LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
FEBRUARY 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
Migration, Dutch Presidency, cohesion policy - ALDE’s focus at the February plenary session
Migration, Dutch Presidency, cohesion policy - ALDE’s focus at the February plenary session Bas Verkerk (NL/VVD) gets the Dutch Presidency to make cities a priority Discussion on EU Urban Agenda highlight of REGI-COTER meeting Bart Somers (BE/Open VLD) keynote speaker at ALDE-EP New Year Seminar: ‘The essence of the challenge is ideological, not religious’ François Decoster (FR/UDI) meets Cecilia Wikström MEP to discuss EU migration crisis Bas Verkerk (NL/ALDE) keynote speaker at ELF event in Ukraine: ‘Ukraine should find its own model of decentralisation’ ALDE member and the President of the Basque Country Iñigo Urkullu (ES) at the CoR to launch industrial competitiveness project Andres Jaadla (EE/Keskerakond) shares environmental best practices with mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa Third [Y] Factor Conference: young people know better where the future leads Upcoming ALDE activities: LeaDeR awards ceremony; Open Doors Day; ALDE-CoR Extraordinary Group meeting in Klaipeda Ongoing ALDE opinions: EU environment law: improving reporting and compliance; own-initiative opinion on radicalisation; own-initiative opinion on food waste; opinion on Aviation Strategy.
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LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
FEBRUARY 2016
Bas Verkerk (NL/VVD) gets the Dutch Presidency to make cities a priority The Dutch Presidency has clearly put the Urban Agenda very high among its priorities following on from the work that ALDE-CoR President Bas Verkerk did as CoR rapporteur on the topic, who has played an active role in helping to shape the Dutch Presidency’s plans. This recognises how vital it is to develop policy taking into consideration the reality on the ground. The Ministers of Urban Development are expected to adopt the so called Pact of Amsterdam at its informal Council meeting on 30 May 2016 in Amsterdam. The Pact of Amsterdam aims to ensure urban matters are taken into consideration when policies are being designed, that there is better coordination between key actors, better regulation, better funding and development of concrete solutions to today’s urban problems.
One key delivery mechanism of the EU Urban Agenda will be what are known as Thematic Partnerships. The objective of these Partnerships is to develop a multilevel (vertical) and multi-dimensional (horizontal) approach on a specific priority theme. To do so, the Partnerships have to prepare and implement an Action Plan and regularly report to the Commission on the progress achieved. The duration of each partnership would be approximately 3 years, with a possibility of extension. The upcoming Dutch Presidency is currently preparing, in cooperation with the European Commission, the setting up of the first four thematic partnerships on urban poverty; housing; air quality; and integration of migrants and refugees. The idea is to get these policy fields “urbanproof”, meaning exploring the urban dimension of these policy fields, involving cities in an early phase of policy making in order to facilitate
implementation on the ground and look at how EU funding could help in this process. CoR members have been asked by the Dutch Presidency if their city is interested in participating in these partnerships. Welcoming the decisive move by the Dutch government, led by liberal Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Bas Verkerk concluded: “At last, the Urban Agenda is moving from rhetoric to reality, becoming a specific instrument with concrete goals. And I am delighted that in my capacity as CoR rapporteur on the topic, I have contributed to the development of the EU’s Urban Agenda. Now, I want to assure that the Pact of Amsterdam becomes as ambitious as it possibly can, providing commitments on real results. We also have to make sure that the following presidencies continue on the same path, as well as that all relevant Commission services intervene in the process.”
Discussion on EU Urban Agenda highlight of REGI-COTER meeting The new European Urban Agenda should improve the quality of life in cities but also the EU governance. It is about developing new working methods, including partnerships and selective impact assessments of legislation. European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee and Committee of the Region’s COTER members stressed in a joint hearing on 25 January afternoon that to reach this goal there is a need for a practical and concrete approach, reflecting the needs on the ground and building partnerships with different levels of government.
This was the first joint hearing held by the regional-policy panels of the two political assemblies. Particular attention was devoted to the integration of immigrants in Europe’s cities, and on issues that undermine the quality of life in cities,
including urban sprawl and poverty. Members considered three case studies, one on Barcelona’s integration of immigrants, one on Stockholm’s urban planning and one on Zagreb’s accessible housing.
