PODIUM-4

ISSUE #4

PODIUM

SINGLE SEAT FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT/ DEMOCRACY IN ROMANIA/ ARAB SOCIETY / CAP & YOUNG FARMERS / FISCAL COMPACT IRELAND / DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS / NO TO NUCLEAR NORTH KOREA/ DEMOCRACY IN UKRAINE / WHITE PAPER: YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT/

A POLICY HANDBOOK EDITION LISBON/CYPRUS, JULY 2012

yepp Youth of the European People’s Party

Podium is a publication of the Youth of the European People’s Party.

The purpose of this publication is to summarize all the adopted policy documents by the YEPP Council and focus on the most important and innovative proposals of the organization.

Edition: Council Meetings, Lisbon/Cyprus July 2012

PODIUM A POLICY HANDBOOK

contributors for this issue Linda Eichler IRLY, Estonia

Tom Vandenkendelaere JongCD&V, Belgium

Julie O’Leary YFG, Ireland

Federico Potočnik MSI, Slovenia

resolutions adopted /SINGLE SEAT FOR THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT /DEMOCRACY IN ROMANIA /ARAB SOCIETY /CAP & YOUNG FARMERS /FISCAL COMPACT IRELAND /DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS /NO TO NUCLEAR /NORTH KOREA /DEMOCRACY IN UKRAINE /WHITE PAPER: YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

presented by ONNED, Greece MUF, Sweden

A single seat for the European Parliament Turning off the lights in Strasbourg The European Parliament is the only assembly in the world that does not have a single seat. Therefore work is currently spread among 9 buildings in 3 EU countries which have led to a misuse of resources and inefficiency.

Currently the “Louise Weiss” building in Strasbourg costs 2.3 billion euro to maintain while it is vacant 300 days a year. In addition, the City of Strasbourg has been overcharging the EP between €32 and €60 million for this property. Moreover, resources spent on transporting the 754 members of the EP to the 12 plenary hearings in France each year have contributed to greenhouse gas emissions. CO2 emissions emerging from the Brussels – Strasbourg commute are estimated around19, 000 tons annually, which goes against the EU's commitment to reducing greenhouse gases. YEPP acknowledges that holding the Strasbourg seat as an extra meeting point for the European Parliament has historical significance; however today it is a symbol of red tape, and budgetary controversy. Therefore YEPP calls on the EU Council to amend the Amsterdam Treaty, and the EP to promote efficiency and productivity by reclaiming the maximum of weekly working days.

Main Clauses

YEPP supports the commitment of calls on the EU Council to unanimously amend the Amsterdam Treaty and therefore inaugurate the establishment of a single seat for the European Parliament.

In YEPP’s view, the European Institutions should use the “Louise Weiss” building in Strasbourg for the needs of another permanent administration or department.

presented by OT-PDL, Romania [EMERGENCY RESOLUTION]

Democracy in Romania YEPP Calls on the EU Council to upholds the decision of the Romanian Constitutional Court that the Constitutional right of representation lies with the President and not the Prime Minister.

Therefore, YEPP calls on the EU Council to immediately suspend right of representation for Romania as represented by PM Ponta.

Calls on the European Commission to launch immediately infringement procedures against the government of Romania on the legality in accordance to EU Law of the latest actions and decisions made by PM Ponta.

Calls on the European Union Fundamental Rights Committee to organise an open and public hearing to examine the Romanian situation and its outcome.

Affirms its belief that the Principle of separation of powers in the state is the basis of democracy, and it is the obligation of Social-Liberal Union to observe it.

Calls the European Parliament to take measures against the undemocratic actions of the Social-Liberal Union and ask for the compliance with Article 1 and 2 of the Treaty of the European Union.

YEPP expresses its dismay that the socialist and left-leaning groups in the European Union and European Parliament have vetoed amendments to the agenda of the July Plenary Session of the European Parliament to allow discussion of the Romanian situation.

Calls on the socialist and left-leaning groups to act decisively and responsibly in ensuring compliance of the Romanian government with National and International Law.

presented by Junge Union, Germany

Strengthening ties with Arab Civil Society In these turbulent times for the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood, the achievements of the Arab people reaffirm our support in their struggle for the deepening of the newly gained freedom and democracy. It is a civic society in development, where the further need of democratization of state institutions on different levels is imperative. There is still a strong need for rapid strengthening of civil society institutions, governmental entities and NGOs in the post-revolution countries, emphasizing the establishment of strong bases in order to build fair and trustworthy systems in the whole region.

YEPP encourages the European Commission to establish a contact office for all civil society activities in the Arab countries as well as further elicit and develop opportunities of cooperation with civil society institutions in the M.E.N.A. region.

YEPP calls for the promotion of cooperation of civil society organizations with potential partner organizations in the Arab countries in their field of activity.

The governments of the Middle East must be demanded to guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of religion and civil society engagement.

presented by Young Fine Gael, Ireland

Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy: Supporting Opportunities for Young Farmers Negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy post-2013 currently dominate the EU agenda.

YEPP strongly believes that intergenerational renewal must be a priority in these negotiations.

The agriculture sector in the EU is facing a massive demographic crisis. Currently, those under 35 years account for a mere 6% of European farm owners, and in some EU Member States, as many as 40% of farm-holders are at least 65 years old. The current Rural Development Programme includes optional measures dedicated to young farmers, however these are often not fully utilised by Member States. YEPP calls for these increased payments to young farmers to be made mandatory under the new CAP in order to combat the barriers to entry faced by young people seeking to enter the agricultural sector.

