Annual Activity Report 2017 of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Publications Unit Directorate for Press and Communications EPP Group in the European Parliament Editor: Pedro López de Pablo Responsible: Pete Pakarinen Coordinator: Mark Dunne EPP Group Graphic Designer: Constantin Deaconescu Address: European Parliament

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ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

Publisher:

2017

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2017 OF THE EPP GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 3 / ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2015

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Foreword by the Chairman, Manfred Weber

In 2017, the EPP Group worked hard to improve the lives of EU citizens.

On 17 January, the European Parliament elected EPP Group candidate Antonio Tajani as its new President for the 2017-2019 period, showing that the EPP Group is the stable anchor of the European Parliament.

In April, the European Parliament approved the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The agreement, which provisionally entered into force in September, is the most advanced economic and trade treaty ever negotiated by the EU. The EPP Group welcomed CETA as more trade ensures more jobs and higher salaries for European citizens.

On security and counterterrorism, the EPP Group stepped up its efforts to put the safety of Europeans first. In July, the European Parliament, on the initiative of the EPP Group, set up a Special Committee on Terrorism to tackle deficiencies in the fight against terrorism across the EU. The EPP Group also welcomed further EU anti-terrorist measures in 2017, including the directive on combating terrorism, the regulation to reinforce checks at external borders and the firearms directive.

As EU citizens are increasingly looking to Europe for protection within and beyond its borders, the EPP Group is actively working to create a European Defence Union. This union is essential as the scale and nature of current challenges is such that no Member State can successfully address them on their own. To further deepen defence cooperation among Member States, the EPP Group embraced the launch of the EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in November 2017.

On 15 June 2017, roaming charges in the European Union were finally abolished. To this end, the strong commitment and political leadership of the EPP Group was crucial. By working closely together, the European Union delivered a concrete, positive result for European citizens.

Eliminating roaming charges is one of the greatest and most tangible successes of the EU. The end of roaming charges is at the foundation of the EU’s Digital Single Market and is another step towards building a united and sustainable European digital society, accessible for all our citizens. Completing the Digital Single Market is a top priority for the EPP Group.

Erasmus+, one of the EU’s most successful stories, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017. Reflecting its commitment to invest in Europe’s youth, the EPP Group worked hard for an EU Budget with adequate resources. More funding for Erasmus means less youth unemployment.

The current seven-year programme for 2014-2020 has a budget of €14.7 billion, which is 40% more than the previous budget.

On creating growth and jobs, the EPP Group welcomed, in September, a political agreement on the extension of the duration of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) until 31 December 2020. The EPP Group has supported the EFSI ever since European Commission President Juncker presented it as his first priority in 2014.

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

For the EPP Group, the largest political force in the European Parliament, the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in March 2017 presented an appropriate moment to reflect on the future of the European Union and the achievements of the past. This unique political project of peace and reconciliation has brought European citizens six decades of security, stability and prosperity. However, the European Union faces challenges both global and domestic: regional conflicts, terrorism, growing migratory pressures, and social and economic inequalities.

The EPP Group, under my Chairmanship, together with 217 Members from 27 Member States, is determined to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world and to offer to our citizens both security and new opportunities.

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In 2017, EPP Group meetings were convened in Valletta, Malta; Wicklow, Ireland; Tallinn, Estonia; Rome, Italy; and Braga, Portugal. These gatherings engaged political themes that are important at national level, thus feeding into the Group’s work in the European Parliament. A series of multi-lingual publications documented the positions adopted by the EPP Group at these meetings, covering a range of policy priorities.

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The priorities of the EPP Group in the European Parliament are clear: a prosperous and secure continent that protects its citizens from terror and acts as an inspired global leader. The EPP Group wants a Europe that is close to its citizens and will work to defend Europe’s identity in a rapidly changing world. We will pursue these objectives, firm in the belief that Europe’s future lies in our own hands and that the European Union is the best instrument to achieve our objectives.

Manfred Weber MEP Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament December 2017

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Making Europe ďŹ t for the 21st Century: reforms for a better Europe The question that needs to be answered on the future of Europe is not where Europe ends and nation states begin, but how to address the things people care most about: security and job prospects. We stand for the European way of life: freedom and democracy instead of oppression and dictatorship, cooperation instead of egoism, security instead of hate, and hope instead of anger.

Read our proposals for a fresh start for a better Europe

Table of Contents Foreword by the Chairman: Mr Manfred Weber (MEP)............................................................................................................................... 1

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The EPP Group............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 1. The EPP Group Structure........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 2. How the EPP Group Works...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 3. Description.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 • The EPP Group Presidency................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 • Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations............................................................................................................................................................13 • EPP Group Members of the European Parliament (EP) Bureau...............................................................................................................................14 • EPP Group Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees of the EP...............................................................................................................................16 • EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees of the EP .................................................................................................................17 • EPP Group Chairs of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Cooperation Committees and Parliamentary Delegations of the EP .......................................................................................................................................................................................................19 4. The President (EPP) of the European Council...................................................................................................................................... 20 5. EPP Members of the European Commission........................................................................................................................................ 20 6. The 217 Members of the EPP Group.................................................................................................................................................... 22 7. Senior Management of the EPP Group Secretariat............................................................................................................................. 27

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Directorate for Parliamentary Work......................................................................................................................................................... 29 • • • • • •

General Activities.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................31 Legislative Coordination and Whip Office.............................................................................................................................................................................33 Standing Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’.....................................................................................................................................................35 Standing Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’............................................................................................................................................................44 Standing Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’...............................................................................................................................................50 External Meetings and Events.................................................................................................................................................................................................56

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Directorate for the Presidency.................................................................................................................................................................. 67

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Directorate for External Policies - Committees ....................................................................................................................................... 73 •

Standing Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’............................................................................................................................................................................73

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Directorate for External Policies - Regions .............................................................................................................................................. 81 Interparliamentary Delegations and Assemblies, Working Groups on Eastern Neighbourhood, Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy

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Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments............................................................................................................................... 97

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Directorate for Intercultural and Religious Activities............................................................................................................................ 109

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Directorate for Press and Communications............................................................................................................................................ 119

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The European People’s Party (EPP)......................................................................................................................................................... 131

1. The EPP Group

In July 2009, the Group again changed its name – this time to the ‘Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats.’ After the European elections in 2009, the Group went back to its roots as the ‘Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats).’

1. The EPP Group Structure The Chairman of the EPP Group is Manfred Weber MEP (DE). He chairs its governing bodies and speaks for the Group in keynote debates in the European Parliament (EP).

He is supported by Coordinators on each of the Parliament’s Committees and by Heads of the National Delegations represented in the EPP Group.

The operational needs of the Group are serviced by a Group Secretariat, providing policy and organisational support.

The Group runs its own think-tank - the European Ideas Network (EIN) - which brings together opinion-formers from the world of politics, business, academia and civic society across Europe, to discuss the major policy issues facing the European Union (EU).

2. How the EPP Group Works The Group of the European People’s Party (EPP Group) is the largest political grouping in the EP with 217 Members. It has always played a key role in the construction of Europe. It brings together centre and centre-right pro-European political forces from the Member States (MS) of the EU. Most of the parties represented in the EPP Group also belong to the European People’s Party. The EPP was the first-ever transnational political party to be formed at European-level, and has the strongest representation in the Council of the European Union. EPP parties came together to advance the goal of a more competitive and democratic Europe, closer to its citizens, and based on a social market economy.

As the largest political Group in a Parliament where non-Socialist parties now enjoy a 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 EP monthly Plenary sessions.

Strength of numbers also ensures that EPP Group Members hold a range of key positions within the Parliament, including the Presidency, 4 of its Vice-Presidencies, Chairs of 8 of the EP’s 22 Committees or Subcommittees, and 2 of its 5 Quaestorships. Within the Parliamentary Committees, EPP Group Members (MEPs) are best placed to secure the right to author the EP position on key pieces of draft legislation and other major reports: the EPP Group gets more of these “Rapporteurships” on more important subjects than any other group.

The task of the EP- which is elected every five years by direct universal suffrage - lies in exercising democratic control over the decision-making process in the EU on behalf of Europe’s citizens.

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

Founded as the Christian Democrat Group on 23 June 1953 as a faction in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, the Group changed its name to the ‘Group of the European People’s Party’ (Christian-Democratic Group) in July 1979, just after the first direct elections to the European Parliament.

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Composition: there are 751 Members of the EP, representing more than 500 million Europeans.

3. Description 01

(as of 1 December 2017)

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With 217 Members the EPP Group is the largest political Group in the EP.

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Its Membership is made up of: 34 Members from Germany 22 Members from Poland 20 Members from France 17 Members from Spain 15 Members from Italy 13 Members from Romania 12 Members from Hungary 8 Members from Portugal 7 Members from Bulgaria 7 Members from Czech Republic 6 Members from Slovakia 5 Members from Austria 5 Members from Croatia 5 Members from Greece 5 Members from the Netherlands 5 Members from Slovenia 4 Members from Belgium 4 Members from Ireland 4 Members from Latvia 4 Members from Sweden 3 Members from Finland 3 Members from Luxembourg 3 Members from Malta 3 Members from Lithuania 1 Member from Cyprus 1 Member from Denmark 1 Member from Estonia

The EPP Group Presidency The Presidency consists of the Group Chairman and ten Vice-Chairs. The Members of the Presidency agree among themselves on the allocation of tasks, including the Group Treasurer and the Chairmanships of the Standing Working Groups, which shall be brought to the notice of the Group.

The EPP Group Bureau The Bureau, the political organ of the EPP Group, consists of: • • • • • •

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The EPP Group Presidency The Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations The President and Vice-Presidents of Parliament belonging to the EPP Group The Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees belonging to the EPP Group The Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees belonging to the EPP Group The Chairman and the Secretary-General of the European People’s Party if they are Members of the European Parliament One co-opted Member for every 10 Members of a National Delegation

The four Standing Working Groups The EPP Group’s political strategy is formulated in the framework of four Working Groups which coordinate its MEPs’ Parliamentary work in the 22 Committees or Subcommittees.

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Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’ • Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) • Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) • Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) • Committee on Development (DEVE) • Committee on International Trade (INTA) Chair: Sandra Kalniete

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Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ • Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) • Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) • Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) • Committee on Petitions (PETI) • Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) • Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) Chair: Esteban González Pons

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Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’ • Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) • Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) • Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) • Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) • Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) • Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

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Chair: Françoise Grossetête

Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’ • Committee on Budgets (BUDG) • Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) • Committee on Regional Development (REGI) • Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) • Committee on Fisheries (PECH) Chair: Marian-Jean Marinescu

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

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Size of Political Groups in the EP by Member State

The EPP Group Presidency

(as of 1 May 2017)

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Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

Manfred WEBER (Germany) Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Lara COMI (Italy) Vice-Chair: Relations with the Americas, China, EPP Youth Strategy Esther DE LANGE (the Netherlands) Vice-Chair: Responsible for Relations with National Parliaments and National Parties Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS (Spain) Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ Working Group, Brexit Françoise GROSSETÊTE (France) Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Economy and Environment’ Working Group Sandra KALNIETE (Latvia) Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Foreign Affairs’ Working Group and the Eastern Neighbourhood Andrey KOVATCHEV (Bulgaria) Vice-Chair: Responsible for Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy Marian-Jean MARINESCU (Romania) Vice-Chair: Responsible for the EPP Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’ Working Group Paulo RANGEL (Portugal) Vice-Chair: Responsible for the European Ideas Network (EIN) and the Future of Europe, EPP Group Treasurer József SZÁJER (Hungary) Vice-Chair: Responsible for Parliamentary Work Tadeusz ZWIEFKA (Poland) Vice-Chair: Responsible for Communications Strategy

Main Governing Bodies in the EP (As of 13 March 2017)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service The Conference of Presidents (CoP) – composed of the Parliament’s President and the chairs of its eight political Groups – sets the agenda of the Plenary and determines the general political orientations of the Institution. The table above shows the current Members of the CoP, ordered by size of the groups, in terms of their seats in Parliament.

Two groups have co-chairs. The non-attached (NI) Members are represented by a nonvoting observer.

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Strength of the Political Groups in Each Parliamentary Term

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Heads of the EPP Group National Delegations (As of 1 December 2017)

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Federal Republic of Germany (34 Members) Daniel Caspary Angelika Niebler Poland (23 Members) Andrzej Grzyb Janusz Lewandowski France (20 Members) Franck Proust Spain (17 Members) Esteban González Pons Italy (15 Members) Elisabetta Gardini Lorenzo Cesa Romania (13 Members) Theodor Dumitru Stolojan Adina-Ioana Vălean Hungary (12 Members) András Gyürk Portugal (8 Members) Paulo Rangel Nuno Melo Bulgaria (7 Members) Andrey Kovatchev Czech Republic (7 Members) Luděk Niedermayer Slovakia (6 Members) Ivan Štefanec Austria (5 Members) Othmar Karas

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Croatia (5 Members) Dubravka Šuica Greece (5 Members) Manolis Kefalogiannis The Netherlands (5 Members) Esther de Lange Slovenia (5 Members) Milan Zver Belgium (4 Members) Ivo Belet Ireland (4 Members) Seán Kelly Latvia (4 Members) Krišjānis Kariņš Sweden (4 Members) Gunnar Hökmark Finland (3 Members) Sirpa Pietikäinen Luxembourg (3 Members) Viviane Reding Malta (3 Members) David Casa Lithuania (3 Members) Laima Liucija Andrikienė Cyprus (1 Member) Lefteris Christoforou Denmark (1 Member) Bendt Bendtsen Estonia (1 Member) Tunne Kelam

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EPP Group Members of the European Parliament (EP) Bureau

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Antonio TAJANI (Italy) President of the European Parliament, the European Parliament Bureau and the Conference of Presidents (CoP)

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Mairead McGUINNESS (Ireland) Vice-President of the European Parliament Responsibilities: • Relations with national Parliaments in charge in particular of COSAC (primary responsibility) • Conciliations (with VP Gebhardt and VP Telička) • Implementation of Article 17 TFEU Rainer WIELAND (Germany) Vice-President of the European Parliament Responsibilities: • Buildings, primary responsibility (with VP Sassoli) • Budget, secondary responsibility (with VP Sassoli) • Transport • WG on Buildings, Transport and Green Parliament, Chair • Ad-hoc WG on the implementation of security-related measures and policies, Member

European Political Parties (with VP Hautala) Relations with FR, BE, LU authorities concerning the seat and places of work Replacing the President for Africa / ACP Ad-hoc WG on General Expenditure Allowance Ad-hoc WG on Security

Ramón Luis VALCÁRCEL SISO (Spain) Vice-President of the European Parliament Responsibilities: • Information Policy, Press and Citizens Relations including EPLOs, (primary responsibility (with VP Guillaume) • WG on Information and Communication Policy, Chair • Ad-hoc WG on the implementation of security-related measures and policies, Member • Audit Panel, Member • STOA • House of European History (jointly with VP Paşcu) • Artistic Committee • Members’ Research Service and Library (primary responsibility) • Relations with the Committee of Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee

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Replacing the President for Neighbourhood Policy (South/EUROMED /Middle East), (secondary responsibility) Ad-hoc WG on Security

Lívia JÁRÓKA (Hungary) Vice-President of the European Parliament Responsibilities: • Audit Panel, Chair • Access to documents • WG on Buildings, Transport and Green Parliament, Member • High-level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity, Member • Chancellery of the European Citizen’s Prize, Member • Replacing the President for Western Balkans Élisabeth MORIN-CHARTIER1 (France) Quaestor Andrey KOVATCHEV2 (Bulgaria) Quaestor

1 Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs themselves 2 Quaestors hold their offices for two and a half years, the same term as the President and Vice-Presidents

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

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Main governing Bodies of the EP Bureau (As of 13 March 2017)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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EPP Group Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees of the EP

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Adina-Ioana Vălean (Romania) Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

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Werner Langen (Germany) Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance, and Tax Evasion (PANA)3

(as of 1 December 2017)

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About Committees Committees are responsible for drafting Parliament’s positions on new legislative proposals. Parliament’s legislative work is carried out by 20 Standing Committees and two sub-committees, each of which elects a Chair and four Vice-Chairs.

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Jerzy Buzek (Poland) Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

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Alain Cadec (France) Committee on Fisheries (PECH)

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Ingeborg Gräßle (Germany) Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT)

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Danuta Maria Hübner (Poland) Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)

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David McAllister (Germany) Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

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Czesław Adam Siekierski (Poland) Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)

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Pavel Svoboda (Czech Republic) Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)

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3 On 18 October, the inquiry work of the PANA Committee was finalised with a Committee vote on its findings. Subsequently the political recommendations to the Commission and Council were adopted in a plenary vote in Strasbourg on 13 December 2017. This means that the work of the PANA Committee has ended.

EPP Group Coordinators in the Parliamentary Committees of the EP Role of Coordinators The EPP Group appoints a Coordinator in every Committee to act as the EPP Group’s main spokesperson in that Committee and together with the other Coordinators prepare decisions to be taken by the Committee, especially on the procedure and the appointment of Rapporteurs. They can also mobilise Group Members during important votes and can appoint Shadow Rapporteurs.

Standing Committees • Cristian Dan Preda (RO) Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

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Albert Deß (DE) Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)

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Sabine Verheyen (DE) Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

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Roberta Metsola (MT) Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

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Axel Voss (DE) Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)

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Michael Gahler (DE) Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE)

• Andrzej Grzyb (PL) Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI)

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Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl (DE) Committee on International Trade (INTA)

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Bodgan Brunon Wenta (PL) Committee on Development (DEVE)

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Petri Sarvamaa (FI) Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT)

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José Manuel Fernandes (PT) Committee on Budgets (BUDG)

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David Casa (MT) Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)

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Burkhard Balz (DE) Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)

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Krišjānis Kariņš (LV) Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

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Peter Liese (DE) Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

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Wim van de Camp (NL) Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN)

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Andreas Schwab (DE) Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)

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Lambert van Nistelrooij (NL) Committee on Regional Development (REGI)

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Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz (PL) Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

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Gabriel Mato (ES) Committee on Fisheries (PECH)

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Dariusz Rosati (PL) Committee on Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA)4

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György Schöpflin (HU) Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)

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Arnaud Danjean (FR) Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR)5

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Peter Jahr (DE) Committee on Petitions (PETI)

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4 This work of the PANA Committee ended in December 2017.

5 On 6 July, on the initiative of the EPP, ECR and ALDE Groups and with the support of an overwhelming majority (527 votes in favour, 73 against, and 36 abstentions), the EP decided to set up a Special Committee on Terrorism.

