EPP/CoR Winter University for local and regional media 2013

Winter University

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Table of contents

Welcome � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 4 The Committee of the Regions in a nutshell � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 5 The wider EPP family � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12 Communicating Europe � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 15 The European Union and the media European journalists on the challenges of covering the EU Storytelling: How to turn EU stories local – and local stories European The European Elections and the media

European cohesion and regional policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20 Social media and the European Union � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21 The Economic and Financial Crisis in Europe � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22 Speakers at the 2013 Winter University � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22 Useful contacts and links � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23 Going local � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24 Practical details for the EPP Winter University 2013 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30 Useful words and terminology � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31

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Welcome

Journalism is the craft of conveying news, descriptive material and opinion via a widening spectrum of media. These include newspapers, magazines, radio and television, the internet and even, more recently, the mobile phone. Journalists serve as the chief purveyors of information and opinion in contemporary mass society. With over 1,200 journalists covering the European Union from its capital, Brussels is arguably the largest international media centre in the world. However, the number of foreign journalists in Brussels has recently declined from previous levels of around 1400. This is mainly due to the difficulties facing the media industry, in Belgium and beyond. So, what do you do when you want to cover European affairs from afar – from one of its many regions and cities?

I believe that we need to be daring and engage closer with EU topics, especially as we head towards the European elections where citizens are called upon to choose the direction that the EU will take.

Reporting about the EU should be about interaction - domestic and EU politics are two sides of the same coin.

The EU finances literally millions of projects across Europe. Most of these projects have a concrete impact on people’s lives and make a real difference to the local community. Despite this, many people are completely unaware that the EU is investing in the area they live, or places they visit when they travel around Europe.

Moreover, we need to find ways of providing a platform where people can share their stories and get involved in conversations about what Europe means for them. Social media clearly has a role to play here and I hope that many of you will be inspired to work together and get the message out: This time the elections will be different!

Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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The Committee of the Regions in a nutshell

The Committee of the Regions is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union. It is made up of 344 members, who are regional and locally elected representatives from the 28 EU countries.

ll Who are the members?

The Committee of the Regions is made up of 353 members and an equal number of alternates who represent the 28 countries in the EU. They serve a five-year term of office once formally appointment by the Council.

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24 for Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom; 21 for Spain and Poland; 15 for Romania; 12 for Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden; 9 for Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania and Slovakia; 7 for Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia; 6 for Cyprus and Luxembourg; 5 for Malta.

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Members and alternates are representatives of regional and local bodies.

Work is carried out in 6 thematic commissions, which cover competences in the following policy areas based on the EU Treaties: ´´

Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER)

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Commission for Economic and Social Policy (ECOS)

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Commission for Education, Youth, Culture and Research (EDUC)

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Commission for Environment, Climate change and Energy (ENVE)

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Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX)

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Commission for Natural Resources (NAT)

Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional Affairs and External Relations The CIVEX Commission is responsible for coordinating work on issues including justice and home affairs, fundamental rights and freedoms, smart regulation and the reduction of administrative burdens, citizenship and broader institutional issues such as governance and devolution. The Commission also intensively deals with the Union’s external dimension, focusing on neighbourhood and enlargement countries and decentralised cooperation for development.

Competences: ´´

Area of Freedom, Security and Justice

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Immigration policy, asylum and visas

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EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

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Active citizenship

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Devolution

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Governance

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Better law making (including the reduction of administrative burdens)

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Implementation of the EU Treaty

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Neighbourhood Policy, Eastern Partnership and EU Mediterranean Policy

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Decentralised cooperation for development

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Enlargement (dealing with global issues not covered by the working groups of the Bureau)

Chairman: António Costa (PES, Portugal), Mayor of Lisbon

Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy Regional policy and transport policy are at the heart of concern for local and regional authorities throughout Europe.

The COTER Commission allows for representatives from local and regional authorities to discuss the planning and implementation of these policies and to ensure that their concerns are taken up by the other European Institutions.

Competences: ´´

Economic, social and territorial cohesion

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Structural Funds

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Spatial planning

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Urban policy

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Housing

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Transport and trans-European transport networks

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Macro-regions

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Territorial cooperation (including EGTC)

Chairman: Marek Woźniak (EPP , Poland), Marshal of the Wielkpolskie Region

Commission for Economic and Social Policy Local and regional authorities should play a central role in both the formulation and the implementation of economic and social policy in the European Union.

The ECOS Commission allows for representatives from local and regional authorities to discuss economic and social policy and exchange best practices in these fields.

Competences: ´´

Employment

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Social policy

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Social protection

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Equal opportunities

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Enterprise policy, competition and taxation

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Innovation

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Economic and monetary policy

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Internal market

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World Trade Organisation (WTO) issues

Chairwoman: Simone Beissel (ALDE , Luxembourg), Municipal Councillor of the City of Luxembourg

Commission for Education, Youth, Culture and Research Throughout the European Union local and regional levels have key responsibilities for policies and activities related to education, culture, youth and sports. They are also key players in developing regional research and innovation strategies, and in harnessing the full potential of information and communication technologies to the benefit of society.

Competences: ´´

Youth

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Sports

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Education

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Information and communication strategy of the EU

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Life-long learning

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Culture and cultural diversity

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Multilingualism and promotion of minority languages

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Research and technology

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Information society and trans-European telecommunication networks

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Communications, audiovisual industry and media

Chairman: Anton Rombouts (EPP , Netherlands), Mayor of the city of ‘s Hertogenbosch

Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy Local and regional authorities play a central role in the implementation of EU environment, climate change and energy policy.

Competences: ´´

Environment policy

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Climate change adaptation and mitigation

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Renewable energy, trans-European networks in the energy sector and new energy policies

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Space policy (Galileo, GMES/Kopernikus and related issues)

Chairman: Ugo Cappellacci (EPP , Italy), President of Autonomous Region Sardinia

Commission for Natural Resources Local and regional authorities are a cornerstone in the implementation of agricultural, health, fisheries and maritime policies in the EU.

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Competences: ´´

Common agricultural policy, rural development

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Public health

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Common fisheries policy

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Maritime policy

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Food production

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Consumer protection

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Forestry

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Civil protection

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Tourism

Chairman: René Souchon (PES , France), President of Auvergne Regional Council In view of the enlargement process, the CoR has Joint Consultative Committees with Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Iceland as well as Working Groups with Turkey and the Western Balkans.

ll The EPP Group in the CoR The EPP Group is the largest of the political groupings in the Committee of the Regions with approximately 130 full members and 110 alternates. It therefore plays a crucial role in defining the CoR’s political responsibilities, putting forward resolutions and recommendations and organising debates within the Plenary Assemblies. Thanks to its size, the EPP Group also authors many of the official opinions and is on the winning side of most decisions.

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ll What are the EPP Group’s main beliefs?

The EPP Group aims to enhance the efficiency and influence of the CoR by representing the interests of citizens in the diverse cities, regions and municipalities across Europe. The EPP Group works towards a Europe that will uphold a prosperous and peaceful future for all its citizens.

Under the motto “think globally - act locally”, it works on the principle of subsidiarity. This means that decisions should always be taken at the level closest to citizens unless a better result can be achieved by working at the national or European level.

ll Who are the main actors?

President

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Michael Schneider, Envoy of the State of Saxony-Anhalt to the Federal Government (Germany)

1st Vice President

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Michel Lebrun, Member of the Walloon Parliament (Belgium)

Vice-Presidents

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Constance Hanniffy, Member of Offaly County Council, President of the monitoring committee of the Border, Midland and West Regional Assembly (Ireland)

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Anders Knape, President of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Councillor of Karlstad Municipality (Sweden)

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Eleni Loucaides, Town Councillor of Lefkosia (Cyprus)

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Constantin Ostaficiuc, President of Timis County Council (Romania) Roberto Pella, Councillor of the Valdengo Commune (Italy) Franz Schausberger, Representative of the Salzburg Region to the Committee of the Regions (Austria) Marek Woźniak, Marshall of the Wielkpolskaie Region (Poland)

ll How does the EPP Group work?

