EPP Group in the CoR newsletter for January/February Plenary Session

February 2013

Message from the President EPP Pays tribute to its first President Members on the field

2 Subsidiarity: Europe closer to you ARLEM deliberates on vocational training and sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean and sets priorities for 2013

3 Plenary Highlights EPP opinions at Plenary

4-10 Young European Citizens share their views

6 Your Agenda

11 Ongoing Opinions

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

CoR President Valcá alccá alc árcel rce ce Siso iso in i Olso O so for fo award awar awa d awa ceremony of the No Nobe obel Pe Peace ace e Prize P i e to the e EU “ “Above alll el elsse, this award places ann even bigger responsibility on the European institutions.

It is our duty to keep working togetther to defuse conflicts among States and continents, to encourage cross-border cooperation between regions, cities and local communities within and outside the EU. Today Europeaans can be proud of being part of a political project that represents a point of reference for thoose who are building peace all over the world.”

Ram món Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee off the Regions, attending the award ceremony of the Nobbel Peace Prize 2012 to the EU, held in Oslo, on 10 Decem mber.

The House of History, a new project of the European Parlliament (EP) presented to EPP-CoR members last Deccember by former EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering, wiill house the Nobel Peace Prize Medal in its future perm manent exhibition.

A focus on entrepreneurship and jobs during the Irish Presidency The Irish Presidency’s overarching focus will be identifying and advancing legislation that can contribute to creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth in Europe and job creation.

Indeed, throughout Europe regions and cities are facing a significant financial and economic challenge coupled with worrying levels of youth unemployment. The EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions is convinced that a strong entrepreneurial environment is needed in order to boost youth employment and foster innovation.

Within this context and following an invitation from EPP VicePresident Constance Hanniff y,

Member of the Offally County Council, the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions will hold a meeting dedicated to the creation of a regional entrepreneurial environment in the pursuit of youth employment, growth and innovation on 28 February 2013, in Dublin, Ireland. Keynote speakers Lucinda Creighton, Irish Minister for European Affairs and honorary guests will deliver their vision.

Lucinda Creighton, Irish Minister for European Affairs and recently elected VicePresident of the European People’s Party

“Europe is bigger than the economic crisis and is facing a future full of change and potential. We have to embrace that future without hesitation and ensure that we have a clear vision for what that future will

hold. Over the coming months our task will be to refine these important policies and messages ahead of the next European elections.”

The European Year of Citizens is here, and youth is at its heart A year long campaign to raise awareness of EU citizens’ rights is launched, celebrating the 20th anniversary of EU citizenship. This will provide greater occasions for people throughout Europe to learn about the rights and opportunities open to them thanks to EU citizenship. It will also seek to stimulate debate about the obstacles that prevent people from fully using these rights and encourage them to participate in civic fora on EU policies. The EPP which has strongly supported this initiative from the onset believes that raising awareness on EU citizens’ rights should be a long-term objective beyond 2013. EPP members are committed to stimulate the active involvement of EU citizens in their territories. According to György Gémesi, current EPP rapporteur on “Strengthening EU citizenship: promotion of EU citizens’ electoral rights” it is important for the EU to become a tangible asset for citizens, and a specific emphasis should be placed on young people. Indeed, with this focus the EPP Group regularly holds youth oriented activities and competitions.

Read the full report on page 6.

Message from the President Many hopes and expectations are still pinned on the European Council meeting due to take place in Brussels on 7-8 February. In particular, agreement is sought for the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF). We, in the EPP Group, have urged for a timely decision and adequate resources – notably for cohesion – in order for Europe to be able to achieve its primary objective of reviving growth and creating jobs. We need investment to continue in a seamless way in order to avoid the impact that further delays in reaching an agreement could have on the next generation of Structural Fund programmes and development in our regions.

At the beginning of this New Year I would also like to stress that our priority will continue to be the effective implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy which is our roadmap for growth and jobs.

Conscious of the developments that the EU is preparing in order to tackle the crisis and to ensure sustainable growth and jobs, we also need to look for new horizons and start thinking more profoundly about the Committee of the Regions’s role in the context of future developments of the European Union.

