EDS Annual Report 2022-2023

European Democrat students

Annual Report 2022-2023

annual Report 2023

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EDS Annual Report 2022-2023 European Democrat Students Rue du Commerce 10 B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Office: +32 2 285 41 50 Email: students@epp.org Website: www.edsnet.eu Facebook: facebook.com/edsnet.eu Twitter: @edsnet Instagram: @edsnet.eu PUBLISHER European Democrat Students CONTRIBUTIONS LAYOUT AND DESIGN Kite Group Ltd. COPYRIGHT EDS 2023, All Rights Reserved ISSN - 2042-34017

GREETINGS BUREAU WORKING GROUPS AND RESOLUTIONS EVENTS PUBLICATIONS member organisations

Chairman’s Letter Dear Members, It is with immense enthusiasm that I present to you the Annual Report of the European Democrat Students (EDS) for the year. For over six decades, EDS has stood as a beacon of conservative and liberal values, uniting students across Europe and championing the cause of a stronger, pro-European continent. As we reflect on the past year’s achievements, I am thrilled to share with you the remarkable progress we have made together.

This year has been nothing short of a resounding success for the entire EPP Family. Witnessing young members ascending to governmental roles in various European countries, from Finland to Greece and most recently in Spain, fills us with a sense of hope and optimism. The emergence of our members as young politicians signals a bright future for our movement and the values we hold dear.

Moreover, this year has seen us engage in impactful campaigns that resonate with the aspirations of the youth.

One such campaign, in collaboration with the European Youth Forum and other youth organizations, was our joint effort to ban unpaid traineeships. This endeavor reflects our dedication to the betterment of young people’s lives, striving for fair and dignified opportunities for all.

As we look ahead to the upcoming European elections, we recognize that no organization or family is without its challenges. However, it is precisely how we confront and overcome these hurdles that define our character. United as an EDS family, we shall remain proactive, working hand in hand with the youth of Europe to effect positive change in our communities and beyond.

Central to our mission is the cultivation of young political talent and leadership. We are committed to supporting our members in their journey towards becoming young candidates, empowering them to make a real difference in the political landscape. Together, we will shape a Europe that reflects our values, aspirations, and visions for a better future.

In the face of those who seek to exploit our differences and undermine our collective efforts, we stand strong in our unity. Our diversity is our strength, forged through the trials of history, making us more resilient than ever before.

With this unity, we will not only uphold our conservative and liberal values but also demonstrate our commitment to fostering an inclusive and prosperous Europe for all.

Looking forward, our ultimate goal remains clear— to make the EPP the largest political party in Europe, including within our vibrant student base. Through unwavering dedication, collaboration, and passion for our ideals, we shall pave the way for a Europe that truly embodies the spirit of democracy, freedom, and progress.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our member organisations, fellow Executive Bureau Members, Bullseye Editors and the whole EDS Team who have contributed to our success this year. Your unwavering dedication and commitment have been the driving force behind our achievements, and I have no doubt that together, we will continue to scale new heights.

With great excitement and hope for the future, Beppe Galea Chairman, European Democrat Students

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SECRETARY GENERAL’s Letter

Dear friends, As Secretary-General, it is my great pleasure and pride to present to you our annual report. As EDS, we represent various member student organizations across Europe, and we come together to celebrate a year of collective achievements, progress, and unwavering dedication to democratic principles.

This annual report is a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant student environment where ideas can flourish and voices are heard. It encapsulates the relentless pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and positive change that drives us in our respective academic institutions but has an even broader impact on our societies.

Throughout the pages of this report, you will find a myriad of affairs, events, motions, and initiatives that showcase the impact we have made, both on our members and within our wider communities. From inspiring advocacy campaigns to thought-provoking discussions, we have relentlessly strived to uphold the values of democracy and solidarity, empowering the youth to play an active role in shaping the future of our beloved continent.

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of modern education, the impact of AI, climate change, the war

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in Ukraine, societal challenges, and affordable housing, our unity as European Democrat Students has proven to be a formidable force for good. We have fostered a spirit of collaboration, transcending borders and cultural differences to work collectively toward a brighter and more democratic Europe.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each member organization for your unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to our shared vision. Your passion and drive are the driving forces behind the success of our collective endeavors, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside you on this journey.

As we delve into the depths of this annual report, let us celebrate our progress, acknowledge the challenges we have faced, and use the insights gained to propel ourselves even further toward a future built on democratic values.

Together, let us continue to foster a dynamic platform for dialogue, debate, and action as we embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Next year we expect European elections, and our role should be significant as we deserve it.

Ivan Botoucharov Secretary General

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Beppe Galea Chairman

Executive Bureau

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Beppe Galea (23) lives in Gozo, Malta and is currently reading for a Master of Science in Strategic Management and Digital Marketing at the University of Malta. He is the Deputy News Manager of Newsbook.com.mt and his first degree is in European Studies. During the past years, he was active in various youth organisations, both in Malta and Gozo. He is the Deputy Secretary General of the National Youth Council of Malta (KNZ) where he was elected on behalf of the National Scout Youth Council representing Scouts from Malta and Gozo. He has been active in Studenti Demokristjani Maltin since 2012 and served as International Officer of the organisation for two years between 2015-2017. His first EDS event was the Winter University of 2016 where he represented SDM at the Council Meeting in Berlin. In 2017 he was elected as Vice Chairman of the European Democrat Students were his main responsibilities where social media and communications. Between 2015 and 2018 he worked as an MEP assistant for two Maltese MEPs both in Brussels and in Malta. In 2017, he was also involved in the organisation of Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union as Liaison Officer.

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Ivan Botoucharov Secretary General

Ramón Riera Vice-Chairman

Ivan lives in London, he has proud Bulgarian roots and has been fortunate to live and study in Bulgaria, the USA, Italy and the UK. He works as an Executive at Colliers International (Global Top 3 Commercial Real Estate), where he leads the team managing Digital Innovation in Europe, Middle East and Africa, which includes 150 offices in 42 countries. Ivan has studied at universities in the UK (UEA and LMU) and the USA (UCLA), and holds a full Chartered status from the Institute of Marketing, granted by authority of The Queen’s Privy Council. During and after his studies Ivan co-founded and led OneEurope, which became Europe’s largest citizens media under his tenure. In the course of his EDS career Ivan has been the head of the UK delegation since 2017 as well as 1st Vice-Chair with a historical record number of votes. He currently serves as the Secretary General of EDS. Ivan is also the President of the Nordic Conservative Student Union (NKSU) which unites Nordic and Baltic countries as well as Ireland and the UK. Ivan is the Chair of the UK organisation in EDS - the Young Conservative European Forum. He also serves on the Board of Executives in their parent organisation, which enjoys the support of 70 Conservative Members of Parliament and the House of Lords.

Ram.n Riera (25) graduated in Business and Law at ESADE (Barcelona) in 2019, but also studied abroad in Georgetown University and St. Gallen Universit.t. He holds an LLM in International Business Law and is a member of the bar association of Madrid. During 2017, he worked in the European Parliament in the office of an MEP of the EPP Group, member of INTA committee.

Currently, he is working as a lawyer in the area of M&A and Private Equity. Since April 2021 he is the secretary for international politics of NNGG Spain. He entered this organization in 2012 when he was appointed the Vice-chairman of the NNGG Pupils in Catalonia, he is currently in charge of the territorial growth of NNGG in that region. His activity in EDS started in February 2019 in the Winter University in Barcelona where he was the head of the NNGG delegation. Since then, he has been actively involved being co-chair of the Energy & Sustainability Working Group and later, co-chair of the Policies for Europe Working Group. He was elected First Vice-chairman of EDS in July 2021 in the Council Meeting held in Malta; as First Vice Chairman of EDS he is currently responsible of the financial resources and the relations with the EPP.

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Dóra Hidas Vice-Chairwoman

Edvardas Lukošius Vice-Chairman

Dóra Hidas (22) is currently a Law student at Pázmány Péter Catholic University, and besides that she is studying at Corvinus University of Budapest Faculty of International Relations. She got interested in politics at a young age therefore she has been an active member of Fidelitas since 2019, and from 2020 she is the ViceChairwoman of Fidelitas Tatabánya. Dóra has been participated in the campaigning work in 2019 during the municipal elections in Hungary, and in the same year throughout European elections as well. Even though the Covid-19 pandemic did not allow the personal meetings in the last one and a half year, she is actively participating online in EDS council meetings since 2020 November.

She has been elected as Vice-Chairwoman during Malta Summer University in 2021, and now within the bureau is responsible for the changes in the official Book of Statutes of EDS.

Edvardas Lukošius is currently studying Economics and Politics in the ISM University of Management and Economics in Vilnius. He is currently working in the higher education sector in the field of communications and branding at the ATHENA European University network. Edvardas has been an active member of the Young Conservatives League in Lithuania for a number of years now and is currently serving his third term as a board member and international secretary. In this capacity he has represented JKL in EDS since 2019 and has served two terms as a co-chair of the Sustainability and Energy working group bringing a plethora of motions to EDS council meetings on the topics of energy, green transition, security and democracy. Currently, Edvardas, as a vice-chair of EDS, is responsible for policy and communications of the organisation.

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Rayno d. Stoyanov Vice-Chairman

Katerina Kyriacou Vice-Chairwoman

Rayno D. Stoyanov is Bulgarian citizen. He is working as junior associate in “Stoyanov & partners” Law house. He is a member of Union of the Democratic Forces(UDF) since 2007, there he was a municipal chairman and member of the National council of the party for 20142018 period and since 2018 he is one out of seven members in the Supervising Council of UDF. Rayno is also Secretary General and International Secretary of the Federation of the Independent Student Societies(FISS).

He was part of BullsEye Magazine editorial team for two working years before he was elected as European Democrat Students(EDS) Vice Chair in 2021.

Katerina is 24 years old with a BSC in Economics from the University of Leicester and an MA degree in International Political Economy at King’s College London. From 2018 onwards, she has been an active member of the student organization FPK PROTOPORIA in the United Kingdom’s branch where she has held the position of VicePresident. Upon joining EDS as a delegate, she became a Co-Chair of the PWG on Human Rights and is currently a Co-Chair of PWG of the Conference of the Future of Europe. Currently she teaches Economics at a college in Cyprus and is working in the Risk Management field as a Financial Risk Consultant. In the meantime, she holds the position of Events Planner of the youth organisation of the Democratic Rally in Nicosia, Cyprus. She is especially interested in areas such as development and economics, academically, and is involved in charity organisations and empowering women through politics.

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Anna Vorderwinkler Vice-Chairwoman

Agata Czyzewska Vice-Chairwoman

Anna (23) is currently pursuing a double degree in law and economics at the University of Vienna. She is particulary interested in international and european law and has been awarded multiple additional diplomas in these fields, inter alia by the Austrian Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs, the Center International de Formation Europèenne as well as the University of Vienna. In 2019 she joined Aktionsgemeinschaft and served two years as president of the student’s curia at her home university. Currently, she is international secretary and vice president of AG’s national executive board. Additionally, Anna works part-time in a law firm specialising in civil matters and is active in local politics, serving as international secretary of the party’s youth branch in her district. After her first EDS council meeting in the beginning of 2020 she joined the BullsEye editorial team, focussing on current political events with a historic perspective. Within the next two years Anna will be in charge of our in-house magazine BullsEye, giving a voice to young amazing writers and promoting european values.

Agata Czyżewska was born and raised at Polish seaside, in the city of solidarity and freedom - Gdańsk. She has graduated International Economic Relations and international Management, her passion for EU politics started right after. Agata is mainly focused on youths mental health, sustainable environment policies and strengthening regional cooperation. In SMD Poland, she is running international team of 18 members contributing to bilateral cooperation with sister organizations in Europe.

Outside of politics, Agata is passionate about water and winter sports with instructor license for windsurfing and skiing.

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Iryna Shatokhina Vice-Chairwoman

Nicklas Verne Deputy Secretary General

Iryna (23) is a young politician in Ukraine. She holds a Master’s degree in Linguistics (Swedish, English and German languages) from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Iryna is currently Secretary General of Solidarna Molod, the youth organization of European Solidarity political party. Before Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine, she has been implementing different nationwide projects in Ukraine, which bring up new generation of young professionals able to cooperate with the EU on the basis of the European values. Since the 24th of February Iryna actively volunteers to help Ukrainian armed forces. In EDS she has served two terms as a co-chair of the Human Rights working group bringing a plethora of motions to EDS council meetings on the topics of violations of HR and democracy.

Currently, Iryna, as a vice-chair of EDS, is responsible for the internal communications of the organisation.

Nicklas Verne is a 23-year-old student studying Politics and Business Administration. He is working in a consultancy firm named NTU International A/S as a Student Assistant. He is also a candidate for European Parliament elections in 2024 for the Conservative People’s Party in Denmark.

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Vladimir Kljajic Deputy Secretary General

Francesco Sismondini Executive Officer

Vladimir Kljajic is currently deputy secretary of the EDS, and he is also the director of a small Educational and Cultural Center in Belgrade. Vladimir is a student of American Studies at the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade.

Francesco Sismondini obtained a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at the Catholic University of Milan.

Currently he is pursuing a Master’s degree in International Cooperation at the University of Milan. For the past two years Francesco has been actively involved with the EDS European Elections 2019 WG as Co-chairman. He is the International Secretary of his national organization StudiCentro where he was responsible for organising several meetings both in Italy and Brussels between students and politicians from all over the world. He is passionate about public and institutional relations. He is currently Tutor of the Christian Political “Lab. Ora 1000” established to foster Christian leadership all over the country. He is working in the consultancy field responsible for European Affairs for SYNEDRIA Paris. At EDS, Francesco is responsible to work from the Brussels Office for the entire EDS Team.

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Carlo Giacomo Angrisano Girauta Honorary Chairman

Valentina Podesta Ambassador for Gen­der Equality

Carlo Giacomo (24) graduated in Law at ESADE Law School in 2019. Carlo has been Vice Chair of EDS between 2017 and 2019, when he became chairman until 2021. In April 2021 he was elected Secretary General of NNGG Spain.

Valentina (24) is a graduating M.Sc. in Environmental and Development Economics, with a major in Global Economic Governance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences and International Relations, with a dissertation in History of International Relations, the denuclearization of Ukraine. She did an internship at the Centre of Socio-Economic Studies in Rome, during which she carried out OSINT activities for the areas of Russia and Ukraine and wrote for the European Affairs magazine. She is currently working in the ICT sector in Italy, specifically dealing with Big Data and IoT technologies. Valentina has been active in student and youth politics since 2012 and was elected Deputy International Secretary of GDS Italy in 2018. She has been strongly committed in EDS, raising the awareness on gender and equality issues. During 2018/2019 working year, she wrote and presented the motion “Europe fighting violence against women”, approved during the 2018 Summer University Council Meeting in Genova. She also actively collaborated with “BullsEye”, the official EDS magazine, resulting in the publication of an article about sexual harassment in politics and a cowritten reportage on Revenge Porn. Valentina has been elected as Vice-Chairwoman during Bucharest Summer University, and now within the bureau is responsible for communication and campaigns.

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working groups and resolutions

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Policies for Europe

Axel Mouffron

Francesco Alimena

“Terror attack in Norway” Presented by WG PfE

Jovydas Juocevičius

Introduction: Norway’s annual pride parade was cancelled because of the tragic shooting on the 25th of June. The shooting took place near a gay bar, and two people were killed and twenty-one people were injured, of which eight people were taken to the hospital for serious medical treatment. The perpetrator of Iranian origin is a 43-year-old man who was known by the PST, the Norwegian domestic intelligence service. The police are calling this terrible act an “act of Islamist terrorism”. The man was known by the intelligence service as someone who had been radicalized and had a past of mental illness. The shooter is currently being charged with murder and attempted murder but cannot charge him on accounts of terrorist acts until further investigation.

Argumentation: Given the terror attack that happened, it brings again the question about

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defense, security, and countering terrorism. This is the first attack since 2020 when Germany, France and Belgium experienced four terrorist attempts. Although responsibility for combating crime and safeguarding security primarily lies with the member states, recent years’ terrorist attacks have shown that this is also a common responsibility which they must shoulder together. The EU contributes to the protection of its citizens by acting as the main forum for cooperation and coordination among member states.1 Some of the key areas in which the European Union has been working are prevention of radicalisation, information exchange within the Schengen Information System, IT systems to fight crime and secure EU borders. However, there is a lot of room for improvement. Regarding online information and propaganda, the Council adopted regulation on addressing the dissemination of

terrorist content online. Competent authorities in the member states will have the power to issue removal orders to service providers requiring them to remove terrorist content or disable access to it within one hour.

Regardless, the Union needs to further regulate it by an updated Digital Service Act (DSA) with regard to strengthen responsibility of the internet companies to fight illegal content and its amplification, to introduce new penalties and appropriate other measures. This new regulation should define suitable requirements for removing illegal content while respecting fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and opinion.2 Furthermore, designate hate speech and hate crime and incitement as criminal offences that are provided for and regulated under European Union law.

