October rEPPorter newsletter of the EPP Group in the CoR

October 2014 The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

Editorial A message from President Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso

2 Members on the field

2-3 Participatory democracy: sharing, proposing, deciding Cor Bureau in Turin Mayors Adapt: Promoting urban leadership in adaptation to climate change

3 Cor Bureau in Turin Focus on Italian Presidency

4 Plenary Highlights Promoting and protecting the tastes of Europe’s regions and cities EPP Group Members at OPEN DAYS

12th European Week of Regions and Cities

Since his election to President of the Committee of the Regions in June 2014, Michel Lebrun got straight to work in making sure that the voice of Europe’s regions and cities is being heard. On the 8 September, he spoke with Herman Van

Rompuy, President of the European Council, and reiterated his call to exclude regional productive investments from national public debt rules. A week and a half later, he met with the European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, to discuss how best to exploit regional and cohesion policy to boost public investment and deliver jobs and growth in Europe. In view of the European Parliament hearings for the next Commissioners, he also had meetings with many Commissionerdesignates including Corina Cretu, the candidate for the Regional Policy

OPEN DAYS 2014

clude innovation and research, the digital agenda, support for small and medium sized businesses, the lowcarbon economy or training/social inclusion. As in previous years, the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions will be active with its own seminar entitled “Promoting and protecting the tastes of Europe” and many EPP members will speak at

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7 Ongoing Opinions

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Smart investment for people

President Michel Lebrun

Opinions EPP Group seminar: Innovative Solutions for a European Industrial Renaissance Dates for your diary

Growing together

Brussels 6 - 9 October 2014

The 12th European Week of Regions and Cities takes place on 6-9 October 2014. Under the overall slogan ‘Growing together – Smart investment for people’, it aims to foster exchanges about the compulsory thematic priorities for each region in the period 2014-2020. These in-

portfolio, and Iskra Mihailova, the chair of the European Parliament committee for Regional Affairs. As a result of the longstanding cooperation between REGI and the Committee of the Regions, he was invited to make a statement in the hearing on 1 October.

With an aim of making sure that the Committee of the Regions will have strong partners in the Jean-Claude Juncker Commission, he also met with Johannes Hahn, Maros Sefkovic, Jyrki Katainen, Valdis Dombrovkis and Věra Jourová.

the 108 Brussels-based seminars as well as in local events.

Read more on page 5

An Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine On 16 September 2014, the European and the Ukrainian Parliaments simultaneously ratified the Association Agreement. This demonstrates an important shift towards a deeper political association and economic integration with great impact on the local and regional level. On the occasion of the ratification, Michel Lebrun said: “We warmly welcome the ratification of the Association Agreement.

The implementation of the Agreement with its far-reaching objectives of com-

prehensive political, economic and societal reforms will require significant political will. In this process local and regional authorities will play an irreplaceable role.

Ukrainian regional and local authorities will not be left alone in these efforts. We will support them as much as we can.”

Read more about the developments in the Eastern Partnership on page 4

Editorial:

The next European Commissioners are currently auditioning in front of the newly elected European Parliament. Once these jobs have been allocated to the right candidates, the EU can and must get straight to work on the challenges that it faces. We have been working closely with our friends in the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European People’s Party to ensure that the priorities of Europe’s regions and cities will be taken into account. We, the EPP Group in the CoR, stand for a leading role for regions and cities in a strong European Union.

With the elections of Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission President and Poland’s former Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, as new President of the European Council, the EPP once again has the responsibility to lead the political decisions that are urgently needed. We must focus on implementing the reform agenda and the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions has an important role to play in the quest for sustainable growth, new jobs

and stable finances. It seems that worst of the financial the crisis is behind us and we are beginning to see some green shoots of recovery, but despite these promising signs we cannot afford to relax. To meet the expectations of our citizens, we hope that the new leaders of the European Commission and European Council will develop the openness to local and regional points of view that they showed in Poznan into concrete cooperation and a stronger voice for local and regional authorities.

Not only do we need Europe to return to growth, we must also find solutions to the conflict between Russia and its neighbours.

The EU sanctions against Russia are the best response to the unacceptable situation in Eastern Ukraine. We hope that the ratification of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine will send a strong message that local and regional authorities in our neighbouring countries are not alone and they can fully count on our support. But, the challenges to Europe and its citizens do not end there.