EPP Pays tribute to its first President The EPP Group pays tribute to Jos Chabert who has stepped down from his functions in the CoR. Jos Chabert was an eminent member of the Committee of the Regions, having been the first EPP Group President from 1994 to 1998, followed by the Presidency of the CoR from 2000 to 2002. Amongst other notable functions, he represented the CoR in the European Convention on the Future of Europe.

He will be remembered for his lasting commitment to the European project, where he sought to give the valuable perspective and contribution of cities and regions.

Members on the field Ugo Cappellacci, President of Sardinia and chair of the ENVE Commission, represented the CoR in the United Nations Climate Change negotiations in Doha from 29 November till 3 December 2012. He met Commissioner Hedegaard to offer

speech on Greening regions in practice by building capacity and creating new alliances at the conference of the European Learning Network for Regions and Biodiversity, which took place in Oisterwijk in the southern Netherlands.

Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso met with the President of the European Investment Bank Werner Hoyer on 5 December 2012 and discussed ways to improve access to EIB resources for local and regional entities and to promote better use of the Bank’s funding opportunities. The two institutions share the objective of strengthening relations between the EIB and the local and regional authorities starting from the shaping of the operational programmes for the structural funds 2014-2020.

support for the EU-wide climate change campaign called “A world you like. With a climate you like”, which aims to promote the benefits of moving towards a low-carbon society. He also delivered a speech at various side events including “Teaming up to meet the targets - models for supporting local authorities in climate action” co-organised by the Covenant of Mayors.

Kadri Tillemann addressed the participants at the conference organised by the Eurisy, a European Non-profit Association Bridging Space and Society, on “Achieving Europe 2020: policy coordination in support of cities, regions and SMEs” on 11 December 2012 in Brussels. On 12 December, the Mayor of Keila delivered a

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A delegation of 4 EPP members, including Jesús Gamallo Aller, Lech Jaworski, Martina Krogmann, and Cor Lamers took part in the high-Level conference on “Empowering local actors to prevent violent extremism” in Brussels on 29 January 2013. The conference is to be seen in the context of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN), where the CoR was sought as a key partner by the European Commission.

Subsidiarity: Europe closer to you “We as EPP strongly defend subsidiarity not least because it constitutes a more

Michael Schneider, Coordinator of the Subsidiarity Monitoring Network

effective and grassroots method of delivering policy, but also as a basic value of our political family”.

Subsidiarity is part of the CoR’s very DNA and is clearly anchored in its mission statement. This principle must be upheld so that decisions are taken and applied as close to the citizens as possible and at the most appropriate level. The CoR’s recently revamped subsidiarity monitoring strategy reconfirms the Committee’s intention to become the benchmark for subsidiarity monitoring within the EU. The CoR’s 2013 Subsidiarity Work Programme proposed by the Steering Group for decision at the

CoR Bureau on 30 January 2013 will set the priorities for the year. In addition, with the new political governance, the Expert Group, targeted Subsidiarity Monitoring Network consultations, wider REGPEX use and closer cooperation with other EU institutions, the CoR’s subsidiarity monitoring will be strengthened. The Subsidiarity Conference, which is scheduled to take place in May/June 2013 in the Bundesrat in Berlin will also be a benchmark in 2013. It will provide a good opportunity to assess, in conjunction with other institutional partners, the role of the subsidiarity principle in the EU policymaking

ARLEM deliberates on vocational training and sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean and sets priorities for 2013 The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) has focused its 2012 activities on technical and vocational training and sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean. The two draft reports, together with the annual report on the state of the territorial dimension of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) are to be adopted during the ARLEM plenary session in Brussels on 18 February 2013.

Under the Co-Presidency of Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso and Youssef Ali

Abd El-Rahman, the plenary will also adopt the work programme for 2013 which looks set to feature urban transport, equal opportunities, and the development of a cohesion-type policy in the Mediterranean amongst its priorities.

Seeking synergies and efficiency, these themes converge with those foreseen by the institutions and organisations active in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.

Looking at Cohesion for example, the Commission’s Roadmap towards Southern Mediterranean partners

proposes to launch pilot programmes in the area of Regional Policy inspired by the EU cohesion policy to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion.

ARLEM will bring its valuable contribution, anchored on the experience of its members in implementing such policies, and will continue to work to give local and regional authorities more of a say in how the UfM’s sectoral priorities are implemented.

