LeaDeRs The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour l'Europe
MARCH 2015
ALDE secures key positions in the new CoR mandate, under the renewed leadership of Bas Verkerk
IN THIS ISSUE
ALDE secures key positions in the new CoR mandate, under the renewed leadership of Bas Verkerk
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The new ALDE presidency team takes office for the 6th mandate of the CoR
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Profiles of new ALDE coordinators for the 6th mandate of the CoR 2-3 Green economy; interoperability of public services – ALDE’s focus at the February plenary session
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“In a knowledge-driven economy, cities and towns are engines for growth and jobs in the EU” - Bas Verkerk (ALDE/NL) speaking in the European Parliament REGI committee 4 Upcoming ALDE activities: joint reception at the ALDE Party Council in Oslo; co-hosting a fringe meeting with ELF at the ALDE Party Council
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In its meeting held on 5 February, which coincided with the beginning of the 6th mandate of the Committee of the Regions, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe re-elected Bas Verkerk as its President and endorsed his candidacy to the presidency of the Committee of the Regions. Bas VERKERK, Mayor of the City of Delft, echoed the words expressed by many members during the group meeting: “ALDE has returned as a larger group than at the start of the previous mandate and we will once again be an influential group in the CoR. This is crucial at a time when the political situation of Europe is evolving rapidly and unpredictably. That is why we intend that the liberals be part of the driving force of the European Committee of the Regions, as is the case in the European Commission and the European Parliament. We firmly believe that the presidency team of the CoR should be open to the ALDE Group and that is why my colleagues have put me forward as candidate for CoR President. I look forward to presenting my case to the CoR plenary for a Committee which is more confident and effective in achieving impact on Bas VERKERK (NL) the EU legislative process.“ Verkerk will lead the group of liberals that counts 45 full members and 41 alternates from more than 30 national political parties in 20 member states. President Verkerk agreed to withdraw his candidacy as part of an agreement, which for the third consecutive mandate has been reached by all political groups of the CoR, the ALDE group succeeded in securing 10 institutional positions. Among these are the presidencies of the Citizenship, Governance and External Relations commission (CIVEX) and the Turkey Working Group, the vice-presidencies of the Territorial Cohesion commission (COTER), the Economic Affairs commission (ECON), and the Financial and Administrative Affairs commission (CFAA) all in the first half of the mandate, while in the second half, ALDE will hold the presidencies of the Natural Resources commission (NAT) and the Western Balkans working group, as well as vice-presidencies of CIVEX, CFAA, and the Environment, Energy and Climate Change commission (ENVE). Mr François DECOSTER (FR), Mayor of Saint-Omer, will chair the CIVEX Commission and Mr Jean-Luc VANRAES (BE), Local councillor of Uccle, will chair the Turkey Working Group, both in the first half of the mandate (2015-2017). Mr Ossi MARTIKAINEN (FI), Local councillor of Lapinlahti, will chair the NAT Commission in the second half of the mandate (2017-2020). Also in the first half, Mrs Simone BEISSEL (LU), Municipal Councillor of the City of Luxembourg, will be the Vice-Chair of the ECON Commission, Mr Dainis TURLAIS (LV), Member of Rīga City Council, will hold the Second Vice-Chairmanship of the COTER Commission, and Mrs Agnès DURDU (LU), Member of Wincrange Municipal Council, will hold the Second Vice-Presidency of CFAA. The remaining appointments to the institutional positions will be decided later in the mandate.