Iskra Mihaylova (ALDE, BG), chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI), said: “I firmly believe that the European Parliament, together with the other EU institutions, national governments and local and regional actors, has a key role to play in shaping the new urban paradigm.” Representing the ALDE Group were President Bas Verkerk (NL/VVD) who himself was the CoR rapporteur on the Urban Agenda, ALDE COTER commission coordinator Ulrika Landergren (SE/ Liberalerna) and Dainis Turlais (LV).
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Dainis Turlais and Bas Verkerk (from left)
LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
FEBRUARY 2016
Bart Somers (BE/Open VLD) keynote speaker at ALDE-EP New Year Seminar: ‘The essence of the challenge is ideological, not religious’ The prevention of recruitment of EU citizens by terrorist organisations must lead to a discussion about the societal root causes of such a phenomenon, to be addressed through a long term strategy. Prevention at community level, social inclusion, the fight against discrimination, economic growth and stability, as well as mental health aspects have for a long time been overlooked as potential factors to tackle violent extremism. These were the key points discussed at the ALDE New Year Seminar where ALDE-CoR Vice-President and Mayor of Mechelen Bart Somers (BE/Open VLD) was invited to speak on behalf of ALDE-CoR. The seminar was organised by Vice-President of the ALDE Group, Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP and Maite Pagazaurtundua MEP. In his intervention he stressed that the essence of the challenge is ‘ideological and not religious’
and therefore that we need to defend democracy and win over people who are at risk and bind them back into the society. The greatest risk, according to Mr Somers, is isolation so it is of utmost importance to develop early detection and warning mechanisms (helplines, networks etc.). The key to tackling this phenomenon is strengthening diversity and empowering citizens. Local and regional authorities (LRA’s) are best placed to do just that. Mr Somers called for concrete tools to be developed to help LRA’s prevent radicalisation.
Philosophy and Religion, Lancaster, among others.
Other speakers included Mr Maurits Berger, Professor, Leiden University Centre for the Study of Religion; Mr Juan Fernando Calderin, Director of International Observatory of Studies on Terrorism; Ms Linda Woodhead, Professor, Department of Politics,
François Decoster (FR/UDI) meets Cecilia Wikström MEP to discuss EU migration crisis In light of the current migration crisis in Europe,
in view of the coming influx there’s no guarantee
the ALDE-CoR Vice President and CoR rapporteur
that local authorities, especially his own in Nord-
on European Agenda on Migration met with
Pas-de-Calais - Picardie, are able to cope with
the European Parliament shadow-rapporteur
the numbers. This is exacerbated by the
(on the LIBE report on the Situation in the
fact that funding goes currently through
Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU
Member State governments and often
approach to migration) Cecilia Wikström (ALDE)
ends up in the capital and does not reach
to discuss the question of how Member States
the regions where it’s most needed. Mr
and local authorities could cooperate together
Decoster called for direct funding access for
to resettle 160.000 Syrian refugees – a promise
LRA’s.
the European leaders have made – and more
During the discussion Ms Wikström and Mr
generally how to cope with the current situation.
Decoster both agreed that a European response
Meeting with Ms Wikström on 16 February,
is needed to tackle the current crisis. Without
Mr Decoster addressed the lack of solidarity in
admitting common responsibility the threat to
welcoming refugees to Europe and the fact that
the European project will only increase.