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annual Report 2023 Conclusion: European Union has always been a place that welcomes everyone, no mater their race, religion, economic background, therefore sexuality cannot be an exception. Hate or terror crimes by no means cannot determine who we are as Europeans.

Lack of security both on ground and on the internet causes loss of innocent lives. Schengen Information System is still in need of bettering which cannot be overlooked. The EU must contribute to the protection of its citizens by acting as the main forum for cooperation and coordination among member states. The must be further strengthening of joint efforts in the fight against terrorism, without compromising the EU’s common values such as democracy, justice and freedom of speech.3 We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Condemn the unprecedented attack against the LGBT+ community in Norway • Recognize the lack of European defense capabilities • Acknowledge the need of more regulations towards hate and terrorist content on the internet

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Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • European Commission to create a campaign for spreading awareness of hate crimes against LGBT+ community • European Commission to initiate a position of a commissioner responsible for Cyber Security • the Union needs further regulate it by an updated Digital Service Act (DSA) Europa.eu. (2017). EU fight against terrorism - Consilium. [online] Available at: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/ en/policies/fight-against-terrorism/.

European Commission - European Commission. (n.d.). Press corner. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa. eu/commission/presscorner/detail/ en/IP_22_3143. www.eeas.europa. eu. (n.d.). A stronger EU on security and defence | EEAS Website. [online] Available at: https://www.eeas.europa. eu/eeas/stronger-eu-security-anddefence_en.

2 www.consilium.europa.eu. (n.d.). Joint statement by the EU home affairs ministers on the recent terrorist attacks in Europe. [online] Available at: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/ en/press/press-releases/2020/11/13/ joint-statement-by-the-eu-home-affairsministers-on-the-recent-terrorist-attacksin-europe/.

3 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/ policies/fight-against-terrorism/?fbclid= IwAR0lgeIdwIZy6ZHtZ3tOxn6V29y1E60P8fjT4KFGSz3xQG8biqyD3_569E 1

“[Cyprus-Turkey: Growing Tensions]” Presented by FPK Protoporia

While the spotlight is on the war in Ukraine, Turkey has announced that it will send a new contingent of troops to Cyprus in addition to the 40 000 soldiers that are already been placed to the island to ‘protect the Turkish Cypriot population’ and effectively increase pressure on the Greek Cypriot community of the island.

This was announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, speaking to students during a meeting at Pamukkale University on 30 September 2022. “Should the world oppose Turkey, we will continue to protect our rights and laws in Cyprus, the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean”, the minister said.1 Tensions on the island have been rekindled in recent months due to Turkey’s growing ‘prominence’ in the Mediterranean area, compounded by Ankara’s protests over the US lifting of the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus.

The statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu are just one of the latest provocations and intimidation by Turkey, which has been invading Cyprus since 20 July 1974, in violation of the UN Charter and all principles of international law. A pretext born out of the 15 July 1974 coup d’état perpetrated against the legal government of the Republic of Cyprus by the military junta then in power in Greece.

UN Security Council Resolution 541 of 1983 expressly calls on states not to recognise the Turkish Cypriot state. Moreover, when Cyprus joined the European Union (EU) in May 2004, it did so as a single entity.2 The acquis communautaire, i.e. the set of EU laws, may be suspended in the north of the island (Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of Cyprus). However, the north is still legally considered part of the EU. Consequently, any country that

recognises the unilaterally declared independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would automatically raise the concrete possibility of punitive action by the EU. Recognition therefore seems unlikely.

Since severe sanctions were adopted against the Russian Federation for its invasion of Ukrainian territory, the same stance should be taken and applied against Turkey, which is illegally occupying part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, a full member of the European Union since the 1st of May 2004.3 The EU must intervene in order to pick up the talks where they left off and to be constructive between the two Cypriot communities in order to avoid a further crisis in Turkish-EU relations. Secondly, this resolution calls on Ankara to put an end to the process of increasing influence in the north of the country, with the

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annual Report 2023 risk that it will increasingly turn into Turkey, making Turkish Cypriots a minority with the risk that Northern Cyprus will be completely sucked in as a de facto Turkish province and causing serious implications for the security of Greek Cypriots and the lives of Turkish Cypriots.

The tensions between the two countries also develop in many areas. Facts in hand, 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, i.e. the northern part of the island, where 70% of the natural resources are concentrated, is under Turkish occupation.

Another topic at the centre of tensions between the two countries concerns the issue of displacement.

It must be pointed out that as many as 200,000 Greek Cypriots, i.e. one third of the population, have been displaced from the occupied northern part, where they made up 80% of the inhabitants. Still on the subject, it must be pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots who lived in the free areas have been forced over the years by their leaders to move to the occupied area. Quality of life is a further problem to which the two countries are called upon to find a concrete solution in this climate of tension.

Suffice it to say that fewer than 500 of the original 20,000 people at the end of 1974 remain confined to their occupied villages and are forced

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to live in conditions of oppression, harassment and deprivation.4 Also exacerbating the feelings of Cypriots who feel threatened and unsafe is the heavy presence of Turkish soldiers stationed in the occupied part, numbering 40,000, armed with the latest weapons and supported by land and sea, making it, according to the UN Secretary General, one of the most militarised regions in the world. In 1974, this area saw the arrival of more than 100,000 Turks who were sent by Ankara to colonise the occupied area with the aim of changing the demography of the island and controlling the political situation.

In addition to the massive military occupation, the Turkish authorities weaponize migration by sending illegal migrants from mainland to the so-called TRNC. From there, migrants join the European Union territory, entering Cyprus in order to change the demographics of the island.

Since the 1974 invasion, in order to maintain control, the Turkish government has issued a series of threats, one of the most recent being the threat of annexation of the north of the island, or the possibility of military action to prevent Nicosia from going ahead with its attempts to exploit its newfound energy deposits in 2011.

Threatening military and economic consequences, Turkey has over the years carried out concrete actions, such as the recent inclusion of the illegal airport in the occupied part of Cyprus as an internal airport; the constant attempt to eradicate all traces of a 9. 000 years old heritage; the replacement of Greek place names with Turkish ones; it has carried out acts of destruction, desecration and looting of churches, monuments, cemeteries and archaeological sites in the occupied area, including the sale abroad of priceless religious and archaeological treasures discovered through illegal excavations.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Condemn the constant tensions caused by Ankara towards the Republic of Cyprus • Affirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our democratic partner the Republic of Cyprus and oppose the invasion of the northern Cypriot territory on July, 15th of 1974 • Denounce the hermetically sealed ‘Attila Line’ (‘Operation Attila’ - code name given by Turkey to the invasion of Cyprus) which artificially divides the island and its population and prevents Cypriots from moving freely throughout the country;

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Deplore the Turkish side’s continued disregard for the appeals of the international community expressed in dozens of UN resolutions by continuing the occupation and artificial division of the island; Express concern as emerged from the latest UN-sponsored talks in The Hague, the Turkish side for lacking the political will to solve the problem.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: The European Commission to demand the immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers from the northern part of the country; • The European Commission to draw diplomatic and economic consequences against Ankara for its decision to increase the number of soldiers in the northern part of the country; • The European Union Commission to stop the negotiations between Turkey and Europe about the adhesion of Turkey to the European Union • European Union NGOs to demand guarantees that the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots are respected; • The European Commission to consider possible sanctions for the expansion of Ankara’s footprint and influence in the

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north of the country, which is eroding the Turkish Cypriots’ culture, identity, values and ageold way of life.

The European Council to consider a strategic plan for military and technological reinforcement in defence for the Republic of Cyprus; European Union member states to support the Cypriot government in finding a just and viable solution through negotiations based on UN resolutions - a solution that safeguards the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus; The European Commission to relaunch the five-decade-long negotiations for a bizonal and bicommunal federation in order to find a solution that would be beneficial to both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, as well as the entire region.

The European Commission to urging a concrete solution that could lead to a normalisation of EU-Turkey relations, which in the long run, could have an impact not only on Greece vis-à-vis the Eastern Mediterranean, but also in other areas, such as migration.

h t t p s : / / w w w. m i d d l e e a s t m o n i t o r. com/20220930-turkiye-to-deploy-moretroops-in-northern-cyprus-fm-says/ http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/embassies/ embassy_rome.nsf/DMLcyproblem_en/ DMLcyproblem_en?OpenDocument 2 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/ articles/2022-09-26/cyprus-fear sbecoming-weakest-link-in-turkey-greecetensions https://www.mfa.gov.tr/cyprus_-whathas-happened_.en.mfa 3 https://www.euractiv.com/section/all/ short_news/un-concerned-by-politicaldeadlock-on-cyprus-problem/ https://casebook.icrc.org/case-study/ echr-cyprus-v-turkey 4 http://www.mfa.gov.cy/mfa/PermRep/ PermRepUN.nsf/ecsw35_en/ecsw35_ en?OpenDocument 1

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“Guaranteeing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia against the Azeri aggression”

• Presented by PWG (PFE) •

While international attention is focused on the war in Ukraine, Azerbaijan has broken the ceasefire reached on November 9, 2020 with Armenia, twice: at the beginning of August, and more recently, on September, 13th of 2022, at 01 : 00 when 23 Armenian localities where shelled.

Azerbaijani forces attacked various positions in the South and SouthEast of Armenia with heavy artillery, large-caliber weapons as well as drones. This attack caused the deaths of at least 49 soldiers. This event is only the most recent escalation by Azerbaijan, as in September 2020, Azerbaijan launched a massive and unprovoked military assault on Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and soldiers, the displacement of tens of thousands more civilians, and the ongoing detention of over 100 prisoners of war.

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This situation is a direct thread to the security of the South Caucasus region, where regional powers are increasing the capabilities of their armed forces.

There cannot be double standards in the scale of measures taken against a state that undermines the territorial integrity of another sovereign state.

As a consequence, sanctions must be taken against Azerbaijan which attacked the sovereign state of Armenia.

This is to demand in short term the complete withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops on their initial positions, particularly outside Armenian territory.

Besides, The Minsk Group, within the OSCE offers an appropriate framework for conflict resolution in the way of assuring the negotiation process : the dialogue between the stakeholders should be restored as soon as possible.

Both the OSCE mandate and

the EU monitoring mission in the region should be comforted.

Initiatives of the civil society, such as the European partnership for the peaceful settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (EPNK, coalition of NGOs) should receive an enhanced support from the European Union.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Condemns the unprovoked military attack launched by Azerbaijani forces on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabkh and calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire • Denounce the exactions committed by the Azerbaijani army and the attacks on the cultural and religious heritage, which are a direct violation of international law • Reaffirm firmly our support

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of our democratic partner Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and against Azerbaijan’s military aggression and violations of international laws Express support to the Minsk group initiative within the OSCE, considering the importance of its framework for conflict resolution Recall the need to recognize the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and to make this recognition an instrument of negotiations with a view to establishing a lasting peace Acknowledge with gratitude the deployment of the European Union observation mission along the border, operational since October 20th, 2022.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The Azerbaijan government for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal, to their initial positions, of the Azeri forces from the sovereign territory of Armenia, whose security and unchanged status must be ensured, according to the terms of the agreement ceasefire of November 9, 2020 • Azeri Authorities to lift immediately restrictions on international humanitarian organizations accessing conflictaffected areas and populations.

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The European Commission to: • make every effort to ensure that Azerbaijan engages urgently and peacefully in a process of negotiation through diplomatic channels, in order to achieve the establishment of a lasting peace in the South Caucasus • draw all the diplomatic and economic consequences of these new attacks, and to suspend the EU-Azerbaijan Gas importation protocol signed in July 2022 until the complete withdrawal of Azerbaijan military forces • increase its humanitarian aid funding in Nagorno Karabakh region, where 100,000 people are in need of assistance to overcome the shock of the conflict • increase its financial support, through the Instrument for Stability, to the civil society programme European Partnership for the Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (EPNK) The European Union member states to consider the seizure of the assets of Azerbaijani leaders to sanction the military aggression carried out by the Azerbaijani forces on the territory of the Republic of

•

Armenia, in violation of its sovereignty.

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to monitor Armenia’s defence capacities with a view to ensuring its territorial integrity

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annual Report 2023 Kosovar citizens to use number plates with the indication ‘Republic of Kosovo’.

“The Fragile Balkan Entente: Serbia and Kosovo” Presented by PWG Policies for Europe

After decades of tensions, the EU and the US are pushing Belgrade and Pristina to normalise their relations.

On the political and diplomatic table is the Franco-German proposal, which, however, involves serious compromises on both sides.

The aim of the Franco-German proposal is to put an end to the decades-long diatribe between Kosovo and Serbia and to find an agreement from which to build the European perspective of the two Balkan countries, which have long been antagonists.

In recent months, several envoys from the European Union and the United States, as well as French, German and Italian delegations, have tried to convince the authorities in Pristina and Belgrade to relaunch dialogue.

Since the proclamation of independence of the former province of Serbia (17 February 2008), Belgrade

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has always denied the existence of Kosovo, claiming the territory as its own and obstructing Pristina’s admission into all international organisations, especially the UN. Serbia’s great ally in this process has been the Russian Federation. Now, however, times have changed and international pressure has increased.

Many actions have soured relations between the two sides, and here are some of them:

especially Belgrade, also undertook not to block the relevant European accession paths. The Agreement seemed to be an excellent springboard for the final settlement of disputes.

First of all, Kosovo was recognised as having its own decision-making autonomy in the international arena, while Serbia could claim protection for the Kosovo Serbs in the north of the country without definitively recognising Kosovo’s independence.

From the Brussels Agreement to the issue of number plates. In 2013, five years after Kosovo’s declaration of independence, the European Union championed an important understanding in what was called the ‘normalisation process of relations’ between Serbia and Kosovo. The agreement, known as the Brussels Agreement, provided for the creation of an Association of Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo (Mitrovica Nord, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavici). The parties,

Unfortunately, none of this ever materialised. The Kosovar authorities have always rowed against the establishment of the Association for fear of seeing their sovereignty curtailed, the Serbian authorities have continued to place obstacles in the way of the international recognition of Kosovo.

At the beginning of August, the government in Pristina applied a ban on cars with Serbian number plates in the country, requiring Serbian-

A decision that provoked a harsh reaction from the Serbs, supported

by Belgrade, with the construction of barricades near the border. The situation had then calmed down thanks to the decision to postpone the disputed decision following preestablished stages. Only a penalty from November and confiscation of the vehicle from April 2023.

On November 5th, another case of tension arose where more than 500 Serbs employed in Kosovo institutions, including police and courts, resigned from their posts as a form of protest against the government in Pristina. It was a carefully planned action supported by the Srpska Lista (Serbian List), the majority party among Kosovar Serbs led by Goran Rakić and a direct expression of Belgrade.

Faced with this showdown, the European Union attempted a new mediation. On 23 November Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, tweeted: ‘We have an agreement! [...] Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on measures to prevent further escalation’. Just two weeks later, however, the arrest of a former Serbian policeman, Dejan Pantić, by

the Kosovo police triggered an even more violent reaction with barricades and roadblocks erected along the roads leading to the border between the two countries.

As if that were not enough, Kosovo’s official submission of its application to join the European Union added to the tension. A manoeuvre seen as yet another provocation by Belgrade.

There has been no lack of shootings and violent acts in recent months, even against the NATO KFOR mission present in the country with about 3,000 men, as well as demonstrations on the Serbian side of the border organised by extreme right-wing groups such as Narodne Patrole (National Patrols).

After having asked to send a contingent of its army to defend and protect the Serbian minority, a proposal rejected by the KFOR, and after having put its troops on high alert, on the morning of 29 December, the Serbian government announced the dismantling of all barricades following the release of Pantić, now under house arrest.

According to reports in some Serbian newspapers, the de-escalation was achieved thanks to a secret meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and European and US representatives, in which it was

guaranteed that none of the Kosovar Serbs engaged in the barricades in recent weeks would be arrested or put under investigation.

Despite the efforts of the European Union in recent years, relations between Serbia and Kosovo are still far from being ‘normalised’. Between 2015 and 2021, Serbia’s defence budget increased by around 70 per cent to $1.4 billion per year. An increase that allowed the purchase of Chinese military drones, Russian helicopters and the Mistral surfaceto-air missile system (Made in Europe), with the expressed intention of also buying the famous Turkish Barjaktar drones.

For Kosovo, the only possible negotiation is the so-called ‘FrancoGerman proposal’ presented on 3 November during the Berlin Process Summit. The proposal includes nine points concerning respect for the jurisdiction and territorial integrity of the two countries, good neighbourly relations, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and, most importantly, the renunciation of blocking reciprocal EU membership aspirations (already contained in the Brussels Agreement of 2013) and the inviolability, present and future, of the border between the two countries.

The most likely scenario for the immediate future, however, remains the maintenance of the status quo.

