Newsl ette r o f the European So ci a l i st s i n t he Com m ittee of the Regi ons
FEATURES
D ecemb er 2009
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NEWS OF THE PES GROUP IN THE COR 3 COMMENTARY
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AND NOW OVER TO PES MEMBERS
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PLENARY SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (3-4 DECEMBER 2009) 6-7 COR COMMISSIONS: WHAT'S NEW? 8-11 THE BIGGER PICTURE: NEWS OF THE PARTY OF EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS 11 A LOOK AT SOME RECENT EU LOCAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS 12 POLITICAL BALANCE IN THE COR 12
www.cor.europa.eu/pesweb Published by | PES Group Secretariat Rue Belliard 101 - Office 7035 B-1040 Brussels | Tel. | +32.2.282.22.23 E-mail | PES-group@cor.europa.eu
Dear Friends,
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s the current CoR mandate draws to end, this is a moment to take stock of what we have achieved and to look forward to the challenges ahead. Over the past four years, the Committee of the Regions has managed to consolidate its position as an institution, and more broadly speaking, as the voice of local and regional authorities in the European political process. This has been possible despite the sometimes difficult institutional and political context, but not least, thanks to the activities of our political group, that is, all of you. For this and for your political support during this time, I would like to thank you. Because of this, we have been able to draw on our diverse experiences, on our different contacts and ideas and our multiple political links in order to inform and convince our friends and partners in the other institutions and in the wider EU arena that it is necessary and useful to include a local and regional dimension in their activities. We have organised common events and joint campaigns with the Party of European Socialists and its member organisations, on issues such as childcare in 2007and decent work in 2008, as well as the elaboration of the PES Manifesto for the European elections throughout 2008. I am also convinced that together we have built strong links among our territories and between ourselves, which are of benefit to the political decisions we have to take every day and therefore, to the citizens whom we represent – not least in times of a serious economic crisis.
The next mandate holds equally challenging prospects for us. It offers great opportunities to build on what we have been able to do in the past four years. If and when the Lisbon Treaty is finally ratified and enters into force, the CoR and the whole EU institutional system can at last concentrate on the urgent issues before us: nothing less than the social and ecological renewal of the European Union! We will be able
to build on the achievements of the presidency of Michel Delebarre by contributing to a strong institutional leadership in the forthcoming COR mandate which will also be marked by the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty within our structures. We shall use this opportunity to focus the Committee‘s activities on the key role it has to play: to influence the EU policy process so that it takes into account the experiences and needs of the local and regional level, thus helping to build trust in European integration on the ground in our towns, cities and regions. All the important issues on the agenda, from climate change to the efforts in overcoming the current economic crisis and preventing future ones, from support for research and innovation to enlargement and migration, can only benefit from an active participation of the local and regional representatives. With a new Commission under an old Commission president and a European Parliament with the present political balance, it is even more important to make the most of the strong position of socialists and social democrats in the Committee of the Regions. Let‘s make this the priority for the new mandate!
With socialist greetings,
Mercedes BRESSO President of the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions
SMART GREEN GROWTH FEATURES "Smart Green Growth", a viable way out of the crisis Smart Green Growth has been the latest mantra in umpteen scenarios, some more illuminated than others, for the exit from the economic crisis. Victim of over-simpliďŹ cation, the concept is often demonised by those who consider that it is not the time to talk about the environment when people massively lose their jobs and struggle to make ends meet. On the other hand, there are those who throw the baby with the bath water, arguing that capitalism is unsustainable and preaching for a life that is closer to nature. Those utopians idealise, and at the same time misrepresent, smart green growth. Both responses to the global economic crisis are unsustainable. 02
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mart Green Growth represents a viable 'middle' way, which ensures that the new economic model that is currently being developed is sustainable for the planet and its peoples. The risk is that, in an eort to address massive immediate economic needs, governments around the world desperately seek to jump-start the economy by perpetuating investments in environmentally unsustainable industries. This approach allows the urgent to undermine the essential. Both economic stimulus packages and longterm investments in low-carbon technologies are necessary in order to provide the urgently needed response to the global economic crisis while launching a new green global economy. In a joint article in the Korea Times, published last July, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former US VicePresident Al Gore underline that ''we need to make 'growing green' our mantra'', stressing that investing in the green economy is not an optional expense, but a smart investment for a more equitable and prosperous future. 'Indeed, continuing to pour trillions of dollars into carbon-based infrastructure