The terrorism and violence stemming from ISIS requires concrete actions, international cooperation and a coordinated political will; the deteriorating situation in the Near East and in Northern Africa must be dealt with; we have to face up to growing migration into the EU and last but not least, we are confronted with the rise of Ebola, which has killed more than 2400 people this year and its rapid spread is threatening hundreds of thousands more.

Members on the field under the chairmanship of Raffaele Cattaneo, President of the Regional Council of Lombardy

Kadri Tillemann represents the CoR within the EU delegation to the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Biodiversity Summit for Cities and Subnational Governments, which will take place on 6-17 October 2014 in Pyeong Chang, Republic of Korea.

Hans Janssen, Mayor of Oisterwijk, The Netherlands, Rapporteur for the CoR and Spokesperson of PLATFORMA, addressed the Policy Forum on Development at a meeting on 1 October.

The Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies working group on subsidiarity met on 2 October in Milan,

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The role of local and regional authorities in the future of the EU was the topic for discussion at the CIVEX seminar, which took place on 22-23 September in Brindisi, upon the invitation of Mauro D’Attis, Municipal councillor of Brindisi. Jesus Gamallo Aller chaired the seminar.

Nunez Feijoo, President of Galicia, also took part.

During the Economic Forum in Krynica, Poland, on 2 September, Markku Markkula underlined that digitisation requires a bottom-up approach towards innovation and change of mind set in favour of open innovation.

The Sixth Cohesion Forum took place in Brussels on 8-9 September dedicated to the next generation of Cohesion Policy programmes. Michel Lebrun argued that “Cohesion policy succeeded in reducing the impact of the crisis but development gaps are on the rise again and the unemployment tragedy has not yet been addressed. We must all shape and implement the 2014-2020 policy framework with due regard for this challenge and with the involvement of all partners at national, regional and local level.” Alberto

Participatory democracy: sharing, proposing, deciding The 2014 Week of Local Democracy will take place between 13 and 19 October. This annual European event is an occasion for local authorities from the Council of Europe, under the Presidency of Herwig van Staa, to promote and foster democratic participation at a local level.

Tania Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo, hosted the EDUC external seminar on “Promoting Cultural and Creative Sectors as Key Contributors to Boosting Local and Regional Competitiveness and Attractiveness” on Tuesday 1 July.

Cor Bureau in Turin The CoR Bureau adopted a declaration in Turin on 12 September urging European institutions and national governments to ensure the full mobilisation of EU cohesion policy investment by excluding national and regional cofinancing from the deficit calculations under the Growth and Stability Pact.

Mayors Adapt: Promoting urban leadership in adaptation to climate change

Munich is a growing city. In the next 20 years we expect to grow by around 200,000 inhabitants.

The challenge for us is to bring together growth and favourable urban climate conditions to ensure a high livability for our citizens. One challenge for the City

of Munich is the rising of extreme temperatures and more frequent heat days. Another key topic is the change of rain patterns, especially heavy rain events.

Heavy rain in the Alps in the years 1999, 2005 and 2013 led to major floods and substantial financial damage in the South of Germany. These challenges prompted us to engage in climate change adaptation.

In climate change mitigation the City of Munich is very active: we joined the Climate Alliance in 1991 – the head of Munich’s environment department is the director – and we are signatories to the covenant of Mayors since 2009. Currently, we are developing an action oriented adaptation strategy in close cooperation with all affected departments within the City administration. The aim is to compile existing measures and make Munich a more resilient city for

the future. We want to build on a solid data base: an urban climate map shows the status quo - for example fresh air corridors and bio-climatic conditions within the city districts. We want to take actions to ensure Munich will be less vulnerable to climate change and to offer our citizens a more sustainable future. This is our motivation. http://mayors-adapt.eu/ Josef Deputy-Mayor of Munich, CSU

Schmid,

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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The Success of the Eastern Partnership Initiative Means “Going Local” Over the last five years the EaP has produced mixed results and has been a disappointment to many: it has clearly achieved more in some partner countries than in others. In order to achieve the desired policy goals in the future, the EaP should refocus its attention to a broad engagement with the citizens of the EaP countries, supporting democracy and civil society in a larger sense of this term, building solid constituencies for Europe at local levels.