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annual Report 2023 Any step in the direction of the Franco-German proposal could appear in the eyes of the Serbs as a betrayal, a de facto recognition of Kosovan independence, without, among other things, obtaining adequate guarantees neither on the protection of the rights of Kosovan Serbs nor on the EU accession process, which has remained practically blocked for years.

Although five EU countries - Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Romania and Greece - have refused to formally recognise Kosovo’s independence, the European and international community cannot afford instability in the Balkans because the beneficiary of any imbalance in the area is Russia. After the aggression in Ukraine, Western forces cannot risk further tensions. This also explains the European haste to achieve normalisation in the region.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • warmly welcome the agreement of the two parties on the path towards normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia; • We recognise that the conclusion and implementation of the European proposal is of fundamental importance for the overall benefit of the citizens

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• •

•

of the Republic of Kosovo, for the peace and prosperous development of the region and for the advancement of the European perspective of the country; We acknowledge the danger of a new conflict on Europe’s doorstep; recognise the threat posed by the presence of the Russian Federation and China in the Balkans and their strategy of making the region unstable; are aware of the threat posed by the presence of the Russian Federation and China in their attempt to influence the peace negotiation processes between Serbia and Kosovo;

Therefore, we, the EDS, call for: • an effective and swift intervention by the European Union to overcome the differences so as not to fuel the winds of war; • the creation of an ItalyGermany-France round table with US assistance to prevent possible armed conflicts in the area; • the opening for a direct EUNATO dialogue with Russia and China in order to prevent situations from arising that could cause instability in the Balkan region and lead to possible escalation; • invite both the Serbian and Kosovar sides to avoid

•

• •

•

• • •

provocative actions, but to adhere to the cardinal principles of diplomacy so as not to create situations that could endanger the lives of their citizens we demand that President Vucic and President Osmani engage in diplomatic dialogues with the EU in order to reach a security and good neighbourly agreement between the parties demand that Serbia and Kosovo respect and preserve their borders and territorial integrity we ask Serbia and Kosovo to take a decisive step towards regional cooperation, which is the antechamber of security in the EU demand the establishment of an EU-NATO delegation to avoid confrontation between the two sides by reaching a diplomatic agreement guarantee security for all citizens of the Balkans; Ensure the free movement of citizens between Serbia and Kosovo.

Ensure the possibility of membership within the Union for both countries if they are in line with European values and principles;

“Incentivising public procurement of quality, local, sustainable and healthy food for schools and university canteens in Europe” According to the United Nations’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, (FAO) “Sustainable public procurement is a key instrument to work towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and fits into the collective efforts and multisector approaches of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development “. Since the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development of 2012, sustainable public procurement (including food procurement) is recognized as an instrument for development.

Both FAO and WHO consider the public food procurement as a tool to improve the Social, Economic and Environmental output for consumers and producers.

According to the European Commission; within the European Union, public procurement represents between 14 and 16% of the EU’s gross domestic product, while the social food service market

in the EU is estimated to be worth 82 billion euros.1 Green Public Procurement (GPP) is defined in the Commission’s Communication (COM (2008) 400 Public procurement for a better environment) as a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured.2 More specifically, the Directive 2014/24/EU allows the introduction of sustainable food in public procurement.

Therefore, by choosing to purchase products with lower environmental impacts, public authorities can make contribute to lower the environmental output resulting from their activities.

The European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy3 aims to accelerate the European transition to a sustainable food system that should, among other,

Presented by PWG Policies for Europe preserve the affordability of food while generating fairer economic returns, fostering competitiveness of the EU supply sector and promoting fair trade. A strategy which must also enable the collective resilience of the EU agriculture, but which should fight agriculture decline, which would be a major threat to our food sovereignty Despite the current EU Procurement legislation, most European schools base their purchasing decisions on the cheapest price only, leaving limited margin for environmental and social sustainability.4 The European Commission’s Sustainable Food System (SFS) framework, to be published in September 2023 could be a unique opportunity to set minimum mandatory criteria for sustainable food procurement (including, among others, Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication Specialty Guaranteed agricultural products) in schools and publics canteens

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annual Report 2023 We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Acknowledge that public procurement of food for school and university is an opportunity to create a fairer trade, for both consumers and local food producers • Recognise that food waste5 in public restaurant, induced by an inadequate offer should be drastically reduced for moral, financial, environmental reasons • Recognise the differences between food systems of the member states, including school canteens Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • Member States to support local authorities implementing public procurement of food schemes • Local authorities to set timebound targets to use minimum proportion of locally produced food regarding public catering and precise requests in their tender documents including PDO and PGI products • Local authorities to consider the security criteria of the supply chain in procurement procedures, limiting the number of steps between farm and fork • European Commission to define a progressive minimum

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•

•

mandatory criteria for sustainable food procurement in schools and university canteens, including Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication Specialty Guaranteed agricultural products European Commission to launch an awareness campaign about the assets of locally produced sustainable food products Small producers to considers tenders as a sustainable market opportunity

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ repository/handle/JRC105657 2 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ gpp/pdf/191106_JRC118360_EU%20 GPP%20Food%20catering%20criteria_ TR5_final2.pdf 3 https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontaltopics/farm-fork-strategy_en 4 https://procuraplus.org/fileadmin/ user_upload/Interest_Group/StratKITRecommendations-www.pdf 5 https://www.farm-europe.eu/news/euschool-food-procurement-schemes/ 1

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annual Report 2023

Human Rights

“Young Women in Iran during ongoing protests” Presented by PWG HR

The protests in Iran, started on 16 september and still continues. The main reason for the mass protests in Iran was the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish Jina Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police on 14 September, because her hair was visible from under her hijab. She died in police custody on 16 September.

Since then, thousands of people have demonstrated against the repressive regime. Later, a 16-year-old Iranian girl Niki Shakarami became a victim of Iranian security forces.

Aiiar Memetov

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Miguel Ángel Perales

Zofia Broszkiewicz

After the publicity of the incident, a wave of protests against Iranian regime continued those days. From 19 September, the internet network is partially or totally controlled, and somewhere has been disconnected by the government. All Iranian mass media also controlled. By government or loyal forces. Even in this situation, some of the world and local media reports about killing more than 300 people, at least 1500 injuries. The Iranian regime

is using all its force to stop and crush protests, shooting people, killing activists, injuring them, and many things, which we can't even imagine.

On 8 November, the parliament of Iran, successfully adopted a resolution about the execution of all arrested people.

From information in local media, it can be more than 14.000, and government think it must be a «lesson», for all who wanna broke, or shake regime.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organization of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Deplore and denounce the human rights violations and violence against women in Iran; • Take into account the current protests in Iran and the will of the young women to be free of wearing hijab in public spaces.

• Further note that the EU is Iran's largest trading partner, along with China and the United Arab

Emirates. Trade with Iran is subject to the general EU import regime and the EU supports the goal of Iranian accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The European Commission to end its consideration of Iranian regime as a partner.

• The European Union and its Member States demand an immediate end to the violent crackdown against protests and the unconditional release of all those arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly • The European Union NGOs to establish an independent investigation into the deaths of Mahsa Jina Amini and dozens of protesters, • Foreign Affairs Council to add Iranian officials, including all those associated with the ‘morality’ police in the list of sanctions.

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annual Report 2023 •

“Political persecution of the opposition in Bolivia”

• • Presented by PWG HR

In November 2019 President Evo Morales announced that he is stepping down as President of Bolivia. The decision was taken after weeks of unrest in the country, loss of police support, and being asked by the military to resign. The President of 14 years stated that “dark forces have destroyed democracy”. The protests which started after the elections, in October 2019, were declared a “coup d’etat” by Morales. Following this decision, which put an end to the election dispute between Morales and the opposition, Jeanine Áñez appointed herself interim president of Bolivia. Áñez was next in the line of succession after three politicians quit following the social unrest in the country. She was in office for over a year and the re-run elections brought Luis Arce to power.

The current President of Bolivia, Luis Arce is an ally of Morales and since his election, former opposition leaders have been arrested on charges related

40

to the 2019 elections. The interim President Jeanine Áñez and Luis Fernando Camacho were arrested on the “Coup d’etat II” case and terrorism charges, respectively. Luis Fernando Camacho, the governor of Santa Cruz and former presidential candidate, has been kidnapped and arrested months before his trial. His assistant, Graciela Ortiz described the incident: “People dressed in black with black guns got out and they started hitting the windows. They didn't even tell us to get out, they just hit them with the back part of the weapons”. The governor refused the charges.

The interim president Áñez is facing 10 years of prison due to her alleged involvement in a coup against former President Evo Morales. Áñez denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

She stated that a coup has not taken place and she assumed the Presidency with a succession mechanism written in the Constitution. The Bolivian

government has begun to prosecute President Áñez’s daughter without reason. Carolina Ribera is actively campaigning against her mother’s arrest, which is the reason for the government’s target and actions toward her. Ribera Áñez stated, “The government is persecuting me for internationally denouncing the humiliation committed against political prisoners and for defending human rights in my country. They could investigate me; I have nothing to hide”.

All three prosecutions are politically motivated, and the methods used by law enforcement with kidnapping and early arrests are not justified.

These acts show a violation of human rights, especially the right to a fair trial.

Denounce the political prosecution of the opposition leaders in Bolivia.

Stop the political repression of the Bolivian opposition.

Condemn the Bolivian government for all human rights violations done in the matter.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The European Commission to ensure a fair trial for Ms. Jeanine Añez.

• The European Union and its Member States demand the liberation of Luis Fernando Camacho and Jeanine Añez.

• The European Comission or the European Parliament to establish future Electoral Observation Missions in Bolivia to support future electoral processes in the country.

• The European Parliament to send a special mission to find out the conditions of imprisonment of Jeanine Añez • The withdrawal of the charges against Carolina Ribera Áñez.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organization of the European People’s Party (EPP):

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annual Report 2023

“The forced exile of political prisoners in Nicaragua” Presented by PWG HR

European Democrat Students acknowledge with grave concern the latest developments of political prisoners in Nicaragua, where the government has been systematically using its judicial system to suppress political dissent and silence opposition voices.

rights and stepping up his policy of terror and repression to annihilate any dissent”. The decision of the Nicaraguan regime puts the exiled prisoners at risk of many difficulties in using basic rights like healthcare, education, employment, and freedom of movement.

On February 9th, 2023, the Nicaraguan regime released 222 imprisoned opposition leaders and students, including three EU nationals to exile them to the United States. Over two hundred politicians were declared “traitors to the homeland” and stripped of their nationality. Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s director for the Americas spoke out on the issue:

The described actions are a result of protests against the government that took place in April 2018. Politicians, human rights activists, students, and journalists were arrested with charges of alleged terrorism, conspiracy, and violence. In 2018 the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts for Nicaragua declared that the regime of Daniel Ortega has been committing crimes against humanity.

The recent exile of the opposition is the tip of the iceberg. For over 5 years the government used methods such as assassination, imprisonment, torture, and persecution to silence any critics of the regime.

“With this new wave of human rights violations Daniel Ortega is trying to replace the unjust imprisonment of those who speak out and defend rights with forced exile, cruelly stripping hundreds of Nicaraguans of their

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The acts done by the Nicaraguan regime violate the fundamental rights of the people by stripping them of their citizenship and civil and political rights. For this reason, we condemn the Nicaraguan regime for all human rights violations done in the matter.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organization of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Denounce the human rights violations and violence against opposition leaders in Nicaragua.

• Deplore the decision of stripped more than 300 people of their citizenship due to be part of opposition organizations, NGOs, the Catholic Church, activists, politicians or journalists.

• Further note that the EU is Nicaragua’s regime is the one of the most prominent Russian allies in Latin America, along with Venezuela and Cuba.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The European Commission to end its consideration of Nicaragua`s regime as a partner and activate the democratic clause of the EU-Central America Association Agreement to suspend Nicaragua.

• The European Union and its Member States demand an unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners.

• The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU to not invite Nicaragua dictator Daniel Ortega to participate in the EULatin America Summit (EULAC 2023) that will be held in July 2023.

• The Member States to offer humanitarian solutions to the situation of statelessness.

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annual Report 2023

HIGHER EDUCATION & RESEARCH

“Brain Drain in Europe – addressing the Challenge” Presented by PWG Higher

Brain drain, as the loss of skilled people as they move from one area to the other, is a phenomenon that can affect students, academics and whole societes. Student brain drain can happen at the inter-regional, national, European and global level. Within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), internationalisation measures at the Higher Education level can consequently foster brain drain when the increase in the number of international students in one country is not matched by policies to attract international students within the sending countries, therefore creating an imbalance instead of balanced brain circulation.

Jennifer Pietsch

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Tuomas Karvonen

Valeria Awad 27.07-20.10.2022

There is a huge agreement that increased mobility is a good thing: people are able to choose from more opportunities, business life can attract more professionals and everyone has a better chance to find a satisfying job position. So in the end, the labour market is more efficient. Studies show

that people with higher education are more likely to leave than others, and the highest probability for emigration occurs between 20-30 years of life. As an unfortunate side-effect, sending countries lose this promising part of their population. So In the end, higher brain mobility helps the overall prosperity of Europe but reinforces regional disparities and works against the EU’s cohesion policy.

When it comes to brain drain, one can identify contributing factors as such: differences in tuition fees; barriers to enter Higher Education; varying student welfare between EHEA countries; differences in legal treatment between EU and non-EU EHEA students; real or perceived (ranking-based) differences in quality of Higher Education, due to technical and structural issues; and differences in wages and in the capacity of absorption of graduates within the economies.

Brain drain leads to fewer local ideas and causes loss of a highly qualified young workforce. These limit economic growth and the collection of taxes. As the ratio of working to non-working population gets more and more challenging, it also gets harder and harder to provide means for economically inactive citizens. In addition, public budgets affected in this way make it more difficult for European states to allocate funds into the Higher Education sector.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): •

•

See that the phenomenon of brain drain is triggered by existing social and economic imbalances among the EU regions.

Acknowledge that higher brain mobility helps the overall prosperity of Europe but

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annual Report 2023

• •

reinforces regional disparities and works against the EU’s cohesion policy.

Recognise that the impact of brain drain on Higher Education is often underestimated.

Recognise that fixing such a multifaceted issue is not an easy task.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • Member States to allocate more resources in order to make their academic sector grow so that people are not forced to search abroad if they want to continue in their desired careers.

• Member States to support further research on this topic and active participation of students in addressing brain drain.

• HEIs to attract foreigners by creating a welcoming environment and enabling them to realise their potential just as the locals can.

• European Commission to work actively so that the principle of territorial balance is implemented within the European Universities and that degree mobility from traditionally receiving to traditionally sending countries is balanced.

• EU Commission to stress themes related to brain drain in the European Neighbourhood Policy.

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“Improving the Standard for Macedonian Students” Presented by Youth Forces Union of VMRO-DPMNE

According to the Student’s Rights Charter of 2008, education is right, not a privilege, however the situation that we are witnessing, students are in the position where their education has become an absolute privilege.

Point 3 of this document speaks about the adequate means of support for students in order to complete their education, however in reality government institutions have been anything but supportive students.

Today, we are home to the worst dormitories in Europe, which in itself is ironic, because one of these dormitories, won an International prize for best architecture back in 1970. Conditions are dismal, and students are handicapped from having a decent learning experience due to old infrastructure, nonexistent hygienic standards, and substandard meals. When the current government was campaigning from opposition, one of their big promises was the

construction of a university town, which would see al infrastructure problems from the current dormitories gone, however in the 6th year, and second mandate of their rule, we are yet to see a project, yet alone construction of this university town. At the same 9me, there has minimal renovation of dormitories, and a very big percentage of student continue to live in sub-human standards.

government. That is, the ruling majority submiRed an amendment to the Student Meal Law, which cuts students' funds they receive to have a decent subsidised meal every day.

This was met with strong resistance from the students due to the fact that the allocated funds are not enough for a decent meal, and the government wanted to take these funds from the pockets of the students through amendment solutions.

Apart from the conditions which students face in dormitories, it does not get much beRer in the universities themselves. In the past couple of years, the University of St. Cyril and Methodius, the premier higher education institution in the country has been in a free fall and omission from the Shanghai Rankings, when officials have been promising higher education reform and a rise on this list.

The law on student meals provides 120 Denars (аpp. 2€) per day to each student. At a time when all European countries are struggling with inflation, the government in our country, instead of increasing funds for students, wanted to abolish them. The opposition led by VMRO - DPMNE submiRed an amendment that increases the funds by 33%, that is, the daily funds which are 120 Denars, would be increased to 160 Denars (app 2.70€). The authorities did not accept this, which showed

Macedonian students were again subject to a blow from this

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annual Report 2023 and proved that the students in this country are not their priority.

We, European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student’s organisation of European People’s Party (EPP): • Alarmed by the dire situation that Macedonian students face in the education and day-to-day • life.

• Recognising the lack of higher education reform in the country.

• Noting with deep concern that dormitory residents are not entitled to a decent meal.

Call on the European Commission and Member States to: • Expecting Macedonian students to be given decent lodging standards, in accordance to the adequate standards for students given in UN Human Rights Council resolution 8/41.