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LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
The new ALDE presidency team takes office for the 6th mandate of the CoR At its group meeting preceding the February plenary session, the ALDE members elected their Bureau and coordinators for the CoR commissions: President – Mr Bas VERKERK (NL), Mayor of Delft First Vice-President – Mrs Agnès DURDU (LU), Member of Wincrange Municipal Council Second Vice-President – Mr Bart SOMERS (BE), Open VLD chairman in the Flemish Parliament and Mayor of Mechelen Third Vice-President – Mr François DECOSTER (FR), Mayor of Saint-Omer Elected members of the Bureau Mr Jerry LUNDY (IE) – Sligo County Councillor Mr Andris JAUNSLEINIS (LV) - Member of Ventspils Municipal Council Mr Vytautas GRUBLIAUSKAS (LT) - Member of Klaipėda City Municipal Council Ms Jasna GABRIČ (SI) - Mayor of the Municipality of Trbovlje
Coordinator ECON (Economic Policy Commission): Mr Jean-Luc VANRAES (BE) Deputy: Mrs Kate FEENEY (IE) Coordinator SEDEC (Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture Commission): Mrs Doreen HUDDART (UK) Deputy: Mr Rogier VAN DER SANDE (NL) Coordinator ENVE (Environment, Climate Change and Energy Commission): Mr Andres JAADLA (EE) Deputy: Mr Jens IVE (DK) Coordinator NAT (Natural Resources Commission): Mr Ossi MARTIKAINEN (FI) Deputy: Mr Bert GIJSBERTS (NL) Subsidiarity Steering Group Coordinator: Jean-Luc VANRAES (BE) Coordinator CORLEAP (Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership): Andris JAUNSLEINIS (LV)
Ex-Officio Bureau members Chair of CIVEX - Mr François DECOSTER (FR) Chair of TURKEY Working Group – Mr Jean-Luc VANRAES (BE), Local councillor of Uccle 1st Vice Chair ECON – Mrs Simone Beissel (LU), Municipal Councillor of the City of Luxembourg 2nd Vice Chair COTER – Mr Dainis Turlais (LV), Member of Rīga City Council Coordinator CAFA (Commission for Administrative and Financial Affairs): Mrs Agnès DURDU (LU) Coordinator CIVEX (Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs Commission): Bart SOMERS (BE) Coordinator COTER (Territorial Cohesion and Transport Commission): Mr Ralph DE VRIES (NL) Deputy: Jean-François BARNIER (FR)
Profiles of Chair of CIVEX and new ALDE coordinators for the 6th mandate of the CoR With the beginning of the new mandate of the Committee of the Regions, a number of ALDE members have taken up new positions within the group. Here are a few profiles to give an overview of their backgrounds and priorities. The group has also secured a key institutional position – chair of the CIVEX commission. François Decoster, Mayor of Saint Omer in France and Member of Nord-Pas de Calais Regional Council was elected unanimously as the new chair of the CIVEX commission for the first half of the new mandate 2015-2020 of the CoR. The election took place at the inaugural meeting of CIVEX (the Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs Commission), held on 13 February in Brussels. François Decoster is at the same time President of the urban area authority of Saint Omer. He is a member of CIVEX and CoR since 2012. Recently, he was appointed as general-rapporteur on the European immigration policy, an opinion drafted at the request of the EU Italian Presidency and adopted at the Committee’s plenary session last December.
François Decoster (FR)
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His wish is that the CIVEX commission would commit to citizenship matters so that the European Union, which is a unique institution in the world, could defend and reassert shared values. This is needed now more than ever! He believes that Europe has a responsibility towards neighboring countries and that the CIVEX commission must particularly strengthen its commitments towards the European Local Development year.