and fossil-fuel subsidies would be like investing in sub-prime real estate all over again', they argue. There is also a clear link between Smart Green Growth and job creation. There are 2.3 million people employed in the renewable energy sector worldwide, which is more than those working directly in the oil and gas industries. Moreover, in the United States, there are now more jobs in the wind industry than in the entire coal industry. Local and regional authorities play an important role in green job creation and, being the levels of government that directly deal with job losses, they need adequate ďŹ nancial and human resources for the provision of appropriate training in green skills. Moreover, since they are important employers and currently account for over a third of public spending and more than two-thirds of public investment in the EU, raising awareness about the immense potential of smart green growth is essential. This is a priority for the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions and the reason why it dedicated its biggest annual meeting to Smart Green Growth. 'Pursuing smart green growth enables us, for the
first time in the history of the industrialised world, to work towards a healthier planet without having to abandon the goal of wealthier cities and regions', stressed Mercedes BRESSO, President of the PES Group in the CoR and President of the Piedmont region (Italy), at the opening of the event (Read more under News of the PS Group, page …). With climate diplomacy having reached its peak just a breath away from the UN Climate Change Conference, it is clearer than ever that an international agreement in Copenhagen will be the strongest signal in support of smart green growth. There are four major issues at stake at the COP15: levels of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by industrialised countries and major developing countries such as China and India, financing of emission reduction and adaptation to change in developing countries and finally, financial
management of the overall exercise. A global deal negotiated in Copenhagen in December 2009 will ultimately have to be implemented by the regional and local authorities, not just in the EU but globally. In this regard, the PES Group calls for local and regional authorities to have direct access to the three different funds that should be set up after the Copenhagen conference: one for reducing CO2 levels, another for stimulating green technologies and a third so-called adaptation fund designed for helping developing countries adapt to a warming planet. The PES Group in the CoR firmly believes that green development should be fully integrated in the EU decision-making process. In this regard, the Group urges for the forthcoming EU Budget review and the Financial Perspectives post 2013 to make green growth challenges through a place-based
approach a priority. Since adaptation measures are in many cases essentially local efforts, it is crucial to ensure that EU support is made available to local and regional authorities. Furthermore, the PES Group in the CoR stresses that the preparation of the post-2010 Lisbon Strategy, which should become an all-encompassing 'Sustainable Europe Strategy', must ensure that governance structures, from European and national to regional and local, are equipped with a single strategic framework that effectively connects green growth with job creation and sustainable development with job creation and social policy. The way forward should be a European Union, and indeed a world, that is based on the concept of green development. This is our vision and we are ready to defend it.
NEWS OF THE PES GROUP IN THE COR
On 22-23 October, the PES Group in the CoR held its annual extraordinary meeting in Malmö (Sweden), at the invitation of Ilmar REEPALU, Mayor of Malmö. The city has become a benchmark for modern, attractive and sustainable urban development. Great emphasis has been put on highly efficient, eco-friendly energy sources, steering the city away from fossil fuel dependency. The Group discussed the contribution of local and regional authorities to the promotion of smart green growth and the creation of green jobs. Participants agreed that intelligent, green, low-carbon economic growth can provide an answer to escalating social inequalities sparked by the financial and economic crisis. Within this context, the concept of Smart Green Growth, a top priority of the PES Group in the CoR and of the Party of European Socialists, should be based upon investments and research in climate-friendly energy solutions, as well as on skills development in green technologies. Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN, President of the Party of European Socialists, Jo LEINEN, President of the European Parliament's Committee for Environment,
Public Health and Food Safety, and Ilmar REEPALU, Mayor of Malmö were key speakers at the meeting, which was structured around two major themes: Renewable energies for a carbon-free Europe, and Green transport solutions. The two roundtable discussions were moderated by Henning JENSEN, CoR Rapporteur on the European Commission's White Paper on adaptation to climate change and Mayor of Næstved (Denmark) and Albert BORE, CoR Rapporteur on the Action Plan on Urban Mobility, Member of Birmingham City Council (UK).
CASTAÑEDA, Head of the International Relations Department of the Spanish Foundation for Biodiversity. The conclusions of this meeting, reflecting the vision of the PES Group in the CoR about Smart Green Growth, are to be adopted by the Group on 3 December, at its ordinary meeting ahead of the CoR plenary session. (Read more under Features, page 2).
Mercedes BRESSO, President of the PES Group in the CoR and President of the Piedmont Region (Italy) opened the event, which was enriched with contributions by politicians and experts: Anders YGEMAN, Chair of the Committee on Environment and Agriculture of the Swedish Parliament, Åsa WESTLUND, Member of the European Parliament, Michel DELEBARRE, First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions and Mayor of Dunkirk (France), Rita OTTERVIK, Mayor of Trondheim (Norway), Alain MESTRE, co-author of ETUC study on 'Climate Change and Employment', and Sonia
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COMMENTARY Fundamental rights must be a top priority in the EU's institutional agenda After the election of the new European Parliament last June, and with the composition of the new European Commission and ratification of the Lisbon Treaty just round the corner, the EU's institutional landscape is entering a new phase. It may seem self-evident, yet defending fundamental rights, that is, all personal, civil, political, economic and social rights without discrimination, remains a challenge even in 21st century Europe.