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LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
FEBRUARY 2016
Bas Verkerk (NL/VVD) keynote speaker at ELF event in Ukraine: ‘Ukraine should find its own model of decentralisation’ The principle of subsidiarity is fundamental to the functioning of the European Union, and more specifically to EU decision-making. In particular, it aims to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen and by the level of power acting more efficiently in a particular subject. However, subsidiarity is not strictly European related: Ukraine has recently introduced the principle within its constitution and it is aiming at establishing a modern municipal government in accordance with the principles and the spirit of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. On 14 February, the European Liberal Forum (ELF) held a Ralf Dahrendorf Roundtable on “Subsidiarity as Guiding Principle of Decentralisation” on the fringes of the 8th Forum of the Network of Free Local Politicians in Odessa, Ukraine. The roundtable was organised with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and co-funded by the European Parliament. At the invitation of ELF, Bas Verkerk, President of the
ALDE Group in the European Committee of the Regions and Mayor of the Dutch city of Delft, was asked to share his experience of decentralisation in Europe and in the Netherlands in particular. In his intervention Mr Verkerk stressed that Ukraine should find its own model of decentralisation. Based on his experience, there is no one-fit-for-all solution, but it is a trial and error process. However, two basic principles should always be kept in mind: decentralisation must not be defined as a sharing of competences; and a strategic approach should take into account the actual situation of the country. He further explained that subsidiarity is a daily puzzle for the local bodies that have to address the citizens’ needs. Political and strategic decisions are taken at the national level, but the implementation is done on a regional or local level. National laws normally depict a ‘frozen’ situation. ‘A good politician has to deal with the real situation, adapt to the circumstances and be courageous’, he said. While the local
level is competent, national, regional and local authorities have to nevertheless work together and not shy away to use experts to ensure that the best cost-effective situations are put in place and exchange on best practices. Ukraine has today the very rare chance to design a new layout of administration in the country, and government and local bodies will have to work together to implement decentralisation in a full and consistent scheme. Echoing the work that the CoR does with the Ukrainian government via its Ukraine Task Force, the roundtable confirmed that the Committee of the Regions can be of great help in assisting Ukrainian politicians in this process by exchanging good practices and providing experts to further continue debating important topics such as cross-border and inter-regional cooperation, administrative empowerment, fiscal decentralisation, and much more.
Bas Verkerk (third from left)
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LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
FEBRUARY 2016
ALDE member and the President of the Basque Country Iñigo Urkullu (ES) at the CoR to launch industrial competitiveness project On 27 January the President of the Basque Country Iñigo Urkullu (ES/ALDE) was welcomed in the European Committee of the Regions. Lehendakari Urkullu is a full member of the ALDE Group since March 2013.
During his working day in Brussels, President Urkullu met with Commissioner Cañete and Commissioner Bulc to discuss the situation of
the steel industry and the Atlantic rail corridor, respectively.
At the Committee of the Regions headquarters, Urkullu opened a seminar on industrial challenges in the context of the Vanguard initiative, a large European project that seeks to improve the competitiveness of industry through interregional cooperation. Urkullu pointed out that the Basque Country “keeps its compromise” to facilitate interregional cooperation “on intelligent specialization strategies in order to provide better answers to the needs of enterprises, to improve its capacity of innovation and to stimulate their internationalisation”. The Basque Government delegation visiting the CoR included the regional Minister of Economic Development and Competitiveness Arantxa Tapia, the regional Minister of Territorial Policy and Environment Ana Oregi, the Secretary General of Foreign Action Marian Elorza, and the Delegate of Euskadi to the European Union Marta Marín.
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LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
FEBRUARY 2016
Andres Jaadla (EE/Keskerakond) shares environmental best practices with mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa
The world’s biggest urban climate and energy initiative, Covenant of Mayors is expanding beyond the wider European region, into Africa - aiming to export inspiring examples, principles and a methodology for SubSaharan African cities on addressing sustainable energy. Andres Jaadla (EE/Keskerakond), ALDE coordinator of the ENVE commission and the initiator of Covenant of Mayors (CoM) in Estonia, participated in a CoM workshop in Nairobi on 16 February organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).
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He was invited to share best practices in the field of sustainable energy action and introduce the work done in Estonia in general and his hometown Rakvere in particular. Attended by mayors from a number of African countries, the workshop addressed the opportunities and challenges faced by smaller cities and towns when achieving energy saving conditions foreseen in the Covenant. Whereas larger cities have the economic prowess and human resources to fulfil the requirements, smaller cities are much faster in the implementation phase.