The new ALDE presidency team
Born in Hazebrouck in 1973, Decoster began his university studies at the Institute of political studies in Paris and at University Paris-Descartes, and finalised them at the College of Europe. After he started his career as a parliamentary adviser to an MEP, Decoster worked for a number of France’s ministers as a diplomatic officer between 2002 and 2012. He also served as a municipal councillor in Saint-Omer between 1997 and 2014, before becoming Mayor. During its first five year mandate, the CIVEX commission will continue to coordinate the CoR’s work in the field of freedom, security and justice, the EU Charter of Fundamental rights, active citizenship, good governance and institutional affairs. CIVEX is at the same time responsible for ensuring the relations between the Committee and the local and regional authorities of all the applicant countries for accession, of the Eastern Partnership countries and those from the Euro-Mediterranean Region. As the Mayor of Mechelen, Flemish Member of the Parliament and former Minister President of Flanders, Bart Somers is keenly aware of the importance of local governments and regional authorities: “Their relevance will only grow in the coming years. Considering the overall European framework, it is crucial that the voice of these local governments and authorities is well heard in Brussels. This is primarily because together we can work and solve problems more efficiently. For us as liberals this must be our guiding principle!Our main challenge is to protect democracy, human rights and the rule of law at a time when international insecurity is on a rise.” As the ALDE Coordinator of the CIVEX commission, Somers sees the destabilisation in Eastern Europe under the influence of Russia’s President Putin as
Bart SOMERS (BE)
LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
one of European Union’s key challenges. Additionally, the extreme Islamic radicalisation that grows in its most terrible shape in Syria and Iraq is of serious concern also. CIVEX is pre-eminently a commission where liberals can make a difference, due to it dealing with topics such as human rights, freedom, privacy, the battle for democracy and against terrorism. All those principles are basic liberal ideas that have been slowly integrated into other ideologies. As CIVEX coordinator, Somers finds it his duty to secure those liberal fundaments. For him as a liberal, CIVEX is one of the most important commissions in the CoR because it deals with fundamental liberal values. At a time when insecurity and instability are the new norm, it is crucial that liberals take responsibility. Throughout history they have proven their engagement and they should prove it again today as a strong force that believes in the European project, embedded in economic freedom and human rights. Ralph de Vries, Vice-governor of the province of Utrecht in the Netherlands, will be continuing his work as the ALDE coordinator of COTER commission. In the new mandate of the CoR he will be focussing on a number of policy areas. The main priority COTER should stand for is the involvement of local and regional authorities in European policy-making. Policy areas related to economic, social and territorial cohesion should see a particularly strong involvement of LRA’s. Furthermore, active contributions of local and regional authorities and SME’s with regard to the Investment Plan of Juncker, would send a strong message. In this case it is necessary to promote cross-border cooperation. Cohesion policy after 2020 will be another main priority as will be the delivery of Europe’s 2020 targets on growth and jobs. Ralph DE VRIES (NL) As coordinator he will maintain his connections with the European institutions, especially with the REGI committee of the European Parliament. De Vries is convinced of the importance to work towards a more integrated approach to European policy-making, better regulation, and better access to European funds, knowledge sharing and new governance. Education, innovation and sustainability should be key themes in all European proposals!
MARCH 2015
the diversity and possibilities of rural and agricultural regions of Europe in creating green and sustainable growth. Secondly, we have to emphasise the importance of an ecologically sustainable European model of agriculture and make it even more multifunctional. Thirdly, we have to regain the trust of consumers by developing further traceability of products and ways of production.” Ossi Martikainen has been a member, and prior to Ossi MARTIKAINEN (FI) that an alternate member, of the CoR since 2001 and most of that time has been active in the NAT commission. The subject area that NAT deals with is very close to his heart since he himself is a farmer and forest owner from a sparsely populated region of Finland where a large majority of the population still live in close contact with nature. Prior to being involved in the work of the Committee of the Regions, Martikainen worked in Finnish and European politics as an advisor to the Finnish Minister of Trade and for two Finnish MEPs. In addition to being a member of the Committee of the Regions, Andres Jaadla is a Board Member of Housing Europe - The European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing, Board Member of Rakvere Smart House and Chairman of the Board of Estonian Union of Housing Cooperative Associations and member of the Rakvere City Council. Andres Jaadla has long-term professional experience in local government. He was a Deputy Mayor of the City Centre of Tallinn, a member of the City Council of Rakvere, and Mayor of Rakvere. He also initiated the Covenant of Mayors European initiative in Estonia and was Vice President of the Union of the Baltic Cities.