EPP Group Chairs of the EU Joint Parliamentary Assemblies, Joint Parliamentary Cooperation Committees and Parliamentary Delegations of the EP

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About Delegations The European Parliament’s Delegations maintain relations and exchange information with parliaments in non-EU countries. Through its Delegations, the European Parliament helps to represent the European Union externally and to promote in third countries the values on which the European Union is founded, namely the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

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Janusz Lewandowski (PL) Delegation for relations with Iran

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Christian Ehler (DE) Delegation for relations with the United States

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Werner Langen (DE) Delegation for relations with Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

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Manolis Kefalogiannis (EL) Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee

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Alojz Peterle (SI) Delegation to the EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee

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Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio (ES) Delegation to the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee

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Othmar Karas (AT) Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

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Dariusz Rosati (PL) Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

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Fulvio Martusciello (IT) Delegation for relations with Israel

Michèle Alliot-Marie (FR) Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula

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Michael Gahler (DE) Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament

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Luis de Grandes Pascual (ES) Delegation for relations with the countries of the Andean Community

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Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (PL) Delegation for relations with Belarus

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Fernando Ruas (PT) Delegation for relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil

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Eduard Kukan (SK) Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Assosiation Parliamentary Committee

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4. The President (EPP) of the European Council

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Donald TUSK Poland (PO)

Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS Migration, Home Affairs & Citizenship Greece (ND)

5. EPP Members of the European Commission

Elżbieta BIEŃKOWSKA Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs Poland (PO)

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European Commissioners

Jean-Claude JUNCKER President of the European Commission Luxembourg (CSV)

Miguel Arias CAÑETE Climate Action & Energy Spain (PP) Mariya GABRIEL Digital Economy and Society Bulgaria (GERB)

Vice-Presidents

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Valdis DOMBROVSKIS Euro & Social Dialogue Latvia (Unity)

Johannes HAHN European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Austria (ÖVP)

Jyrki KATAINEN Jobs, Growth, Investment & Competitiveness Finland (Kokoomus)

Phil HOGAN Agriculture & Rural Development Ireland (Fine Gael) Carlos MOEDAS Research, Science & Innovation Portugal (PSD)

Tibor NAVRACSICS Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Hungary (Fidesz) Günther OETTINGER Budget & Human Resources Germany (CDU) Christos STYLIANIDES Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Cyprus (DISY) Marianne THYSSEN Employment, Social Affairs, Skills & Labour Mobility Belgium (CD&V)

Current Membership of the European Council (as of 30 October 2017)

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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6. The 217 Members of the Group (as of 1 December 2017) GERMANY (34)

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BALZ, Burkhard BÖGE, Reimer BROK, Elmar CASPARY, Daniel COLLIN-LANGEN, Birgit DEß, Albert EHLER, Christian FERBER, Markus FLORENZ, Karl-Heinz GAHLER, Michael GIESEKE, Jens GRÄßLE, Ingeborg HOHLMEIER, Monika JAHR, Peter KOCH, Dieter-Lebrecht KUHN, Werner LANGEN, Werner LIESE, Peter LINS, Norbert MANN, Thomas McALLISTER, David NIEBLER, Angelika PIEPER, Markus QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Godelieve RADTKE, Dennis SCHULZE, Sven

SCHWAB, Andreas SOMMER, Renate VERHEYEN, Sabine VOSS, Axel WEBER, Manfred WIELAND, Rainer WINKLER, Hermann ZELLER, Joachim POLAND (22) BONI, Michal BUZEK, Jerzy GRZYB, Andrzej HETMAN, Krzysztof HÜBNER, Danuta Maria JAZŁOWIECKA, Danuta KALINOWSKI, Jarosław KOZLOWSKA-RAJEWICZ, Agnieszka KUDRYCKA, Barbara LEWANDOWSKI, Janusz ŁUKACIJEWSKA, Elżbieta Katarzyna OLBRYCHT, Jan PITERA, Julia PLURA, Marek ROSATI, Dariusz SARYUSZ-WOLSKI, Jacek SIEKIERSKI, Czesław Adam SZEJNFELD, Adam Von THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, Róża Gräfin WAŁĘSA, Jarosław WENTA, Bogdan

ZDROJEWSKI, Bogdan ZWIEFKA, Tadeusz FRANCE (20) ALLIOT-MARIE, Michèle CADEC, Alain DANJEAN, Arnaud DANTIN, Michel DATI, Rachida DELAHAYE, Angélique DIDIER, Geoffroy GROSSETÊTE, Françoise HORTEFEUX, Brice JOULAUD, Marc JUVIN, Philippe LAMASSOURE, Alain LAVRILLEUX, Jérôme MORANO, Nadine MORIN-CHARTIER, Elisabeth MUSELIER, Renaud PONGA, Maurice PROUST, Franck SAÏFI, Tokia SANDER, Anne SPAIN (17) AYUSO, Pilar de GRANDES PASCUAL, Luis del CASTILLO VERA, Pilar DÍAZ DE MERA Y GARCÍA CONSUEGRA, Agustín

ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Rosa FISAS AYXELA, Santiago GAMBUS, Francesc GONZÁLEZ PONS, Esteban HERRANZ GARCÍA, Esther ITURGAIZ, Carlos JIMÉNEZ-BECERRIL, Teresa LOPE FONTAGNÉ, Verónica LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE, Antonio MATO, Gabriel MILLÁN MON, Francisco SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA, José Ignacio VALCARCEL SISO, Ramon Luis ITALY (15) CESA, Lorenzo CICU, Salvatore CIRIO, Alberto COMI, Lara DORFMANN, Herbert GARDINI, Elisabetta LA VIA, Giovanni MARTUSCIELLO, Fulvio MATERA, Barbara MAULLU, Stefano MUSSOLINI, Alessandra PATRICIELLO, Aldo POGLIESE, Salvatore SALINI, Massimiliano TAJANI, Antonio

ROMANIA (13)

PORTUGAL (8)

BUDA, Daniel BUŞOI, Cristian MANESCU, Ramona MARINESCU, Marian-Jean MOISĂ, Sorin MUREŞAN, Siegfried PREDA, Cristian Dan SÓGOR, Csaba STOLOJAN, Theodor Dumitru ŢURCANU, Mihai UNGUREANU, Traian VĂLEAN, Adina-Ioana WINKLER, Iuliu

COELHO, Carlos FARIA, José Inácio FERNANDES, José Manuel MELO, Nuno MONTEIRO de AGUIAR, Cláudia RANGEL, Paulo RIBEIRO, Sofia RUAS, Fernando

HUNGARY (12) BOCSKOR, Andrea DELI, Andor DEUTSCH, Tamás ERDŐS, Norbert GÁL, Kinga GYÜRK, András HÖLVÉNYI, György JÁRÓKA, Lívia KÓSA, Ádám SCHÖPFLIN, György SZÁJER, József TŐKÉS, László

BULGARIA (7) ADEMOV, Asim KOVATCHEV, Andrey MALINOV, Svetoslav NOVAKOV, Andrey MAYDELL, Eva RADEV, Emil URUTCHEV, Vladimir CZECH REPUBLIC (7) NIEDERMAYER, Luděk POLČÁK, Stanislav POSPÍŠIL, Jiří ŠOJDROVÁ, Michaela ŠTĚTINA, Jaromir SVOBODA, Pavel ZDECHOVSKÝ, Tomáš

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01

SLOVAKIA (6)

NETHERLANDS (5)

LATVIA (4)

CSÁKY, Pál KUKAN, Eduard MIKOLÁŠIK, Miroslav NAGY, József ŠTEFANEC, Ivan ZÁBORSKÁ, Anna

de LANGE, Esther LENAERS, Jeroen SCHREIJER-PIERIK, Annie van de CAMP, Wim van NISTELROOIJ, Lambert

KALNIETE, Sandra KARIŅŠ, Krišjānis PABRIKS, Artis VAIDERE, Inese SWEDEN (4)

SLOVENIA (5) AUSTRIA (5)

02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

BECKER, Heinz K. KARAS, Othmar MANDL, Lukas RÜBIG, Paul SCHMIDT, Claudia

BOGOVIC, Franc PETERLE, Alojz SULIN, Patricija TOMC, Romana ZVER, Milan BELGIUM (4)

CROATIA (5) MALETIĆ, Ivana PETIR, Marijana ŠUICA, Dubravka TOLIĆ, Ivica ZOVKO, Željana GREECE (5) KEFALOGIANNIS, Manolis KYRTSOS, Giorgos SPYRAKI, Maria VOZENBERG-VRIONIDI, Elissavet ZAGORAKIS, Theodoros

ARIMONT, Pascal BELET, Ivo ROLIN, Claude VANDENKENDELAERE, Tom IRELAND (4) CLUNE, Deirdre HAYES, Brian KELLY, Seán McGUINNESS, Mairead

ADAKTUSSON, Lars CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria FJELLNER, Christofer HÖKMARK, Gunnar FINLAND (3) PIETIKÄINEN, Sirpa SARVAMAA, Petri VIRKKUNEN, Henna LITHUANIA (3) ANDRIKIENĖ, Laima Liucija GUOGA, Antanas SAUDARGAS, Algirdas LUXEMBOURG (3) BACH, Georges ENGEL, Frank REDING, Viviane

MALTA (3)

Size of Political Groups

CASA, David METSOLA, Roberta ZAMMIT DIMECH, Francis

Number of MEPs in each Political Group (as of 1 March 2017)

CYPRUS (1) CHRISTOFOROU, Lefteris DENMARK (1) BENDTSEN, Bendt ESTONIA (1) KELAM, Tunne

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Voting Systems and Number of MEPs

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

The EP now has 751 MEPs, a reduction from the previous Parliament (2009-14), in which there were 766Â MEPs (754 plus 12 for Croatia, which joined in 2013). MEPs are elected under national electoral systems, but these have to observe certain common principles established in EU law, notably proportional representation. As a general rule, voters can choose between political parties, individual candidates or both. Whilst in some Member States, voters can only vote for a list, with no possibility of changing the order of candidates (closed list), in others voters can express their preference for one or more of the candidates (preferential voting).

Instead of a list system, some Member States achieve the latter possibility of preferential voting by using the single transferable vote (STV).

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

7. Senior Management of the EPP Group Secretariat (As of 1 December 2017) Martin Kamp Secretary-General John Biesmans Deputy Secretary-General Director for Internal Organisation Joanna Jarecka-Gomez Deputy Secretary-General Director for External Policies – Regions Paolo Licandro Deputy Secretary-General Director for Intercultural and Religious Activities

Juan Salafranca Deputy Secretary-General Director for External Policies – Committees Natacha Scriban-Cuvelier Deputy Secretary-General Director for Parliamentary Work Pedro López de Pablo Director for Press and Communications Andrea Laskavá Director for the Presidency Beatrice Scarascia Mugnozza Director for Relations with National Parliaments

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01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

2. Directorate for Parliamentary Work

-

The Legislative Coordination and Whip Office, under the responsibility of József Szájer MEP (HU), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP)

- The Standing Working Group ‘Economy and Environment,’ under the responsibility of Françoise Grossetête MEP (FR), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP) - The Standing Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies,’ under the responsibility of Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (RO), ViceChair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP) - The Standing Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs,’ under the responsibility of Esteban González Pons MEP (ES), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP) - The Policy Strategy Unit and European Ideas Network, under the responsibility of Manfred Weber MEP (DE), Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), ViceChairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament (EP)

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

The Directorate for Parliamentary Work assists EPP Group Members in carrying out their duty in the Parliamentary Committees and in Plenary.

It is composed of five Units:

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30

Main Governing Bodies in the European Parliament Committees (As of 20 March 2017)

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

General Activities A. Major Votes in Plenary - EP constitutive elections: President, Vice-Presidents, Quaestors (1718/01) - Vice-President of the EP (replacement) elections (26/10, 15/11) - Report Pabriks: EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (15/2) - Motion for a resolution on the Negotiations with the United Kingdom following its notification that it intends to withdraw from the European Union (5/02) - Appointment of a Member of the European Commission - Mariya Gabriel MEP (BG) (4/07) - Mandate for a temporary Committee on Terrorism (TERR) (4/07) - Nominal composition of the Special Committee on Terrorism (12/09) - Motion for a resolution on the state of play of negotiations with the United Kingdom (3/10) - Report: Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra MEP (ES): Establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data of third country nationals crossing EU external borders (25/10) - EU Budget 2018: joint agreement (30/11)

- Address by António Gutiérrez, Secretary-General of the United Nations (17/5) - Address by Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (14/6) - Address by Hilda Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (14/6) - Address by Andrej Kiska, President of the Slovak Republic (15/11) Other Personalities - Donald Tusk, President of the European Council (18/1; 15/3; 17/5, 24/10) - Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta (President-in-Office of the Council) (18/1; 4/7) - Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission (18/1; 1/3; 15/3; 17/5; 14/6; 4/7; 13/9, 24/10) - Paolo Gentiloni, President of the Italian Council of Ministers (15/3) - Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary (26/4) - Jeroen Dijsselbloem, President of the Eurogroup (27/4) C. Meetings/Activities

B. Personalities Attending The Sitting - - Address by Alexander Van der Bellen, President of the Republic of Austria (14/2) - Address by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany (4/4) - Address by Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada (16/2) - Address by Moussa Faki Mahatma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (16/5)

Follow up of the Secretary-General Meetings and of the Conference of Presidents (CoP), in order to establish the Plenary agenda - Regular meetings with the EPP Group Chairman, in order to follow up the Parliamentary work and the policy strategy of the EPP Group - Plenary session organisation: follow up of the votes and management of the speaking time - Group Meetings - Management of the Directorate for Parliamentary Work

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The Work of the European Parliament

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

The European Parliament adopts its positions by voting in Plenary session on legislative and budgetary texts, as well as on own-initiative reports and other resolutions. The Parliament’s 20 Standing Committees prepare the ground, undertaking detailed consideration of draft legislation and holding public hearings on key issues. In the course of the legislative process, representatives of EP Committees meet frequently with their counterparts in the Council of Ministers and the European Commission, in trilateral negotiations known as ‘trilogues’.

Legislative Coordination and Whip Office A. EPP Group Meetings

B. Whip Office

Personalities Attending the Group Meetings - Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (14/02) - Guy Verhofstadt MEP, CoP Coordinator on Brexit (15/2, 8/3) - Michel Barnier, EU Chief Negotiator for Brexit (17/5) - Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission (13/6) - Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission for Better Regulation, Interinstitutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights (4/7) - Ludovic Orban, President of the National Liberal Party (PNL) in Romania (3/10) - Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President of the Nea Dimokratia Party in Greece (14/11)

The Whip Office follows EPP Group MEPs’ presence and participation in votes, at Plenary and Committee level, and evaluates in accordance with the agreed EPP Group line. The Whip Office has been rationalised with a view to improve efficiency regarding: - reviewing Members’ presence and participation during the votes in Committee and Plenary sessions.

- monitoring the unity of the EPP Group in Plenary votes.

The President, the Presidency, the Heads of National Delegations, the Coordinators and the Members are regularly informed about their participation and presence rates during votes at Plenary and Committee level.

C. Legislative Coordination Meetings And Activities

Agenda and Calendar of Group Meetings, Chairman’s Notes and Early Briefings - Chairman’s Notes and files for the President - Internal briefings related to all items (reports, resolutions, and other points) which will be submitted to a Plenary vote ahead of each Group Meeting in Brussels and Strasbourg - Specific and detailed briefings related to all items treated at Group Meetings - MEPs’ presence list, minutes and documents to be distributed to MEPs’

Commission Work Programme (CWP) for 2018 The EPP Group defined its position on the CWP for 2018 under the leadership of József Szájer MEP (HU), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP, who managed to negotiate a joint resolution with the ECR and ALDE Groups in line with the contributions of all EPP Group Members who had been previously consulted, as well as with the Coordinators and Presidency of the EPP Group. Without the support of the other proEuropean groups, the resolution did not receive a majority: thus, no resolution on the CWP for 2018 was adopted in the July Plenary session.

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Based on the CWP adopted in October, József Szájer MEP (HU), in close cooperation with the Coordinators, the Working Group Chairs and the Chairman, drafted the list of EPP Group priorities (proposals to be given priority treatment in the legislative process) in view of the signature of the Joint Declaration by the three Presidents (Presidents of the EP, the Commission, the Council), co-signed in December.

01

Conference of the Committee Chairs (CCC)

02

The Legislative Coordination Unit prepares and follows the Conference of the Committee Chairs and pays special attention to avoid internal and time-consuming conflicts between Committees in the attribution of reports and competences among the Parliamentary Committees.

03 04 05 06

The election of all the EPP Group Committee Coordinators and DeputyCoordinators was organised in Strasbourg in January.

The elections of the Coordinator and Deputy-Coordinator of the Special Committee on Terrorism took place in September.

Coordinators’ Meetings

Specific EPP Group preparatory meetings are organised monthly in order to inform all the EPP Group stakeholders of the issues to be treated at CCC level.

In close cooperation with the Coordinators, an internal early warning system has been established, aimed at identifying possible conflicts of competences before they officially arise, especially between Committees where Chairmanships belong to the EPP Group.

Rapporteurship and Group line in Plenary votes

07

The aim of the Presidency is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Group in Parliamentary work, both at Committee and Penary level.

08

Newly appointed EPP Group Rapporteurs in all Parliamentary Committees and comparative charts with the other groups are regularly submitted for the attention of the Coordinators, the Presidency and the Heads of National Delegations.

09

Election of EPP Group Coordinators

Six Coordinators’ meetings were organised to deal with horizontal Parliamentary issues. These meetings have been enlarged to EPP Group Committee Chairs, with a view to reinforcing the cohesion of the EPP Group and preventing conflicts of competences.

The main topics treated in 2017 included: - Revised Rules of Procedure: main changes (entry into force: January 2017) - Transparency and accountability of the European Institutions - Composition of the EP - Potential conflicts of competences between Committees - Attendance of Plenary debates and Committee votes - Coordination with the other political groups Cooperation with the other Political Groups and other Institutions Each month, the Unit provides the Chairman with updated information regarding the most important forthcoming and pending legislative or non-legislative items for which closer cooperation with the other political groups and/or Institutions might be necessary and a political priority might be given.

Standing Working Group ‘Economy and Environment’ Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) On financial services, important progress was achieved in the development of the Capital Markets Union (CMU). The CMU is a key pillar of the EC Investment Plan for Europe. Through a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory reforms, this project seeks to better connect savings to investments. It aims to strengthen Europe’s financial system by providing alternative sources of financing and more opportunities for consumers and institutional investors. For companies, especially SMEs and start-ups, the CMU means accessing more funding opportunities, such as venture capital and crowd funding. It is a key element of the EPP Group strategy to support jobs, growth and investment. Negotiations on the European Deposit Guarantee Schemes (EDIS) to complete the Banking Union continued during 2017.

With regards to the Economic Governance area, the EPP Group maintained its emphasis on the consistent application and enforcement of the Stability and Growth Pact. Besides operational activities to implement the EU fiscal rules, the EPP Group also contributed to the wider debate on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union in a 2017 Committee report. It focused on the need to maintain and strengthen the Stability and Growth Pact, avoid permanent fiscal transfers between Member States and defend the common currency.

Source: Eurostat, European Commission

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Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) In 2017, two major European acts related to the protection of workers and free movement were considered under the leadership of the EPP Group.

01 02 03 04 05

The first related to the revision of the Directive on the Protection of Workers from the Risks Related to Exposure to Carcinogens or Mutagens at Work. This revision was called for by the EPP Group because exposure to certain chemical agents whilst at work can lead to cancer. This also affects MS, resulting in higher social security costs and lower levels of competitiveness for business. As policy makers, the EPP Group strives to ensure the safest working environment. Thanks to the EPP Group, the EP and the Council revised the Directive, limiting the exposure of a number of dangerous substances.

The second legislative act related to the proposal for the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive (PWD) (Elisabeth Morin-Chartier MEP (FR), Rapporteur). The adoption of the EP position and the mandate for negotiations with the European Council on this proposal ensured a major success for the EPP Group, who ensured a solid majority in the EP for a common approach. The position reached by the EP aims to ensure the protection of posted workers and free movement of services whilst safeguarding the interests of all MS. On this basis, the EPP Group will continue its efforts and to find an agreement with the European Council in the near future to ensure the fast adoption of the updated rules on the posting of workers which reflect the needs of the enlarged European free market.

06 07 08 09

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on AÂ Modern Social Europe Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) The EPP Group successfully concluded three important legislative dossiers in 2017: 1. The Regulation on Mercury - linked to the ratification of the Minamata Convention 2. The Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment 3. The Regulation on Controls and Activities Performed to Ensure the Application of Food and Feed Law, Rules on Animal Health and Welfare, Plant Health, Plant Reproductive Material and Plant Protection Products

The Work of the European Parliament

Other key legislative reports currently under negotiation include: • The Regulation on the Reduction of Pollutant Emissions from Road Vehicles • The Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union • The Directive on Enhancing Cost-effective Emissions Reduction and Low Carbon Investments (ETS) • The Regulation on the Current Limitations of Scope for Aviation Activities and to Prepare to Implement a Global Market-based Measure from 2021 (ETS Aviation) • The Regulation on Binding Annual Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions

by Member States from 2021 to 2030 for a Resilient Energy Union and to Meet Commitments Under the Paris Agreement (Effort Sharing) • The Waste Package as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan • The Regulation on the Inclusion of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) into the 2013 Climate and Energy Framework

What EU cohesion policy finances (in billion €) Cohesion policy is the EU’s main investment policy for regions and cities. It is delivered through three main funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund (CF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). Fostering the shift towards a low-carbon economy; promoting climate change adaptation, resource efficiency and sustainable transport are among the priorities of current EU’s cohesion policy (see Figure 2). €12 billion is for instance devoted to low-carbon and sustainable urban mobility.

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Additional key initiatives included: • • •

01

•

An Agenda for the Future of our Oceans An Integrated European Union Policy for the Arctic The Initiative on Resource Efficiency Reducing Food Waste, Improving Food Safety EU Options for Improving Access to Medicines Palm oil and Deforestation of Rainforests EU action for Sustainability

02

• •

03

In addition, key resolutions included the Resolution on the 2017 UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany (COP23) as well as the Resolution on Biological low risk pesticides.

04

Energy and Mitigating Climate Change

05 06 07 08 09

Source: European Environmental Agency

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Ensuring a balance between the interests of consumers and entrepreneurs in the vibrant Digital Single Market remains a priority for the EPP Group. To this end, new rules on Geo-blocking will ensure that there is no discrimination based on geographic location in the area of e-commerce.

The EPP Group also successfully tackled other issues such as Online Platforms and held a Hearing on ‘How to Make the EU Succeed in the Platform Economy.’ Moreover, the EPP Group took a leading role in the work towards achieving a more efficient e-governance, notably the e-Government Action Plan 2016-2020.

Apart from the digital issues, a comprehensive EP overview on the Single Market Governance within the European Semester was prepared. To tackle sectorial issues, work on the new market rules for EU fertilising products was successfully undertaken.

The EPP Group also began work on strengthening the internal market for services by organising a Hearing on ‘The Services Package - An Alternative to Enforcement Action?’ The cornerstones for the EP position on the new proportionality assessment rules for professions that will contribute to striking the right balance for a modern single market of services are already in place.

Source: European Commission

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Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About European Energy

In 2017, the ITRE Committee concentrated on telecom as well as energy policies.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Firstly, work concluded on the ‘Winter Package’. Inter-institutional agreements were reached on the following legislative files: ‘Energy efficiency labelling’ (Herbert Reul MEP (DE)); the Regulation on Security of Gas Supply (Jerzy Buzek MEP (PL)); and the Regulation on the Establishment of an Information Exchange Mechanism Between Member States and Third Countries with Regard to Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) and Non-binding Instruments (NBIs) (Vladimir Urutchev MEP (BG)).