More EU funds need to be rechanneled to creating true civil society in the EaP countries-funding the grass roots movements rather than working with the traditional members of the ‘NGO-cracy’ in the capitals. The funding mechanisms need to be flexible in order to respond quickly and efficiently to the local initiatives. The EU needs to strengthen its public outreach in the regions of the EaP countries, involving the most influential opinion-makers in the local communities, both from the government, as well as civil society and when needed, relevant religious organizations. The agenda of the civil society should be less driven by the donor agenda and more responsive to the local needs and interests of the citizens in these countries. The EU should support more grass roots initiatives built around concrete local economic, social or environmental issues.

Therefore, local and regional authorities need to be the key players in implementing the EaP policies in

the future. This will be an important condition for the success of the EaP. Failure of the EU to achieve its goals in this region could deprive another generation of Georgians, Moldovans, Ukrainians and others in the EaP countries of an opportunity for a better life – and the EU of the chance to build a ring of stability at its Eastern borders.

Salome Samadashvili, Visiting Fellow, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

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Highly appreciating every human life, I support a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine and the implementation of President Poroshenko’s Peace Plan. I look forward to the adherence to the provisions of the Minsk memorandum and protocol.

The key instrument for helping Ukraine on its way to the EU is the implementation of the Association Agreement which has been simultaneously ratified by Verkhovna Rada and the European Parliament on 16 September 2014. The Agreement creates a new legal, political and economic framework for relations between EU and Ukraine, where the Parliamentary Association Committee has an important role in accompanying legislative and structural reforms agenda in Ukraine.

It is crucial that the EU demonstrates solidarity and support to the “European choice” of the Ukrainian people, as well as regarding the respect of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including illegitimate and illegal annexation of Crimea.

The EP’s Delegation will actively assist Ukraine in implementing reforms and maintaining the economic stability.”

Andrej Plenković MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation to Ukraine

Focus on Italian Presidency

Since 1 June, Italy has been at the helm of the rotating presidency and has made the following priorities: growth and employment; a space for freedom and security; full exercise of citizenship rights and a stronger role of Europe in the world.

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Regional and Territorial Policy under the Italian Presidency

governance, the Presidency will work on

The Presidency will promote a structured political debate in the EU Council with the aim of maintaining a focus on ensuring the increased effectiveness and improved result-oriented initiatives of

the Europe 2020 Strategy. Within this

Cohesion policy. Building on the achievements of the cohesion policy across Europe and the added value it brings to the Europe 2020 Strategy, inter alia by ensuring ownership of common European objectives at all levels of

be debated, as well as the follow-up to

the contribution that an effective cohesion policy can deliver to the review of framework, the effects of strengthening the link between structural policies and economic governance will also the Council conclusions on the Sixth Cohesion Report within the framework of a specific session of the GAC dedicated to cohesion policy.

Plenary Highlights OPEN DAYS 2014: Growing together – Smart investment for people The opening session will analyse challenges and opportunities related to the launch of a new cohesion policy cycle, in the presence of the highest level of EU representatives including guest-speaker Angel Gurría, SecretaryGeneral of the OECD, who will present two flagship publications: The Regional

Outlook, which will be launched with this occasion, and the report on Regional Well-Being. Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, and Michel Lebrun, President of the Committee of the Regions, will also participate. The opening session will be followed by a joint meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI) and the Committee of the Regions’ Commission

on Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) that will provide an opportunity to discuss with REGI members and COTER members the uptake of the Cohesion policy package 2014-2020 and its new instruments. Alongside Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Marek Woźniak, Chair of the CoR COTER Commission will make an introductory speech.

Promoting and protecting the tastes of Europe’s regions and cities An EPP/CoR OPEN DAYS Seminar The quality of Europe’s agricultural and agri-food products is widely acknowledged, but in an increasingly open and competitive world, the success of European agriculture depends on its capacity to better market itself on the global market. This seminar therefore aims to analyse whether coordinated EU investment for promotion and new food labelling legislation could tip the competitive balance in Europe’s favour. An exchange of best practise and experiences will be encouraged both in the discussion sessions and in the marketplace of ideas, which will follow the event. Speakers include Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, Michel Lebrun, President of the Committee of the Regions and Hester Maij, the CoR rapporteur on organic production.