• Emphasises the fact that there is need for higher education reform.

• Strongly condemns the governments amendments in the Student Meal Law, and calls for an increase in the subsidising of the student meal.

1

https://ap.ohchr.org/Documents/E/ HRC/resolutions/A_HRC_RES_8_4. pdf

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“Addressing youth’s work uncertainty through paid internships” Presented by PWG HER

Early graduates share a common problem: gaining skills adaptable to a fast-changing and demanding work environment that seems less accessible to the youth every year.

Young graduates and workers know that successfully begin their careers, they need to access one or more internships to gain some practical skills in their relative fields, which more often than not translates into non-paid or inadequately paid internships that can last from a few weeks up to a whole year. In the common understanding of the jobseeking youth, internships are one - if not the only - entry point into the labour market and a mandatory part of their studies or early graduate experiences. Students and early graduates need to acquire professionrelated skills with internships to compile attractive profiles for enterprises. However, the role of interns is not adequately recognised as valuable work experience. Over time this can lead to discouragement

and apathy, as demonstrated by the rising percentages of NEET - Not in Education, Employment or Training youth under-29 in some member countries.

Over the years, the youth has learned how to enhance their skills and develop their networking abilities to be able to adjust to the ever-changing labour market, often giving up economic and social security — in cases of financial difficulties or first graduates in the family, sacrificing their interests for the prospects of a stable job. The transition from education to work is a turning point in every person’s life, meaning it should be at the centre of the discussion on youth unemployment and precariousness.

Internships are regulated in diverse ways across the Union, including cases where no regulation exists. Still, it is widely recognised that many enterprises take advantage of cheap

or free labour due to the absence of a regulatory framework or instrument or a lack of transparency regarding internship working conditions.

The Council Recommendation of 10 March 2014 addressed traineeship working conditions and educational content concerns. However, as for open-market internships, the lack of policies guaranteeing a appropriate compensation to interns is still the primary source of the related issues regarding the precariousness of young adults. The European Youth Forum and Youth of European People’s Party (YEPP) have already encouraged paid internships in EU institutions and bodies. The EU should also approach a compensation policy and regulations for openmarket internships in enterprises, NGOs and other organisations. For students and early graduates, income means security, recognition of rights and prevention from the exploitation of their workforce. While some

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annual Report 2023 EU countries already have internal policies addressing the issue, a European directive would lead the remaining countries to take action and show their young citizens a fast start in the job market.

entering the workforce. Remunerated internships would allow people from any background to gain the skills needed for their future careers.

2.

Remunerated internships would also contribute to the following: 1.

The opening of the job market to the youth, that cannot afford to intern for free

Since the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, many internship opportunities have moved online, cutting the costs in terms of relocation. However, working conditions have become more demanding online, with longer hours in front of the screen aggravating mental and physical health costs. Moreover, online internships do not give the same experience of social engagement with co-workers, creating a further challenge.

There is no evidence that online internships have extinguished the problem of inclusion in the job market because a salary is still necessary even when working from home. While it may have eased access for people who could not afford to move to another city to start an internship or for those who cannot work in person for any reason, it did not ease the economic and social insecurity of the youth

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The reduction of the percentage of Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

The lack of remuneration for internships is one of the reasons why part of the youth are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

Although the risk of becoming NEET decreases with education, paid internships could reduce the percentage of young graduates in this situation. Remunerated internships will encourage this category more than a non-paid internship would.

3.

The promotion of a possibly long-lasting intern-enterprise relationship

With a good internship programme, enterprises can train potential future employees. The objective of internships should be to allow the youth to gain the right skills to pursue a career and aspire to other types of contracts. Paid internships with good programming would also ease the process of recruitment by hiring employees already aware of the work environment, regulations and ethics;

4.

Improvement of mental health

the youth's

Precarious work is associated with poor health and a threat to mental health. The change from education to employment is psychologically draining if the young worker does not receive the proper support over the years in education. If this transition is a long-lasting precarious one, this will lead to further worsening of the youth’s mental health, which has become a more discussed topic since the Covid-19 outbreak. A guarantee of paid internships would facilitate the transition also in terms of mental health.

5.

A change in the education sector

With paid internships, the education sector would have to focus more on gaining practical skills to allow their students a smooth transition to employment. Education is adapting to the job market requests with new degree courses and specialisations, but often on a theoretical level. The perspective of paid internships would mean more practical skills gained through education to accommodate the demand.

A common European directive on internships would allow the youth to regain their rights to work and be active citizens. As young people are more likely to be unemployed and

underemployed, a smooth transition from education to work can be the key to reintegrating the category into the job sector. Most importantly, it could be a tool to prevent the exploitation of young workers as free or cheap labour by open-market actors.

The Council Recommendation of 24 November 2020 on vocational education and training (VET) has set the goal of implementing the rate of employed graduates in the EU from the recent 76.4 % estimated in 2021 to 82 % by 2025. While internships and VET may seem to overlap, a directive for open-market internships is urgent. Young workers are expected to work the same hours as a regular employee, often receiving little to no training, without the right for appropriate compensation and with no guarantee of employment because of unclear or inexistent regulations in some Member States.

The directive should specify the following: 1.

A standard definition of internship in the open market

Vocational training has a precise definition, but it can be easily manipulated by enterprises that do not need to respond to any law or verification. Traineeship, internship, vocational training and apprenticeships can be easily used as

synonyms if no official definition is guaranteed by law.

2.

Transparency advertising

in

internship

Internships in the open market are commonly advertised as opportunities to learn for free. This is not transparent, as the price of the learning is the time and effort of the intern. The internship job offers should clearly state the work condition and the task expected to be fulfilled by the intern.

3.

Mandatory internship contracts with remuneration

An explicit internship agreement stating the hours of work expected per week with the expectation of remuneration per hour will guarantee the rights of the young worker and provide security. The contract should specify the number and percentage of hours dedicated to training by the recruiting enterprise: this will prevent exploitation and guarantee the right of the intern to learn on-site. The training ratio should not exceed the percentage of working hours; a supervisor should ensure adherence to the contract and the quality of the learning content. The agreement should also give the intern the right to sick leave, even if unpaid.

4.

Establish criteria

minimum quality and appropriate

compensation to be implemented in every Member State Some explicit guidelines should guarantee the quality of the internship and a fair compensation.

In many Member States, interns in the open market receive less than the minimum sustainable per month when paid.

5.

The recognition of internships ad valid working experience

In many Member States, internships are not recognised as adequate working experiences in the curriculum vitae. Internships are devalued in their training and skill-development element because of their brief duration and the various forms they can assume depending on where the internship took place. Internships are a learning environment, just as everyday work life is. When interns do the same job and work the same hours as regular employees, the acquired skills have to be concretely recognised as valuable by recruiters.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Keep in mind the Council Recommendation of 10 March 2014 on a Quality Framework for Traineeships and its contribution to the resolution of the issue.

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annual Report 2023 •

•

•

Recognise the importance of internships for developing jobrelated skills in students and early graduates to allow a smooth education-to-work transition.

Express concern of a possible worsening of the youth's future careers, family perspectives and mental health and the worsening of the percentage of NEET. Condemn the tendency of unpaid internships to replace entry-level job positions.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • Eurostat to collect comprehensive data on internships across Europe to obtain a clear picture of working conditions, payment, and the number of interns per country, Eurostat should provide a clear definition and distinction between traineeship, internship, vocational training, and apprenticeships.

• The European Commission to define a common Regulatory Framework on Internships with a clear definition of the term, guaranteeing transparency of job offerings, regular contracts, the publication of quality guidelines and the establishment of a fair compensation.

• The European Commission to incorporate the best practices from Member States when developing the directives.

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•

The European Commission to think of an EU wide strategy regarding University internships.

“Promote education for youth on personal data protection”

Digitization has improved our lives by creating easier and faster networking, but it has also caused various drawbacks such as the unknowing disclosure of personal data that creates difficulties — not always immediately evident to companies and individuals. In particular, young people are believed to be more exposed to social media and online activities1, containing invisible threats2.

Presented by Giovani Democratico Cristiani Co-written and supported by Nuevas Generaciones (NNGG), Les Jeunes Républicains, SMD, , FPK Protoporia, TK Finland, FRPD, FISS, MGERB, DAP-NDFK, Fidelitas, GDS, Studi Centro.

created a problem in relation to the collection and disclosure of personal data. The risks are numerous and include, among others: identity theft, risk of fraud, financial losses or reputational damage, and may also have a significant social and economic impact depending on the scale of the problem3.

Digitization has enabled people and companies to save a great amount of time. Thanks to technology we have the ability to simplify, speed up and make work processes more precise. Internet has reduced the localisation constraints, allowing us to be anywhere and at any time thanks to, among others, social media and it has enabled us to see news and communicate in the real time.

One of the most widespread problems is “phishing”, which consists of various techniques aimed at retrieving financial and personal credentials of users. It is usually an imitation of an e-mail sent by banks or credit institutions. In the message, users are invited to provide service access data or other personal information.

Additionally, within these emails, users are often encouraged and tricked into submitting their data to websites visually emulating those of well-known businesses and services.

As indicated above, despite the benefits, digitization has also

These phishing operations have naturally led to an increase in cases of

cyberbullying, revenge porn, stalking and identity theft.

Although the European Union has acted by enacting the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation, or “GDPR”), many people, especially the youth, do not know how to handle their personal data online.

According to Doxa Kids' 2021 research, 68 percent of children and young people aged between 12 to 18 provide personal data online4.

According to the Italian Privacy Authority (l’Autorità Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali), two thirds of young people under the age of 24 access digital platforms without even reading general terms and conditions

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annual Report 2023 and privacy notices5. Parents should play an important role on data security. They should control which platform their children surf on, what data they provide and think about what others6 can do with personal information.

Never before has been more important to promote courses to educate our youth to understand the positive and negative side of digitization, while being able to take advantage of the opportunities but, at the same time, being aware of the dangers.

Through education, European youth would be able to be handle their data more efficiently , have greater knowledge on how to behave online and understand how to deal with any risks. After the presentation by the European Commission of the new Industrial Plan, digital skills are at the heart of future education policies, so that digitalization reaches everyone.

This year 2023 is the European Year of Skills, and, thus, we believe that digital skills are more than needed for future generations.

We, European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student’s organisation of European People’s Party (EPP): •

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Recognize the importance of protecting personal data.

• •

Recognize the threats posed by cybercrimes, especially for younger people; Believe that the European Union should promote initiatives to educate young people on the conscious and moderate use of internet, social media and other electronic means to which they may potentially provide any personal data.

Call on the European Commission and Member State to: Invest in awareness campaigns — addressed to all citizens— to promote the importance of privacy; • Propose courses on digitallyawareness from middle schools, high schools, vocational schools and universities, teaching young people how to manage their data online while making awareness of its risks and the possibility of being targeted by cybercriminals (e.g. through phishing); • Promote courses to all young people and their parents with training on protecting and preserving personal data during the 28th January – Data Protection Day; • Promote master's degrees in digitization at an advanced level for IT and cybersecurity, with a special focus on the fact that women are underrepresented in vocational training and higher education in subfields of science,

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that are highly relevant to digitization.

Microsoft Digital Civilty Index Study Threats that can create psychological and moral damage, which are not material 3 https://www.cybersecurity360.it/legal/ privacy-dati-personali/i-rischi-dei-socialnetwork-dal-phishing-al- cyberbullismo-iconsigli-per-difendersi/ 4 https://www.quotidianosanita.it/ allegati/allegato294902.pdf 5 https://www.garanteprivacy.it/ home/docweb/-/docweb-display/ docweb/9740562 6 With “others” we mean anyone who collects data such as website owners and data thieves 1 2

“Advocating for a Thriving Digital Future in Higher Education” Presented by PWG Higher Education and Research

The advent of ChatGPT and other similar AI tools has raised apprehension and sparked heated discussions among educators worldwide about the real and possible outcomes for learning, instruction, and student evaluation. For example, the European University Association commented in its statement that the application of AI carries a range of limitations, including the absence of information sources, partialities in data and algorithms, as well as concerns about intellectual property, copyright, privacy, data security, and impartiality. Nevertheless, AI also presents numerous opportunities for academic pursuits, such as enhanced productivity, customized learning, and innovative work methods. Questions concerning the implementation of AI extend beyond its utilization for academic misconduct, such as cheating on exams or generating scientific articles. These queries pertain to the core values of higher education, specifically, the integrity

of academic work and the pursuit of excellence.

Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education in Europe, leading to changes that impact not only the education sector but Europe as a whole. The future of our digital landscape should not be shaped solely by the goals and approaches of private corporations, but instead should prioritise the public's interests and uphold the values that are important to Europeans. By doing so, we can ensure that technological advancements align with our collective values and aspirations, resulting in a digital landscape that benefits all of Europe.

Rather than solely aiming to gain an advantage over its more technologically advanced Chinese and US competitors, the European Union should prioritize the development of its own approach to digitalization, which should be

human-centered and grounded in EU common values. To discover this approach, it is essential to dedicate more resources towards conducting research and advancing higher education. By doing so, we can better equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge to make informed and effective decisions. Horizon Europe programme has a vital role to play in supporting research that explores the use of new technologies and AI in higher education. When shaping the new strategic orientations for the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027 more support should be allocated towards research exploring the use of new technologies in the educational sector. In addition, the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 20252027 should put a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary and provide flexibility for Higher Education Institutions to build bridges between different disciplines to develop AI models that are sustainable and equitable.

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annual Report 2023 We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Believe that a thriving digital future is essential for higher education to remain competitive and become accessible to all.

• Show concern that the EU is lagging behind on Artificial Intelligence.

• Emphasise that the future of our digital landscape should prioritise the public's interests and uphold the values that are important to Europeans.

• Encourage the development of ethical and transparent AI practices in higher education, including privacy protection, to ensure that AI is deployed in a fair and equitable manner.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The European Higher Education Institutions to proactively modify their learning, teaching, and assessment methods, and investigate the ethical application of AI. • The Higher Education Institutions to ensure that digital learning materials and platforms are accessible to students with disabilities. This can be done through the use of assistive technology and other

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•

•

accommodations to ensure that no student is left behind.

The EU Member States to make investments in fundamental research to ensure Europe remains competitive globally in the field of AI and digital research.

The European Commission and the European Parliament to direct resources towards research, development, and implementation of AI solutions in higher education. When creating the new strategic orientations for the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027 more support should be allocated towards research exploring the use of new technologies in the educational sector.

“Ensuring productive European Year of Skills 2023” Presented by PWG Higher Education and Research In her State of the Union address, President von der Leyen proclaimed 2023 the European Year of Skills.

The purpose of the European Year of Skills is to promote a culture of lifelong learning, improve the quality and relevance of skills development, and increase the employability of citizens across the European Union.

Students are an essential stakeholder group in the European Year of Skills 2023, as they are the ones who will benefit the most from the development of skills, both in terms of personal growth and professional prospects.

Education and skills development are essential for the transition to a green, digital, and inclusive economy and society.

We, as the official student organisation of the European People’s Party, like to express our appreciation for the fact that 2023 has been designated as the European Year of Skills.

However, the potential impact of

this initiative raises some concerns, since the previous year, the European Year of Youth 2022, lacked concrete actions and a dedicated budget to truly enhance the position of young people in Europe. It is important that the European Year of Skills will not suffer from the same shortcomings as its predecessor, and that it will be accompanied by effective measures that lead to tangible outcomes. As a broader request, EDS is advocating for the EU and member states to allocate a sufficient budget for each European Year and better cooperation with Member States.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Convey our appreciation for the designation of 2023 as the European Year of Skills.

• Express our concern that the European Year of Skills will lack concrete actions and a dedicated

•

budget and cooperation with Member States.

Believe that students should be among the main beneficiaries of the European Year of Skills 2023, as they are the future workforce and leaders of Europe, and need to be equipped with the knowledge, competences, and attitudes required to thrive in the 21st century.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The European Commission and the European Parliament to raise more awareness through communication of the European Year of Skills 2023, ensure necessary funding for events and goals planned for it and allocate additional funding to the policies and programmes focusing on skills.

• The European Commission to arrange extensive discussions and involve stakeholders,

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•

•

•

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particularly students and their representatives, in a collaborative process to design the events and initiatives of the European Year of Skills.

The EU Member States and Higher Education Institutions to fully support the European Year of Skills and to encourage all relevant stakeholders, including education providers, employers, social partners, and civil society organisations, to participate in the activities and initiatives organised during the year.

The European Commission to truly monitor and evaluate the impact of the Year in order to ensure that the initiative is meeting its objectives and that any necessary adjustments can be made to maximize its impact.

The European Institutions to promote the recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning, such as volunteering, internships, and civic engagement, and facilitate the transferability of skills across different sectors and countries.