2012 ARLEM Plenary in Bari, Italy

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

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Plenary Highlights Lucinda Creighton, Irish Minister for European Affairs and recently elected Vice-President of the European People’s Party will address the CoR Plenary on the Irish Presidency Priorities on 31 January. In an interview with the rEPPorter ahead of the Presidency she commented: “the pressing issue when we consider European development is engaging our citizens. Next year will be European Year of Citizens. This will provide an enormous opportunity for us to actively engage in a Europe-wide discussion about the future of the European Union. Local and regional authorities will have an important role to play as they are often closest to citizens.”

EPP Member of European Parliament Marietta Giannakou will also address the plenary session on the same day, linked to p the ongoing revision of the Regulation on the statutes and funding of European political parties and foundations. Truly transnational European political parties and foundations can be key in articulating the voices of citizens at European level, and generating Europe-wide public debates. Indeed European Commission President José Manuel Barroso highlighted this initiative in his State of the Union speech last fall, recalling that European political parties have an important role to play in bridging the gap between national and European politics.

Marietta Giannakou, EPP Member of European Parliament

The following day, a CoR resolution on a sustainable future for the European Economic and Monetary Union will be adopted, based on the report “Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union” presented by President Herman Van Rompuy in close collaboration with the Presidents of the European Commission, Eurogroup and European Central Bank in December 2012. In view of the particularly difficult employment situation of young people in various parts of Europe, the political Groups will submit a second draft resolution on Youth Employment to the Plenary.

EPP opinions at Plenary Strengthening EU citizenship: promotion of EU citizens’ electoral rights CDR 1652-2012 - CIVEX-V-036 György Gémesi, Mayor of Gödöllö (Hungary/EPP) G

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wo decades since the concept of EU citizenship has been introduced by the Maastricht Treaty, once again it gains attention as one of the main themes of the current European Year of Citizens, willing to stimulate higher voter turnout in different level elections as one of its priorities. As “facilitating and encouraging citizens’ participation in the democratic life of the Union is crucial for bringing the citizens

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closer to the European project”, the rapporteur emphasises that it is local and regional authorities that play a key role in constantly promoting and raising awareness of EU citizenship and the rights associated with it. While Mayor Gémesi encourages EU citizens to participate in local and political life and to exercise their electoral rights, including the right to vote in local and European elections in their country of residence, he acknowledges the existence of obstacles for some citizens to fully take advantage of such rights. Following that, he suggests European Commission to encourage Member States to ensure that these fundamental democratic rights are guaranteed for all EU citizens and administrative procedures are further simplified. In this regard Mayor

Gémesi welcomes the Commission’s intention to establish an informal forum with the Committee of the Regions enabling direct dialogue on the exercise of electoral rights. While being in favour of the potential of European projects and EU financial instruments supporting EU citizens’ awareness of their legal status and the rights associated with EU citizenship, he suggests that they could be targeted at different age groups in order to foster a sense of belonging into the community, and to explain the resulting benefits better. Finally, in order to increase turnout he recommends Member States to consider synchronising the local and regional elections with European elections by introducing the possibility of five-year terms of office.

Better Governance for the Single Market CDR 1529-2012- ECOS-V-036 Markku Markkula, Member of the Espoo City Council (Finland/EPP)

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he single market is a key driver of European economic growth. For two decades, the free movement of goods, services, capital and workers has been the driving force behind European prosperity and Europe’s economy. Yet, the latest Commission’s communication indicates problems with transposition and lengthy process of implementation of single

market legislation. Furthermore, rules do not necessarily work well in practice, even if they have been transposed at national level. While the rapporteur considers Commission’s concern for the development of the single market as justified, he remarks that it is not enough to put forward only the general measures, as it is only in specific areas or in certain Member States that implementation of rules can prove particularly problematic.

Markku Markkula additionally stresses that at current economic climate, considering the financial services as one of the areas with the most growth potential is problematic. He suggests that identifying such key areas must give priority to those which are well placed to innovate and create quality jobs. In his belief the performance of

the digital single market and of services as a whole are key and urgent priorities, suggesting example of carrying out public procurement electronically as possible significant contribution. Critically, the rapporteur finds poor quality of some regulation as eroding the EU’s actual legitimacy in the eyes of the public and businesses. As it is mostly when rules are put into practice that their more problematic aspects become apparent, Markkula suggests that the role of local government and regions in the development of EU legislation should be strengthened further.