EPP Group Members at OPEN DAYS Many members of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions will be active at OPEN DAYS. A selection of the workshops where they will speak include: Markku Markkula, Territorial Impact Assessment as a key element for a place based approach for growth and jobs in Europe, 7 October: How key enabling technologies projects can contribute to the implementation of Smart Specialisation strategies, 8 October: Paving the way for eHealth, active ageing and in-

dependent living products and services generated by European Research & Innovation projects, 9 October;

Cor Lamers, EUROTOWNS, unlocking the potential of medium-sized cities towards EU 2020 goals, 8 October

Wim Van De Donk, How to build partnerships for SME support and entrepreneurship promotion, 7 October

Hans Janssen, Instruments and mechanisms for decentralised cooperation for development 2014-2020, 9 October

Bruno Hranic, Improving waste water management - support from the European Structural and Investment Funds, 8 October

Herwig Van Staa, The EGTCs in the “long haul” – Interreg and other opportunities, 8 October: Towards a European Strategy for the Alpine Region-harmonizing regional, national and European agenda, 9 October

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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Opinions Measures to support the creation of high-tech start-up ecosystems Markku Markkula Member of the Espoo City Council EDUC-V-040 The growing high-tech start-up phenomenon could become a genuine driver for growth and job creation in Europe, if it is properly managed, according to this opinion drafted by Markku Markkula. This is why he recommends that entrepreneurship should be systematically nurtured in Europe by ensuring better access to credit, efficient regulation and taxation, promotion of a culture of entrepreneurship and greater risk-taking. He also underlines that Europe’s regions and cities need to have the necessary infrastructure to allow access to broadband. The opinion states that it is necessary to out a survey of what has already been done in terms of instruments and/or policies to promote high-tech start-ups. It would then be possible to analyse the measures already adopted by the regions and

identify trends and evaluate what works best.

Moreover, it would facilitate an exchange of best practice between local and regional authorities.

Given that the start-up concept is bound to that of flexibility, red tape should be cut to a bare minimum. Education also has a decisive role to play because excellence and innovation come from individuals. Training is needed for regional and local authority staff who should be encouraged to start thinking digital. Other measures that need attention include the availability of data, barriers to entrepreneurship and synergies between the various European projects supporting entrepreneurship, particularly Horizon 2020, the COSME programme for the competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs and the European Structural and Investment Funds.

“In the interest of European economies and their citizens we have to support our small and medium-sized enterprises since they are the motor for employment and innovation. I am therefore completely convinced that measures to support the creation of high-tech start-up ecosystems will advance our European economy. In this context, the role of local and regional authorities is decisive since it is at the local and regional level where investments in entrepreneurship can be fostered most efficiently.”

Markus Pieper, Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the SME circle

Clean Air Policy Package Cor Lamers Mayor of Schiedam ENVE-V-046 Air pollution is a serious problem. It is the number one environmental cause of premature death in the EU and responsible for ten times the toll of road traffic accidents, according to the opinion on the Clean Air Policy Package for Europe.

More problematic; air pollution is transnational by its very nature. Whilst broadly supporting the European Commission’s proposals for a new policy package for cleaner air in Europe, the rapporteur also suggests that Member States should draft their clean-up plans in close cooperation with sub-national authorities. Their involvement is necessary in view of the infringement proceedings fines, which are often passed on to local and regional authorities. The rapporteur also recommends setting binding interim targets for national emission reduction commit-

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ments by 2025, in addition to the targets for 2020 and 2030, which are currently proposed by the European Commission. He believes that his would provide an additional checkpoint requiring Member States to start reducing harmful emissions in good time. Mayor Lamers would like to see greater synchronisation between the proposed source-based policy and the obligations under the Ambient Air Quality Directive.

He therefore calls on the European Commission to show a degree of restraint when it comes to launching new proceedings, and instead to provide a better, more realistic set of enforcement tools. Better flexibility and a joined-up approach to European funds (including Structural Funds, Horizon 2020 and Life) conclude his suggestions on how to achieve air quality targets.