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Economy and trade

EDS Working Group: Economy and Trade 2022-2023 White Paper

Turning the page on the pandemic: Implementing the reforms and investments of the EU27 Recovery and Resilience Plans

•

Trade Policy for Europe: Respecting human rights as a precondition for free-trade agreements

Bolstering European resilience: Reshoring the chips and semi-conductor industry to the EU

•

•

• •

Aurora Hårtveit

Nikos Theodosiadis

Todor Koneski

Modernising the European labour market: Up-skilling and re-skilling Europeans towards the digital and green transitions •

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Accelerating the process of concluding trade agreements with democratic states and deepening transatlantic cooperation Cooperation with WG on Human Rights Carrot and stick (i.e., Single Market Emergency Instrument)

Refine further: what more can be done here (that is not already being done)?

•

Connection to youth: minimum wage directive, youth unemployment; incentives for entrepreneurship

Reducing vulnerabilities of crossborder supply chains and critical raw materials Open Strategic Autonomy

• •

Lessons from the pandemic: streamlining and simplifying the framework of European economic governance •

Deepening ties and developing an investment agreement with Taiwan •

Deepening economic, education, scientific research and supply chain ties between Taiwan and Europe

A stronger global Europe: Increasing and deepening sanctions against Russia

Bolstering economic support to Ukraine, and enhancing EU-UA economic ties Consider the dimension of China supplying Russia in the absence of the EU market

• •

Governance based approach giving Member States more ownership in defining a fiscal adjustment path that ensures public debt sustainability Addressing the investment gaps for the green and digital transitions Defence as a special subset of debt

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“Holding Russia accountable: Increasing and strengthening sanctions” In response to Russia’s unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, the European Union has imposed a series of sanctions against Russia and Belarus aimed at limiting their economic prowess and ability to wage war. These sanctions are imposed as a tool to stop Russia’s aggressive behaviour that contradicts international law and norms and require the unanimity of all EU 27 Member States as well as their full commitment for their successful implementation. Sanctions against Russia have been in place since their aggression against and illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. However, have since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine on 24th of February 2022 imposed a series of new eight sanctions. These sanctions are among the toughest actions nations can take, short of going to war, but are still not enough to fully limit the Kremlin’s ability to wage war.

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In response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the EU has imposed far-reaching and hardhitting sanctions (8 packages thus far).

Those measures include 1) individual restrictive measures targeting inter alia top political leaders and lawmakers, business and military elite, and 2) sectoral measures against Russia, and restrictions on economic relations with the non-government-controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Sectoral sanctions include inter alia trade restrictions, financial sector (including SWIFT-related sanctions); energy sector; transport sector and technology sector.

The sanctions against Russia include targeted economic sanctions, individual sanctions, military sanctions, and diplomatic measures.

The economic penalties are intended to hold Russia accountable for its conduct and to successfully obstruct Russian efforts and capabilities to prolong the invasion. Individuals who

Presented by PWG Economy and Trade support, finance, carry out, or who gain from actions that undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence are the subject of the sanctions. The EU has also adopted sanctions against Belarus in response to its involvement in the invasion of Ukraine.

Individual restrictive sanctions have however been put in place, this include asset freezes and travel restrictions. 1,236 individuals and 115 entities are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban because their actions have undermined Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The measures were first introduced in March 2014, and they were last extended until 15 March 2023. The economic sanctions are currently extended until 31 January 2023.

The list of banned products is designed to maximise the negative impact of the sanctions on the

Russian economy, while limiting the consequences for EU businesses and citizens. As a whole, the Russian economy is in crisis. Forecasters estimate that Russian GDP will fall by anything from 6% (IMF) to 12.5% (Fitch). For instance, the Central Bank of Russia said recently that the banking sector has lost 1,5 trillion rubles in the first half of 2022.The war and the sanctions have also had a significant impact on Russian companies. Since February the main index of the Moscow Exchange has dropped by over one third.

It is noteworthy that the EU and its Member States seek to avoid any sort of humanitarian crisis through these restrictions. Because of this, industries including food, agriculture, health, and pharmaceuticals are exempt from the mandated restriction measures.

Our sanctions do not prohibit the import of Russian agricultural goods, payment for such Russian exports or the provision of seeds, provided that sanctioned individuals or entities are not involved. Those agricultural products can be imported into the EU and transferred to third countries (including from the occupied areas of Luhansk, Donetsk as well as Crimea and Sevastopol, if approved by the Ukrainian authorities).

As Russia wages an information war pushing blatantly false narratives that Europe is in any way responsible for

the global food crisis that has been instigated by Russia’s unjustifiable war, it is more important than counter these narratives and hold the people perpertuating them accountable.

This includes fact-checking and rectify ‘fake news’ that is decinimated

by Kremnlin-affiliated media and individuals and openly exchanging with our international partners on what we are doing to them in their humanitarian needs concerning the food crisis and demonstrate how and why Russia’s actions are responsible for the current situation. Further, Member States and public officials across Europe should refrain from pushing these narratives themselves, as they only serve to undermine our international standing and push the Kremlin’s false propaganda.

As the war in Ukraine enters a critical phase, with the Ukrainian counter-offensive now in full swing, it is more important than ever to maintain existing sanctions, as well as strengthen and expand them further so as to add the maximum possible pressure on Putin and his regime. The only possible outcome of this war is a full and total victory for Ukraine, one that encompasses the return of all its terrorities, including Crimea, from the Russian occupation.

We, European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student’s organisation of European People’s Party (EPP): • Recognising that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 was unprovoked and unjustified.

• Acknowledging that individuals who support, finance, carry out, or who gain from actions that undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence needs to be the subject of EU sanctions.

• Insist that the EU should maintain and increase the sanctions against Russia and Belarus as long as Russia does not respect Ukraine’s national sovereignty and continues its illegal invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory.

Call on the European Commission, the European Council, and the Member States to: • Maintain and extend the timeline of all existing sanctions against Russia and Belarus with the aim to limit its capacity to wage war and blackmail Ukraine and the EU. • Consider a blanket travel ban for all Russians.

• Continue the efforts across the entire EU and all Member States to phase out Russian oil and gas, with the aim to cease our dependence on Russia.

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•

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Sanction more Russian individuals and businesses, including the oligarchs and their families who use the EU as a safe haven while Russia wage’s its murderous war in Ukraine, as well as on persons and entities that facilitate the infringement and circumvention of these sanctions, including those in the neighbourhood of the EU that are in the process of EU membership negotiations.

Extend the ban on SWIFT to more Russian and Belarusian banks and sectors.

Counter the disinformation and false narrative that the EU is responsible for the global food insecurity due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that Russia is pushing.

Introduce sanctions to persons and entities that facilitate the infringement and circumvention of sanctions, including those in the neighbourhood of the EU that are also in the process of EU membership negotiations.

“Human Rights and Conditionalities in Trade: Using the full arsenal of the EU Single Market” The idea of setting conditionalities on human rights for trading with third countries is a complex and controversial one. It is recognised that human rights are universal and should be respected everywhere, regardless of the nature of the relationship between states. Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union states that ‘the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality​​, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.’ Further, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – which has the same legal value as the treaties – enshrines the fundamental rights that people enjoy in the EU, as well as protects and promotes people’s rights and freedoms in the light of changes in society, social progress, and scientific and technological developments.

These values are closely linked and are supposed to guide the EU’s internal and external action​​.

However, it is also recognised that economic and trade relations can play an important role in promoting human rights and that conditionalities can be an effective tool for achieving this. There are several reasons why setting conditionalities on human rights for trading with third countries can be seen as important. Firstly, trade can provide an incentive for countries to respect human rights by linking their ability to trade with their human rights performance. The EU’s GDP amounts to an estimated USD 16.6 trillion in 2022, representing one-sixth of the global economy, offering an incredibly valuable foreign policy tool.1 By setting conditionalities, countries that violate human rights can be denied access to the EU’s lucrative Single Market, thereby reducing their economic benefits, and putting pressure on them to adopt their behaviour.

Secondly, trade can also provide a source of support for human rights

Presented by PWG Economy and Trade by providing resources that can be used to advance human rights. This can be achieved through targeted aid, investment, and other forms of support that can help to strengthen civil society and promote human rights, an area where the EU already excels as the world’s biggest donor for international trade, with more than EUR 50 billion annually.

Thirdly, trade can also play a role in promoting human rights by creating opportunities for people to interact and exchange ideas and experiences.

This can help to build bridges between people of different cultures and promote greater understanding and respect for human rights through people-to-people contact.

However, while setting conditionalities on human rights for trading with third countries can be seen as important, it is also recognised that there are many challenges associated with this approach. While Article 21 and 3(5) of the Treaty of the European

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annual Report 2023 Union commit the EU to protect and promote human rights globally when developing and implementing its foreign policies, this mandate and its concrete policy implication remain oftentimes neglected by policymakers.

One of the main challenges is that in today’s globalised world trade is often highly interdependent, and the effects of trade sanctions can be farreaching and unpredictable, with the potential to damage the EU as much as the third country that they are directed towards. Another challenge is that it can be difficult to ensure that conditionalities are effective in promoting human rights. For example, it may be difficult to monitor compliance with human rights conditions, and there are concerns about the political intentions behind actions of third countries that may appear to be improving in human rights, but in reality, such changes are just a façade.

To achieve the goal of setting conditionalities on human rights for trading with third countries, the EU promotes international humanitarian law through, amongst other measures, restrictions and sanctions, crisis-management operations which may include cooperation with international bodies such as for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations, and the training and education of

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civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement officials.

Moreover, the EU introduced the ‘more for more’ principle in 2011, under which stronger bilateral partnerships are developed with neighbouring countries that make greater progress towards democratic reform, human rights, and the rule of law. While this system of trade preferences does seemingly offer trade benefits to countries that demonstrate a commitment to human rights, while denying trade benefits to countries that violate human rights, in practice this is not the case.

At a time when the People’s Republic of China is becoming increasingly aggressive, implementing totalitarian policies domestically2 while aggravating tensions with neighbours such as Taiwan, the total value of the goods traded between China and Europe reached EUR 696 billion ($732 billion) in 2021, up by nearly 25% compared to 2019.3 China remains the EU’s biggest trading partner. Meanwhile, despite consistent and unjustifiable human rights violations in Azerbaijan, especially when it comes to its treatment of neighbouring Armenia (see ‘Human Rights Watch: World Report 2022’), the EU agreed to a memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan in July 2022 to double imports of Azeri natural gas by 2027.

It is crucial to ensure that our trade policies are transparent and accountable. This can only be achieved through regular reporting and review mechanisms that would allow trustworthy stakeholders to provide feedback on the effectiveness of trade policies in promoting human rights.

In conclusion, setting conditionalities on human rights for trading with third countries can be seen as a powerful tool for the promotion of human rights and the values that we stand for in our Union. While there are many challenges associated with this approach, developing strong policies and fully implementing existing ones can address these challenges and ensure that conditionalities are effective in promoting human rights.

At a time when half of the world’s democracies are in decline4, as we rid ourselves of the dependencies that we have on Russia, particularly on energy and raw materials, we cannot and must not replace these needs with reliances on other authoritarian and repressive regimes.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student’s organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Acknowledging the significance of trade for the EU and its Member States and the

•

•

benefits that it brings to jobs, development, and a higher standard of living across the continent; Recognising the EU’s existing regulatory framework and role in promoting human rights due diligence, for instance with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive; Recalling that when it comes to the Union’s external policies, Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union stipulates that the EU should consistently and coherently ‘consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the principles of international law’

Call on the European Commission, the European Council, and the Member States to: • Fully implement existing instruments aimed at reducing support (financial or otherwise) and trade in critical raw materials, and sensitive and dual use technologies with countries that repeatedly infringe international human rights law; • Develop stronger cooperation with the UN and other internationally recognised bodies to monitor trends on human rights more effectively across the globe, including within Europe; • Adopt assessments during the

•

course of bilateral/multilateral trade agreements, as well as ex ante and ex post evaluations to ensure that trade privileges are reduced in repeated cases of human rights violations; Develop a revised longterm and comprehensive EU common commercial policy that ensures that we do not replace trade dependencies from one authoritarian and/or totalitarian regime with increased trade from another authoritarian and/or totalitarian regime, while fully respecting the rights and values upon which the EU is built.

World Economic Outlook Database: October 2022; International Monetary Fund.

1

OHCHR Assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China, UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, published on 31 August 2022 3 Huge trade partner and ‘systemic rival.’

Europe has a China problem, CNN, published on 2 December 2022.

4 The Global State of Democracy 2022, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), published on 30 November 2022.

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annual Report 2023

Gender Equality

“Measurement against violence”

Equality is a fundamental right of the EU but nowadays there are still many different discriminations that leads to violence, threating this equality. In particularly, women and LGBTI+ suffer the high percentage of violence.

There are four types of violence: physical violence, verbal violence, phycological violence and sexual violence.

Most EU countries have laws to combat violence based on gender or sexual orientation. However, the absence of a single definition and common rules prevents it from being dealt with effectively.

Aurora Hårtveit

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Sara Marinelli

Speaking of women, according to the EU Fundamental Rights Agency survey, from the age of 15, more than one in two women have experienced sexual harassment (55%), one in three have experienced physical and / or sexual violence (33%), 22% by the partner, one in five has been the

victim of stalking (18%) and one in twenty of rape (5%). 43% of women suffered psychological violence. 16% of women with violent partners were abused even after the end of the relationship and some even during pregnancy (42% by the ex partner, 20% by the current partner).

In 2018, more than 600 femicides occurred in the EU and around 50 women die every week as a result of domestic violence. 28% of women suffered harassment in the year preceding the survey and, considering the five years preceding the calculation, the figure rises to 39%; while for disabled women, these percentages rise to 36% and 48% respectively. Furthermore, 95% of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation in the EU are women.

75% experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, which then moved online in times of lockdown. Episodes of violence, online and offline, have increased in number and severity since the start of the pandemic.

Regarding the LGBTQ+, the European Union Agency for fundamental right survey show as 140.000 interviewed in 2019 6 out of 10 participants declare that they avoid holding hands in public with the person they have chosen as their partner; 2 out of 5 reported being harassed because of their gender identity or sexual orientation in the year prior to completing the questionnaire. One in 5 people say they feel discriminated against at work, and one in 3 say they feel discriminated against in public social spaces, such as bars and restaurants.

We, European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student’s organisation of European People’s Party (EPP): • Acknowledging that each type of violence creates inequality, ruining society.

• Recognising that there isn’t any common law to decrease violence.

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Believing that the EU should encourage in common rules in the European countries.

Call on the European Commission and Member States to: • Work for new common rules to decrease violence • Incentivize European countries to apply sanction to anyone who applies violence • Encourage European countries to incentive communication campaign that raise awareness of recognizing and denouncing violence act.

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ConferEnce for Europe

“Road to the Effective Management of ESG Risks across European Union institutions” According to NASDAQ (2021) global Environmental-Social-Governance (thereafter “ESG”) investing was nearly $2 trillion by the end of the first quarter in 2021. During recent years, EU policymakers have directed attention towards the rising ESG risks and the need for implementation of effective risk-management techniques within this field.

Agata Czyżewska

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Katerina Kyriacou

Todor Koneski

Raising Awareness The European Banking Authority (EBA) along with national authorities across EU member states have developed technical standards and guidelines on appropriate risk management procedures and supervisory measures for credit institutions and investment firms in order to mitigate various risks arising within the financial arena.

Through its comprehensive report on managing and supervising ESG risks, the EBA defines them as risks arising from the core activities of institutions, materialising through

Presented by PWG “Conference of the Future of Europe”

the traditional categories of financial risks (i.e. credit risk, market risk, operational and reputational risk, liquidity and funding risk). Due to the rapid evolvement and increasing importance of the financial sector, the need for incorporation of ESG risks within institutions’ business strategies, risk management frameworks and internal governance arrangements is key to safeguard long-term viability, credibility and competitiveness of European financial institutions.

However, during an era of globalization, modernization and constant development facing the international political economy of the European Union, there is a need to constantly update policies and procedures to reflect and respond to changes within this dynamic environment.

The global financial crisis of 2008 which has evolved into an economic recession for most EU member

states, the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war against Ukraine are only but a few examples displaying the increasing need to control ESG risks and constantly develop policies directed towards the evolving financial sector.

ESG Factors Environmental Factors and Risks According to the EBA (2021), environmental risks are defined as the financial risks posed by an institution’s exposures to counterparties or invested assets which may potentially be affected or contribute to the negative impacts of environmental factors. According to Standard & Poor’s Global Market Intelligence (2019), 80% of the world’s largest firms are reporting exposures to physical or market transition risks regarding climate change.

Specifically, climate change and other types of environmental degradation as well as corrective policy actions

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annual Report 2023 aimed at addressing environmental sustainability could adversely affect an institution’s financial position if the said risks are not accounted for in the business model and strategy of the firm. There are two identified sides in which environmental risks can materialise. The outside-in perspective suggests that the financial performance of a counterparty can be affected by environmental factors (e.g. introducing a carbon tax may reduce profitability of a carbon-intensive business and competitiveness of the products sold which could adversely affect the lender institution’s solvency). The impact of neglecting ESG has already began to cost business since according to research by CDP (2020), climaterelated weather events are expected to cost business $1.3 trillion by 2026.