The Single Market has brought about more choice and freedom for consumers and a big market for business..

Completing the Single Market is a way to get out of the economic crisis. To do this, Member States must bee ready to deliver the full implementation of EU rules anywhere in Europe. This requires a better system forr enforcing Single Market laws and monitoring their implementation to the benefit of citizens and enterprisess in the European Union Andreas Schwab, Member of the European Parliament

Renewable Energy: A major player in the European energy market CDR 1529-2012- ECOS-V-036 Witold Stępień, Marshal of the Łódź voivodship (Poland/EPP)

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he rapporteur welcomes the Commission’s guidelines on the current Renewable Energy framework and outlining possible policy directions after 2020, with a view that future renewable energy milestones must become part of the wider common European energy market. The share of renewable energy in EU energy

consumption in the middle of 2012 has reached 12.4%, which represents a rise of 1.9% on 2008 levels. In this context Marshal Stępień considers the main problems of Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) development to be caused by lack of long-term vision and poor coordination between the countries, regions and parties involved. He calls on the future subsidy mechanisms to be improved and notices that infrastructure development is critical to achieve goals.

Research and development (R&D) funding, especially investment in distribution (smart) grids and upgrades to transmission infrastructure needs to play an important role in this process.

The rapporteur additionally calls for a proper structure and realistic objectives

for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and increase of competitiveness of RES in energy markets as well as revision of RES targets and adjustments to the number of green certificates issued. Additionally, Marshal Stępień is convinced that the regions could identify the best mix of renewable energy technologies in order to balance local electricity needs with production, thereby significantly increasing their energy security and reducing dependence on long-distance energy imports. They have also important role to play in the development of renewable microinstallations and in encouraging the emergence of “prosumers”, consumers of energy who also produce energy for their own use or that of their neighbours.

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

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Young European citizens share their views: EPP Master Students Programme and Youth Competition With youth at heart, the EPP organises annual competitions and study visits giving young Europeans the opportunity to share their visions on Europe. The recently held Study Visit for Masters

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Students of European Studies (2830 November 2012, Brussels) gave 30 students from the four corners of Europe the occasion to meet with Commission President JosĂŠ Manuel Barroso and

other high EU representatives and CoR rapporteurs, enhancing their knowledge and allowing debate on topical European issues.

To mark the European Year of Citizens and the role that local and regional authorities can play in promoting citizens’ rights, the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions is also about

to launch an illustration competition for young people. The best graphic designs, drawings, paintings, diagrams, cartoons and photographs will be used to illustrate the EPP Group book on “A vision of EU

Citizenship for the year 2020”, to be edited for the Open Days – European Week of Cities and Regions, in October 2013. Visit our website to take part.

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

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The outermost regions of the EU in the light of the Europe 2020 strategy CDR 1685-2012 - COTER-V-030 Malcolm Mifsud, Mayor of Pietá (Malta/EPP)

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he rapporteur welcomes the Commission’s pursuance to work in partnership with the outermost regions (ORs), while fully applying the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. He also emphasises the need to find a balance between measures to offset the specific and permanent constraints

of the ORs on one hand and those that aim to promote their advantages and opportunities on the other. In this respect the rapporteur supports the Commission policy to find a common denominator for the implementation of the EU 2020 Strategy to the ORs as a whole, while also distinguishing opportunities and challenges that each OR faces individually. Mayor Mifsud calls the Commission to ensure that its various Departments are involved in the implementation of this strategy and to work closely together with the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions, groups of experts and the dedicated interservice group. In connection with the above he suggests that priority should be given to education, training and employment, since local human resources

and expertise are the greatest potential drivers of growth in these regions. In his view especially employment should be considered as high priority target and parameter of all future key-interventions for the successful implementation of the EU 2020 Strategy, while he additionally recognizes the need for improvements in the health system, modernisation of the fisheries fleets, maritime infrastructures and transports. Finally, Mayor Mifsud underlines the need to sustain in the future action plans of the renewed strategy for the ORs both approaches: improving their accessibility to the single market on one side, and to facilitating the ORs integrated regional market on the other.