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exual orientation, the last on the long list of discrimination grounds mentioned under Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, has varying - implicitly or explicitly - penalising repercussions in different EU Member States, which infringes some, or often all the rights mentioned above. It may not be surprising that, despite very low rates of reporting because of fear of victimisation, homophobic hate crime is very much present across the EU. This trend is exacerbated by the impunity of those in the public arena who openly express homophobic views. However, it is surprising that, in spite of its very cautious approach, Article 9 of the Charter on the Right to marry and right to found a family ' , to be exercised 'in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of these rights', has resulted in Poland opting out of the Charter. "An article of the charter," said Polish President Lech Kaczyski, "...may go against the universally accepted moral order in Poland and force our country to introduce an institution in conflict with the moral convictions of the decided majority of our country"… Unfortunately, this 'universally accepted moral order' finds all too often vocal defenders in different political platforms. The adoption of the opinion of Claudette ABELA BALDACCHINO on the European Commission's new proposals for Non-discrimination, equal opportunities and the implementation of the principle of equal treatment between persons by the CoR plenary in June gave rise to unacceptable comments by EPP member Decebal ARNAUTU (Romania), who questioned the 'normality' of homosexual relationships and specifically requested that equal treatment should not be extended to homosexuals because their practices go against God… Mr. Arnautu was luckier than Rocco Buttiglione, Commissioner designate for Justice, Freedom and Security, whose outrageous views on homosexuality and gender equality, made the European Parliament decide to block his nomination for the Commission position back in 2004.
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The PES Group in the Committee of the Regions condemns statements which, under the pretext of the freedom of expression, plainly contravene
fundamental rights. PES Group President Mercedes BRESSO stated firmly that 'in the EU as well as our regions and cities, we cannot accept the supremacy of religious beliefs over civic rights and we will therefore not allow for a repeat of the June plenary incident'. PES Group member Alberto GARCIA CERVIÑO (Autonomous Community of Cantabria, Spain) further pointed out that 'homophobic statements undermine the very purpose of EU legislation on antidiscrimination'. As the hearings of Commissioners-designate before the European Parliament are approaching, the PES Group considers that the Committee of the Regions should ask a precise question regarding the effective participation of local and regional authorities in all stages of policy-making in the area of fundamental rights, from elaboration to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. In his political guidelines for the next mandate, President Barroso declared that he believes 'in a Europe that gives every man and woman the freedom and security to develop their potential to the full, free from discrimination'. He has also made known his intention to create a new portfolio for fundamental rights and civil liberties. Let us stay vigilant so that such pledges turn into something tangible. For all our sakes.
AND NOW OVER TO PES MEMBERS
threatens to exacerbate this situation, through growing unemployment, particularly amongst young people, social exclusion, and the threat of protectionism. The EU Cohesion Policy, through the Structural Funds Programmes, is an important tool to enable regions to take co-ordinated and targeted action on the ground and must remain a key element of the future Strategy, including post 2014. Its priorities should focus on moving towards a sustainable economy, and tackling social exclusion. Structural Funds also provides one of the potential solutions to the governance problems of the current Lisbon Strategy: the existing partnership structures that deliver the Regional Programmes could and should be used much more effectively to implement and communicate the future Strategy at the local and regional level, (Read more under Plenary, page 6).
asked of employees, as well as adaptability and professional and geographical flexibility. It is not just employees who should need to show flexibility here, for social security systems should be tailored to the requirements of the labour market. In the EU, firms should not be encouraged to lower standards in order to compete. Opportunities will arise in the labour market of the future, in an economy with low carbon dioxide emissions and continuing technological development. I should also like to stress the social aspects of the question: accompanying measures are needed to ensure that those people whose interests or physical or mental capabilities do not match the requirements of a highly qualified labour market are also able to lead a decent life. Of course, efforts should be redoubled to secure equal participation for men and women on the labour market, (Read more under Plenary, page 6).
What do you see as the main challenges in adapting the Lisbon Strategy to its next 10-year period? Christine CHAPMAN, Member of the National Assembly for Wales (UK):
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here is a strong consensus for a new Strategy at EU level to replace the Lisbon Strategy. However, it must be a very different strategy, with a rebalancing of priorities in light of the challenges posed by climate change and the financial and economic crisis. This new strategy, what I call the Sustainable Europe Strategy, must start from the premise that we live on a finite planet, with limited resources, and that our economic and other activities must work within and respect the ecological constraints of this finite planet. One part of this is focusing on developing Europe’s competitiveness in the green economy, prioritising investments in green technologies and R&D. I suggest creating a European Green Skills and Green Jobs strategy to provide a framework for investing in the skills and knowledge that will help create a sustainable economy. The future strategy must give stronger emphasis to a renewed and reinvigorated social policy. There has been a growing social divide within Europe, evidenced by increasing levels of social exclusion, persistently high levels of poverty, and growing pockets of deprivation, before the economic and financial crisis, and during a period where the European economy was viewed as performing relatively well. The economic crisis
In your capacity as rapporteur, what do you see as the most important contribution that the proposed ideas and measures can make to efforts to overcome the current economic crisis? Marianne FÜGL, Deputy Mayor of Traisen (Austria)
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n my opinion, the most important contribution is the enhanced cooperation there would be between businesses, educational establishments, local and regional authorities and interest groups for better shaping the requirements of the labour market of the future. It is absolutely essential that local and regional authorities be closely involved in this process for regional labour markets to be appropriately analysed and future quality requirements properly assessed, particularly in relation to regions which are structurally weak, rural and threatened by population drain. Our society is gradually becoming a knowledge society. In the future, lifelong learning will be a basic prerequisite for employees. Good quality initial training provides the right basis for acquiring skills and encourages people to continue learning throughout their lives. Continuous education and further training boosts productivity and economic growth. However, businesses must also do their bit by providing incentives to pursue training opportunities. More and more new qualifications are being
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Plenary Session of the Committee of the Regions (3-4 December 2009)
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his plenary session is the last in the 4th term of office of the Committee of the Regions. Taking into account the imminent entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and its implications for the CoR, the plenary will have to adopt the new revision of its Rules of Procedure, drafted by the CoR Ad Hoc Commission, under the chairmanship of Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ (PES), Minister-President of the Government of the Belgian German-speaking community. In the same context, the plenary will also adopt a resolution on the CoR's future composition and length of term of office. This resolution will be sent to the European Commission, which will make a proposal to the Council, in accordance with Article 305 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. Finally, the Council will decide unanimously on the CoR's future composition.