On the other hand, the inside-out perspective addresses the direct impact to the environment when the counterparties activities themselves, lead to a negative impact on the environment (e.g. emission of large volume of CO2) which could create a financial impact on the counterparty as well as the lender through the materialisation of reputational risk.

Risk-Mitigation and RiskManagement Policy An effective strategy to mitigate the effects of environmental risks is by directing the investment firm’s strategy towards environmental

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impact investments. They are defined as investments that are aimed at generating significant social and environmental impacts as well as financial returns. Through its brief on Environmental Impact Investment, the EU Commission (2016) suggests that shifting finance towards more sustainable projects could lead to improving environmental deterioration, mitigation of environmental risks and retaining investment firms’ profit margins all at once.

This approach could be enhanced by creating more incentives to investment firms to support environmentally friendly projects like the emergence of green bonds for capital to be directed towards funding sustainable investments and projects in Europe.

Marketing and communication is key in achieving this policy outcome.

For instance, the EU Commission could publish announcements of the top EU Investment Firms funding such projects which would increase information available to consumers, attract more clientele to the investment firm and improve its reputation whilst encouraging other investment firms to follow this strategy as well.

Furthermore, government approach towards investment firms following a sustainable financing strategy could be less stringent by reducing environmental taxes on these entities or even interfering within

the supply chain by decreasing costs of production of such investment projects. Specifically, this could be done through a reduction of VAT on extraction of raw materials via a greener approach, thus benefitting both the investment company and construction firm.

Social Factors and Risks Social factors are related to individual’s rights, well-being and take into account multiple factors such as inequality, health, worker’s relations, human capital development and community environment. Social risks are defined as factors that could have a positive or negative impact on the financial performance of an entity or an individual. Even though the European Commission has provided a definition of these factors though the ‘European Pillar of Social Rights’, establishing common principles regarding working conditions, gender equality and social protection through 20 principles, the European Commission is searching for a further extension of the current taxonomy to include more factors such as living conditions and human rights. Marsh & McLennan’s (2020) findings suggest that organizations with the highest employee satisfaction had ESG scores which were 14% higher than the global average which is likely to be due to their strong environmental performance.

Therefore, it is important to establish

a concrete definition of social factors and guide investors and institutions through the process of enhancing their risk-mitigation techniques against the impact that social risks may have onto their working environments. An important driver of social risks is the change in policies and market environment towards a more equitable and inclusive society when these are not accounted for by the company. This poses an increasing need for corporate attention to be directed towards incorporating this factor within their models in order to mitigate the possibility of operating within a country with lower labour rights and against a business environment where competitors have improved their social standards. This could lead to some firms being faced with increased costs of compliance in the future and in turn, threatening their future financial position. In this respect, materialisation of social risks could then lead to legal and reputation risks for the said firms, as well as affecting balance sheets of the credit institutions financing these counterparties activities, through the domino effect of interdependence and uncertainty surrounding the financial market. In order to mitigate this adverse effect, a bottom-up approach could be considered in which both the credit institution and investment firms are called to assess their risks and provide for mitigating actions against these risks, reducing

the possibility of a financial downturn of the size and nature of 2008 hitting the European market.

At the moment, the EBA’s Taxonomy requires the Investment Firms deemed as ‘significant’ investment firms to disclose information on how they handle ESG risks. The EU’s threshold conditions to qualify as a ‘significant’ firm is an investment firm whose value of on and offbalance sheet assets are on average greater than 100 million Euro over the four-year period immediately preceding the financial year. Given the significance that social risks have been gaining after the pandemic, EU policy could be aimed at reducing the threshold amounts for requiring smaller investment firms to disclose their social risks, governance and environmental risks as well as increasing regulatory supervision on whether the company policies disclosed are indeed established, i.e., by conducting inspection visits and advising the regulator to communicate with employees to what extent working conditions are inclusive, diverse, gender-equal and as prescribed within the disclosures of the Company.

audit, anti-corruption, and bribery as well as the way the company manages the environmental and social factors mentioned above. Realisation of governance risks may adversely affect the financial performance of an entity and individual employee. Governance risks are not easily quantifiable, however they are usually driven by inadequate management or noncompliance to corporate governance frameworks and ineffective control of ESG risks. Specifically, ineffective documentation or company policy on code of conduct, or lack of remedial action on issues like antimoney laundering may lead to reputation damage, reduction of financial resources and could heavily impact current and future company performance. Legal risk may also arise if the firm receives a fine from the regulatory authority which could affect long-term viability and profitability as well as increase credit risk in the long run. Importantly enough, including and incorporating within the business strategy the environmental and social risks to which an institution is or may be exposed to in the future, is considered as a sign of good governance structures.

Governance Factors and Risks Governance factors refer to the practices, measures and internal controls taken by a company with respect to executive leadership, pay,

The Index Industry Association’s (2021) research highlights that 85% of asset managers say ESG is a high priority for their companies, but 64% were concerned about a

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annual Report 2023 lack of transparency and corporate disclosure on firms’ ESG activities.

In this respect, strengthening governance requirements and promoting transparency should include, among others, the segregation of operational duties of departments of the Company, increasing disclosures on governance and internal controls of the Company, not only on the ‘significant’ firms as per the EU’s definition but smaller firms as well, in order to harmonize standards and promote an EU corporate environment which is not prone to corrupt behaviour and ineffective management. This will reduce strategic weaknesses in the financial atmosphere and may mitigate the impact of a financial downturn to which investment firms and corporate entities are interdependent, avoiding a financial recession the size of the Eurocrisis to be realized again. Therefore, the national authorities should be encouraged through EU policy to increase supervisory measures across investment firms and require a more detailed representation of Company policies on governance practices, whilst becoming more rigorous on non-compliance to the Regulation, through higher regulatory fines and more compliance checks conducted.

The way forward: The EBA suggests that the way forward towards controlling and

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mitigating the effects of ESG Risks is through Identification, Evaluation and Action. Following this approach, it is important to firstly develop and decide on a common European indicator to calculate and analyse ESG factors in order to be able to take on a harmonized approach towards ESG which will be comparable from country-to-country and industry-toindustry. Moreover, it is important for the European Commission to develop a concrete action plan outlining and describing the practices, disclosures and supervisory requirements to which firms and institutions should adhere to as regards the field of ESG. Furthermore, requiring investment firms and credit institutions to increase their training with specific focus on these risks, is key to ensuring that the common set of goals set by the Commission will be achieved within the agreed time horizon and to evidence that not only ESG factors have been taken into consideration, but the appropriate mitigation techniques have been undertaken

by European firms. Following a similar perspective, it would be wise to require institutions to incorporate the realisation of ESG risks within their business model, by instructing these entities to conduct separate stress tests within their ICARA (Internal Capital Adequacy and Risk Assessment) report. This will display the quantifiable financial impact that realisation of ESG risks may have on

the company in a forward-looking manner, as well as showcase the proactive action taken to mitigate the possibility as well as impact that this may have to the Company, Market and Clients of the firm.

Furthermore, investment firms deemed as ‘significant’ entities according to the Commission’s definition, further, to being required to make disclosures regarding ESG, could also be required to establish a separate committee within their organisational structure which will be specifically focused on ESG risks and their management, which will be working together with the Company’s Risk Management Committee. As regards the supervisory authority, through European legislation, clear guidelines should be given in order to establish that competent authorities can monitor the efficiency of entities who will have to assess the changing business environment and evaluate long-term resilience, set ESG-risk related objectives and consider the development of sustainable products and finance within their business plan.

Furthermore, according to McKinsey (2019), strategies on ESG may affect companies operating profits by as much as 60%. Thus, European institutions should be urged to adopt ESG-Related policies by establishing their own environmental goals rather

than conducting a “one-size-fits-all” approach to accommodate for the needs of each entity with respect to their nature, size and complexity of business in order to enable a smooth but effective transition into a business model that accounts for ESG policy. Reducing carbon footprint, determining a sourcing strategy and setting plans on the elimination of waste could be included within the Company’s policies and disclosed to the regulator as well as the public by explicitly mentioning the actions taken to account for environmental risks. As regards mitigation of social risks, building an inclusive and gender-neutral diversity policy with explicit references as to how the Company enhances employee health is a good starting point. Nevertheless, establishing a strong governance framework act as a corner stone to achieving effective risk-management of the risks discussed above. Raising awareness and promoting the specific establishment of internal controls against ESG risks, lies within the heart of the company. For example, diversification of the board of directors, enhancing business ethics and increasing transparency at all levels will benefit the Company itself, as well as the market as a whole, mitigating risks and improving competitiveness and profitability.

Keeping in mind all the above factors, the need to incorporate ESG risks within European business models

has become more pressing than ever.

Through effective mitigation and management, EU-based investment firms and credit institutions can benefit in multiple ways and forms. Firstly, by reducing environmental risks, companies move closer to achieving environmental goals and standards.

By managing social risks, firms take measures to enhance social wellbeing and therefore productivity, building a more resilient business model with stronger foundations against external factors that may adversely impact operations. Lastly, by building robust governance arrangements, this will enable effective implementation of policies and enable the cooperation of each department and committee towards achieving the Company’s goals in a transparent manner. Thus, EU institutions can secure future profitability and competitiveness even in the face of uncertainty.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Emphasize the urgency in adopting harmonized regulatory and technical standards with regards to EnvironmentalSocial-Governance Risks.

• Understand the societal, environmental, and economic impact that EU firms may have due to the ESG risks they are

•

exposed to which may reduce competitiveness and future profitability.

Communicate the significance in developing risk-management techniques and controls with special focus on ESG risks, especially for the largest-mostinterconnected and significant firms.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon the European Union and the European Commission to: • Adopt common European standards with regards to supervision, regulation and riskmitigation methods against ESG risks for investment firms.

• Provide recommendations and techniques to EU institutions and emphasize the need for coordination with national competent authorities to ensure that procedures are followed and guidance is provided towards the reduction of ESG risks.

• Require employees who work in positions that can affect the institutions risk profile (i.e. compliance, risk-management, senior management members) to attend seminars on ESGrelated risks and the creation of a separate committee on ESG risks.

• Reduce the threshold conditions to include ‘smaller’ investment firms, according to the EU’s

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annual Report 2023 definition in order to incorporate ESG risk mitigation within their business models (i.e., ESG Company policies and disclosures, appropriate evidence on risk mitigation measures against ESG risks).

References: 2021, EBA Report: ON MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF ESG RISKS FOR CREDIT INSTITUTIONS AND INVESTMENT FIRMS, EBA/REP/2021/18.

2021, The Rise of ESG and the Importance of ESG Data, https:// www.nasdaq.com/articles/the-riseof-esg-and-the-importance-of-esgdata.

2019, S&P Global, Accounting for Climate: The Next Frontier in ESG, https://www.spglobal. com/en/research-insights/ featured/accounting-forclimate-the-next-frontier-inesg#:~:text=%E2%80%9C80%20 percent%20of%20the%20 world's,for%20sustainable%2C%20 low%20carbon%20investments.

2021, CDP Global Supply Chain Report 2020, Transparency to Transformation: A Chain Reaction, https://cdn.cdp.net/ c d p - p ro d u c t i o n / c m s / re p o r t s / documents/000/005/554/ original/CDP_SC_Report_2020. pdf ?1614160765.

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2019, Henisz, Koller, Nuttall, McKinsey Quarterly, Five ways that ESG creates value: Getting your environment, social and governance (ESG) proposition right links to higher value creation. Here’s why.

2020, Marsh & Maclennan Companies, Jiang, Ferguson, Yeo, Bailey, ESG as a workforce strategy: Part I: Overview and Results.

2021, Index Industry Association, IIA 2021 International Survey of Asset Managers, Measurable Impact: Asset Managers on the Challenges and Opportunities of ESG Investment.

“Towards closed-loop circular beverage bottles economy” Presented by PWG “Conference of the Future of Europe”

46 billion plastic beverage bottles are being consumed each year in the European Union (EU)1. It takes about 0,25 liter of oil to produce 1 liter plastic bottle2. Plastic bottles are made from a petroleum product polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that is the only plastic that can be 100% recycled3. Plastic bottles applies to 47% of overall PET demand in the EU. Moreover, of the entire PET family, bottle recycling has the most developed technology and infrastructure. That opens the door for fully circular beverage bottles

economy in the EU. Basing on NGO Zero Waste Europe this years report4, currently the overall collection rate of the plastic bottles in the EU is 60%. The average collection rate of PET bottles is estimated at 96%5 for countries operating deposit return systems (DRS) and 48%6 in countries without DRS. With 10% loss on bottle components (caps, lids, labels) and sort, wash and flake loss, plastic bottles have recycling rate at around 50%. New bottles placed on EU market contain an average of just 17% recycled PET

(rPET). The remaining rPET is lost from the circular bottle stream and downcycled mainly to trays, fibres, other packaging and strapping that can’t be upcycled to plastic bottles again7.

Within the EU Single Use Plastic Directive8, European Commission have set specific goals for plastic bottles sold on the single market: collection rate and recycled content threshold. By 2025, the plastic bottle collection rate is to be increased to 77%, which is expected to result in

Statista (2017) “Average annual on-the-go single-use plastics items consumed in the European Union (EU-28) as of 2017” Nexus of change (2018) “The Plastic Problem, Visualized” 3 Petcore Europe (2021) “PET: why it's not a single use plastic!”

4 Zero Waste Europe (2022) “How circular is PET?” 5 Reloop (2020) “Global Deposit Book 2020: An Overview of Deposit Systems for One-Way Beverage Containers” 6 Plastics Recyclers Europe, Petcore Europe, and EFBW (2020) “PET Market in Europe - State of Play: Production, Collection and Recycling Data” 7 Zero Waste Europe (2022) “How circular is PET?” 8 European Commission (2019) “Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive 2019/904" 1 2

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annual Report 2023 25% recycled plastic in PET bottles sold on the EU market. In 2030, collection rate is to be increased to 90%, while all plastic bottles sold in the EU are expected to contain at least 30% of rPET. According to Zero Waste Europe report9, top global beverage producers are setting themselves more ambitious goals for rPET content in beverages bottles.

For example PepsiCo has set a goal to achieve 50% recycled plastic (rPET) in its bottles by 2030 across the EU, with an interim target of 45% by 202510. Nestle committed to increase the rPET content in its water bottles to 35% globally by 2025 and has already introduced 100% rPET bottle in 201911. Danone expects to reach average of 50% rPET in 2025, for Volvic and Evian the goal is 100%12.

All of the above proves that possessed technology is sufficient to achieve transition towards EU circular beverage bottles economy with no need to introduce more petroleum

products in the market. On the other hand according to UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, given current collection performances across the EU, many EU Member States are unlikely to achieve the EU collection targets13. In order to ensure achievement of these goals and to enable circularity in the beverage bottles sector, there is a need to increase EU-wide plastic collection rate by introducing common deposit return system that will additionally allow citizens to return bottles all over EU. These systems has been already introduced in 17 EU Member States14, in those countries collection rate is twice as big as in countries without DRS. According to INNOWO study, the most effective collection systems are the Scandinavian ones15.

High collection will further increase plastic bottles recycling rate and enable more ambitious level of rPET contain in beverage bottles sold on the EU market. To make it possible, it is necessary to ensure fair access to rPET for plastic bottles

producers to close the plastic bottles loop16. By minimising downcycling to less quality PET products, we can assure plastic bottles longevity and significantly decrease the sectoral pressure on the environment.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Recognize the need to significantly increase EU-wide plastic bottles collection rate • Express concern about low collection rate in EU Member States without deposit return system • Appreciate the efficiency of PET recycling technology and infrastructure • Recognize the need for more ambitious targets for rPET content in plastic bottles placed on the EU market • Acknowledge the necessity to increase plastic bottles producers access to rPET

• •

Express importance of minimising downcycling of rPET to lower quality products Express appreciation towards ambitious rPET targets pledged by top beverage producers on the EU market

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • European Commission to support and speed up #ReturnthePlastics Citizens Initiative to implement EU-wide deposit return system for plastic beverage bottles to increase

•

•

•

collection rate on the EU plastic bottles market Member States to urgently implement DRS and set ambitious goals for plastic bottles collection European Commission to revise current legislation (ex. Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive) to increase producers access to recycled PET so that producers are given back the equal amount of recycled content that they bring bottles on the market Member States and waste collection systems suppliers to

•

•

provide infrastructure for plastic bottles return machines and collection points European Union Institutions and Member States to ensure maximisation of rPET returning to the market in plastic bottles and minimisation of rPET downcycling European Union citizens to contribute to increase of national and EU-wide collection rate by returning uncrushed plastic bottles

Zero Waste Europe (2022) “How circular is PET?” https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/en/commitments/pledges/pepsico 11 https://petpla.net/2019/07/11/first-100-rpet-bottle-launch-from-nestle-europe/ 12 https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2020/10/21/Danone-s-Volvic-rolls-out-100-rPET-bottle# and https://wwwdanone. de/en/impact/planet/packaging.html 13 Zero Waste Europe (2021) "It’s time to acknowledge the role of Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) in achieving a Circular Economy for beverage packaging in the EU” 14 https://spidersweb.pl/bizblog/system-kaucyjny-slowacja-polska-butelkomaty/ 15 INNOWO (2020) “How do effective deposit refund systems work?”

