporting events within the European Union and the possibility, on a voluntary basis, of it appearing on the jersey of the athletes of Member States; > a new mobility programme for young athletes to give them the possibility to train with foreign teams and enhance intercultural dialogue. As sport forms part of human and social development, the EPP Group strongly believes that the European Union has to create a specific future programme on Sport with a view to defining and supporting a real European dimension of sport. Roberto Giannella and Véronique Donck Advisors
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EU Budget 2012: Austerity and investments to help overcome the crisis Budget 2012 is the second EU budget following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. Under this Treaty, new powers and responsibilities have been given to the European Union, which have also entailed new budgetary rights of the European Parliament, as well as changes in the budgetary procedure. The two branches of the budgetary authority, the European Parliament and Council, now have equal say on all kinds of expenditure. There is also a single reading of the EU budget followed by a Conciliation Committee to reach agreement on a joint text within 21 days. In case of non-agreement during the Conciliation, the Commission has to present a new Draft Budget (DB). In such a case, the budget will be based on the previous year’s budget (“1/12 solution”) until a new one is agreed. The EPP responsibility to shadow the Parliament position on the Budget 2012 was assigned to Giovanni La Via (EPP, IT). The rapporteur was Francesca Balzani (S&D, IT). The rapporteur for the budget of the European Parliament and the other Institutions was José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, PT).
The Draft Budget 2012 - Parliament adopts an ambitious but responsible position The Commission proposed a Draft Budget for 2012 with an increase of +3.7% in commitment appropriations (CA) and of +4.9% in payment appropriations (PA) in relation to the 2011 Budget. In its reading, the Council adopted significant cuts across the DB especially in payments. The Council’s position represented an increase of 2.91% and 2.02% respectively compared to the Budget 2011. The main reasons claimed for these cuts were the crisis and the need for Member States and the EU to apply austerity measures. While recognising the need to take into account the overall economic situation and the fiscal adjustment measures that several Member States were carrying out in their public spending, the European Parliament underlined that the EU Budget was a leverage tool for Member States’ recovery policies and an instrument for reinforcing growth and employment during 2012. The Parliament also stressed that the EU Budget represented the collective means to address the objective of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, as identified in the EU 2020 strategy. Along this line, the EP advocated in favour of a budget that could adequately finance the Union’s policies, especially in a crisis situation in Europe. Therefore, practically all cuts proposed by Council were restored to the level proposed by the Commission. At the same time, several increases above the DB were even adopted, in order to better finance a number of Parliament’s priorities in the following year’s budget. Those include policies directly linked to the EU 2020 strategy, like youth,
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education and mobility, and especially investments in fields linked to the 7th Framework Programme, such as research, energy, competitiveness and SMEs. However, in response to the general call for austerity by the Council, the EPP suggested that the budget should be strong but still maintain a level of self-constraint. Therefore, the increases adopted above the level proposed by the Commission should be rather moderate and only if absolutely necessary go above the ceilings set by the MFF (as was Parliament’s strategy in previous years). This line prevailed both in the Committee on Budgets and the plenary of the Parliament, despite the strong opposition of the S&D Group that was aiming at far more significant increases across the Budget 2012. In total, the European Parliament adopted an increase of 3.95% in commitments and 5.23% in payments compared to 2011, a budget of EUR 147.8 billion in CA and EUR 133.1 billion in PA.
Programmes at full speed The EPP’s main priorities were to ensure an appropriate level of financing in the overall budget, as most programmes will be in cruising speed during 2012, and to safeguard the financing of key programmes with European added-value, which serve as a leverage tool for growth and jobs, namely the EU 2020 related actions and programmes. Consequently, the EPP proposed to reinforce the 7th Framework Programme, also by rejecting any redeployment for the additional needs of the ITER project. It also aimed at ensuring appropriate financing of the EU 2020 flagship initiatives, as well as its priorities in the field of external affairs while maintaining key programmes in the area of natural resources. As for the administrative expenditure, the EPP’s approach was to contain and reduce it where possible - without damaging the implementation of the programmes. While accepting some of the proposed cuts of the Council, the EP predominantly restored the DB in both commitments and payments. In its reading, Parliament went above the MFF ceilings of Heading 1a (competitiveness, growth, research) by EUR 30.749 million and Heading 4 (external relations) by EUR 208 million. The latter represents an increase of around EUR 55 million above DB, as the Commission itself went above the ceilings of Heading 4 in order to allow for the financing of extraordinary recent needs under the EU neighbourhood policy. In Heading 1b (cohesion policy), the Parliament restored all cuts in payments that were decided by Council. In relation to Heading 2 (agriculture and natural resources), the maintenance of the programmes for deprived persons at its full level (EUR 500 million) and an increase of provisions by EUR 250 million for crisis response in the fruit and vegetable sector following the E-Coli crisis were adopted (both EPP priorities). In relation to Heading 3a (freedom, security and justice) the EP, in line with the EPP priorities, intended to respond to the challenges posed by the current developments particularly in the EU neighbouring countries of North Africa as well as the extension of Frontex tasks, and in Heading 3b (citizenship) the programme Youth in Action was boosted and a new pilot project was established for a European Partnership on sports, both priorities of the EPP. Finally, in relation to the administration expenditure, the actualisation of the EP budget and the other institutions (except the EEAS) was set lower than the inflation rate, resulting in cuts in real terms. 239 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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Conciliation - a turning point in the negotiations Following Parliament’s reading on EU Budget 2012, the Conciliation Committee was convened with the aim of reaching an agreement within 21 days. Despite a number of trilogue and conciliation meetings that took place over this period, it was undoubtedly during the last meeting of 18 November when the course of negotiations was determined. After 16 hours of negotiations, a deal on Budget 2012 but also Draft Amending Budget 6/2011 was indeed struck at 2.30 am. The outcome of the negotiations has been regarded as satisfactory, given the general context of severe budgetary constraints and austerity that prevail across the EU. The result of the negotiations included an agreement on the level of Payment Appropriations at 1.86% compared to 2011, as proposed by the Council, as well as a joint declaration on payments urging the Commission to come forward with amending budgets in the course of the year, in the probable case that more payment needs arise. This is the second year in a row that the level of payments proposed by Council has been accepted. This issue will most likely set the tone for the 2013 budget, given the growing disparity between commitments and payments in the EU budget. It is also noteworthy that, despite a similar joint declaration on payments signed together with the EU Budget 2011, the Council did not wish to approve in full the additional payments proposed by the Commission in Draft Amending Budget 6/2011. In return for its concessions on payments, the European Parliament managed to secure the vast majority of its priorities in commitment appropriations (increase of 3.54% compared to 2011). This includes priorities also in Headings 1a and 4, for which the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument has been requested for the amounts of EUR 50 million and EUR 150 million respectively.
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to modify the current legal framework for the next two years. For Heading 3a, the EP increases above the DB were taken into account only partially (EUR 9 million allocated for the Frontex agency (reserve) and EUR 9 million for the European Refugee Fund). In Heading 3b, all priorities indicated by Parliament were retained. In Heading 4 the EP strategy has proved to be fully successful. Following Parliament’s reading, commitment appropriations were set at the level proposed by the Commission in the DB and Amending Letter 1/2012. Among only six lines which went above the DB, the EPP managed to secure all of its priorities (DCI Latin America and DCI Asia and financial support for the Turkish Cypriot Community). The global agreement included cuts under the DB of EUR 53 million, as well as a total increase above the ceiling of EUR 150 million for the European neighbourhood policy. It was also agreed that the EP priority of Palestine (EUR 100 million in CA) as well as the Banana Accompanying Measures (EUR 13.4 million in CA) would be frontloaded from the Budget 2011 via DAB 6/2011. The EP was able to keep its own budget under inflation rates while at the same time keeping the legal obligations in relation to Croatia and new MEPs below DB levels. Finally, the budgets of Other Institutions were a full success for the EP and the EPP. The Council accepted Parliament’s reading and on top the amending letter for Croatia. The outcome of the conciliation, which was subject to approval by the EP and Council within 14 days, was adopted in plenary and by an overwhelming majority on 1 December. Given that the agreement on the Budget 2012 included the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument for Headings 1a and 4, a separate report was also voted in plenary for this purpose (rapporteur: Reimer Böge). Nicole Wirtz, Fani Zarifopoulou, Anna Kaczmarek, Gonzalo de Mendoza Advisors
In accordance with Parliament’s position to decouple negotiations on Budget 2012 and the financing of the extra costs of the ITER project (amounting to EUR 1.3 billion for the years 2012-13), only a joint statement of the Council and the Parliament was issued on the matter calling for an agreement before the end of the year. However, the amount of EUR 100 million in commitments was reinserted on the ITER line for this purpose, as originally proposed by the Commission and then cut by the European Parliament which was against any form of redeployment from FP7. Indeed, only 8 of the EUR 100 million were the direct result of redeployment from FP7, while the rest was financed predominantly through the margin of Heading 1a. In Heading 1a, all EPP priorities were maintained in the final deal (FP7 Capacities SMEs, FP7 People, CIP Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Lifelong Learning programme, Erasmus Mundus programme), despite the further cuts that needed to be made in order to accommodate the additional EUR 100 million for the ITER project. Heading 1b is significantly affected by the decision on the level of payments for 2012. In Heading 2, the amounts for the programmes on deprived persons were secured and pending the formal agreement on the new legal base to be adopted by the end of the year (2011). Parliament accepted an increase of EUR 45 million for crisis in the fruit and vegetable sectors for the reinforcement aid to producer groups for preliminary recognition, and in addition a joint declaration was agreed to ensure a swift mobilisation of resources in case of a market crisis, in the spirit of the Commission’s proposal for the next MFF, and awaiting a proposal
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The revision of the EU financial rules The EU’s Financial Regulation sets the rules on how funds from the EU budget are spent. It also sets guidelines on how these funds should be administered and controlled by the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States. The Regulation is vital for Commission officials and national administrations as they are responsible for ensuring that projects agreed to under, for example, the common agricultural policy or cohesion policy, are properly funded and carried out. According to estimations, 14 000 people apply the Financial Regulation on a daily basis. Under treaty rules, the Financial Regulation must be updated every three years. In the current economic situation it is even more important that the delivery mechanisms of the budget operate in the most efficient way and facilitate the implementation of EU policies, while securing sound treatment of European taxpayers’ money. In particular, it is important that these mechanisms are simple and transparent (especially to final recipients of EU funds) and at the same time that the Commission’s accountability for implementation of the budget is strengthened. The current revision also takes account of changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force in December 2009. For the first time, the Parliament has an equal say (codecision) in approving changes to the Regulation, alongside Member States. The co-rapporteurs are Dr Inge Gräßle (BUDG) and Crescenzio Rivellini (CONT), Members of the EPP Group. The Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Budgetary Control voted on the Commission’s reform proposal of December 2010 at a joint meeting on 26 September 2011. The vote in plenary took place on 26 October 2011 in Strasbourg. After the amended proposal had been adopted, the report was referred back to the committees at the request of the rapporteurs. Therefore, the legislative resolution has not been put to vote, in order to be able to reach a first reading agreement. Parliament’s position is clarified now, and the rapporteurs received a strong mandate from the plenary to continue the trilogue negotiations with the Council and Commission. The Gräßle-Rivellini report aims at simplifying the rules and reducing the administrative burden for beneficiaries. The rapporteurs’ declared aim is to make the rules easier to understand and to speed up payments to recipients of EU aid. The new Financial Regulation, as amended by the European Parliament, simplifies the process of applying for EU funding. In future, funds that have already been approved should in principle be disbursed within one month. If a report has to be submitted before disbursement then the deadline is to be two months. Only if the projects are very large can the payment period be extended to a total of three months. Grant procedures are significantly simplified too, which was an old demand of the research community. In order to reduce contradictions and complexity, the rules are streamlined. Several amendments defend Parliament’s control rights. Members of the Parliament want more rigorous controls of how EU funds are spent to avoid mismanagement and fraud. They are proposing that Member States agree to provide the Commission with an annual statement of “national management declarations”, taking responsibility 242 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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to ensure EU funds are spent properly. The report calls for the introduction of standardised controls and much more detailed reporting, to reduce mismanagement. The Parliament wants both the regional and national authorities responsible for EU-aided projects to file declarations that funds were spent correctly. Four countries - Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK - already provide the Commission with such statements. The rapporteurs wish to see better information provided from the data already at the Commission’s disposal. More information will be available for the EP on the implementation of the budget. The discharge procedure will be accelerated by one month. The report clarifies instruments to remedy irregular implementation of Union funds: financial corrections, suspensions and recoveries. Budgetization of the EDF is an old demand of the Parliament. The report also seeks to modernize administration, by introducing e-governance. In future it will be also possible to submit applications for funding online. Enhancing transparency of EU spending is another key goal. The report proposes that the “tolerable risk of error” should be used as a management tool and to provide additional information on the implementation on the budget. The report defines clear conditions for indirect management (e.g. by the EIB). Concerning provisional twelfths, they would be limited to 2/12, according to the report. It also gives the possibility to carry over the budget surpluses in commitment and payments from one year to the next year. There are articles suggested by the Data Protection Supervisor and the Ombudsman. The rapporteurs propose integrating 20 articles out of 273 of the Implementing Rules into the main text of the Financial Regulation, comprising the Commission proposal of 12 articles and eight owninitiative articles, in order to improve coherence, clarity and stability of the Union’s budgetary law. The Commission’s proposal contains several innovations, such as the introduction of ‘project bonds’. Under the ‘Financial instruments’ heading, the Commission aims to equip itself with an instrument by which to use EU funds to leverage additional private sector financing. The Commission’s intention is for financial instruments to constitute a 5% to 15% share of the EU’s annual budget. Financial instruments would come in various forms (e.g. loan guarantees, equity), with third parties being entrusted with their administration. During the reform process of the Financial Regulation the European Parliament has for the first time laid down rules for EU project bonds. In the future these are intended to enable the EU to fund major infrastructure projects such as cross-border road or rail links in partnership with private investors. However, funding from the EU budget will be conditional on the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers approving the projects beforehand. As regards financial instruments in general, Parliament’s report calls for a separate additional legal framework for each financial instrument, with the full involvement of Parliament. The EP report also calls for a restricted group of administering entities in order to avoid the use of tax havens by EIB branches and private banks, and an annual restriction on the amount of funding available for financial instruments within the budget. As it is the taxpayer, with his or her cash, who is invariably the first to become liable for losses, the EP report asks for regular information, within the budget and discharge procedure, on the overall risk associated with project bonds, the level of private 243 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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involvement (leverage) and the costs of administering the project bonds. The report secures the legal guarantee that the EU budget provides to the current European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the future European Stability Mechanism (ESM). New provisions on European public-private partnerships (PPPs) are also an innovation. The EP rapporteurs support the provisions on PPPs in principle, but would like to create more flexibility for PPPs in the application of the EU’s budgetary and staff regulations. ‘National’ PPPs, however, are confronted with numerous national rules on participation, and hence liability issues, which could result in a potential loss of control. The report therefore does not support PPPs with the participation of the Commission under national legislation. New provisions on ‘Multi Donor Trust Funds’ are a new element in the Regulation. At present, the Commission’s contributions to the World Bank and UN trust funds merely consist of funding and 7% of the total amount for administration costs. The Commission’s proposal envisages that the management could also be undertaken by the EIB, national and private banks, PPPs and the EU Special Representatives for foreign policy; according to the Commission’s proposal, these could also establish their own financial rules. They would receive 7% of the total budgetary amount in order to cover administration. This would equip the Special Representatives with operational resources for the first time. Members of the Parliament are concerned that creating EU trust funds would reduce Parliament’s power of oversight. The Gräßle-Rivellini report is calling for transparency in relation to the administrative costs and wishes to see the management dealt with by the Commission only. The Parliament is also unhappy about how much scrutiny Parliament would have of decisions taken by the Commission such as delegated acts not requiring Parliament’s consent, or decisions taken by the Commission to adopt non-legislative changes to EU laws. All in all, Parliament firmly believes that legal clarity will significantly improve by streamlining of the rules. In its technical aspects the revised Financial Regulation simplifies procedures and lays the foundation for a new governance of the EU budget in times of crisis. The ultimate aim of the Parliament is to provide a coherent set of rules in the reform of the Financial Regulation to the benefit of all recipients of EU funds. Balázs Széchy Advisor
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The discharge of the European Parliament 2009 Not only the European Commission, but also other European institutions get their accounts verified by the external auditor - The European Court of Auditors. Following that exercise, the European Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee takes over and starts the political evaluation of the budget implementation. This is done over a seven month period, where key people are invited to hearings, and answers are given to questions asked by the Rapporteur responsible and the Committee members. Even the budget implementation of the European Parliament is scrutinised this way, and for the financial year 2009, Finnish EPP Group Member Ville Itälä was the Rapporteur responsible. The European Parliament in 2009 received revenues amounting to EUR 1.41 billion and had more than 6 000 staff on the establishment plan. So, even though small compared to the European Commission, it represents a relatively large body to evaluate. To get more detailed knowledge of the workings of the European Parliament, Mr Itälä started off his work by holding meetings with each and all Director Generals of the house. Some of these, such as DG Personnel, represent budgets of several hundred million euro, whereas others, such as DG EXPO (external policies) have more limited budgets. The discussions with the Director Generals were followed up with meetings with the European Parliament’s internal auditor, Mr Galvin, the Risk manager, Mr Spindler and the Secretary General, Mr Welle. In parallel to these meetings, others were held with key people with a good knowledge of the institution, although further down in the hierarchy. Several meetings were also held with the shadow Rapporteurs of the other political groups. Towards the end of the year, all Members of the Committee were invited to send in written questions to the European Parliament’s administration, under the responsibility of Mr Itälä. Though some of the questions received tended to be of minor budget importance, and maybe of a more political interest in certain Member States, Mr Itälä took the decision that the EPP would pass on all the questions, so as to enable an open and transparent decision. The Secretary General, Mr Welle, then attended a meeting of the Budgetary Control Committee, where the administration’s answers to MEPs’ questions where thoroughly discussed. Amongst the issues that were most discussed before the votes were the security of the house, an issue which had been highlighted with a robbery of the Post Office just weeks earlier. The question of the long delay in the opening of the Visitors’ Centre - now known as ‘Parlamentarium’ was also raised. Much debated was also the mentioning of the savings that could be achieved if the European Parliament only had one workplace in the same location.
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As the report reached the May session in Strasbourg, 518 Members followed the line of Mr Itälä and the EPP, to vote in favour of the discharge of the European Parliament. Jonas Kraft Advisor
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Implementation of the Cohesion Policy programmes for 2007-13 Mikolášik Report (A7-0111/2011) - Implementation of the Cohesion Policy Programmes for 2007–13 Cohesion policy represents the main instrument for promoting a balanced, harmonious development across the Union, while also strengthening competitiveness, encouraging innovation, facilitating the restructuring of economies and enhancing productivity growth.
Background The Mikolášik Report on the Implementation of cohesion policy programmes for 2007-13, as an implementation report, analyses whether legislation in this field has been properly applied by the Member States, as well as the way in which Member States and regions have understood and followed the Community Strategic Guidelines when implementing their National Strategic Reference Frameworks and Operational Programmes. The European Parliament’s Report is based on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors entitled Cohesion Policy: Strategic Report 2010 on the implementation of programmes 2007-13. The data presented in the Strategic Report is based on the 2009 national strategic reports. The strategic reporting exercise was introduced in the present programming period, as an instrument for examining the implementation of Strategic Guidelines, with a view to increasing the strategic content and promoting transparency of cohesion policy. Thus, the Mikolášik Report is actually examining the progress report of the implementation of cohesion policy programmes, at a very important moment for the EU cohesion and regional policy, forerunning the publication of the Multiannual Financial Framework and the new Proposals for Regulations covering the next programming period.
European Parliament’s Considerations Cohesion policy continues to prove its relevance as it considerably contributes to the improvement of the socio-economic environment. In general, Member States have embraced the new requirements in a positive way and they are making progress in delivering cohesion policy objectives, as revealed by the figures provided in the national reports – though with certain inherent heterogeneity at the level of states and regions. Nevertheless, cohesion policy is a long-term mechanism and most of
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the results are visible later in the programming period. Actually, the full picture for the 2007-13 programming period will be visible only in 2015, two years after the second Strategic Report, since certain countries have two years after 2013 to use all the committed funding. The main ideas expressed in this Report can be summarized as follows: 1. The European Parliament appreciates national efforts resulting in average allocation of expenditure for the achievement of the Lisbon agenda, exceeding the levels originally requested, for both convergence and regional competitiveness and employment regions and urges Member States to continue in future to earmark resources for projects supporting the EU 2020 Strategy; 2. It regrets however the delays in project selection for strategic areas such as the rail sector, certain energy and environmental investments, the digital economy, social inclusion, governance and capacity building and believes that corrective measures need to be promptly taken to improve poor performance in these priority areas; 3. The effective selection and implementation of projects in some areas is hampered by missing relevant preconditions such as simpler application procedures at national level, clear national priorities for certain areas of intervention, timely transposition of EU laws, excessive national red tape, as well as consolidated institutional and administrative capacity; Also, the substantial delay in policy implementation results mainly from the following factors: late conclusion of the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework and the legislative package of the policy, changes in the rules on financial control and evaluation criteria imposed at national level, overlap with the closure of the period 2000-06 and scarce public resources available for co-financing in Member States;
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8. W ith a view to the next round of negotiations on the future cohesion policy, all EU institutions and Member States are urged to facilitate a speedier conclusion of key documents such as the Multiannual Financial Framework and Regulations, in order to overcome start-up difficulties that might also arise at the beginning at the next programming period.
Conclusion Drafting one the main Reports presented in the parliamentary pre-legislative debate on the future cohesion policy, the Rapporteur, Miroslav Mikolášik, reiterates that “cohesion policy should continue to address all European regions and societal challenges, both helping the poorer ones to catch up, and delivering smart, sustainable and inclusive growth”. He also strongly believes that within the context of persisting territorial imbalances and a lingering crisis, a strong and wellfinanced EU regional policy represents a condition sine qua non for achieving social and territorial cohesion and for strengthening the prospects of higher sustainable growth and competitiveness of the Union. Madalina Stoian Advisor
4. It also considers that the signs of recovery from the crisis are fragile and that in the coming years Europe has to tackle its structural weaknesses, including through Cohesion Policy interventions and targeted investments, notably in research and development, innovation, education and technologies, that are beneficial for all sectors in acquiring competitiveness; 5. One strategic and integrated approach for all Structural Funds would bring added value for the concerned policies, and synergies between these structural instruments and other sectoral policies’ funds, as well as between national, regional and local resources are vital and create valuable links allowing mutual reinforcement, sustainable implementation of programmes and achievement of territorial cohesion; 6. The European Parliament encourages Member States to use core indicators in the next round of the strategic reporting exercise in 2012-13, since for the time being only 19 Member States reported on core indicators, making it impossible to have a first clear EU-wide picture of the impact of the policy on the ground; 7. Member States are encouraged to act without delay and invest more in sustainable development and smart growth, social inclusion and gender equality in the labor market and use funds more effectively;
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The EC 5th Cohesion Report and the strategy for the post-2013 Cohesion Policy Rapporteur: Markus Pieper (EPP) EP reference number: A7-0222/2011, P7_TA(2011)0316 Adoption date: 5th July 2011 On 9th November 2010, the European Commission adopted “The Fifth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion: the future of cohesion policy” (5th Cohesion Report). Its conclusions have been simultaneously presented to the other EU institutions as a Commission communication. The 5th Cohesion Report itself describes rather the current situation in terms of cohesion, actually presenting relatively few policy recommendations for the future programming period (post-2013). The European Parliament report in question has been put forward in order to formulate such recommendations in as broad and comprehensive a manner as possible. Cohesion policy and structural policy have a key role to play in ensuring future competitiveness. Europe’s regions and towns and their undertakings already have very strong links with the rest of the global economy, for reasons associated with the European history of the individual nation states. Thus Europe’s economic system is substantially more complex than its counterparts in Asia or North America. More than half of global ties between multinational corporations and their subsidiaries originate in the EU. Cohesion policy must take greater advantage of this surviving advantage of international networking and encourage more SMEs to become involved in international growth markets. In addition to the growth component, there is a need for a concept of working towards regional and social balance. Only if the people and the regions as a whole support this policy will cohesion policy and structural policy ultimately be accepted, as they need to be in order to be implemented successfully. It should be stressed in this context in particular, that the EU cohesion policy, with its principles of multi-level governance, entails a proven, integrated political approach unique in the world, which should be further built upon. To this end - inter alia in the interests of acceptance of the required budget for the structural funds - the rapporteur has decided to emphasise the European added value, especially when defined more clearly and ‘marketed’ more aggressively, as the core issue of his report, a foundation from which the other arguments and conclusions follow. The report emphasises the necessity for cohesion policy to remain integrated within the current structural funding framework (comprising the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and Cohesion Fund). It also aims to prevent “sectoralisation” of this policy, by means of e.g. creation of new, “specialised” funds. The report tries to identify European investment priorities (putting some special emphasis on i.a. infrastructure), while adhering to the principle of allowing all European regions to benefit and simultaneously taking into consideration some of the needs of their special types (urban, rural, outermost regions amongst others). The report proposes a moderate, cautious approach to macro-regional strategies, in line with the “three noes” principle followed by the committee in its respective dossiers on particular macro-regions.