Doreen Huddart is a City councillor in Newcastle –upon-Tyne in the North East of England. She is in her second Mandate as an Alternate member representing the Liberal Democrat Party of the UK.
In his new capacity as the ALDE coordinator of ENVE commission, Jaadla will be working towards a healthier and more sustainable environment in Andres JAADLA (EE) Europe, this particularly from the standpoint of local and regional authorities. With his expertise in energy efficient housing, Jaadla hopes that the work of ENVE will contribute towards creating affordable, environmentally friendly and yet modern and smart urban areas.
Doreen has served on both the CIVEX and ECOS Commissions and has produced two opinions on Asylum and Child Poverty, both of which involved her speaking at several extra meetings, conferences and seminars to represent the CoR. She has also been the ALDE deputy coordinator and has shadowed on several other opinions e.g. Homelessness, Ageing and Equalities.
As a member of the ALDE group, he respects and abides by politics that welcome open and future-oriented European policy making, enveloping individual freedom, a free and dynamic business culture, economic and social solidarity, concern for the future of our environment, respect and tolerance for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.
Doreen’s professional background is in Heath Care and Health Education, and in addition to working in the health and higher education sectors, has worked for Aid Agencies in Africa and the Balkans. Doreen told us ‘This gave me an abiding interest in the Balkan states and developing countries. I’ve been lucky to be an alternate on the Western Balkans and Macedonia Working Groups which I hope is contributing to support for their democratic processes. I’ve also been lucky to have helped pre-accession states develop their electoral systems by working as an Electoral Monitor.’
Green economy; interoperability of public services – ALDE’s focus at the inaugural plenary session Doreen HUDDART (UK)
In her capacity as the new coordinator of SEDEC commission, she’s keen to ensure that the work programme is relevant to the members’ work in Local and Regional Government. As ALDE coordinator of the NAT commission, Ossi Martikainen has a number of key priorities for the coming years: “Firstly, the CoR and especially the NAT commission should bring to the fore
Successful transition to a green, low-carbon and resource-efficient economy is essential to the competitiveness of the European Union and to people’s well-being. In its opinion drawn up by Satu Tietari (ALDE/FI), chair of Säkylä Municipal Council, the Committee of the Regions underlines the pivotal role played by the public sector, including local and regional authorities, in this process. The opinion was adopted at the CoR’s plenary session in Brussels. The European Commission has drawn up two communications on this subject: one containing an action plan that is intended to help SMEs harness the business opportunities provided by the green economy; and the Green Employment Initiative, whose purpose is to support job creation in new sectors.
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LeaDeRs
The newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians
“Local authorities now have to decide what the green economy means in their locality and how it can be utilised. The recent Commission communications provide a good basis for regions to develop their own strengths by deploying local applications”, Tietari points out. The principle of the green economy is that business activity and productivity expand while fewer resources are consumed. Use of recycled matter as raw materials would not just serve environmental goals but would also help industry to reduce raw material consumption as well as storage, processing and waste management costs. This could improve the quality and innovativeness of products, and their reputation with consumers. Cities and regions should also provide targeted information to SMEs in different sectors about training and funding opportunities, and about the ways in which improving resource efficiency could bring them real economic benefits. Satu Tietari (FI)
The CoR endorses the European Commission’s objective of setting up a European Resource Efficiency Platform in 2015, but calls on the Commission to clarify who the partners will be and how they will be chosen. Green standards should also be introduced more broadly at European Union level, and consumers should be informed about these standards so that they can be persuaded to buy certified environment-friendly products. While welcoming the European Commission’s move to further encourage interoperable digital services between public administrations, Odeta Žerlauskienė (LT/ALDE) calls on the EU executive to give serious consideration to a number of related issues. This includes further emphasis on data usage security and the possibility to further open the new EU interoperability programme to non-governmental sectors and other partner states outside the EU. The CoR also recommends that more attention be paid to the public awareness