Work began on the ‘Clean Energy Package,’ which includes eight legislative and one own-initiative report. The legislative process will follow in the next year.

In the field of the telecoms industry, the Regulation on the Wholesale Roaming Markets (Paul Rübig MEP (AT)) helped to put an end to roaming charges. The Report on the Use of the 470-790 MHz Frequency Band in the Union (Gunnar Hökmark MEP (SE)) further developed broadband across the continent. The Report on Internet Connectivity for Growth, Competitiveness and Cohesion: European Gigabit Society and 5G (Michał Boni MEP (PL)) was additionally adopted. A new program was created in the Regulation on the Promotion of Internet Connectivity in Local Communities and Public Spaces (WiFi4EU) (Anne Sander MEP (FR)).

The Report on A Space Strategy for Europe (Françoise Grossetête MEP (FR)) was also adopted, aiming to foster a globally competitive, innovative European space sector. On 8 February, the EPP Group also hosted a Public Hearing entitled ‘How to Make the EU Succeed in the Platform Economy’ to discuss the innovation opportunities and the regulatory challenges for online platforms.

On 7 June, the EPP Group organised a Hearing on ‘Cybercrime and Cybersecurity’ in collaboration with the LIBE Committee aimed at finding effective responses to the challenges of detection, investigation and prosecution as well as improving European industry from the perspective of cybersecurity.

Source: European Commission

The EP set its position regarding the ‘European Electronic Communications Code’ (Pilar del Castillo Vera MEP (ES)). It is aimed at setting a framework for telecommunications, taking into account changes in markets, consumer trends and technology. Finally, the ITRE Committee voted on the Report on the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) (Krišjānis Kariņš MEP (LV)), which regulates the governance and structure of BEREC and BEREC Offices.

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Biofuels in Europe

Source: European Commission

42

Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN)

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

The EPP Group played a key role in reinforcing European sustainable, safe, climate friendly and innovative legislation in all modes of transport. This was reflected in the updated EU rules for the safety of ships and on passenger safety (rules and standards) containing the most extensive rules on passenger ship safety in the EU, applicable to vessels travelling on domestic routes. Moreover, the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans was addressed, in an all-embracing global policy agenda - Ocean Governance (Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar MEP (PT)). In cooperation with the ENVI Committee, the TRAN Committee is fully committed to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans as a valuable resource.

In 2017, the EPP Group launched the ‘Interrail initiative’ targeted at those who turn 18 in Europe.

It additionally supported significant requirements concerning certain tourism programmes: ‘Eden’ which focuses on promoting European tourist destinations of excellence; ‘Calypso,’ focusing on social tourism for senior citizens, underprivileged young people, disadvantaged families and persons with reduced mobility; and the ‘Sustainable Tourism’ programme, including ‘the Green Belt’.

On the initiative of the EPP Group, high-level representatives in all the fields of transport spoke in the TRAN Committee on the topic of Brexit. Stakeholders discussed the challenges for aviation and commented on ways in which the UK’s departure from the EU is likely to affect the aviation industry from the perspective of airports, airlines and tourism.

The EPP Group played a key role in conceiving and underpinning a transparent, fair and environmental friendly legislation in the field of aviation through the systematic revision of the EASA Regulation (Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (RO)) and via the constant support for new comprehensive air agreements with third countries (especially from the Middle East and the Far East).

The EPP Group also took the lead in ensuring better funding for transport within the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (RO)) and the Omnibus initiatives (Wim van de Camp MEP (NL)).

Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper on EU Transport Policy Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

Inquiry Committee on Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) The PANA Committee held 29 ordinary meetings and 16 Coordinators’ Meetings from July 2016 until November 2017. The Committee additionally held seven fact-findings missions (United Kingdom, Malta, Luxembourg, USA, Portugal, Cyprus and Switzerland).

Following the Panama Papers, a Committee of Inquiry was set up in June 2016 to investigate alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application by the EU Commission or MS of EU law on money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion. The mandate was extended twice (for six months) and expired in December 2017. The Committee drafted a report with recommendations as well as a resolution (only the latter to be voted in Plenary).

The work of the Committee centred on: • • • • • • •

The role of whistleblowers Definitions of tax evasion (illegal) versus tax avoidance (legal) Naming and shaming of EU MS and individuals Harmonisation of corporate tax rates Possible inclusion of EU MS on the so called “Moscovici-list” of noncooperative tax jurisdictions The role of intermediaries Proposals for a new ‘European tax inspectorate’

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Standing Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI)

01 02 03 04 05

The EPP Group is committed to a European Union where free movement is a fundamental right. Thus, a Report with recommendations to the Commission on common minimum standards of civil procedure in the EU was proposed by the EPP Group in July. This marks a major step towards establishing a European Area of Justice, contributing to a level playing field for business, protecting European citizens, and increasing economic growth. The EPP Group also adopted a Report on the harmonisation of limitation periods for cross-border road traffic accidents (Pavel Svoboda MEP (PL)), aimed at addressing the main obstacles encountered by victims and safeguarding their right to reparation and effective access to justice.

The EP adopted a Report on cross border aspects of adoptions (Tadeusz Zwiefka MEP (PL)), calling for a European instrument on the recognition of domestic adoptions to make life for families easier and which takes into account the guiding principle of the best interest of the child.

06 07 08 09

From 1995 on, the development of the Schengen area has made cross-border travel with no formalities the norm for much of Europe. Schengen members rely on each other to manage the external borders of the area, including through the issue of visas to third-country nationals, and have developed a range of tools to share information among immigration and law enforcement agencies. Apart from the UK and Ireland, the Schengen area should extend to all EU Member States; those that have yet to be integrated have to comply with certain conditions in border management and law enforcement cooperation before they can join. The Schengen area extends also to the associated Nordic countries plus Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

In order to address the regulatory challenges posed by the emerging robotics technology, the EPP Group called for the creation of EU-wide rules on robotics in order to exploit the economic potential of robotics, promote growth and innovation and to create more jobs (Therese Comodini Cachia MEP (MT)).

In February, one of the most prominent steps aimed at completing the Single Market and facilitating, for the better, the life of EU citizens was taken. This related to the adoption of the Regulation on cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market (Angelika Niebler MEP (DE)). The Portability Regulation ensures that subscribers to online content services delivered on a portable basis can receive services cross border when temporarily in another Member State.

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) In 2017, the EPP Group accomplished its priorities in enhancing public security and protecting the EU’s external borders. With the conclusion of the Entry Exit System Report (Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra MEP (ES)), and with work underway on the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), concrete steps were taken. The reform of Dublin III, a new EURODAC system, a revised system on resettlement, as well as the more effective Blue Card Directive will further develop a comprehensive approach to migration management.

In February, the EP adopted the Directive on combating terrorism. This adds receiving training, financing, committing cyber and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks, and travelling for terrorist purposes to the list of criminal offenses. It also significantly improved the support and assistance of victims of terrorism.

The EPP Group was the driving force behind the adoption of the Directive on the Protection of the union’s financial interests (PIF Directive), which aimed to harmonise the response to crimes committed against the EU Budget; it furthermore established a legal basis for the functioning of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office on which work was concluded in September 2017 (Barbara Matera MEP (IT)).

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Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) In 2017, a Report on improving the functioning of the European Union building on the potential of the Lisbon Treaty outlined how to address the unprecedented challenges the EU is currently facing without having to initiate a Treaty revision in the short term (Elmar Brok MEP (DE)).

01 02 03 04 05

The aim of the Report on Constitutional, legal and institutional implications of a common security and defence policy: possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty is to make the EU fit for defence tasks against the background of external turmoil and internal discussions on the future of the European Union (Esteban González Pons MEP (ES), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ and Michael Gahler MEP (DE)). Detailed proposals to achieve a fully-fledged European Defence Union as well as suggestions to improve the current Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) were put forward.

The EPP Group also steered the successful adoption of the revision of the Rules of Procedure (Rainer Wieland MEP (DE), Vice-President of the EP)).

In 2017, the EPP Group was at the forefront regarding the amendment of the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations in order to address existing loopholes that lead to the inappropriate use of funding and the possibility of multi-party membership of MEPs.

EPP Group Position Paper Security for the Union and its Citizens:

Towards a European Defence Union EN

06 07 08 09

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on Towards a European Defence Union Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

Committee on Petitions (PETI)

The Work of the European Parliament

Peter Jahr MEP (DE) and Pál Csáky MEP (SK) participated in a factfinding mission to Slovakia on 22 and 23 September 2016 related to petitions on alleged misuse of EU funds in residential centres for people with disabilities. Following meetings with the responsible governmental services, civil society representatives and those with disabilities in the respective centres, the PETI Committee drew up a report with specific recommendations; it was presented to the Slovak Government.

The EPP Group stands for the protection of integrity, independent living and habitation of work and employment for disabled people. The EPP Group therefore called for guarantees that the use of European structural and investment funds complies with the transition from institutional settings to community-based support, furthermore involving organisations of persons with disabilities.

Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) In May 2017, the EP decided to open interinstitutional trilogue talks on the revision of the Directive on audiovisual media services (AVMS) (Sabine Verheyen MEP (DE). The reform of the AVMS aims to bring the directive in line with the new market realities of a converged media system. The AVMS Directive needs to reflect these changes as they affect the key areas of market, consumption and technology. A modernised, flexible and forward-looking legal framework will also introduce more efficient rules on the protection of minors and advertising. It also demands more responsibility from Video Sharing Platforms when it comes to hate speech, and provides for better promotion of European works.

The European Parliament has regular meetings with counterparts from the Member States’ national parliaments, in particular at Committee level. The Parliament’s Committees also regularly seek direct input from experts and stakeholders in public hearings, to feed their deliberations on specific topics. Citizens also have various means to make contact with the Parliament, either by visiting the Institution, raising questions informally with the Citizens’ Enquiries (Ask EP) service, or delivering a petition for consideration by the Petitions Committee. The figures below give a flavour of these activites in the eighth term so far, from July 2014 to December 2016.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR)

The EPP Group advocates zero tolerance regarding violence against women and girls. The Report on the EU accession to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) (Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP (SE)) was adopted with an overwhelming majority in Plenary. It is the first instrument in Europe to set legally binding standards to prevent genderbased violence, to protect victims of violence and punish perpetrators.

The Committee started work in September 2017 and has a term of 12 months. Over the last few years, European citizens have been seriously affected by terrorism. While some terror threats were prevented, a number of attacks committed revealed deficiencies in both legislation and in cooperation between MS. In order to address these shortcomings, the EP, at the initiative of the EPP Group, set up a Special Committee on Terrorism. The Committee will look into existing legal and practical instruments in the fight against terrorism and suggest recommendations on how to close gaps in cooperation and information exchange between national law enforcement authorities.

The EPP Group is equally committed to ending and preventing the gender pension gap which stood at nearly 40% in 2015 in the 65 and over age group in the EU. Constance Le Grip MEP (FR) in cooperation with Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz MEP (PL) laid down the basis for the future EU strategy in tackling this phenomenon, including the creation of gender pension gap indicators, proper monitoring and adequate policies addressing inequalities in the labour market. The EPP Group Report on women and their roles in rural areas (Marijana Petir MEP (HR)) seeks to improve working and living conditions in rural areas through the provision of services, increasing the participation of women as beneficiaries of CAP and regional development programmes and in the management of farms and in representative bodies.

Furthermore, discussions on the Regulation on the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) (Axel Voss MEP (DE)) and on the Directive on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing are in the final stage.

Empowering Women in the EU and Beyond

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Standing Working Group ‘Budget and Structural Policies’ Committee on Budgets (BUDG) Under the lead of José Manuel Fernandes MEP (PT), Coordinator in the Committee on Budgets of the EP, the EPP Group worked to ensure that important legislation in the budgetary field was successfully finalised in 2017. Legislation included:

01

Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Mid-term Revision

02

The EPP Group successfully negotiated EP demands on the Midterm Revision of the 2014-2020 MFF (Jan Olbrycht MEP (PL)); a final agreement was reached with the European Council in March 2017. This revision was one of the EP’s key demands in the negotiations leading up to the 2014-2020 MFF. The MFF Mid-term Revision brings a number of new provisions on enhanced flexibility in the financial framework, which will allow for the financing of additional pressing needs, and prevent a possible payment crisis at the end of this period.

03 04 05

EU Budget 2018

06

The EPP Group succeeded in negotiating a Budget for 2018 based on growth, jobs and security (Siegfried Mureşan MEP (RO)). It additionally strengthened:

07 08 09

Source: European Council

• • • • •

The Youth Employment Initiative Horizon 2020 Security and citizenship Erasmus + COSME (SMEs)

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Regarding Turkey, pre-accession funds have been cut and partly put in reserve pending improvements in the fields of rule of law, democracy, human rights and press freedom (Paul Rübig MEP (AT)).

European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI 2.0) The EPP Group negotiated the extension of the duration of the EFSI 2.0 (José Manuel Fernandes MEP (PT)). This legislative proposal, building on the initial success of the programme, aimed at prolonging the EFSI until 2020, and reaching an investment target of €500 billion.

European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) The EFSD - A New Investment Fund for Africa - was adopted in 2017 (Paul Rübig MEP (AT)). The fund focuses on poverty alleviation, employment stimulation and the development of SMEs to foster development and address root causes of migration.

Finally, Interinstitutional negotiations are ongoing regarding the simplification of the Financial Regulation (Ingeborg Gräßle MEP (DE)) and on the Report on the EU guarantee to the European Investment Bank against losses under financing operations supporting investment projects outside the Union (ELM) (Siegfried Mureşan MEP (RO)).

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on the MFF Mid-Term Review and Revision Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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In 2017, the CONT Committee organised a fact-finding mission to Washington with the purpose of discussing the overseeing and cooperation frameworks with the World Bank - and possibly with the UN Development Programme - in cases of joined programmes with EU funds. The missions to Poland, Hungary and Finland focused on projects financed by various EU financial instruments (Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions (JASPER) and Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) and the EFSI. The Committee also visited its national Parliamentary counterparts and the national Court of Auditors. These Delegations allowed MEPs to collect first-hand experience concerning the way EU funds were implemented.

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The 2015 annual Report on the protection of the financial interests of the Union – fight against fraud (Julia Pitera MEP (PL)) noted that the amount of reported irregularities had doubled in the last two years. It expressed concern about the losses due to the VAT gap and intra-community VAT fraud.

The EPP Group expects from the European Commission a mid-term assessment in 2018 in order to establish whether the new Regulation for Cohesion Policy facilitates the payment process and reduces the risk of irregularities, including fraud.

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The Report on the protection of the union’s financial interests (PIF) (Ingeborg Gräßle MEP (DE), Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control of the EP) in July 2017 marked a historical first step towards the harmonisation of criminal law on crimes committed against the EU Budget. The PIF Directive established the legal basis for the work of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and provides the necessary tools for the office to carry out its tasks.

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The EPP Group Members in the CONT Committee, under the leadership of Petri Sarvamaa MEP (FI), Coordinator in the Committee on Budgetary Control of the EP, welcomed the trend towards a lower error rate in EU spending in 2017. The highest error rates are still found in funds where the management is shared between the MS and the European Commission. Errors also reveal the complexity of the financial rules. Therefore, the EPP Group is determined to reduce bureaucracy.

The EPP Group called on the Commission for simplified, accessible and user-friendly performance measurements (Joachim Zeller MEP (DE)). MS also need to better focus on spending.

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EPP Group Position Paper

on Performance-based Budgeting EN

EPP_Position_Paper_Budget_148x210.indd 1

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on Performance-based Budgeting Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

15/02/16 15:55

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Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Simpler and fairer rules for EU farming policy will enter into force in 2018 through a series of amendments to the existing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The ‘Omnibus’ proposal (Albert Deß MEP (DE)) secured both the backing of the EP and the European Council and the Commission for key improvements to the rules in the interests of European farmers. The EPP Group commitment to young farmers is evident in the final agreement which allows MS to increase considerably support rates directed to them and to better tailor the support to their needs. The “greening” element of the CAP is simplified and improved, notably in relation to permanent pastures and the Ecological Focus requirements (with the latter seeing an expansion in the types of crops which can be grown in such areas). Risk management tools under the Rural Development Pillar of the CAP are strengthened, including through a new sector-specific Income Stabilisation Tool, with lower thresholds in terms of production or income losses needed to activate them.

Significant improvements were made to the Single Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation so as to improve the position of farmers in the food supply chain. The EP negotiating team (Czesław Adam Siekierski MEP (PL), Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development), delivered on a highly ambitious timetable so that the agreed reforms can apply from January 2018.

Furthermore, the EPP Group shaped the EP position in the conclusion of new rules on organic production and labelling of organic products. The EP negotiating team successfully concluded negotiations with the European Council and Commission on 28 June. The EPP Group was instrumental in defending the EP position, allowing for the future production of organic seeds and the possibility for farmers to run mixed farms (conventional and organic) which will unlock the potential for growth. Strict, risk-based controls along the supply chain as well as new anticontamination rules - including a precautionary principle to avoid the presence of pesticides and compliance of imported food with the EU’s high-quality standards will give legal certainty for organic farmers and will increase consumer trust in the sector.

Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper on EU Agricultural Policy Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Committee on Regional Development (REGI)

Investment plan for Europe

The EPP Group played a decisive role in the efforts to ensure the accelerated and effective implementation of the Cohesion Policy in the 2014-2020 financial programming period.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

‘The Omnibus Regulation’ (Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP (NL)) shaped the EP position as regards the implementation simplification measures, including a functional European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) underpinned by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

The Report on the right funding mix for Europe’s regions: balancing financial instruments and grants in EU cohesion policy (Andrey Novakov MEP (BG)) represents the first EP position on the long-term considerations concerning this issue. Financial instruments, applied alongside grants, are a rising form of Cohesion Policy funding. The report, the findings of which have already been followed in positions taken in the EP following its adoption, calls for improving the options for use of the financial instruments in order to achieve the best results in the future.

The Report on increasing engagement of partners and visibility in the performance of the ESIF (Daniel Buda MEP (RO)) responded from a regional development perspective to the current urgent need of regaining citizens’ confidence in the common vision of the European project. The report appeals for an enhanced and improved communication regarding the extent to which ESIF investments are contributing to both solid economic growth and the improvement of living standards across the Union. It also supports participatory approaches as regards the decision-making process at the local level.

Source: European Commission

Committee on Fisheries (PECH)

How the EU Budget is Spent: European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

The PECH Committee, under the leadership of Cadec MEP (FR), EPP Group Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, is responsible for the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The EPP Group, under Gabriel Mato MEP (ES), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Fisheries of the EP, was actively involved in the legislative work that concentrated on the multi-annual management plans and technical measures which govern how, where and when fishermen may fish.

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After the adoption of the Multi-annual Management Plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat the Baltic Sea (Jarosław Wałęsa MEP (PL)) in 2015, EPP Group MEPs are currently working on two multi-annual plans: the North Sea (Jens Gieseke MEP (DE)) and the Adriatic Sea (Elisabetta Gardini MEP (IT)). Such multiannual tools are essential for the sustainable exploitation of marine resources and offer better predictability on catches allowed to fishermen over time. They also set a framework for improved cooperation between the concerned MS at sea regional level.

Gabriel Mato MEP (ES), EPP Group Coordinator in the Fisheries Committee of the EP, is Rapporteur on the crucial Technical Measures for fisheries conservation. Numerous amendments are contained in a draft Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fishery resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures. This measure seeks to improve measures on the regionalisation of fisheries decision-making and to bring greater coherence to the measures to simplify the rules.

In 2017, the Committee led a successful Delegation to Germany, headed by Werner Kuhn MEP (DE), Vice-Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, to explore the state of fisheries and the role of recreational fisheries in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern area.

In the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EMFF is one of five European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), which make up the Union’s financial support for the strengthening of its economic, social, and territorial cohesion (Article 174 TFEU) Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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External Meetings and Events 1. Meetings of the EPP Group Bureau outside the three Working Seats of the European Parliament: These meetings are organised by the Chairman’s Office to elaborate EPP Group positions on selected issues and to deepen relations with MS and to express support to an EPP member party.

01 02 03 04

2. Study Days: These meetings are organised by the Chairman’s Office in a different MS each year, as understanding the different national realities allows a better grasp of the political themes that are important at a national level.

3. Parliamentary Research and the European Ideas Network (EIN): The Unit offers a valuable mechanism for further developing the political Identity of the EPP Group by increasing the number of forums for debate.

05 06 07

TALLINN

WICKLOW

The primary debate forum takes tangible form within the framework of the European Ideas Network (EIN), which represents an open panEuropean think-tank designed to promote new thinking on the key challenges facing the European Union.