The EU’s outermost regions The EU has eight regions that are geographically very distant from the European continent but that still form an integral part of the EU member countries they belong to. These outermost regions are: the French overseas departments and communities – Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Réunion, Saint-Martin; the Portuguese autonomous regions – Madeira and the Azores; and the Spanish autonomous community of the Canary Islands. These “outermost regions”, are covered by EU law along with the other rights and duties associated with EU membership – in contrast to overseas territories, which have a different legal status

A renewed strategy for the EU Outermost Regions must allow for a differentiated and holistic treatment, enabling these Regions to benefit from the maximum level of support, irrespective of their level of development, so that their specific features are sufficiently considered and protected. In order to achieve the EU2020 objectives, Outermost Regions must be given the necessary financial means within the MFF 2014-2020. As such, there should be a uniform co-financing rate of 85% and the amounts in these Regions’ specific allocation should be at least the same ass in the current period. Furthermore, the main strategic priorities in the new partnershipp for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth should improve accessibility, employment andd competitiveness and promote the integration of Outermost Regions both in the internall market and in their neighbouring areas. For a better integration in their geographicall environments it is urgent to remove the 150km criterion for maritime borders in cross-border cooperation between Outermost Regions and neighbouring countries in the nextt programming period, since many of these Regions are islands and consequently are nott eligible for most of the regional cooperation programs.

Nuno Teixeira, Member of the European Parliament, rapporteur on the Own-initiative report on “the role of Cohesion Policy inn the outermost regions of the European Union in the context of EU 2020”

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Resolution on the Cohesion Policy legislative package CDR 2233-2012 - COTER-V-033 Marek Woźniak, Marshal of the Wielkopolska region (Poland/EPP)

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he adoption of this Resolution was foreseen in order to highlight the CoR positions that were not taken into consideration during the last year’s inter-institutional negotiations on the Cohesion Policy legislative package, including the developments on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework and the 2013 political priorities adopted

by CoR. In his resolution, which was prepared in close collaboration with all

CoR former rapporteurs on the cohesion legislative package adopted in May 2012, Marshal Woźniak underlines that Cohesion Policy is an investment policy that needs both effective spending and a vigorous budget. Resources cannot be cut down, if it is to stimulate growth and jobs, increase competitiveness and fight against territorial disparities. In this regard, the rapporteur advocates that spending on Cohesion Policy should not be cut below the initial Commission’s proposal. On the positive side, the he welcomes more flexible approach on thematic concentration in the Europe 2020 strategy, as adopted by the European Parliament and the Council compromises. Furthermore, he expresses full support for the Parliament’s REGI Committee’s negotiating team in the trialogue process recalling some key positions shared with the EP that should be kept in the final package like: effective involvement of local and regional

authorities in the design of partnership contracts and operational programmes, new category of “transition regions”, , strong rejection of macroeconomic conditionality, etc. Marshal Woźniak also recalls that local and regional authorities are fully aware of the need to improve the outcome of Cohesion Policy, through better programming and spending of Structural Funds.

In this context the Resolution makes contributions to improvements to the allocation method of the Structural Funds as well as reflects on the capping rate, safety net, urban premium and support for the territorial cooperation budget. Finally, the rapporteur welcomes and supports the proposal of Cyprus as former Presidency of the EU to create a formal “Council for Cohesion Policy” to “be composed of the Ministers with responsibility for Cohesion policy”, stating that the CoR has advocated for such a formal meeting for a long time.

As it was stated in my speech at the beginning of the Informal Ministerial Meeting in Nicosia last November, there are many important political coincidences in the strategic approach of the CoR and that of the European Parliament. Both the Parliament as well as the CoR share the same common objective of a more effective and efficient post 2013 cohesion policy, a policy which is easier to apply and monitor and based on real multilevel governance.