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There are certain specific proposals in the report, which are targeted towards the financial position of European border regions. These ought to receive more funding in the forthcoming financial programming period. The report proposes to increase the share of structural funds from the current 2.5 percent to 7 percent in the future. If the overall figure of EU structural funds was to remain at current levels, funds for border regions would therefore increase from EUR 7.8 billion (2007-13) to EUR 21.8 billion (2014-). This is deemed necessary as the cross-border infrastructure needs to catch up, since currently the border regions regularly tend to come last when it comes to the completion of e.g. the Trans-European Networks. Funds for border regions should thus be an incentive to improve the access to these networks, such as motorways, railway tracks or waterways. Investment in the cross-border energy infrastructure is also to be eligible for EU funding in the future. The cohesion policy is to become more result-oriented. Means to achieve this end are to include innovative incentives in financial instruments (including a shift from grants to loans, with simultaneous rejection of quotas in this respect) and certain conditionalities (essentially limited to the scope of the cohesion policy itself ). A call for better budgetary controls has been made, while acknowledging the recent substantial drop in the rate of financial errors in cohesion policy. The report calls as well for the integration of “external cohesion” funds (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance) into the framework of cohesion policy. Even though there has been an agreement between groups in terms of broad principles, including the retention, in general, of the current cohesion policy architecture (three objectives), there have been issues on which reaching a consensus turned out not to be possible. One example included the proposed co-financing level, where no formulation satisfactory for any possible majority in committee could be found. The proposal for establishment of the so-called “transition category of regions”, to be situated “between” the current Convergence and Competitiveness and Employment objectives, became a major problematic issue. This proposal (made for the duration of the next financial programming period), to which the rapporteur has been strongly objected, has eventually been adopted in committee. This occurred due to a serious division inside the Group, which to a large extent reflects a similar controversy in the Council. Another such issue, concerning proposals to “streamline and integrate” the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund into the structural funds, has been included in the report. It might however fall victim to an inadmissibility motion, put forward by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee (many proposals of which, especially on the ESF, have been adopted without a vote under Rule 50 of the European Parliament Rules of Procedure). Last but not least, a proposal by the rapporteur to express concern over the possible impact of the accession of Turkey into the European Union on the cohesion policy has been deleted by the committee. Subsequently, there have been three (nine initially) amendments and some split vote requests proposed for plenary by the rapporteur on several of the aforementioned important issues in order to update and smoothen the report following the committee vote as well as take into account the input of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. These issues include a clarification on “the intermediate category”, EGAF “streamlining and integration”, mentioning of peri-urban areas, Roma communities and the IPA. Further split vote requests have also been proposed by other 251 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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groups. The amendments to the report tabled for plenary, admissible and retained by the author, have been supported by the Group. The established line of the EPP Group has been followed with three exceptions (green jobs, EGAF “streamlining and integration”, outcome indicators), owing to their controversial nature inside the group itself. “The intermediate category”, on which the group allowed a free vote, has been resolved in favour of such a measure (416 to 203 votes and 22 abstentions on the principle itself, 369 votes to 249 and 25 abstentions on this category replacing “phasing-in” and “phasing-out” arrangements). The report was adopted in the final vote with 506 votes to 48 (mainly ECR British and the nonattached) and 101 abstentions (mainly Greens and Communists). Paweł Kaleta Advisor
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Objective 3: future agenda for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation Rapporteur: Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid (EPP) EP reference number: A7-0110/2011, P7_TA(2011)0285 Adoption date: 23rd June 2011 Around 37.5% of Europe’s population lives in border regions. European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) became, in 2007, the third Objective of the cohesion policy. With a budget of EUR 8.5 billion for 2007-13, it represents only 2.5% of the overall budget of the regional policy. Divided into three strands, cross-border, transnational and interregional, it helps territories and regions to work together in tackling their common challenges. The dossier puts a clear emphasis on the European added value of the ETC and its potential as a source of competitiveness. The report therefore proposes an increase of its funding to 7% of the overall budget of the cohesion policy, as well as retaining the current structure of Objective 3, and the current emphasis on the cross-border component which meets the local needs of cross-border population catchment areas. An allocation of funding for each programme of territorial cooperation on the basis of harmonised criteria so as to provide a strategic, integrated response to the needs and specificities of each territory, is also put forward as an idea, together with the integration of the ETC in all levels of strategic planning: European, national and regional in connection with the Europe 2020 Strategy. Incentive measures to involve regional operational programmes in cross-border or transnational priority projects like Trans European Networks (TEN-T) have been foreseen, as well as a deeper coordination between the transnational strand and macro-regional strategies. The proposed simplification of the implementation by adopting a separate regulation has already been taken into account by the European Commission. Last but not least, making better use of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) and giving a wider visibility and readability of ETC programmes towards local representatives, local administrations and citizens have also been proposed. Some compromises with other groups (S&D, ALDE, ECR) have been struck, allowing for a rather straightforward adoption in committee. The vote against and abstention in committee came from the far left (Communist) and the radical right. The established line of the EPP Group has therefore been followed both in the committee and plenary vote (in the latter case, with 612 votes to 46 and 15 abstentions). Paweł Kaleta Advisor
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The CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future The Dess Report on the reform of the CAP: Parliament’s vision for the future of EU agriculture 2011 has been a pivotal year in the uniquely challenging process of laying the foundations for a common agricultural policy (CAP) for the period after 2013. In October, the European Commission presented a proposal for the legislation required to enact a new CAP and, now, under the terms introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, it will be up to the Parliament and the Council to decide together the future of this common policy. It will be the first time in history that the CAP - a policy so closely connected with the process of European integration - will be decided under rules which place the European Parliament on an equal footing with the ministers in the Council in the decision-making process. Parliament, with a central contribution from its largest Group the EPP, has been preparing itself for this immense challenge and has been seeking to influence, from the outset, the terms of the debate on the future of European farming. In July 2010, it adopted a report in which it set out an initial outline position. However, the most significant report in the reform process to date was the one it adopted in June 2011, authored by the EPP Group’s Coordinator in the Committee on Agriculture Albert Dess (EPP, D). The Dess Report signalled to the Commission - right as it was formulating the legislative texts - exactly what Parliament expected to see in the proposals and what would not be accepted. Now that the proposals have been presented, the report remains a vitally important document in assessing the Commission’s legislative package. Securing the adoption of the Dess Report was a major political success for the EPP Group and particularly for the EPP Members in the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Its adoption in June 2011 crowned several months of highly intensive work. In November 2010, the European Commission presented a Communication on the CAP towards 2020, in which it set out three broad policy options for reform: 1) an enhanced status quo option, with reforms limited to the areas where there was the most criticism of the current system such as equity in the distribution of direct payments between the Member States; 2) a more radical option which addressed the distribution issue but also divided the direct payments to farmers into a basic payment serving as income support, a compulsory additional aid for carrying out certain environmental measures (a “greening component”), an additional payment to compensate for natural constraints and a voluntary coupled support component for specific sectors and regions this option also included a new scheme for small farms and limited the amounts of payments to be received by large farms while taking employment into account; 3) a very radical option which abolished direct payments and most market measures and provided instead limited payments for environmental public goods. Option 2 was undoubtedly the Commission’s preferred option.
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After assessing reactions to the ideas put forward by the Commission in its Communication and consulting widely, Mr Dess presented Parliament with a Draft Report on the future of the CAP. The extreme importance of this piece of work was attested to by the fact that 1,267 amendments were tabled before it at Committee stage. Tough negotiations with the other political groups in the Parliament ensued as the Rapporteur fought to ensure that the EPP’s priorities were maintained in the report. Ultimately, the hard work paid off. All amendments were replaced by 85 compromise amendments which were agreed by the groups under the leadership of the EPP and this paved the way for a very smooth vote in Committee with highly satisfactory results for the EPP. The strong emphasis placed by the Rapporteur on the need to simplify the CAP and reduce bureaucracy for farmers and administrative authorities was fully reflected in the adopted report. Key points of the Report which was subsequently put to the vote in Plenary included: 1. CAP general aspects: a strong and sustainable CAP, built upon two pillars, should continue in existence beyond 2013 with its main goal being to contribute to food security, while at the same time delivering a range of other public goods and delivering EU2020 objectives; to this end, the Committee insisted that the amounts budgeted in 2013 for the CAP should represent the minimum for the period after 2013; 2. Direct payments: decoupled direct payments (and coupled for certain situations) in pillar 1 were defended by the Report and their distribution should be made fairer through a pragmatic approach in defining objective criteria to determine the allocation; a uniform flat-rate payment was rejected; historical references should be phased out after a transitional period; each Member State should receive a minimum percentage of the EU average direct payments and a ceiling should be set; 3. Simplification: CAP simplification is identified as a driving objective of the reform and the report demanded, in particular, that the rules on cross compliance be streamlined and made more efficient; 4. Small farms: the Committee agreed with both the Rapporteur and the Commission that a specific scheme to aid small farms is desirable and left it to the Member States to decide which farms qualify based on criteria to be established at EU level; 5. Capping and degressivity: the Committee backed an amendment calling for a degressive system for direct payments that takes into account employment and sustainable practices; 6. Environmental performance: by far the most contentious element in the Report related to the Commission’s proposal to introduce a “greening component” into the CAP; after lengthy negotiations, a compromise was agreed which supports additional environmental measures across the Member States, to be chosen from a priority catalogue and to be 100% EU-financed, but the compromise did not specify under which pillar they should be carried out; instead, the Commission is asked to carry out an impact assessment and is instructed that any new scheme must not entail “a new additional payment system that leads to extra control and sanction systems for the greening” and that costs and income foregone by farmers when participating in new environmental programmes should be covered;
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7. Less Favoured Areas (LFAs): certain political groups wished to see, in line with the Commission’s thinking, an optional support scheme in the first pillar to assist areas facing natural constraints; however, the EPP succeeded in rejecting this further subdivision of direct payments and kept support for LFAs in the second pillar only;
AT) is the EPP’s Shadow Rapporteur for the Rural Development package and Mairead McGuinness (EPP, IRE) is Shadow Rapporeur for the Direct Payments Regulation. The EPP’s team also includes Mariya Nedelcheva (EPP, BG) and Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, IT) who are Parliamentary Rapporteurs for two further dossiers connected with the reform.
8. Market measures and risk: the broad lines of the Rapporteur’s draft report on market measures were largely carried in the compromises that were made on these paragraphs; the adopted Report considers that, in view of increased market volatility, market instruments should be revised towards enhanced efficiency and flexibility, more rapid deployment, extension to other sectors and should provide an effective safety net without creating distortions; the report also calls for additional, more effective risk prevention measures, accessible to all famers, while highlighting the role that farmers must themselves play in minimising risk;
Building on the foundations set out in the Dess Report, the EPP’s team will work hard to do its part in ensuring that a new CAP is ready to be implemented in January 2014. However, EPP Members are at one in insisting that no final deal on the policy will be possible in the absence of an agreement on the next financial framework for the EU. For the EPP, it is not, with regard to the CAP, a case of making political choices first, then agreeing on the funding later. Knowing how much money will be available is essential in deciding how best the funds can be used in the interests of Europe’s farmers and rural communities. Over the course of 2012, discussions on the future of the CAP and its financing will intensify still further.
9. The Food Supply Chain: the Report calls for global-level solutions to tackle abuses of speculation in agricultural commodities and measures to curb extreme price volatility; it calls specifically for a strengthening of primary producers’ and producer organisations’ management capacity and bargaining power in relation to other economic operators in the food chain;
Alwyn Strange Advisor
10. Rural Development: in line with the Rapporteur’s original report, the Committee voted to insist that rural development measures under the second pillar should principally benefit farmers and the importance of supporting young farmers in particular was highlighted; rural development should be more targeted to achieving EU goals, with the Member States enjoying considerable flexibility in deciding upon the exact programmes; reduced national co-financing rates for certain measures are envisaged as is the possibility of allowing an element of co-financing from the private sector; as for the first pillar, the Committee called for a pragmatic approach to be the basis of decisions regarding the distribution of pillar two funds between the Member States - which should be fair - and it rejected abrupt changes to the current allocation. The Dess Report went on to be adopted in Plenary by an overwhelming majority, with the EPP winning virtually every single vote. The delicate compromise that had been achieved in the Agriculture Committee was upheld by the full assembly. Attempts by the Socialists and Liberals to open the possibility for support for LFAs to also be financed from pillar one funds were defeated by the EPP. Two amendments, one of which was tabled by the EPP, were adopted to highlight the importance of a properly functioning dairy sector. With reports circulating around the time of the vote about moves to considerably cut the funds available for pillar two, EPP Members enthusiastically supported an amendment stressing the need to retain adequate funding for Rural Development. The presentation in October by the Commission of its legislative proposals to reform the CAP marks the beginning of the final phase in the process. The EPP will continue to lead Parliament in the shaping of the new legislation. Michel Dantin (EPP, F) has been named Parliament’s Rapporteur for the Single CMO proposal - a giant package which covers the internal rules for all the individual production sectors. Giovanni La VIA (EPP, IT) is Parliament’s Rapporteur for the proposal on the Financing of the CAP which will be of crucial importance to farmers. Elisabeth Köstinger (EPP,
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Contractual relations in the milk and milk products sector Milk and milk products sector: contractual relations The milk and milk products sector faced exceptional events between the years 2007-09 that, combined with the effects of the financial and economic crisis, resulted in a farm-gate prices crash in 2009. In October 2009, in light of this difficult market situation, a High Level Expert Group on Milk (“HLG”) was set up with the purpose of discussing mid-term and long-term arrangements for the dairy sector. It became clear also from HLG recommendations that actions had to be taken to address the low concentration of supply, which influenced the balance in bargaining power between farmers and dairies. This imbalance often leads to unfair commercial practices and to problems of price transmission along the chain, in particular as regards farm-gate prices. Based on the recommendations of the HLG on Milk the European Commission presented in its legislative proposal four key elements: bargaining power of producers, contractual relations, inter-branch organisations and transparency. Michel Dantin (F) had been entrusted with the important task of being the EPP’s Shadow Rapporteur for this legislative dossier, coordinating the Group’s input and negotiating with other Groups in a bid to ensure that Parliament’s vision for the dairy sector was shaped by its largest Group, the EPP. It is evident that Europe’s dairy sector will experience a major shift after the expiration of quotas in 2015. Therefore the EPP has welcomed the Commission’s proposal as a first important step in order to meet the future challenges for the sector by strengthening the bargaining power of producers. However, the EPP Group has raised severe concerns over whether the proposed measures will be sufficient in maintaining the milk production throughout Europe, in particular in regard to less favoured and mountain areas. During very difficult triologue meetings Mr Dantin demonstrated his excellent negotiation skills in defending the EPP’s position in front of the Council and the European Commission. The nature, content and duration of contracts between farmers and processors and the supply management of milk destined for the production of quality PDO (protected designations of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indications) products appeared to become the most controversial issues.
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In addition, the EPP Group recognizes the important and useful role of inter-branch organisations in facilitating the dialogue between all actors in the whole supply chain, and in promoting best practice and market transparency. The EPP welcomed therefore the Commission’s proposal to set up an EU juridical framework allowing inter-branch organisations to be constituted in the milk sector, but proposed a reinforcement of their prerogatives. Moreover the EPP Group strongly believes that the practice of written contracts has to be encouraged, which could help to increase awareness and reinforce the responsibility of the operators in the dairy chain as well as take into account market signals, improve price transmission, adapt supply to demand, help to avoid unfair commercial practices and provide greater economic certainty for the stakeholders. In this regard the EPP Group successfully improved the Commission’s proposal by including the capacity to conclude a contract that is both protective for the producer and adapted to the market realities. The EPP Group also contributed to ensuring appropriate minimum standards for such contracts laid down at EU level (payment procedures, arrangements for collecting milk and rules applicable in case of force majeure, further to volume, duration and price). As some dairy co-operatives may have rules with similar effect in their statues or related agreements, the EPP Group is convinced that they should therefore be exempted from a requirement for contracts for the purpose of simplicity. Our group succeeded in specifying the legal basis in order to ensure that co-operatives are excluded from the contractual obligation. Finally the EPP Group succeeded in a special provision for high quality milk products by highlighting the important role of PDOs and PGIs, especially as regards creating added value for producers, strengthening the competitiveness of the EU dairy sector and improving the economic health of rural regions, particularly the most vulnerable ones. To recognize, preserve and develop their role, the EPP Group believes that an implementation of instruments for regulating supply within national competence as well as ensuring an adequate price level is needed. Harald Welsch Advisor
In the light of the current developments the EPP Group is convinced that in order to secure a stable future for the sector, the bargaining power of producers needs to be strengthened, which should result in a fairer distribution of value-added along the chain. Thus, a provision should be adopted to allow producer organisations to deviate from the general competition rules by collectively negotiating contract terms with dairies, including the price. The EPP also obtained a “flexibility clause” to allow producers to belong to two distinct organisations when their production units are located in two different areas. In order to maintain effective competition on the dairy market, this possibility should be subject to appropriate quantitative limits (3.5% of total Union production; 33% of the total national production). In this regard the EPP Group achieved an excellent result in including a provision allowing Member States with a very small production (less than 500 000 tonnes) to increase these percentages to 45% (this concerns Luxembourg, Cyprus and Malta).
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Agricultural product quality schemes and marketing standards
Most of the marketing standards are presently included in the Commission’s regulations, and have developed sector by sector for historic reasons, forming a legislative body that is comprehensive and stable. This body of legislation requires a unitary legal basis in order to reflect the new provisions of the Lisbon Treaty.
Quality schemes and marketing standards for agricultural products
The EPP Group’s proposals
European agriculture delivers food of great variety, with production methods that are respectful of the environment and of rural communities. The regional diversity of food, the traditional methods of production sometimes dating back centuries and the emphasis on safety and environmental protection mean that the quality of European food is among the highest in the world.
The European Parliament believes that, as a general principle, our priorities should include the simplification and development of the current schemes, as well as the addition of new quality terms, that are likely to create value for the best European products.
Quality systems applicable to agricultural products
Throughout the text, Members of the EPP Group have endeavoured to help the rapporteur to achieve greater clarification and simplification, where this was needed. One important point in this sense was the provision of clearer definitions that make the text more comprehensible for both producers and consumers.
The EU introduced a series of labels and quality schemes under its Food Quality policy that provide recognition for the high value characteristics of products and also for their specific regional nature. The current quality schemes are Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG), Organic Farming and Outermost Regions, all with their respective logos. The Quality Package presented by the Commission aims to improve Union legislation in the quality field, as well as in the operation of national and private certification schemes, in order to make them simpler, more transparent and easier to understand, adaptable to innovation, and less burdensome for producers and administrations.
With its amendments, the EPP Group called for the quality system of traditional specialties guaranteed also to be applied to non-processed products, as there are traditional methods of crop and livestock production that are not limited to a specific geographic area.
The package includes two proposals for regulations – one on agricultural product quality schemes and one on marketing standards – as well as two guideline documents, one on certification schemes and one on labelling of products using PDO-PGI ingredients.
The EPP has agreed that a scheme for products of mountain farming should be introduced. Following extensive consultations, it became clear not only that this scheme is desired by the sector, but also that it would result in clear added value both for the consumer and for products themselves. In addition, the Commission was called on to analyse and to be prompt in submitting proposals for new optional quality terms, such as ‘island products’ or ‘local farming and direct sales’.
Marketing standards for agricultural products
It asked for a definition of what is meant by ‘production steps’, and a common definition of ‘producer groups’. The European symbols designed and adopted to represent the PDO and PGI should be clearly indicated on the label and, in addition, the registered name of the product should appear immediately before the indications.
Marketing standards lay down product definitions and categories, minimum required characteristics and certain labelling requirements, such as place of farming for specific products and sectors. They are compulsory for most agricultural products (milk, dairy products, eggs, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, poultry, wine). Marketing standards ensure that products sold in the single market are of a given quality, in line with consumer expectations, and prices of products of equivalent quality can be easily compared.
As regards the role of producer groups in the PDO and PGI schemes, the EPP believes that these groups can help to: ensure that the quality, reputation and authenticity of their products are guaranteed on the market by monitoring the use of the name in trade and, if necessary, informing the competent authorities; take action to ensure adequate legal protection of the PDO or PGI and of the intellectual property rights directly connected with them; develop information and promotion activities; apply for an authorisation from its Member State to establish a system for managing its production, provided that such management of supply systems does not harm competition in the internal market; take measures to enhance the value of products and, where necessary, take steps to prevent or counter any measures which are or risk being detrimental to the image of those products.
In addition to these mandatory standards, a series of optional reserved terms are in place which complement the marketing standards and are indicative of a special characteristic that gives additional added value to the product.
All current marketing standards should remain in place and be covered by the Single CMO Regulation. The EPP reaffirmed that the marketing standards in place should remain in force and that no revision will be planned in the foreseeable future. The same applies to optional reserved terms.
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The EPP Group considers that all marketing standards, whether obligatory or optional, should be included under the same umbrella, providing greater clarity and simplification, for both operators and consumers.
The proposals for the new Common Fisheries Policy
The EPP Group was strongly committed to the decision to remove the ‘oenological practices and coupage of must and wine’ from the scope of the delegated acts.
17 October 2011 Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Legislative proposals
Marketing standards should be revised only if all the groups concerned (farmers, processors, traders, consumers) benefit from the revision and the additional costs are not borne by producers alone. The place of farming would continue to be determined on a case-by-case basis at the appropriate geographical level, after conducting an impact assessment taking into account the costs and administrative burdens for operators, as well as the benefits offered to producers and the end consumer. With regard to alignment, the EPP believes that a balance should be struck between, on the one hand, the need for the Commission to act efficiently and expediently and, on the other, the powers that Parliament and the Council have under the Lisbon Treaty with regard to the legislative process. Maria Paola De Angelis
The legislative package concerning the reform of the common fisheries policy comprises the following documents: a legislative proposal on the basic Regulation; a legislative proposal on the market policy; a communication on the external dimension of the CFP; a report on the chapters of Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2001 on Conservation and Sustainability and Adjustment of Fishing Capacity, and on Article 17(2) on fleet access restriction to 12 nautical miles. A proposal on a new financial instrument for the period 2014-20, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), will be submitted in the course of 2011.
1. Basic regulation General objective: ensuring the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) - Fish stocks should be brought up to healthy levels and be maintained in healthy conditions. They should be exploited at maximum sustainable yield levels. These levels can be defined as the highest catch that can be safely taken year after year and that maintains the fish population size at maximum productivity. This objective is set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas and was adopted at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development as a target the world should reach by 2015. The EPP Group supports the general objective, which is also supported by Parliament, as stated in the own-initiative report on the Green Paper (Rapp. Patrão Neves – A7-0014/2010). However, most Members agree that it is important not to stray from the fundamental objectives of the CFP enshrined in the Treaty and note that the maximum sustainable yield objective should be reached gradually, using a flexible approach, based on the situation of the various fish stocks in Europe.
1.1. Conservation of marine biological resources Multiannual management: Multiannual management plans remain the vehicle for long-term political commitment to sustainable exploitation of resources. These plans will replace the current single-stock-based approach, bringing the vast majority of stocks under multi-stock management plans.
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Although it is important to put sustainability at the heart of the future CFP, the EPP feels that it is necessary to continue to guarantee a balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions to ensure the good health of fishery resources, which are essential for a sustainable, decent and competitive profession. The proposal lacks specific proposals in this direction.
Small-scale fishing: The small-scale fleet accounts for 77% of the total EU fleet in vessel numbers but only 8% of tonnage (vessel size) and 32% of engine power. It therefore requires specific support. The future financial instrument for fisheries will include measures beneficial to small-scale fisheries and will help local economies to adapt to the changes.
Banning discards: Discards (the practice of throwing unwanted fish overboard), which account for 23% of all catches, will be banned according to the following proposed timetable: from 1 January 2013 for certain species and from 1 January 2016 for all other species. Fish that are too small may not be sold for human consumption.
The EPP regrets that the Commission did not decide on a definition of small-scale fishing that was acceptable to the sector, a definition that guarantees non-discrimination among the EU’s fleet segments and regions. Retaining the sole criterion of fishing vessels with an overall length under 12 metres and not fishing with towed gear is inappropriate as it is overly simplistic and poorly adapted to regional situations.
The EPP supports this objective, as stated in the report on the Green Paper, but it recommends a gradual maximum reduction of discards rather than a simple elimination of them, which is just not realistic; a gradual, unhurried approach, fishery by fishery, accompanied by practical technical and trade measures.
Access to resources Transferable fishing concessions: According to the proposal for a regulation, each Member State will have to establish a system of transferable fishing concessions by 31 December 2013 for: all fishing vessels of 12 meters length overall or more; and all fishing vessels under 12 meters length overall fishing with towed gear (thus all trawlers). It is a system of transferable catch shares. These concessions grant their owner an entitlement to a share of the national fishing opportunity for each year. According to the Commission, this new system will reduce fishing capacity and increase economic viability at no cost to the taxpayer, as experience both within and outside some Member States has demonstrated. At the time of the communication on the Green Paper, Parliament had asked the Commission to present a proposal on the management of resources in addition to the TAC and quota systems. This point should be debated within the EPP Group.
Managing fishing capacity Structural policy: A basic fleet management policy remains necessary with overall fishing capacity ceilings per Member State established by the Commission. Parliament, and the EPP in particular, has always stressed that while eliminating aid for the scrapping of ships will curb the reduction in the fleet, aid aimed at modernising the fleet will condemn them to using older vessels. This will have a negative impact on onboard safety as it is difficult for fishing companies to invest autonomously in vessel improvement and adaptation during a serious economic crisis.
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Aquaculture: By 2014 the Member States will draft national strategic plans to remove administrative barriers and uphold environmental, social and economic standards for the farmed-fish industry. A new Aquaculture Advisory Council will be established. The EPP feels that it is important to continue to give the new Fund replacing the EFF in 2013 specific financing to support aquaculture, aimed in particular at strengthening communication with consumers regarding product image, quality and traceability. Forms of traditional aquaculture that protect and promote the environment, natural resources and management of the countryside should be encouraged. This is important in the light of the multifunctional results achieved for biodiversity by continental aquaculture. Scientific knowledge: The proposal establishes the rules for Member States on data collection, management, data availability and access provisions for the Commission. Member States will be entrusted with collecting, maintaining and sharing scientific data about fish stocks and the impact of fishing at sea basin level. National research programmes will be established to coordinate this activity. Decentralising governance: The Commission proposal clarifies the roles and obligations of each actor and decentralises decision-making. This will end micro-management from Brussels so that EU legislators will only define the general framework, the basic principles, the overall targets, the performance indicators and the time frames. Member States will then determine the actual implementing measures and will cooperate at regional level. A fall-back mechanism is established for Commission action in cases where Member States cannot agree or where the targets are not being reached. The EPP has emphasised that this aspect of the proposal must be more explicit, e.g. what role will the RACs play, given that they have a purely advisory role at present? Will the role of the sector and scientists be reinforced?
Market policy The Commission intends to modernise the intervention regime (spending public money to destroy fish is no longer justifiable). It will be replaced by a simplified storage mechanism, which will allow producer organisations to buy up fisheries products when prices fall under a certain level and store 265 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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the products for placing on the market at a later stage. Producer organisations will also play a greater role. New marketing standards on labelling, quality and traceability will give consumers clearer information. Certain labelling information will be compulsory, for example to differentiate fisheries and aquaculture products; other information may be supplied on a voluntary basis. As far as the EPP is concerned, the sector should focus on promoting among consumers less well known fish species, which could help to restore the balance of consumption, which currently centres mainly around some of the supposedly more commercial species. The EU must guarantee a level playing field and require third countries to apply rules and standards that are equivalent to those required of European fishermen in terms of health and food safety, but also in term of socioeconomic and environmental production conditions.
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in interruption, suspension or financial correction to the EU’s financial assistance. For operators, serious infringements may lead to banning of access to EU financial assistance or financial reductions. In addition, the proposal requires Member States, when granting financial assistance, to take into account the behaviour of operators in the recent past (in particular the absence of serious infringements). A proposal on a new financial instrument for the period 2014-20, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), will be submitted in the course of 2011. In the framework of the multiannual financial framework, the Commission proposed a budget of EUR 6.7 billion for the EMFF. The new fund will thus cover both fisheries and maritime affairs but the Commission does not indicate how it will be divided between the two policies, as Parliament had requested.
External policy
Access to waters
In bilateral fishing agreements with non-EU countries, the EU will promote sustainability, good governance and the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Sustainable Fisheries Agreements (SFAs) will replace the existing Fisheries Partnership Agreements (FPAs) and they will ensure that the exploitation of fishery resources takes place on the basis of sound scientific advice only targeting surplus resources that the partner country cannot or does not want to fish itself. Under SFAs, partner countries shall be compensated for granting access to their fishing resources and financial assistance shall be provided to the partner countries for the implementation of their own sustainable fisheries policy.
The proposal confirms the principle of equal access to waters, while treating third-country vessels with access to Union waters equally.
The EU’s external actions must be consistent with the principles and objectives of the CFP, namely sustainability and the need to safeguard marine ecosystems. Action taken will be guided by developing and using the best available scientific knowledge, and stronger cooperation to ensure better compliance. The Commission has presented the new orientations for the external dimension of the reformed CFP in a separate communication. The EU must play a stronger role in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations so as to strengthen them.
The Commission proposes extending the current restrictions on the right to fish within 12 nautical miles until 2022. The Commission proposes introducing into this regulation the specific restrictions for the 100 nautical miles around the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, which are currently laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 1954/2003. Mauro Belardinelli Advisor
Parliament has asked the Commission to ensure that the interests of the Community fishing fleets continue to be integrated in third countries, by encouraging access for them to surplus resources in those waters, through reciprocity or partnership agreements, where appropriate, and by allowing trade focusing on the establishment of responsible and sustainable fishing practices to develop in the partner countries, thereby combating poverty in those countries.