4. EPP Group Hearings: Hosted by EPP Group MEPs 5. EPP Group Conferences, Seminars and Events: Jointly hosted by EPP Group MEPs

BRAGA ROME

08 VALLETTA

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1 - EPP Group Meetings outside the Three Working Seats of the European Parliament Wicklow, Ireland EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 11-12 May 2017 Discussions focused on: • The Negotiating Objectives of Brexit • The Future of the Transatlantic relationship

Tallinn, Estonia EPP Group Bureau Meeting: 7-8 September2017 Discussions focused on: • New Security Threats: Cyberwar, Disinformation and Fake News • New Challenges from Russia • Security for the Union and its Citizens: Towards a European Defence Union Two EPP Group Position Papers were discussed in order to be approved by the EPP Group:

EPP Group Position Paper

EPP Group Position Paper

Security for the Union and its Citizens:

Towards a European Defence Union EN

Security for the Union and its Citizens: EPP Group Position Paper on Towards a European Defence Union

on Russia EN

EPP Group Position Paper on Russia

Braga, Portugal EPP Presidency and Heads of National Delegations Meeting: 9-10 November 2017 Discussions focused on: • New Political Challenges Towards 2019 • Main Messages and Communication Strategies • Priorities for 2018 and 2019

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2 - EPP Group Study Days

3 - The European Ideas Network (EIN)

Valletta, Malta EPP Group Study Days: 29-30 March 2017

The European Ideas Network, sponsored by the EPP Group, is an open pan-European think-tank, launched in 2002. It rapidly emerged as an important meeting-point and intellectual cross-roads for the centre-right in European politics, designed to promote new thinking on the key challenges facing the EU.

Discussions focused on: • After Brexit: Securing Fiscal Stability and Economic Prosperity for an EU of 27 • The Future of Europe’s Southern Neighbourhood - Building Bridges • EU and Tax Good Governance: Fighting Tax Evasion and Money Laundering

With an active membership of around 3.000 policy-makers and opinion-shapers across the EU, the EIN brings together politicians, businessmen, academics, policy advisers, think-tank members, journalists and representatives of civil society who share a common Europe-wide outlook, as well as external non-party experts and commentators interested in the public policy issues being addressed. The network offers a unique forum in which to develop innovative ideas.

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The EIN organises a number of different types of activities: Breakfast Meetings, Food for Thought Lunch-debates and Working Group Seminars

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In 2017, special relevance was placed on: •

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The Root Causes and Challenges Posed by Migration Flows and Demographic Changes Across Europe The Future of Post-Brexit Europe The Rise of Populism and Nationalist Movements EU Security and Defence The Future of Transatlantic Political and Economic Relationships after the US Presidential Election

@EIN_ThinkTanks

EIN-Trans-Atlantic-Group (TAG) The 2017 Trans-Atlantic-Group meeting, held in Washington between 17 and 20 July, provided a unique experience for 11 MEPs and various USA legislators from both Houses to evaluate the impact of EU-USA Transatlantic relations in the wake of Donald Trump assuming the Presidency. The meetings were co-organised by the EIN, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Hudson Institute. Discussions focused on international security and Transatlantic challenges, Transatlantic cooperation in the Middle-East, NATO, Russia and Turkey, USA-EU trade and investment cooperation, and economic and demographic challenges.

EIN Seminar:

Summer University

Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

The EIN Summer University was the highlight of the 2017 programme of events. The 16th EIN Summer University took place in Rome, Italy, between 27 and 29 September. The main subject for this year’s conference concerned ‘Common Security and Stability in the Mediterranean Region.’

The Future of inter-institutional /constitutional issues in light of BREXIT

Wednesday 8 March 2017 from 15.00-18.00 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

www.ein.eu

The global character of the Summer University was once more reaffirmed and further extended with speakers and participants from many different countries who joined European colleagues for stimulating debates, thus enabling participants to reach important conclusions from a global perspective.

The 2017 Agenda consisted of four special plenary sessions focusing on areas of current regional, European and international interest. In addition, 12 roundtable discussions afforded participants the opportunity to reach in-depth, internationally-oriented conclusions in strategic areas of European policy.

This event included several keynote speakers, such as former Prime Ministers Antonis Samaras (Greece), Lawrence Gonzi (Malta), and Enda Kenny (Ireland); former Commissioners Tonio Borg and Andris Piebalgs; and the Head of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador João Vale de Almeida.

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4 - EPP Group Hearings 11/01/2017 EPP Group Hearing on Copyright

09/02/2017 EPP Group Hearing on the Platform Economy

07/06/2017 EPP Group Hearing on Cybercrime and Cybersecurity

01 Wednesday 8 February 2017 from 14.30-17.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q2, European Parliament, Brussels

02 03

EPP Group Hearing

HOW TO MAKE THE EU SUCCEED IN THE PLATFORMS ECONOMY?

EPP Group Hearing on

04 Hosted by Therese Comodini Cachia MEP Rapporteur for the Copyright directive

05

Wednesday 11 January 2017, 14.30-18.30 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

Hosted by MEPs Philippe Juvin & Henna Virkkunen Keynote speech by: Jyrki Katainen, Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Opening address by Krišjanis Karinš MEP, EPP Group Coordinator of ITRE Committee Closing remarks by Andreas Schwab MEP, EPP Coordinator of IMCO Committee Registration: In case you do not have a badge to access the European Parliament, please send an e-mail to epp-itre@europarl.europa.eu including your full name, ID type, ID number and nationality.

06 07 08 09

07/06/2017 EPP Group Hearing on From Therapy to Human Enhancement: Which Perspective?

Which Regulation?

www.comodinicachia.eu

Interpretation: FR DE IT EN ES

Interpretation: FR, DE, IT, EN, ES, PL

Wednesday 7 June 2017 from 15.00-18.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q2, European Parliament, Brussels

LIBE and ITRE EPP Group Hearing on MEDICAL PROGRESS:

From therapy to human “enhancement”: which perspective? Which Regulation?

Hosted by MEPs Elissavet Vozemberg Vrionidi (LIBE) and Michał Boni (ITRE) Introductory remarks: Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group Registration by e-mail: epp-libe@europarl.europa.eu until 30 May 2017.

If you require access to the European Parliament, please include your full name, date of birth, nationality, type and number of ID document.

Interpretation: FRIDEIITIENIESIPLIEL

Introduction: Françoise Grossetête MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group Round tables:

Therapeutical progresses: where are we heading?

Trans-humanism: what future for humanity?

Wednesday 7 June 2017 15.00-18.30 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

08/06/2017 EPP Group Hearing on Copyright

27/09/2017 EPP Group Hearing on the Services Package An Alternative to Enforcement Action?

EPP Group Hearing on

The Services Package

An alternative to enforcement action?

Hosted by Therese Comodini Cachia MEP Rapporteur for the Copyright directive Thursday 8 June 2017, 09.00-12.30 hrs Room ASP 3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels Registration: EPP-CopyrightHearing@europarl.europa.eu until 31 May 2017. If you require access to the EP, please include your full name, date of birth, nationality, type of ID document, number of ID document.

Interpretation:

www.comodinicachia.eu

FRIDEIENIES

Hosted by Andreas Schwab MEP, EPP Coordinator of the IMCO Committee, EP rapporteur on Proportionality Test Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP, EPP Shadow Rapporteur on E-card Dariusz Rosati MEP, EPP Shadow Rapporteur on E-card Ivan Štefanec MEP, EPP Shadow Rapporteur on Notification

Wednesday 27 September 2017, from 15.00-17.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q-2, European Parliament, Brussels

27/09/2017 EPP Group Hearing on Models of Civil Society

MODELS OF CIVIL SOCIETY

18/10/2017 EPP Group Hearing on the Commission Report on Alcohol Labelling: One Size Fits All?

Commission Report on Alcohol Labelling:

One size fits all?

Hosted by MEPs Renate Sommer and Herbert Dorfmann

Wednesday 18 October 2017, 16.00-18.00 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

In case you do NOT have a badge to access the European Parliament, please send an e-mail by 19 September at the latest to epp-imco@europarl.europa.eu including your full name, date of birth, nationality, type of ID document and number of ID document

Interpretation: EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, PL

Interpretation: FR DE EN

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18/10/2017 EPP Group Hearing on Border Adjustment Tax: Global Consequences for International Trade and Financial Stability

18/10/2017 EPP Group Hearing on The 7th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion

08/11/2017 EPP Group Hearing on Digital Trade

06/12/2017 EPP Group Hearing on EU Cross-border Evidence Gathering in Criminal Matters: Present and Future

01 02

Wednesday 8 November 2017 from 15.00 to 17.30 hrs

Room JAN 6Q2 - European Parliament - Brussels EPP Group Public Hearing

03 EPP Group WG Economy and Environment hearing

04

Border Adjustment Tax: Global consequences for international trade and financial stability Introduction by Luděk Niedermayer MEP

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with Giorgia Maffini, OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration Martin Lukas, DG TRADE, European Commission John Vella, Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation Ralph Brügelmann, BDI/BDA The German Business Representation

Wednesday 18 October, 17.00-18.30 hrs Room: JAN 6Q-1, European Parliament, Brussels

THE 7TH REPORT ON ECONOMIC,SOCIAL AND TERRITORIAL COHESION Welcome and introduction by Marc Joulaud MEP Conclusions by Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP

EPP Hearing on

DIGITAL TRADE

Welcome and introduction: MEP Viviane Reding, EPP Shadow Rapporteur on the INI report 'Towards a European digital trade strategy' Summary and concluding remarks: MEP Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl, EPP Coordinator in INTA Wednesday 8 November 2017, 15.00-17.00 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

RSVP to petra.prasilova@europarl.europa.eu

06 07 08 09

EPP GROUP PUBLIC HEARING

EU cross-border evidence gathering in criminal matters: Present and future.

Welcome and introduction by Esteban González Pons MEP Vice Chairman of the EPP Group and Chair of the Working Group Legal and Home Affairs Hosted by Nuno Melo MEP, Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament

Wednesday 6 December 2017 from 16.00-18.30 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels Registration by e-mail: epp-libe@europarl.europa.eu until 4 December 2017.

If you require access to the European Parliament, please include your full name, date of birth, nationality, type and number of ID document.

Interpretation: FR DE EN

Interpretation: EN DE FR ES IT PT

07/12/2017 EPP Group Hearing on Structural and Financial Barriers in Access to Culture

Structural & ďŹ nancial barriers in access to culture Hosted by Bogdan Zdrojewski MEP Thursday 7 December 2017 from 10.00-12.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q-1, European Parliament, Brussels Registration: foteini.polyzou@europarl.europa.eu If you require access to the European Parliament, please include your full name, date of birth, nationality, type and number of ID document.

Interpretation: FR - DE - EN - PL

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5 - EPP Group Conferences, Seminars and Events ARTEC is a cultural project supported by: the European Union - Creative Europe Programme - Cultura Subprogramme; National Cultural Found- Hungary; Bethlen Gábor Found - Hungary; Cluj County Council - Romania; Association of Romanian Architects; the European Parliament.

Tuesday 31 January at 19.00 hrs JAN 3Q, European Parliament, Brussels

Launch of the NESET Report

01 02

Right to Education:

HOW TO PREVENT AND TACKLE BULLYING & SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Freedom of choice

Hosted by Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP Speakers: Prof. Carmel Cefai, Author of the Report Carolina Engström, Secretary General of Friends Tommy Eriksson, Swedish Public Health Agency Sandra Cortis, Service Manager, Maltese Ministry for Education and Employment Evelyne Paradis, ILGA Europe Executive Director

Hosted by Nuno Melo MEP (EPP Group) and Andrew Lewer MEP (ECR Group) with ECNAIS – European Council of National Associations of Independent Schools

Tuesday 24 January 2017 from 12.30 to 14.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q-1, European Parliament, Brussels

Tuesday 24 January 2017, 16.30-18.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

To register, email emilio.puccio@ep.europa.eu with your full name, nationality & ID number

Esteban Gonzalez Pons (EPP Group)

Hosted by Deirdre Clune MEP with Mental Health Europe

Iuliu Winkler MEP is pleased to invite you to the opening of the exhibition

THALIDOMIDE VICTIMS 50 YEARS OF FIGHT Co-Hosted

by MEPs

Tuesday 7 February 2017 from 14.00 to 16.00 hrs Room ASP A5E-3, European Parliament, Brussels

MENTAL HEALTH & ACTIVE AGEING ENSURING OPPORTUNITIES & PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY AT ALL AGES

'SRJIVIRGI SVKERM^IH F] 1)4W

Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D Group)

ARTS RECOVERY TRADITIONS ECLECTIC CONTEMPORARY

In collaboration with: Syed Kamall (ECR Group), Beatriz Becerra (ALDE), Gabi Zimmer (GUE/NGL) and Jill Evans (The Greens-EFA)

Speakers include representatives from: Mental Health Europe, European Commission, EU-OSHA, MoPact and AGE Platform Europe

Film showing: The secret deal The dark history of the thalidomide scandal Presented by James Pastouna, Director Round Table: MEPs and Victims Associations AVITE (ES) and Fifty Year Fight (UK)

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Tuesday 8 March 2017 from 13.00 to 15.00 hrs Room ASP 1E1, European Parliament, Brussels

NEW AND ALTERNATIVE CANCER DIAGNOSTIC METHODS Co-Hosted by

Alojz Peterle MEP, President of MAC Pavel Poc MEP, Vice-President of MAC

Please register in advance via http://bit.ly/1Q3w5C7

Wednesday 25 January 2017 18.00-20.00 hrs Room: 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels Tuesday 25 April, 14.30-17.15 hrs - Room 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

cordially invite you to debate with people with Down Syndrome and meet renowned European researchers C. Mircher, L. Meijer, M. Dierssen, Y. Hérault, J. Fortea

Wednesday 12 April 2017 from 10.00 to 12.00 hrs Room ASP 5F385, European Parliament, Brussels

EPP Group Roundtable on

EECC: PRIORITY FOR CONSUMERS AND INNOVATION

www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

Predictable rules for International data flows

04

An imperative for competitive European based data processing 90% of Global GDP Growth is taking place outside Europe*

WELCOME:

© Solène Perrot

PERSPECTIVES:

05

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MEPs Miroslav Mikolášik and Marek Jurek

03

8YIWHE] 1EVGL LVW 6SSQ %74 ) )YVSTIER 4EVPMEQIRX &VYWWIPW

Are we in Europe doing our best for the health of people with trisomy 21?

REFLECTIONS:

MEP Adina Ioana Valean Ambassador Luminita Odobescu, Permanent Representative of Romania to the European Union Lars Danielsson Permanent Representative of Sweden to the European Union Maria Martin-Prat, Director, DG Trade, European Commission Corinna Schulze, Director, EU Government Relations, Global Corporate Affairs, SAP Rene Summer, Director Government Relations, Ericsson Carolina Dacko, Special Council International Trade Law, Mannheimer Swartling

Tuesday 21 March 2017 from 15.30 to 18.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Wednesday 22 March 2017 Starting with interventions: 08.00 - 09.30 hrs MEP Salon European Parliament, Brussels

Registration until 17 March EPP-Bioethics@europarl.europa.eu

Internet and Human Dignity 7th week for Life in the European Parliament

Hosted by Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP EPP IMCO shadow rapporteur

Duopolies under the European Electronic Communications Code Hosted by Esther de Lange MEP

FR DE EN ES

Wednesday 22 March 2017 from 09.00-12.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Mr Jan Hoogmartens, Deputy Permanent Representative BE to the EU

The PDCA and future prospects for political and economic bilateral cooperation

Mr Johan Keetelaar, Director, The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets

Hosted by Reimer Böge MEP

Mr Wepke Kingma, Deputy Permanent Representative NL to the EU

with participation of MEPs:

Jaroslaw Walesa, Lars Adaktusson, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra and our Cuban guests: Berta Soler, Rosa María Payá and Boris González

Registration at EPP-Bioethics@europarl.europa.eu until 17 March 2017

Friday 31 March 2017 from 08.30 to 10.00 hrs Room A5E-3 European Parliament Brussels

EPP Working Group on

Breakfast will be served

EPP Working Group on

Engaging Cuba in dialogue:

Speakers:

Interpretation:

Wednesday 3 May 2017 from 10.30-12.30 hrs Room ASP 5E-3, European Parliament, Brussels

Helping the consumer help themselves:

Safely Tackling Obesity & Diabetes Today and Tomorrow Chaired by MEPs Annie Schreijer-Pierik (EPP Group, NL) and Julie Girling (ECR, UK)

Interpretation: EN-ES

*source: CEPS

06

WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

save the date

07 AER CONFERENCE

Hosted by Deirdre Clune MEP

08

European Parliament, Brussels

COMMERCIAL RADIO’S VALUE TO THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY Keynote: Siobhan Kenny, Radiocentre CEO

SATCAB REGULATION  THE RADIO ANGLE

Speakers: Giuseppe Abbamonte, European Commission, DG CNECT,Director Media Policy

Helga Trüpel MEP (Greens/EFA) Bogdan Brunon Wenta MEP (EPP Group) Tiemo Wölken MEP (S&D Group) Vincent Sneed, AER Director Regulatory Affairs Moderator: Sean Murtagh, IP Consultant

09

Wednesday 31 May 2017 13.00 hrs-15.00 hrs Room JAN 2Q2

Wednesday 7 June 2017, from 13.00 to 18.30 hrs ASP 6D-128, Library Reading Room - 5th floor European Parliament, Brussels

Wednesday 31 May 2017 from 16.30-18.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

1st European NAFLD-NASH Policy Summit MEP Alojz Peterle, ELPA and EASL invite you to: > Understand what NAFLD-NASH are and their socio-economic impact on our society > Identify how policy can help put in place an effective strategy to face this new public health threat

> Identify concrete next steps

To register and for more information, please write to nash-summit@hanovercomms.com

PROTECTORS OF OUR HERITAGE Under the high patronage of Tibor Navracsics Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Round table hosted by Gyula Winkler MEP with the contribution of: Mrs Csilla Hegedüs, Executive Vice-President of RMDSZ Mrs. Andrea Bocskor MEP, Vice-chair in CULT Committee The Protectors of Our Heritage from Brassó, Déva and Kolozsvár Tuesday 6 June 2017, 14.30-16.00 hrs Altiero Spinelli Building, Room A5G-1 European Parliament, Brussels

Fundamental Rights Agency capacity-building training session: Children in the context of migration, access to justice, situation of children in vulnerable situations: Roma children, children with disabilities, LGBTI, child poverty and well-being Co-hosted by MEPs Anna Maria Corazza Bildt (EPP Group) and Caterina Chinnici (S&D), Co-Chairs of the EP Intergroup on Children's Rights With the contribution of UNICEF, Missing Children Europe, PICUM, International Juvenile Justice Observatory, ILGA Europe and Eurochild.

To register please send an email to emilio.puccio@ep.europa.eu

Conference MEPs Against Cancer Round Table

SUNBED USE: ALL COST, NO BENEFIT

A Central and Eastern European Overview Closing remarks: Herbert Dorfmann MEP Wednesday, 7 June 2017, 16.00 - 18.30 hrs P4B001, European Parliament , Brussels Interpretation: Interpretation:EN, EN,HUHU

BETTER COMMUNICATION: ENGAGING THE CITIZENS WILL YOU JOIN US?

Cancer Risks and Cost of Illness related to Sunbed Use for Cosmetic Purposes Hosted by Alojz Peterle MEP, MAC President Nessa Childers MEP, MAC Vice-President

In collaboration with the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), the Belgian Foundation against Cancer, Stand Up to Cancer Flanders and Euromelanoma Thursday 22 June 2017 - 12.00-14.00 hrs (Registration at 11.00 hrs at building entrance) Room A8-F388, European Parliament, Brussels (A sandwich lunch will be provided)

INDESTRUCTIBLE | UNBREAKABLE | UNFORGETTABLE She survived to tell us. So we would not forget.