As stated by M Wozniak’s draft report, we all share the view that the CP, as the main EU investment policy, demands both effective spending and a vigorous budget. I have recently reiterated that the challenging objectives of CP are inconsistent with the cuts proposed by the Council, or at least, by certain MS. We are very satisfied that the proposed CoR resolution echoes Parliament’s defence of the demands of regional and local authorities. The respect of multilevel governance is key for a truly effective of CP. Moreover, we are in favour of the CoR’s views on the different sorts of conditionality, which also coincide with the Committee’s views. These include the approach on ex ante conditionality, which should be closely related to the effective implementation of the Funds, or the rejection of macroeconomic conditionality and the performance reserve.

In addition, we can only agree with the CoR’s support for the integrated approach to territorial devel-opment. In particular, long-term strategies for local development designed by local authorities with thee participation of civil society organization are cornerstones for social cohesion within the European Union..

This common ground was reiterated in the recent meeting I had with President Valcarcel, a meetingg during which he once more expressed his support for parliament during the ongoing inter-institutionall negotiations and during the negotiations which should lead to an agreement on the 2014-2020 MFF. Danuta Hübner, Member of the European Parliament, Chair of REGI committee and head of the EP’s negotiation team on the cohesion legislative package

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

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The EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings CDR 1564-2012 - CIVEX-V-035 Jelena Drenjanin, Member of the Municipal Assembly of Huddinge (Sweden/EPP)

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o complement and support the implementation of the EU legislation on human trafficking (Directive 2011/36/ EU), the European Commission proposed an EU strategy towards eradication of such practices for years 2012-2016. Additionally

EU anti-trafficking coordinator has been appointed to oversee its execution. Whilst generally welcoming the Commission’s approach and action plans in this field, CoR’s rapporteur Jelena Drenjanin calls for local and regional authorities to have more prominent place in the communication, taking into account the significant role they already play and the additional contributions they could make to preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and in supporting and protecting its victims. Moreover, she proposes better ways of incorporating those authorities into the strategy implementation, underlining their advantageous positioning in relation to the referral responsibilities and identifying the victims of human trafficking. The

rapporteur encourages Member States to allow local and regional authorities staff to participate in the national multidisciplinary law-enforcement units and provide training as well as access to databases to local police officers. In this context the rapporteur additionally calls for CoR’s active role in development of guidelines on victim identification and child protection systems and its participation as representative of local and regional authorities in the civil society platform and private sector and employers’ platform, which are envisaged by the strategy. Finally, Jelena Drenjanin makes broader recommendations to make better distinction between different forms of trafficking and apply gender dimension to the terms of demand for it.

Trafficking in human beings is one of the most terrible crimes of our lives. With no exaggeration it is definitelyy a modern-day slavery that goes with “high-profit and low-risk” and flourishes all over the world. Europe iss not an exception either with its estimated 800 thousand victims. In spite of the growing attention to this is-sue, the number of prosecution still remains very low (cca 1600 prosecution per year). There is no doubt thatt the key element of an effective anti-trafficking policy is the identification of victims. In this relation we needd more and better training of all those who might get into contact with the possible victims, in particular law-enforcement authorities. I highly appreciate the key message of Mrs Drenjanin´s opinion asking for trackingg down demand which is a driving force of trafficking. Combating trafficking is a complex and hard task butt not impossible. It is hidden but not invisible.

Edit Bauer, Member of the European Parliament

European research area CDR 1672-2012 - EDUC-V-025 Grigorios Zafiropoulos, Councillor of the Region of Attica (Greece/EPP)

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n the context of the financial crisis and increasing need for addressing socioeconomic, demographic and climate challenges in the EU, comes the call for a renewed impetus to the European Research Area initiative that is to allow scientific knowledge and technology to

circulate freely throughout the European Union, strengthening the competitiveness and Europe’s capacity to achieve economic recovery and collectively face global issues as Innovative Union. The rapporteur calls on the European Commission to overcome fragmentation of research in Europe through application of synergies between Structural Funds and Horizon 2020 financial pillars and promoting inter-regional cooperation within their framework. Councillor Zafiropoulos additionally stresses that regions themselves need to increase their preparedness to benefit from research. Developed competences and good practices need to be available to the European-wide use. He also highlights that EU should encourage better coordination and synergy between the regions allowing them to become innovative

pioneers in their chosen fields, progressing in smart specialisations and thus increasing the possibilities for complementarities and regional cooperation. To conclude, the rapporteur calls for removal of legal and other barriers to the application of open, transparent and merit-based recruitment of researchers and recommends the European Commission set up an online portal for the exchange of best practice examples at local and regional level on integrating young people into the labour market, including in the research and innovation sectors.