16 https://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/stop-downcycling-our-bottles-why-europes-non-alcoholic-beverage-industry-needsfair-and-necessary-access-to-its-recycled-packaging/ 9

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“The new roadmap for European Union energy policy” Summer University // Cyprus // 27-31th July 2022 Energy has long been the quintessential backbone of economic prosperity, efficient industry, citizen livelihoods and state security.

Considering the new geopolitical and energy market realities, a new roadmap on how we handle and think about energy is obligatory. The brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine has been at the centre of this disruption in the global energy markets. As such the EU has announced REPowerEU, the new energy charter for our union calling for diversification of our sources of energy and optimisation of our consumption all while maintaining our commitment to the European Green Deal.

The EU also has made it a key target to make the union independent from Russian supplies with a combination of immediate sanctions and long term disconnection aspirations.

Simultaneously, in an effort to fatigue the EU, Moscow is aiming to hold the EU to ransom by decreasing

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and cutting off energy supplies.

Key example of this is threats to limit volumes on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. This dynamic has already resulted in halving of gas consumption coming from Russia.

Another outcome of this dynamic, and global energy market trends is the fact that electricity and energy prices in Europe have reached unprecedented levels. For instance, one of the benchmarks, the price of German baseload power delivery one year ahead, has reached a record figure of €328 per megawatt. The reason for this is that one of the most important determinants of electricity price is the price of gas which is used to generate energy and is currently in very short supply.

This situation is further exacerbated by energy production woes faced by EU member and allied states. France has been experiencing maintenance issues in nuclear power plants, calling

for substitution with increased gas imports from neighboring states.

Germany, facing limited Russian supply might be facing a requirement to bail out a major energy company.

Meanwhile, Norwegian oil and gas production faced strikes that could have potentially disrupted upwards to 60% of supply. The US has been struck with a fire at an LNG terminal in Texas that handles almost 20% of all US capacity, shutting down the plant for at least three months.

Ukraine, still under violent attack, now has to import all fuel supplies from the EU. Gas production growth has also been very slow during Covid, limiting current capacities. To add to that, alternatives, such as coal are significantly less clean and also facing record price levels, while renewables would require a longer time frame to implement.

Pressure on European governments is likely to continue to grow. On top of fears of approaching recession

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annual Report 2023 and increasing inflation, with current levels of supply, industries fear Europe will struggle to store enough gas ahead of the winter months when demand will be highest. To add to that, the supply may not necessarily bounce back, if anything, it might continue to decrease as Russia continues using energy as political leverage. Then European consumers and industries would likely face rationing aiming to ensure continuous operation of essential industries and services.

Strain on global energy markets may also further increase when China ends the zero Covid policy and economic activity returns to normal pace, prices will further skyrocket.

Thus the EU must be ready to endure economic fatigue and exhaustion, on the energy market front, to not succumb to Russian pressure.

energy independence. However it will take time and will not come without any cost for European economies.

The fiscal and economic burden of this transition was already high, but the recent developments in the energy market make it even more costly. Efforts to reduce emissions through limitations on the supply side of the market, without tackling the demand, have now put the European energy markets in a visibly vulnerable position. To add to that, increasing oil and gas prices will incentivise greater investment in fossil fuels. This price led incentive is even greater in emerging and developing economies where clean energy investments are incredibly low. Though developed economies are also scrambling to make fossil fuels cheaper to keep consumers and voters satisfied.

Following the outbreak of the pandemic and the ongoing developments of the Russian war against Ukraine and dire situation in the energy market, Europe is faced with a multi-level crisis. As such it requires a multifaceted answer that would ensure that energy will be affordable, secure and sustainable as soon as possible. The one policy direction that will ensure all this, and one that the REPowerEU is based on is European energy independence.

Despite that, renewables are the cheapest, cleanest energy available, and can be produced domestically, reducing our need for energy imports. The Green Deal climate law is making great strides though it is facing significant pushback such as slower phase-outs, or failure to reach full agreement on issues such as Emissions Trading System or a carbon border tax, or inclusion of loopholes limiting the effectiveness of for instance limitations on overseas fossil fuel projects. Thus, the EU must continue increasing tangible, financial and legislative support to renewables

The European green energy transition goes hand in hand with

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which are facing disadvantages in the current economic climate.

Another important aspect of the new roadmap is diversification. States require a robust set of alternative sources if they are to reliably, securely and affordably meet the needs of people. Considering the realistically long-term timeline of phasing in renewables, the EU must look to reliable regions for its energy imports.

One of such regions may be the Eastern Mediterranean where gas supplies off the coasts of Cyprus, Israel and Egypt may provide vast LNG supplies to the whole of Europe.

The region is set to be connected to the European mainland through the EastMed pipeline and the Euroasia Interconnector cable which direly need to be completed as soon as possible. Other partners such as the US, Norway, Algeria, Australia, Azerbaijan and the Gulf states may potentially also provide more sizable supply in the future.

Another immediate supportive measure which may prove useful in diversification efforts are already expanding signatory solidarity pledges of information exchange and assistance going in effect in case where a gas supply crisis would lead to an economic crisis. Some EU states have already signed such agreements with six being in effect. Naturally, more and wider agreements as such are necessary.

The new roadmap for European energy policy is thus a monumental task. It will require not only the successful implementation of REPowerEU. It will also require immense diplomatic and trade efforts with the attempt to find new trade partners and further develop cooperation with existing ones. To add to that, EU member state politicians will have to address economic issues and tension in their respective states whilst continuing to limit Russian gas imports. On the international scene, EU member states will have to work together to ensure solidarity in a time of crisis and commitment to the European Green Deal. Though as the EU emerged out of hardship, it is also the answer to the multifaceted crisis we face today.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Regret the pragmatic dependency of European states on Russian fossil fuel imports; • Stress the dire situation European consumers, industries and governments are facing in regards to limited supply of gas and oil; • Express concern over Russia’s attempt to weaponize energy trade to achieve its geopolitical aims; • Applaud the EU’s vigorous

• •

response to developments in the energy market via the REPowerEU; Underline the importance of upholding European Green Deal commitments; Recognise the role energy supply diversification has in reducing risks, increasing reliability and security and ensuring affordability.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • European lawmakers to not resolve to backsliding on climate goals and clean energy development; • The EU Commission to further increase support to the EuroAsia Interconnector and the EastMed pipeline projects; • The EU Member States and Commission to develop an EU wide supply crisis solidarity measures and agreements; • The EU Member States to advance reduction of Russian fossil fuel imports; • The EU Member States to reduce the demand for energy consumption through energy efficiency and electricity saving measures.

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annual Report 2023 showcasing abhorrent lack of unity.

Furthermore, the prevalence of migration in the region, and the significance of the previous refugee crisis also provides a strong reason for the EU to be involved in the region.

“Adapting European Diplomacy and Foreign Policy to Modern Adversities” Council Meeting // Skopje // 1-4th December 2022

The European Union is facing very important challenges, many of which are coming from outside our borders.

The Western Balkans require extensive cooperation and reform considering the lengthy European integration processes. To add to that, reforms and revolutions of the 21st century have not brought much stability to the South Mediterranean region, leading to spill over tensions through, for instance, migration. Furthermore, most European states are only now realising that their foreign policy towards Russia has been fundamentally misconceived. Finally, the ever-looming unprecedented growth of Chinese influence around the globe, has to be addressed as soon as possible. These geopolitical challenges showcase that the European Union must reconsider and evolve its foreign policy, security and diplomacy apparatuses or risk an existential threat.

The European integration process in the Western Balkans continues

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to face challenges. There are renewed tensions between Serbia and Kosovo over the recent car licence plate dispute. Meanwhile, in Bosnia and Herzegovina there is still a governance crisis and ethnic disputes. Montenegro is facing a constitutional impasse. To add to that, economic hardship and the legacy of the communist past are further complicating affairs in the Western Balkans, even in states like North Macedonia which have traditionally been making the strongest strides towards European integration with the Prespa Agreement and the Treaty of Good Neighbourly Relations.

The lack of constructive dialogue and consensus in the region is evident.

Though the need for it is immense if the region aspires to a European future. The discussion during and following the EU-Western Balkans summit of December 6, must not be limited to promises and intangible reiterations of commitment. As it

can be observed, previous words of commitment have not brought sufficient progress. Thus short term outcomes must include tangible political cooperation, rule of law reforms, recognition of minorities, and overcoming the legacy of historic totalitarian propaganda. The role of the EU is to further facilitate cooperation between executive, parliamentary, civil and expert actors.

After the Arab Spring, the North African region witnessed debatable change, as a number of countries still have an authoritarian head of state, and scepticism towards a European democracy model is growing.

Tensions in the region are also further fuelled by dysfunctional government services and lack of economic opportunity. Current energy and economic crises, inflicted on the world by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, have so far encouraged more extensive bilateral, rather than multilateral, EU-based cooperation,

The influence of the EU, whether in the Western Balkans, or South Mediterranean, is insufficient also because of other more active international actors like China, Russia, and even Turkey. This has been very clear with the support for Russia in the Maghreb region. Meanwhile, as already evaluated in previous EDS policy, China is incredibly active in the Western Balkans, through a number of channels.

The widespread influence of China showcases that the EU must not be dependent on other large states.

Currently, the EU is making leaps in energy independence from Russia. On the other hand, our businesses, industry and consumers are nevertheless overdependent on China.

To add to that, malign China’s influence in regions important to the EU is also just as harmful. This status quo has largely been achieved through lack of unity in EU foreign policy, failure to properly evaluate future threats and dangerously dovish foreign policy. Thus going forward securing strategic resources,

production capacities and technology through greater EU presence in the neighbourhood and beyond is key.

It is true that there is no universal solution for all the aforementioned adversities. Each region and every state, given their unique circumstances, needs and context, calls for a different approach. Though considering the current geopolitical context and history, a conclusion may be drawn that in order to address the plethora of challenges Europe faces from outside our borders, we can and must act as a singular, proactive and decisive foreign policy actor.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Appreciate the progress made in European integration in the Western Balkans; • Express concern for political, economic and social crises in the Western Balkans; • Regret the unsuccessful democratisation of North Africa; • Take into consideration the significance and prevalence of migration related issues in the Mediterranean; • Emphasise the opportunity to reinvigorate European integration efforts during the EU- Western Balkans summit.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The European member states to cooperate in their foreign policy towards North African states; • The European Commission to expand energy diversification efforts and goals to other strategically significant sectors; • The European Commission to facilitate increased dialogue between Western Balkan states and other European stakeholders in order to accelerate integration, reform, the recognition of minorities and the overcoming of the legacy of communist propaganda; • The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to develop a strategy for countering influence of malign states in relevant regions.

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annual Report 2023 more actively involved in the political process, both at the national and European level, for years to come.

“Enhancing the Role of Youth in European Elections” Winter University // Tirana // 23-26th March 2022

The impending European Parliament elections scheduled for May 2024 are poised to be a seminal moment in shaping the future of Europe.

The outcome of these elections will define the course and priorities of the European Union in addressing the many momentous challenges on the horizon. These challenges include developing a comprehensive framework for rebuilding Ukraine, reinvigorating European integration within Western Balkans and Moldova, navigating through the turbulence of inflation-induced economic hardship, and addressing complex issues such as climate change, digitization, and security. Given the increasingly complex and interconnected challenges facing Europe, youth engagement is not only desirable but essential.

It is essential to acknowledge that these challenges are fundamentally future-oriented and carry significant implications for the younger

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generation. As such, the youth bears a pivotal responsibility in shaping the outcome of the upcoming elections. Their active participation and engagement can lend fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and novel ideas that are indispensable in overcoming these challenges. It is important to underline that youth's perspectives and interests are distinct from other age groups, and therefore, their voices must be heard. The upcoming elections offer a unique opportunity to engage youth more meaningfully in the political process.

While the 2019 European Parliament elections witnessed a promising turnout among young people, it is disheartening to note that the voice of youth still remains conspicuously absent in EU and national level politics. Despite the record number of young voters, they are still less likely to exercise their franchise than their older counterparts, a fact that begs the question of why youth engagement

in politics remains a challenge.

Moreover, in terms of representation in the European Parliament, young people continue to be marginalised when compared to other age groups, indicating the pressing need to tackle the systemic barriers that obstruct their participation in decisionmaking processes. To be sure, youth have found a voice through various channels in European institutions, but the magnitude of their potential impact remains unrealized.

Active membership in youth nongovernmental organisations and student representation organisations is an important indicator of an individual's political engagement and their likelihood of participating in future elections. Therefore, it is essential for the European Union to stay committed to supporting capacity-building measures for youth NGOs. By doing so, the EU can provide young people with the tools and resources they need to become

While some EU member states have a well-established tradition of student politics and institutionalised student representation in universities and beyond them, many do not. In light of this, the EU can play a critical role in developing measures to support the development of such networks and capacities in those countries.

For example, the EU could provide funding and technical assistance to help develop and strengthen student representative bodies in universities, as well as supporting the operation of youth-focused civil society organisations. Furthermore, the EU could facilitate the sharing of best practices and experiences between member states to promote the establishment of successful youth engagement programs across the Union.

Young people often face various barriers to participating, such as a lack of information, education, and resources. Therefore, the EU and its member states must commit to promoting inclusive and approachable elections for young people, by creating dedicated programmes and policies targeted at youth participation. The EU has already taken significant steps in this direction by implementing programmes such

as Erasmus, supporting youth and their initiatives through a plethora of measures, and the European Year of Youth, which aimed to promote youth participation in democratic life. However, more can be done. European political parties, in particular, have an essential role to play in engaging young people.

They must actively involve youth and students in developing political programmes and provide them with opportunities to contribute to the implementation of such programmes after elections. Furthermore, it is crucial to reach out to student networks, non-governmental organisations, and local communities across the continent to develop an inclusive and comprehensive programme that addresses the needs and visions of youth.

To promote the inclusivity of youth in politics, the EU member states must prioritise the assessment of the effectiveness of measures that encourage youth participation in elections. While each EU member state has its unique electoral laws, institutions responsible for the organisation and conduction of elections must conduct studies on the viability of measures that can make elections more inclusive for young people. Such measures could include lowering the voting age to 16, reducing the age for running for national and European Parliament,

internet voting, reviewing the spread of polling stations and voting days, and other innovative proposals that increase access to democratic processes. The EU can support member states in this endeavour by proposing recommendations for the subject matters of the study.

Furthermore, EU institutions can play a significant role in fostering the exchange of knowledge and experiences among member states, promoting dialogue on this subject, and sharing successful initiatives that increase youth participation in politics.

Youth participation in democratic processes is crucial for the vitality and sustainability of democratic institutions. However, the way youth engagement is conceptualised and realised varies significantly across member states due to historical, political, and cultural factors.

Nonetheless, there is always room for improvement in terms of refining current practices and developing novel approaches. As an international organisation with a mandate to represent and empower youth in politics, the European Democrat Students must take on an inherent role in promoting youth participation.

EDS can leverage its extensive network of member organisations and their access to local youth communities to create and disseminate information, provide training, and facilitate

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Moreover, through its affiliation with the European People's Party, EDS can influence political decisionmakers and advocate for policies that promote youth participation in democratic processes. In this way, EDS plays an essential role as a bridge builder, helping connect youth with political processes and strengthening democracy across Europe.

We, the European Democrat Students (EDS), the official student organisation of the European People’s Party (EPP): • Highlight that engaging youth is essential to leading up to the next European Parliament elections; • Note that despite promising turnout among young people in the 2019 European Parliament elections, improving youth participation and representation in politics remains a priority at both the EU and national levels; • Recognise that active participation in youth nongovernmental organisations and student representation organisations is a key indicator of an individual's political engagement and likelihood of participating in future elections; • Recognise that as an international organisation with a mandate to represent and empower youth in politics, the European Democrat Students

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(EDS) must take an inherent role in promoting youth participation in political processes.

Therefore, we, the EDS, call upon: • The European Commission to provide funding and technical assistance to support the development of student representative bodies in universities and youth-focused civil society organisations; • The EU to facilitate the sharing of best practices and experiences between member states to promote the establishment of successful youth engagement programs across the Union; • The European political parties to actively involve youth and students in developing political programs and provide them with opportunities to contribute to the implementation of such programs after elections; • The EU member states to conduct studies on the viability and effectiveness of novel measures and reforms that could make elections more inclusive for young people; • The EU to stay committed to supporting capacity-building measures for youth NGOs to provide young people with the tools and resources they need to become more actively involved in the political process;

•

The European political parties to increase transparency and accountability in their selection processes for candidates, including youth representatives during candidate selection.