Based on Suddenly a Crimial: Sixteen Years in Siberia by Melānija Vanaga

REGULATING FINTECH: THEHosted WAY FORWARD

by Brian Hayes MEP Speakers: Camille Blackburn, Head of Policy & Risk Horizontal Team, Central Bank of Ireland Derek Butler, CEO Grid Finance Richard Walsh, CEO Fintech and Payments Association of Ireland Neil Ryan, Chief Operating Officer at Quaternion Risk Management

Conference

Tuesday 17 October 2017 from 17.00 -18.30 hrs Room ASP 1E-1, European Parliament, Brussels

Location: European Parliament Information office, 12-14 Mount Street Lower, Dublin 2

y clubs benefit How can rugb

Date & Time: Friday 14 July 2017 from 09.00-11.00 hrs

Legal Status of Autonomous Robots

SABINE TIMOTEO

Wednesday 6 September 2017 from 13.00-15.00 hrs Room ASP 3E2 European Parliament, Brussels

VIESTUR KAIRISH

Film Studios MISTRUS MEDIA, 8HEADS PRODUCTIONS and INLAND FILM COMPANY Director VIESTUR KAIRISH • Director of Photography GINTS BĒRZIŅŠ, LGC • Production and Costume Designer IEVA JURJĀNE • Editor JUSSI RAUTANIEMI • Sound ALEKSANDRS VAICAHOVSKIS, ROBERT SLEZÁK Composers ARTURS MASKATS, ALEKSANDRS VAICAHOVSKIS, KĀRLIS AUZĀNS • Producers INESE BOKA-GRŪBE, GINTS GRŪBE • Co-Producers JULIETTA SICHEL, KLAUS HEYDEMANN

From Resolution to Realisation The Impact of the EP Resolution of 9.9.2015 on Women’s Careers in Science and University

Click here to RSVP or scan:

Organised by MEP Sandra Kalniete Wednesday, 28 June, 2017 at 18.00hrs Room ASP 3E2, European Parliament, Brussels

Innovative horticulture in Dutch regions Hosted by Annie Schreijer-Pierik MEP Monday 25 September 2017 - Opening at 18.30 hrs 3rd floor, Distribution space, European Parliament

Guest Speaker:

Nathalie NEVEJANS, Robotics Law & Ethics Expert, Law Faculty of Douai, France

Interpretation: FR DE EN ES

+ Sport ?

from Erasmus

Tuesday 10 October 2017 from 11.00-13.00 hrs Room 6Q1 European Parliament, Brussels

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Mental Health and Migration in Europe: Supporting refugees, migrants and asylum seekers' mental health This event is hosted by MEPs Deirdre Clune (EPP Group) and Miriam Dalli (S&D Group) with Mental Health Europe Speakers include: International Organisation for Migration, European Fundamental Rights Agency, Mental Health Europe European Disability Forum, Medecins du Monde

Tuesday 26 September 2017 from 16.30-18.00 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels Registration at EPP-Bioethics@europarl.europa.eu until 22 September 2017

EPP Working Group on

hosted by Dr. Laima Andrikienė MEP

EXHIBITION

6-10 November 2017

JAN 3-Q, European Parliament, Brussels

OMAN CULTURAL HERITAGE

Hosted by Ramona Nicole Manescu MEP Tuesday 7 November

Official opening ceremony will start at 18.30 hrs and the reception at 19.00 hrs

Tuesday 17 October 2017 at 14.30 hrs Room: A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

CHRISTIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE IN TURKEY Hosted by Theodoros Zagorakis MEP with the participation of Federation of Pontic Greek Associations in Europe and the Pontic Greek Association of Brussels Speakers: Dr. Otmar Oehring, Coordinator International Religious Dialogue, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. Dr. Theodosios Kyriakidis, Research fellow, Chair of Pontic Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Dr. Claudio Monge o.p., DoSt-I (Dominican Study - Institute), Turkey Dimitrios A. Kourtis, Attorney at Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Anastasios Osipidis, President of the Federation of Pontic Greek Associations in Europe

Press conference

STOP THE BIANNUAL CLOCK CHANGE With national campaigners, Pavel Svoboda MEP and many other MEPs of the Working Group against the biannual clock change

Wednesday 25 October 2017 - 15.00-15.30 hrs Press conference room, Strasbourg

Tackling the disparities in access to lung cancer treatment in EU

EUROPEAN ETHICS IN SCIENCE & NEW TECHNOLOGIES Guest Speaker:

Interpretation:

Hosted by MEP Alojz Peterle

FR DE EN ES Prof. Dr. med. Christiane Woopen Chair of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies

Tuesday 7 November 2017 from 14.00-16.00 hrs Room ASP A5E-3, European Parliament, Brussels

Tuesday 7 November 2017 from 16.30-18.00 hrs Room A3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels

Can we enhance the efficiency of European airspace?

Thursday 9 November 14.00–16.30 hrs Room P5B001 European Parliament Brussels

Hosted by Brian Hayes MEP

Hosted by MEPs Deirdre Clune (EPP Group) Dominique Riquet (ALDE) Claudia Tapardel (S&D Group)

Registration at EPP-Bioethics@europarl.europa.eu until 3 November 2017

Please register in advance at theodoros.zagorakis@europarl.europa.eu

EPP Working Group on

25 – 29 September 2017, European Parliament, Brussels @EIN_ThinkTanks

Think global.

Act local.

Mairead McGuinness MEP Midlands North West

CONFERENCE

Wednesday 6 December 2017 from 11.55-12.30 hrs ASP 5G, Exhibition Space, European Parliament, Brussels

FIVE-MINUTES-TO-TWELVES-MOVEMENT ’S MANIFESTATION AGAINST RACISM & XENOPHOBIA Hosted by Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP, EPP Group with Fredrik Lundvall and Ali Reza Samadi, 5to12 movement Special Guests Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission

Media, political correctness and manipulation

FAMILY FIRST? Dilemmas of the modern youth

Hosted by Paulo Rangel MEP Chairman of the European Ideas Network

Confederation of Family Associations in the Carpathian Basin

EIN Seminar:

Tuesday 25 April 2017 from 15.00-18.00 hrs Room ASP 5H-1 European Parliament, Brussels

Opening of the exhibition Portraits of Migration, Swedish Institute

www.ein.eu

Co-hosted by György Hölvényi MEP and the

Monday 4 December 2017 from 16.00-20.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Structural & financial barriers in access to culture Hosted by Bogdan Zdrojewski MEP Thursday 7 December 2017 from 10.00-12.30 hrs Room JAN 6Q-1, European Parliament, Brussels Registration: foteini.polyzou@europarl.europa.eu If you require access to the European Parliament, please include your full name, date of birth, nationality, type and number of ID document.

Interpretation: FR - DE - EN - PL

Ich wünsche unserer Bürgerstiftung Neukirchen-Vluyn auch weiterhin viel Erfolg bei allen lokalen Projekten KARL-HEINZ FLORENZ Mitglied des Europäischen Parlaments Ausschuss für Umweltfragen, öffentliche Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit Vorsitzender der Intergruppe Biodiversität, Jagd und ländliche Aktivitäten

Groß-Opholt 47506 Neukirchen-Vluyn

Brian Hayes MEP Dublin

Seán Kelly MEP South

Deirdre Clune MEP South

Working for you in Europe, for Stability, Jobs & Growth Like Ireland, Europe is steadily returning to sustainable growth, but there will be no lasting growth without stability.

Source: CBS.

Europe can reclaim its position as a leader in research, innovation and education.

A competitive industry can produce more home-grown jobs.

Sustainable solutions will support our farmers in facing future agricultural challenges.

Smarter regulation will create a dynamic Single Market.

Better access to capital will allow SMEs to expand.

A more connected Europe will support our digital economy.

Irish students and others interested in traineeships and careers in the EU institutions can visit www.eppgroup.eu/ireland for more information

Hosted by Annie Schreijer-Pierik MEP

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

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3. Directorate for the Presidency

In 2017, the Directorate fulfilled its responsibility to prepare the governing bodies of the EPP Group (Presidency, Heads of National Delegations, Heads of National Delegations open to all Group Members and meetings of the EPP Group Bureau taking place in Brussels).Throughout the year, the governing bodies of the EPP Group focused primarily on Brexit, the situation in the Western Balkans, the fight against populism and extremism in Europe, the migration crisis, terrorism and trade policy.

The first steps regarding preparations for the 2019 European elections were taken in the governing bodies of the EPP Group. Next to strategic planning in the meetings of the Presidency and Heads of National Delegations, a meeting of the Heads of National Delegations open to all Members with external speakers on demoscopic trends took place in September 2017 in Strasbourg. An external meeting of the Presidency with the Heads of National Delegations in November 2017 in Braga, Portugal was dedicated to the 2019 preparations.

The special permanent EPP Group Working Group on the UK, formed in 2016, continued to be organised by the Directorate until April 2017, when the responsible Adviser left the Directorate.

In 2017, a common meeting of the Presidencies of the EPP Group and EPP Party was successfully held. This format will be continued.

The Directorate successfully concluded the coordination of the midterm constitutive process 2016/17 with the organisation of the d’Hondt distribution of posts of responsibility for EPP Group Members in Parliamentary Committees and Interparliamentary Delegations, in January.

2. Conference of Presidents (CoP) The Directorate prepares the meetings of the Conference of Presidents (CoP) with the Secretary-Generals of the political Groups and the administration. The Chairman is briefed by the Directorate for each meeting of the CoP. After the meetings the relevant Directorates are de-briefed on the outcome.

In 2017, CoP debates primarily centred upon: • The preparations/follow-up of European Council meetings • The implementation of the recently concluded Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Law-making • The migration crisis • The Sakharov Prize • The EP negotiating mandate for the inter-institutional transparency register • The EP mandate for the negotiations of the Proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights • The mandate and setting up of a special Committee on Terrorism • Inter-parliamentary relations with Turkey • Brexit Within the framework of the Inter-Institutional Agreement of 2010 between the EP and the Commission, the CoP held an exchange of views regarding the preparation of the Legislative Work Programme 2018 with the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and First Vice-President of the European Commission, in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Frans Timmermans. The CoP dealt also with the negotiating mandate for the Joint Declaration of the three Institutions on the Legislative Work Programme 2018/2019.

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

1. Preparation of the Governing Bodies of the EPP Group

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The Conference of Presidents continued with its tradition of external meetings with the representatives of the Council Presidencies of Estonia and Bulgaria.

01 02 03 Brexit Timeline

04 05 06 07 08 09

Source: European Parliamentary Research service

Source: European Parliament

3. European Parliament Bureau and Quaestors The Bureau Members were elected in January 2017 for a period of two and a half years. Apart from regular meetings, the Bureau coordinates different Working Groups Chaired by the Vice-Presidents in view of their respective portfolios. The political Group staff are invited to attend the meetings of the various Working Groups.

The same practice as that adopted for the Bureau meetings is used for the monthly meetings of the Quaestors. The Quaestors are responsible for administrative and financial matters directly concerning MEPs and their working conditions. In 2017, the Quaestor Chair-in-office was attributed to the EPP Group.

Since 2017, the Bureau Working Groups are distributed by the following delineations:

Since the start of the new term, a weekly meeting of the assistants of VicePresidents and Quaestors was organised by the Presidency Service. This continued in 2017. Also, once per month an extra meeting is organised in Brussels for the Vice-Presidents and the Quaestors in order to better coordinate the position of the EPP Group in the Bureau. In Strasbourg, on a regular basis, EPP Group Vice-Presidents and Quaestors meet prior to the Bureau meeting with the view to debate and agree the final EPP Group line.

• • • • • •

Working Group on “Buildings, Transport and Green Parliament” Working Party on “Information and Communication Policy” High-Level Group on “Gender Equality and Diversity” Working Group on “ICT Innovation Strategy” Working Group on “General Expenditure Allowances” Working Group on “Security”

Their purpose is to discuss and analyse sectorial policies in the EP, proposing decisions to be presented to the Bureau for final approval.

In October 2017, the Bureau held its “Away Days” to discuss strategies for better functioning of the EP (also discussions for the preparation regarding the upcoming electoral campaign) with the participation of the Members of the Bureau and selected members of senior EP management and Group staff.

As a well-established practice, an EPP Group background note on the positions of the Group is prepared and forwarded to the EPP Group Members of the EP Bureau and to the Heads of Services of the Group, after consultation on contentious or political points. A brief summary of the decisions taken at Bureau level is also sent to the Heads of Service soon after the meetings of the Bureau.

The Chairman of the Group continues to meet the Vice-Presidents and Quaestors for discussions on political issues.

As in previous years, a list of EPP Group Bureau priorities was presented to the Heads of National Delegations in 2017 which served as a work plan for the Vice-Presidents and Quaestors.

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4. Archives

5. Legal Adviser

The EPP Group is the only political Group in the EP that has its own archives service; it works in close cooperation with the archives service of the EP and the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence.

The Legal Adviser prepares legal opinions and provides legal advice.

Moreover the Legal Adviser examines administrative legal questions such as the legal positions of the Members, contractual rights and obligations and supervision of contracts.

The Library of the EPP Group offers a catalogue derived from MEPs, historians and academics. The EPP Group has also developed a digital library aimed at gathering and communicating all documentary material.

Original minutes and documents of the Group are digitalised and classified. Currently, the database (Adlib) includes 146.274 files, 11.606 folders, 1.942 audiovisuals materials (tapes, DVD, VHS, Betacam) and 1.366 books. Given the growing number of photos, a total reorganisation of all photos was undertaken - almost 7.200 - to facilitate search on the website. The process of digitalisation and completion of digital archives in Konrad Adenauer Stiftung is progressing well. A new block of digitalised documents from the archives is expected for the first semester of 2018.

The website of the archives, open to EPP Group Members and staff, is equipped with a search engine that allows users to find documents - by keyword, date or type of document - on paper or in digital form, relating to the activities of the Group since 1953 until present, as well as photos, videos and books available in our Library.

In 2017, the Legal Adviser concentrated on pursuing legal analysis regarding the impact of different Brexit scenarios in various policy fields, analyses of the legal consequences of the European Court of Justice rulings - including those related to the EU Singapore Trade Agreement, the EU-Canada PNR Agreement and the mechanism for the relocation of asylum seekers. The establishment of the new Special Committee on Terrorism was a main task, as was providing legal recommendations on various issues such as the future of the EMU governance, the composition of the European Parliament in 2019, the EU electoral law reform and the financing of the European political parties. The Legal Adviser has also been closely following developments regarding the Transparency Register and the procedures related to rule of law in various Member states.

Furthermore, legal analysis has been provided to different Directorates of the Group on a wide range of subjects (requests from the Chairman’s Office, the Head of the Presidency Directorate, the Finance Unit on Members’ reimbursement, pre-judicial actions involving the Group, copyright and trademark queries, call for tenders and HR issues).

6. External Offices of the EPP Group The External Offices of the EPP Group - Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Warsaw - constitute an important and effective link between the work in Brussels and Strasbourg and that which occurs in the MS, in particular within the EPP political family.

Given that the exchange of timely information is a key element, information on the activities and decisions of the Group and its governing bodies are regularly communicated. Regular meetings with colleagues from national capitals complement this cooperation and constitute a ‘barometer’ of political, national and European activity in the MS.

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4. Directorate for External Policies - Committees Standing Working Group ‘Foreign Affairs’

• • • • •

Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

Foreign Affairs (AFET) Security and Defence (DROI) Human Rights (SEDE) Development (DEVE) International Trade (INTA)

The Directorate works closely with all EPP Group Directorates, especially with the Parliamentary Working Groups belonging to the Directorate for Parliamentary Work and the Directorate for External Policies-Regions.

The main tasks of the Directorate concern: the Parliamentary Committee’s current activities; the preparation of the work of the Plenary related to foreign policy; the urgencies related to the violation of Human Rights around the world; the promotion of democracy; and the following of the Election Observation Mission Group. This relates to coordinating, in close cooperation with the European External Action Service, the sending of EP Delegations abroad to observe 3rd country elections and promote democracy worldwide.

The UN: The EP adopted its recommendation to the Council at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly on 5 July 2017. The EU’s commitment to effective multilateralism and good global governance, with the UN at its core, is an integral part of the EU’s external policy.

Rapporteur Andrey Kovatchev MEP (BG), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy, addressed important recommendations on peace and security, the fight against terrorism, non-proliferation and disarmament, migration, human rights, democracy and the rule of law, development, climate change and reform of the UN system.

Eastern Partnership Summit: The recommendation aims at proposing a long-term vision for the Eastern Partnership (EaP). This will be based on an ‘EaP+’ model, which will lead EU partners to join the Customs Union, the Energy Union, the Digital Union and the Schengen area and guarantee further EU Internal Market access.

Africa: The AFET Committee adopted an opinion on ‘The EU-Africa Strategy: a boost for development’ prior to the EU-AU summit. It highlights the need to engage with African partners to tackle joint challenges. These include climate change, demography, terrorism, migration, economic development, sustainable extraction of natural resources, human rights and good governance.

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

The Directorate coordinates the following Committees/Subcommittees:

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Latin America: In 2017, the EP granted its consent to the first ever agreement between the EU and Cuba - the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement. It pays particular attention to democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms by including a suspension clause in the event of their violation. In the Report on the EU-Latin America relations, the LAC (Latin America and Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC Foundation) region is defined as a strategic priority and opportunity for the EU’s foreign policy.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Australia-New Zealand: In order to upgrade our political and economic relations with Australia and New Zealand, a Framework Agreement (FA) with Australia and a Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC) with New Zealand were signed. Both pave the way for eventual negotiations on possible Free-Trade Agreements with both partners.

EPP Group Position Paper on Russia: The EPP Group adopted its Position Paper on Russia on 27 September 2017. The EPP Group takes the view that a realistic and responsible strategy for the EU’s relations with Russia must be based on the principles of international law, credible deterrence and on a principled approach in areas of common interest, with a view to guaranteeing security in the EU’s neighbourhood. The EPP Group supports the five guiding principles for EU-Russia relations agreed by the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 March 2016.

EPP Group Position Paper

on Russia

Serbia: The EP adopted its resolution on the 2016 Commission Report on Serbia on 14 June 2017.

As in the past two years, Rapporteur David McAllister MEP (DE) ensured strong support for a comprehensive resolution. The EP welcomed the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) as the key chapters in the EU approach to enlargement based on the rule of law. The continued engagement of Serbia on the path towards EU integration is welcomed.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: The EP adopted the report drafted by Cristian Dan Preda MEP (RO) on 15 February 2017. The report welcomed the progress on the implementation of the 20152018 Reform Agenda, as well as the country’s determination to pursue further institutional and socio-economic reforms. The report also welcomed the consideration of the country’s membership application.

EN

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on Russia Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

Human Rights: The Sakharov Prize in 2017 was awarded to the Democratic Opposition in Venezuela.

Initiated by the EPP Group, several events on the situation of Christians in the world as well as the latest developments in the field of business and human rights were held. Geographical focus was placed upon Latin America, the Eastern Partnership and the Balkans. Regarding Election Observation Missions (EOM), EPP Group MEPs participated in Timor Leste, Armenia, Gambia, Kosovo, Albania, Mongolia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Honduras and Nepal.

European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD): The report, by Co-Rapporteur Eduard Kukan MEP (SK), encourages €44 billion in private investments in fragile states by offering a combination of grants, loans and financial guarantees worth €3.3 billion to boost jobs, growth and stability, thus addressing the root causes of migration. The geographical scope is defined as Africa and the EU Neighbourhood (South and East).

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Annual Report: The first annual report on the CFSP drafted by the AFET Chair David McAllister MEP (DE) focused on three core milestones. These included the coordination of an assessment of profound threats and challenges within the EU, the consolidation and deepening of the European project through enhanced EU capabilities and cooperation within coalitions and institutions delivering security.

EPP Group Position Paper Security for the Union and its Citizens:

Towards a European Defence Union EN

Security and Defence: The 2017 annual Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP) Report was based on the EPP Group Position Paper ‘Towards a European Defence Union’ adopted in Tallinn on 27 September. The position paper focuses on strengthening European defence through the Permanent Structured Cooperation, European Defence Fund and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme. It additionally calls for consolidating the European Defence Agency, establishing a Defence DG, developing an EU White Book on Security and Defence, and creating a fully-fledged EU defence budget under the next MFF. Arnaud Danjean MEP (FR) drafted a legislative Report on Capacity Building in support of Security and Development, which enables the provision of EU financing to military actors from partner countries.

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on Towards a European Defence Union Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Committee on Development (DEVE) The New European Consensus on Development

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The Report on the revision of the Consensus on Development, co-drafted by Wenta Bogdan MEP (PL), was adopted in February 2017; the new Consensus was signed in June 2017. Throughout the process, the EPP Group led the debates, imposing its views in the EP report as well as in the final negotiated Consensus. These included the reaffirmation of poverty eradication as the primary goal of EU development policy; the need to combat inequalities; the promotion of human rights, democracy and rule of law; the call for leveraging new development finance and increasing the participation of the private sector; addressing the root causes of migration; the importance of trade and the strengthening of the security-development nexus.

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The new Consensus now serves as the reference document for the implementation, and eventually the achievement, of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Protecting Civil Society in Developing Countries

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EU Development Policy Our world, our future, our dignity

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Teresa JimÊnez-Becerril Barrio’s MEP (ES) Report on addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries was adopted in October 2017. It points to the growing restrictions and abuses that civil society faces around the world and insists on the crucial role played by civil society in supporting and promoting democracy, good governance and fundamental rights. A number of actions and initiatives are recommended to tackle this issue, giving priority to political dialogue, policy coherence and protection of human rights.

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Further Reading: EPP Group Policy Paper on Development Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

Reviewing the EU-Africa Strategy

EU Flagship Initiative on the Garment Sector

In November 2017, the EP adopted the Maurice Ponga MEP (FR) Report on the EU-Africa strategy: a boost for development. The report focused on the 5th EU-AU Summit and reassessed the partnership between both continents. It sets guidelines for the achievement of sustainable development and long-term growth, focusing on youth and women, and on creating safe and peaceful societies. The issues of good governance, security, irregular migration and environmental resilience are addressed and constitute the key areas of action for the EPP Group and the EP.

Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh in 2013, the European Commission started informal consultations on the creation of an EU regulation on more sustainable production and consumption in the garment supply chain. The DEVE initiative Report on the EU Flagship initiative on the garment sector was adopted in April 2017. The report calls for the Commission to include due diligence obligations for supply chains in the garment sector, which should be aligned with the OECD guidelines.