The EPP Group meets prior to each Plenary Assembly to set its positions and exchange information from the different EU regions and cities. In addition, the EPP members of the thematic commissions will meet before each commission meeting to align their ideas and agree on how to vote. This is coordinated by a nominated member of the EPP Group who acts as spokesperson.

In addition to these regular meetings, the EPP organises extraordinary meetings and seminars on the invitation of its members. The last of these meetings took place in Kaunas on 18 October and was dedicated to energy safety and security. It was hosted by Andrius Kupčinskas, Mayor of the City of Kaunas.

ll Communication activities and working with journalists The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions website www.epp.cor.europa.eu provides visitors with a wealth of information and the latest details on upcoming events and meetings. The Group is also active on social media with dedicated YouTube, Twitter and Flickr accounts as well as a Facebook page.

In addition to its event for local and regional journalists, the EPP Group also organises an annual seminar in the framework of Open Days and a study visit for students working towards a Masters in European Studies.

Journalists are invited to follow the work of members of the Committee of the Regions – support can be offered to attend a Plenary Session, a CoR Commission or a debate or event in Brussels. Moreover, the Press Officers are happy to provide information and support – in your own language - so that you may cover relevant information from home.

For more information contact the EPP/CoR Group Press Officers: Katie Owens - tel: +32 2 282 2400 / +32 494 39 27 98 Dominik Krakowiak - tel: +32 2 282 2539 / +32 472 84 26 75

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The wider EPP family

The EPP is committed to a federal Europe based on the principal of subsidiarity – whereby action is taken at the level closest to the people. Since October 2013, Joseph Daul has been Acting President of the EPP. The party counts on the Groups in the European Parliament and Committee of the Regions to defend and promote its values of democracy, transparency and efficiency by shaping common policies and putting citizens first. The EPP is currently at the helm of the European Union with Presidency of both the European Commission and European Council:

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José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission Herman Van Rompuy, President of the Council

ll EPP in the European Council Herman Van Rompuy was elected the first official President of the European Council in November 2009 following support from the EPP. As the European Council President, he is a regular participant of the EPP Summit of heads of state and government. He is an also ex officio member of EPP Presidency.

As a prelude to European Council Summits, these EPP heads of state and government, party leaders in coalition governments, the EPP Presidency, and EPP Presidents of the Commission and Parliament, meet to prepare the impending EU Council. These important sessions offer an informal, personal, and confidential atmosphere, in which differences can be aired and build consensus, in an effort to develop common positions. Moreover, Ministers affiliated to the EPP from policy fields such as Foreign Affairs, Defence, Economy and Finance, Justice and Home Affairs, Employment, Agriculture, Environment, Industry, Transport, and Energy, meet ahead of the Council of Ministers’ meetings to discuss and coordinate their work.

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ll EPP in the European Commission The European People’s Party has always been committed in supporting the work of the European Commission, the main European institution that implements European Union policies. It therefore places great emphasis on facilitating the appointment of Commissioners originating from our political family.

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José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission Vivianne Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship

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Antonio Tajani, Vice President of the European Commission, Industry and Entrepreneurship Michel Barnier, Internal Market and Services Dacian Ciolos, Agriculture and Rural Development

Kristalina Georgieva, International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Johannes Hahn, Regional Policy Connie Hedegaard, Climate Action Janusz Lewandowski, Budget and Financial Programming Gunther Oettinger, Energy Andris Piebalgs, Development Algirdas Šemeta, Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud

John Dalli, Health and Consumer Policy

ll EPP in the European Parliament The Group of the European People’s Party is the largest in the European Parliament with 264 Members.

It brings together centre and centre-right pro-European political forces from the Member States of the EU. Most of the parties represented in the EPP Group also belong to the European People’s Party. EPP parties came together to work towards a more competitive and democratic Europe, which is closer to its citizens, and a social market economy.

As the largest political group in a Parliament where non-socialist parties now enjoy a clear majority, the EPP Group is in a stronger position than any other to set that body’s political agenda and to win its most critical votes. This strength is reflected in the fact that, since 1999, the EPP Group has been on the winning side of more votes than any other group in the European Parliament’s monthly plenary sessions. Strength of numbers also ensures that EPP Group Members hold a range of key positions within the Parliament. Within the parliamentary committees, EPP Group Members are best placed to secure the right to author the EP’s position on key pieces of draft legislation and other major reports.

At the time of writing, EPP Chairman, Joseph Daul, is also the acting President of the European People’s Party.

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ll European Parliament Elections 2014: This time it’s different The official run-up to the 2014 European elections started on 10 September, when the European Parliament launched its awareness and information campaign. This campaign will continue beyond the elections themselves, until the newly-elected Parliament in turn elects the next European Commission President.

“The European Parliament is the Chamber of EU citizens – we are the citizens’ voice in the EU decision-making process,” stressed Othmar Karas (EPP, Austria), the Vice-President responsible for communication. “But this time it’s different. This campaign will lead up to the European elections of 22-25 May 2014, but also beyond, until Parliament elects the President of the European Commission and approves the new Commission’s political agenda.”

The campaign will have four phases. Phase one starts now, with the presentation of the baseline ACT.REACT.IMPACT. This phase aims to explain the European Parliament’s new powers and their implications for people living in the EU. Phase two, from October to February 2014, will highlight five key topics at a series of interactive events in European cities:

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the economy jobs quality of life money the EU in the world

Phase three, the election campaign proper, starts in February. It will focus on the 22-25 May election.

After the elections, the final phase will focus on the newly-elected European Parliament, its election of the next European Commission President and the inauguration of the new Commission.

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Communicating Europe

ll The European Union and the media In any given day there is rarely a lack of story ideas concerning the European Union, not only in Brussels but elsewhere in any of its 28 member states. The large amount of information the European Institutions disseminate every day can make reporting Brussels a difficult task, especially for journalists who are not based there. Nevertheless (and despite often being in competition with the leader writers and op-ed columnists in the national media), good journalists who understand Brussels can be influential. Having the perspective of watching both what is happening in the four main EU seats (Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg and increasingly Frankfurt) and in their local areas can often be highly effective.

All EU institutions, bodies and agencies have their own dedicated press services and contacts.

The European Parliament and the European Commission also have press officers in each EU member country.

The Commission – the EU institution that proposes new legislation – oversees the Union’s budget of more than €120 billion a year and makes sure that laws are implemented and competition rules applied. It is usually the first port of call for journalists wanting to find out what is happening in the EU. The Commission runs a long-established spokespersons service with a midday briefing every working day in the press room of the Berlaymont building (the Commission’s headquarters, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels) for members of the Brussels media corps and other press temporarily in the city. It is responsible for running the Europa web server (www.europa.eu).

Accredited journalists to the EU institutions can attend Commission briefings by showing their press pass. Non-accredited or visiting journalists holding a national press card can access the press room by reporting to the Berlaymont reception desk and showing their ID and press card. A day pass will be issued.

Journalists based outside Brussels can follow the daily briefing in two ways: 1. Europe by Satellite www.ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm EbS offers live streaming of the daily briefing for journalists with high-speed internet access and Real Player streaming software. It also covers sessions of the European Parliament and some Council of the European Union press conferences. TV companies can obtain live feeds and stock shots of events from EbS. 2. The web www.europa.eu/press_room/index_en.htm Press releases and background material are posted on the Commission’s ‘virtual press room’ less than an hour after they are distributed. Rapid, the press release search engine covering all EU institutions is also available via this site.

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The European Parliament - The European Parliament is the most accessible of the EU’s main institutions. Most of its meetings are held in public and MEPs are usually happy to speak on the record to reporters. The European Parliament has well-equipped press rooms in Brussels and Strasbourg that visiting reporters can also use. The bulk of its plenary meetings are held in Strasbourg.