Financial facility EU financial assistance will become conditional upon compliance with the rules, and this principle will apply to both Member States and operators. For Member States, non-compliance may result
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EPP Goup positive contribution to the New Protocols of the Fisheries Partnership Agreements The EU market for fishery products and aquaculture is the largest market in the world (12 million tons and EUR 55 billion in 2007) ahead of Japan and the United States, but it depends heavily on imports from third countries covering more than 60% of its needs. The process of reform of the CFP began in 2009 and should be completed by the end of 2012. It devotes a large part to the external dimension of this policy, including through partnership agreements for fisheries. The EPP Group takes this opportunity to continue the debate on this reform and find appropriate answers to the many challenges it presents regarding the future of our relations with our partners to ensure a sustainable fisheries policy. In this context, the EPP Group has made a fruitful contribution to the renewal of certain strategic Fisheries Partnership Agreements and has imposed its words when it comes to the conditions needed for more challenging ones like with Mauritania. Bilateral relations within EU fisheries agreements with third countries are of paramount importance for the EU in terms of jobs, fishery products supply, participation in the global governance of fisheries management and contribution to best practices in third countries. According to data from the European Commission, 40% of the catches (by weight) of the EU are made under agreements with partner countries and a further 20% are made in international waters. It is estimated that bilateral agreements alone are the source of about 40 000 direct jobs in the European Union and of fishing opportunities for approximately 3 000 vessels. For these reasons the EPP Group is particularly attentive in the follow up of the Agreements concluded with third partners and their renewal to the benefits of both parties; the EU fisheries sector and the local sector concerned. Regarding the benefit for third countries, although the benefits in terms of transfer of skills are harder to quantify, it is indisputable that the presence of the EU fleet has had a positive impact in terms of fisheries development, infrastructure and export capacity of these countries. The EPP Members through the official delegation organized for this purpose had the opportunity to keep a watch over this reciprocal interest. One must also stress the importance of EU funding (in return for the fishing) in third countries’ GDP, which in some cases reaches 50% of their revenues. For instance, upon the recommendations of the EPP rapporteur, Alain Cadec, the EP gave its consent in June to the conclusion of a new Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Seychelles. In FPAs, the relationships are based on the access of EU fleets to excess fishing opportunities offered by third countries in exchange for financial compensation. This compensation is structured in two different actions. On the one hand, a counterparty in exchange for fishing opportunities, which represents an ever greater weight in the global amount, and on the other hand financial contributions to improve - and in many cases to set up - national policies for fisheries management and adequate systems for fisheries control. In the present case, the new Protocol provides for a total financial contribution of EUR 16 800 000 for the whole period, i.e. a period of three years. In exchange for that, the Protocol provides for annual authorizations to fish in the Seychelles’ fishing zone for 48 purse seine vessels and 12 long liners. These opportunities may be increased. The EPP has fully supported this agreement as it was considered of a mutual
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benefit to the EU and the Seychelles: the agreement has resulted in the creation of 2900 jobs in the Seychelles and 760 induced jobs in Europe in areas related to the sector. The new Protocol was even flag fledged as an exemplary model of cooperation in promoting a sustainable fisheries policy and responsible exploitation of fishery resources in the third country fishing zone in the interests of both Parties. In the context of the renegotiation of the new protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the EPP Group has shown more concerns through a resolution adopted by the EP in February 2011 following the initiative of Carmen Fraga Esteves (EPP, SP). The agreement with Mauritania is one of the only three remaining mixed agreements with third countries and in this regard is essential for different EU fleets, and is of utmost importance for supplying the European Union fisheries products. Armed with the observations made during the PECH Committee delegation to Mauritania in November 2011, the EPP Group’s Chairwoman insisted that the Commission takes into account, during the negotiations, the knowledge of the fishing opportunities of third countries in Mauritania’s waters, in order to identify the best possible amount of surplus resources that can be made available to the EU. The EP highlighted the current dysfunctions and also called on the Commission to negotiate simultaneously the fishing opportunities for different categories of vessel and the technical measures to be applied in each case, to avoid fraud and losses. The EP also asked Mauritania to give guarantees regarding its interpretation of the control measures, one of the worst aspects of the current protocol. Given the issues at stake, the EPP has considered this Protocol as a major part of the external dimension of the CFP and has thus appointed an EPP rapporteur (Mr Mato Adrover, SP) to follow the negotiations and give the final recommendations for the conclusion of the protocol. Few other protocols are under negotiation but for each of them, the EPP will bring its own contribution through the consent procedure devoted to the EP. The EPP Group is convinced that the EU must meet the same goal of sustainable fisheries for the internal dimension of the CFP as for the external dimension. The EPP Group supports the upholding of balanced agreements that enable all parties to take advantage of this type of partnership. However, although the actions carried out under the development component shall be consistent with the overall objectives of the EU requirements, it should be noted that the Fisheries Agreements are subject to the Treaty articles which refer exclusively to fisheries policy, and not those that define the objectives of Policy for Development and Cooperation. Thus, despite their role in development cooperation being equally clear and desirable, Fisheries Agreements are of a commercial nature of their own and this aspect should not be overlooked. From a budgetary point of view, the EPP defends the need to distinguish the financial compensation granted by each fishing opportunity from financing granted to the development of the fisheries sector of the country concerned, and insists that the principle of transparency is the rule in this context. Ouarda Bensouag Advisor
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The EP’s political and budgetary priorities on the future Multiannual Financial Framework
principles of the EU budget. The next MFF should reflect the ambitions of the Europe 2020 strategy, which can only be credible if consistency can be assured between its objectives and the funding allocated to them at EU and national level. The most significant recommendations of this report can be summarised as follows:
Towards a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe: the EPP Group leads the way
> an increase of at least 5% for the next MFF compared to the 2013 level; however, even with an increase of 5% only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union’s agreed objectives and commitments (e.g. Europe 2020, increase of R&D from 1.9% to 3% GDP, infrastructure such as Galileo and ITER, EEAS, enlargements, Millennium Development Goals and the Copenhagen and Cancun pledges to combat Climate Change). Therefore, the EP rejects the approach of 5 heads of government and states (UK, D, F, NL, FIN) in December 2010 to freeze the next MFF at the 2013 level and challenges the Council, in case it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped;
A new special EP Committee (SURE) was set up in July 2010 with an annual mandate to prepare the European Parliament’s position on the post-2013 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The work and findings of the SURE Committee were included in a single report that was adopted at the end of the lifecycle of SURE. The aim was for this report to influence the European Commission’s legislative proposals on the next MFF, which were scheduled for adoption at the end of June 2011. The strategic position of the rapporteur to this report was entrusted to Salvador Garriga Polledo (EPP, ES), while the role of EPP coordinator was entrusted to Reimer Böge (EPP, DE). During its term, the Committee examined a number of related issues, either horizontal (European added value, Europe 2020), technical (structure, duration, flexibility), or sector-specific (CAP, cohesion, R&D, energy, transport, external relations, home affairs, administration). All SURE meetings and debates were held in the presence of the Commissioners responsible. The rapporteur’s ambition was to involve the whole Committee in a long and structured dialogue on the different issues on the table in order to reach some initial conclusions that were included in his draft report. The draft report was presented in March 2011 and received a total of 1094 amendments. The EPP, S&D and ALDE tabled amendments in the name of the Group. On this basis, the rapporteur presented a total of 120 compromises, which were negotiated at coordinator level over a period of one month. Those compromises represent the backbone of the report as finally adopted. The SURE report was adopted in plenary ( JUNE I) by an overwhelming majority (468 in favour, 134 against, 54 abstentions). The report was supported by the EPP, S&D, ALDE and Greens. The result of the vote and the adoption of this report represent a major success for the rapporteur, who managed to gain support of all major political groups around his compromise proposals, but also the EPP Group, whose amendments were for the most part adopted in this report.
> the level of funding for agriculture and cohesion policies should be “at least maintained” in the next MFF, while more emphasis should be given in a number of key policy areas, such as research and innovation, transport and energy infrastructure, external relations, youth and education; > an in-depth reform of EU resources with the introduction of one of several genuine own resources in order to replace the GNI-based system and realign the financing of the EU budget with the requirements of the Treaty. The aim of the reform is to achieve an autonomous, fairer, more transparent, simpler and equitable financing system without increasing the tax burden for the citizens and in compliance with fiscal sovereignty of Member States. This reform will lead to the ending of existing rebates, exceptions and correction mechanisms. A feasibility study is requested on the various options for an EU Financial Transaction Tax; > a comprehensive new structure for the next MFF that should facilitate both planning continuity and flexibility, while avoiding the failures of the current MFF. All internal policies are grouped under a single “Europe 2020” heading, creating four different subheadings, while two additional heading are created on external relations and administration. The set up of two margins is proposed: a global margin below the MFF ceiling that will receive the unused margins and unspent appropriations of the previous year, and a reserve margin above the MFF ceiling for guarantees of the EU budget for the EFSM as well as the assistance to non-euro area Member States. The report calls for a ring-fencing of expenditure of all large-scale projects;
Main recommendations of the SURE report
> a duration of 7 years is proposed for the next MFF. However, the Parliament reiterates its conviction that a certain synchronisation of the financial programming with the mandate of the Commission and the EP needs to be ensured, in order to increase democratic responsibility, accountability and legitimacy. The report stresses, therefore, that a /-year cycle set until 2020 should not prevent the possibility of opting for a 5 or a 5+5 cycle as of 2021;
The report recognises that the solution to the ongoing economic and financial crisis is more Europe. It identifies a number of challenges ahead - whether demography, climate change, or energy supply - where the European Union can demonstrate its added value. Achieving European Added Value (EAV) and ensuring sound financial management should be, more than ever, guiding
> a number of strong proposals that will increase the flexibility in the next MFF, including a compulsory Mid-term review that should be enshrined in the new MFF Regulation, a simplified procedure for the revision of the MFF ceilings under an agreed threshold, as well as the possibility of carrying over the unused margins, and decommitted and unused appropriations (both commitments and payments) in one year’s budget to the next year;
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> a practical working method for the MFF negotiation process needs to be agreed between the three Institutions, as required by the Treaty of Lisbon. A Convention-type conference on the future financing of the Union should be convened, which should include Members of the European Parliament and the national parliaments.
The beginning of long and difficult negotiations on the next MFF Following the adoption of the SURE report and a long consultation process with the European Parliament, the European Commission issued its legislative proposals on the next MFF and own resources at the end of June 2011. Those proposals were complemented by a set of legislative proposals that concern the different EU policies and corresponding multiannual programmes. While the Commission proposals on the next MFF seemed to fall short of the European Parliament’s expectations, especially in terms of the overall size of the EU budget, the influence of the SURE report was made obvious throughout these proposals. In any case the Commission proposals have already been recognised by both the Council and EP as a solid basis for the negotiations.
5. Additional contributions
As requested in the SURE report, the European Parliament has formally started to participate in the negotiations through special debriefing sessions before and after the General Affairs Council meeting that deal with this matter. Both EU Council Presidencies for 2012, the Danish and the Cypriot, have already been committed to fully involving the European Parliament in the negotiations. Moreover, at the request of the European Parliament in the SURE report, a high level conference on the next MFF was organised on 20-21 October 2011 by the Polish Presidency, bringing together, besides the Council and the Commission, the representatives of the European Parliament and 27 national Parliaments. The Danish Presidency announced the organisation of a similar conference during its term in office. To date, the SURE report remains the only mandate that the European Parliament has for the MFF negotiations. Fani Zarifopoulou – Nicole Wirtz Advisors
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Annual Legislative programme Over the course of 2010 the European Parliament and the European Commission negotiated and concluded a new framework agreement organising their interinstitutional relations. The aim of this agreement is to strengthen the political responsibility and legitimacy of the Commission, extend constructive dialogue, improve the flow of information between the two institutions and improve the coordination of procedures and planning. The scope of this new agreement naturally covers the Commission’s Work Programme, which, for the European Parliament, is an essential annual programming document. Every year, in October, the Commission adopts and presents its Work Programme for the following year. It is the result of the cooperation between the two institutions over the course of the year. Indeed, in the parliamentary committees Parliament holds regular dialogue with the Commission from the beginning of the year until May in order to assess the implementation of the Work Programme for the current year and prepare the programme for the following year. In the numerous exchanges between the parliamentary committees and European Commissioners, the EPP Members put across their points of view when asking the Commissioners about the issues that they see as priorities. The Commission must describe the progress of its Work Programme for the current year, justify any delays in its implementation and present its future priorities.
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His speech on the State of the Union in plenary was backed up by a strategic document presenting the Commission’s major priorities for 2012, which was forwarded to the European Parliament. This document is a crucial preparatory stage for the Commission’s 2012 Work Programme, which was adopted by the Commissioners in October. The European Parliament can react to the Commission’s Work Programme by adopting a resolution in plenary in December. As far as the EPP Group is concerned, the entire exercise, which takes place over a full year, is extremely important. Always keen to respond to the needs and expectations of European citizens, this year the EPP has put special emphasis on resolving the crisis, returning to growth and confidence, and solidarity. Because it is the largest group in the European Parliament, the EPP ensures that its voice is heard in each of the EP committees: economic affairs, internal market, employment, industry and research, agriculture, regional policy, environment, civil liberties, international trade, etc. The EPP Group influences the content of the European Commission’s Work Programme, which forms the roadmap for the year ahead for the organisation of the parliamentary work of the entire European Parliament. Géraldine Philibert Advisor
This exercise is an open dialogue with all of the Commissioners and is a crucial preparatory phase in defining the EPP Group’s priorities for the following year. Under the leadership of József Szájer, the Vice-Chair responsible for legislative coordination, the EPP Group organises its own calendar with a view to drawing conclusions from the dialogue with the Commission and thus defining its political priorities for the following year. On the basis of the exchanges held through to May, the EPP Group prepares a resolution containing its political priorities, which is voted on at the July part-session. For the first time since the start of the parliamentary term in 2009, the European Parliament adopted in July a joint resolution signed by the main political groups, with the exception of the Greens, the GUE, the Eurosceptic Group ECR and the sovereigntist Group EFD. The European Commission receives this resolution, thereby being officially informed of the European Parliament’s expectations, and it prepares the final stage prior to adoption of its Work Programme. The culmination of the programming exercise takes place in September, when the President of the Commission is invited to a part-session to participate in a debate on the State of the Union. This highly political debate allows the European Commission to present the broad outlines of its priorities for the following year and listen to the reactions of the Members of the European Parliament. This year, on 28 September, President Barroso, responding to the Chair of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul, and the chairs of the EP’s other political groups, stressed that the number one priority would be to resolve the economic and social crisis affecting the Union, using the Community method.
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Co-decision procedure
Five committees (INTA, ECON, ENVI, LIBE and IMCO) were responsible for 66.6% of the procedures, namely for 38 out of 57. The committee on international trade (INTA) is leading the list with 10 procedures completed, ahead of ECON (9) and ENVI (8).
Co-decision procedure after Lisbon: the ordinary legislative procedure
Ordinary legislative procedure can take the form of regulation, directive or decision. Regulations account for the overwhelming majority of the COD procedures: in the aforementioned period some 35 (61.4%) were such files followed by directives totalling 17 files (29.8%) the rest being decisions 5 files (8.8%).
One of the most important changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty (TEU) and the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) is the fact that co-decision becomes the “ordinary legislative procedure” meaning in practice that what used to be the exception in decision-making has become the general rule for most policy areas. As defined in Article 294 of the TFEU, the ordinary legislative procedure (COD - abbreviation preserved in the Legislative Observatory) is the legislative process which is central to the Community’s decision-making system. It is based on the principle of parity and means that neither institution - European Parliament or Council - may adopt legislation without the other’s assent. Having been established by the Maastricht Treaty, and extended and adapted by the Treaty of Amsterdam, where it was also made more effective, and the Treaty of Nice, the ordinary legislative procedure now covers more than 80 areas under the first pillar.
As regards delegated and implementing acts, 24 procedures involved these mechanisms, 16 files having both delegated and implementing acts. 33 files did not have any reference to comitology. Concerning our Group’s weighting we can observe that 21 (36.8%) of the 57 COD files had EPP rapporteurs or co-rapporteurs. This percentage is slightly above the EPP Group’s current weight in the Plenary of 35.8%. Botond Török-Illyés Advisor
In the period September 2010 - September 2011 some 57 ordinary legislative procedures were completed. 86% of these (49 files) were concluded in the first reading, in 7 cases the procedure reached the second reading, and there has been one file (2008/0237 Passengers’ rights - TRAN) reaching conciliation - third reading. ENVI, IMCO and TRAN each had 2 files concluded in the second reading, followed by BUDG with one file reaching the second reading.
COD files by committee - Sept. 2010 - Sept. 2011 Other: 8.8% (5) PECH: 5.3% (3)
INTA: 17.5% (10)
ITRE: 5.3% (3) TRAN: 7.0% (4) JURI: 7.0% (4) ECON: 15.8% (9) IMCO: 8.8% (5)
LIBE: 10.5% (6)
ENVI:14.0% (8)
Total COD files: 57 276 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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Political Strategy Political Strategy Unit The main objectives of the Political Strategy Unit are twofold: > supporting the Group Members’ parliamentary work by anticipating the legislative debates, > highlighting the Group’s political identity by increasing the number of forums for debate. In 2011, the main areas of action in support of the Group’s strategic focus were the following: > Bureau Meetings > Study Days
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> Mediterranean and Environment: The role of the European Union > a strategy in the field of water and sea > a strategy in the field of energy WROCLAW, Poland, 8-9 September 2011 (Bureau meeting) Theme I: Redesigning The European Neighbourhood Policy > European Neighbourhood Policy: Challenges and Opportunities > European Neighbourhood: the eastern dimension Theme II: Towards a coherent European energy policy > On the way to a common European foreign policy on energy > On the way to better energy efficiency and safety SOFIA, Bulgaria, 13-14 October 2011 (Bureau meeting)
> ‘Food for Thought’ Lunch Debate
MORE AND BETTER EUROPE IS THE ANSWER TO SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH
> The work of the European Ideas Network
Theme I: The future of EU Cohesion policy
External Meetings in 2011
Theme II: Challenges for the EU in the changing world
ZAGREB, Croatia, 3-4 March 2011 (Bureau meeting)
DEFENDING OUR CITIZENS, OUR ECONOMIES AND OUR VALUES: THE ANSWER IS MORE EUROPE
CROATIA: A NEW MODEL OF ENLARGEMENT Croatian EU accession: challenges and expectations > Judicial Reform and fight against corruption > Economic impact of EU accession European perspectives of South-East Europe > EU’s responsibilities in the region PALERMO, Italy, 4-6 May 2011 (Study Days) > Euro-Mediterranean partnership: which prospects? > Agriculture and Fisheries in the Mediterranean: The prospects of the reform of the CAP and the CFP > SMEs and Services: Social Fabric of the Mediterranean > Mediterranean and security: The Role of the European Union > Migration and Dialogue in the Mediterranean > Judicial cooperation, fight against organised crime, money laundering, and drug trafficking
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MARSEILLE, France, 7- 8 December 2011 (Study Days)
The EU and the Democratic awakening in the Mediterranean: supporting the Arab Spring by increasingly helping the Young Democracies > Future orientation of the Euro Mediterranean integration process within the framework of the European neighbourhood policy and of the UFM Supporting the Arab Spring through trust strengthening: > Responding to the populations’ aspiration for a strong and global Growth > Developing Financial investments > Towards a better dealing of the migratory flows and integration policies > Reinforcing intercultural exchanges Fight against volatility of raw material prices and Food security - restore real values to the markets > Industrial raw materials > Agricultural food and products > Energy > Responding to price volatility through regulation and by making the financial markets more transparent
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Following each external meeting, a publication is produced which includes all the speakers’ presentations that formed the basis for discussion and the conclusions drawn during the meeting. The publication is published on the website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/activities/en/publica.
Lunch debates ‘Food for Thought’
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The following meetings were organised during 2011: 26 January BRUSSELS EIN Breakfast meeting on: ‘Re-building the European Social Market Economy. The Completion of the Single Market: what Priorities?’ (WG1) EIN Seminar on: ‘Integration and inclusion: Have Integration Policies failed? What Role for the EU?’
‘Food for Thought’ Lunch Debate, Brussels, 8 November 2011 Reforming of the CAP and its Financing ‘Food for Thought’ Lunch Debate, Brussels, 29 November 2011 The Cohesion Policy as a Response to the Economic Crisis
The European Ideas Network The EIN is an initiative of the EPP Group to bring a range of actors into the generation of policy ideas for the European centre-right. It is a network of over 600 policy-makers and opinion-shapers from nearly 30 countries set up to discuss the future policy direction of the European Union and its Member States. Members come from diverse backgrounds: elected political office, research institutes, political foundations, academia, business, and non-governmental organisations inter alia. EIN organises a number of different types of activity to create a dynamic and lively centre for debate to stimulate fresh thinking and positive response to the challenges faced in a rapidly changing world:
Breakfast meetings and working group seminars In 2011, the EIN organised an active programme of breakfast meetings in the European Parliament and seminars to offer a forum for both elected policy makers and political researchers in Brussels to discuss subjects of topical interest stimulated by opening remarks by leaders in their field. Throughout the year, seminars were also organized by the EIN Working Groups.
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09 February BRUSSELS EIN Breakfast meeting on: ‘Integration and inclusion: Jihadism in the EU’ (WG5) EIN Seminar on: ‘Integration and inclusion: What Policies towards Islam?’ (WG5) jointly with the CES 17 March PARIS EIN Seminar on: ‘Sustainable European Budgeting: Control of Public Spending across the Continent: EU Budget, National & Regional’ 21-22 March MADRID EIN Seminars on: 1/ ‘Re-building European Market Economy: Economic Governance and the Future of the Welfare State’ 2/ ‘Integration and Inclusion: Revolt in the Arab World: Challenges and Opportunities for a Joint Transatlantic Policy’ (WG3) jointly with the FAES Foundation 30 March BRUSSELS EIN Breakfast meeting on: ‘Integration and Inclusion: Latest Developments in the Mediterranean’ 23-24 May MILAN EIN Seminar on: ‘Re-building the European Social Market Economy: European Values and the New Social Market Economy: Towards a Stakeholder Economy’ (WG5)
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1 June BRUSSELS EIN Breakfast meeting on: ‘The Fall of Soviet Union’ 13-16 June WASHINGTON EIN Seminar on: ‘Effective multilateralism: Horizons of Transatlantic Cooperation’ (WG7-9-10) jointly with the IRI 29 June BRUSSELS EIN Breakfast meeting on: ‘Effective multilateralism: Horizons of Transatlantic Cooperation. Report on the Washington Seminar’ (WG9) jointly with Res Publica, Magna Carta and others 07 September BRUSSELS EIN Breakfast meeting on: ‘Why the pro-democracy movements in the Middle East are failing to guarantee freedom of religion’ 22-24 September BUCHAREST SUMMER UNIVERSITY ‘A Centre-Right Answer to the Economic and Social Crisis: a Project for Europe’ 19 October BRUSSELS EIN Seminar on: ‘Sustainable budgeting in Europe: Issues and Instruments of European Defence’ (WG7) 08 November BRUSSELS EIN Review Meeting: Discussion of programme 2012 with Think-tanks and working groups 09 November BRUSSELS EIN Seminar on: ‘Rebuilding the European Social Market Economy: A new Health Issue for the Union: Nutrition and Education’ (WG4) 282 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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30 November BRUSSELS EIN Breakfast meeting on: ‘Effective multilateralism: Partners for the EU Interest in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East’ (WG7)
Summer University The climax to the annual programme of the EIN is the Summer University. This year’s event took place from the 22nd to the 24th of September 2011 in Bucharest (Romania). The theme of this year’s event was: ‘A Centre-Right Answer to the Economic and Social Crisis: a Project for Europe’.
Conclusions of the EIN Summer University in Bucharest ‘A Centre-Right Answer to the Economic and Social Crisis: a Project for Europe’ European Ideas Network organised its 10th Summer University from the 22nd to the 24th of September in Bucharest on the “Centre-Right Answer to the Economic and Social Crisis: a Project for Europe”. The answer is more Europe, more responsibility and more solidarity. The ideal of the United States of Europe has been re-launched: Priorities Arising from the Economic Crisis: towards an Economic Union Our main task is to re-launch the European Project; we have to overcome an identity crisis as well as a confidence crisis. This can only be achieved via a European response. Measures have to be taken at European level to avoid stagnation. We have to design a project that will deliver the same kind of response that the Single Market Project delivered in 1992 to the 1980s persistent “Euro-sclerosis”. Lack of response will lead to increasing populism. Long-term solutions might lead to Treaty changes: Economic Governance (retirement age, pension schemes, labor market rules…). In order to regain the trust of markets and investors we have to focus on stimulating the real economy. The revisited Internal Market project is part of the answer to stimulating growth and employment. Investing and supporting a visionary industrial policy are also important. R&D and innovation related to the industrial sector need to be supported. We have to support the internationalization of SMEs.
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New Political Populism and the Defense of Christian Democratic Values The roots of populism lay in the fears generated by the current economic and social crisis. Politics is about governing the fear and not governing through the fear. Populism consists in a distortion of the truth and the denial of the European vision of reality, which is a vision based on confidence and the attitude to discover and explore what is different and unknown. Politicians have to bridge the gap with citizens through a new courageous political pedagogy which can help to make a distinction between the truth and the lie. To overcome the current impasse it takes a fearless political leadership which could restore with determination among citizens the confidence towards Europe. It’s important to reiterate with conviction our Christian Democrats values and reaffirm our pro-European thinking, originating from our Founding Fathers, as the answer to the current crisis of confidence in the European project, and with the perspective of the United States of Europe. A True Competitive Free Single Market for a Cohesive Continent within the Multi-financial Framework - EU 2020 The debate revealed several issues on which urgent actions are needed: > the huge potential of the Single Market which is not yet fully exploited to boost growth and job creation; > the importance of repairing confidence through the Single Market; > the necessity to be more involved in the effective implementation of the Single Market set at all levels of government; > the significance of the Single Market in terms of citizens; > tax harmonization; > reducing bureaucracy and administration; > incentives by governments. Action on these issues could allow an effective response to the crisis and help consolidate the Single Market. Europe 2020: towards an Innovative and Creative Society The EU 2020 has the right approach but needs money to succeed. Therefore, it’s important to increase the EU budget for R&D, despite the crisis situation, and to avoid over-regulation. It takes an inter-institutional common understanding of the benefits of soft law and impact assessment. Fast-track procedures should be considered as a response to the fact that Europe is falling behind other regions and we are simply not moving fast enough. We should avoid unnecessary uncertainties and better communicate benefits of new technologies to consumers. Besides, the definition of common standards has always helped the EU to compete, while fragmentation of credit is hampering effective financing. Innovation needs a modernised and dynamic industrial sector; research needs to be turned into innovation.
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We need to reverse the tendency of a risk adverse environment. A balanced approach combining both risk and consumers’ concerns is necessary to build trust and attract investment and talents. It is imperative to create a critical mass of top talents (skills) and we have to be able to keep them in Europe. Reforming university and education is necessary. Focus should be put on entrepreneurship skills and incentives. Public-private partnerships and the role of the European Institute of Technology is important. Structural Funds need to play a key supporting role. SMEs should have their access to public procurement and credit facilitated. Financial Market Regulation: Need for Global Coordination and Consistent Implementation The recent economic crisis has proved the need for a global coordination of the financial markets. Therefore, the European Union must play a leading role in a new and more efficient, globally oriented Financial Market Regulation. In order to achieve this, a concrete common line between Member States is of vital importance. The response to this crisis also needs to come through financial regulation which ensures the stability of the financial sector. There needs to be a global agreement on the implementation of provisions of the Basel III rules. Overregulation must be avoided as financial institutions must be able to provide the financing for the real economy, especially to SMEs. It is in the interest of all Member States to ensure a credible safety net that is meant to guard against risks to the common currency. European Society in the 21st century: Demography and Inclusion Even if immigration cannot be considered as a solution for demographic problems, which require long-term strategies based on a set of targeted political measures in favour of the family, it could be considered as a factor to ease in the middle-term the effects of population ageing and low fertility rates. Therefore, more efforts should be made in order to give migrants the possibility to integrate and contribute to the labor market. In addition, it is time to search for a more flexible organization of work that allows the reconciliation of work and family life and improve gender equality regarding employment. Countries with the highest women’s employment rate also have a very high fertility rate. It would also be necessary to revise the EU policy against poverty, in the context of the EU 2020 strategy, in order to also support poor families. The Transatlantic Community: a Renewed Global Player in the World The transatlantic community is above all a community of values. Yet, this is not enough to respond to the new global challenges that we are facing. The EU and the US must engage in a concrete dialogue to address critical issues such as the Middle East peace process, the Arab Spring, the financial crisis, relations with Russia and China, and the future of NATO. Centre-right ideology must lead to a new welfare model as well as the creation of a common economic area.
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The Balkan Region: on the Path towards the EU The EPP Group remains strongly committed to the European perspective of the countries in the Balkans, and underlines the need for reforms - in particular of the judiciary - more foreign investment, capacity building and good governance. The accession of Croatia to the EU will give a positive signal to the other countries in the Balkans, keeping in mind the enlargement “fatigue” in both the EU and the Balkans. The Black Sea Region The strategic importance and the great potential of the Black Sea Region were reiterated. Better regional integration, greater involvement, pragmatism and a long-term strategic approach are key to fulfilling the objective of an area of stability, security and prosperity. In energy, the Black Sea Region represents a strategic interface between Europe’s energy needs and Europe’s suppliers. To diversify and ensure its supplies and resources, the European Union should put more emphasis on new corridors. Summaries of the EIN meetings are published on its website www.ein.eu along with the papers and presentations which formed the basis for its discussions. Christine Detourbet Head of the Unit
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CRIS Committee The Union must devise strategies for the medium and long term aimed at sound growth and cannot afford to only address emergencies. Addressing pressing matters has to be accompanied by policy aimed at the longer term, guaranteeing a prosperous Europe. We must act responsibly and in a united manner, pursuing the common interest to the benefit of future generations and the future role of the EU in the world. 2011 saw the conclusion of the mandate of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis. One of the aims of this Special Committee was to provide a vision for the future, built upon an analysis and interaction with various stakeholders. With the European sovereign debt crisis being in full flow, the points made by the Committee are even more pertinent. The committee presented proposals for the longer-term future, aimed at contributing to taking the Union towards a sustainable recovery and beyond. The EPP contributed to the bulk of the ensuing proposals and recommendations. It was imperative that the EP was in a position to deliver a consensual, comprehensive response to the crisis. Institutional credibility was at stake. The EP did deliver such a response; the ball is now in the court of the other stakeholders. The main issues the committee raised in its report were: European Governance > We need more Europe; there is an urgent need for political and intellectual leadership, to put the European project back on track; the Commission needs to make full use of its initiative rights in the fields of shared competences; a Community method has to prevail; Europe has to get the resources to meet its ambitions; the EU budget needs to be strategically focused > The single market project which underpins the Union needs to be completed; it shall be consumer, social and eco friendly > Mechanisms for economic governance within the Union to be strengthened especially from the perspective of better accountability, contingency management, and economic and employment policies coordination > The EU’s global challenges include matching its economic strength with relevance on the world stage through speaking with one voice > The sustainable social market economy and the values it enshrines need to be revitalized
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Financial Reform
Education, employment, solidarity
> The financial and supervisory reform agenda must move forward rapidly; European answers have to be found
> Education should be placed at the very heart of the Union’s economic strategy, with the goal of raising the overall quality of all levels of education and training in the EU
> We need a financial system that supports the real economy
> Exit strategies have to take into account job creation as a priority when re-launching sustainable growth, and the mobility of labour force has to be increased
Taxation
> The fight against poverty and an inclusive labour policy is key for social cohesion
> We also need to redesign the taxation systems in a fair manner, in a way that discourages the build up of excessive leverage and promotes social justice, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
> To promote intergenerational solidarity to be achieved through the use of the potential of active seniors and by supporting the employment of the young.