Addressing the Refugee and Migrant Movements: The Role of EU External Action The joint DEVE/AFET Report on the Refugee and Migrant movements: The Role of the EU External Action was adopted in April 2017. It was co-drafted

by Agustín Díaz De Mera García Consuegra MEP (ES). The report takes stock of EU priorities concerning mobility challenges, while welcoming the Commission’s proposal for the External Investment Plan, the new Partnership Framework with third countries and the use of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The report also draws attention to EU development cooperation and fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 as an instrument to address the root causes of migration.

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Committee on International Trade (INTA) The EPP Group achieved a number of key objectives in 2017 and pushed forward the EU trade agenda in the global sphere.

Successful Ratification of Major Trade Agreements

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The first half of the year was characterised by the EP ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada (CETA).

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CETA was a main priority for the EPP Group. It represents the first trade agreement with an industrialised country and has strong potential to boost economic and trade links with Canada, by providing significant market access for our companies. Moreover, the adoption of CETA means that the European Union can still deliver important results in trade policy despite the somewhat anti-trade climate.

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With regard to the remaining negotiations: 1) EU and Japan: On 8 December 2017, negotiations were finalised.

This is another big achievement for the Commission and for the EPP Group, which strongly supported these negotiations.

2) EU and Mexico: Substantial progress in the negotiations for the modernisation of the Global Agreement, which should permit conclusion by the beginning of 2018.

3) EU and MERCOSUR: After many years of stagnation, negotiations on the Association Agreement made progress. This should permit the conclusion of these negotiations in the first quarter of 2018.

Source: European Commission

In July, the Commission requested a draft mandate to start negotiations for the modernisation of the Association Agreement between the EU and Chile. The EP adopted its own resolution in July where it supported this process.

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EU-Japan Trade: Facts and Figures

In September, the Commission requested two draft mandates to begin negotiations for a trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand.

The EP swiftly adopted its position. A resolution adopted in September strongly supported both initiatives.

Successful Conclusion and Progress of EU Trade Legislation A major achievement in 2017 concerned the positive conclusion of the legislative process of the Anti-Dumping reform for the new methodology of dumping calculation.

Substantial progress in the trilogue on the Modernisation of the Trade Defence Instruments was also made in 2017.

Both files are central to EU Industry as well as for the EPP Group.

Other EPP Group achievements included the Introduction of temporary autonomous trade measures for Ukraine, which aimed to support economic reforms in the country.

In March, the INTA Committee began the legislative process on the Review of Dual Use Legislation, which was voted by the Committee in November.

Shadow Rapporteur Christofer Fjellner MEP (SE) managed to reach a broad consensus on the EPP Group position in view of the future informal trilogue negotiations.

Source: European Council

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5. Directorate for External Policies: Regions Service

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ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

Interparliamentary Delegations and Assemblies, Working Groups on Eastern Neighbourhood, Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy

Eastern Neighbourhood The Eastern Partnership Summit took place on 24 November 2017 following the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Kiev. The EPP Group, under the leadership of Sandra Kalniete MEP (LV), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for the Working Group on ‘Foreign Affairs’ and the Eastern Neighbourhood, launched a series of closed expert roundtable discussions with leading EPP Group MEPs involved in EU foreign policy. The aim was to discuss the available instruments and new policy options which could give impetus to the Eastern Partnership (EaP).

Between May and September 2017 three roundtable discussions were convened on the following topics: 1. Security and Territorial Integrity Concluding that EU initiatives and activity in this area must be strengthened, including cases of frozen conflicts.

2. Economic Aspects Agreeing that there is no viable alternative other than EU integration with the EU - the Eurasian Economic Union is a Russia-driven geopolitical project with no economic benefits.

3. Democracy and Good Governance Calling for greater efforts to promote good governance practice in EaP countries, and increasing the political leverage on different levels.

Source: European Council

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During the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in Kiev (30 October - 1 November), EPP Group MEPs proposed and successfully adopted three urgency resolutions: 1. On the deterioration of human rights in the regions of Transnistria, Abkhazia, Tskhinvali Region/ South Ossetia, Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast 2. On the use of the Lethal Autonomous Weapon initiated by the Armenian Delegation

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3. On the future of the Eastern Partnership - combating hybrid challenges and security threats, proposed by the Ukrainian Delegation

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In 2017, the adoption of the ‘Resolution on enhancing energy cooperation within Eastern partnership countries towards the implementation of 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement’ (Andrzej Grzyb MEP (PL)) marked a notable success.

On 27 June, the EPP Group organised a Hearing entitled ‘Belarusian Society: Towards Modern Political and National Identity?’ with the participation of 2015 Nobel Prize Winner in Literature Svetlana Alexievich. The Hearing listened to the opinions of pro-European Belarusians and explored why, compared to other post-Soviet European countries, Belarus has not made any substantial progress on democracy building.

EPP GROUP HEARING ON

BELARUSIAN SOCIETY: TOWARDS MODERN POLITICAL AND NATIONAL IDENTITY?

Hosted by MEPs Sandra Kalniete, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group and Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz, Co-Chair of the WG on Belarus, Euronest PA with keynote speaker Svetlana Alexievich, 2015 Nobel Prize Winner in Literature

Tuesday, 27 June 2017 14.30-17.15 hrs Room JAN 6Q1 European Parliament, Brussels

Western Balkans 2017 witnessed positive developments regarding EU Enlargement Policy, including: • The accession of Montenegro to NATO • EC President Jean-Claude Juncker’s State of the Union speech outlining his strategy for the successful EU accession of Serbia and Montenegro • The signatures of a good-neighborliness treaty between the EPP-led government in Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) • The Western Balkans Summit in Trieste (Berlin process) with its focus on connectivity and youth regional cooperation • The EU-facilitated dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo • The opening of Negotiation Chapters for Serbia The EPP Group is committed to the Western Balkans. The annual EPP Group Conference on ‘EU-Western Balkans’ was held on 6 June and was attended by high-level political representatives from six Western Balkans who debated integration challenges. Issues regarding deficiency in the implementation of rule of law, nationalistic rhetoric and the increasing influence of Russia, Turkey and the Arab Gulf States were discussed. The Bulgarian EU Presidency, it was hoped, would give additional impetus to enlargement.

In April the first EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC) meeting took place in Pristina, Kosovo. The committee discussed: • The functioning of democratic institutions, in particular the judiciary • The protection of human rights • Means to promote Kosovo’s socio-economic development • The Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue • Security and defence challenges for Kosovo and for the EU In 2017, EPP Group MEPs worked hard to assist a number of Western Balkan countries overcome political crises, for example Albania and the FYROM. Elections in Albania took place on 25 June and the EP Election Observation Mission was headed Eduard Kukan MEP (SK). Albania, it was noted, has made significant progress in implementing the reform of the judicial system, which is seen as an important step towards the opening of accession negotiations.

Tuesday 6 June 2017

14.30 - 17.15 hrs Room 6Q1 European Parliament Brussels

6th EPP GROUP CONFERENCE on WESTERN BALKANS:

EUWESTERN BALKANS: ADDRESSING TOGETHER CHALLENGES AND USING OPPORTUNITIES

Organised by Mariya Gabriel MEP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group With Joseph Daul, Chairman of EPP Party European Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Political leaders close to EPP family from Western Balkans

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Mediterranean Policy The EPP Group considers the strengthening of relations with its Mediterranean neighbours as one of its main priorities Thus, in 2017, the EPP Group focused on conflict prevention and on the stabilisation and development of the economic and human potential of the Mediterranean region.

Specific initiatives, conferences, fact-finding missions and strategic meetings were undertaken throughout the year.

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To this end, the first traditional Working Breakfast with the Ambassadors of Mediterranean Countries took place on 26 January.

On 7 March 2017, the ‘Euro Mediterranean Partnership for Women’ Conference took place with the participation of businesswomen, entrepreneurs, academics and civil society representatives from Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan and Morocco. It was underlined that the EPP Group supports scholarships and intercultural exchanges - such as ERASMUS+ - with Southern Neighbourhood countries.

On 11 April, EPP Group MEPs examined - together with Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management - the outcome of the Brussels Conference ‘Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.’ The humanitarian response undertaken by the EU and the future allocation of funds were deliberated upon.

On 30 May, the EPP Group Euromed Working Group addressed the impact of the Turkish Referendum on EU-Turkey Relations.

CONFERENCE ON THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP OF WOMEN Organised by EUROMED, EPP Group , Presided by Mariya Gabriel MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group in charge of Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy With the participation of the panel Chairs: Toika Saïfi MEP, Vice-Chair of the EU-Maghreb Interparliamentary Delegation Constance Le Grip MEP, EPP Group Coordinator of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Santiago Fisas Ayxelà MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group Foreign Affairs Working Group

and the testimony of distinguished Leaders from Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Lybia, Egypt, Middle East Tuesday 7 March 2017 from 14.30 to 17.15 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

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In February, the EPP Group undertook a Fact-Finding Mission to Tunisia. EPP Group MEPs gained a deeper understanding of the current political, economic, social and security situation in the country.

Moreover, ties were fortified with Tunisian counterparts. This undertaking was supplemented with several additional meetings between EPP Group MEPs and their Tunisian counterparts throughout 2017.

On 12 December, an Egyptian Parliamentary Delegation paid a visit to Strasbourg, addressing Egypt’s role in the region. The reconciliation deal signed in Cairo between Hamas and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority on 11 October, Egypt’s renewed anti-terrorism strategy and the implications of Iran were presented to MEPs. On 9 April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) held its 13th Plenary Assembly in Rome. EPP Group MEPs agreed on the creation of a Permanent Secretariat for the beginning of 2018. Furthermore, the EPP Group played a major role in ensuring the success of the final declaration and a number of resolutions.

EPP Group MEPs participated in the EP-Morocco Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) (Rabat 17-21 April) and the EP-Tunisia Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) (Brussels 13 December).

The 10th EU-Mauritania Inter-parliamentary Meeting (IPM) took place between 20-24 February in Nouakchott.

The 8th EP-Jordan Inter-Parliamentary Meeting (IPM) was convened between 22-24 May in Jordan whilst a Working Group visited Lebanon in November. EPP Group MEPs were active in both ventures.

Regarding Israel and Palestine, the 43rd Inter-Parliamentary Meeting between the Knesset and the EP took place on 31 October 2017 in Jerusalem. The Delegation for relations with Palestine visited the West Bank on 20-24 February 2017.

The meeting of EPP Group MEPs with Ambassadors from the Mediterranean countries held in the aftermath of the US recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel focused on the regional repercussions and the future of the Middle East Peace Process.

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on the Mediterranean Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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Migration flows: Eastern Mediterranean route

EU Mediterranean Operations

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Source: European Council

Source: European Council

Africa In 2017, European and African interests and priorities converged on the following issues: • Cooperation and the fight against terrorism • Climate change • Trade relations • Managing migration flows and tackling the root causes of migration • Multilateral governance and reform The fifth African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit took place in November in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoir. Prior to the Abidjan Summit an ad-hoc EP Delegation met with counterparts from the Pan-African Parliament for a two-day meeting. The Delegation was led by Michael Gahler MEP (DE), Chairman of the Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament (D-PAP), and featured several prominent EPP Group MEPs. During the meetings, special attention was paid to the recent reports of slave markets in Libya. In this context, MEPs jointly adopted the ‘Abidjan Declaration,’ in which they listed 11 priorities to be addressed by the EU and AU leaders. These priorities - notably the urgent call to address the situation in Libya - were deliberated upon at the EU-AU Summit, held after the parliamentary meeting. MEPs additionally stressed the importance of parliaments in the democratic process and called for their strengthening to ensure the effective functioning of national governments.

Windhoek Dialogue Created by the EPP Group, the ‘Windhoek Dialogue’ is an important platform for dialogue and exchange between the EPP Group and its African partners.

From 6 to 8 October 2017, centre-right African party representatives (14 from 12 countries), a number EPP Group MEPs, MPs from the national Parliaments of Germany and Portugal and representatives of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation met in the context of the 2nd New Windhoek Dialogue in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The meeting was successful, with stimulating discussions on the following topics: • Investment in youth for accelerated inclusive growth and sustainable development • Trade and regional integration • Migration and management across borders • Finances and investment • Democracy, good governance and human rights The Joint Declaration and Recommendations of the New Windhoek Dialogue provided a valuable backdrop to the 5th AU-EU Summit; the findings also ensured a respected contribution by the EPP Group regarding the EP-Africa Week in Brussels, also in November.

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African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) The 33rd session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) was held in Malta from 19 to 21 June 2017. EPP Group MEPs were active on the most prominent issues, including:

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• • • • •

Security in the Sahel-Saharan region The role of sport as an enabler for education Poverty eradication The financing of political parties in ACP and EU countries The ongoing food and humanitarian crisis in Eastern Africa

The 34th Session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) was held in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) from 18 to 20 December 2017. Three reports were debated and voted both in the committees and in plenary: • The Report on improving the access to basic health systems, notably to medicines in the fight against infectious diseases • The Report on the blue economy: opportunities and challenges for ACP states • The Report on challenges in the field of the security-development nexus in ACP and EU policies Two urgent resolutions - Resolution on the situation in Mauritania, and the Resolution on enhancing resilience to climate change and natural disasters in ACP states - were also negotiated and debated during the session.

ACP Group of States in 2016 (all of them are parties to the Cotonou Agreement, except Cuba)

ACP Group of States in 2016 (all of them are parties to the Cotonou Agreement, except Cuba) Relations between the 28 EU Member States and 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific states are managed in the framework of a partnership agreement signed on 23 June 2000 (Cuba, although a member of the ACP Group of States, did not sign).

Source: European Commission and European Parliamentary Research Service

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The Americas

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The bilateral agenda was dominated by: • The situation in Venezuela • The modernisation of the EU-Mexico and EU-Chile Association Agreements (AA) • The ongoing negotiations for an EU-Mercosur Association Agreement (AA) In 2017, Venezuela was a matter of great concern for the EPP Group due to the deplorable deterioration in democracy, the rule of law and ongoing social crises. In April, the EP adopted a Resolution on the situation in Venezuela; in Latin America, the EU-CELAC Summit (The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), which was due to take place in October in San Salvador, was suspended.

06

The Delegation of the EU to Mexico dedicated special attention to the modernisation of the existing Association Agreement (AA) - six rounds of negotiations took place in 2017. The EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) took place in Mexico in February; meetings were held in Mexico City and Mérida. The EU-Chile Delegation focused its works on the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement, the mandate for which was adopted by MS in November.

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The Mercosur Delegation met four times in 2017 and special attention was paid to the Association Agreement negotiations.

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In 2017, MEPs and the United States Congress met twice: At the 80th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (Valletta, Malta) the focus surrounded security in the Mediterranean region. A field trip to the CSDP Operation European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, enabled the visiting American legislators to see EU military cooperation first-hand.

At the 81st Inter-Parliamentary Meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (Washington DC) MEPs and the US Congress, both from the House and the Senate, met to exchange views on recent political and economic developments and foreign affairs.

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Timeline – Venezuela

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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Asia/Pacific

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The 6th EU-Iran Inter-parliamentary Meeting (IPM) took place from 25 to 28 November in Teheran and Isfahan. An EP Delegation headed by Janusz Lewandowski MEP (PL), Chair of the Delegation for relations with Iran, held a number of meetings with political representatives, religious minorities and NGOs. The Delegation underlined that the EU will remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regardless of the US President’s stance. Stability in the region and Iran’s role - in particular fighting against Daesh - were also discussed.

In 2017, the work of the EP Delegation for Relations with the People’s Republic of China was affected by de-facto freezing of relations initiated by the Chinese. This was justified because of a visit by the Dalai Lama to the EP in September 2016. Efforts at reopening communication channels were in the end successful; consequently the 40th EU-China Inter-parliamentary Meeting (IPM) was held on 15 and 16 November 2017 in Strasbourg. Discussions focused on political developments following the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, EU-China bilateral relations and trade issues.

In December 2017, the Bureau of the EP Delegation for Relations with the People’s Republic of China visited Hong Kong and Macau and met with representatives of various political parties and civil society movements.

2017 should have witnessed celebrating the 40th anniversary of EU-ASEAN relations (Association of South East Asian Nations established in 1977), but unfortunately developments in several ASEAN countries and its wider region strained the relationship.

During EP Delegation visits to Singapore and Myanmar (May) and to Cambodia and Lao PDR (October/November), Werner Langen MEP (DE), Chair of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and EPP Group MEPs, raised many critical questions on human rights, freedom of expression and democratisation, and especially free and fair elections.

MEPs made clear that the EP - as co-legislator in budget and trade matters - could only deliver further support to the ASEAN countries when progress is made.

European Values On 7 November the EPP Group, together with the International Republican Institute and the newly opened House of European History, held a Conference on the ‘Bolshevik Revolution: A Hundred Years of Lasting Legacy,’ chaired by Sandra Kalniete MEP (LV), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for the Working Group on ‘Foreign Affairs’ and the Eastern Neighbourhood.

The aim of the conference was not only to commemorate the more than one hundred million victims of totalitarian regimes, but also to reflect on how Soviet terror developed into a global power willing and capable of cleaving the world system into two antagonistic camps and influencing politics on five continents.

It was noted that the EU needs to strengthen its resilience and foster education in building free democratic societies in the East. In the face of rising extremism and radicalism, the West needs to revive its core values to effectively prevent autocratic powers from rising again.

EPP Group joint conference with the House of European History

Bolshevik Revolution: A hundred years of lasting legacy

With Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Sandra Kalniete, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament Taja Vovk Van Gaal, Creative Director, House of European History

Tuesday, 7 November 2017 - 14.00-18.30 hrs House of European History, Brussels

Interpretation: FR-EN

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EPP Group Working Groups on the Eastern Neighbourhood, Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy

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Throughout 2017, during Plenary sessions in Strasbourg, the EPP Group organised EPP Group Joint Working Groups under the leadership of Sandra Kalniete MEP (LV), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for the Working Group on ‘Foreign Affairs’ and the Eastern Neighbourhood and Andrey Kovatchev MEP (BG) Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for Enlargement and Mediterranean Policy.

Meetings with Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, provided a useful forum for engagement between the European Commission and the EPP Group on prevalent regional matters.

Asylum applicants in the EU-28

Source: Eurostat

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6. Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments Among the events, the Directorate organises and the responsibilities it is charged with include: • Summits of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament • Networks of national parliamentarians - Network of EPP Members responsible for European Affairs - Network of Young EPP Members • Bilateral meetings with the Chairmen and Vice-Presidents of the EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments on Brexit, with Esteban González Pons MEP (ES), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for ‘Legal and Home Affairs’ • Relations with Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COASC) - Participation in the meetings of Chairpersons - Participation in the plenary meetings - Assistance to the EP Vice-Chair responsible for relations with national Parliaments and the Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs •

Relations with the EPP Parliamentary Group of Assembly of the Council of Europe and the EPP Group of the Committee of the Regions - Common initiatives on common themes

• Communication and media relations with regard to the activities of the Directorate

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

The Directorate advises the EPP Group and its Members on institutional cooperation and legislative dialogue with national Parliaments, and provides support for developing dialogue with sister parliamentary groups and EPP Group Members.

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EPP Group Summit and Network The EPP Group organises biannually the Summits of the Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the EP and the meeting of the Network of Members of the European Parliament and national Parliaments on European Affairs from the EPP political family. The Summit and Network meetings are the central contact points with EPP national parliamentarians.

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25th Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament, Brussels, 26 June 2017 - The Future of Europe: Social and Economic Challenges and The Withdrawal Agreement with the United Kingdom Two important topics were discussed: the Future of Europe and Brexit. On “The Social and Economic Future of Europe” Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President of the European Commission, described how deepening the EMU is gathering pace; he emphasised that the EPP should play an important role in shaping the way forward. Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, said that making Europe more social must be a main objective. From an institutional perspective Mairead McGuinness MEP (IE), Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of the relations with national Parliaments, indicated that Brexit is an opportunity to improve relations between the European Parliament and national Parliaments.

Several speakers reflected on the evolution of populist politics in Europe and how the EPP can react.

Michel Barnier, EU Chief Negotiator on Brexit, provided a detailed overview of the state-of-play, and insisted the EPP should remain active and show leadership. Dara Murphy, Vice-President of the European People’s Party and EPP Campaign Director for Elections, welcomed the importance of the Irish border issue for the European Commission and highlighted that safeguarding citizens’ rights and the peace process are an absolute priority. Danuta Hübner MEP (PL), Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and Esteban González Pons MEP (ES), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for the Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs,’ and Brexit, reflected on the need to focus more on European projects. These include border security, migration and economic progress. Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, reflected on Brexit from an agricultural point of view, insisting that the EPP Party represents rural areas more than any other party does.