However, live broadcasts of plenary sessions and press conferences on EbS have made the task of reporting on the Parliament easier.

The Parliament has no daily briefing, but it organises a pre-session press conference in its Brussels building at 11.00 on the Friday before the monthly meetings in Strasbourg. A ‘last-minute’ press briefing is held in Strasbourg at 16.00 – half an hour before the start of the sitting – on the Monday of each session week.

A full list of MEPs and the committees on which they sit on can be found on the Parliament’s website: www.europarl.europa.eu Journalists should know that MEPs are their own best spokespeople. Some are highly knowledgeable, most are able to speak in ‘sound bites’, and all are keen to be quoted on the record. However, if you cannot get hold of a politician, the Parliament’s press officers or the MEP’s assistants are also excellent sources to explain the details of legislation being discussed or its background.

Hotline-Newsdesk The Audiovisual Unit’s Hotline helps journalists find specific information for news reports or programmes about Europe. Tel +32 (0)2 284 28 00 hotlinenewsdesk@europarl.europa.eu

The Council of the European Union - often seen as the most powerful of the Union’s three major institutions, it brings together the governments of the 27 EU Member States. The European Council (which is composed of the heads of state or government of the European Union and the president of the Commission) is the driving force behind the European Union, setting its course and its political priorities. It is headed by the President of the European Council.

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Media contact with the Council occurs mainly on the occasion of ministerial meetings: background briefings and documents are provided before these meetings, flash press releases and Council conclusions are issued during them, and they are followed by a press conference. The Council press office is also available for background information about Council preparations, which occurs notably in the weekly meetings of Coreper 2, the forum for national permanent representatives or Coreper 1 for their deputies.

There are no regular daily briefings by the Council’s press officers, although briefings are always given before a ministerial meeting, and technical or thematic background briefings are also frequently scheduled. The pre-Council briefings are usually given by the six-monthly rotating Council presidency supported by the Council Secretariat. The spokespersons for the presidency are also important contacts.

Rotating presidencies The presidency of the Council changes twice a year: on January 1st and July 1st. During its six-month term, the presidency chairs Council meetings in all configurations except for the “Foreign Affairs” Council, which is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Informal ministerial meetings are held in the country holding the presidency, providing an opportunity for reporters based outside Brussels and notably in the country of the presidency to report on European issues.

The next presidencies are:

• • • • •

Lithuania July-December 2013 Greece January-June 2014 Italy July-December 2014 Latvia January-June 2015 Luxembourg July-December 2015

European Council - As a one-stop-shop for finding out what is happening in the Council, its press service is a good place to start. Council press officers speak on background. The Council Press Office supports the Council and its Presidency. It also supports the European Council and its President.

The Council Press Office includes press officers responsible for specific Council policy areas, such as environment or foreign affairs. It is also in charge of the Council press centre and runs an audiovisual sector. Press conferences and public events in the Council can be followed by video streaming: http://video.consilium.europa.eu/ Video coverage of Council / European Council events is available for preview and download in broadcast quality (MPEG4) on: http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu

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ll European journalists on the challenges of covering the EU In 2010, the European Parliament asked some Brussels-based journalists for their experience on the challenges of covering the EU. “I think Europe is getting more and more complicated making it more and more difficult to explain what’s at stake”.

Frans Boogaard, Dutch newspaper “Algemeen Dagblad” and member of the International Press Association (API).

“EU news is not exactly like selling hot buns. That is the painful experience that most of the 1200 correspondents accredited with the EU institutions feel.”

Michael Stabenow, German newspaper “Frankurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.

“The quantity of material and the volume of communication generated by the institutions is enormous.

The difficulty is to sort things out and to sort what is important and newsworthy from ‘chatter’.

In my mind news is everything that can easily relate to the everyday life of people. The voice of the people and their stories: this is what is really missing in Europe.”

Maria Laura Franciosi, Italian Ansa News Agency.

“The toughest part of our work as Brussels correspondents is covering the news on schedule while maintaining the necessary standards of accuracy and the reason it’s tough is that so many things happen at more or less the same time.”

Nikos Bellos, head of the Cyprus News Agency

ll Storytelling: How to turn EU stories local – and local stories European

The policies of the EU affect everyone’s lives, whether through its Regulations on subjects such as mobile phone roaming charges or through the free movement of people or goods or any other of the EU’s many achievements. EU policies therefore need to be discussed and debated, whether in the town

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hall, in regional assemblies, national parliaments, on television shows or on the internet. Indeed 70% of regulations have their origins in the European Union and they are often implemented at the local and regional level.

Local and regional media, individually or organised in associations, being closer to the citizens than the national and/or the European ones, have a crucial role to play in contributing to better communicating Europe. One of the factors currently constraining a citizens’ debate on the European Union is the very limited coverage of EU information in the audiovisual media. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey on audiovisual communication, 64% of people are interested in news about the EU. Furthermore, citizens would prefer to receive this information on their favourite TV and radio channels. However, the EU-related information provided by national audiovisual media takes up less than 10% of the time allocated to national news.

Through close cooperation with the European Union, journalists can garner the facts and turn them into stories that make it possible to connect the European political dimension with the day-to-day reality of people. This is where the tens of thousands of local and regional journalists can play an important role by working close to citizens. To do this, journalists face three main challenges:

• • •

to make European information more attractive, by giving local and regional shape to European policies and stressing the concrete impact on citizens; to fulfil an educational role by explaining complex issues simply but without distorting them; to highlight subjects of debate and to communicate local opinions and proposals in time, i.e. before European decisions are taken.

ll The European Elections and the media European citizens can actively participate in EU policy making by voting in the European elections and delegating their countries’ representatives to the EP. To make a sensible and educated decision and vote for a candidate that really represents the voters’ values, they need to have enough substantial information about the candidate and the EU. There is a theory that the more a citizen is exposed to news about the EU, the more knowledge they will have and thus they are more likely to vote in the European Parliament elections. If this theory holds true, it is important to engage with the media in the run-up to the elections so that citizens may gather information and make an informed choice.

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European cohesion and regional policy

Communicating regional policy Economic, social and territorial cohesion is an expression of solidarity between the Member States and regions of the European Union. The origins of economic and social cohesion go back to the Treaty of Rome where a reference is made in the preamble to reducing regional disparities.

Cohesion policy is a solidarity policy, with funding heavily concentrated on the poorer regions helping them to catch up. However, cohesion policy is most of all a strategic cross-sectoral investment policy contributing to aggregate growth and well-being. It is of benefit to all regions both through direct investments and indirect trade benefits, and reflects joined-up thinking and brings different sectors together under national or regional development plans. Cohesion policy is a structural medium/long-term policy for supporting regional economies, and is crucial for helping regions to exit stronger from the crisis.

By targeting all regions the overall competitiveness of the EU is expected to increase. The aim is to stimulate the creation of smart and sustainable growth for all citizens thereby also generating new jobs throughout the EU. This is why a smaller portion of cohesion policy funding also supports more prosperous regions, mainly to boost their innovation capacity. By involving all regions, cohesion policy helps to mobilise regional and local actors, thereby creating a wider ownership of the objectives and targets.

On 6 October 2011, the European Commission adopted a draft legislative package that will frame the EU’s cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020. The Commission proposed a number of important changes to the way cohesion policy is designed and implemented, namely: ´´

concentrating on the Europe 2020 Strategy’s priorities of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth;

´´

rewarding performance;

´´

supporting integrated programming;

´´

focusing on results – monitoring progress towards agreed objectives;

´´

reinforcing territorial cohesion; and

´´

simplifying delivery.