The plenary session will adopt eleven opinions, two of which by PES rapporteurs: Christine Chapman and Marianne Fügl. Concerning the Bureau, the last meeting will take place on 2 December and one of the major items on the agenda will be the adoption of its recommendations for the next term of office.
The future of the Lisbon Strategy after 2010:
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The future of the Lisbon Strategy after 2010: Christine CHAPMAN (PES)
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New skills for new jobs: Anticipating and matching labour market and skills needs: Marianne FÜGL (PES) 06
ne of the key opinions of this plenary session is the CoR's contribution to the debate about the future of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs beyond its scheduled expiry date in 2010. The own-initiative opinion of the Member of the National Assembly for Wales (UK) sets out the key demands for a re-vamped, re-oriented and re-balanced strategy for 'Quality of Life for All – Building a Sustainable Future for Europe in the World'. There is a need to take the current crisis as an opportunity to move towards a more sustainable social and economic model and on this basis, to develop a strategy with clearer priorities, achievable but ambitious targets, an open and transparent functioning and a comprehensive communication strategy attached to it. This strategy also needs to address some of the crucial short-comings of the
Lisbon model in terms of bringing in local and regional actors and focussing the EU's efforts in partnership with the other levels of governance more clearly on social and territorial cohesion. Finally, the new strategy needs to be more closely integrated with other EU programmes, policies and initiatives in order to create synergies and avoid duplications.
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What is crucial is the need to anticipate, as much as possible, future needs for skills and try on the one hand to prepare those on the labour market for changes in the demand, and on the other, encourage and support the labour market (i.e. employers) in offering and promoting permanent training and re-training so as to enable workers to keep up with a changing jobs environment. For this, cooperation and partnership between public authorities, the business world, the social partners and the educational sector are essential.
he topic of this key opinion has acquired even more relevance in the current economic crisis considering the impact of the crisis on the labour markets all over the EU. Local and regional authorities as providers of education, vocational education and training, but also as employers and / or service providers, have a key role to play in gathering information and ensuring the best possible match between the qualifications and training opportunities offered, and the skills demanded by the labour market. PES rapporteur Marianne FÜGL, Deputy Mayor of Traisen (Austria), stresses the need to think of "skills' development" as an integral part of the whole educational career of an individual. She therefore underlines the vital importance of high quality primary and pre-primary education as the basis for later educational development.
The opinion, which draws on wide-ranging consultations of the rapporteur and the CoR with different stakeholders, was adopted by majority during the external ECOS meeting in Wroclaw, Poland. Since only very few amendments were tabled for the debate in ECOS, it is to be expected that some additional ones will be submitted for the debate in plenary.
A total of 27 amendments had been tabled for this opinion in the ECOS commission, and it was adopted by majority in the end. Therefore, some further amendments are to be expected.
Combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography and Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims: Ján ORAVEC (EPP)
a large focus on criminal law matters, where EU competence, let alone local or regional influence, is still rather weak. The opinion did provoke a rather controversial debate and a large number of amendments, both because of subsidiarity-related disagreements, and with regard to certain definitions of different offences in the draft opinion. Several PES members made substantial amendments, most of which were adopted, and together with other amendments, this meant that most of the rather problematic proposals for changes to the original European Commission texts were dropped.
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he draft opinion of the Mayor of Štúrovo (Slovakia) addresses a package of two Council Framework Decisions on the issues mentioned above. Local and regional authorities play a part in combating both phenomena, but at the same time, the European Commission documents have
A number of amendments can be expected on this opinion for the plenary.
Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and building a sustainable future for aquaculture: Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO (EPP)
how to strike a balance between commercial interests, ecological considerations and the need to guarantee a future for many coastal regions which are highly dependent on the fishing industry.