25 TH

Summit of Chairmen

of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments in the EU and in the European Parliament

Monday 26 June 2017 from 11.00 to 18.00hrs Room PHS P6 B001, European Parliament, Brussels

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Outlook for Brexit Negotiations

EPP Group Position Paper

Making Europe fit for the 21st century Following the UK notification and the European Council guidelines, the Commission made its recommendation to the Council on 3 May that talks be opened with the UK. The General Affairs Council should then, on 22 May 2017, adopt the negotiating directives and appoint the Commission as the Union negotiator. The Commission has already nominated Michel Barnier as its chief negotiator. According to the Commission, the actual negotiating period would only be around 18 months, to allow time for the conclusion of the withdrawal deal (EP consent, and conclusion of the agreement by the Council) to be completed in time for the 29 March 2019 deadline for UK membership of the EU to end (if the negotiating period is not extended). The UK government has committed to submitting a final deal to the UK Parliament for a yes or no vote, before the EP votes on the matter. It is unclear what would happen if the UK Parliament were to vote to reject a final deal.

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

EN

Further Reading: EPP Group Position Paper on the Future of Europe Available from the EPP Group Website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

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26th Summit of Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the national Parliaments of the EU and the European Parliament, 4 December 2017, Brussels - The Future of Europe: European Defence and A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union The future of defence took centre stage in the debate between European and national Members of Parliament from the EPP family. The event was co-chaired by Esther De Lange MEP (NL), ViceChair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for relations with National Parliaments, and Mart Nutt MP, Member of the parliamentary group Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Faction from Estonia. It was noted that Europe needs better organisation and more ambition on defence issues to solve its problems and that by working together everyone is stronger.

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Summit of Chairmen

of EPP Parliamentary Groups in the National Parliaments in the EU and in the European Parliament

Monday 4 December 2017 from 11.00 to 18.00hrs Room PHS P6 B001, European Parliament, Brussels

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen provided insights into the steps that have been taken regarding security and defence. David McAllister MEP (DE), Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, referring to PESCO, welcomed recent progress. Members saluted the decision of 23 MS to establish a Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) as one-step closer to achieving a European Defence Union. Speakers also highlighted that the EPP has been working tirelessly to achieve this decision on defence cooperation, and that this EPP success should be on the agenda for the 2019 European Elections.

The Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, emphasised the link between the Internal Market and Europe’s defence ambitions.

Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs Skills and Labour Mobility, said that the current Commission has always pushed for growth and jobs. 2017 was the first year in which all MS of the European Union experienced growth while unemployment and poverty levels shrunk. Europe, however, is not only about economic indicators, but primarily about citizens.

Regarding the Pillar of Social Rights - a list of twenty principles grouped around three main ideas: equal opportunities, fair working conditions and access to modern social protection - the three presidents signing the recent EU Social Summit document in Sweden were all EPP members. This demonstrates the importance of the social dimension to the EPP.

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Thorsten Frei MP, Member of the European affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Germany, underlined the fact that the EPP can point to many achievements with regard to economic and monetary policy. It was noted that the EU needs to further increase cooperation between MS, including further strengthening of the monetary union: the financial and economic crisis showed how dependent we are on each other. It was furthermore highlighted how important work at national level is. In this regard, the Economic and Monetary Union is vital because it has huge implications on the Eurozone economy and indirectly on all MS. Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for Political Strategy, and Chair of the European Ideas Network, noted that it is important national parliaments are well informed about the European agenda. IPEX (The platform for EU Interparliamentary Exchange) - the main platform to obtain information about ongoing European legislation - needs to be improved.

In conclusion, participants agreed that safety and security are the two key concepts the EPP should promote in the 2019 EP election campaign.

Citizens want to feel secure, and to provide for their families.

Source: European Council

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Tour of Capitals on Brexit Issues

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

In 2017, the EPP Group visited a number of national Parliaments during the period of the negotiations on Brexit, chaired by Esther de Lange MEP (NL), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for relations with national Parliaments, and Esteban González Pons MEP (ES), ViceChair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for the Working Group ‘Legal and Home Affairs,’ and Brexit. Meetings occurred in 27 MS, with the Chairperson of the Special Committee on Brexit (if the Parliament has already established one) or the Rapporteur on Brexit. At each meeting, they were accompanied by the EPP Group Head of National Delegation in the MS concerned, as well as other relevant Members.

The first meeting was organised in Ireland, on 10 May before the Bureau Meeting. The programme included visits and meetings with business, farming and community groups on both sides of the border, to gain first-hand knowledge of the particular challenges that Brexit poses.

Monday 20 March 2017 from 14.30 to 18.00 hrs

The second meeting, in Tallinn, Estonia, took place on 8 October.

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS NETWORK

The programme of the European Affairs Network featured Brexit, migration, security and budget issues.

The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani contributed. Martijn Lampert, Research Director at Motivaction International, provided data on the reasons for the anti-establishment upsurge in the West.

John Bruton, former Taoiseach and former Ambassador of the EU to the United States, highlighted that the after-effects of the financial crisis and the fear of globalisation are amongst the reasons for the rise of populism today. Thorsten Frei MP, Member of the Committee for European Affairs, Bundestag, Germany, reflected on globalisation and digitalisation and the impact they have on citizens, concluding that populists can respond with simple answers, which appeal to the electorate: a European response is needed to counter.

Room Loyola de Palacio 6Q1 European Parliament,Brussels

17th Meeting of the

EPP National Parliamentarians responsible for European Affairs and Members of the EPP Group in the European Parliament

Paulo Rangel MEP (PT), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group responsible for Political Strategy, Chairman of the European Ideas Network, noted that Brexit is not just a consequence of the Eurosceptic views of the British people but also of the growth of populism. Roberta Metsola MEP (MT), EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the EP, reminded participants that populism is not something new and observed that peace should not be taken for granted.

UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Legal and Procedural Issues

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

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EPP Group Young MP Erasmus Programme

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The EPP Young MP Erasmus is a one-week exchange programme for young MPs from EU MS, from the EPP political family. During this one-week programme, MPs gain an insider view of how policy-making in the EP and the EPP Group works. Participants are hosted by a fellow young MEP with similar interests. The participants also meet EPP Group leaders and policy advisers, offering an in-depth understanding of European dossiers that match the topics they are working on, based on a tailor-made programme.

The aim is to reinforce the link between the daily work of MPs, that often finds its origins in European legislation, and the European level of policymaking, as well as to set up participants with a network of fellow young colleagues in the EP. In 2017, nine MPs coming from six EU MS participated in the programme. The EPP Young MP Erasmus Programme will continue in 2018.

Young MP Erasmus programme Would you like to gain an insider view on the workings of the European Parliament?

Would you like to get to know your European counterparts better?

Extend your European political network?

Experience for yourself how legislation is drafted before it reaches the national Parliaments?

Would you like to share your experience and the issues that concern you with your European colleagues?

Then the EPP Young MP Erasmus Programme is just the thing for you!

What is it?

The EPP Young Members Network (YMN) organises a one week exchange programme for young MPs who are members of an EPP sister-party from a national Parliament. It is a unique experience that helps reinforce the links between Members of national Parliaments and Members of the European Parliament.

How does it work?

You are invited to move to Brussels for one week. There you will follow a young MEP colleague in his/her work, gain an in-depth understanding of European dossiers that match the topics you are working on, meet with influencers, decision-makers, voters and journalists and participate in any meetings that are relevant to your work.

The EPP Group’s Young Members Network will cover your accommodation and travel costs.

The dates available are: July:

Read more about us: http://bit.ly/24ELEni

11-14

September:

5-8, 26-29

October:

10-13, 17-20

November:

7-10, 14-17, 28-01

December:

5-8

07 08 09

#UpToUs

Further Reading: EPP Group: Young MP Erasmus programme Available from the EPP Group website: http://www.eppgroup.eu/publications

How to apply?

Just send us an e-mail: epp-youngmembers@europarl.europa.eu indicating the week of your choice and we’ll get in touch with you.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Tom Vandenkendelaere MEP (BE) Coordinator of the EPP Young Members Network

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EPP Young Members Network The EPP ‘Young Members Network Sessions’ series continued in 2017 with an event on the Future of Europe organised in Malta on 29 March as a side-event of the EPP Congress.

Attracting more than 45 young MPs and MEPs, the event was a success, having as main speakers Simon Busuttil, President of Partit Nazzjonalista (Malta) and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President of Nea Democratia (Greece). It was noted that the EPP has always been the party offering vision and leadership for Europe. It was underlined that in order to push the European project further a coalition of like-minded individuals must act to overturn the tide of populism and nationalism which threatens Europe.

The topics discussed concerned the EPP Party’s preparations for the 2019 European Elections and the future of EU financing.

Manfred Weber MEP (DE), Chairman of the EPP Group in the EP, underlined the importance of relating to citizens the successes of the EPP at both EU and national level. He stated that we need certainty and vision if we are to challenge the populists who are using uncertainty to create fear.

The upcoming campaign will be crucial in this regard. It was noted that it is important to engage with citizens and foster a positive narrative. EPP successes should be highlighted. Thus, a dynamic social media campaign will also be essential.

The importance of the Spitzenkandidat process was additionally highlighted; it was agreed that it should be repeated in 2019 as the EP elections are becoming even more politicised than before and that the elections are of extreme importance. The EPP Congress in November 2018 will choose the Spitzenkandidat.

It was observed that the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions (CoR) had an important role in the election campaign. To that end, the EPP Group in the CoR is organising more than 150 citizens’ dialogue events. Reaching citizens directly is an extremely important element of a successful campaign.

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Finally, an overview on the newly voted EU Budget and the future of EU financing was presented.

EU Budget Timing

European Parliamentary Week on the European Semester, 30 January - 1 February 2017

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

The EPP Group welcomed national MPs from across Europe for joint debates on the role of national Parliaments in the European Semester.

The meeting focused on improving the implementation of the Semester cycles, on better scrutinising the actions of the executive at national and European levels, as well as enhancing democratic accountability in the area of economic governance and budgetary policy in the EU, particularly in the EMU. The EPP Family meeting was co-chaired by Esther de Lange MEP (NL), Vice-Chair of the EPP Group in the EP responsible for relations with national Parliaments, and Jason Azzopardi, Member of the Maltese Parliament.

Within the framework of the European Parliamentary Week, two events took place: The Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union, co-hosted and co-presided by the House of Representatives of Malta and the EP. It provided a framework for debate and exchange of information and best practices in implementing the provisions of the Treaty. The goal is to strengthen cooperation between national Parliaments and the EP and contribute to ensuring democratic accountability in the area of economic governance and to solidify EU Budgetary policy.

08 09

Source: European Council

The European Semester Conference, organised by the EP, provided an opportunity to exchange information on best practices in implementing the Semester cycles, and to strengthen cooperation in order to scrutinise the actions of the executive at national and European levels within the framework of the European Semester cycle.

Who Does What in the European Semester?

Interparliamentary Committee Meetings A number of these meetings took place throughout the year offering the opportunity for national MPs to meet European Parliamentarians on issues of common interest.

Publications Two brochures were published on the Summit of the Chairmen of EPP Parliamentary Groups, as well as six separate newsletters relating to the general activities of the Service and the EPP Young Members Network. These publications are sent out to all our Members of the EPP Group and national Parliaments.

Source: European Council

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2017 marked an important milestone in the history of EPP Group Intercultural Dialogue Activity: it marked the 20th anniversary of continuous and structured Dialogue with Churches and Religious Institutions. Therefore, the 2017 EPP Group Annual Dialogue Conference was held in Zagreb, Croatia, with the aim of celebrating this unique area of activity that has been introduced, elaborated and expanded upon by the EPP Group over the two past decades.

Throughout 2017, a number of events were held aimed to fulfil EPP Group political priorities by providing an interactive debating forum for religious authorities and politicians. The events helped to reinforce existing links and support the elaboration of future initiatives.

The EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue proved a suitable and important platform for regular and structured cooperation with Churches and religious organisations.

Dialogue is based on the conviction that cooperation among decisionmakers and representatives of religions organisations is essential and necessary. Citizens expect elected representatives to provide solutions to multifaceted crises with political, economic, cultural and religious implications. Thus, a variety of activities were organised in 2017.

Thematic events: which covered widely debated political, religious, social and cultural issues. The goal was to further expand cooperation in areas related to migration, social cohesion, security and conflict resolution. A priority in 2017 involved debating means by which best to provide assistance in the humanitarian field with regard to persecuted Christians and other religious communities worldwide.

External visits: to places of political and religious significance. In 2017, these included Lebanon; Paris, France; Krakow, Poland; and Zagreb, Croatia.

Ultimately, Dialogue activities in 2017 further helped to spread information concerning EPP Group policy initiatives. They contributed to the presentation of an attractive idea of modern Christian Democracy in Europe as Dialogue reinforces non-negotiable European fundamental values as well as promoting a model of society that strengthens cohesion and the peaceful coexistence of cultures.

The following presents an overview of the activities carried out by Directorate for Intercultural and Religious Activities in 2017.

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1. Meetings: EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue The Europe-wide Burqa Debate

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Mgr. Paolo Rudelli, Special Envoy and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe, exchanged views with EPP Group MEPs on the ‘religious clothing question’ (often referred to in the press the Burqa or Niqab dispute) that is widely debated in many EU MS. A comprehensive overview was provided by citing debates and decisions taken in the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights as well as referring to the legal standards and guidance in relation to Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

Islam and European Identity Professor Olivier Roy from the European University Institute (EUI), Florence, Italy, underlined that questioning and understanding how - if at all - Islam is compatible with European identity. He noted that it is a difficult question underpinned by historical and cultural elements. It is important to understand that one should look at how people manage their relationship with religion, rather than what the Koran, the Bible or the Torah states. A means by which all different religions are compatible with each other is needed - without forgetting the unique religious history of Europe.

‘Open Doors’ Religious Freedom Report

Fighting Religious Extremism

Michel Varton, Director of Open Doors France, presented the key findings of the ‘2017 Open Doors World Watch List’ on Freedom of Religion and the Persecution of Christians. Open Doors works in over 50 countries worldwide, in close consultation with church leaders and Christians who experience first-hand the reality of the denial of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The report highlights those countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. This report uses data from Open Doors field workers and independent experts to track the deep structures of persecution, not merely specific incidents of persecution. Persecution of Christians rose globally for the third year in a row, reaching ‘unprecedented levels.’

Three guests, Dicky Sofjan, Core Doctoral Faculty at the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS), Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Mattie Heaven and Joel Heaven, Policy and Advocacy Advisers on Countering Extremism Under the Name of Islam at the International Organisation to Preserve Human Rights (IOPHR), London, presented their research findings and exchanged views with EPP Group MEPs on fighting religious extremism in the aftermath of the Manchester and London attacks.

Harassment of Christians in European Refugee Centres Rev. Gottfried Martens from Berlin presented an overview regarding the religiously motivated attacks on Christian refugees in German refugee shelters. The NGOs AVC (Action on behalf of Persecuted Christians and the Needy), EMG (European Mission Society) as well as ZOCD (Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany) and Open Doors presented their research in a well-documented report. The high number of newly documented incidents indicates a serious problem.

Migration to the EU and the Consequences of Religious Diversity According to the Metropolitan Emmanuel of France - from the Ecumenical Patriarchate - the issue is crucial for Christian faith and for the Orthodox Church in particular. Europeans need to consider and pursue the issue of how religion can promote social inclusion and justice. In conclusion, it was noted that religious actors and faith-based organisations can foster the improved inclusion of migrants.

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Asylum Applicants in the EU-28

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Source: European Parliamentary Research Service

De-radicalisation and the Fight against Terrorism Muslim and Jewish guests reflected together with EPP Group MEPs on how to improve preventative efforts against radicalisation and violent extremism alongside Rabbi Avi Tawil, Director of the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC); Nehama Dina Uzan, Programme Director of the EJCC; and Lahcen Hammouch, journalist and researcher in the field of terrorism. Participants noted that those most at risk must be identified at an early stage and the relevant measures adopted. The EP set up a Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) in 2017, the first time in its history the Institution has created a Committee exclusively dedicated to the fight against terrorism.

‘Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report of Christian Persecution and Oppression in the World 2015-2017’ At least 75 percent of all religiously-motivated violence and oppression is carried out against Christians and such persecution has worsened in the last two years, according to a new report produced by Aid to the Church in Need. Guest speakers Marcela Szymanski and John Newman told MEPs that the exodus of Christians in Iraq is so severe that one of the world’s oldest churches is on course to all but disappear within three years unless there is a dramatic change for the better. This same exodus is threatening the survival of Christianity in parts of Syria - including Aleppo, formerly home to one of the largest Christian communities in the whole of the Middle East. The defeat of Daesh and other militant extremists in major strongholds of the Middle East offers the last hope of recovery for Christian groups threatened with extinction.

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2. Meetings with High-level Religious and Political Leaders

3. Visits Lebanon

01 02 03 04 05

The meetings provided a forum to exchange views on a number of issues of shared interest, including: • International political affairs • Migration • Security and freedom of religion • The situation of religious minorities • Long-term development and international cooperation • The fight against extremism In 2017, meetings with the following representations were held: • Maronite Representatives • High-level religious Delegation from Azerbaijan • Delegation from Indonesia • OIC Ambassadors Annual Meeting • OIC Representatives from the Gulf States

A Delegation of EPP Group MEPs discussed the current political and religious situation, and that of refugees and neighbouring crises, in meetings with various representatives of different religious, institutional and political authorities and civil society. The persecution of Christians, the threat posed by terrorists, the Syrian war and fears for new crises in the Middle East and Lebanon topped the agenda of the meetings.

Kiev, Ukraine

A Delegation of EPP Group MEPs participated in a Conference entitled ‘The Role of Religion in European Integration - Ukraine and EU Perspectives’ organised with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations in Kiev from 18-19 September. Deliberations between MEPs, religious leaders (Christians, Muslim, Jewish) and political authorities on the role of religion and the current situation in Ukraine were conducted.

Paris, France

06 07 08 09

On 8 November 2017, a Delegation of EPP Group MEPs met at the ‘Collège des Bernardins’ in Paris. It was noted that the institution was built in the XIII century and became a centre of Latin education, theology, philosophy and literature. It was restored and opened to the public in 2008. The EPP Group Delegation underlined the role of religion in shaping society and values.

4. Thematic Conferences EPP Group Working Group Intercultural and Religious Dialogue

EPP Group Interreligious Dialogue & COMECE

Exhibition on

CONFERENCE ON RELIGION AND EU EXTERNAL ACTION

EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief

What’s next?

Hosted by MEPs György Hölvényi and Jan Olbrycht Co-Chairs of the EPP Group Interreligious Dialogue & Intercultural Activities Service Fr. Olivier Poquillon, O.P. General Secretary of COMECE

Wednesday 26 April 2017 from 16.30-19.00 hrs Room ASP 3E-2, European Parliament, Brussels Interpretation: DE FR EN IT

EPP GROUP INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

Conference

Churches and Religious Organisations’ accessibility to EU Funding for Cooperation projects Hosted by MEP György Hölvényi Co-Chair of the EPP Group Interreligious Dialogue & Intercultural Activities Service Tuesday 27 June 2017 from 16.30-18.30 hrs Room ASP 5H-1, European Parliament, Brussels Registration: EPP-Interreligious@ep.europa.eu

Registration at EPP-Interreligious@europarl.europa.eu until 23 June 2017

Global Ethic World Religions Universal Peace Hosted by Gyorgy Holvenyi MEP, Co-Chairman of the Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue Opened by: Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group Mairead McGuinness MEP, First Vice-President responsible for the European Parliament's dialogue with religions Günther Gebhardt, Head of Interreligious Dialogue Department of the WELTETHOS Foundation “No peace among the nations without peace among the religions.

No peace among the religions without dialogue between the religions.

No dialogue between the religions without investigation of the foundation of the religions.”

Hans Küng, Swiss theologian

Tuesday 16 May after the votes (approx. 13.30 - 13.45 hrs) Emilio Colombo 1st floor LOW building next to S 1.4 (Group Meeting room) European Parliament, Strasbourg

Interpretation: DE FR EN IT

Religion and Foreign Policy

Religious Organisations and Development

‘Global Ethic’ - WELTETHOS World Religions Conference and Exhibition

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CONFERENZA

01 02

ATTIVITÀ INTERCULTURALI DEL GRUPPO DEL PPE AL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO

Le donne nell’Islam Tra repressione ed emancipazione

03 04

On. Elisabetta Gardini Presidente della Delegazione Italiana (FI) del Gruppo PPE al Parlamento Europeo On. Lorenzo Cesa Presidente della Delegazione Italiana (UDC-NCD-SVP) del Gruppo PPE al Parlamento Europeo On. Alessandra Mussolini, Deputata al Parlamento Europeo Interventi di : Lamiya Haji Bashar (Irak), Premio Sacharov 2016, Mirza Dinnayi, Maryan Ismail, Karima Moual On. Sauad Sbai, già deputato del Parlamento Italiano, giornalista Con la partecipazione di : On. Mairead McGuinness Vice Presidente del Parlamento Europeo On. Željana Zovko, Membro della commissione sviluppo e della delegazione inter-parlamentare per le relazioni con la Bosnia Erzegovina, commissione Affari esteri Moderatore : Marco Respinti

05

ROUNDTABLE CENTRAL ASIA:

Freedom of religion or belief Persecution of Christians Hosted by Laima Andrikiene MEP Tuesday 11 April 2017 from 09.00 to 11.00 hrs Room JAN 6Q1, European Parliament, Brussels

Venerdì, 16 giugno 2017 - 09h30-13h00 Senato della Repubblica - Palazzo Carpegna Aula Commissione Difesa Via degli Staderari 2 - 00186 Roma

06 Women and Islam

07 08 09

Christians in the Middle East

Conference on Persecuted Christians

5. 20th Annual EPP Group Intercultural Dialogue with Churches and Religious Institutions, Zagreb, Croatia Theme: From Understanding to Cooperation. Promoting Interfaith Encounters to Meet Global Challenges György Hölvényi MEP (HU) and Jan Olbrycht (MEP (PL), Co-Chairs of the EPP Group Working Group on Intercultural Activities and Religious Dialogue, were among the main speakers.