In the run-up to the European elections, it is important to clearly demonstrate how these changes and proposals will affect citizens living in Europe’s regions and cities and how it will be implemented on the ground. There are three main pillars to this communication strategy: ´´

Listening to citizens and ensuring their views and concerns are taken into account;

´´

Explaining how EU policies affect everyday lives;

´´

Connecting with people by ‘going local’, addressing them in their national or local settings and through their preferred media.

In its 2013 communication plan, the Commission aims to keep the media (both the Brussels-based accredited press and regional and national media in the Member States) up to date on key developments and main achievements. During 2013, they will continue to provide timely responses to press enquiries, draft press releases, organise press conferences, and prepare press interviews and speaking points. General and op-ed articles will continue to be produced in response to requests, depending on available resources. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_policy/document/complan_2013.pdf

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Social media and the European Union

The single greatest advantage for government organisations provided by social media is its ability to precisely target and segment individuals and groups. Social media tools allow advertisers to engage in nano-targeting in a way that allows you to reach a potential audience with comparatively inexpensive advertising, where traditional media marketing is both expensive and non-targeted. _ Gellis Communications sprl More and more EU citizens are active on social networks. The European Union institutions therefore use these platforms to reach out and connect with citizens and stakeholders in addition to the traditional communication tools such as written press, broadcasts and EU publications and websites. Over the past 2 years, social media (including Twitter, Flickr and Facebook) have proved to be an increasingly effective tool for cooperation and exchanges with regional policy stakeholders and other target audiences, including journalists. http://europa.eu/contact/take-part/facebook/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/contact/take-part/twitter/index_en.htm

Social media and Journalism Facebook is trying to create “the best personalized newspaper” with its news feed _ Mark Zuckerberg Mass media have traditionally functioned as the intermediary between society and political institutions.

The rise of social media, however, offers the potential for both politicians and citizens to circumvent the media, and directly influence each other.

The job of a journalist has changed. In a normal day, journalists are asked to report, write for the Web edition, write for the published edition (in print), tweet, update the web edition, report more, track other people’s tweets, report more, do a web-video spot and then write a more in-depth, analytical story. They have to work harder, smarter and develop new skills faster. That puts them under tremendous pressure, which at times pushes them to take shortcuts, impacting on the quality of journalism. Whilst social media can help with the work of journalists, it is important to impose rules and confirm information by a second or third source.

Despite the perception that the under-30 crowd is leaving newspapers and their websites behind for other digital news outlets, studies are finding that the newspaper is still a vital source of information for the millennials. Some 57% of those ages 18-34 read newspapers, in print or online, during the course of an average week.

Social media and the European Elections “We need to create a space where MEPs and citizens can interact directly… Social media are a fun and informal way for MEPs to maintain contact with citizens.” _ Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, European Parliament vice-president in charge of communications.

In the span of three decades, turnout at EP elections plummeted from a high of 61,99% in 1979 down to 43% in the last 2009 elections. Could social media and new digital platforms play an important role in reaching local constituencies at the 2014 Elections?

In an era dominated by social media and online networks, new platforms of visibility such as MyVote2014.eu, now display and analyse the activities of the European Parties, the European Parliament and the Council. Internet users become the new Watchdog; they are able to check the voting records of individual Members, national party delegations and European political groups.

A third of the €16mn budget on the election campaign is to be spent on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook.

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The Economic and Financial Crisis in Europe

Financial journalists have learnt a number of important lessons during the current crisis. It is their public duty to become more visible as watchdogs, to hold banks and the government to account for their actions.

Europe is facing the worst financial crisis in a generation. It all started in 2007 in the United States, but before long the economic and financial crisis had spread throughout Europe’s regions and cities.

To prevent a complete collapse of the banking system, European governments came to the rescue of their banks with urgent support on an unprecedented scale. The EU also launched a Europe-wide recovery programme to safeguard jobs and social protection and to support economic investment.

The European Union is responding to the global economic crisis through actions on different levels.

For example, on 8 October 2012, a permanent rescue mechanism for euro area Member States - the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) - was inaugurated. Moreover, European and national funds are being targeted towards the Europe 2020 Strategy: the EU plan for jobs and growth. Especially in view of the European elections, Europe must emerge from this crisis united and stronger than ever.

Role of the media Financial journalists should become independent watchdogs who question the financial sector on its policies and actions. It is their role to conduct balanced and investigative reporting on causes of the crisis and actions being taken at a local, regional, national and European level Impact on the media The number of unemployed journalists in most European countries has increased dramatically. For many young professionals it has become more attractive to get involved within the context of media and public relations or communications services in the broadest sense. Added to this is the distinct shift from permanent employment relationships to freelance work.

ll Speakers at the 2013 Winter University Moderators: Rick THOMPSON, Director T-Media Laura SHIELDS, Senior Associate at The Media Coach

Speakers: Michael SCHNEIDER, President of EPP Group in CoR, Envoy of the State of SaxonyAnhalt to the Federal Government Alia PAPAGEORGIOU, Social media expert

Andreas ROGAL, Social Media manager EUROPOLITICS Tony LOCKETT, Directorate for Regional Policy, European Commission Jaume DUCH, Media Director, European Parliament Daniela VINCENTI, Euractiv Kostas SASMATZOGLOU, EPP Spokesman Othmar KARAS, Member of the European Parliament

Janusz LEWANDOWSKI, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget Michel LEBRUN, Member of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, President of the Commission for Financial and Administrative Affairs and Vice-President of the Belgian Walloon Parliament Shirin WHEELER, Spokesperson

22

Directorate for Regional Policy, European Commission Antonio SORGI, Director General for Presidency, European and Legal affairs, Energy and environmental assessment, Abbruzzo region Markku MARKKULA, Member of EPP Group in CoR and Member of Espoo City Council and Uusimaa Regional Council

Useful contacts and links

EU INSTITUTIONS’ PRESS CONTACT POINT Committee of the Regions Director of the Communication, Press and Protocol Directorate Laurent Thieule, laurent.thieule@cor.europa.eu EPP press service: Katie Owens, Kathryn.owens@cor.europa.eu, tel.: +32-2-282 2400 Dominik Krakowiak, Dominik.Krakowiak@cor.europa.eu, tel +32 2 282 2539

European Commission Audiovisiual Head of Unit Fabrizia De Rosa, Fabrizia.De-Rosa@ec.europa.eu; +32 2 299 37 39 Further contacts http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/communication/pdf/list_spp_en.pdf

European Parliament Head of EPP press service: Pedro López de Pablo, pedro.lopez@europarl.europa.eu, +32-2-2842786 Hotline-News desk (service providing journalists with relevant and in-depth information) email: hotlinenewsdesk@europarl.europa.eu; tel: +3222842800, +33388172800 Website with press contact details: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/en/pressroom

Council of the EU Press and current information Email: press.office@consilium.europa.eu; tel: +322281 63 19; www.consilium.europa.eu

European Economic and Social Committee Press contacts Bury Maciej, maciej.bury@esc.eu.int, tel: +32.2.546.87.88

European People’s Party Spokesman Kostas Sasmatzoglou, ks@epp.eu, tel: +32-2-2854147 Press contacts Javier Jiménez, jjimenez@epp-eu.org, tel: +32 2 285 41 56 www.epp.eu

23

Going local

Austria Head of CoR delegation Herwig van Staa, president of the provincial assembly, Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions Coordinator Fritz Staudigl, Head of External Relations Provincial government of Tyrol Tel.: +43 512 508 2340 fritz.staudigl@tirol.gv.at www.tirol.gv.at/europa Representative Kristina Schaberl Provincial government of Burgenland Tel. +43 2682 600 2827 Mail: kristina.schaberl@bgld.gv.at www.burgenland.at Commission Representation Vienna Richard Kuehnel (Head) Annemarie Huber (Press Officer) Vertretung der Europaischen Kommission Haus der Europaischen Union, Willplinger Strasse 35 A-1010 Wien, Austria Tel: +43 1 516180 - Fax: +43 1 513 4225 www.ec.europa.eu/austria comm-rep-vie@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Haus der Europaischen Union,Wipplingerstraβe 35 A-1010 Vienna Tel: +43 1 516 17-0 - Fax: +43 1 513 25 15 epwien@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.at