YEPP urges the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council to make generational renewal an overall priority in all remaining CAP discussions and negotiations.

All EU Member States should commit to a mandatory topup of direct payments under Pillars One and Two of CAP for young farmers for a five-year period after set-up when they are under 40 years of age at the time of set-up.

YEPP calls on the European Commission to coordinate an EU-wide survey of young people in the European agricultural industry.

presented by Young Fine Gael, Ireland

In Support of a Stable and Unified Eurozone: The Irish Referendum on the Fiscal Compact The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (Fiscal Compact) was signed by 25 EU Member States in March 2012. This treaty is a major element of the eorts to restore stability and growth to the Eurozone by adopting responsible budgeting practices and improving coordination between Eurozone members. In Ireland, it was necessary to put the Fiscal compact to a referendum. In May 2012 the Irish electorate voted to ratify the Treaty.

YEPP recognises that the terms of the Fiscal Compact will improve fiscal responsibility within the Eurozone, which will contribute to restoring stability, and in turn encouraging investment, creating employment, and generating economic growth. However YEPP also stresses that the Fiscal Compact will not put an end to Europe's economic woes- continuing eorts and further reform of the Eurozone are needed to ensure that Europe can create a strong and stable economy for generations to come.

YEPP calls on all signatories of the Fiscal Compact to ensure that it is swiftly ratified.

YEPP welcomes the European Commission's commitment to incorporate the Fiscal Compact into EU law as soon as possible.

The European Union Member States and Institutions are called upon to ensure that the Fiscal Compact is the first step towards comprehensive reform of the Eurozone, to ensure that the financial devastation of the past few years can never be repeated.

presented by ONNED, Greece

A Common European Investment Policy [FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS]

In today’s inter-dependent and complementary world, Europe recognizes the vital importance of the Foreign Direct Investment as a source of productivity gains that plays a crucial role in establishing and organising businesses and jobs at home and abroad. Both inward and outward Investment have a positive impact on growth, competitiveness and productivity.

Today, the EU is the world's leading host and source of Foreign Direct Investment over which was granted exclusive competence over liberalization and regulation by the Lisbon Treaty. The rise of emerging economies has greatly increased their share in global Foreign Direct Investment flows, encouraging the EU to compete with the rest of the World in order to remain the prime destination of these flows.

Therefore, Investors need a stable and predictable environment to operate and a leveled playing field with the rest of the world to compete with.

YEPP calls for an acceleration of the adoption of a comprehensive Regulation that will further liberalize investment within the EU and adopt a common set of rules and principles that regulate the area of investment internally.

The Bilateral Investment Treaties in place between the individual Member States and third States should be renegotiated in order to substitute them with EU wide Treaties that will provide European Investors with a common high-level protection abroad.

The International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Convention must be amended so as for the EU to become a member along with the Member States on its own right and effectively protect all European investors in third States.

presented by CDJA, the Netherlands

No to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions Relationships between the European Union and North Korea have been strained due to the latter's refusal to cease nuclear activities and an overall unwillingness to discuss human rights issues. On April 13 2012 North Korea tried to demonstrate its nuclear ambitions by attempting to launch a “satellite” rocket. The attempt is in violation of North Korea’s international obligations as set out in the UN Security Council Resolution of 1874. Therefore YEPP calls on the European Commission, in cooperation with the United States, to force diplomatic pressure upon North Korea to respect the UN Security Council Resolutions, by ceasing all forms of rocket launches and nuclear activities in the future.

YEPP calls on the European Union to convince, via diplomatic ways, North Korea to give full accession to the representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for an independent investigation.

The European Commission should, in cooperation with the United States, force diplomatic pressure on North Korea to stop the all forms of rocket launchings, all nuclear activities and respect UN Security Council Resolutions 825, 1695,1874 and 1985.

YEPP calls on the EU and its member states to pursue its call for an early resumption of The Six-Party-Talks.

presented by GL, Italy

In support of a free and democratic Ukraine YEPP continues to observe with serious concern the deteriorating level of democracy in Ukraine, the progressive shrinking of democratic liberties, an increasing level of violations of human rights and limitations on freedom of expression. Yulia Tymoshenko, head of the strongest opposition party, continues to be imprisoned under questionable conditions.

The Parliament has adopted new laws which restrict the participation of newly formed political parties in parliamentary elections, and the State Registration Service has announced its intention not to recognise Democratic Alliance, a newly formed political party.

YEPP maintains the position that the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine, which was initiated in December 2011, can be ratified only when Ukraine's government takes measures to ensure that human rights are protected and that the justice system operates in a manner free from any political bias. Ukraine's judicial system continues to display serious irregularities and YEPP believes the EU cannot tolerate this lack of democracy.

YEPP calls on the European Institutions to implement personal sanctions against Ukrainian politicians and judges who are contributing to an authoritarian turn in Ukraine YEPP calls on the Ukrainian Government to end the use of criminal trials as a method of political harassment and as a way to silence the opposition and to abolish the existing law that allows political figures to be persecuted under criminal law for political decisions

presented by the YEPP Board

Read the final version of the White Paper and watch Barroso’s speech on http://youthepp.eu/ news/representatives-33-centre-right-youthorganizations-adopt-declaration-youthunemployment

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PODIUM A POLICY HANDBOOK