The aim was to promote interfaith encounters to meet global challenges. The main themes of the discussion centred on the role of religion in the European integration process, the current migration and refugee crisis and its consequences on society and culture, and cooperation possibilities for mutual understanding.

The 20-year milestone provided a unique opportunity for debate by concentrating on the participation of churches in the debate on the situation in the Balkans. The meeting also presented an excellent opportunity to underline the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, which the EPP Group has been carrying out successfully for the last 20 years, and to take stock of that valuable experience to shape future policies.

20TH ANNUAL EPP GROUP INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE WITH CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

From understanding to cooperation

Zagreb, 7-8 December 2017

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Bringing Europe Closer to its Citizens The Directorate for Press and Communications ensures the dissemination to the media and the general public of EPP Group political priorities using the most advanced communication techniques.

The Directorate includes a team of press officers and press assistants who communicate in the 24 official languages of the EU, an Internet and Social Media Unit, EPP TV and a Publications Unit.

The Directorate for Press and Communications also manages several programmes aimed to help MEP communications, such as the ‘Meet your MEP’ Programme, Media Training and social media support, Newsletters and activity reports and communication projects for National Delegations.

In demonstrating the work of the Directorate for Press and Communications, the following provides an example of two EPP Group joint communications campaigns and presents an overview of the work carried out by the Units of the Directorate in 2017.

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EPP Group Joint Communication Campaign 2017: 1 An EU Success Story: End of Roaming Charges Benefits 500 million citizens

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Thanks to the strong commitment and political leadership of the EPP Group in the EP, roaming charges across the EU were abolished as of 15 June 2017. The historic agreement, negotiated by the EPP Group on behalf the EP, benefits more than 500 million consumers as well as Europe’s SMEs and start-ups in all sectors.

The abolishment of roaming charges also represents the end of another barrier to the free circulation of people and services inside the EU. It represents a good example of the EU’s added value and demonstrates its capacity to achieve concrete results, thus strengthening the European project. Moreover, the end of roaming is an important step in the development of the Digital Single Market, one of the European Institutions’ key priorities.

A joint media campaign across all relevant communication channels actively engaged citizens on the subject, fostering interest and involvement in what was a most pertinent issue for European citizens.

The abolition of roaming charges represented a clear success for the EPP Group and demonstrated the effectiveness of a comprehensive media campaign.

08 09

Source: European Commission

EPP Group Joint Communication Campaign 2017: 2 Making Citizens Aware that the EU is Delivering in the Fight Against Terrorism Following the Paris attacks in November 2015, the EPP Group set out its objectives to fight terrorism and make Europe safer. To this end, in 2017, the EP passed legislation to help fight the threat of terrorism in the EU by introducing mechanisms of prevention and the criminalisation of terrorist attempts.

The new rules, in form of a Directive on Combating Terrorism, will help prevent terrorist attacks by criminalising acts such as undertaking training or travelling for terrorist purposes, as well as organising or facilitating such travel. They also strengthen the rights of the victims of terrorism.

In July, at the initiative of the EPP Group, MEPs approved establishing a Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR). The Committee will examine and evaluate the extent of the terrorist threat on European soil and investigate any potential faults and malfunctions which might have allowed recent terrorist attacks in MS to occur.

As the security of EU citizens is a top priority for the EPP Group, developments in the fight against terrorism were communicated through many platforms, including: press releases - made available in several languages and weekly ‘Highlights.’ Breaking news coverage was simultaneously provided via real-time social media feeds, EPP-TV, the EPP Group website, and our Instagram and Flickr photo channels.

To get our message across and fully engage with EU citizens, our work was carried out in close cooperation with our counterparts in the European Commission and Council, and the EPP Party.

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EPP Group Internet and Social Media Unit

01

Sharing, Collaborating and Engaging with EU Citizens

02

Social Media

03 04 05 06 07 08 09

2017 was a successful year for the EPP Group on Facebook. The number of followers increased by 46%. Moreover, the use of videos generated the most engagement among Facebook users. Videos included short quotes by MEPs, behind the scenes footage of Parliamentary work, animations and campaign videos.

We shifted our focus from reach towards engagement. Our success was reflected through citizen interaction in the following campaigns:

• Celebration of the Treaty of Rome • CETA • Discover EU • Brexit • Erasmus 30 years • 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage • Success stories 2017 • Christmas campaign Follow the EPP Group on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/EPPGroup

In 2017, the EPP Group Twitter account continued to grow:

In 2017, the EPP Group Twitter account gained 15,000 more followers more than 90,000 in total, an average of 20 new followers per day.

On Instagram, the EPP Group ran four highly successful separate campaigns in 2017. These included:

Collaboration with our followers was particularly noticeable in the #DiscoverEU, #Interrail and #Erasmus campaigns.

• #BeBoldForChange • #EU60 • #Wedelivered • #EUChristmasSpirit

Regarding engagement, the number of tweets also grew from 19,871 to 20,700, with an average of: • • • •

20 link clicks per day 30 re-tweets per day 46 likes per day 105 replies per day

Follow the EPP Group on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/EPPGroup

The EPP Group fostered engagement by combining corporate content (Facebook posts) and artistic images – it proved a winning formula. The EPP Group is the only Parliamentary Group to apply this strategy Follow the EPP Group on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/eppgroup

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01

EPP Group ‘Meet your MEP Programme’ (MYMEP)

Europe Day

Launched and managed by the Directorate for Press and Communications, the ‘Meet your MEP Programme’ showcases the daily work and activities of EPP Group MEPs. It allows EPP Group MEPs to invite regional journalists, young people, people with disabilities and staffers of EPP sister parties in the national Parliaments to see them at work. Since its inception in 2010, the programme has accommodated more than 20,000 visitors in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Europe Day is held on 9 May every year to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical ‘Schuman Declaration’. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French Foreign Minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.

02

Information and Promotional Material 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Responding to the ever-increasing numbers coming to meet our MEPs in Brussels and Strasbourg involves ensuring that all visitors receive leaflets, brochures and supplementary material to inform and help them understand the day-to-day activities of the EPP Group. The quality and origin of the material we distribute is of utmost important to us: as a principle, the EPP Group uses renewable material and European production for its promotional material. At present, over 85% of the items the Group distributes are sourced in Europe. Detailed certification that all material complies with employment and environmental directives is required from suppliers.

His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

Europe Day - European Parliament Open Days To celebrate Europe Day, the EU Institutions open their doors to the public in early May in Brussels and Strasbourg. Local EU offices in Europe and all over the world organise a variety of activities and events for all ages.

In 2017, the EPP Group treated visitors to exhibitions, information and interactive stands as well as informal debates with MEPs so that citizens had the opportunity to discover how the work of the EPP Group in the EP directly impacts on their daily lives.

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EPP Group EPP TV In 2007, the Directorate for Press and Communications was the first to establish its own EP Web TV platform. The EPP Group has a WebTV team with its own studio and a full-time camera operator and technician.

01 02

In 2017, EPP-TV communicated the latest news from inside the EP and reported on EPP Group success stories, events and activities. Videos produced in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish were uploaded on ‘The Newsmarket,’ and on our EPP TV Media Centre, an online video distribution platform that is accessible to media professionals.

Follow EPP TV at: http://www.eppgroup.eu/videos

03 04 05 06 07 08 09

Access EPP Group videos from The Newsmarket: http://epp.synapticdigital.com/

Check out EPP-TV activities in 2017:

EPP Group Publications Unit In 2017, the Publications team produced, coordinated, distributed and managed an extensive print and online publishing programme to bring EPP Group policies and activities closer to European citizens and targeted professional circles.

Where can you find our publications?

View and download all publications on the Group website: www.eppgroup.eu/publications View and download a selection interactive eBook publications from the EPP Group shelf on the Issuu digital publishing platform: https://issuu.com/eppgroup The EPP Group presence on the Issuu publishing platform, managed by the Publications Unit, continued to grow in 2017. By December, 258 interactive publications had received almost 380.000 ‘impressions’.

EPP Group publications are integrated with our social media channels.

Relevant Facebook and Twitter posts are frequently supported by our publications, as are EPP Group Press Releases.

Publications were moreover circulated to the EPP Group external offices in Berlin, Warsaw, Paris, Madrid, Rome and Bucharest.

Selection of multilingual EPP Group Position Papers

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Internal publications and stationery The Unit also worked on several one-off publications at the request of EPP Group Delegations, including brochures on the ‘The Democratic Opposition in Venezuela’ which supported the EPP Group proposal for the Sakharov Prize, and the ‘EPP Group YMN - Erasmus for young MPs’ which promoted the 2018 Programme.

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Newsletters and Service activity reports documenting EPP Group initiatives and external meetings are additionally published. The Unit also produced for internal purposes branded stationery, business cards, signage for corridors and panels for the various Directorates.

In 2017, the Publications Unit published:

The 2017 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to the Democratic Opposition in Venezuela. The EPP Group supported their candidacy to acknowledge their struggle for democracy, civic freedoms and the rule of law. Awarding the Sakharov Prize to the democratic opposition and to all the political prisoners in Venezuela represented the best spirit of the prize and served the cause of freedom of conscience, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The Democratic Opposition in Venezuela

EPP Group brochure on The Democratic Opposition in Venezuela

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About us

Presidency

The European People’s Party (EPP) is the political family of the centreright, whose roots run deep in the history and civilisation of the European continent, and which has pioneered the European project from its inception. Tracing back its roots to Europe’s Founding Fathers – Robert Schuman, Alcide De Gasperi, and Konrad Adenauer – the EPP is committed to a strong Europe based on a federal model that relies on the principle of subsidiarity.

The EPP is led by the Presidency, an executive body. It decides on the general political guidelines of the Party and presides over the Political Assembly. The Presidency is composed of: (i) the President of the EPP (ii) the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, the President of the European Parliament (if these persons are affiliated with the EPP) (iii) the Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament; (iv) the Honorary President(s) (v) ten Vice-Presidents (vi) the Treasurer (vii) the Secretary-General

Founded in 1976, the EPP is a party of values, based on the Christian view of mankind and the Christian Democratic concept of society. The EPP strives for a democratic, transparent and efficient Europe that is close to its citizens. Through the promotion of the social market economy, the EPP aspires to achieve a prosperous Europe. The EPP is the largest political party in Europe, currently with 77 member parties and partners from 41 countries, 13 heads of state and government (8 EU and 5 non-EU), 14 European Commissioners, and the largest group in the European Parliament with 217 members.

Structure The European People’s Party is horizontally engaged with all the main EU Institutions including the European Council, Council of the EU, European Commission, and European Parliament. In addition to Parliament, the EPP has Groups in the Committee of the Regions, in the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, OSCE, NATO and Euronest.

Internally, the EPP has three levels of decision making: the Presidency, Political Assembly and Congress.

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The composition of the EPP Presidency as of 1 December 2017 is as follows:

Vice-Presidents

Treasurer

(alphabetical order by surname)

Christian SCHMIDT Germany (CSU)

President Kinga GÁL Hungary (Fidesz)

Honorary President

Secretary-General

Johannes HAHN Austria (ÖVP)

Sauli NIINISTÖ Finland (Kokoomus)

02

Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZ WHITE Spain (PP)

Jyrki KATAINEN Finland (Kokoomus)

03

Ex Officio Vice-Presidents

David McALLISTER Germany (CDU)

04

Jean-Claude JUNCKER Luxembourg (CSV)

05

Antonio TAJANI Italy (Forza Italia)

06

Donald TUSK Poland (PO)

07

Manfred WEBER Germany (CSU)

Joseph DAUL France (Les Républicains)

01

08 09

Dara MURPHY Ireland (Fine Gael) Paulo RANGEL Portugal (PSD) Marianne THYSSEN Belgium (CD&V) Rafał TRZASKOWSKI Poland (PO) Corien WORTMANN-KOOL The Netherlands (CDA)

Political Assembly

Congress

The Political Assembly defines the positions of the Party between each Congress, decides on membership applications and finalises political guidelines. The Political Assembly also decides on the budget and safeguards the political presence of the EPP between Congress meetings. The Political Assembly is composed of designated delegates from EPP member and associate member parties, member associations and groups, and guests of observer member parties. The number of delegates for each party is linked to the election result in the last European election so that parties are weighted according to their strength. This allows the taking of decisions by majority. The Political Assembly meets at least four times per year and defines the mandate of the Working Groups, which prepare the Party’s policy documents and recommendations.

The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the Party. It is composed of delegates from EPP member and associate member parties, member associations and parliamentary groups, as well as representatives from observer member parties The EPP Congress meets statutorily once every three years and elects the EPP Presidency.

The Congress, attended by EPP heads of state and government and party leaders, decides on the main policy documents and electoral programmes.

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EU Heads of State and Government of the EPP (As of 1 December 2017, in alphabetical order by surname) President

Prime Minister

Nicos ANASTASIADES Cyprus (DISY)

Viktor ORBÁN Hungary (Fidesz)

Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Boyko BORISSOV Bulgaria (GERB)

Andrej PLENKOVIĆ Croatia (HDZ)

President

Prime Minister

04

Klaus IOHANNIS Romania (PNL)

Mariano RAJOY Spain (PP)

05

Chancellor

Taoiseach

06

Angela MERKEL Germany (CDU)

Leo VARADKAR Ireland (Fine Gael)

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07 08 09

Non-EU Heads of State and Government of the EPP (As of 1 December 2017, in alphabetical order by surname) Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Prime Minister

Dragan ČOVIĆ Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH)

Erna SOLBERG Norway (Høyre)

President

President

Doris LEUTHARD Switzerland (CVP)

Aleksandar VUČIĆ Serbia (SNS)

President Serzh SARGSYAN Armenia (HHK)

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EPP Members of the European Commission

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President

European Commissioners

Jean-Claude JUNCKER President of the European Commission Luxembourg (CSV)

Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS Migration, Home Affairs & Citizenship Greece (ND)

Carlos MOEDAS Research, Science & Innovation Portugal (PSD)

Vice-Presidents

Elżbieta BIEŃKOWSKA Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs Poland (PO)

Tibor NAVRACSICS Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Hungary (Fidesz)

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS Euro & Social Dialogue Latvia (Unity) Jyrki KATAINEN Jobs, Growth, Investment & Competitiveness Finland (Kokoomus)

Miguel Arias CAÑETE Climate Action & Energy Spain (PP) Mariya GABRIEL Digital Economy and Society Bulgaria (GERB) Johannes HAHN European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Austria (ÖVP) Phil HOGAN Agriculture & Rural Development Ireland (Fine Gael)

Günther OETTINGER Budget & Human Resources Germany (CDU) Christos STYLIANIDES Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management Cyprus (DISY) Marianne THYSSEN Employment, Social Affairs, Skills & Labour Mobility Belgium (CD&V)

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Source: European Commission

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The College of Commissioners in a Historical Perspective

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Source: European Parliament Research Service

Summits

Ministerial Meetings

EPP heads of state and government, party leaders in coalition governments and/or in opposition, the EPP Presidency and the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission meet for EPP Summits prior to European Council meetings. These important sessions offer EPP leaders an informal and confidential setting to seek consensus within the EPP family in an effort to develop common positions at the European Council.

In 2007, the EPP inaugurated a new political process with the first EPP Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting in order to discuss the foreign policy priorities on the EU Ministers’ agenda. Following this successful model, the EPP then launched informal meetings with the EPP Ecofin Ministers in 2008, and again expanded the concept in 2010. The current list of meetings includes: Foreign Affairs, Economic and Financial Affairs, Defence, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, Justice and Home Affairs, Trade and General Affairs.

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Working Groups Working groups are the backbone of the EPP’s political work, where highprofile representatives from the EPP member parties develop common positions and strategies on major policy areas and submit specific recommendations to the Political Assembly for final approval.

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Working Group 1: European Policy

Campaign Managers Meeting

This working group has the task of preparing the EPP’s most vital policy papers and Congress documents on European issues.

This committee coordinates with member parties to plan campaigns.

The exchange of experiences in past election campaigns, as well as the long-term preparation of European issues and the campaigns for the European Parliament elections, brings added value to the member parties and to the EPP.

Working Group 2: Economic and Social Policy

03 04

This working group is focused on responding to the current economic and financial challenges facing Europe, social and demographic issues, as well as research and development.

Working Group 3: EPP Membership

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This working group promotes and facilitates the accession of new ordinary EPP member, associate, observer member parties and partner parties. When a party from an EU country is accepted into the EPP, its elected representatives automatically join the EPP Group in the European Parliament, and all other EPP Groups and organisations.

Ad hoc Working and Expert Groups On topics such as climate change, agriculture, migration, digital technologies or budget, the EPP organises on an ad hoc basis meetings to bring experts, academics and representatives of our member parties together.

Associations Youth of the European People‘s Party (YEPP)

European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW)

YEPP, led by President Andrianos Giannou, is the EPP’s official youth organisation. YEPP’s members are national party-political youth organisations. The purpose of all 61 member organisations, as well as for YEPP, is to provide young people with a channel to influence the shaping of their societies with democratic means and centre-right, Christian Democratic and conservative ideas. YEPP brings together more than a million young people in 40 countries of Europe, making it the largest party-political youth organisation in Europe.

The EUCDW is the voice and official association of Christian Democratic workers in the EPP, with 24 member organisations from 18 different countries. Led by Elmar Brok MEP, EUCDW represents workers’ interests in EU policy-making; promotes Christian-social principles and policies in the EPP; and provides grounds for training, discussion and cooperation to prepare European workers’ organisations to build tomorrow’s Europe.

European Democrat Students (EDS)

SME Europe, led by Bendt Bendtsen MEP, is the EPP organisation for small and medium entrepreneurs, shaping EU policies in a SME-friendly way. As a proactive organisation within the political networks of Christian Democrats and conservatives, SME Europe brings a new spirit and a fresh entrepreneurial spirit into the political debate.

EDS is the official students’ organisation of the EPP. Founded in 1961, EDS brings together students and young political leaders from all over Europe to promote a political pro-European exchange. Led by Chairman Virgilio Falco, EDS has 42 member organisations from 35 countries, representing over 1,600,000 students and youngsters.

European Seniors’ Union (ESU) Since 1995, the ESU is a growing network of seniors’ associations from all over Europe. Today, it consists of 34 member organisations in 27 countries. Led by President An Hermans, the ESU is dedicated to the advancement of the rights of senior citizens and their engagement in society, and to respond to the challenges of demographic changes.

Small and Medium Entrepreneurs of Europe (SME Europe)

Women of the European People’s Party (EPP Women) EPP Women (European’s People Party) is an official association dedicated to the advancement of women in the European Union. The association consists of members of likeminded European parties and is led by its President, Doris Pack. EPP Women is composed of over 60 member organisations from EPP political parties which are members of the EPP in the European Union and non-EU countries. All member organisations are women’s organisations from political parties.

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Think-tanks

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Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies

Robert Schuman Institute

Founded in 2007 as the Centre for European Studies and renamed in 2014 in honour of the late EPP President, the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies (Martens Centre) is the official think-tank of the EPP. Led by President Mikuláš Dzurinda, the Martens Centre serves as a common European framework for national foundations and think-thanks recognised by EPP member parties. It is governed under the revised 2007 “EU Regulation on political parties at European level and rules regarding their funding.”

The “Union of the Robert Schuman Institute for Developing Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe” (RSI) has been operating as the European level training centre for politicians and parties of the EPP family since 1995 in Budapest. The RSI organises international courses for youth and women leaders, newly elected politicians, staff and officials of the EPP sister and co-operating parties of the developing democracies in the region. Since the 2004 EU enlargement, the Institute has focused mostly on Eastern and South-eastern European countries. The President of RSI is Doris Pack.

The core activities of the Martens Centre are its research and study projects, which are complemented and supported by conferences, seminars, workshops and publications, many of which are executed in conjunction with its member organisations. The aim of the foundation is to contribute both to the public awareness of European citizens on the development of European integration and to help decision-makers, such as EPP heads of state and government and EPP party leaders, to formulate new and effective policy options.

Publications Unit Directorate for Press and Communications EPP Group in the European Parliament Editor: Pedro López de Pablo Responsible: Pete Pakarinen Coordinator: Mark Dunne EPP Group Graphic Designer: Constantin Deaconescu Address: European Parliament

Rue Wiertz, 60

B - 1047 Brussels Internet: www.eppgroup.eu Email: epp-publications@ep.europa.eu Copyright: EPP Group in the European Parliament

© European Parliament

ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EPP GROUP 2017

Publisher:

2017

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