Belgium President of the CoR delegation Michel Lebrun Phone: +32 60 39 96 86 michel.lebrun@win.be http://www.lebrun-michel.be http://www.lebrun-michel.eu Blog:http://lbrn.free.fr/blog Coordinator Jacques Chabot j.chabot@wbi.be Mobile: +32 475 69 99 37 Assistant Coordinator Guido Dumon

guido.dumon@cor.europa.eu Mobile: +32 475 78 09 60

http://ec.europa.eu/bulgaria comm-rep-sof@ec.europa.eu

Commission Representation Brussels Willy Helin (Head) Christian De Bruyne (Press Officer) Representation de la Commission europeenne en Belgique/Vertegenwoordiging van de Europese Commissie in Belgie Rue Archimede 73 / Archimedesstraat 73 B-1000 Bruxelles / Brussel, Belgium Tel: +32 2 295 38 44 - Fax: +32 2 295 01 66 www.ec.europa.eu/belgium comm-rep-bru@ec.europa.eu

European Parliament Information Office 9 Moskovska Str., BG-1000 Sofia Tel: +359 2 985 35 45 - Fax: +359 2 981 99 44 epsofifia@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.bg

European Parliament Information Office Rue Wiertz 60 B-1047 Brussels Tel: +32 2 284 20 05 - Fax: +32 2 230 75 55 epbrussels@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.europa.eu/brussels

Bulgaria Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Ms. Tanya HristovaMayor, Municipality of Gabrovo Gabrovo Municipality 3, Vazrazhdane Sq.5300 Gabrovo Bulgaria Tel.: +359 66 804939 municip@gabrovo.bg Coordinators Kamen KUMANOV - Active P.A. Rue Marie-Therese 21, fl. 1 1000 Brussels, Belgium Tel: 02 210 50 60 k.kumanov@activepa.eu Yoana VASILEVA - Active P.A. Rue Marie-Therese 21, fl. 1 1000 Brussels, Belgium Tel: 02 210 50 6 - Fax : 02 210 50 69 Mobile: + 32 497 616 863 y.vasileva@activepa.eu Commission Representation Sofia Zinaida Zlatanova (Head) Elitsa Zlateva (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in ­Bulgaria, 9 Moskovska St., 1000 Sofia, Postal Address P.O. Box 668 BG-1000 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel: +359 2 933 5252 - Fax: +359 2 933 52 33 24

Croatia Mr Vojko Obersnel Mayor of the City of Rijeka City of Rijeka Korzo 1651 000 Rijeka Croatia Tel: +385 51 209 527 Fax: +385 51 334 008 gradonacelnik@rijeka.hr Coordinators of the National Delegation Mr Marco Ercegovic Association of CitiesMedveščak 1710000 Zagreb Tel./Fax: +385 1 4668003 Mobile: + 385 91 4668006 marko@udruga-gradova.hr Mr Mladen Ivanovic Association of Municipalities Hrgovići 5910000 Zagreb Tel.: +385 1 3689153 - Fax: +385 1 3637116 E-mail:mivanovic@udruga-opcina.hr

Cyprus Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Georgios Georgiou Coordinators Fanourios Pantelogiannis : fp@ucm.org.cy Stella Kourou : cor@ucm.org.cy Commission Representation Androulla Kaminara (Head) Kezban Akansoy (Press Officer Turkish language) Georgios Eliopoulos (Press Officer Greek language) Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus, 30 Byron Avenue, 1096 Nicosia, Cyprus Tel: +357 22817770 - Fax: +357 22768926 http://ec.europa.eu/cyprus comm-rep-cy@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office 30 Vyronos Avenue, CY-1096 Nicosia

Tel: +357 22 87 05 00 - Fax: +357 22 76 77 33 epnicosia@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.cy

Czech Republic Committee of the Regions Head of the Czech Delegation Petr Osvald, member of the City Council of Plzen Coordinators Mr František Cipro (national coordinator) Prague: Frantisek.Cipro@praha.eu Tel: +420 236 00 25 07 Ms Linda Kopecká (deputy coordinator) Brussels: Linda.Kopecka@praha.eu Tel: +32 2 280 65 13 Commission Representation Prague Irena Moozova (Head) - Martin Stasek (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic, Jungmannova 24, P.O. Box 811 CZ-111 21 Praha 1, Czech Republic Tel: +420 2 24 31 28 35 - Fax: +420 2 24 31 28 50 www.ec.europa.eu/ceskarepublika/index_cs.htm comm-rep-cz@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Jungmannova 24, CZ-110 00 Prague 1 Tel: +420 255 708 208 - Fax: +420 255 708 200

Denmark Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Søren Pape POULSEN Councillor of Odense Town Council Square de Meeûs 1, 4 B-1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 2 550 12 60 Fax: +32 2 550 12 72 international.relations@kl.dk http://www.kl.dk Coordinators Birgit Yazdani Øbakke Local Government Denmark (LGDK) Tel.: + 32 2 550 12 64 bib@kl.dk Commission Representation Copenhagen Jan Schmidt (Head) Michael Vedso (Press Officer) Europa-Kommissionens Reprasentation i Danmark, Gothersgade 115, DK-1123 Kobenhavn K, Denmark, Tel: +45 33 14 41 40 - Fax: +45 33 11 12 03 www.europa-kommissionen.dk/eu-politik/aktuelt

jan-host.schmidt@ec.europa.eu michael.vedso@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Europa-Parlamentet, Informationskontoret i ­Danmark­ Europa-Huset, Gothersgade 115, DK-1123 Copenhagen K Tel: +45 3 3143377 - Fax: +45 3 3150805 epkobenhavn@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.dk

Estonia Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Väino Hallikmägi Coordinator Kaimo Käärmann-Liive kaimo@ell.ee Ille Allsaar ille@ell.ee Commission Representation Tallinn Toivo Klaar (Head) - Pille Vaher (Press Officer) Euroopa Komisjoni Esindus Eestis, Ravala 4, 10145 Tallinn, Estonia Tel: +372 62 644 00 www.ec.europa.eu/eesti/index_et.htm comm-rep-tll@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Euroopa Parlamendi, Infoburoo Eestis, Ravala 4 EE-10143 Tallin Tel: +372 630 6969 - Fax: +372 630 6968 eptallinn@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.ee

Finland Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Pauliina Haijanen Member of the Executive Board of Laitila City Council Coordinators Erja Horttanainen Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities Toinen linja 14 FI-00530 HELSINKI Tel: +358 9 771 2528 erja.horttanainen@kuntaliitto.fi Keijo Sahrman Tel: +358 9 771 2535 keijo.sahrman@kuntaliitto.fi Secretariat Anu Wikman-Immonen Tel: +358 9 771 2532 anu.wikman-immonen@kuntaliitto.fi Commission Representation Helsinki Eikka Kosonen (Head) 25

Marjatta Hautala (Press Officer) Euroopan komission Suomen edustusto/ Europeiska kommissionens representation i Finland, Pohjoisesplanadi 31/ Norra esplanaden 31, FI-00100 Helsinki/Helsingfors Finland Tel: +358 9 6226 544 http://ec.europa.eu/fifinland comm-rep-hel@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Pohjoisesplanadi 31, Norra esplanaden 31, FIN-00100 Helsinki Tel: +358 9 6220450 - Fax: +358 9 6222610 ephelsinki@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.fi