“Air quality has gradually improved in Europe over the past few years, but air pollution remains a serious problem that requires a European and multi-level approach. Measures taken at a European level are only effective if they are implemented conscientiously at local and regional level. The EU should set ambitious targets without losing sight of the legitimate concerns of our industry and SMEs, who need to remain competitive on a global scale. We will certainly take on board the valuable input of the Committee of the Regions when discussing the Clean Air Programme for Europe in the European Parliament.”

Ivo Belet, Member of the European Parliament and EPP coordinator in the ENVI committee

EPP Group seminar: Innovative Solutions for a European Industrial Renaissance 24 October 2014, Badajoz, innovation” Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Extremadura The drive for industrialisation and a modernised economy are at the heart of Europe’s plans to create jobs and growth; especially in those regions that are still classified as less developed. The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions is convinced that industry-related competitiveness has to be the driving force of recovery and that innovation is required to bring about its renaissance. On 26 October, José Antonio Monago Terraza, President of the Junta of Extremadura, will host an external seminar on this topic in Badajoz, Extremadura. The aim of this seminar is to identify regional and local opportunities for European industrial policy. “Industry accounts for over 80% of Europe’s exports, private research and

Regions, underlines. “But, we are still far from the 20% target of industry’s share in Europe’s GDP by 2020. That is why we are placing such a strong priority on boosting industrial competitiveness through this external seminar.”

The European Commission has urged Member States to deploy and implement European financing instruments and national funding to pursue innovation, investment and reindustrialisation. Through an exchange of experiences at the local and regional level, the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions aims to demonstrate that an EU industrial strategy must encompass many other inter-connected sectors, many of which have a major impact on local and regional authorities.

Dates for your diary 16-17 October

ENVE

Bologna, Italy

20 October

ARLEM/ECOTER

Malaga, Spain

22 October

COTER

Brussels

24 October

EPP/CoR external seminar

Badajoz, Spain

27 October

JCC Montenegro

Kotor, Montenegro

10 November

ARLEM Bureau

Luxor, Egypt tbc

11 November

WG on Western Balkans

Durres, Albania

17 November

CIVEX

Brussels

18 November

CAFA

Brussels

25 November

WG Turkey

Giresun, Turkey

27 November

NAT

Brussels

The activity report of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions

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Ongoing Opinions Comission

Opinion

Rapporteur

Expected Adoption

CIVEX

European Neighbourhood Policy Package

Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of the West Pomeranian voivodeship (Poland)

December 2014

CIVEX

Multilevel protection of the rule of law and EU fundamental rights

Luc Van den Brande, Flemish-European Liaison Agency Chairman (Belgium)

February 2015

CIVEX

Goals for the post-2015 Development Agenda

J.F.M. (Hans) Janssen, Mayor of Oisterwijk (Netherlands)

April 2015

CIVEX

Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2014-2015

Franz Schausberger, CoR Delegate of the region of Salzburg (Austria)

April 2015

COTER

Alpine macro-regional strategy for the European Union

Herwig Van Staa, President of the Tirol Regional Assembly (Austria)

December 2014

ECOS

Industrial Policy Package

Markku Markkula, Espoo City Councillor (Finland)

December 2014

ECOS

EU strategic framework for health and safety at work 2014-2020

Mauro D'Attis, Municipal Councillor of Brindisi (Italy)

February 2015

ECOS

EU Geographical indication protection for non-agricultural products

Marialuisa Coppola, Councillor of the Veneto Region (Italy)

February 2015

ENVE

Resource efficiency opportunities in the building sector

Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council (Romania)

February 2015

NAT

mHealth

Martin Andreasson, Member of the Regional Assembly of Vastra Gotaland (Sweden)

December 2014

NAT

Organic production and labelling of organic prodcuts

Hester Maij, Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Overijssel (Netherlands)

December 2014

EDUC

Towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe

György Gémesi, Mayor of Gödöllo (Hungary)

February 2015

Secretary General: Heinz-Peter Knapp Editor in chief: Kathryn Owens, kathryn.owens@cor.europa.eu, +32 2 282 2400 | Press Officer: Dominik Krakowiak This issue is also available at www.epp.cor.europa.eu | Join us on

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