> Fiscal and monetary policies are not substitutes for structural reforms and debt consolidation is not optional Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises > SMEs are crucial for future economic development, growth, job creation and welfare in the EU, and the EU’s competitiveness vis-à-vis the world can be strengthened by prioritizing SMEs and by sustaining their internationalisation > The current definition of an SME in the EU has to be re-examined and the criteria regarding the number of employees need to be reduced in order to allow for more targeted policies aimed at SMEs
In addition to the more general recommendations, Members of the EPP Group have suggested concrete measures for action at the European level, action aimed at re-establishing trust and confidence in Europe in both the short- and long-run. These concrete proposals include: > To develop the concept of a European Treasury; > “Mr/Mrs Euro”- e.g. a Commissioner/ Vice-President responsible for the common currency and the European Semester (economic governanace); > Follow up of the Governance Package; > To advocate unified representation of the euro internationally; > The Commission shall carry out an investigation into a future system of Eurobonds;
EU 2020 > The governance structure of the Europe 2020 strategy should be strengthened to ensure that it will achieve its objective > To prevent the responses to the euro crisis resulting in a lengthy period of economic stagnation, the Union should, at the same time, implement a strategy to accelerate sustainable economic growth, alongside reforms aimed at restoring and improving competitiveness Cohesion policy > Cohesion policy has become an essential element of the European Economic Recovery Package as a public policy which can be turned against the crisis and address short-term demand stimulation while at the same time investing in long-term growth and competitiveness
> ESM to be converted into a European Debt Agency; > ESRB shall monitor concentrations in the financial markets, looking towards the development of systemic risks; > To ask the Commission to analyse, in the context of the European Semester, the tax resilience of the Member States’ tax systems so that their tax reforms are resistant to economic fluctuations and do not unnecessarily rely on tax bases that are very cyclical or known to be prone to bubbles; > To support the G20’s frameworks-measures to regulate commodity derivatives markets; > To reform and to increase financial resources for the IMF in order to enhance its transparency and accountability and render it more democratic; > EU should have a single representative on the IMF board in the mid-term;
> Cohesion policy should be regarded as one of the pillars of the Union’s economic policy and be the motor of strategic long-term investments
> IMF could act as global lender of last resort and could counteract the need for individual countries to accumulate currency reserves;
> To promote energy efficiency and trans-European networks
> The EU must identify political priorities and agree on funding for closer Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and stresses the need for European project bonds to be extended to EuroMediterranean projects in the fields of education, sustainable transport, energy and education, with added value for both sides of the Mediterranean;
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> Further opening up of the European services sector as part of a process of further unlocking the potential of the Internal Market; > We recognize the importance of having an efficient and interconnected transport system that facilitates the free movement of people, goods and services in the Single Market and promotes growth; this underlines the importance of Trans-European transport networks (TEN-T) in providing important European Added Value, as they contribute to removing bottlenecks; > Account to be taken of the EU 2020 strategy objectives when defining the content of the European Semester, in line with a sustainable European spending strategy;
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Finger-pointing does not constitute a response. Decision-making set at the EU level in this respect is preferable and would also enjoy the support of our citizens, as the latest Eurobarometer shows. The current crisis presents an opportunity for forging a closer Union and for galvanizing the younger generations in favour of the European project. While dealing with the short-term challenges, we should all work on the future architecture of the Union by building on three pillars: 1. sound state finances, 2. structural reform, and 3. economic growth and employment. Catarina Caldeira and Viktor Sata Advisors
> Fiscal consolidation must be accompanied by medium- and long-term targets such as those identified by the Europe 2020 strategy, and the EU2020 strategy should include binding targets drawn up by the Commission for Member States with maximum and minimum values to be applied to certain macro-economic aspects of their economies. Non-compliance with these should lead to infringement procedures initiated against Member States; > A strict financial audit initiated by the Commission with the close cooperation of Eurostat of all Member States to determine their actual financial status; > Scrutiny of all funding programmes in the European Union as well as national and regional subsidies; > The attribution of EU funds on the basis of their economic, social and environmental relevance and effectiveness; funds not taken up by Members States could be reallocated to sustainable public investment at EU level for joint projects or programmes; > Provision of technical assistance geared to improving take-up of the funds and effective delivery of investment projects; > A more prominent role for the EIB in enhancing the catalytic role and leverage function of structural funds; > The introduction of project bonds in order to tap private capital to meet the needs of Europe’s infrastructural challenge; > An agreed single European definition of SMEs; > The establishment of an EU internship programme designed to integrate youth in the labour market and to promote mobility, similar to the Erasmus programme, with full involvement of the private sector; > The establishment of a European Energy Community; > To implement a common policy for sustainable energy and procurement of raw materials; > Advocates the need for a stronger European Commission made more accountable to the Parliament and that should play a major role in identifying European common interest and pursuing it fully through its powers of legislative initiator. Invites the Commission to act decisively by using all instruments at its disposal. The current sovereign debt crisis needs to be properly addressed at the EU level via an EU response.
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National Par liaments S er vice
THE EPP GROUP AND NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS Early on, the European Union acknowledged the need to bring the EU closer to its citizens and to ensure better democratic scrutiny of its activities. This gave rise to the new rights which were granted to the national parliaments by the Lisbon Treaty. Quick to recognise these changes, the EPP was first in developing a network of structured relations between Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Members of the National Parliaments (MPs). The network provides a platform for members to debate current political issues, creating a better understanding of the European Ideal at both a National and Local level. Consequently, the establishment of regular EPP inter-parliamentary meetings has brought cooperation at EU and National levels a step closer. The Group’s relations with National Parliaments consisted of the following activities in 2011:
5 > The EPP Group and National Parliaments
> Summits of Chairmen of the EPP Group in the National Parliaments of the European Union; > Network Meetings of EPP National Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and EPP Members of the European Parliament; > EPP Young Members Network below the age of 35, both from the European Parliament and National parliaments; > Active participation in all Joint Parliamentary Meetings and Joint Committee Meetings following preparatory meetings between the Group and EPP Members of National Parliaments; > Newsletter of the Group’s Service for Relations with National Parliaments. The Group regularly publishes a Newsletter on the activities of the Service for Relations with National Parliaments. Moreover a special website informs the MEPs and MPs of the latest developments in the field of the Group’s activities within the framework of EU inter-parliamentary cooperation.
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14th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels, 27-28 June 2011
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The 14th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU (Brussels, 27-28 June 2011) discussed the European Semester and Schengen. The EPP Group President, Joseph Daul MEP, chaired the first day of the summit together with Paulo Rangel MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with National Parliaments, Enikő Győri, Minister of State for EU Affairs of Hungary and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, at the opening of the 14th Summit said: “The economic downturn and serious uncertainty surrounding the Euro, the Greek crisis, the politics of immigration; and issues in the southern Mediterranean - the centre of the so-called “Arab Spring”, are all central concerns for us”. Vice-President Rangel welcomed the EPP Chairmen pointing out that “as Members of democratically elected Parliaments, we must be aware that the future of the European democratization process is essentially in our collective hands as mutual united forces: the parliamentarian forces”.
Christian Jacob MP, Chairman of the UMP parliamentary group in the French National Assembly
Furthermore, the MEPs and MPs had an exchange of views with President José Manuel Barroso. Among others, he recalled that the Commission is working to prepare the budget and financial perspectives for 2014-20. In this regard, the EC will adopt on 29 June its proposals for the next seven-year EU budget. With regard to Recommendations made by the Commission to the Member States, they mark the closure of this year’s European Semester for economic policy coordination and the opening of the “national semester”. Indeed, in the coming months, Member States are expected to implement those recommendations by integrating them in their national policy making and national budgets for 2012. At the end, President Barroso reminded everyone that on 24 June all Euro area Heads of State and Government reiterated their commitment to do whatever is necessary to ensure the financial stability of the euro area as a whole. Also, he warned that for the fulfilment of this commitment, all pro-European forces, whether at national or European level, whether in government or in opposition, will have to assume full responsibility. Thomas Silberhorn MP (CDU/CSU, DE) commented that one year after taking different measures to stabilise the euro, the situation is now more difficult than ever. Pierre Lequiller MP (UMP, FR) raised questions concerning the measures that Greece is going to take in order to combat its financial difficulties, and he wondered if these measures will be enough to reassure the markets. Maurizio Gasparri MP (PdL, IT) informed everyone that National Parliaments are looking for legislation to contain public expenditure and to help in meeting EU goals. Rafał Trzaskowski MEP (EPP, PL), referring to the process of establishing an economic governance package and implementing the European Semester asked which provisions should apply to whom: i.e. euro members, euro+, all members. Markku Markkula (EPP Committee of the Regions, FI) focused on territorial pacts and the role of universities. Dubravka Šuica MP (HDZ, HR) spoke about the end of the negotiations between Croatia and the EU and she extended her most sincere gratitude to the EPP family for all of its support and help. Konstantinos Mousouroulis MP (Nea Demokratia, EL) focused on the fact that stronger economies are lending money to the weaker ones at very high rates of interest.
l-r: Simon Busuttil MEP, EPP Group Coordinator of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Carlos Coelho MEP, Rapporteur on the Schengen acquis
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During the first session, the speakers on the European Semester were: Alain Lamassoure MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets who proposed to National Parliaments that they should work together, openly, with the finance ministers of Member States
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as National budgets also have an affect upon the budget of the EU. He further stated that states must make sure that what is spent at the European level is not detrimental to the budgets of the National parliaments. Christian Jacob MP, Chairman of the UMP at the National Assembly stressed that the trust of the people of Europe will be determined by how National Parliaments deal with current financial issues. He stated that it is not possible to have the same currency without having the same social, fiscal and financial policies which, currently, are often divergent; Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, discussed the importance of the legislative budget package for the European Parliament and the origins of the economic crisis. She stated that the non-compliance with the rules of the Growth and Stability Pact by Greece led to the current economic situation. Rafał Trzaskowski Vice-President of the Constitutional Affairs Committee focused on the European Semester for Economic Policy Coordination explaining the issue from a constitutional perspective, and Enikő Győri, Minister of State for EU Affairs, Hungary, spoke on the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. The “6 pack” was the main priority of the Hungarian Presidency and the three institutions - EC, CCL, and EP - cooperated to reflect the new institutional context established by the Lisbon Treaty. Adopting the “6 pack” is in the best interest of Europe, while a lack of agreement until the summer break will run the risk that the package will fall apart. On the European Semester, Enikő Győri declared that the first such exercise was finalized, combining fiscal discipline with creating jobs and growth. The EU migration policy, laid down during the Hungarian Presidency, took into account the situation following the Southern Mediterranean events. The free movement should be safeguarded, while better use must be made of the existing tools and instruments. Meanwhile, the Schengen’s system and governance have to be adapted to the changing circumstances, and a kind of revision should be commenced. A debate took place with different interventions: Markku Markkula (EPP Committee of the Regions, FIN) proposed some additions to the European semester; Elisabeth Svantesson MP (M, SE) signalled her agreement on the need to reform the Union’s policy on economic governance and finance. Nicola Formichella MP (PdL, IT) stated that the new model of governance is a step forward for sustainability of public finances. Astrid Lulling MEP (EPP, LU) highlighted the disparity between the positions of EPP members and the positions of the national governments, saying that this is concerning development given that the majority of governments in power are EPP affiliates. Konstantinos Mousouroulis MP (Nea Demokratia, EL) appealed to others present to understand his country’s situation. Frank Engel MEP (EPP, LU) discussed the Greek situation and the extreme changes that they will face. Pierre Lequiller MP (UMP, FR) explained that Europe must set up a principle of European reciprocity and must go further and be tougher in building a new Europe. He informed that the National Assembly has decided unanimously to support Greece.
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vital because it is the first success of a Europe of citizens which encompasses freedom and security; Simon Busuttil MEP, EPP Group Coordinator of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, observed that for the first time it has been recognized that external borders are an area of common concern, and Tomasz Tomczykiewicz, Chairman of the Civic Platform Group, gave a presentation on the Polish Presidency. During the debate Peter Krings MP (CDU/CSU, DE) recalled that the Schengen agreement was entered into force in order to allow for free movement for EU citizens. It is not an instrument for citizens of non-EU states. Robert del Picchia MP (UMP, FR) pointed out the need to take account of the concerns and positions of Europe’s citizens and national parliamentarians. Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (EPP, RO) pointed out that the obstacles in the way of Romania and Bulgaria joining Schengen are linked to their domestic problems, saying that Romania has complied with all the requirements of the Schengen acquis. He stated that the issues here related to confidence and trust. Salvatore Iacolino MEP (EPP, IT) underlined the need for more trust and cooperation and an increased level of security for our citizens, whilst at the same time emphasising the need for sustained and guaranteed freedom of movement. Monika Panayotova MP (GERB, BG) stated that the issue of Bulgaria’s entering Schengen is a matter of solidarity. Teresa Jiménez-Becerril MEP (EPP, ES) said that the EP truly believes in a common migration policy, but we should ask ourselves what we can do in order to improve it. Jakob Presečnik MP (SLS, SL) informed that Slovenia understands the problems of control borders and congratulated Romania and Bulgaria on joining Schengen. Assen Yordanov Agov MP (GERB, BG) opined that issues of trust were also important to these discussions. Konstantinos Mousouroulis MP (Nea Demokratia, EL), agreed that there is a real need to support the Schengen acquis. At the end of the Summit, the results of the discussions took the form of the Conclusions of the Presidency. On the implementation of the European Semester, acknowledging the combined effects of the financial crisis, it was agreed that the conduct of structural reforms will be key to Europe’s success. Concerning free movement of people across European borders, the Members advocated for strengthening the process and supported a better evaluation mechanism.
On the second day of the discussions on Schengen, the main speakers were Maurizio Gasparri MP, Chairman of the PdL Italian Parliamentary group in the Senate, who discussed the current situation of immigrants arriving on the coast of Italy, the conditions in Tunisia and its elections, and immigrants from Libya; Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, highlighted the importance of the Schengen area, emphasising the need to extend it to Bulgaria and Romania. He then focused on the question of the present Schengen acquis and considered changes that could be made to account for the current financial situation and conditions in the EU; Carlos Coelho MEP, Rapporteur on the Schengen acquis, explained that Schengen is 296 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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15th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels, 5 December 2011
National Par liaments S er vice
“Strengthening the European economic governance” and the question as to “What are the Treaty reforms needed in relation to European economic governance?” were the two overarching topics of the 15th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU (Brussels, 5 December 2011). The EPP Group Vice-Chairman responsible for Relations with National Parliaments, Mr Paulo Rangel MEP, chaired the one-day summit together with Ms Marzena Okla-Drewnowicz MP (PO-Group), Member of the current Council-Presidency. In his opening remarks for the morning session on “Strengthening the European economic governance”, Mr Rangel emphasised that the current crisis is a debt crisis and not a crisis of the Euro as a currency. He called for urgent measures to base the economic and monetary Union on a solid, credible and efficient fundament. He underlined the predominant role that the European Commission has to play vis-à-vis the Member States and asked for the full involvement of the European and national parliaments. The first speaker, Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms Viviane Reading, urged the European Institution to cooperate in order to tackle the challenges of the crisis in a sustainable way. As responses to the current situation, she referred to the Commission’s annual growth survey, the proposals for budgetary surveillance and the feasibility study on stability bonds. She expressed the Commission’s surprise about an early demand for a Treaty change while the measures of the Lisbon Treaty have yet to be exhausted.
l-r: Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chair EPP Group and Chairman of the Working Group “Legal and Home Affairs”, Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, Vice-Chair EPP Group and Chairwoman of the Working Group “Economy and Environment”, Charlie Flanagan MP, Chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary group in the Irish Houses of the Oireachtas, Paulo Rangel MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for relations with national parliaments, Beatrice Scarascia-Mugnozza, Head of the EPP Service in charge of relations with national parliaments, Marzena Okla-Drewnowicz MP, Member of the Presidency, Civic Platform’s Group in the Sejm, and Miguel Seabra AD, EPP Group
Mr Mota Pinto MP, Chairman of the Commission on European Affairs in the Portuguese Parliament called for a fiscal union and underlined that the necessary disciplinary measures are of concern to all Member States and cannot be confined only to the countries currently in debt. The Euro has to be preserved at all costs. Mr Sybrand van Haersma Buma MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group CDA, Tweede Kamer in the Netherlands saw the role of Europe as a leading partner in the work at stake. For him, securing the common currency while at the same time taking long-term measures to regain confidence are the two sides of the same coin. Mr Luca Volontè MP, Chairman of the EPP Group, Council of Europe deplores the lack of harmonisation and common governance by the euro area countries and shared the Italian experience and plans to deal with the crisis with the audience. The necessary limitation of the Member States’ sovereign control over their national budgets was explained by Mr Francis Delpérée MP; President of the CDH Parliamentary Group in the Belgian Senate. Sharing powers and competences is for him the only way the EU can continue. In the following discussion, Mr René van der Linden (Eerste Kamer, NL), Ms Marianne Thyssen MEP and Mr Jean Bizet (Senate, FR) reflected further on the intervention and underlined the necessity of the community method to overcome the current problems. In the presence of Commissioner Mr Janusz Lewandowski, responsible for Financial Programming and Budget, Mr Alain Lamassoure MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Budgets and Ms Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response explained their positions. Mr Lamassoure proposed to coordinate budget policies not only with a view to achieve budget discipline but also to share and mutualise financial means. Ms Georgieva reminded everyone of the responsibility the EU has in a world where many ask how
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the Union could help third countries if we cannot help each other. She also explained her role in the field of disaster preparedness and disaster response with a view to new civil protection legislation. Ms Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group, started the afternoonsession on possible “Treaty reforms needed in relation to European economic governance”. She expressed her scepticism as regards voices calling for Treaty reforms and explained her preference to use the instruments that the current treaties provide; for her, the six-pack-legislation already contributes to solving problems in the current crisis. Mr Charlie Flanagan MP, Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Group in Ireland supported the idea of first exhausting the existing means to restore the Euro’s stability before changing the treaties. The main aim of any political and legislative exercise has to be, from his point of view, to ensure that the euro area survives. The exercise of democratic control and the appearance of the EU in external matters were at the centre of the intervention by Mr Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group. A common European electoral system, more control mechanisms for the European Commission and the increased use of majority voting on CSFP matters in the Council were given as examples of how to bring the Union closer to the citizens. After the speeches, Mr Antonio Rodrigues MP (PT), Mr Elco Brinkman (Senate, NL), Mr van der Linden, Ms Thyssen, Mr van Haersma Buma, Mr Gustav Blix MP (SE), Mr Jean-Pierre Audy MEP, Mr Nicola Formichella MP (IT), and Mr Bizet contributed to the discussion. Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship
Presenting the forthcoming Cypriot presidency, Mr Tasos Mitsopoulos MP, Chairman of parliamentary Group of the Democratic Rally Party asked for solidarity in the EPP-family in order to tackle the issues that remain in the second half of next year. He underlined Cyprus’s desire to support any financial policies which will help meet the targets of the EU-2020-strategy. Mr Alexander Stubb, Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade in Finland closed the proceedings by saying that Europe needed action, but there is reason for optimism feeling that Europe can emerge from the crisis as a more strengthened and cohesive Union. Summing up the discussions, the participants issued a declaration in which they welcome the actions already taken, urge the Member States to tackle the origins of the crisis in their respective countries and appeal to the Heads of States and Governments to give further guidance on a credible approach to overcome the crisis.
l-r: Jean Bizet MP, Vice-President of the Committee on European affairs in the French Senate, Alain Lamassoure MEP, Chair of the Committee on Budgets of the European Parliament, and Jean-Pierre Audy MEP, Head of the French delegation to the EPP Group and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control of the European Parliament
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EPP EU Affairs Networks
l-r: Elco Brinkman MP, Chairman of the CDA parliamentary group in the Dutch Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal, Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, Vice-Chair EPP Group at the EP and Chairwoman of the Working Group “Economy and Environment”, and Wim van de Camp MEP, Head of the Dutch delegation to the EPP Group
l-r: Andrzej Galazewski MP, Deputy-Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs in the Polish Sejm, and Jean-Paul Gauzès MEP, Member of the EPP Group Bureau and of the Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis
l-r: Andrey Kovatchev MEP, Head of the Bulgarian Delegation to the EPP Group, Paulo Rangel MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for the relations with national parliaments, and Vladimir Toshev MP, member of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds in the Bulgarian National Assembly 302 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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The EPP Group EU Affairs Network, created in early 2009, brings together Members of the European Parliament and Members of the National Parliaments who act as spokespersons for European Affairs in their parliamentary groups. These are either the Chairs or Vice-Chairs of the national parliamentary committees dealing with EU Affairs or the spokespersons for the Chairs of parliamentary groups. The Network meets in Brussels on a regular basis. The aim is to debate current political issues in a more detailed way in order to further shape and fashion mutual understanding and common goals within the EPP parliamentary Group.
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European and National Parliaments united for the democratisation of the EU
EPP Group efforts to achieve highest possible cooperation with national parliaments The 5th Network Meeting of EPP National Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and EPP Group Members of the European Parliament (Brussels 28 March 2011) was chaired by Vice-President Paulo Rangel MEP, who opened the meeting by highlighting the opportunity for Europe to exercise the increase in competences and power obtained by both the national and European Parliaments with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. Interventions on the topic were made during the debate by several MEPs and MPs. Jean-Paul Gauzès MEP, Member of the EPP Group Bureau and of the Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis, talked on “The demands of the Union”. Corien WortmannKool MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group, Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs gave a presentation on ‘The EU 2020 Growth Strategy’. Paulo Mota Pinto MP, Chairman of the Committee on Finances and Budget, Portuguese Parliament, gave his views on ‘The European Semester and budgetary coordination in the European Union’. José Manuel Garcia Margallo MEP, Member of the EPP Group Bureau, and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs took the floor on ‘The European Semester” explaining that it represented an opportunity for privileged inter-parliamentary cooperation. Andrzej Galazewski MP, from the Polish Sejm, commented that, “even though one may think that the Commission delivered all the necessary elements for implementing the European Semester, this is not so”. Giving an example he stated that the means to effectively calculate the public debt are still lacking. Nikolaos Dendias MP from the Hellenic Parliament and Nicola Formichella MP, Italian Chamber of Deputies, pointed out that the European Semester, as well as the other economic policies’ coordination mechanisms, created opportunities to further the process of European integration, but, at the same time, constituted the risk of marginalizing the role of national parliaments; Michel Servoz, Deputy Secretary-General at the European Commission, also contributed to the discussions by giving a presentation on the “Annual Growth Survey” report.
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l-r: Günther Krichbaum MP, Chair of the Committee for European Affairs in the German Bundestag, and Monika Panayotova MP, Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and oversight of the European Funds in the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria
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The 6th Network Meeting of EPP National Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and EPP Group Members of the European Parliament (Brussels, 17 October 2011) focused on the main economic issues related to the euro area crisis. Twelve chambers were represented together with several MEPs (Ioannis Kasoulides, Othmar Karas, Astrid Lulling, Werner Langen, Pablo Zalba, Iliana Ivannova and Albert Dess). Paulo Rangel MEP, chaired the meeting and in his introduction underlined that the EPP political family is cognizant of the fact that, if it is to react to European legislative development in a more concerted way, the exchange and sharing of relevant pieces of information is vital. During the first part of session I, Jean-Paul Gauzès MEP, EPP Group Coordinator of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs in the European Parliament made a presentation on Economic Governance and the package just approved by the EP and the EPP approach to these matters. Peter Michael Ikrath MP, Vice-Coordinator of the Committee on Financial Affairs of the Austrian Nationalrat, presented ideas on the constitutional limitation of debt. Valère Moutarlier, Member of the Cabinet of Algirdas Šemeta, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-fraud, explained the new EC proposal for a common system on financial transaction tax. Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska MEP, Member of the Committee on Budgets of the EP, gave her views on Financial Perspectives.
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EPP Young Members Network In the framework of relations with sister groups in the national parliaments, the EPP continues to further develop its ‘Young Members Network’ (YMN), which was set up in 2006. The YMN is comprised of Members of the National and European Parliaments, who were 36 years old or younger at the time of their election. An EPP YMN Steering Committee meeting took place in Strasbourg on 21 June 2011 with Vice-President Rangel MEP (EPP, PT), the Coordinator of the YMN, Andreas Schwab MEP (EPP, DE), together with the two YMN deputy Coordinators, Lara Comi MEP (EPP, IT), Petru Luhan MEP (EPP, RO), and Jarosław Leszek Wałęsa MEP (EPP, PL), with the aim of organising the next annual meeting of the YMN in Poland (Gdansk). A coordination meeting was organised in Strasbourg on 16 November 2011 between the board of the YMN (Andreas Schwab MEP, Lara Comi MEP and Petru Luhan MEP) and Vice-President Rangel to present the new working plans and organisation of the upcoming YMN Coordinator election.
The debate on the crisis in the euro area area was introduced by Günther Krichbaum MP, Chair of the Committee for European Affairs, German Bundestag (DE). He explained his vision of Europe exemplified a “Union of stability”. Paulo Mota Pinto MP (PSD), Chair of the European Affairs Committee, Assembleia da República (Portugal) stressed that we are not talking about a crisis of the euro as a currency. Nicola Formichella MP, Spokesperson for the PdL, IT, stressed that only a proper “economic government” of the euro area with real powers could assure steps forward. Dara Murphy MP, Chair of Fine Gael’s internal Committee on European Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Trade, stated that the situation in Ireland was improving giving the examples of economic growth bolstered by net exports and competitiveness. Konstantinos Mousouroulis MP, (Nea Demokratia, EL) raised the issue of the structural mistakes in relation to the euro. A debate took place with Francis Delperée MP, President of the CDH at the Belgium Senate, Monika Panayotova MP (GERB, BG), Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and of the European Funds at the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Christos Stylianides, Member of the House of Representatives of the Democratic Rally of Cyprus, Petteri Orpo, Member of the Finnish Parliament, and Kathleen Ferrier, MP of the CDA at the Dutch Parliament. Susanna Haby, Member of the Moderate Party in the Swedish Parliament explained how important it was for Sweden, 10 years ago, to make all reforms needed with a broad political consensus. EPP Vice-President Kasoulides expressed his concerns regarding the European Union’s intentions to become the first economic area to introduce a financial transaction tax. Vice-President Rangel concluded the meeting underlining that there is a need for more integration in Europe and that the EPP, in particular, has to be prepared to defend the communitarian method.
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EPP and Interparliamentary cooperation in the EU Joint Parliamentary Meetings (JPM) Joint parliamentary meetings are an example of inter-parliamentary cooperation between Members of the European Parliament and Members of the National Parliaments of the European Union. These meetings allow for debates and discussions of the most pressing political issues. In 2011, two meetings were organised under the Hungarian and Polish EU Presidencies:
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At the closing of the plenary debate, Prime Minister Orban stated that further enlargement and deeper integration would provide for a stronger European Union, with each process reinforcing the other. President Barroso was insistent that the EU will continue to support the countries of the Western Balkans, delivering political, economic and financial assistance and solidarity. A lively debate followed with contributions from the following EPP members: Jozefina Topalli MP (PD), Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Kinga Gál MEP (EPP, HU), Dumitru Oprea (PD-L, RO) and Petru Farago (UDMR, RO). In his concluding statement, László Kövér, President of the Hungarian National Assembly said that the meeting helped to clarify the future challenges faced by the countries of the Western Balkans.
The Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Western Balkans (Brussels, 13-14 April 2011) organised by the European and the Hungarian Parliaments, brought forth to the European agenda the issue of the further integration of the countries of Europe. The EPP family meeting organised just before the JPM was co-chaired by Paulo Rangel, Vice-President of the EPP Group responsible for relations with National Parliaments, László Köver, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, Luka Bebič, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, and Györy Schöpflin, Member of the Inter-parliamentary Delegation Albania, BiH, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Jacques Blanc, Vice-President of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Vice-President of the European Affairs Committee from the French Senate, stressed that the countries of the Western Balkans display a clear European Identity and he added that the integration of these countries would significantly contribute to the stabilisation of Europe. Monica Macovei MEP (EPP, RO), President of the Inter-parliamentary Delegation Moldova, gave an introduction on the first WG of the JPM “Co-operation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs”. At the second WG: “Integration of Citizens”, Mihàly Balla MP (FIDESZ, HU), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, underlined that the region has developed considerably over the period of the last numbers of years, Croatia in particular. At the opening of the Plenary, Luka Bebič, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, gave a keynote speech on the topic “The Importance of Economic Integration” which was followed by a debate with different EPP members: Richárd Hörcsik MP (FIDESZ, HU), Dubravka Šuica MP (HDZ, HR), Wolfgang Grossruck MP (ÖVP, AT), Constantinos Tzavaras MP (ND, EL), Vladimir Toshev MP (GERB, BG), Doris Pack MEP (EPP, DE), Kinga Gál MEP (EPP, HU) and Ewa Kierzknowska MP (PSL, PL). JPM WG I, co-chaired by Ewa Kierzknowska MP (PSL, PL) covered subjects like cooperation in the area of freedom, justice and home affairs, the fight against organised crime and corruption, education and the protection of minorities. Doris Pack MEP (EPP, DE), EP rapporteur of Working Group I, offered her views on migration and asylum policy, recognizing the effort and continued progress of the Frontex operations, however she insisted that more measures needed to be implemented to fully tackle the problems. At JPM WG II issues like minorities, education and respect for EU values were discussed. Lívia Járóka MEP (EPP, HU) talked on the Roma. Concluding the debate, rapporteur Mihàly Balla MP (FIDESZ, HU), emphasised the importance of culture and education in relation to peace building and integration, especially where younger children and teenagers are concerned.
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Luka Bebič, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament
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National Par liaments S er vice
László Köver, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly
l-r: Dacian Cioloş, Commissioner on Agriculture and Rural Development, Jerzy Chróścikowski MP, Chairmen of the Polish Senate Committee on Agriculture, and Albert Dess MEP, member of the EP Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Michèle Striffler MEP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Development
Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio MEP, member of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
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Joint Parliamentary Meeting on “Social Cohesion and Demographic Development in a Sustainable Europe” 5-6 December 2011
l-r: Ana Maria Fernandez Perles AD, EPP Group, Edit Bauer MEP, EPP Coordinator of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the European Parliament, Paweł Kaleta AD, EPP Group, Danuta Hübner MEP, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development in the European Parliament, Edmund Wittbrodt MP, Chairman of the EU Affairs Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Marek Ziółkowski MP, Chairman of the National Economy Committee of the Senate of the Republic of Poland
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On 5-6 December 2011, the EP and the Polish Parliament (Sejm/Senate) jointly organised the JPM on “Social Cohesion and Demographic Development in a Sustainable Europe”. Before the JPM began, an EPP preparatory meeting took place. Sidonia Jedrzejewska MEP (EPP, PL) met the participants before the EPP preparatory meeting and a lively debate took place on important issues such as the crisis of the sovereign debt, new trends on demography, and the future influence on the social security schemes; also the importance of tackling health problems through promoting sports for young people and the importance of protecting pregnant women’s health. The EPP preparatory meeting was chaired by Danuta Hübner MEP, Chair of the Development Committee, and Edmund Wittbrodt MP, Chair of the EU Affairs Committee at the Polish Senate. On Panel 1, “Economic and Budgetary Impact of the Demographic Change” the introduction was made by Marek Ziołkowski MP (PO, PL), Chair of the National Economy Committee at the Polish Senate. He stressed that this is an important moment, the EU is not demographically sustainable and therefore we face a huge dilemma: we need more public expenditure for social issues but the crisis has led to budgetary constraints. Marek Ziołkowski (PO, PL) believes that we need to provide real statistics, a real debate and close cooperation on social matters. On Panel 2, “European Cohesion and Regional Development”, Danuta Hübner MEP (EPP, PL) made the presentation underlining that different cities are affected in different ways, and that within the EU, all levels of government (national, regional and local) have to look carefully at what they really need to do. On Panel 3, “Social and Gender aspects of Employment and Demographic Trends”, Edit Bauer MEP (EPP, SK), explained that cohesion policy and social funds are closely linked and it is important to make these funds more consumer friendly in order to support SMEs and new entrepreneurs. She mentioned two key issues for working women: reconciliation and maternity leave. A debate took place with different EPP members: Mieczysław Augustyn MP (PO, PL), Chair of the Family and Social Policy Committee at the Polish Senate, pointed out that when taking account of the demographic situation of the EU, we should abstain from introducing excessive cuts to the Cohesion and Social Funds and that the EU needs to reinforce inter-generation solidarity. Jesmond Mugliett MP (Nationalist Party, MT), Member of the Family Affairs Committee of the Maltese Parliament stated that the main problem is unemployment, and if young people can not find work they will not be able to have children as they would not be able to afford them. Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP (EPP, PL), noted that the EU needs well coordinated policies at local, regional and national level to respond to these challenges. The JPM plenary was opened by President Buzek and Ewa Kopacz MP (PO, PL), Marshal of the Sejm. President Buzek underlined that National and European Parliaments were connected by universal and general suffrage. The debates took place in 3 consecutive panels focusing on: economic and budgetary impact of the demographic change; Social cohesion and regional development; and social and equality aspects of employment and demographic trends. At Panel 1, Andrzej Czerwiński MP (PO, PL) in his introduction underlined that the EU needs to implement the main social policies to find solutions for future sustainability systems for future generations. He believes that we have few years to prepare but we need to begin now. During the debate, Jacques Le Nay MP (UMP, FR) stated that France also has a serious problem with the ageing society. Christos Stylianides MP (Democratic Rally, CY) called for increasing the retirement age. Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP (EPP, PL) asked for the promotion of active employment policies. Marek Ziołkowski MP (PO, PL) stressed the need for solidarity and the importance of promoting employment and growth and not just social cuts.
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National Par liaments S er vice
Mieczysław Augustyn MP (PO, PL) pointed out that the EU needs policies to cover all areas. Panel 2 was co-chaired by Danuta Hübner. European People’s Party participants in the debate have clearly outnumbered all the other political persuasions, bringing both European and national perspectives into the equation. Jacques le Nay, MP (UMP, FR) singled out territorial imbalances created by the current demographic tendencies for particular attention. Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP (EPP, NL), EPP Coordinator in the Committee on Regional Development and co-rapporteur of the General Regulation on structural funds, underlined that cohesion must remain a real community policy. Edmund Wittbrodt MP (PO, PL) called the Europe 2020 Strategy and cohesion policy “the key instruments” of the European Union. “We have to prevent the current two-speed Europe from aging”, warned his fellow Senator, Mieczysław Augustyn MP (PO, PL). “The next financial programming period, our foreseeable and hopefully post-crisis future, has to be approached in a new manner, taking into account specificities of different regions”, concluded Danuta Hübner MEP (EPP, PL). The introduction to Panel 3 was made by Mieczyslaw Augustyn MP (PO, PL), Chair of the Family & Social Policy Committee at the Polish Senate, who explained that the challenges we are facing include: difficulties of starting up families and relationships; higher numbers of disabled and permanently ill persons; the need to support, increase and use the potential of older people, as well as their integration; and combating discrimination on grounds of gender or age, in order to ensure equal access to the labour market, including access for the elderly. During the debate Nuno Filipe Matias MP (PSD, PO) welcomed the debate as timely and relevant and said that it reflected unity and solidarity which would ultimately help strengthen EU values. Jean-Louis Lorrain MP (UMP, FR) said that poverty is on the rise again, even though it was expected to dramatically decrease post 1945. Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP (EPP, PL), voiced concerns over the fact that EU social funds would be used only to assist those in poverty and not to educate them. Andrzej Gałażewski MP (PO, PL) highlighted the problem of youth unemployment, especially in the UK. Jesmond Mugliett MP (Nationalist Party, MT) emphasised the necessity of job creation and the promotion of best practice across Europe. Edit Bauer MEP (EPP, SK), stated that Europe was facing a social crisis as grave as the financial one. Andrzej Grzyb MEP (EPP, PL), feared that social funds, such as those in education, were in danger of disappearing due to the current financial crisis.
Joint Committee Meetings
During the closing plenary session a debate was held with Polish Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz (PSL, PL) and the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor. Commissioner Andor said that some Member States in the EU, particularly its largest member, are deflation obsessed. He stressed that if this doesn’t change we are headed for more trouble. Kosiniak-Kamysz (PSL, PL) spoke of his desire to see a pan-European maternity agreement reached, as the Council had rejected an earlier 21 week proposal.
> Joint Committee Meeting “Relaunching the Single Market: State of play and challenges ahead”, IMCO Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 10-11 October 2011;
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Over the last year, different EP Committees have organised several joint committee meetings on specific sectorial themes. These included: > Interparliamentary meeting “Women in politics in the European Parliament”, FEMM Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 3 March 2011; > Interparliamentary meeting “Investing in the real economy: A tool kit for growth, innovation and cohesion”, CRIS Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 14 March 2011; > Interparliamentary meeting “European Semester for Economic Policy Coordination”, ECON/CRIS Committees with National Parliaments, Brussels, 15 March 2011; > Interparliamentary meeting “European Semester 2011: how to coordinate EU and national budgets?”, BUDG Committee with national Parliaments, Brussels, 13 April 2011; > Interparliamentary meeting “Implementation of the Climate and Energy Package”, ENVI Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 19 April 2011; > Joint Committee Meeting “How to improve our energy supply by enhancing competition, making our energy systems smarter and developing energy infrastructure?”, ITRE Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 24 May 2011; > Interparliamentary meeting “The CAP towards 2020”, AGRI Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 12 July 2011; > Interparliamentary meeting “Democratic Accountability of the Internal Security Strategy & the role of Europol & Frontex”, LIBE Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 5 and 6 October 2011; > Interparliamentary meeting “Future Cohesion Policy in the light of new legislative proposals”, REGI Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 6 October 2011;
> Interparliamentary meeting “Human Rights conditionality in Development Policy”, DEVE/DROI Committee with National Parliaments, Brussels, 11 October 2011 An interparliamentary meeting was co-organised by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality on the ways to enhance women’s participation in politics (3 March 2011), five days ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March). Speaking at the opening of the Women’s Rights committee meeting to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, EP President Jerzy Buzek stressed his support for quotas. Former EPP President of the European Parliament Nicole Fontaine emphasized the will and determination of the EU institutions to advance the cause of women against discrimination.
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Women’s participation in high-level decision-making is a question of equality and fundamental rights, noted Sirpa Pietikäinen Finnish MEP (EPP, FI), who drafted a report on women in politics. Women’s Rights Committee Vice-Chair Elisabeth Morin-Chartier MEP (EPP, FR) stressed that the fight for gender equality is a collective societal issue. Women’s Rights Committee Vice-Chair Lívia Járóka MEP (EPP, HU), argued that the know-how of women at grassroots level, is as important as those in elite positions. Maria Kollia-Tsaouha MP (EPP, EL) explained the situation in Greece and Teresa Jimenez-Becerril MEP (EPP, ES) pointed out that the number of women participating in politics is not very high and there are many challenges to faced in the area. Lena KolarskaBobińska MEP (EPP, PL) raised the issue of the importance of the equality of salaries. Csilla-Maria Petö MP (UDMR, RO) informed that in Romania there are no laws to define the role of women. An interparliamentary committee meeting was organized on 14 March 2001 under the auspices of the EP Special Committee on Financial, Economic and Social Crisis, targeting the necessity of investments able to generate growth. During the first session, dedicated to the EU’s strategic long-term investment for growth and jobs, Jozef Ekes MP (Fidesz, HU) gave an overview of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency, mentioning issues such as the improvement of competitiveness, solving imbalances and increasing employment. Kazimierz Kleina MP (Civic Platform, PL) noted that in terms of the economy, finance, and politics, the situation is becoming more complicated. Diogo Feio MEP (EPP, PT) stated that the crisis cannot be tackled with austerity measures and that the EU solutions should be accompanied by national ones. At the same time, Frank Engel (EPP, LU) pleaded for more integration, and the pursuit of European financing coordination in the field of R&D, and he added that more attention to a new model of redistribution might be needed in the future. Talking about the final report of the CRISIS Committee, Iliana Ivanova MEP (EPP, BG) said that the work of the body was focused mainly on the causes and effects of the crisis. During the session tackling investments as a tool for ensuring the delivery of EU 2020 targets, Kazimierz Kleina MP (Civic Platform, PL) and Gunter Stummvoll MP (OVP, AT) pleaded for investments in infrastructure, education, and competitiveness. In addition, Jessica Rosencrantz MP (Moderate, SE) focused on the completion of the Single Market and the modernization of the EU budget. Danuta Hübner MEP (EPP, PL), Chair of the Committee on Regional Development, stated that one of the reasons why investors do not apply to gain access to new and innovative funding schemes is that the regulatory framework is, very often, too complicated. Organized by the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, the interparliamentary committee meeting on 15 March 2011 addressed the latest developments surrounding the European Semester. In this context, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, announced that the Union is steadily rising out of the economic crisis. José Manuel García-Margallo MEP (EPP, ES), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, suggested that it would be reasonable when setting capital requirements to look at the different qualities of the public debt. Kazimierz Kleina (Civic Platform, PL) and Gunter Stummvoll MP (OVP, AT) argued that at this moment in time it is already clear that some of the EU 2020 Strategy’s objectives will be hard to reach.
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Pedro Duarte MP (PSD, PT) stated that in terms of the framework of the Stability Pact, each county should be able to determine which methods of implementation they should use, rather than having predetermined mechanisms superimposed upon them. Diogo Feio MEP(EPP, PT) said that the European Semester will play an essential role in the drafting of new provisions, helping us to focus more on the objectives and not only on the means. On 13 April 2011 the EP Committee on Budgets, by organizing an interparliamentary committee meeting on the European Semester, presented to the members of the national parliaments the opportunity to exchange views with members and representatives of the European Parliament, Commission and Council. In his introductory remarks, Alain Lamassoure MEP (EPP, FR), Chair of the Committee on Budgets, stressed that in the context of national and EU budgetary constraints, efforts should be made to avoid duplication of expenditure at national and EU levels through a better and more efficient use of the limited resources available. In order to have harmonized national budgets, Pawel Arndt MP (Civic Platform, PL) agreed that a common methodology among Member States should be set up to allow for better coordination between the various budgets. Taking the floor while discussing the EU’s own resources, Göran Petterson MP (Moderate, SE) and Alicja Olechowska MP (Civic Platform, PL) acknowledged that the EU has shifted towards a system based more and more on national contributions to the EU budget, while the debate has moved gradually from the structure of the budget to the amounts which each Member State contributes to it. Concluding, Alain Lamassoure MEP (EPP, FR) encouraged permanent contact among the participants, as well as among the parliaments they represent. On 19 April 2011 the interparliamentary committee meeting on Climate change brought together Members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Heath and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament and 29 Members representing 17 chambers of EU National Parliaments. The meeting was divided into two sessions: Implementation of the Climate and Energy Package. Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action set out how using the market mechanism was the best solution to the implementation of the ETS emissions system. Furthermore, in regard to the effort sharing initiative established on binding emissions targets (2013-2020), Member States are in line to meet their CO2 emissions and renewable efficiency targets. However, not all Member States are meeting energy efficiency targets. National Parliaments have a major role to play in driving innovation and growth in energy efficiency research. The main issues raised in the debate were nuclear energy and renewable energy. During session II on International Climate negotiations: EU priorities for COP 17, the main issues raised in the debate were the 30% emission reduction, with or without the US? - A second commitment period after Kyoto, Presidency of negotiations, the role of South Africa, EU leadership: There was overall agreement that the EU must regain its leadership role heading into COP 17. The European Parliament and the Hungarian National Assembly organised a Joint Committee Meeting ( JCM) on “Enhancing Competition and Improving Energy Supply by Developing Energy Corridors and Smart Energy Systems” on 24 May. JCM consisted of three main parts: three keynote speeches given by a high-ranking EC official, MEP from the Industry, Research and
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Energy Committee (ITRE) and a Member of the Hungarian National Assembly; a debate on energy corridors; and a debate on smart energy systems including district heating and cooling. These debates were preceded by a welcome address from the EP President, Jerzy Buzek, and an introductory speech by the Chair of the ITRE Committee, Herbert Reul MEP (EPP, DE). In his intervention President Buzek explained that the primary function of the European Energy Community is to aid in coordination and cooperation emphasising that it is not about creating more bureaucracy and new political structures. Pál Kovacs (Deputy State Secretary for Energy of the Hungarian Government, representing the Presidency of the Council of the European Union) informed the audience about the achievements of the Hungarian Presidency. Antal Rogán MP (HU), Chairman of the Economic and Information Technology Committee of the Hungarian National Assembly, reminded the audience that the EU had not realized the importance of the issue of interconnection of our energy supply until we experienced a gas shortage from Russia. Francesco Casoli MP (EPP, IT) mentioned the need to have a great oversight of the situation regarding energy markets in different countries. Franck Reynier MP (EPP, FR) stressed that solidarity among Member States is vital in terms of reaching our aim of better diversification of our energy sources. Angelika Niebler MEP (EPP, DE) criticized national protectionism when it comes to the common energy market. Stanislaw Iwan MP (EPP, PL) stressed that efficiency aspects of EO policies bring us opportunities for innovative measures. Hermann Schultes MP (EPP, AT), Marcel Oberweis MP (EPP, LU), Andras Aradszki MP (EPP, HU) and Antal Rogán (Fidesz, HU) took the floor. Jean-Pierre Audy MEP (EPP, FR) emphasised the importance of having information about the owners of energy networks. An interparliamentary committee meeting on the “Common Agricultural Policy towards 2020” took place in Brussels on 12 July 2011. Among the speakers were Jerzy Chróścikowski, Chairman of the Polish Senate Committee on Agriculture, Commissioner Dacian Cioloş and Albert Dess MEP (EPP, DE). Jerzy Chróścikowski MP emphasised that there has to be equal competition for all Member States and all farmers. The CAP has to serve for the benefit of farmers as well as consumers and tax-payers. The guarantee of food supplies was Albert Dess’s main point, as well as enhancing the sustainability of the CAP. He also pointed out that the EU’s increase in agricultural production is lower than in other competing economies, namely in Asia. Contributors from the EPP-family were as follows; Fernand Boden MP (LU, Chambre des députés), Franc Bogovič MP (SI, Državni zbor), Jean-Paul Emorine MP (FR, Sénat), Sándor Font MP (HU, Országgyűlés), Stelian Fuia MP (RO, Camera deputatilor), Hervé Gaymard MP (FR, Assemblée Nationale), Ger Koopmans MP (NL, Tweede kamer), Leszek Korzeniowski MP (PL, Sejm), Imants Viestur Liegis (LV, Saeima), Gert Lindemann MP (DE, Bundesrat), Philip Mifsud MP (MT, Kamra tad-deputati), Martin Preineder MP (AT, Bundesrat), Edmundas Pupinis MP (LT, seimas), Paolo Russo MP (IT, Camera dei Deputati) and Hristina Ivanova Yancheva MP (BG, National assembly). The interparliamentary committee meeting of the LIBE committee on “Democratic Accountability of the Internal Security Strategy and the role of Europol, Eurojust and Frontex” (Brussels, 5-6 October 2011) was organised around 5 sessions. Amongst the speakers were Adam Rapacki MP, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Internal Security (COSI), Commissioner
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Cecilia Malmström, Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol, Teresa Jimenez-Becerril MEP (EPP, ES), Aled Williams, President of the College of Eurojust, Ilkka Laitinen, Director of Frontex, Simon Busuttil MEP (EPP, MT), EPP-coordinator and Carlos Coelho MEP (EPP, PT). Adam Rapacki underlined the importance of common values such as the rule of law and human rights as a basis for a European security area. The Commissioner stressed that security is important for EU citizens, but, on the other hand, privacy and the protection of personal data must also be respected. Rob Wainwright, informed about Europol’s labour force and the role it has to play. Even without coercive powers, the EU agency was able to make 14 000 cross-border investigations. Teresa Jimenez-Becerril, MEP explained the legal framework for the establishment and work of Europol. Aled Williams was of the opinion that there is no operational accountability, but democratic accountability applies in full. Ilkka Laitinen explained the work that the agency carries out. Its three main tasks are managing migration, combating crime and the facilitation of effective crossborder traffic controls. Simon Busuttil MEP, displayed different attitudes towards Frontex. Coelho MEP, stressed that Europe is a Union of citizens that has established an area of freedom, security and justice. He stressed the importance of democratic accountability in relation to the three agencies. Contributors from the EPP-family were as follows: Thalén Finné MP (SE, Riksdagen), Konstantinos Tzavaras MP (EL, Vouli ton Ellinon), Filippo Saltamartini MP (IT, Senato), Hubert Pirker MEP (EPP, AT) and Günter Kößl MP (AT, Nationalrat). Interparliamentary committee meeting on Future Cohesion policy in the light of New Legislative Proposals (Brussels, 6 October 2011). Speakers at this Inter-parliamentary Committee included Danuta Hübner MEP, Chairperson of REGI, Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy and Elzbieta Bienkowska, Polish Minister for Regional Development. Danuta Hübner MEP (EPP, PL) emphasised the special context into which the “New Legislative Proposals” are being introduced as well as the need for decisive growth packages based on both traditional and new growth factors, stating that this was essential in attracting new investors. Commissioner Hahn opined that cohesion policy was relevant for all Member States, adding that the new proposals represented the back bone of urgently needed changes to cohesion policy which would help it stay in line with the EU’s 2020 Growth Strategy. Elzbieta Bienkowska felt that the Commission’s proposals were balanced, reflective of the current economic situation, and a good starting point from which to launch further discussions on matters relating to cohesion policy. Contributors from the EPP-family were as follows: Erminia Mazzoni MEP (EPP, IT), Konrad Steindl MP (ÖVP, AT), Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP (EPP, NL), Pedro Saraiva MP (PSD, PT), Sean Kelly MEP (EPP, IE), Kyriakos Hadjiyianni MP (Democratic Rally, CY). The Joint Committee Meeting (10-11 October 2011) was co-organised by the European Parliament and the Polish Sejm and Senate and focused on the future of Single Market policy, taking stock of the state of play in re-launching the Single Market in a number of key areas (Citizens’ Mobility, Consumer Protection, Public Procurement and Digital Single Market). It also included a key debate on the governance aspects of the Single Market. The main issues that were debated included: making it easier for European citizens to work abroad; strengthening consumer confidence in the internal market; improving the implementation and enforcement of
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the Single Market rules; modernising public procurement rules; and further developing the Digital Single Market. EP President Jerzy Buzek delivered a welcome speech. Keynote speeches were also delivered by Minister Kovolec (Poland) and Michel Barnier, Commissioner for internal market. Jan Wyrowiński MP (Polish Senate, EPP), Chairman of the National Economy Committee of the Polish Senate and Andrzej Czerwiński (PO, Poland), Deputy Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Polish Sejm, were the two co-chairs of the JCM. Jan Wyrowiński MP informed during his presentation that the single market will be one of the priorities of the Polish Presidency. During the opening debate, Róża Thon und Hohenstein MEP (EPP, PL), stressed the lack of communication with EU citizens and the importance of having a main language of communication. Antoni Mężydło MP (PO, PL) warned about the protectionism trends at the EU after the economic crisis. Andrzej Czerwiński was also rapporteur on the Debate on Citizen’s Mobility. Giorgio Bornacin MP (PDL, IT) underlined that mobility is a key issue on the internal markets and he informed about the problems of workers going to work everyday to another Member State.
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They expressed the coordinated vision of the EPP across Europe while at the same time taking into account a number of sensitive issues and real necessities in their home countries. This dual approach was key to developing a deeper understanding of the subjects discussed, and it created a platform for formulating clear and coherent responses to most of the elements in doubt. This deeper understanding of the topics was enhanced by the dialogue and debates surrounding the JCMs. The presence of decision-makers from national and European institutions leads, on the one hand, to improved inter-institutional cooperation and, on the other, to the creation of a framework which helps to disseminate information at national and local levels.
Sandra Kalniete MEP (EPP, LV) was the rapporteur on the Key Debate on Governance of the Single Market: Leadership, Partnership and Enforcement. Antoni Mężydło MP (PO, PL), Deputy-chair of the Economics Committee, was rapporteur on the debate on the Digital Single Market. Laure de la Raudiere MP (UMP, FR), Vice-Chair of ECON, commented on relevant issues like internet neutrality, new generation networks and fibre optics. Anna Maria Corazza-Bildt MEP (EPP, SE) noted that the EPP is fully aware of the importance of the digital single market. Pablo Arias MEP (EPP, ES) underlined that it is a basic tool for increasing jobs and trade. He concluded that “the exit for the crisis has a digital format”. During the debate on Public Procurement, Andreas Schwab MEP (EPP, DE), EPP IMCO Coordinator, explained that the review of public procurement rules will normally be adopted by the college of commissioners at the end of 2011. He also stressed that the Public Procurement rules must ensure the best use of the tax payers’ money and the need to create a positive environment in this area for SMEs, without jeopardising larger companies who also participate actively in the sector. Giorgio Bornacin MP (PDL, IT), Anna Maria Corazza-Bildt MEP (EPP, SE) and Róża Thon und Hohenstein MEP (EPP, PL) also took the floor. An interparliamentary committee meeting on “Human Rights Conditionality in Development Policy” took place in Brussels on 11 October 2011. Among the speakers were Michele Striffler, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Development and Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development. Michele Striffler MEP (EPP, FR) was hopeful that the proceedings would encourage better understanding between the European Parliament and the National Parliaments in relation to Human Rights issues. Contributors from the EPP-family were as follows: Asparuh Stamenov MP (GERB, BG), Filip Kaczmarek MEP (EPP, PL), Eleni Theocharous MEP (EPP, CY), Monica Ferro MP (Assembleia da Republica, PT), Jurgen Klimke MP (CDU, DE), and Averof Neofytou MP (Democratic Rally, CY). At the aforementioned inter-parliamentary events the Group was well represented by MEPs and national parliamentarians. EPP family members made significant contributions to these events. 320 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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Communicating with our partners In 2011, the Service for Relations with National Parliaments continued to offer relevant EPP related information through publications, newsletters, and on-line content. Attention was concentrated on in-depth presentation of Group positions, the prompt dissemination of information and improved virtual support.
Brochures The brochures issued by the Relations with National Parliaments Service cover the workings of the two Summits of Chairmen of the parliamentary groups in the EU.
13th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, 6-7 December 2010, Brussels The 13th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary groups in the EU took place on 6-7 December 2010 at the EP in Brussels. There were two main sessions: “Financing Europe 2020” and “Economic governance: what are our perspectives?” Joseph Daul MEP, EPP Group President, chaired the first part of the meeting and stressed the necessity of securing “the future of the euro and we must at the same time create the necessary conditions for future investments.” Paulo Rangel MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chairman responsible for the relations with national parliaments, pointed out that “National Parliaments and the European Parliament have been invested with greater powers under the Lisbon Treaty” and that “the Treaty of Parliaments should be defended and implemented.” The meeting was co-chaired by Francis Delpérée MP, CDH Group President at the Belgian Senate Sabine de Bethune MP, CD&V Group President at the Belgian Senate and Servais Verherstraeten MP, CD&V Group President at the Belgian Chamber. A number of distinguished speakers attended the 13th Summit, including, among others, the then Belgian Prime Minister, Yves Leterme, representing the Council Presidency, the Polish Minister of Finance, Jan Vincent Rostowsky, the Swedish Finance Minister, Anders Borg, Enikő Győri, Minister of State for EU Affairs of Hungary, and Jean-Luc Dehaene MEP, Vice-Chairman of the Budgets Committee of the EP.