France Committee of the Regions President of the national delegation Jean-Louis Destans, Président du Conseil général de l’Eure & Coordinators of the national delegation Regions Pascal Gruselle Tel.: (+33) 1 45 55 82 48, pascal.gruselle@arf-regions.org http://www.arf.asso.fr/ Departments - Christine Cote Tel.: (+33) 1 45 49 60 20, christine.cote@departement.org http://www.departement.org/ Municipalities and joint municipal bodies Carole Prevot Tel.: +33 1 44 18 13 86, cprevot@amf.asso.fr http://www.amf.asso.fr/&Commission Representation Paris Laurence de Richemont (Acting Head) - Maria Kokkonen (Press Officer) Ana Zalewska-Urbanczyk (Press Officer) Representation de la Commission e­ uropeenne en France, 288, boulevard Saint-Germain, F-75007 Paris, France, Tel: +33 1 40 63 38 00 www.ec.europa.eu/france/index_fr.htm comm-rep-par@ec.europa.eu Marseille Blandine Pellistrandi (regional Head) Benoit Sapin (Press Officer) Representation de la Commission europeenne Marseille, 2, rue Henri-Barbusse F-13241 Marseille Cedex 01, France Tel: +33 4 91 91 46 00

www.ec.europa.eu/france/index_fr.htm, comm-rep-mrs@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office 288, boulevard St-Germain, F-75341 Paris Cedex 07 Tel: +33 1 40 63 40 00 - Fax: +33 1 45 51 52 53 epparis@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.fr 1 avenue du President Robert, Schuman, CS 91024, F-67070 Strasbourg Cedex Tel: +33 3 88 17 40 01 - Fax: +33 3 88 17 51 84 epstrasbourg@europarl.europa.eu 2, rue Henri Barbusse, F-13241 Marseille Tel: +33 4 91 91 46 00 - Fax: +33 4 91 90 95 03 epmarseille@europarl.europa.eu http://sudest.europarl.fr/view/fr/bienvenue.html

Germany Head of Delegation M. Holger Poppenhaeger Coordinators M. Micha Dannenberg Deutsche Delegation im AdR Nationale KoordinierungThüringer JustizministeriumStabsstelle Europäische Integration und RechtspolitikWernerSeelenbinder-Straße 599096 Erfurt Tel. +49-(0)361-37.95.254 Mobile: +49-174-23.37.957 AdR-DEU-Delegation@tjm.thueringen.de M. Ralf Bingel Deutsche Delegation im AdR Nationale KoordinierungThüringer JustizministeriumStabsstelle Europäische Integration und Rechtspolitik WernerSeelenbinder-Straße 5D-99096 Erfurt Tel. +49-361-37.95.250 AdR-DEU-Delegation@tjm.thueringen.de Mme Meike HerzThüringer StaatskanzleiVertretung des Freistaats Thüringer bei der Europäischen Union Rue Frederic Pelletier B-1030 Bruxelles Tel. +32-2-737.52.41 AdR-DEU-Delegation@tjm.thueringen.de Commission Representation Berlin Matthias Petschke (Head) Carsten Lietz (Press Officer) Vertretung der Europaischen Kommission in Deutschland, Unter den Linden 78, D-10117 Berlin, Germany, Tel: +49 30 22802000 www.ec.europa.eu/deutschland/index_de.htm eu-de-kommission@ec.europa.eu Bonn Stephan Koppelberg (regional Head) Kerstin Streich (Press Officer) Vertretung der Europaischen Kommission in Bonn,

Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz 2-4, D-53111 Bonn, Germany, Tel: +49 228 530090 www.ec.europa.eu/deutschland/index_de.htm eu-de-bonn@ec.europa.eu Munich Henning Arp (regional Head) Peter Martin (Press Officer) Vertretung der Europaischen Kommission in Munchen, Erhardtstrase 27, D-80469 Munchen, Deutschland, Tel: +49 89 2424480 www.ec.europa.eu/deutschland/index_de.htm eu-de-munchen@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Unter den Linden 78, D-10117 Berlin Tel: +49 30 22801000 - Fax: +49 30 22801111 epberlin@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.de Erhardtstr. 27, D-80469 Munich Tel: +49 89 202 0879-0 Fax: +49 89 202 0879-73 epmuenchen@europarl.europa.eu

Greece Committee of the Regions Head of delegation Ioannis SGOUROS Coordinators Katerina Karavola Tel: +32 2 2301376 GSM: +32 473 357350 eetaa@arcadis.be Commission Representation Athens Ierotheos Papadopoulos (Acting Head) Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela (Press Officer) Evropaiki Epitropi-Antiprosopeia stin Ellada, 2, Vassilissis Sofias, GR-10674 Athina, Greece, Tel: +30 210 7272100 www.ec.europa.eu/ellada/index_el.htm comm-rep-athens@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office 8 Leof. Amalias, GR-105 57 Athens Tel +30 210 327 89 00 - Fax: +30 210 331 15 40 epathinai@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.gr

Hungary Committee of the Regions Head of delegation Gabor Bihary Member of Budapest General Assembly Tel.: +36 20 4668471 Email: biharyg@axelero.hu Coordinator David BENCSIK Head of RepresentationRepresentation of 26

Budapest to the European Union Avenue d’Auderghem 63 - 1040 Brussels Tel.: +32 2 230 7857 - Fax: +32 2 230 9004 bencsikd@budapest.eu Commission Representation Budapest Gabor Gyorgy (Head) Akos Moskovits (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Hungary, Deak Ferencutca 15, 1052 Budapest, Hungary, Tel: +36 1 2099700 www.eu.hu comm-rep-bud@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Deak Palota, H-1052 Budapest, Deak Ferenc u. 15 Tel: +36 1 411 3540 - Fax: +36 1 411 3560 epbudapest@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.europa.eu/budapest

Ireland Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Patrick McGowan Coordinators Robert Collins Tel: 32-2-233 11 22 robert.collins@iro.ie John Crowley Tel: 353-1-874 5018 jcrowley@cor.ie For Further information on Irish members see: http://www.iro.ie/delegation.html Commission Representation Dublin Martin Territt (Head) Ruth Deasy (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Ireland, Dawson street 18, Dublin 2, Ireland, Tel: +353 1 6341111 www.ec.europa.eu/ireland/press_offiffice/ index_en.htm eu-ie-info-request@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office European Union House, 43, Molesworth Street IRL Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 6057900 - Fax: +353 1 6057999 epdublin@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.ie

Italy Committee of the Regions Head of delegation Gian Mario Spacca President of the Marche Region

Regione Marche Via Gentile da Fabriano 960125 ANCONA (Italy) Tel: +39 071 8062727 - Fax: +39 071 8062422 a.passarani@regione-marche.eu Coordinator Costantino Condorelli Tel.: +39 06 679 85 44 delegazioneitaliana_cdr@regione.fvg.it Assistant coordinator Andrea Ciaffi Tel. +39 06 488 8291 E-mail : ciaffi@regioni.it Commission Representation Rome Lucio Battistotti (Head) - Anguel Beremliysky (Press Officer) Rappresentanza in Italia della Commissione europea, Via IV Novembre 149, I-00187 Roma, Italy, Tel: +39 06 699991 www.ec.europa.eu/italia comm-rep-it-info@ec.europa.eu Milan Carlo Corazza (regional Head) - Matteo Fornara Rappresentanza a Milano della Commissione, europea, Corso Magenta, 59, I-20123 Milano, Italiy, Tel: +39 02 4675141 www.ec.europa.eu/italia comm-rep-mil@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Via IV Novembre, 149, I-00187 Rome Tel: +39 06 699 501 - Fax: +39 06 699 502 00 eproma@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.it Corso Magenta, 59, I-20123 Milan Tel: +39 02 43 44 171 Fax: +39 02 43 44 17 500 epmilano@europarl.europa.eu