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he draft opinion of the President of the Autonomous Community of Murcia (Spain) sparked a lively debate in the DEVE commission and received more than 60 amendments. The rapporteur sets out the need for a fundamental overhaul of the CFP with a view to protecting European fish stocks and making the policy more sustainable. However, the debate focussed on
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Towards an EU Forest Policy with a particular focus on the 20/20/20 targets:
lacking. In order to give forestry more prominence also in the global effort to curb climate change, a number of amendments also introduced a call for a global certification system for timber products in order to support sustainably produced timber. The draft opinion was adopted by majority in the DEVE commission.
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he own-initiative opinion by the Member of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie regional assembly (Poland) looks at the important contribution that forestry can make to the mitigation of climate change through the absorption of harmful CO2 emissions and the provisions of sustainable energy resources. The rapporteur calls for the development of a comprehensive EU forestry policy which is so far
Better lawmaking 2007-2008 package: Lord Graham TOPE (ALDE)
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s every two years, the CoR has produced a draft opinion on the ongoing better lawmaking and simplification processes in the years 2008-2009. The opinion by Lord TOPE, ALDE coordinator within CONST and Member of London Borough of Sutton (UK), is succinct and sets out clearly the main points of concern for the CoR, namely the importance of the subsidiarity principle, the need to improve further the system of impact assessments which
Amendments by PES members Jean-Louis JOSEPH, Corrie MCCHORD and Pierre MAILLE sought to introduce a more ecosystem-based management of fisheries and to ensure that the EU intervention under the CFP does not only benefit large-scale industrial fishing. Most of these amendments were adopted or taken up in the form of compromises. Further amendments can be expected for the plenary session as some DEVE members felt that the environmental protection aspect, especially with regard to acquaculture, has not been sufficiently acknowledged in the draft opinion
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should also involve a local and regional perspective, and the crucial importance of simple and effective implementation of EU legislation by the Member States. The draft opinion also stresses the need to reenforce communication about the simplification/ better regulation activities vis-à-vis the citizens, in order to combat the popular perception of the EU as an uncontrolled and uncontrollable bureaucratic machinery. The opinion was adopted unanimously in the CONST commission at its meeting held in Mariehamn (Åland Islands, Finland) on 7 September and it will be presented to the plenary session under the simplified procedure.
Some additional amendments on this opinion will be tabled to the plenary by the PES rapporteur on biodiversity, René SOUCHON in order to stress that forests have a vital role to play in preserving biodiversity, and that the economic exploitation of forests needs to recognise this function.
Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and procedures concerning waste electrical and electronic equipment: JERZY ZAJĄKAŁA (UEN-EA)
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he draft opinion was adopted by unanimity in the DEVE commission and will be presented to the plenary under the simplified procedure (Read more under DEVE, page 10).
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A sustainable future for transport: Väino HALLIKMÄGI (ALDE)
The draft opinion focuses mainly on the Baltic Sea region, the economic aspects of transport policy and the EU neighbourhood countries. Amendments tabled by Michel DELEBARRE, Michael HÄUPL and Petr OSVALD significantly improved the text.
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he draft opinion of the Member of the Pärnu Town Council (Estonia) responds to a European Commission Communication, which identifies six main trends and challenges that will shape the future of transport policy over the coming decades: ageing, migration and internal mobility, environmental challenges, the availability of energy resources, urbanisation and globalisation. This demonstrates the need to focus future European transport policy on the pursuit of an integrated, technology-based and user-friendly transport system. The next European Commission Transport White Paper is due in 2010.
Regional perspectives in developing media literacy and media education in EU educational policy: András SZALAY (ALDE)
A strategy for ICT R&D and innovation in Europe and a strategy for research on future and emerging technologies in Europe: Liudvikas ŽUKAUSKAS (EPP)
University Business Dialogue: Mohammad MASOOD (EPP)
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he draft opinion of the Member of Bradford City Council (UK) focuses on the need to promote more intensive dialogue between universities and businesses. While PES members stressed in the debate that this dialogue should also include local and regional authorities and not just the business sectors, and it should also be clear that non just universities
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Michel Delebarre stressed the importance of multimodal transport connections with regions providing maritime transport, urged for the inclusion of international sea transport in the Kyoto protocol and for an assessment of the potential effects of introducing differentiated port fees linked to pollution. Petr Osvald underlined the role of cities in transport networks while Michael Häupl highlighted the significance of the sustainable dimension of transport. Considering the ongoing political developments (revision of TEN-T and publication of an Action Plan on urban transport), more amendments should be expected for the plenary session.
n this rather extensive draft own-initiative opinion, the Representative of the Municipality of Veszprém (Hungary) stresses the need to make media literacy an educational objective in its own right. This in turn requires a broad but also precise definition of what media literacy should encompass, which takes into account not only the technical skills to use new media, but also the cultural and social skills necessary to evaluate and process media
content. The debate in this regard focussed mainly on the question of how and on the basis of what indicators, media literacy could be measured, as well as on issues of the distribution of competencies between different levels of governance.