In times of economic difficulties we have to join our efforts efficiently and create the conditions for boosting thee European economy through a more innovative and competitive industry. Completing the European Researchh Area (ERA) will be a major step in this direction.

Maria Da Graca Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament

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The role of local and regional authorities in promoting growth and boosting job creation CDR 1186-2012 - ECOS-V-033 Maria Luisa Coppola, Councillor of the Veneto Region (Italy/EPP)

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he rapporteur welcomes the Commission communication “Towards a job-rich recovery” and considers is as a political act which should be followed by tangible legislative initiatives by the Member States and local and regional authorities. Councillor Coppola reminds the European Commission that local and regional authorities often are largely responsible for implementing policies relating to employment, education and training and

regrets lack of reference to them in the document, as territorial dimension of these policies is thus of vital importance.

Concentrating on the policy aspects, she calls on the European Commission and the Member States to implement the necessary measures to combat and eradicate the damaging practice of social dumping and illegal work, which also goes hand in hand with certain forms of exploitation of illegal immigration.

Furthermore, the rapporteur recalls the importance of concentrating efforts not only on creating new jobs and promoting structural change but also on preserving existing ones. While taking on the subject of promoting the quality of European products, she stresses that business could also benefit from an additional EU origin label alongside labelling denoting national origin or quality. Councillor Coppola encourages

forming agreements between local or regional education authorities, the social partners, business representatives and the universities in order bridge the gaps between the world of training and that of industry. She stresses that the future European Skills Passport must not constitute “downward” standardisation, but should enable the practical skills (manufacturing, crafts, etc.) in which different regions excel to be valued.

Finally, she calls on the Commission to avoid duplication by mapping the existing studies that match demand and supply in national labour markets. In her view exchange and coordination of these data could be key to effective internal mobility within the EU.

As the employment situation is still fragile in the European Union, we need tangible reform initiatives both att European and national level. However, the involvement of local and reginal authorities cannot result in moree administrative burdens. The strengthening of cohesion policy in the new multiannual financial frameworkk is inevitable if we really want to promote growth and boost job creation. And we need to support even moree small and medium sized enterprises.

Csaba Őry, Member of the European Parliamentt

Your Agenda 11 February

CIVEX

Brussels

18 February

ARLEM Plenary

Brussels

19 February

ENVE

Brussels

20 February

ECOS

Brussels

25 February

EDUC

Brussels

26 February

COTER

Brussels

28 February

EPP Group meeting

Dublin

1 March

CoR Bureau

Dublin

4 March

JCC Iceland

Reykjavik

6 March

Ad Hoc Budget Committee

Brussels

21 March

NAT Seminar

Flevoland

22 March

CAFA

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

Devolution in the EU

Franz Schausberger (Salzburg, Austria)

April 2013

CIVEX

Enlargement Strategy 20122013

Luc Van den Brande (Flanders, Belgium)

April/May 2013

COTER

Territorial Impact Assessment

Michael Schneider (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany)

July 2013

COTER

4th Rail Package

Pascal Mangin (Alsace, France)

July 2013

ECOS

CARS 2020: Action Plan for automotive industry

Christian Buchmann (Styria, Austria)

October 2013

EDUC

Enhancing And Focusing International Cooperation In Research And Innovation

Paolo Valentini Puccitelli (Lombardi, Italy)

April 2013

EDUC

Promoting cultural and creative sectors

Anton Rombouts (s' Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands)

May 2013

EDUC

Closing the innovation divide

Markku Markkula (Espoo, Finland)

April 2013

ENVE

Industrial policy for the space industry

Gianfranco Vitagliano (Molise, Italy)

tbc

ENVE

EIA Directive

Marek Sowa (Malopolskie, Poland)

May 2013

ENVE

7th Environment Action Programme

Jose MacĂĄrio Correia (Faro, Portugal)

May 2013

Secretary General: Heinz-Peter Knapp Press OďŹƒcer: Dominik Krakowiak, dominik.krakowiak@cor.europa.eu, +32 2 282 2539 This issue is also available at www.epp.cor.europa.eu Join us on

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