Latvia Committee of the Regions Head of the Delegation Andris Jaunsleinis Coordinator Mudite Priede Tel.: +371 67508532 GSM: +371 29197601 mudite.priede@lps.lv Commission Representation Riga Iveta Sulca (Head) Ivars Busmanis (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Latvia, Aspazijas street 28, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia, Tel: +371 67085400

www.eiropainfo.lv comm-rep-latvia@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Aspazijas Boulevard 28, LV - 1050 Riga Tel: +371 708 54 60 - Fax: +371 7 08 54 70 epriga@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.lv

Lithuania Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Arnoldas Abramavičius Mayor of Zarasai District Municipality and Member of the Municipal Council Coordinators Arūnas Gražulis Tel.: +370 52 12 29 58 arunas.grazulis@lsa.lt Karolina Stelmokaite phone/fax - +32 2 504 07 57 ks@lsa.lt

Rue du Marche-aux-Herbes L-1728 Luxembourg Tel: +352 4300 22597 - Fax: +352 4300 22457 epluxembourg@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.lu

Malta Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Joseph CordinaMayor of Xaghra 5, Cordina, Triq Ghonqa - XaghraXRA2631 Xaghra (Malta) Tel: +356 79 559999 - Fax: +356 21 557185 corjoe@vol.net.mt Coordinators Mr. Jimmy Magro Mr. Aaron Farrugia Tel: (+356) 2144 6428 - lca@lca.org.mt

Commission Representation Vilnius Kestudis Sadauskas (Head) Jurgis Vilcinskas (Press Officer)

Commission Representation Valletta Marios Camhis (Acting Head) Edward Demicoli (Press Officer) Kummissjoni Ewropea – Rapprezentanza F’Malta, Dar I-Ewropa, 254 St Paul Street, Valletta VLT 1215, Malta, Tel: +356 23 42 50 00 www.delmlt.cec-eu-int.com comm-rep-mt@ec.europa.eu

Representation of the European Commission in Lithuania, Naugarduko St. 10, LT-01141 Vilnius, Lithuania, Tel: +370 52313191 http://ec.europa.eu/lietuva comm-rep-lithuania@ec.europa.eu

European Parliament Information Office Europe House 254 St. Paul Street Valletta VLT 1215, Valletta Tel: +356 21 23 50 75 - Fax: +356 21 22 75 80 epvalletta@europarl.europa.eu www.europarlmt.eu

For further information visit the Lithuanian delegation website: http://regionai.lsa.lt/

European Parliament Information Office Naugarduko st. 10, LT-01141 Vilnius Tel: +370 5 212 07 66 - Fax: +370 5 261 98 28 epvilnius@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.lt

Luxembourg Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Marc Schaefer Coordinators Mireille Colbach-Cruchten Romain Reiter Commission Representation Ernst Moutschen (Head and Press Officer) Representation de la Commission europeenne au Luxembourg, Maison de l’Europe 7, Rue du Marche-auxHerbes L-2920 Luxembourg, Tel: +352 4301.32.925 www.ec.europa.eu/luxembourg burlux@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Maison de l’Europe, 7, 27

The Netherlands Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation M. Wim Van Den Donk Queen’s Commissioner Province of Noord-Brabant Brabantlaan 15216 TV ‘s-Hertogenbosch Netherlands Tel.: +31 73 681 2150 - Fax:+31 73 680 8558 istegeman@brabant.nl Coordinators Simone Goedings Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten (VNG) – Dutch Municipalities Tel.: +31 70 373 80 96 Simone.Goedings@vng.nl Florine Bouritius Interprovincial Overleg – Dutch Provinces Tel: +31 70 888 12 08 fbouritius@ipo.nl Commission Representation The Hague Ludolf Van Hasselt (Head) Gemma Buters (Press Officer)

Europese Commissie Vertegenwoordiging in Nederland, Mauritskade 35, 2514 HD Den Haag, The Netherlands, Tel: +31 70 313 53 00 - Fax: +31 70 364 66 19 www.eu.nl burhay@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Korte Vijverberg, 6, NL-2513 AB The Hague Tel: +31 70 313 54 00 - Fax: +31 70 364 70 01 epdenhaag@europarl.europa.eu www.europeesparlement.nl

Poland Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Marek Wozniak Marshal of the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship Coordinators Monika Kapturska monika.kapturska@wielkopolska.eu Tel.: +32 2 732 96 88 Izabela Gorczyca Tél: +32 2 734 09 41, +48 61 278 53 97 izabela.gorczyca@wielkopolska.eu Commission Representation Warsaw Marie-Therese Duffy-Haeusler (Acting Head) Zbigniew Gniatkowski (Press Officer) Reprezentacja Komisji Europejskiej w Polsce, Ul. Jasna 14/16a, 00-041 Warszawa, Poland, Tel: +48 22 556 89 89 www.europa.delpol.pl comm-rep-poland@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Biuro Informacyjne Parlamentu Europejskiego w Polsce, ul. Jasna 14/16 a, 00-041 Warsaw Tel: +48 22 595 24 70 - Fax: +48 22 595 24 80 epwarszawa@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.pl

Portugal Committee of the Regions Head of delegation António Costa Presidente da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa Tel.: +351 213 236217 c.ribeiro@cm-lisboa.pt Coordinator Maria Cecília Antolin Représentation permanente du Portugal Tel: + 32 2 286 42 87/88 mca@reper-portugal.be Commission Representation Lisbon Margarida MARQUES (Head) - Manuel ROMANO (Press Officer)

Representacao da Comissao Europeia em Portugal, Largo Jean Monnet n°1-10°, P-1269-068 Lisboa, ­Portugal, Tel: +351 21 350 98 01/02/03 www.ec.europa.eu/portugal/comissao/ index_pt.htm comm-rep-lisbonne@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Centro Europeu Jean Monnet, Largo Jean Monnet 1-6, P-1269-070 Lisbon Tel: +351 21 350 49 00 Fax: +351 21 354 00 04 eplisboa@europarl.europa.eu www.parleurop.pt

Romania Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Ion Prioteasa President of Dolj County Council Str. Unirii nr. 19200585 Craiova - jud.

DoljRomania Tel.: +40 251 418650 - Fax: +40 251 408245 E-mail:ion.prioteasa@cjdolj.ro Coordinator Mrs Liliana Mangeac European Office of the National Union of County Councils Rue Montoyer 24, 1000 Bruxelles Tel.: +32 2 2317141 - Fax: +32 2 2317003 Mobile: +32 497559137 E-mail:liliana.mangeac@uncjr.org www.uncjr.org Commission Representation Bucharest Niculae Idu (Head) Daniela Rosca (Press Officer) European Commission in Romania, 31 Vasile Lascar st., sector 2 – 020492 Bucharest, Romania, Tel: +40 21 203 54 00 - Fax: +40 21 212 88 08 http://ec.europa.eu/romania comm-rep-ro@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Strada Vasile Lascar, nr. 31, and 1 Sector 2 020492, Bucarest Tel: + 40 21 405 08 80 - Fax: +40 21 405 08 86 epbucarest@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.europa.eu/bucuresti

Slovak Republic Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Milan Belica President of the Nitra Self-governing Region 28

Phone: +421 37 65.34.344 predseda@unsk.sk Secretariat Coordinateur Mr. Tomas Szlavik Liaison Office of Nitra Region Tel.: +32 2 741 82 74 GSM: +32 486 755 917 szlavik.tomas@skregions.eu www.unsk.sk Commission Representation Bratislava Andrea Elschekova-Matisova (Head) Katarina Touquet-Jaremova (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia, Palisady 29, SK-811 06 Bratislava, Slovak Republic, Tel: +421 2 5443 17 18 http://ec.europa.eu/slovensko/Index_sk.htm comm-rep-sk@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Informačna kancelaria, Europskeho parlamentu, Palisady 29, SK-811 06 Bratislava Tel: +421 2 5942 96 97 - Fax: +421 5942 9687 epbratislava@europarl.europa.eu www.europskyparlament.sk