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also in promoting networking between private enterprises, public authorities, the academic world and other stakeholders, in order to create synergies and cooperation at different levels.
er The draft opinion of the Member of the Skuodas District Municipal Council (Lithuania) responds to three European Commission Communications which all focus on the question of how best to harness the innovation potential of Information and Communication technologies (ICT). The key message of the opinion is the central role of local and regional authorities in creating the conditions for ICT research and innovation, but
The opinion prompted 28 amendments in total and was adopted by majority in the EDUC commission. Some further amendments can be expected for the plenary.
The opinion was adopted unanimously by the EDUC commission at its meeting held in Brussels on 17 September and will be presented to the plenary under the simplified procedure.
are important partners in dialogue, but also other structures of higher education, it is clear that the EU programmes in this field need a clearer focus on how to bring the different stakeholders together in the interest of supporting research and development, educational objectives and training, and thus the creation of new and sustainable jobs. The opinion was adopted unanimously by the EDUC commission at its meeting held in Brussels on 17 September and will be presented to the plenary under the simplified procedure.
CoR Commissions: What's new? CONST (Brussels, 13 November)
COTER (Brussels, 20 November)
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haired by Claudio Martini (PES), President of the Tuscany Region (Italy), the meeting dedicated its biggest part to the Annual Dialogue on Multilevel Protection and the Promotion of Fundamental Rights, focusing on the rights of the Child. The event, organised in collaboration with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), is the result of the cooperation launched between the CoR and the Agency during the CONST seminar in Reggio Emilia in 2007. The discussion of the 2009 edition of the dialogue was structured around three themes: children's right to education, the fight against child abuse and tools and challenges for local and regional authorities in child protection
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Intervening in the first panel, Sonia MASINI (PES), President of Reggio Emilia Province (Italy) and CoR rapporteur on the promotion of fundamental rights and rights derived from European citizenship, presented some best practices from her region related to innovative projects for children with migrant background and education.
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he COTER commission discussed the working document on the European Commission's Action Plan on Urban Mobility, by PES Coordinator within COTER Sir Albert Bore, Member of Birmingham City Council (UK). The rapporteurship came 'naturally' to Albert Bore as this draft opinion follows on from his earlier opinion on the same subject (adopted by the April 2009 CoR plenary), responding to the European Parliament's owninitiative report, drafted by Gilles SAVARY MEP (PES). It is worth noting that the PES/CoR rapporteur had strongly criticised the European Commission for its failure to issue a much expected Action Plan on Urban Mobility. COTER members adopted the draft opinion on the European Commission's 6th progress report on economic and social cohesion, by ALDE Group President Flo CLUCAS, Member of Liverpool City Council (UK). The report focuses on factors that encourage creativity and innovation both in developed regions and in the less developed regions of the EU. It also contains a summary of the debate on territorial cohesion following the publication, last year, of a Green Paper, on which the CoR issued an opinion, drafted by PES Group member Jean-Yves LE DRIAN, President of the Brittany Regional Council. The ALDE rapporteur regrets the fact that the role of local and regional authorities is not acknowledged in the European Commission report. Moreover, she calls for the integration into cohesion policy of climate change, energy and the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy. The COTER commission also had a first discussion of the draft outlook opinion on the future of Cohesion Policy, by COTER President Michael SCHNEIDER (EPP), State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt (Germany).
In this context, on 23 October 2009, Mercedes Bresso, President of the PES Group in the CoR, and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, co-signed a letter addressed to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso concerning the future of cohesion policy. Ahead of the adoption of an EC Communication on budgetary reform, in November 2009, the two Leaders strongly criticised attempts by the European Commission, in a first draft of the Communication, to reduce cohesion policy to a redistributive safety net, involving regions lagging behind solely on the basis of their GDP. Mercedes Bresso and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen defended a future cohesion policy based on a regionally-sensitive approach, which allows for the adaptation of interventions to regional, and even intra-regional, specificities and recognises the key role of local and regional authorities in its design and implementation.
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There was also a first discussion on a working document on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, by Paulina HAIJANEN (EPP). The document draws on the CoR opinion on the role of local and regional authorities within the new Baltic Sea Strategy, drafted within the RELEX commission by PES Group member Uno ALDEGREN, Chairman of the Regional Executive Board of Skåne County Council (Sweden) and adopted by the April 2009 CoR plenary. This earlier opinion contributed to the elaboration of the subsequent European Commission document.
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DEVE (Torun, Poland, 19 October)
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EVE members adopted unanimously the draft opinion of JERZY ZAJĄKAŁA (UEN-EA), DEVE President and Mayor of Łubianka (Poland), which responds to two European Commission proposals for a Directive dealing with the rather technical issue of the management of electrical and electronic waste, and certain toxic substances that may be contained in used electrical appliances. Local and regional authorities are very often responsible for collecting, sorting and recycling such waste and therefore have a key interest in this legislation. Debates focussed primarily on the precise definition of target figures for re-use and recycling of such waste, and on the deadlines and transition periods for the achievements of these targets. The DEVE Commission also adopted by majority the draft opinion on the European Commission's Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and the future for aquaculture by Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO (EPP) and the draft own-initiative opinion on EU Forest Policy with a particular focus on the 20/20/20 targets by Adam BANASZAK (UENEA) (Read more under PLENARY, page 7) A conference on "Local and Regional Adaptation to Climate Change" was held on 20 October 2009.