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During the official dinner of the Summit, Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski talked about different aspects of the EU budget and Commissioner Michel Barnier stressed the necessity of better economic governance and presented the tools the Commission has come up with in this respect. In the section of the summit dedicated to analysing our perspectives for economic governance, a number of different rapporteurs took the floor, together with then PM Leterme. These were: Iñigo Mendez de Vigo MEP, President of the College of Europe, Bruges, Pierre Lequiller, President of the Committee for European Affairs of the Assemblée Nationale, France, and Diogo Feio MEP, Rapporteur for the European Parliament’s Report. The debates were enriched by further interventions from MPs Hans-Peter Friedrich and Andreas Schockenhoff, from the German Bundestag; Konstantinos Tasoulas MP, Chair of the parliamentary group, and Konstantinos Hatzidakis MP, from the Greek Parliament; Pedro Mota Soares MP, from the Portuguese Parliament; Roberto Soravilla MP, from the Spanish Parliament; Anna Kinberg MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Group at the Swedish Parliament; Assen Agov MP, from the Bulgarian Chamber; Carlo Casini MEP, President of the AFCO Committee; Werner Langen MEP, and László Tőkés MEP, Vice-President of the EP.
14th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels, 27 and 28 June 2011 The publication dedicated to the 14th Summit highlighted the details and extended contents of the event, which saw the EPP Chairmen of their parliamentary groups in the EU gather in Brussels to discuss the European Semester and Schengen, and the exchange of views with President Barroso. The first day of the meeting was chaired by Joseph Daul MEP, along with Paulo Rangel MEP, ViceChairman of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with National Parliaments, and Enikő Győri, Minister of State for EU Affairs, Hungary. Keynote speakers on the European Semester were: Alain Lamassoure MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Budgets of the European Parliament, former Minister; Christian Jacob, Chairman, UMP French Parliamentary group; Corien WortmannKool MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament; Rafał Trzaskowski MEP, Rapporteur of the European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee on the European Semester for Economic Policy Coordination, and Enikő Győri, Minister of State for EU Affairs, Hungary, on the Hungarian Presidency. The main speakers on Schengen were Maurizio Gasparri MP, Chairman of the PDL Italian Parliamentary group in the Senate; Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament; Carlos Coelho MEP, Rapporteur on the Schengen acquis; Simon Busuttil MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament, and Tomasz Tomczykiewicz, Chairman of the Civic Platform Group, on the presentation of the Polish Presidency.
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15th Summit of the Chairmen of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the EU, Brussels, 5 December 2011 At the beginning of December 2011, the EPP Group invited the leaders of the EPP related parliamentary groups in the EU to the 15th Summit of Chairmen. As the main subject addressed was economic governance, the publication covering the event details the input on this topic expressed by national parliamentarians, members of the European Parliament and the European Commission. The first part presents the introductory statements by the two co-chairs: Paulo Rangel MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Relations with National Parliaments, and Marzena Okla-Drewnowic MP, Member of the Presidency, Civic Platform’s Group in the Sejm. The section dedicated to the first panel, “Strengthening the European economic governance”, presents the intervention by Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. National views are underlined by the speeches of the parliamentarians from the Members States, among them Paulo Mota Pinto MP, Chairman of the Commission of European affairs in the Portuguese Parliament, Sybrand van Haersma Buma MP, Chairman of the CDA parliamentary group, Tweede Kamer, the Netherlands, Luca Volontè MP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the Council of Europe and member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and Francis Delperée MP, President of the CDH parliamentary group in the Belgian Senate. Following her intervention, all those present had the chance to exchange views with Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. The publication presents the statements of the contributers taking the floor during the second panel, aiming to find an answer to “What are the Treaty reforms needed in relation to European economic governance?” The speakers were Alexander Stubb, Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, Vice-Chair EPP Group, Manfred Weber MEP, Vice-Chair EPP Group, and Charlie Flanagan MP, Chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary group in the Irish Houses of the Oireachtas. The presentation of the forthcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU has a separate section within the publication; it covers the information offered by Tasos Mitsopoulos MP, Chairman of the Democratic Rally parliamentary group in Cyprus’ House of Representatives.
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Newsletters The Newsletters represent an effective communication tool for the Service. Designed to cover EPP contributions at different events and meetings, the three newsletters are issued and distributed both in hard copy and electronically, by e-mail, on a regular basis. Readers generally include members of the EP, chairmen of parliamentary groups, members of the European Affairs Committees in national parliaments, members of the Young Members Network etc.
General Newsletter The Service publishes and distributes a general newsletter in order to keep both EPP MEPs and national parliamentarians informed with regard to the meetings organised by the Group and about the events in which the Group is involved. Consequently, there are reports on the Summits of Chairmen, the European Affairs Network, and the Young Members Network and also on meetings such as Joint Parliamentary Meetings ( JPMs), Joint Committee Meetings ( JCMs), COSAC etc. Also, it has a section devoted especially to the announcement of upcoming and future events. Newsletter N° 19 January 2011 Newsletter N° 20 June 2011 Newsletter N° 21 October 2011
Special Newsletter on Joint Parliamentary Meetings (JPMs) In 2010, the Service launched a specially devised newsletter in order to enhance the effectiveness and delivery of information. The new newsletter tracks and electronically communicates the contributions of EPP members to all EPP affiliates and parliamentary groups as soon as possible. This way, the EPP input and the outcome of the JPM are disseminated in a short period of time to all members of parliamentary groups belonging to the European People’s Party. Special Newsletter JPM 13-14 April 2011
The Declaration which was adopted by the participants at the Summit, underlining the commitment of the Chairs of the EPP Parliamentary Groups to implementing the necessary reforms, with the aim of tackling the crisis in a short and effective manner, can be found at the end of the publication.
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On-line content In October 2010, the Service launched its newly designed web site, containing updated and relevant information on the activities of the Service for Relations with National Parliaments. The site gives details on the legal provisions surrounding inter-parliamentary cooperation in the EU. It also focuses on relations between the European Commission and national parliaments, as viewed by the EC in its annual reports. The outcome of the meetings organized by the Service and the input of the EPP Group members at events such as the JPMs, JCMs, COSAC etc. are constantly uploaded. Beatrice Scarascia-Mugnozza Ana Fernandez Perles Sebastian Kuck Cristian Dimitrescu Advisors
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SERVICE
6 > International Relations Service
Head of Service: Joanna Jarecka-Gomez
  Outlook of the activities of the Service in 2011 2011 - Between the continuity and change 2011 can be defined as a historical year in international relations. A tide of change has swept across North Africa and the Middle East. Through mass protests, decade-old dictatorships in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya melted away and the whole region shook from Morocco and Algeria to Bahrain and Yemen, making regimes tremble and the populations recover their hope for freedom. Most and foremost the revolutions in Northern Africa and the Middle East have had a fundamental impact on our relations with the region and have furthermore led to an adaptation of our policy towards these countries. During the last months the EPP has further intensified its international contacts through the work of the interparliamentary delegations which constitute an important tool of parliamentary diplomacy giving the possibility to engage with our counterparts all over the world to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation. While the new developments have certainly challenged the traditional way of politics and business around the globe, they have also provided new opportunities for an enhanced, more direct and more efficient dialogue. The activities of the interparliamentary delegations in which the members of our Group have been strongly involved, have been the reflection of the ongoing changes in the international scene by providing a forum for intensive debates, supportive gestures and constructive proposals to favour democratic changes.
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Similarly the crises of the global economy and euro area have had a lasting impact on international politics. Economic growth and development are the cornerstones of our prosperity and high quality of life in Europe. Efficient, economic governance at European level is essential for maintaining our growth and prosperity: In parallel this is also necessary for fostering international contacts to work together in order to overcome the challenges the global economy and the euro area are currently faced with. Once again the interparliamentary delegations have proven to be an excellent forum for discussion, in particular since they pool competent Members not only from the AFET, DEVE or INTA committees, but also from the whole area of expertise of the European Parliament. Thus, if one looks at the individual activities of the different interparliamentary delegations, one can clearly see an intensified level of contacts. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has certainly pushed the relevance of the delegations. However closer cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU delegations in third countries should further be enhanced. This year alone, through to the end of October over 50 missions of the interparliamentary delegations have taken place. This reflects on the high intensity and importance of the meetings of the interparliamentary delegations. During these missions our Group has been consistent in making a positive contribution to political developments around the world. Our active international presence has given us greater visibility and has helped to make the case for a stronger and more unified Europe. By seeking closer relationships with our partners around the world we continue to promote those values which are dear to us, such as democracy, human rights, individual freedom, media freedom and the social market economy. Since the onset of the Arab Spring our group has been actively supporting those striving for peace and democracy, condemning violence and calling for the respect of human rights. In this context, interparliamentary delegations, in close cooperation with the AFET committee, played an important role. Already in February four EPP members participated in an ad-hoc delegation to Tunisia. Later in February members attended the 6th EU-Oman IPM and the 4th EU-United Arab Emirates IPM. In April members attended the 6th EU-Jordan IPM and visited Israel and the West Bank. Later that month the first ever visit of a delegation to Iraq took place. During the same time an IPM with Morocco was held. In May three members attended the 36th EU-Israel IPM in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Arab Spring has of course had a particular impact on the Middle East peace process. Members made it clear that there is no alternative to a mediated two-state solution. Later on during the year, in the context of the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN General Assembly, Members made it clear that a unilateral declaration of statehood would not solve the difficult issues at hand. In October Members further lived up to their commitment to support democratic movements by sending a total of six EPP members to the Election Observation Mission to Tunisia. In early November two Members attended the EU-Algeria IPM in Algeria. The EPP Group has always been committed to fostering progress and reforms in its immediate neighbourhood. As such, in 2011 it has also closely followed developments in Turkey, in the Balkans, and its eastern neighbourhood, the Southern Caucasus. During numerous meetings members expressed the EPP’s ideals of democracy, respect for human rights and social market economy. The EPP has condemned shortcomings, such as the court trial against Yulia Tymoshenko in Ukraine and
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the rigged elections in Belarus in December 2010. Furthermore, our Members tried to mediate in the still ongoing political crisis in Albania. While criticising wherever necessary, the EPP also welcomed progress where it was visible. Next to welcoming Serbia’s cooperation with the ICTY, the EPP Group strongly welcomed the conclusion of accession negotiations with Croatia in June. Given current global challenges our Group continued to foster cooperation with our traditional ally, the United States of America and other strategic partners (BRICS countries). A number of important meetings with our American counterparts took place in 2011. The highlight certainly was the 70th Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue (TLD) which was held in Budapest from 29 June until 1 July. Next to discussing the current state of the economy and financial markets on both sides of the Atlantic, the meeting tried to analyse ways to promote economic growth, reduce budget deficits and create new jobs. Progressively eliminating non-tariff barriers was identified as an essential means to achieve these goals, and Members of both sides emphasised the need to make optimal use of the TEC (Transatlantic Economic Council) including regular consultations with our legislative bodies. As regards foreign affairs all Members of the TLD condemned the violence against the population in Libya and Syria. They emphasised the importance of the US and EU sanctions’ regimes against Syria and Iran, and reaffirmed the need for strict oversight and enforcement mechanisms in order to ensure the effectiveness of these measures. Furthermore, Members also discussed the political and human rights situation in Cuba, Belarus and China, as well as ways to overcome the threat of terrorism. Regarding our relations with Russia, the EP delegation also had a variety of meetings in 2011. Next to a working group meeting in Astrakhan in April, two PCCs took place in Sochi in May and the last, 14th EU-Russia in September in Warsaw at the initiative of Polish Presidency. Among other matters, the special status of the Kaliningrad region, energy issues and the EU visa policy were discussed. Given the forthcoming presidential elections for which current Prime Minister Putin will stand as a candidate, the delegation will continue to follow closely the complex political and socioeconomic developments in Russia. Another region in which the EPP has been very active in 2011 is Latin America. Traditionally, the EPP values relations with Latin American countries very highly, and is strongly committed to progress and development on this continent. In the context of interparliamentary delegations, in 2011 the Eurolat Parliamentary Assembly stands out as an extremely active and productive forum of interparliamentary contact. Major events have included the meeting of the assembly’s Executive Bureau and of the ‘EU-LAC Migration’ Working Group in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) on 28 and 29 April 2011, as well as the assembly’s Plenary Session, held in Montevideo (Uruguay) from 18 to 20 May 2011. A significant step forward in the bilateral relations is the establishment of the EU-LAC Foundation based in Hamburg, as an instrument to strengthen the Bi-regional Association, stimulate debate on the joint strategies and actions, and improve its visibility. With respect to trade and bilateral relations, two important agreements are now in process of translation, signature and adoption: a multi-party free trade agreement with Colombia and Peru and the EU-Central America Association Agreement. Negotiations for both had been concluded in May 2010 during the EU-LAC Summit. It is worth recalling the important interparliamentary meeting of the Delegation for relations with MERCOSUR countries which took place last April in Brazil, allowing for in-depth discussions on 331 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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different aspects of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement (being currently negotiated) involving many EU commercial exchanges with Latin American partners. Our group recently proposed the creation of a separate delegation for relations with Brazil given its economic weight and growing impact on global politics. Asia continues to be at the centre of our attention. Through the delegation for relations with ASEAN countries the EPP has been a driving force for closer and more intensified relations with our partners in this area. The Chair of the delegation travelled numerous times to the region in order to promote EU and EP relations. From a political point of view, the region has seen significant developments this year. The electoral success of Yingluck Shinawatra in Thailand, and the developments in Myanmar, where after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the parliamentary elections of November 2010, modest signs of reform are visible, have been high on the agenda. In terms of meetings, a key event was the attendance of an observer delegation from the EP of the 32nd ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Cambodia in September. Overall, meetings with our Asian counterparts featured strongly on the agenda of the interparliamentary delegations. During a variety of meetings with politicians from China, the EPP tried to foster relations and convey the message that with more global importance, also more global responsibility must be carried by China. During the 32nd IPM which took place in Beijing in September, Members further stressed the potential for cooperation and highlighted the need to find common answers to the global challenges that both China and the EU are faced with. This year we witnessed a tragic event which occurred in Japan. The earthquake of 11 March, and the nuclear disaster it led to, had a devastating impact on Japan and its population. While the earthquake and resulting tsunami have led to the deaths of about 16 000 people, the results of the nuclear disaster will be felt for decades to come. During this hard time, the EPP Group has sent a strong message of solidarity and partnership to its Japanese friends. EPP members conveyed this message during the 32nd EU-Japan IPM which took place in May in Tokyo.
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Relations with Africa also continue to be at the heart of the EPP’s agenda. One highlight certainly was the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly which took place in May in Budapest. The EPP members were actively involved in the adoption of a number of key documents which concerned issues like: challenges for the future of democracy and respecting constitutional order in ACP and EU countries, budgetary support as a means of delivering Official Development Assistance (ODA) in ACP countries, water pollution, and the situation in Ivory Coast. The EPP contributed significantly to the solution of the conflict in Ivory Coast where after a period of disputes and violence, finally the winner of the democratic elections was able to assume his position. Furthermore, EPP members were strongly involved in the peaceful declaration of the South Sudanese state in July. In conclusion, in a year which was marked on the one hand by continuity and, on the other by historical breakthrough in our southern neighbourhood, the EPP Group has worked hard to guide developments in the right direction by advocating values, and promoting democracy as well as economic and social progress. Through the tools of the interparliamentary delegations the EPP has been present all over the world using its diplomatic capacities, showing genuine commitment to respond to existing challenges in a period of deep economic crisis and political uncertainty and thus assuming with success its role of the driving political force in Europe. Joanna Jarecka-Gomez Head of the International Relations Service
Relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) were further deepened during the 14th IPM which was held in Brussels in January. The main items of discussion were the economic developments in the EU and Korea; perspectives for the ratification of the EU-Korea FTA which entered into force on 1st of July 2011, the geo-strategic situation on the Korean Peninsula and further development of the EU-Korea Strategic Partnership. From 28 October to 5 November 2011 the 3rd IPM EU-DPRK (North Korea) and the 15th IPM EU-ROK took place. These meetings were followed by the 1st meeting of the EU-Korea Leaders Forum. The Leaders Forum, which was initiated by the Chairman of the Delegation, is aimed at assessing the impact of the EU-ROK Free Trade Agreement and explores how it can lead to broader and deeper cooperation of mutual benefits in political, economic and social spheres. Another region which saw an intensified dialogue with the EU was Central Asia. Given its large natural resources and its strategic location between Russia and China, the region has a lot of potential for enhanced economic cooperation with the EU. Next to meetings in Brussels with representatives from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, the delegation held meetings in Turkmenistan, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan providing our Members with the opportunity to discuss with their counterparts necessary political and economic reforms and human rights issues. 332 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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Arab Spring: Challenges and prospects 2011 has been marked by the massive popular uprisings since December 2010 in several countries of the Arab world and subsequent events in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria and a number of other countries. This situation has called for rapid political responses from those members of the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP) who are part of the interparliamentary delegations covering the Mashreq and Maghreb countries, together with a great deal of thought about ways of redefining European policy towards our Southern Mediterranean neighbours. The European Union (EU) has a heavy responsibility towards these countries for geographical, historical and political reasons. The EU has earmarked funding of EUR 11.9 billion to the Euromed countries for the period 2007-13, making it the region’s main donor, and as such it has a major role to play in helping these countries to meet the challenges that face them and offering them new prospects in the form of a partnership for democracy and a shared prosperity. The new democracies face a number of challenges, for example the return to the political scene of faith-based parties that were formerly banned (such as Ennahda, which won the recent elections in Tunisia on 23 October 2011) or marginalised by authoritarian regimes. While part of the population saw these revolutions as opening the way to greater freedoms (of expression, of the press, of religious worship), others hoped that the demise of the dictators would lead to the installation of Islamic states based on Sharia law. Another major issue which the new governments must address is that of the economy. In addition to restrictions on their freedom, one of the most deep-rooted causes of the protests and the persistence shown by the demonstrators is the financial hardship which much of the population had endured for years, made worse by the economic crisis. The economies of Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria are not the same, but something common to all of them is the scale of youth unemployment. In Tunisia one young person in five is unemployed, and in Egypt it is one in four. On top of these economic and social disparities, there are also regional disparities. An effective policy is therefore needed to narrow the disparities in wealth, and thus the inequalities, that exist between the various regions. The example of Tunisia is very instructive here: it has a highly developed coastline, with tourism and a dynamic business climate, while the centre of the country is poor and rural.
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As a firm defender of the values it holds dear – the rule of law, democracy and human rights – the EPP Group has worked throughout 2011 to help these countries cope with their various challenges. The Group has urged the EU to support electoral processes and reforms, without imposing readymade solutions, in order to offer new prospects. Where Islamic political parties have taken power the EU must accept this with an open mind but without being naive. Ennahda’s victory in the Tunisian elections, which were praised by all international observers as exemplary, must not therefore sully the picture of the country’s elections. The EPP Group has begun a debate on these political alliances in the Mediterranean region, based on a Mediterranean Charter of Values currently being drafted under the leadership of the Chairman of the EPP’s foreign affairs working group, Ioannis Kasoulides. The EPP’s Euromed working group, headed by Group Vice-Chair Vito Bonsignore, has done substantial work in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) and has worked to establish closer ties with members of parliament and politicians in the Euromed countries with a view to establishing collaborative networks with those who share our Group’s values. As a result, just as Turkey’s Justice and Development Party, the AKP, has emerged as a democratic Islamist party with which the EPP Group can do business, a cooperation agreement was signed in 2010 between the parliamentary groups of Morocco’s Istiqlal party and the EPP Group. This should further intensify trans-Mediterranean political dialogue, which the Group fully supports as part of a fresh outlook for the EU’s neighbourhood policy. The EPP Group includes among the values mentioned above the respect shown by its sister parties for freedom of conscience, women’s rights and efforts to ensure that the neighbourhood policy is incorporated into the political and economic life of society. Reshaping of the neighbourhood policy must lay the foundations for a new relationship between the countries to the north and south of the Mediterranean and, as we have seen, this does not just require more intensive political dialogue but also an increase in and redirection of European aid to assist the most ambitious countries in their transition towards democracy. It is these processes and their economic and social spin-offs which will secure greater stability for the region. Consequently the EU must use its financial instruments to better effect. In 2011, in its discussion of the budget for 2012, the EPP Group argued for an increase in the budget line for external relations of EUR 55 million more than the Commission’s proposal and nearly EUR 259 million more than the Council wanted, in order to fund special efforts under the neighbourhood policy. Account must also be taken of these factors in negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-20.
Some reduction of national control over the economies in the Southern Mediterranean is also needed in order to create a network of small and medium-sized enterprises which will build and encourage a decentralised private-sector economy. This trend must be accompanied by the adoption of a legislative framework that will foster a climate favourable to business and likely to attract direct foreign investment (independent judiciary and resistance to corruption, money-laundering and drugs trafficking).
The financial question nevertheless concerns more than just the money. EU aid must be given in a more coherent and better coordinated fashion if we are to fill the gaps in our support for the transition towards democracy made apparent by the Arab Spring. These countries also need to revitalise the process of regional integration.
A fresh boost also needs to be given to the vital tourist industry where, in Tunisia, for example, earnings for the first quarter of 2011 are down by 45%.
The EPP Group is strongly in favour of greater South-South integration as a way of boosting trade and creating an area of prosperity and growth. The Agadir Agreement of 2004, establishing a free trade area whose members to date are Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Palestine, is a fine
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example of this. The Commissioner with responsibility for international trade has announced his intention to obtain a mandate from the Council to open talks on free trade agreements with those countries that are farthest along the transition path (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia). During 2011 members of the EPP Group have often deplored the low profile of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and pointed to the dangers to the EU of having no European defence force to give it credibility on the world stage. The Arab uprisings have therefore highlighted a number of challenges which the newly elected governments will have to address. In this they will have the support of the EU and of other structures such as the PA-UfM. Prospects for the economic and social development of this region should also enable the EU to resolve some of its own problems, easing the pressure of migration by making the southern borders of the Sahel countries more secure (inclusive approach to issues of immigration in Europe and security in the Sahel) and securing energy supplies. Members of the EPP Group have worked very hard in the interparliamentary delegations for relations with the countries of the Maghreb and the Arab Maghreb Union (including Libya) and with the Mashreq countries. Political dialogue has been maintained throughout the year by these members’ participation in visits to the countries covered by these delegations. During 2011 there were meetings in Jordan (26-30 April), Morocco (16-20 May) during the second meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, and Algeria (2-5 November). EPP Group members of these delegations also attended interparliamentary meetings held during the year in Brussels on the situation in Mauritania, with Libya’s National Transitional Council, and the Lebanese parliament, on 11 October 2011. Jorge Soutullo Thierry Masson Advisors
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Relations between the EU and BRICS: Towards a global partnership? The BRICS: foreign policy, trade and economic issues Brazil, Russia, India and China, since 2001, and later together with South Africa, have been grouped in the acronym BRICS (initially, then, the first four countries simply as BRIC) to describe the world’s largest developing economies. The BRICS show many common features (big land size, large population, fast economic growth, presence in the UN Security Council, support of a multi-polar system, where global leadership is constantly and increasingly shared amongst several countries and regional blocks of countries, etc.) entailing thus, an increased relevance of these countries in foreign policy terms. Nevertheless they show important differences as well, due to their different models of political and economic development. Different opinions vis-à-vis the BRICS and the way we want to consider them are part of the EU policy towards those countries. The EU has not so far formally recognized the BRICS as a group; the BRICS countries have not even formed any common institution. The BRICS are, for some political Leaders, a loose grouping which enjoys banding together to demonstrate the rise of the emerging powers vis-à-vis the United States of America and Europe. According to them, their many disparities and policy differences mean that there is little prospect of the BRICS developing into a coherent body in terms of political, security or economic issues. The EU actually considers that in addition to a systemic and coordinated approach the EU should continue its engagement with the BRICS countries also on a bilateral basis, which will allow for building up economies of scale through partnerships and contributing to the consolidation of a multi-polar order with a political and economic balance between emerged and emerging economies. The European Union has strategic partnerships with the BRICS countries, and is currently negotiating new comprehensive agreements with Russia, India and China. The European Union and its Member States will continue, for the moment, to focus on bilateral relations with the BRICS countries approaching them as a network of countries that have weight on political and economic governance. The EU nevertheless has to consolidate its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in order to be able to enhance its ability to discuss and engage the BRICS on global governance, strategic cooperation and problem solving on issues of mutual concern. Furthermore, the emergence of the BRICS as major exporters on international markets is one of the driving forces behind the industrialised countries’ loss of global market shares. China e.g. has clearly become the most serious challenge to the EU’s industrial competitiveness, but at the same time, the BRICS also provide formidable opportunities for exports.
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A decade of rapid growth is not enough for BRIC+South Africa, BRICS, to seize the baton of global economic leadership from the United States of America and Europe. The grouping, or some of them, may have astonished the world with their progress over the past years. It will require however a qualitative improvement as well as more growth to consolidate that shift of power. The economic figures of the 5 BRICS countries are very impressive; their populations collectively represent about 42% of the world population and their combined GDP nearly a fifth of the world’s total. It is estimated that in less than two decades, the combined GDP of BRICS may surpass that of the G7. Furthermore thanks to a strong domestic demand fostered by the rise of the middle class, inter alia, they represent a major driver of global consumption. Comparatively their contribution to global growth is up to 30% whereas the share of the G7 countries is 40%. GDP growth forecasts for their economies will position them at a high place with a rate close to 8% while the G7 real GDP growth is estimated not to surpass a meagre 2.5%. As emerging countries they are furthermore the largest energy consumers and producers. This forecast is giving them a major role in shaping the new economic international order as well as a greater responsibility in economic and financial world affairs. Therefore the self declared overall goal of the BRICS group is to re-define the rules of the international game and play a major role in international economic organisations and really become the representatives of emerging countries in the G20 and the WTO where they have closely defined a joint strategy opposing the requests and the vision of the advanced countries, which is provoking a serious deadlock in these negotiations. Conscious of their role and their economic force, the reform of the global economic system has been a priority during the different BRICS summits. Therefore, also from a trade perspective, the BRICS represent a group of emerged/emerging countries which are joining their forces to carry more weight on the world scenario. This however does not automatically grant the group any cohesion or coherence in terms of economic interests in their worldwide relations. If we look at their economic structures they appear as complementary. China and India are global suppliers of manufactured goods and services and Brazil, Russia and South Africa on a lower scale are global suppliers of raw materials. Furthermore the economic structure of these countries appears to be really different. By reducing poverty and disparities Brazil is quickly advancing towards the status of a fully emerged country. However, it still has a very low Trade to GDP Ratio (19%), as compared to that of the other countries (the other four are above 40%). India on the other side continues to be characterised by huge social differences and is the only lower middle income country in the group. In terms of GDP, China’s industrial output makes up 49% of its GDP, while agriculture still accounts for 19% of India’s GDP. In this light one must also mention that Russia has recovered in the past decade 45% of its GDP decline during the 1990s.
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South Africa, despite a structure of middle income country has bad social indicators with a life expectancy of 52 years and more than 40% of the population living below the poverty line. Furthermore, the country is one of the first in terms of income inequality. These few and general indicators show the internal discrepancies existing among these countries which are creating a joint front at an international level but have to pursue policies which cannot exactly go in the same direction. In the near future and in particular in reaction to the current international challenges the capacity of these countries to further coordinate their strategies and their policies will become clearer. Whatever this integration of BRICS countries will be, the European Union must take into consideration the new economic role of BRICS in the world and adapt its strategy to the new international economic and financial framework. If we look at the statistics, one element clearly emerges in trade relations between the EU and BRICS: the trade deficit from the EU side with four of the 5 BRICS countries. Indeed the deficit with South Africa is very low: it was 250 billion in 2008 and 240 billion in 2010 (trade on goods). The EU has a surplus of 18 billion (2010) in trade on services. Deficit in goods is mainly determined by imports of manufactured and transport equipment from China, textile and clothing from India, fuel and mining products from Russia, and agricultural and mining products from Brazil. Therefore the EU apparently has a huge trade deficit with countries which are growing very fast. This should lead the EU to rethink and reshape its trade policy in order to benefit more from the opportunities offered by this huge growth. The EU is negotiating free trade agreements with 2 BRICS countries, Brazil (within the EU -MERCOSUR Association Agreement) and India and, although the relevant negotiations do not seem to be the easiest, these agreements, if concluded, could considerably increase our access to these two markets. However in a more general way the EU strategy should focus on creating the necessary conditions to permit our companies, most of them SMEs, to have a better access to the market of the BRICS countries where most of world’s economic growth is concentrated and help them to adapt their products or parts to the characteristics of these markets. In the end a combination of different policies, aiming at adopting a strategy which takes into account the challenges and the opportunities for the EU Industry on these markets, is necessary for the EU entering into constructive and future orientated relations with the BRICS countries. Giuseppe Luigi Mazza and Pier Rizza Advisors
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Croatia: Sprint
countries in the region. Strict conditionality with Croatia sends a signal to other EU aspirants that reforms do pay off, while convincing citizens in the Member States that a country can only become an EU Member once it is completely ready.