Slovenia Committee of the Regions Head of delegation Ivan Žagar Tel: +38628432800 ivan.zagar-eu@slov-bistrica.si Coordinator Miha Mohor Skupnost Občin Slovenije Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia tel: +386 02 234 15 02 miha@skupnostobčin.si www.skupnostobcin.si Commission Representation Ljubljana Mihela Zupancic Head) Tina Voncina (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Slovenia, Breg 14, SLO-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Tel: +386 1 252 8800 http://ec.europa.eu/slovenija/index_sl.htm comm-rep-lju@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Breg 14, SL-1000 Ljubljana Tel: +386 1252 88 30 - Fax: +386 1 252 88 40

epljubljana@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.si

epbarcelona@europarl.europa.eu http://www.europarlbarcelona.eu

Spain

Sweden

Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation José Ramón BAUZÁ DÍAZ President of the Government of the Balearic Islands Carrer de la Llotja nº37012 Palma De Mallorca Spain Tel: +34 971 176043 - Fax: +34 971 176011 pguasp@sgcpres.caib.es

Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Anders Knape

Coordinator Karin OLIVER cor@dgri.caib.es Assistant coordinator Miguel Angel LOPEZ cor@dgri.caib.es EU Balearic Islands Government Office Avenue des Arts, 3-5 - 1210 Brussels Tel. + 32 2 223 14 10 - Fax. + 32 2 223 25 24 Commission Representation Madrid Francisco Fonseca Morillo (Head) Miguel Puente Pattison (Press Officer) Representacion de la Comision Europea en Espana, Paseo de la Castellana, 46, E-28046 Madrid, Spain, Tel: +34 91 423 80 21 www.ec.europa.eu/spain/index_es.htm comm-rep-madrid@ec.europa.eu Barcelona Manel Camos Grau (regional Head) Albert Royo I Marive (Press Officer) Representacion de la Comision Europea en Barcelona, Paseo de Gracia, 90, 1°, E-08008 Barcelona, Spain, Tel: +34 93 467 73 80 www.ec.europa.eu/spain/index_es.htm comm-rep-barcelone@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Paseo de la Castellana, 46, E-28046 Madrid Tel: +34 91 436 47 47 Fax: +34 91 578 31 71 Fax: +34 91 577 13 65 epmadrid@europarl.europa.eu Passeig de Gracia, 90, 1a planta, E-08008 Barcelona Tel: +34 93 272 20 44 - Fax: +34 93 272 20 45

Coordinators Marcus Holmberg Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) Tel.: +32 2 549 08 67 Marcus.Holmberg@skl.se Coordinateur adjoint Maria Eriksson Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting (SKL) Telephone: +46 8 452 74 37 maria.eriksson@skl.se Commission Representation Stockholm Pierre Schellekens (Head) Eric Degerbeck (Press Officer) Europeiska kommissionen Representationen i, Sverige, Regeringsgatan 65, PO Box 7323, 103 90 Stockholm, Sweden, Tel: +46 8 562 444 11 www.eukomm.se bursto@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office Regeringsgatan 65, 6 tr, SE-111 56 Stockholm Tel: +46 8 562 444 55 - Fax: +46 8 562 444 99 epstockholm@europarl.europa.eu www.europaparlamentet.se

United Kingdom Committee of the Regions Head of Delegation Councillor Gordon Keymer Coordinators Richard Kitt (UK national co-ordinator) Tel: +32 2 502 3680 Richard.kitt@lga.gov.uk Ian Hughes (Delegation Secretary) Tel: +44 20 7664 3101 ian.hughes@lga.gov.uk Commission Representation London Sarah Lambert (Head) - Anthonia Mochan ­(Press ­Officer) Representation of the European Commission in the United Kingdom, 8, Storey’s Gate London SW1P 3AT, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 207 9731992 29

www.ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom comm-rep-london@ec.europa.eu Cardiff Antonius Klom (regional Head) Rachael Langlands-Brown (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Wales, 2 Caspian Point, Caspian Way, Cardiff CF10 4QQ, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 2920 895020 www.ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom comm-rep-cardiffff@ec.europa.eu Edinburgh Neil Mitchison (regional Head) Caroline Winchester (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Scotland, 9 Alva Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PH, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 131 2252058 www.ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom comm-rep-edinburgh@ec.europa.eu Belfast Maurice Maxwell (regional Head) Catherine McShane (Press Officer) Representation of the European Commission in Northern Ireland, 74-76 Dublin Road, Belfast BT2 7HP, United Kingdom Tel: +44 28 90240708 www.ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom comm-rep-belfast@ec.europa.eu European Parliament Information Office 2 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AA Tel: +44 20 7227 4300 Fax: +44 20 7227 4302 Fax: +44 20 7227 4301 (Library) Fax: +44 20 7227 4327 (Press) eplondon@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.org.uk The Tun, 4 Jackson’s Entry Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8PJ Tel: +44 131 5577866 Fax: +44 131 5574977 epedinburgh@europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.org.uk/about-us/ about-us/office-scotland

Practical details for the EPP Winter University 2013

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in the meeting rooms. All meals will be provided except for dinner on Wednesday 6 November, where you are invited to make your own arrangements.

Date 5-7 November 2013 Registration starts at 16.00

Contact

Venue

For further information about the event or for any questions, please contact: Kathryn Owens Press and Communications Officer European People’s Party Group in the Committee of the Regions Kathryn.owens@cor.europa.eu or EPPWinterUniversity@cor.europa.eu +32 2 282 2400 / +32 494 39 27 98

The majority of the events under the EPP Winter University will take place at the Committee of the Regions, Rue Belliard 101, B-1040 Brussels Programme The latest programme is available on the EPP/ CoR website www.epp.cor.europa.eu Fees This conference is free of charge for invitees.

Interpretation

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The conference language will be English and there will not be any interpretation. In addition, all conference material will be in English.

The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions is responsible for organising your travel and your accommodation. If there is a change in your participation, you are responsible for the contacting travel agency, the airline and the hotel to cancel any reservations.

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A-point Decision to be rubber-stamped by the Council Cabinet Private office Candidate countries EU applicants, would-be members Chef de cabinet Head of office, chief of staff Co-decision Jointly decided by MEPs and EU governments Cohesion Fund Investment for EU’s regions and cities College Commissioners EU commissioners Commission (at the CoR) Thematic meetings Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) EU farm aid/ subsidies Communication Policy paper Conciliation Committee Head-to-head talks between MEPs and EU governments CoR Committee of the Regions COREPER EU ambassadors Council of Ministers EU governments/ministers Directive/Regulation EU law/regulation Directorate General Commission department Ecofin EU finance ministers Enhanced cooperation Pick and choose/à la carte Europe EPP European People’s Party European Parliament EU assembly, Members of the European Parliament, MEPs EU’s High Representative EU foreign policy chief European Commission EU executive, EU officials/civil servants, Eurocrats European Commissioner for Trade EU trade chief/ top official European Council EU summit, EU leaders/heads of state European Court of Justice EU court, EU judges Europol EU’s law enforcement agency Eurosat EU’s statistical arm EU treaty EU rulebook/charter Fonctionnaire EU official General Affairs Council EU foreign ministers Green paper Discussion paper Independence/Democracy (INDEM) Euro-sceptics Intergovernmental Conference/IGC EU treaty talks JAI/JHA ministerial Justice and interior/justice and home affairs ministers LRA Local and regional authority MEP’s Euro-deputies, EU legislators/lawmakers, Euro-MPs OLAF EU’s anti-fraud office Opinion Report Permanent Representation Embassy Plenary session Full meeting of the European Parliament/Committee of the Regions Rapporteur Author Stagiere Trainee, intern

31

CDR_2000/10-2013/EN

EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat, 101 _ 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel _ BELGIQUE/BELGIĂ‹ Tel. +32 2 282 2250 _ epp@cor.europa.eu www.epp.cor.europa.eu