ECOS (Brussels, 18 November)
products by promoting research and development into new technologies for more sustainable mobility solutions. Local and regional authorities need to be closely involved as partners in this process, also by helping workers from the industries concerned to adapt to new skills requirements. This social aspect of the necessary changes was highlighted by PES members in the discussions. The ECOS Commission also adopted the draft opinion on the European Year of Volunteering (2011) by Declan MCDONNELL (ALDE), Member of Galway City Council (Ireland). The key message of the initiative for 2011 is to highlight the contribution which volunteering in all its forms makes not only to the economic, but more importantly, to the social cohesion of European societies, in particular at local and regional level. The draft opinion follows on from earlier work by the same rapporteur on "the Contribution of Volunteering to Social cohesion" in 2007. It is to be noted that controversy has erupted at the level of the Council of Ministers with regard to the question whether the EU has an appropriate legal basis on which to build programmes in the area of volunteering. Consequently there was some debate in the ECOS meeting on this issue, despite a broad agreement that volunteering had an important contribution to make to European integration.
EDUC (Trier, Germany, 16 November)
T
he EDUC commission, held its external seminar on Integration of Migrants through Education - Local and Regional Perspective in Trier, Germany. The seminar was structured around two roundtables focusing on the European vision on migrant integration and Regional Perspectives from Rhineland Palatinate on this issue.
RELEX (Helsingborg, Sweden, 27 November)
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COS members adopted the draft own-initiative opinion on the automotive sector by JeanYves LE DRIAN (PES), President of Brittany Regional Council. Based on the discussions in the interregional group of regions linked to the car-industry, PES member and President of the interregional group, Jean-Yves Le DRIAN has tabled an own-initiative opinion to look at the effects of the crisis and the ensuing need to re-structure the car industry and re-orient it towards more sustainable forms of transport. The focus of the own-initiative opinion is the need to support the whole industrial complex (car manufacturers and suppliers) in adapting to a new situation, in particular in modernising their
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Finally, ECOS members adopted the draft opinion on the impact of an ageing population in the EU (2009 Ageing Report) by Rob BATS (ALDE), Member of the Provincial Council of Drenthe (Netherlands). The topic is of great relevance to local and regional authorities and links with the opinion on demographic change by PES member Gerd HARMS. The rapporteur makes it very clear that demographic change will have a wide range of different effects, many of which will be felt particularly at local and regional level. It is therefore necessary to adopt a 'holistic' approach and to think creatively about what needs to be and can be done to meet the challenges of demographic change, many of which will be exacerbated by the financial and economic crisis. On this basis, the rapporteur sets out three key priorities: supporting 'ageing well'; improving and adapting services for the ageing population and improving labour market participation (for all, not just the elderly, but also including longer working lives on the basis of more flexible jobs, adapted to the needs and capabilities of older workers).
ihe external meeting of the RELEX commission held at the invitation of PES member Uno ALDEGREN, Vice-president of the Executive Committee of Skåne Region (Sweden), focussed on two issues: an exchange of views on the enlargement package and the draft opinion by Kerstin KIESSLER (PES) State Councillor and Member of the Bremen Senate (Germany), on the contribution of fair trade and of non-governmental trade-related sustainability assurance schemes to sustainable development. The rapporteur underlines the increasing volume and importance of fair-trade and stresses that local and regional authorities have an important role to play in fostering fair-trade schemes and labels, not only in their public procurement, but also as organisers or supporters of fair-trade projects or partnerships or as promoters of education about fair trade and its importance for sustainability. She also suggests the elaboration and adoption of a European Fair Trade Charter and stresses that examples from some EU Member States show that a growing market share of goods traded fairly gives reason to be optimistic about the future potential to develop new schemes and increase awareness among consumers. The key challenge in this respect is to make sure that fair-trade labels correspond to reliable and verifiable standards so that consumers can be confident about the choices they make.
The RELEX meeting was preceded by a seminar on the 'Northern Dimension sub-state cooperation with a particular emphasis on the Baltic Sea Region'. In his opening statement, CoR rapporteur on the Baltic Sea Strategy Uno ALDEGREN stressed the need to look more closely at the role of local and regional authorities within the renewed Northern Dimension and to develop the sub-state dimension of the Baltic Sea Strategy in order to anchor the strategy in the territories. Local and regional authorities are the key beneficiaries, and therefore, they should also be the key drivers in the Baltic area cooperation.