Croatia - end of the road travelled for six years
As an important message for the European public, the EU will continue to closely follow developments in Croatia until accession in order to ensure sustainability of reforms. In several key areas, Croatia is expected to continue work on implementing EU standards up to the accession date set for 1 July 2013. No post-accession monitoring is foreseen.
The conclusion of Croatian EU accession negotiations in June 2011 marked the end of a six-year long process which has seen Croatia transformed into a country ready to accept the burdens of EU membership. For Croatia, they were six long years, but very much rewarded as reforms have brought benefits to the country. In 2011, enlargement was high on the agenda for the Hungarian Presidency which gave enormous support, together with other EU Member States, to the conclusion of Croatian Accession negotiations before the end of its term of office. It is high on the agenda of the current Polish Presidency, which has finalised the Croatian Accession Treaty and which will be hosting the ceremony of Treaty signing. Both these countries are led by EPP Governments, as is Croatia, which testifies to the importance that our political family attaches to EU enlargement.
Lada Jurica Advisor
Looking back on the work of the EU-Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee ( JPC) during the last six years, it would be a fair assessment to say that the Committee was very successful in pushing the process forward and providing important political backing at several key stages of the process. In this regard, the consistent engagement of the EPP Group in formulating the European Parliament’s position towards Croatia has been invaluable. This engagement was reflected in both meetings of the JPC that took place in 2011. The JPC comprises members from both the European Parliament and the Hrvatski Sabor (Croatian Parliament). It is co-chaired by Gunnar Hökmark MEP (SE), Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group, from the side of the European Parliament, and Marija Pejčinović Burić (EPP, HDZ), from the side of the Croatian Parliament. The Committee meets twice a year in order to evaluate the state of play in EU-Croatia relations and to take regular note of developments in Croatia. The road that Croatia travelled has been in many ways unlike that of its predecessors. After the historic 2004 enlargement and its symbolic narrative of reunification of a divided continent, the reunification arguments started fading and the general mood surrounding enlargement became more conflicted. The policy of enlargement, the EU’s most successful policy, needed to be placed on new footing. In order for it to remain an important tool for democratisation, its credibility needed to be reinforced through strict compliance with EU membership criteria. In this context the Croatian case has been very important. The conclusion of Croatian EU accession negotiations has given new impetus to the enlargement process. Croatia has inaugurated a new model of enlargement that will be followed by the rest. In political terms, the new model meant enlargement was no longer a shared responsibility as it had been in 2004. Now the ‘burden of proof ’ had shifted squarely onto the candidate country and Croatia was regarded as the first to set an example for others to follow. The Croatian case is crucial for the future of the enlargement process because it makes enlargement more tangible for other
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The Arab Peninsula Countries
Yemen
Oman
The Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula continues to view events in Yemen with extreme concern, following weeks of violence and turmoil that have inflicted substantial suffering on the Yemeni people.
A delegation of 8 members of the European Parliament led by the chairwoman Ms Angelika NIEBLER (EPP) and with the participation of Members Ms Tokïa SAIFI and Mr Paul RÜBIG from the EPP visited Oman for 3 days from 20 to 22 February 2011. The Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula noted important progress in many fields, a result of the consistent and step-by-step reform policies carried out by the Omani Government. In preparing a solid basis for the country’s sustainable development, Oman is investing heavily in the development of human resources, education of its young people, improvement of the health sector, protection of the environment and diversification of the economy. The MEPs, in particular the EPP Members, noted with great interest that education and development of human resources are national priorities in Oman. Investment in students and research is an investment in the future of the country. The delegation sees a great potential in deeper cooperation between Oman and the European Union in the fields of higher education, vocational training and scientific research. It expressed its wish to develop concrete research partnerships, and joint projects for the further exchange of students and faculty members between Oman and the EU. Oman is an active participant in the EU’s Erasmus Mundus programme which aims to facilitate student exchange and the access of women to the private sector. The MEPs also welcomed the fact that the Omani government places environmental protection and climate change high on its agenda. Furthermore, the Members noted the active and constructive role of Oman in regional integration in the Arab Peninsula within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its mediating and stabilising position in the volatile Gulf region. About the EU-GCC relations, the members supported a prompt conclusion of the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, but at the same time they are convinced that the EU should develop a more ambitious policy, a strategic partnership with the GCC countries and devote more resources to the region e.g. by opening new diplomatic missions in the GCC countries to help raise the profile of the EU, to facilitate political dialogue and to make the Union’s actions more effective and visible in a wide range of fields such as higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, sustainable management of resources and renewable energies. Particular attention, during the meeting, was given by the MEPs to the issues regarding the democratic movement in Oman and labour rights: the situation and the role of the women in Oman, the freedom of assembly, women facing legal discrimination under Oman’s personal status law which govern matters such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, and child custody; the rate of participation of women in the private sector, the status of migrant workers, and the rights of the Child.
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During several meetings in the presence of the representatives of the Yemeni government, the EPP Members of the Delegation expressed their solidarity with the people of Yemen, welcomed their aspirations for democratic change in the country and supported the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council in as much as they are directed at finding a negotiated solution in the framework of a more inclusive political system geared towards poverty alleviation and improved living conditions for the majority of the population. The EPP Members, in the Resolution, adopted by the Parliament, on 6 July 2011, condemned the recent armed attacks, in particular the one of 3 June on the Presidential compound and urges all parties to cease hostilities, respect international human rights standards and abide by a permanent ceasefire, throughout the country. They underlined that violence cannot resolve the issues that confront Yemen, applauded the largely peaceful nature of the protests, reiterated its call on the security forces to refrain from using disproportionate force and urged the authorities to inquire into the deaths and injuries of demonstrators and political prisoners, to bring those who committed the crimes to justice and to compensate the victims and their families. The European Parliament stressed, in the same resolution, that Yemen had been a country in crisis long before the “Arab spring” revolts started; it expresses its grave concern over the level of poverty and unemployment and believes that only a regional and international initiative of massive and coordinated aid could achieve increased government control over criminal and terrorist elements and bring the much needed economic and social development, including enhanced rights for women. For this reason, it calls on the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council to make a particular effort in the form of financial and technical support as soon as President Saleh is ready to give way to a democratically established government and insists that the delivery on the ground of the pledges from the donor conference 2006 have to be sped up; it welcomes in this context the recent Saudi oil deliveries to Yemen and urges that urges that debt cancellation or rescheduling of foreign debt be considered after substantial democratic reforms. During the last meeting of the DARP delegation, the EPP members called on the acting president, Abd Rabbu Mansour al-Hadi, to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to completely abolishing the death penalty. The Members also underlined that beyond the immediate crisis, the EU needs to put in place its declared comprehensive approach to Yemen by identifying medium to long-term assistance including in the sensitive areas of political reform, rule of law and security sector reform. Naturally this must be done in close coordination with existing Union and Member State policies, programmes and projects taking due account of the extremely volatile situation in the country.
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The European Union has reiterated throughout the period of turmoil and instability Yemen has gone through already before the popular uprising this year its readiness to accompany and support it on the difficult path of transition and reform. The time has come to move to concrete action and “to explore all available options” as mentioned in the Council conclusions, before the country falls definitively into the abyss of disintegration and terrorist activity.
Bahrain The Arab Spring reached Bahrain in February this year, inspiring pro-democracy activists to resume the battle for the results of the 2001 referendum that they consider were stolen from them. These protests were by no means a novelty but rather “entrenched” in the Bahraini political culture. The country’s Shi’a majority is active and organised in various political parties, associations and trade unions. Regarding these tragic events, the EU Council has reiterated on several occasions its serious concern at the situation in Bahrain, and called for rapid and meaningful dialogue with a view to bringing about reforms which offer real prospects for successfully addressing the country’s challenges and the legitimate concerns of all. For Bahraini people, however, like other international powers, apart from Iran, the Council fell short of condemning the Bahraini government for using excessive violence against protesters. On death sentences against protestors, HR/VP Ashton stated that she was deeply concerned about the imminent risk of execution of four Bahraini nationals sentenced to death by a military court.
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The Members underlined that the international community let the Bahraini pro-democracy movement down this spring, and that to deceive them a second time this summer would not only be morally wrong but might have hazardous consequences for Bahrain, the neighbouring monarchies and the wider region. A structured, genuine, inclusive and transparent national dialogue has to start as scheduled and it needs to be carried out candidly. The European Union and the US are now expected to stand up to their promises they have made all along the Arab Spring in calling for and supporting this negotiated political process in Bahrain. Channels of communication should be kept open to the Bahraini government and to the representatives of Bahraini civil society.
Saudi Arabia A delegation of the European Parliament led by the chairwoman Ms Angelika NIEBLER (EPP Group) and with the participation of Members Ms Tokïa SAIFI and Mr Paul RÜBIG from the EPP Group visited Saudi Arabia for 3 days from 25 to 29 November 2011 The main issues raised during the different meeting included: energy supply and the investments made by the Saudi government in relation to alternative energy sources; the financial crises; the state of play with the Agreement for a Free Trade Area between the EU and the GCC; the situation of women in society and developments in relation to the respect of human rights. Mauro Belardinelli Advisor
In its resolution of 6 July 2011, the European Parliament used stronger terms and condemned the violence, calling for the Bahraini authorities to respect their human rights commitments, and demanding independent investigations into the attacks against protestors. The EPP Group expressed, in the mentioned resolution, its grave concern over the harsh sentences against Bahrainis who have been arrested in the context of the pro-democracy demonstrations under unfair procedures in front of military tribunals and called for the immediate release of all those who are solely held on the basis of having exercised their right to free expression and urges the Bahraini authorities to set up an independent investigation into the allegations of torture. The Members of the DARP delegation, during the meetings in the presence of the representatives of the Bahraini government, said that to sum up, serious and concrete confidence-building measures are necessary: the prosecution of participants in peaceful protests should cease immediately, all political prisoners should be released unconditionally and the fundamental freedoms, including the pluralism in the media and the freedom of assembly should be restored and respected.
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Press and Communications S er vice
7 > Press and Communications Service
PRESS AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE Head of Service: Robert Fitzhenry
The Press and Communications Service of the EPP Group makes a continuous effort to reach the various audiences interested in news from its MEPs and the EPP Group’s political messages. This involves offering the right mix of communication tools, which are in constant evolution in a rapidly changing media environment. Speed, accuracy and political relevance are also of great importance in making the voice of the EPP Group and its MEPs heard in a competitive market such as Brussels. Below is an overview of the work done over the course of 2011 to make sure these goals were met.
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Press and Communications S er vice
Communication strategy and planning Coordination and planning are key for the EPP Group’s Press and Communications Service. These are essential to ensure that on the most important legislative issues a clear message is brought to journalists (and other interested parties) as quickly as possible. The success of any communication policy in the “Brussels bubble” depends on momentum and consistency. Over the course of 2011, a smoother information flow between the Press and Communications Service and staff working on legislative dossiers in the parliamentary committees was achieved. Inside the Service, coordination between the different communication channels was improved, thus multiplying the number of platforms for EPP Group messages. A more coherent publication policy for EPP Group messages was developed throughout the year. Nearly all the issues announced to the media in the EPP Group’s weekly “Highlights”, were followed up by a press release or other multimedia material. The more important issues were simultaneously covered by the Group’s web TV, internet site, photo service and social media feeds, increasing the reach of our message. The Press and Communications Service makes a continuous effort to improve its long-term planning, in order to meet its promise to be Europe’s ‘driving force’. The principle ‘less is more’ (i.e. fewer topics, but available on all platforms), better targeting of messages and a more efficient use of social media are the main guiding principles. The focus is on providing politically relevant rather than technical information. In 2011 the impact of the economic crisis on the media was strongly felt. Fewer journalists travelled to attend Strasbourg plenary sessions and reduced staffing at news desks meant close competition between the Parliament and other EU institutions and NATO for media attention.
Press and Communications S er vice
Internet and New Media Website In 2011, following studies carried out both internally and externally to assess the needs of the Group’s audiences, a major overhaul of the website was embarked upon. It aims to widen the reach of the EPP Group’s communications by increasing focus on thematic content and offering users a greater choice on what content they wish to receive. The new site contains topic pages that can be picked up in topic-specific searches by those looking for information on a particular issue. The new site also displays relevant news aggregated from third-party sources. These include newspapers, blogs and other relevant content from various social media platforms. The social media content of the Group and its Members has also been brought to the website, and it is possible for users to comment via their existing social media accounts. The existing website of the EPP Group gathers approximately 30 - 40 000 unique monthly visitors, and is mainly targeted at journalists, lobbyists and other Brussels-based audiences. The new website will make it easier for less specialised audiences to find easy-to-digest information on topics of interest to them.
Social Media The Press and Communications Service of the EPP Group continued to expand its activities on social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr. The Facebook and Twitter accounts of the EPP Group are its most successful social media accounts. Both focus mainly on content that has been published on the website (In Focus articles, press releases and videos). Over the course of the year substantial efforts were made to attract more visitors and to promote interaction with visitors. The addition of two new staff members to the Internet and New Media team will enable the Group to invest in campaigning in social media. The Group is also in the process of identifying social media monitoring tools. A social media strategy, guidelines for social media and staff trainings should enable and encourage all EPP Group staff members, MEPs and assistants to understand the importance of social media and take an active part in communicating directly with the public.
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Press and Communications S er vice
EPP Group TV EPP TV, the EPP Group’s web TV platform, has a double goal of, on the one hand, promoting the messages and achievements of the EPP Group to a general audience and, on the other hand, offering material to media professionals (footage, interviews and quotes). Edited news programmes, available on the TV website and also on relevant pages of the Group’s main website, aim at explaining in an easily understandable way the decisions made by the European Parliament and the role of the EPP Group in the decision-making progress, as well as the impact EU law has on citizens’ lives. In partnership with Blastmedia, EPP TV also offers raw material for download in broadcast quality on a platform for media professionals. In 2011 the web TV team developed a new EPP Group video, presenting the legislative procedure and workings of the EPP Group in layman’s language. This video was co-presented by Mairead Mc Guinness MEP (EPP, IE) and Ivo Belet MEP (EPP, BE) and was used at the European Parliament’s Open Day event as well as for the EPP Group’s Meet Your MEP Programme. The Web TV team also offers a recording and editing service to EPP Group MEPs in its fullyequipped professional TV studio.
Promotional Material/VIP Gadgets EPP Group promotional material is available to all EPP Group Members for distribution to visitor groups. In addition, promotional material is sent to the annual party conference of each EPP Member Party and a twice-yearly distribution is made to the EPP Group external offices in the Member States. Promotional material is also distributed at the Open Days, the EPP European evening and other events in which the EPP Group participates. As a principle, the EPP Group uses renewable material and European production for its promotional material. Suppliers are required to give detailed certification that all material complies with Employment and Environmental Directives.
Group Publications To ensure the consistency of all EPP Group Publications, in May 2011 a specific Publications Team was created as part of the EPP Press and Communications Service, regrouping colleagues from other Services within the EPP Group. This team is in charge of planning, coordination, design, translation, distribution & stock management on behalf of all the Group’s Services.
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Press and Communications S er vice
The goal is to ensure an efficient production process, a consistent message and compliance with the Group’s priorities and a correct use of the Group’s visual identity, while preserving the variety of publications produced by the EPP Group. For that reason, the publications team carries out systematic language and content checks. A new graphic charter, developed in 2011, should further enhance the correct use of the Group’s visual identity. To ensure publications are easy to find, download and share, plans for a new webpage were developed.
Meet your MEP Programme The EPP Group’s Meet your MEP Programme, operational since April 2010, aims at publicising the activities of MEPs and the EPP Group as a whole. The target groups are regional journalists and young people (between 15 and 35 years), who are invited to either Brussels or Strasbourg, to meet with an MEP of the EPP Group and find out more about the workings of the European Parliament and other institutions. A permanent Meet Your MEP team manages the Programme and was reinforced by another assistant in 2011 to have a team of 3 people. In cooperation with the IT Unit, a new online application was developed to ensure a smoother organization of visits. Occasionally, the Meet Your MEP team works with an external travel agency, selected via a public tender.
Open Days 2011 The European Parliament opened its doors to visitors on Saturday 7 May 2011 in Brussels and Sunday 8 May 2011 in Strasbourg. The EPP Group had interactive stands in both locations to present itself and its priorities. Drawing on past experience, it was decided to limit the number of gadgets and provide insight into the workings of the EPP Group via targeted publications and interactive stands. The concept of the publications was changed so as to explain the EPP Group’s achievements in an easily understandable manner. A separate kids’ corner was built to give children and their parents a chance to find out more about the EPP Group’s activities and achievements. All communications made use of the EPP Group Open Day mascot. In Strasbourg, a new element was added to the EPP Group stand to promote the Facebook page of the EPP Group Chairman. The event was tweeted and pictures of the event were uploaded on Facebook throughout the weekend.
351 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Publications in 2011
PUBLICATIONS IN 2011
8 > Publications   in 2011
As in previous years, in 2011 the EPP Group produced a wide variety of publications to keep its various stakeholders informed.
353 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Publications in 2011
Publications in 2011
Books *
> The Reunification of Europe in Slovenian (November 2011) The Reunification of Europe in Polish (March 2011) The original English version of the book was published in 2009. It was requested by 10 national Delegations of the Group. In 2010 the book was produced in French, German, and Romanian versions. > Book on Alcide De Gasperi Christian, Democrat, European (EN, FR, DE, IT, ES) (March 2011)
EPP Group in the European Parliament
Brochures * > Brochure on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (EN, FR, DE, IT) ( July 2011)
YB_2010_cover.indd 1
Published by: Editor: Head of Service:
EPP Group in the European Parliament Presidency Service - Publications Antoine RIPOLL, Deputy Secretary General
Coordinator:
Angela Kaladjis angela.kaladjis@europarl.europa.eu
Internet:
http://www.eppgroup.eu
Photos:
Martin Lahousse
©:
EPP Group in the European Parliament, 2010
YEARBOOK OF THE EPP GROUP
> Yearbook 2010 + CD-ROM with all publications in 2010 (EN, FR, DE) (March 2011)
2010
2010
YEARBOOK OF THE EPP GROUP
I N T H E E U R O P E A N PA R L I A M E N T
EPP Group in the European Parliament
EN, FR, DE
PL
17/01/11 15:03
> Brochure on the EPP Group Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue (EN) Activity Report 2010 ( July 2011) > EPP Group Presentation leaflet with the map of the enlarged Europe (EN, FR, DE, IT, PL, ES, ROM, NL)
Alfredo Canavero
ALCIDE DE GASPERI C H R I S T I A N, D E M O C R AT, E U R O P E A N
EPP Group in the European Parliament
*
Produced by the Presidency Service of the Group
354 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
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EN, FR, DE, IT, ES
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355 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Pub cat ons n 2011
Pub cat ons n 2011
van sidium
e Het pr
CHARTER O F F U N DA M E N TA L R I G H T S OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
-Fractie de EVP
Brochures
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O S ivi DE kg.as y por n-Je en ter atePa zusätzlich tariorzitGener napresie Eurteropäische retär der EVP la die organi Ldirett ooi,tsGrupu parlam er rk Eur ria n)Grupa hmNe ean buitenl grtaţ Wentari seEgli „Fraktprzedstawiane Unia dla Śródziemnomorza, op twe nation Joseph Daul Ma ru „Aface Europ id en de del PPE de pu ie Frac tie ersrol bij de e , Partit es Eur dervoo ja met deale e de eo luc parla de . he są Grupie, która decyduje o stanowisku, jakie Grupo o Fra se rzit iss ion de ul Mit o On n memb ern Popol de a del Grupo gli de entari l nome Par m el a kti eg voo ilig glie ent ein ri are extprogramma Grupa EPL, w której asesor skład 265 itiche posłów, stanowi pu kk as en eaz Ore laments sin polític del der d je zeh o parlam on wiede Parlam er eo Grupp ă:ve ceriwchodzi egia EUROMED yor kingen ento europ Gru Przewodniczący On groting nationale ropdiscus htenThink rrew el trabaj representad o r Eu > r Nonch > Com nelle inan e Madel Die coord ing iao comité Avândve265 Betrek din Parlam G che al Parlam voortre urm rk-tank nrec missie un memb d omLauluestrat EVP Jaim ihr roep "Be eidn propio sioni pentru afa n DeWe ma przyjąć naäis posiedzeniu plenarnym Parlamentu Europejskiego. n Volkspa ené alt " Abgeordn we rilepolityczną rkgatio -Fra entoo que cum ro Othmar Karas posee n del entenper actie coopt s de trabaj ensesu Odpowiedzialny za tymczasową leg eo teparlemato ptu europ p politic mis najliczniejszą grupę Parlamencie coord bcom JVIN grupo enVice edin ete de opinió eo. după dre ar Europ inator n hatrtato amaen > Codores Su rtei“ (Cstessa Na preş ogni Èktio uur ie m i ine w n.bel de cuatro suppo rar sszdecydowanie > Popul ciascu forma me Einigu iones. 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Grupo, entari as, n. peană a Ideil Vie N A R B Egel nale lt. le isia pen aua Euro grup i ich y podervoltar imPeur opera missiea, lastefinanz e tive del Grupp I Gprzewodniczących. com etente nel S et O L ar I D26A5 R I pe T es Y Parle loteNu se dan a conoc RU entoroboczych B E SeCplenar rnatio ul comp n: mărul Strategia informacyjna ITSKRE P IopDReţe o. 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Grupaan EPL skupiająca ent que, Ioannis Kas preel de erdg, en nauer hecho lul Par din desde maand gaderperio woeonale en Churchill Je Morlog our Ade L PA R T eman d lid fuerza ro de votaciones genar refleja asb AL sette PPE icic 265 Strba Winston en Nice Stellvertreten oulides M Konrad l’Ho mayor núme Gasperi şi rt Schu tul în de unposłów stanowi największą frakcjędewbe Parlamencie i-ver tie ispletsv ă ge G R U PWO PA vangpe lun uman elos GRUPU în hem EN dores de erână e vence R L A M E N C I E E UPA R ORPLEAJM SK I MT O E U R O “m (1999) Alcide De zat mensuales delSalon Rolog en i), Pala Arbeitskreis der Vorsitzender aniair Robert Sch nauer plentre aa tăm tvoerigiun P EinO n de EVP-Fracie en plsăp OPEAN estado ent op rdam sesiones plenarias Come magglon „Aus Oro oiulu Europejskim. ti”,terorg 50 iorulgrupp en las rdt uiini-rle Konrad Ade ses PEO Amste het Parlem Angelegenhe wärtige va wo menque 09.05.19 AR EUR o in seno al Parlam cualquier otro grupo mmiss missnu Parispolitic iesmit il Gruppo(Sa gelijke elehe„m n van iten“ t Pa rsay, della A ENN T O E U R O Elk lid PPE ento europeo, gode ROLPAEM P EO P U L i d’O dintr-o PA taire co ze comM eo.cel puţin Członkowie L rdrage Vandaag is rreinen een Qua or E posizi Europ R en M N ve E ento one do U m di Grupy EPL biorą aktywny udział w trwających domin E Grupo t . 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YEARBOOK O
THE EPP GROUP
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YEARBOOK O
THE EPP GROUP
2011
Publications in 2011
Publications in 2011
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September 2011
July 2011
May 2011
N°22
N°21
N°19
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
Watching brief
Watching brief
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
4 - 6 May 2011
• POLISH PRESIDENCY (Baptiste Thollon)
• CONCLUSIONS OF THE EIN SUMMER UNIVERSITY IN BUCHAREST A CENTRE-RIGHT ANSWER TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CRISIS: A PROJECT FOR EUROPE
• STUDY DAYS OF THE EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PALERMO, Italy / 4-6 May 2011 - CONCLUSIONS
• EU BUDGET NEEDS FUNDAMENTAL REFORM (Lada Jurica)
• STRATEGIC ANALYSIS CENTRE SYMPOSIUM TOMORROW’S ECONOMIC GROWTH
(Juan Salafranca, Paolo Licandro, Adriaan Bastiaansen, Kai Wynands, Oliver Dreute)
• WHICH RESPONSE TO THE CONTAGION OF POPULISM IN EUROPE?
POST-2013 MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK (Lada Jurica)
(Baptiste Thollon)
(Christine Detourbet)
• THE FUTURE OF SCHENGEN AND THE THREAT OF POPULISM IN THE EU
• EPP GROUP SYMPOSIUM EUROPE’S ENERGY IN 2050 - A LONG TERM PERSPECTIVE FOR ENERGY POLICY IN EUROPE (Baptiste Thollon)
• EUROPE’S THREE RESPONSES TO THE CRISIS: ACCOUNTABILITY, SOLIDARITY AND CONFIDENCE (Baptiste Thollon, Vittoria Venezia)
• THE FUTURE OF SCHENGEN
(Vittoria Venezia)
• CAN EUROPE AVOID AUSTERITY? (Baptiste Thollon)
• PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION ON INTERNET: WHERE ARE WE? (Vittoria Venezia)
(Vittoria Venezia)
• CONCLUSIONS OF THE MEETING OF THE EPP GROUP BUREAU Wroclaw 8 September 2011
• «POPULISM: THE FATAL SLOPE» (Baptiste Thollon)
• THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL CRISIS ON EUROPEAN DEFENCE BUDGETS: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POOLING AND SHARING (Faniry Solofoson, Emmanuel Roux)
(Juan Salafranca, Edyta Tarczynska, Kai Wynands, Edina Toth)
• FONDATIONS NEWS
• FONDATIONS NEWS
• FONDATIONS NEWS -
Watching brief
STUDY DAYS OF THE EPP GROUP PALERMO
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CES Newsletter The Robert Schuman Foundation
French and English versions available A German version will be available soon
EN 1
EPP Group in the European Parliament
REBUILDING A STRONG PARTNERSHIP IN THE MEDITERRANEAN: AN ANSWER TO THE CRISIS IN THE ARAB WORLD
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- CES Newsletter - The Robert Schuman Foundation (György Hölvényi)
AND NORTH AFRICA
EN
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
EN, FR, DE
- EIN Newsletter (Baptiste Thollon)
EIN Newsletter The Robert Schuman Foundation
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
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June 2011
April 2011
March 2011
N°20
N°18
N°17
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
Watching brief
Watching brief
Watching brief
MEETING OF THE EPP GROUP BUREAU 3 - 4 March 2011
ZAGREB
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
• THE AGEING CHALLENGES (Christine Detourbet) • MAKING FAMILY POLICY A EUROPEAN ISSUE (Vittoria Venezia) • 2010 REPORT ON DEMOGRAPHY IN THE EU EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Emmanuel Roux)
• LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND THE ARAB WORLD - Challenges ahead ? (Faniry Solofoson) - Migration flows : conjecture or reality ? (Vittoria Venezia)
• Croatia: a new model of enlargement Conclusions of the EPP Group Bureau in Zagreb, 3 & 4 March 2011
• «FISCHLER: CAP SHOULD GO BACK TO FOOD PRODUCTION»
• Rebuilding a strong partnership in the Mediterranean: An answer to the crisis in the Arab world and North Africa - internal note
(Lada Jurica)
(Juan Salafranca, Faniry Solofoson, Thierry Masson)
• RAW MATERIALS : AVOIDING A “RESOURCES WAR” (Faniry Solofoson)
• FONDATIONS NEWS
• THE FIRST EUROPEAN SEMESTER (Baptiste Thollon)
• FONDATIONS NEWS
- EIN Newsletter (Baptiste Thollon)
- EIN : - Agenda of the Seminar in Paris, 17 March 2011 - Agenda of the Seminar in Madrid, 21&22 March 2011
- CES Newsletter
• FONDATIONS NEWS -
CONTENTS
CROATIA: A NEW MODEL OF ENLARGEMENT
EIN Newsletter The Robert Schuman Foundation
- CES Newsletter
• Croatian EU accession: Challenges and expectations • European perspectives of South-East Europe
EN
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
EN, FR 358 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EN, FR, DE
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
EN, FR
EN 1
EPP Group in the European Parliament
EN, FR 359 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Publications in 2011
Publications in 2011
February 2011 N°16
More Europe is the answer EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
FOREIGN AFFAIRS EPP GROUP’S PRIORITIES FOR 2011
Watching brief
CONTENTS
More Europe is the answer
Economy & EnvironmEnt
• Eurobonds - One Word, Many Concepts, Expectations - Some Facts (Christian Scheinert)
Boundless
• EPP Group’s positions for the EU 2020 Strategy (Baptiste Thollon) • Main Conclusions of the European Council on 4th February 2011 (Géraldine Philibert)
EPP GroUP’S PRIORITIES FOR 2011
Promoting growth and Jobs for our Citizens
• G20: French presidency and european ambitions? (Baptiste Thollon)
• FONDATIONS NEWS - CES Newsletter
EPP GROUP’S EU2020 PRIORITIES EN
EN
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
EN, FR, DE
EN, FR, DE
EN
EN, FR January 2011
EN
N°15
More Europe is the answer
LEGAL & HOME AFFAIrS
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
Watching brief
EPP Group Public Hearing
EPP GrOUP’S PRIORITIES FOR 2011
CONTENTS
on
Building European Energy Diplomacy: External Dimension of Energy Security for Europe
• What type of Economic Government may be allowed under the Lisbon Treaty ? (Franck Debié) • Some institutional elements on the current debate on the Economic Governance (Baptiste Thollon)
More Europe is the answer
BUDGET & STRUCTURAL POLICIES
Thursday 10 November 2011 9.00 - 13.00
Building European Energy Diplomacy: Room JAN 6Q2 External Dimension of Energy Security for Europe European Parliament Brussels EPP Group Public Hearing
EPP GROUP’S PRIORITIES FOR 2011
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EN, FR, DE 360 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EN, FR, DE
Thursday 10 November 2011 European Parliament - Brussels
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
EN, FR
EN 361 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Publications in 2011
Publications in 2011
October 2011
November 2011
N°23
N°24
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
EPP Group Political Strategy Unit
Watching brief
Watching brief
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
• SPEECH BY JOSÉ MANUEL BARROSO ON THE STATE OF THE UNION ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2011: THE THINK-TANKS’ POSITION -
KONRAD ADENAUER FOUNDATION : Comments on the State of the Union address 2011given by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, on 28 September 2011
• CLIMATE CHANGE - COP-17 Conference, Durban, South Africa (28 November - 9 December 2011)
(Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, former President of the European Parliament, Chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation)
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(Amarylli Gersony)
ROBERT SCHUMAN FOUNDATION : How Germany and France can save the euro ?
(Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation)
• EPP CONGRESS IN MARSEILLE: TOWARD A BETTER DEALING OF MIGRATORY FLOWS AND INTEGRATION POLICIES
CES : CES’ Opinion on José Manuel Barroso’s State of the Union Address 2011
(Tomi Huhtanen, CES Director)
(Vittoria Venezia)
FAREFUTURO : The people’s Europe has to be built on its demos
(Federico Eichberg, Director of Internationals Relations)
• ‘EPP GROUP FOOD FOR THOUGHT LUNCH’ The proposed reform of the Common Agriculture Policy and its financing
FONDAZIONE RESPUBLICA : Project bonds for EU competitiveness
(Jeroen Kohls)
(Stefano Riela, Scientific Director)
NOTRE EUROPE’S VIEWPOINT President Barroso’s Road Map
(Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission, founding President of ‘Notre Europe’ ; António Vitorino, former Member of the European Commission, President of ‘Notre Europe’)
• FONDATIONS NEWS
CONFRONTATION EUROPE : The unachieved parliamentary debate on the State of the Union (Carole Ulmer, Director of International Relations)
• CONCLUSIONS OF THE MEETING OF THE EPP GROUP BUREAU SOFIA /13-14 October 2011 (Political Strategy Unit)
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EIN Newsletter
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CES Newsletter
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The Robert Schuman Foundation
• THE COPT QUESTION: tension in the community and political destabilisation (Faniry Solofoson)
• SEPTEMBER PLENARY SESSIONS 2011: VOTE ON THE FRONTEX DOSSIER (Vittoria Venezia)
• RIGHT-WING POPULIST PARTIES IN EUROPE (Vittoria Venezia)
• FONDATIONS NEWS -
CES Newsletter
French and English versions available. A German version will be available soon
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
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Meeting of the EPP Group Bureau
MEETING OF THE EPP GROUP BUREAU 8-9 SEPTEMBER 2011 Wrocław - POLAND
13-14 October 2011 Sofia - Bulgaria
• Redesigning the European Neighbourhood Policy • Towards a coherent European Energy Policy • The Future of EU Cohesion policy • Challenges for the EU in the changing world
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EN, FR, DE, PL 362 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
EN, FR, DE, BG 363 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
THE EUROPEAN PEOPLE’S PARTY (EPP) About us The European People’s Party (EPP) is the political family of the centre-right, whose roots run deep in the history and civilisation of the European continent, and has pioneered the European project from its inception. Tracing back its roots to Europe’s Founding Fathers – Robert Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi, and Konrad Adenauer – EPP is committed to a strong Europe, based on a federal model that relies on the principle of subsidiarity.
9 > The European People’s Party (EPP)
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. EPP is the largest political organisation of Europe with 74 member-parties from 39 countries, 22 Heads of State and Government, 13 European Commissioners (including the President), and the largest Group in the European Parliament with 271 members. 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. As a result of this mandate, the EPP conducted – in close cooperation with its national member-parties - its first Europe-wide campaign for the June 2009 elections and reinforced its leading position in the European Parliament. Political formations of the centre-right can be tracked back to the early 1920s. Unlike the case of the Socialists, Christian Democratic and Conservative pan-European cooperation was the child of national parties and derived from a federal tradition. The experiences of the First World War and the threat of facism led to the conviction among leaders that overcoming nationalism was the precondition for preserving peace. The first attempt at cooperation between like-minded Christian Democrats was made in 1926, when the International Secretariat of Democratic Parties of Christian Inspiration (Secrétariat International des Partis Démocratiques d’Inspiration Chrétienne, SIPDIC) was founded. However, fascism increased tensions between governments, and the spirit of revenge and the dictators’ obsession with power all eventually brought to an end cooperation among the Christian Democratic parties, and led finally to the outbreak of the Second World War. The lessons and experiences of cooperation between 1925 and 1939 were key when leaders of the re-established or newly founded Christian Democratic parties in Europe formed the Nouvelles Équipes Internationales (NEI) in 1946. The ecumenical elements were decisive: reconstruction and reconciliation were born amidst the ruins of the national states, as was the vision of a united continent in the future. Christian Democratic parties were banned in central and eastern Europe once communist rule was imposed. In July 1950, the exiled representatives of these parties established the Christian Democratic Union of Central Europe (CDUCE). Their political, journalistic and lobbying activity was focused mainly on fighting Communism, attacking the Soviet Union and liberating and democratising their countries.
365 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
Political refugees in Latin America contributed to the establishment of the intercontinental network. From the middle of the 1950s onwards the NEI lost its relevance. With the Coal and Steel Union and the foundation of the European Economic Community (EEC), practical cooperation among Christian Democrats gradually shifted in favour of the framework presented by the Common Assembly and the European Parliament. The organisation revitalised itself by changing its name to the European Union of Christian Democrats (EUCD) and revising the key aims of the organisation. The EUCD forged a closer relationship with the Parliamentary group of European Christian Democrats and the national member parties, and steadily grew more ambitious in its vision for Europe. With the decision to organize direct elections for the European Parliament in 1979, the need for a truly European party became evident. The formal establishment of the European People’s Party (EPP) took place in 1976 in Luxembourg, with member parties from the following EEC countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The platform was the result of considerable consensus and expressed a common intention to promote integration in the context of the European Community, leading to a political union equipped with federal and democratic institutions. Once the EPP had been founded, a degree of pressure to establish formal links between Christian Democratic and Conservative forces was exerted by EUCD parties in countries that were not European Community members. Yet the EPP’s strong insistence on the federal model of European integration led to the formation of the European Democratic Union (EDU), a broader pan-European organisation. Thus three parallel political organisations of Christian Democrats and Conservatives were now in place. However, the EPP soon politically outweighed the EUCD, and the members who also belonged to the EPP concentrated more and more on their work in the latter group. The issue of merging the two organisations re-surfaced when Spain and Portugal joined the European Community in 1986, but the revolutionary events which took place in Moscow and in other east European capitals delayed the idea of a “big” EPP. Moreover, the EUCD’s loose framework was better suited to the unclear political situation in eastern Europe; in fact, the organisation played an important role in supporting democratic progress and shaping the political landscape in the post-communist countries. The political upheavals in 1989 meant that previous positions taken by the EPP had to be rethought and reformulated. The international context had been altered with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the ideological conflict between East and West. And it was clear that the population of the German Democratic Republic wanted unification with the Federal Republic, as well as democracy. At the same time public opinion had shifted: the change enshrined in the Maastricht Treaty meant a political redefinition of Europe. In April 1991, party and government leaders of the EPP decided that, while the party would be open to the British and Nordic Conservative parties, Christian Democracy would be preserved as the cornerstone of EPP identity. The EPP needed to integrate like-minded forces in order to achieve the majority needed to make ideas and concepts a reality. Although Greece’s Nea Demokratia had already been admitted in 1983, in the early 1990s parties from Spain and the Nordic countries were included under the committed leadership of Wilfried Martens.
366 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
With the prospect of central and eastern European countries joining the European Union (EU), the previous arguments supporting EUCD membership lost relevance – this led to the merger of the EUCD with the EPP in 1999. And since the EPP had accepted most European Conservative parties from the EU and beyond, the EDU also lost relevance, leading to its merger with the EPP in 2002. The development in the EPP reflected that of the EU itself; the inclusion of centre-right parties from accession countries in central and eastern Europe proved to be particularly successful. The new members brought a new dimension to the EPP and consolidated it as the pre-eminent European force of the centre-right. By 2009 the EPP hosted 72 member parties in 39 EU and non-EU countries.
Structure The European People’s Party is horizontally engaged with all the main EU institutions – European Council, European Commission, and European Parliament – and in addition to Parliament, has Groups in the Committee of the Regions and also in the Council of Europe, the OSCE, NATO, etc. Thus, the EPP has three levels of decision-making in its structure: Presidency, Political Assembly and Congress. The EPP Heads of State and Government can give policy recommendations at the level of the EPP Summit, whereas the EPP Working groups perform the preparatory political work.
Presidency The EPP is led by the Presidency, the executive body of the EPP. It decides on the general political guidelines of the Party and presides over the Political Assembly. The Presidency is composed of: (i) the President of the EPP; (ii) the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, the High Representative on Foreign and Security Policy, the President of the European Parliament (to the extent that these persons are affiliated to the EPP); (iii) the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament; (iv) the Honorary President(s); (v) ten Vice-Presidents; (vi) the Treasurer; and (vii) the Secretary General
367 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
The composition of the Presidency as of 10 December 2009 is as follows: President Wilfried Martens Country: Belgium Affiliation: CD&V
Jyrki Katainen Country: Finland Affiliation: KOK
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
Political Assembly The Political Assembly defines the political positions of the Party between each Congress, deciding on membership applications and final political guidelines. The Political Assembly also decides on the budget and safeguards the political presence of the EPP between Congress meetings. The Political Assembly is composed of designated delegates from EPP member and associated member parties, member associations and groups. The number of delegates for each party is linked to the election result in the last European election so that parties are weighted according to their strength. This allows for taking decisions by a majority.
Secretary General
Enda Kenny Country: Ireland Affiliation: FG
Antonio López-Istúriz Country: Spain Affiliation: PP
Peter Hintze Country: Germany Affiliation: CDU
The Political Assembly meets three to five times a year. The Political Assembly defines the mandate of the Working Groups which prepare the Party’s policy documents and recommendations. All EPP member and associated member-parties, member associations and groups, as well as members of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, have the possibility to participate in the Working Groups.
Ex Officio Vice-Presidents
Mario David Country: Portugal Affiliation: PSD
Congress
José Manuel Durão Barroso Country: Portugal Affiliation: PSD Herman Van Rompuy Country: Belgium Affiliation: CD&V Jerzy Buzek Country: Poland Affiliation: PO Joseph Daul Country: France Affiliation: UMP
Vice-Presidents Michel Barnier Country: France Affiliation: UMP Antonio Tajani Country: Italy Affiliation: PdL Viktor Orbán Country: Hungary Affiliation: FIDESZ
368 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski Country: Poland Affiliation: PO Corien Wortmann-Kool Country: The Netherlands Affiliation: CDA Rumiana Jeleva Country: Bulgaria Affiliation: GERB
Treasurer Ingo Friedrich Country: Germany Affiliation: CSU
Honorary Presidents
The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the Party. It is composed of delegates from EPP member and associated member parties, member associations and groups. The EPP Congress meets once every three years. It elects the EPP Presidency and decides on the main policy documents and electoral programmes, and provides a platform for the EPP Heads of Government and Party Leaders.
The EPP has organized a total of 20 Congress meetings > 1978: Congress I held in Brussels adopted the EPP’s political program. > 1979: Congress II also in Brussels, decided the electoral platform for the first direct elections to the European Parliament. > 1980: Congress III in Cologne discussed the overall theme “The Christian Democrats in the Eighties – securing Freedom and Peace Completing Europe”.
Sauli Ninsto Country: Finland Affiliation: KOK
> 1982: Congress IV took place in Paris under the slogan “Preserve Peace – Create Peace – Unite Europe”.
Leo Tindemans Country: Belgium Affiliation: CD&V
> 1986: Congress VI in the Hague focused on Economic Development and Environmental Problems.
> 1984: Congress V in Rome formulated the EPP Action Program.
369 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
> 1988: Congress VII in Luxembourg prepared for another European Election and approved the document “On the Side of the Citizens”. > 1990: Congress VIII in Dublin faced a new political landscape and published “A federal constitution for the European Union”. > 1992: Congress IX in Athens discussed, drafted, and approved the EPP “Basic Programme”. > 1993: Congress X was held in Brussels and adopted the action program, “Europe 2000: Unity in Diversity”.
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
EU EPP Heads of State and Government President Nicolas Sarkozy Country: France Affiliation: UMP
Andrius Kubilius Country: Lithuania Affiliation: TS-LKD
> 1995: Congress XI in Madrid was hosted under the thematic slogan “EPP- Force of the Union“.
Chancellor
Viktor Orban Country: Hungary Affiliation: FIDESZ
> 1997: Congress XII in Toulouse approved the document “We are all Part of One World“.
Angela Merkel Country: Germany Affiliation: CDU
Pedro Passos Coelho Country: Portugal Affiliation: PSD
Prime Ministers
Iveta Radicová Country: Slovakia Affiliation: SDKU-DS
> 1999: Congress XIII in Brussels outlined its new vision for Europe, “On the Way to the 21st Century“. EUCD formally merged with EPP. > 2001: Congress XIV in Berlin revisited its roots, and adopted the working document “A Union of Values“. > 2002: Congress XV in Estoril prepared for the Constitution process, and declared that the EU needed “A Constitution for a strong Europe“. EDU formally merged with EPP. > 2004: Congress XVI was in Brussels where the main objective was to prepare for the European Elections. The “Action Program 2004-2009“ was approved. > 2006: Congress XVII in Rome approved the “Rome Manifesto” document. > 2009: Congress XVIII in Warsaw approved the “Strong for the People” EPP Election Manifesto. Endorsed José Manuel Durão Barroso as its candidate for a second term as Commission President. > 2009: Congress XIX in Bonn approved the document “The Social Market Economy in a Globalised World”. > 2011: Congress XX was in Marseille, France
Emil Boc Country: Romania Affiliation: PD-L Boyko Borisov Country: Bulgaria Affiliation: GERB Valdis Dombrovskis Country: Latvia Affiliation: NE Lawrence Gonzi Country: Malta Affiliation: PN
Mariano Rajoy Country: Spain Affiliation: PP Fredrik Reinfeldt Country: Sweden Affiliation: MOD Donald Tusk Country: Poland Affiliation: PO
Jean-Claude Juncker Country: Luxembourg Affiliation: CSV Jyrki Katainen Country: Finland Affiliation: KOK Enda Kenny Country: Ireland Affiliation: FG
370 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
371 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
Other EU Heads of State and Government
Activities
President
Summits
Mikheil Saakashvili Country: Georgia Affiliation: UNM
Prime Ministers Jadranka Kosor Country: Croatia Affiliation: Hrvatska Demikratska Zajednica Nikola Gruevski Country: FYROM Affiliation: VMRO-DPMNE Recep Tayyip Erdogan Country: Turkey Affiliation: AKP Sali Berisha Country: Albania Affiliation: PDSH Vlad Filat Country: Moldova Affiliation: PDLM
At the Summits, the EPP Heads of State and Government, party leaders in coalition governments and/or in opposition, the EPP Presidency and the Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament, meet prior to the European Council Summits. These important sessions offer EPP leaders an informal and confidential setting to air their differences and seek consensus within the EPP family in an effort to develop common positions at the European Council.
Ministerial meetings In 2007, the EPP inaugurated a new political process with its first EPP Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting. These meetings continued in 2008 and 2009 under the leadership of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franco FRATTINI and German MEP, Elmar BROK. The purpose of this meeting was - and still is - to discuss, in a private and informal setting, the wide range of foreign policy priorities on the EU Ministers’ agenda, such as the Western Balkans, the Middle East peace process, the enlargement process and many other crisis situations worldwide. Following these particularly successful meetings, and on the eve of the financial and economic crisis which hit the United States and subsequently the EU, the EPP decided to launch informal meetings with the EPP EcoFin Ministers in February 2008 under the Chairmanship of EPP Vice-President Jyrki KATAINEN. This political initiative by the EPP quickly became a very valuable coordination mechanism for its Ministers especially in the midst of the financial crisis. The topics for discussion included the reform of the international financial architecture, the bailing out of European banks and ultimately the reform of the European banking system. In 2010, the EPP further enlarged the Ministerial meetings, since they provide a useful coordination platform for the EPP’s political family in view of the different Council meetings. For example, the Transport Ministers meetings are now co-chaired by EPP Vice-President and European Commission Vice-President, Antonio Tajani, and by Dutch Transport Minister, Camiel Eurlings, while the Energy Ministers meeting is chaired by EPP Vice-President Jacek Saryusz-Wolski. Moreover EPP Vice-President Enda Kenny and Italian Labour Minister Maurizio Sacconi chair the Employment Ministers Meeting.
372 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
373 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
Here is the complete list of EPP Ministerial Meetings > Foreign Affairs > Economy and Finance (EcoFin) > Employment & Social Affairs > Industry > Defence > Agriculture > Environment > Justice & Home Affairs > Transport > Energy
Working Groups Working Groups are the backbone of the EPP’s political work, where high-profile representatives from the EPP member-parties develop common positions and strategies on major policy areas and submit specific recommendations to the Political Assembly for final approval. A Working Group can be given a specific mandate for preparative work for EPP Summits and the EPP Congress. Working Groups are also responsible for organising conferences, roundtable discussions and other important events.
Campaign Management
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
EPP Membership Chaired by Corien Wortmann-Kool, this Working Group is mandated to promote, facilitate and incorporate new EPP members, associate members, and observers throughout the continent. When a party is accepted in the EPP, its elected representatives automatically join the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and all other EPP Groups and organisations.
European Policy Chaired by Wilfried Martens and Peter Hintze, the Working Group has the task of preparing the EPP’s most vital policy papers and Congress documents on European issues.
Seminars The EPP regularly organizes seminars and conferences on themes relevant to its ongoing policy agenda. For example, during the campaign for the European elections, the EPP organized conferences focused on its five main policy themes including its campaign manifesto ‘Strong for the People’: economy and how to deal with the current crisis; climate change; the response to the challenge of demographic change; security (including immigration, food security and the threat of terrorism); and the role of Europe in the world.
The coordination of the persons responsible for campaigning from the headquarters of memberparties, is the main task of this Committee. The exchange of experiences in recent election campaigns as well as the long-term preparation of European issues and the campaign for the European Parliament election, brings added value to the member-parties and to the EPP.
Economic and Social Policy The working group, co-chaired by Gunnar Hökmark and Rumiana Jeleva, is focused on responding to the current economic and financial crisis, the Lisbon process, demographic issues, and research and development.
374 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
375 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
Associations Youth of the European People‘s Party (YEPP) YEPP led by President Laurent Schouteten is EPP’s official youth organisation, self-governed by its own statutes, political program and elected representatives. YEPP’s members are national partypolitical youth organisations. The purpose of all 51 member organizations as well as for YEPP is to provide young people a channel in order to influence the shaping of their societies with democratic means and centre-right, Christian democratic and conservative ideas. Through its member organisations YEPP brings together between 1 and 2 million young people in 38 countries of Europe. This makes YEPP the largest party-political youth organisation in Europe.
European Democrat Students (EDS) EDS is the official students’ organisation of the EPP. Since it was founded in 1961, EDS has brought together students and young political leaders from all over Europe to promote a political pro-European exchange. Although being a students’ organisation, and therefore taking a special interest in topics like the Bologna Process, the organisation is especially aware of the importance of promoting values like Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights. Led by its Chairman Bence Bauer, the structure has 40 member organisations, representing nearly 500 000 students across the continent. Currently, EDS is represented in 31 countries, including non-EU Member States like Belarus and Georgia. EDS is not a centralised organisation, it is an “organisation of organisations”, a networking structure whose general aim is to bundle the power of the various members in order to give young people and students a strong voice. Every year the organisation hosts Summer and a Winter universities and several seminars, publishes a bi-annual magazine “Bullseye” and campaigns, through various forms, for the interests of young people.
European Senior Citizen’s Union (ESCU) Founded in Madrid in 1995 and led by its President Bernhard Worms, the ESCU is the largest political senior citizens’ organisation in Europe. The ESCU is represented in 26 states with 45 organisations and about 500 000 members. The ESCU is dedicated to the advancement of rights of European senior citizens and their engagement in society. The aims of the ESCU are the promotion of the role of the elderly in ageing European societies, the fight against the discrimination of the elderly, the European pension systems, seniors and volunteering, intergenerational relationships & participation. 376 / YEAR BOOK OF THE EPP GROUP / 2011
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Union (SME UNION) The SME UNION of the EPP is the network of pro-business Christian-Democrat, Conservative and Liberal politicians and political organisations. Its main objective is to shape EU policy in a more SME-friendly way in close cooperation with the SME Circle of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, DG Enterprise and the SME UNION members within the EPP member parties. The importance of the work of the SME UNION can be seen in the fact that SMEs are considered as the key driver for sustainable jobs, growth and prosperity. Its top priority is to reform the legal framework for SMEs all over Europe and to promote and support the interests of small and mediumsized enterprises which - due to their willingness to take risks and responsibility - are the engine of the European economy. In 2009 Peter Jungen was re-elected President of the SME Union.
European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) The EUCDW is the workers’ organisation of the EPP with 24 member organisations from 18 different countries. As the officially recognised EPP association of workers, the EUCDW is led by its President Elmar Brok, MEP, and has the following aims: to press for the political unification of a democratic Europe; to promote the development of the EPP on the basis of Christian-social teaching; to represent and defend worker interests in European Policy; to work for the achievement of Christian-social principles and policies in the European workers’ movements; and to step up co-operation with the workers and their representatives to realise step by step the European Social Model. Therefore, in recent years, the EUCDW has put a lot of effort into influencing employment policy and defending an undivided Europe of social justice.
Women of the European People‘s Party (EPP Women) EPP Women is recognised by the EPP as the official association of women from all like-minded political parties of Europe. EPP Women have over 40 member organisations from countries of the European Union and beyond. All member organisations are women’s organizations from political parties which are members of the EPP. EPP Women, led by its President Doris Pack, MEP, is dedicated to the advancement of women’s political participation throughout Europe and to the promotion of important women-related issues.
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The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
Think-Tanks, Foundations Centre for European Studies (CES) The Centre for European Studies (CES) is a European political foundation, representing a new phase in Europe-wide policy formation and research, embodying a pan-European mindset. Founded in 2007, the Centre is the official think-tank of the European People’s Party (EPP) and, in particular, serves as a common European framework for national foundations and think-tanks recognized by EPP member-parties. CES is governed under the revised 2007 “EU Regulation on political parties at European level and rules regarding their funding”. The core activities of the Centre are its research and study projects, which are complemented and supported by conferences, seminars, workshops and publications, many of which are executed in conjunction with its member organisations. The aim of the foundation is to contribute both to the public awareness of European Citizens on the development of European integration and to help decision-makers and opinion leaders, such as EPP heads of state and government, and EPP party leaders, to formulate new and effective policy options. Its role is to bring together like minded foundations, think-tanks, academics, experts and decision-makers across Europe to debate and exchange views and ideas as well as to disseminate the results of the proposed activities to the public and the decision-makers. Ordinary members of the Centre include individuals, political foundations and think-tanks. In order for a political foundation or think-tank to become an ordinary member of the Centre, it must be recognized by its respective EPP member party and be engaged in promoting political information and debate, and facilitating EU integration. All members have to be committed to support the objectives and aims of the Centre. In essence, the Centre is a European hub that brings together inspirational individuals and groundbreaking research to create an environment from which new ideas and relationships emerge. As the official think-tank of the EPP, the Centre for European Studies shall monitor, analyse and contribute to the debate of the policy priorities of the EU.
European Ideas Network (EIN) The European Ideas Network is a pan-European process designed to promote new thinking on the key policy challenges facing the European Union and its Member States. Launched in 2002 by the then EPP-ED Group with the active support of the EPP, the network has rapidly emerged as an important meeting point and intellectual cross-roads for the centre-right in European Politics. With an active membership of around 600 policy makers and opinion-shapers across the EU, the EIN brings together politicians, businessmen, academics, policy advisors, think tankers, journalists as well as outside non-party experts and commentators interested in the issues being addressed.
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The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
The EIN currently has 12 working groups, addressing key domestic and international questions. Operating on an annual cycle, they undertake research and develop new thinking, to prepare inputs into the annual summer university. They attract prominent policy experts as chairmen and rapporteurs.
Robert Schuman Institute The “Union of the Robert Schuman Institute for Developing Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe” (RSI) has been operating under the auspices of the EPP with an extended scope of activities since 1995. The RSI organizes international courses for potential young leaders, party members and officials of the EPP sister and co-operating parties of the developing democracies in the region receiving both theoretical and practical training. Since the 2004 EU enlargement, the Institute has been focusing mostly on east and south-east European countries. In 2007 Othmar Karas was appointed President of the RSI.
Centre for Political Parliamentary Education and Training (CET) The “EPP Centre for Political Parliamentary Education and Training” (CET) was established in 2002. The goal of the CET is to contribute to the successful work of the EPP Group in the European Parliament by organising educational activities: workshops, seminars, conferences and special meetings.
Robert Schuman Foundation The Robert Schuman Foundation for Cooperation among Christian Democrats in Europe, founded in 1989, is an entity of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, registered in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Since its establishment, the Foundation has provided one month internships in the European Parliament for more than 500 young people, primarily from central and eastern Europe, but also from Latin America, Russia and the southern Caucasus. The majority of those who have studied the programs follow the policies and values they originally adopted. Every two years the Foundation organizes meetings of former interns in the form of political seminars.
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The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
The European People’s Par t y (EPP)
General Secretariat Antonio Lopez-Isturiz Secretary General, MEP Christian Kremer Deputy Secretary General Luc Vandeputte Deputy Secretary General Kostas Sasmatzoglou Spokesman Nicolas Briec Secretary of External Relations Emanuela Farris Senior Political Adviser Javier Jimenez Senior Press Officer Galina Fomenchenko Political Adviser Melanie Dursin Political Adviser
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EPP Headquarters Rue du Commerce 10, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Switchboard: +32-2-2854140 Fax: +32-2-2854141 Email: info@epp.eu
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Contents of the CD -R OM
CONTENTS OF THE CD-ROM
10 > Contents of the CD-ROM
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Contents of the CD -R OM
> Yearbook 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > The Reunification of Europe (SL, PL) Anti-totalitarian courage and political renewal > Alcide De Gasperi Christian, Democrat, European (EN, FR, DE, IT, ES) > Foreign Affairs - More Europe is the answer, EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Economy & Environment - More Europe is the answer, EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Budget & Structural Policies - More Europe is the answer, EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Legal & Home Affairs - More Europe is the answer, EPP Group’s Priorities for 2011 (EN, FR, DE) > Meeting of the EPP Group Bureau in Zagreb, Croatia (EN, FR, DE) > EPP Group Bureau Meeting, Sofia, Bulgaria (EN, FR, DE, BG) > EPP Group Bureau Meeting, Wrocław, Poland (EN, FR, DE, PL) > EPP Group Study Days in Palermo, Italy (EN, FR, DE, IT)
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EPP Group in the European Parliament
Published by:
EPP Group in the European Parliament Press and Communications Service Publications Team
Head of Service:
Robert A. FITZHENRY
Coordinator:
Angela Kaladjis angela.kaladjis@europarl.europa.eu
Internet:
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Photos:
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©:
EPP Group in the European Parliament, 2011
The information contained in this Yearbook covers all activities until December 2011