“The example of Rakvere clearly shows that small and medium-sized cities are capable of achieving remarkable results, and not only in Europe. One simply has to be brave and eager”, said Jaadla. Andres Jaadla was the mayor of Rakvere from 2002 to 2012. A number of world-renowned energy-saving and environmental projects were launched during his tenure as Mayor, most notably the first so-called zero-energy house in Estonia.
LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
FEBRUARY 2016
Third [Y] Factor Conference: young people know better where the future leads
In late September 2015 twenty young people with unquenchable spirits and strong minds came together and after long and challenging discussions decided to organise an event which would reflect the concern of youth trying to enter the world of entrepreneurship in the century of digitalisation. On 27th January 2016 the third [Y] Factor Conference titled “Think Smart, Think Regional…Let’s Innovate!” took place and was organised by the trainees of the European Committee of the Regions. The event brought together young people, the private sector and local authorities for a lively debate discussing the role of youth in local and regional innovation in a completely new interactive format, allowing the public to
collaborate with speakers on two panels. The first panel was focused on finding new paths for cooperation between young entrepreneurs and local authorities, while the second panel concentrated on the content of a “smart city” and big data as an innovation driver. The debate defined the links and revealed the difficulties in cooperation between young entrepreneurs and local authorities. The speakers were Neale Richmond (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Councillor), and Anne Karjalainen (City Councillor of Kerava), representing local governments. Douglas Kakaras (Head of Sales at mCity, Itero) and Lorenzo Pregaliasco (Director and Co-founder of YouTrend and of the research start-up Quorum) expressed the views of start-
uppers. Other speakers included Ingrid Willems (Marketing Technologist, Co-founder of startups, Entrepreneur) and Henriette van Eijl (Policy Coordinator for smart cities at the European Commission, DG MOVE). As stated by Neale Richmond, young people know better where the future leads and they create growth and employment; but they should always keep in mind what Markku Markkula, the president of the European Committee of Regions, proposed in his speech - the new definition of billionaire is not connected to money, but the number of people’s lives a person can change. By Madara Supe (Former ALDE-CoR trainee)
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LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
Upcoming ALDE activities: LeaDeR Awards
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ALDE-CoR will be promoting European Liberals at EU institutions’ Open Doors Day. On 28 May, on the occasion of Europe Day, the European Committee of the Regions will open its doors to the public along with other EU institutions. The ALDE-CoR Group staff will explain to the visitors what the EU does for its citizens. Come and visit us on the ground floor of Jacques Delors Building on 101 Rue Belliard.
Ongoing ALDE opinions
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LeaDeR Awards recognise outstanding work of liberal and democrat politicians from the sub-state levels of government (e.g. municipal, county/province, and region). Building on the success of the past four editions, the ALDE Group in the European Committee of the Regions launched another edition of the awards at the ALDE Party Congress in Budapest. The awards ceremony for this 5th edition will be held in Brussels on 25 April 2016. Winners and finalists will be invited to Brussels for the ceremony.
Outlook Opinion on EU environment law: improving reporting and compliance by Andres Jaadla (EE/Keskerakond). Adoption at CoR plenary session 15-16 June 2016. Own-initiative opinion on Combatting radicalisation and violent extremism: prevention mechanisms at local and regional level by Bart Somers (BE/Open VLD). Adoption foreseen at CoR plenary session 15-16 June 2016.
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DECEMBER 2015
The 2016 external group meeting of ALDE-CoR will take place on 3 June in the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda. For the first time this event will be organised together with ALDE MEPs, the ALDE REGI WG) and in collaboration with the ALDE Party, whose Council meeting will take place in Vilnius the following day. The programme of the 3rd includes a joint seminar on the simplification of the European Structural and Investment Fund rules and procedures, as a key condition for the success of the current and future EU Cohesion policy. It will be followed by presentations and a study visit on the topic of energy security and how EU macro regional strategies can enhance it.
Own-initiative opinion on Reduction of food waste by Ossi Martikainen (FI/Keskusta). Adoption at CoR plenary session 15-16 June 2016. Opinion on Aviation Strategy by Ulrika Carlefall-Landergren (SE/ Liberalerna). Adoption at CoR plenary session 10-12 October 2016.
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