of the possibilities offered by interoperable systems. The European Commission adopted last June a proposal for a new programme designed to help EU Member States to modernise their administrations and provide interoperable digital services at all levels of government. This is essential as more and more citizens work and relocate, and more businesses trade and operate across the Union, meaning that they often need to interact electronically with Member State’s administrations. The new programme – ISA 2 - will take over from its predecessor, ISA (Interoperability Solutions for European Public Administrations), to ensure smooth electronic cross-border or cross-sector interaction between European public administrations. The issue was debated at the CoR plenary session of 12 February on the basis of an opinion prepared by Odeta Žerlauskienė (LT/ALDE), Member of Skuodas District Municipal Council. Presenting her main recommendations to the CoR members, the rapporteur stressed: “Studies show that Member State governments still have a long way to go to provide businesses and individuals trouble-free Odeta Žerlauskienė (LT) access to online public services, whether within their own Member State or across borders. We urgently need to give a real boost to interoperability
MARCH 2015
between the various public administrations’ systems, also because the issue has a direct impact on the economic environment and is crucial to stimulating productivity, competitiveness and growth, as well as good governance all over the Europe”. The CoR welcomes the European Commission’s initiative as well as the scope of the proposed ISA2 Programme which will cover all levels of administration - European, local, regional and national - and is committed to taking into account their respective needs. It however calls the Commission to go further, especially by making ISA2 financing more open to non-governmental sectors, such as private individuals and businesses, as well as other partner states, primarily those involved in the Eastern or Euro-Mediterranean Partnerships.
“In a knowledge-driven economy, cities and towns are engines for growth and jobs in the EU” - Bas Verkerk (ALDE/NL) speaking in the European Parliament REGI committee Invited to speak on behalf of the CoR in the Regional Development Committee of the European Parliament on the urban dimension of EU policies, ALDE-CoR President Bas Verkerk (NL/ALDE) addressed the continued relevance of an integrated European urban agenda. In his intervention on Thursday the 16th of February Bas Verkerk (NL) he emphasised that “an urban agenda at EU level would recognise the importance of cities and towns in achieving European policy objectives and making Europe more internationally competitive. It would improve the integration of the urban dimension in EU policy making and facilitate its implementation. This is certainly a winwin situation for Europe and its cities.” The REGI meeting served as a first debate about the draft report by the European Parliament on the same topic. The ensuing debate addressed questions of urban mobility, smart cities & communities as well as an early warning mechanism. The issue of functional urban areas, which Mr Verkerk addressed at length, was also taken up by EP rapporteur Mrs Kerstin Westphal. Mr Verkerk has been calling upon the European Commission to present an integrated Urban Agenda for the EU since the adoption of his opinion by the CoR plenary last year. He’s calling for the Urban Agenda to be drafted in close cooperation with European cities. The involvement should ensure the integration of two recent developments in EU policy making: 1) The establishment of functional regions and agglomerations and 2) A new relationship between local government and society. To ensure that these two developments are integrated in EU policy making, the Committee of the Regions calls on the Commission to present a white paper for an integrated EU urban agenda. He said “We call for a white paper in order to come to a real integration of the urban dimension, after almost 20 years of discussion and several declarations, motions and debates.”
Upcoming ALDE activities: joint reception at the ALDE Party Council in Oslo; joint fringe meeting with ELF at the ALDE Party Council
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The first ALDE Party Council Meeting of 2015 will be held in Oslo, Norway at the invitation of Norway’s Venstre Party. Held across two days (Friday 8 - Saturday 9 May) the ALDE Party Council Meeting will offer opportunities for debate on
traditional Council Meeting matters and resolutions; a diverse programme of fringe discussions; and social networking opportunities for liberals and democrats from across Europe.
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ALDE-CoR will participate in the Council meeting and will also co-host the welcome reception. In addition, ALDE-CoR will join forces with European Liberal Forum (ELF) in co-hosting the Ralf Dahrendorf Rountable: ‘You can’t change the heart without telling a story – Liberals and the far-right’.
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