Uno ALDEGREN
THE BIGGER PICTURE: NEWS OF THE PARTY OF EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS
Ka l--Hein Kar nz KLÄR ÄRR and Ä and Merc ercede ed ede d s BRESSSSO O
T
he PES is in the last straight line before its Congress, due to take place in Prague (Czech Republic) on 7-8 December. The 8th PES Congress will draw up a new roadmap for 21st century social-democracy, identify the biggest challenges when it comes to connecting with the electoral basis and propose viable solutions to address the current economic, social and environmental crises, including a Smart Green Growth and an entry strategy into the labour market. It will also elect the President, and adopt changes to the statutes and to the membership status of parties. The PES Group will participate in the works of the Prague Congress with a delegation of 18 members, led by PES Group President Mercedes BRESSO. Two PES Presidency meetings were held on 8 October and 19 November, focusing on the preparation of the Congress and ongoing negotiations to ensure that the next important EU post goes to a member of the PES family. Karl-Heinz KLÄR represented the PES Group in the CoR in both meetings
the Bureau. PES Women are currently working on the elaboration of a 'European Women's Chart', a proposal already present in the PES Manifesto for the EP elections and welcomed by Jose Manuel BARROSO in his five-year programme sent to the European Parliament. A statutory meeting of PES Women was held in Stockholm, Sweden (13-14 November), in preparation of the Annual Conference and the PES Congress. Claudette ABELA BALDACCHINO represented the PES Group in the CoR in this meeting.
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PES Women will hold their Annual Conference focusing on New Feminism in Prague, on 5-6 December, ahead of the PES Congress. On the first day of the meeting, there will be elections for the President, Vice-Presidents and members of
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The PES Financial and Economic Network met on 12 October to discuss the latest developments in the EU and globally and subsequent initiatives proposed by the PES family. There was a presentation of the 'Europeans for Financial Reform' campaign launched by the Global Progressive Forum in late September. This new panEuropean campaign advocating comprehensive financial reform in Europe and globally was launched by a wide coalition of NGOs, trade unions, politicians and ordinary citizens. The campaign aims to put pressure on the banks so that they do not return to their 'business as usual' modus operandi. The objective is to reach as many citizens as possible and to influence decision-makers. The broader aim is to place the financial crisis into a political context and demonstrate the wrongdoings of the right in this context. The Network also discussed hedge funds, financial supervision and good banking. A key item on the agenda was the introduction of a financial transaction tax as a way of increasing revenue from the financial sector to ‘make it pay for its rescue’. Representing the PES Group in the CoR, Karl-Heinz KLÄR insisted on the urgency of effective financial markets regulation. The first meeting of the PES Social Europe Network, chaired by Alejandro CERCAS MEP (S&D Group) discussed the PES Entry strategy into the labour market, aiming to create employment and decrease the social consequences of the current crisis. The second item on the agenda was the future of the Lisbon Strategy post 2010,
A look at some recent EU local and regional elections
public spending and more than two-thirds of public investment in the EU. He insisted on the need for a more decentralised development and implementation of the Lisbon strategy and a more regionallysensitive approach to the assessment, planning and implementation of cohesion policy. Finally, the PES Climate Change Network held its second meeting on 10 November and discussed the state of play of global climate change negotiations in view of the forthcoming UN Conference in Copenhagen, new initiatives towards carbon-free mobility, emission reductions in the agricultural sector and the environmental and climate dimension of the post-2010 Lisbon Strategy.
Davee QUAY QUA UAY AYYLE A L
focusing on the objectives, targets and form of governance that will ensure that the strategy is both more social and effective. Representing the PES Group in the CoR, Dave QUAYLE, Coordinator of the PES Group within the ECOS commission and CoR Rapporteur on Flexicurity, stressed that current economic backdrop highlights the critical role played by local and regional authorities in combating the effects of the economic crisis, pointing out that they account for over a third of
Portugal, 11 October 2009
P
ortugal’s Socialist Party of Prime Minister Jose Socrates made considerable gains in the local elections held on 11 October, with Socialist mayor Antonio Costa winning a re-election in the capital Lisbon. The Socialists now have a majority in 131 of Portugal's 308 municipal councils, compared to 110 councils in 2005 Members of the PES Group in the CoR:
• António Manuel Leitão BORGES (President of the Municipal Council of Resende), • José Luís CARNEIRO (President of the Municipal Council of Baião), • Joaquim Carlos DIAS VALENTE (President of the Municipal Council of the Guarda), • Joaquim Moreira RAPOSO (President of the Municipal Council of Amadora), • Francisco SOARES MESQUITA MACHADO (President of the Municipal Council of Braga).
• Américo AFONSO PEREIRA (President of the Municipal Council of Vinhais),
POLITICAL BALANCE IN THE CoR 36.3%
36.3%
POLITICAL GROUPS
13.7% 4.7% 3.5% 5.5%
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
PES ...................................................................125 EPP ...................................................................125 ALDE .................................................................. 47 UEN-EA .............................................................. 16 NA ...................................................................... 12 Pending appointments ......................................... 19
TOTAL CoR
12
MEMBERS
344