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Events

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EDS Summer University 2022

Location: Ayia Napa, Cyprus Date: 27th-31st July

Organization: EDS- FPK Protoporia Following another successful year of policy initiatives and organised activities for our participants, EDS co-organised the Summer University with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. Our Member Organization from Cyprus, FPK Protoporia, hosted The Summer University which included representatives from over 30 European countries. It was a fruitful conference revolving around the achievement of EU energy independence as well as challenges and opportunities ahead with regards to Repowering the EU. During the various panel discussions and workshops held by both industry experts, Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus and various policymakers, we had the opportunity to explore methodologies and the impact of achieving energy independence, as a Union and at national level, in order to achieve long-term economic

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growth, efficiency and sustainable development.

Additionally, our members visited the National Parliament where they met in person the first female and youngest President of Parliament in Cyprus, Madam President Annita Demetriou. Ms Demetriou shared her thoughts on the need to devote more efforts on repowering Europe and expressed how Europe should stay united and work towards achieving peace and stability for the region.

Moreover, EDS visited the UN Council Representation in Cyprus whereby we submitted an urgent motion on recent developments of the Cyprus Problem, asking for attention to be devoted towards the Cyprus problem as well as peace negotiations to be restarted on the island.

As EDS, we are committed to supporting and acting in solidarity

with all our European members who are devoted to achieving the goal of freedom, democracy and peace in line with our centre-right and European values and we shall continue to stand by them at our fullest potential.

Importantly enough, during the Council Meeting, Chairman Beppe Galea and Secretary General Ivan Botoucharov, were re-elected to serve EDS within their roles and with the assistance of the newly elected 5 Vice-Chairwomen and 3 ViceChairmen held their first Bureau Meeting for the year in Cyprus. By order of election results, the new EDS Vice-Chairs are as follows: Katerina Kyriacou Edvardas Lukosius Anna Vonderwinkler Agata Czyzewska Ramon Riera Rayno Stoyanov Iryna Shatohina Dora Hidas

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EDS SKILLS TRAINING 2022 EDS Skills Training 2022 Location: San Marino Date: 23-25 September Organisation: EDS – GDC “Skills Training” The first EDS event after the election of the new bureau is the Skills Training which was organized by the EDS Bureau and the GDC in San Marino. During the event that took place from the 23rd to the 25th the BullsEye Editorial Team, the Co-Chairs of the Working Group and the Social Media Team were been invited for organize the first activity of the year.

The programme was divided into four parts: first, participants were offered a panel which the Minister of Finance Marco Gatti, the Forza Italia MEP Massimiliano Salini and the EDS Secretary General Ivan Botoucharov discuss about “European Identity: our roots and values under threat” Then, both Co Chairs and BullsEye Editors had the opportunity to follow two dedicated

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workshops: “How to write a good policy document”, “How to write an article”.

The Co-chairs were trained on all aspects of their work: from identifying policies to turning their ideas into motions and leading the working groups. They learnt to recognise relevant topics and stakeholders, and had a brainstorming session on ideas for motions. The Co-Chairs practised leading the working groups in a roleplay workshop and received tools to write background papers and motions as well as individual feedback.

various activities, such as: the creation of a mini EDS documentary that it will be published asap, the Google workshop called “I am Remarkable” and a brainstorming activities of the EDS Women.

At the end, the EDS had an official audience with the Captains Regent (the head of state of the Republic of San Marino).

The editors also underwent a series of training sessions designed to improve their skills, equip them with useful knowledge for the tasks ahead and discussing the future design and look of BullsEye for the next working year.

Furthermore, the Bureau also held its second Bureau Meeting of the working year 2022/2023, while the other EDS members participated to

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EDS Council Meeting December 2022

Location: Skopje, North Macedonia Date: 01st-04th December

Organization: EDS- YFU of VMRODPMNE EDS has held a successful Council Meeting and Youth Political Academy in Skopje, North Macedonia, 01-04 December, organized and hosted by YFU of VMRO-DPMNE and KAS. The event was opened with welcome addresses by the main organizers of the event. Daniel Braun, the representative of the KonradAdenauer-Stiftung gave an address where he emphasized the unity of the youth of the European People's Party during the great geopolitical challenges facing Europe. The vicepresidents of VMRO-DPMNE, Aleksandar Nikoloski and Timcho Mucunski, the Secretary General of the European Democrat Students, Ivan Botoucharov, as well as the President of the Youth Forces Union, Sergej Popov, gave introductory speeches, where they welcomed the delegates to Skopje and wished them a successful council meeting.

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The working part started with a panel discussion where the speakers were the vice-presidents Nikoloski and Mucunski, the international secretary of VMRO-DPMNE, Stefan Andonovski and the member of the Executive Committee of the Youth Forces Union of VMRODPMNE, Todor Koneski. The panel was focused on the topic of the expansion of the European Union in the Western Balkans during the war in Ukraine. The panelists focused on the geopolitical effect of the conflict on the Western Balkans and how the countries' actions could be more effective in order to speed up the process of integration. The panel discussion was followed by a large number of questions from the delegates, but also from the guests from the Youth Forces Union. After the panel, there was a cocktail opening of the event where the participants together with the panelists informally opened the event.

The second day began with a visit to the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, where the participants first took part in the parliamentary tour of the assembly where they got to know the working areas of the people's representatives in Macedonia.

the President of EDS, Beppe Galea and the President of VMRODPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski. As the leaders of the two host organizations of the event, they commented on the direction in which their organizations are moving in order to guarantee the stability of the Western Balkans and Europe in times of challenges, the role of young people in making important decisions, and the expansion of the European Union.

After the tour, the group had a meeting with the representatives of the Club of Young Deputies, Jovan Jauleski, Marija Petrushevska and Bojan Stojanoski, and the President of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Antonio Miloshoski.

The representatives from the Assembly held their presentations where they explained in detail what it is like to be part of the assembly and from a personal capacity presented their efforts towards the European integration of Macedonia.

After the end of the panel in which the president of VMRO-DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski, participated, a panel discussion was organized on the topic: "The political, economic and energetic effects of the war in Ukraine on Europe". The participants in this panel discussion were: Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska, vice president of VMRO - DPMNE, Aleksandar Spasenovski, professor at the "Justinian First" Faculty of Law, Elena Markova Velinova, expert in the field of energetics, as well as Ivan Botoucharov, Secretary General of EDS. The panelists addressed the effects of the war in Ukraine in their areas of expertise. The panel discussion was followed by great interest, and the participants asked a number of questions for which they received substantial answers.

A panel discussion was held in the central headquarters of VMRODPMNE, where the speakers were

During the working day, EDS working groups were also organized.

The organization itself consists of 4

working groups, i.e. working group for Gender Equality, Higher Education, Policies for Europe and Economy and Trade. Depending on their area, these working groups prepare the motions that are later voted on at the Council Meeting. After voting, the passed motions are submitted to the European Institutions.

The third day of the event was dedicated to the EDS Council Meeting. At the event itself, the motions were presented and voted by the working groups of EDS. The Youth Forces Union of VMRODPMNE presented an urgent motion that referred to the inhumane conditions faced by the Macedonian students, improvement of the student standard as well as the law on student meals. During the presentation of the urgent motion, the members of the council were shown a video, which referred to the inhumane conditions in the student dormitories in the Republic of Macedonia. The members of the council expressed strong disappointment regarding the conditions in which the Macedonian students are placed. The urgent motion was voted with unanimous support by the EDS council. The rest of the working day was spent reviewing the financial report of the organization, the technical details related to the next activities of the organization itself, as well as the presentation of the situations in their

countries by the members of the council.

After the end of the EDS council meeting, a panel discussion was organized on the topic: "Politics in times of war, the role of the countries of the Western Balkans in the war in Ukraine". The participants of the panel discussion were: Vladimir Gjorchev, former deputy in the assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Vladimir Bozhinovski, professor at the "Justinian First" Faculty of Law, Victoria Trajkov, professor at the Faculty of Tourism and Management, as well as Irina Shahotina, VIce-Chair of EDS. The panelists condemned the Russian aggression in Ukraine and expressed the unreserved support that Macedonia gives to Ukraine. The panel discussion itself was followed with great interest by the members of the EDS council, a discussion that started a large number of questions and answers.

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EDS Bureau Meeting BRUSSELS

Location: Brussels Date: 25th and 27th of January The EDS Bureau Meeting was held in Brussels between 25th and 27th of January, 2023. Considering it was held in the European capital, we used the opportunity to meet members of the European Parliament, expert from the Committee of the Regions, and Brussels' local central right sister party.

The event started with a dinner with a representative of the KAS Europe Office, Mr. Kai Gläser, who shared his thoughts about the current situation in Brussels, hot topics, and trends.

On the first day, we had the pleasure of meeting Andrey Novakov, MEP, and Kalin Zahariev, APA. Mr. Novakov gave us advice regarding youth involvement in politics. He shared his personal story as a member and Vice-chair of EDS, and his first steps after being elected as an MEP. He also explained to us how policies are made and why patience is essential. After that, we spoke with Mr. György Hölvényi MEP. He talked to us about the implications of the war

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in Ukraine and why the EU must stay united at this difficult time. He raised the question of arming Ukraine being controversial for some stakeholders.

We had a Working lunch with Mr. Andrey Kovatchev, MEP, Head of the Bulgarian Delegation in the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

With him we had a fruitful discussion on the situation in the Western Balkans, the enlargement of the European Union and the role of the young political leaders and EDS particularly in this process.

During the second part of the day, we were honoured to speak with Mr. Tibor Navracsics, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport from 2014-2019 and the Vice-Chair of the EP Committee on Culture and Education Michaela Šojdrová. We had a discussion with them about the Erasmus+ program and its benefits for young people across Europe. Mr. Navracsics shared his story

about his role and his advocacy for the budget increase for the program in the next decade.

We also had a great meet-up with Mr. Andrius Kubilius, MEP. Mr. Kubilius served as Prime Minister of Lithuania for two terms. He shared his long career in politics, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the current support of Ukraine.

The last meeting we organized was with Mr. Karl Agius, Director of Communications in the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions. He explained to us on how the Committee works, its activities in connecting Europe, and the potential for cooperation between the EDS and the institution. We finished the day with our fantastic partner Les Engages, the EPP Member Party in Belgium. They welcomed us at their headquarters and organized a party where we met many party members.

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EDS Winter University Tirana 2023

Exciting news from the EDS Winter University!

The European Democrat Students (EDS) held their Winter University in Tirana, Albania, from the 23rd to the 26th of March, focusing on youth rights and democracy.

During the event, we met with the Mayor of Shköder, Bardh Spahia, and visited the Partia Demokratike headquarters, discussing the role of young generations and EU integration of the Balkans. EDS Council approved full memberships for PAS (Moldova) and Les Jeunes Républicains (France), and we welcomed the grant from the European Commission through the Erasmus+.

Working groups adopted motions related to European education, new technologies, trade, human rights, and the political and social situation in the Balkans.

The new BullsEye magazine

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edition featured interviews with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and EPP Secretary General Thanasis Bakolas.

Winter University gave us new momentum ’’As the Chairman of European Democrat Students I am hopeful more than ever after this event. I saw so many of our young and ambitious delegates from all over Europe give us many new ideas and energy to make Europe better and better for students. Now we have a lot of new projects and initiatives in our pipeline as well. We are an inspiration for other organisations to join and work with us for a better future.’’ – Beppe Galea, Chairman of EDS Meet up with Mayor of Shköder During this past Winter University in Tirana, under the title “Democracy? A Youth Right!”, we had the opportunity to meet the mayor of Shkodër, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Albania. The mayor, Bardh Spahia,

outlined new initiatives designed to attract young people to the city.

Youth involvement in Albanian politics Furthermore, we visited the headquarters of the Democratic Party, where we were pleased to see a large number of young Albanian politicians eager to defend freedom in their country. We discussed the role of younger generations and the EU integration of the Balkans, with a particular focus on Albania’s integration.

Additionally, we extended our complete support to Belind Kellici, a promising young Albanian politician and long-time friend of EDS, who is running for mayor of Tirana.

EDS family is growing During the Council Meeting, we had some fantastic news. We approved the full membership of PAS (Moldova) and Les Jeunes Républicains (France). This is a sign of the daily

New motions for a better future Following discussions in the working groups, we adopted several motions related to European education and new technologies, trade and human rights, and the Balkans’ political and social situation. Motions will be submitted to the relevant European officials for their knowledge, to receive advice on how best to take the initiative on the relevant issue, or to ask that they make specific decisions.

The new BullsEye is out The new BullsEye magazine edition has exciting articles and interviews.

It includes interviews with the European Parliament’s President and EDS alumni, Roberta Metsola, and the Secretary General of the EPP, Thanasis Bakolas.

EPP continues to invest in EDS Future ’’EDS will once more play an important role in the 2024 campaign. As the largest students” organisation in Europe, I expect you to come up with new ideas and a fresh perspective.” President of the EPP Manfred Weber’s message to EDS for the Winter University.

Vladimir Kljajic in now acting Secretary General of EDS EDS Council approved the appointment of a new Secretary General after the resignation of Ivan Botoucharov due to his latest work in the European parliament.

Vladimir Kljajic was holding a deputy position before the new role.

set up a taskforce consisting of some representatives of member organisations with different profiles and backgrounds and EDS alums to identify and foster collaboration with more organisations. Let’s continue our joint effors!

Conference resolution “Enhancing the Role of Youth in European Elections” European youth is at a critical juncture for their future, amid the aftermath of the pandemic, Russia’s hybrid warfare across Europe, and its unlawful conflict in Ukraine. It is essential that we play a significant role in these European elections and support parties that champion freedom over socialism. This is why we have adopted the conference resolution “Enhancing the Role of Youth in European Elections“, which outlines its significance. Furthermore, we have collaborated with the European People’s Party group in the Committee of the Regions, YEPP, and the network of Young Elected Politicians to establish a shared policy framework for young Europeans, wherever they may be.

Time for a new approach To consolidate our aim to be that common home for liberal, conservative, and Christian Democrat students, we have

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He started by giving participants an overview of his political career and why patience and hard work are crucial.

EDS Policy Days Belgrade

Location: Belgrade, Serbia Date: April 27th to April 30th

From April 27th to April 30th, 2023, in Belgrade, Serbia, European Democrat Students organized EDS Policy days with the topic: Youth Empowerment: Serbia’s Journey Towards EU Integration - A New Generation’s Perspective.

The event covered various topics, including the enlargement of the European Union in the Western Balkans, ongoing reforms in Serbia, Russian influence, the Belgrade and Pristina dialogue, the energy crisis, democratic governance, euro-atlantic similarities in terms of politics, centerright values in the 21st century, and the EPP’s activities in the Western Balkans.

EDS Chairman Beppe Galea said: ‘‘This event again reinforced the EDS' full support for Serbia's EU integration. It gave a regional perspective for EU membership for the entire Western Balkans, keeping in mind that Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia are also EU candidate states.’’

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On Thursday, April 27th, 2023, the event was opened by Jakov Devčić, Head of the KAS office in Serbia and Montenegro, as well as by keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Tanja Miščević, Minister of European Integration, Government of the Republic of Serbia. She gave participants a great introduction regarding Serbia’s path to the EU. On Friday, April 28th, 2023. participants had the great privilege of being greeted by the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Dr. Vladimir Orlić. His party, the Serbian Progressive Party is a member of the EPP. Mr. Orlić concluded with the words: "You can count on us, and we hope we can count on you as well in the future."

The program continued at the National Assembly with the keynote speaker Elvira Kovács, Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. In a

speech lasting just under an hour, she explained Serbia’s path to the EU. Her background gave her extensive knowledge regarding the integration process.

The second part of the day was reserved for Serbia's green policy and challenges faced by young politicians. The first discussion started at the Municipality of Vračar, City of Belgrade, with Sara Pavkov, State Secretary in the Ministry of Environmental Protection. She said Serbia, like many other countries, is facing the challenge of transitioning towards a green economy to address climate change and reduce its carbon footprint.

On the panel Challenges of Young Politicians in Serbia, the keynote speaker was Radoslav Marijanović, President of the municipality of Stari grad, Belgrade.

He was also active in YEPP and said these events are significant for

On Saturday, April 29th, the program started with Paul Prososki, Country Director of the International Republican Institute. He gave a case study on the rise of Trump and what comes next with a perspective on transatlantic similarities in European politics. In the first part, he briefly introduced the history of American politics, focusing on XX-century coalitions. After that, he explained how Trump captured the Republican Party and won primaries.

The program continued with a member of the European Union Parliament, Lucas Mandl. He had a brief introduction presenting his political career. His formative years were at the end of the 80s and the fall of the Berlin Wall, followed by Austria’s accession to the EU in 1994/5. He said it is essential for the Western Balkans that Serbia and Kosovo have good relations. He has no doubts that all six countries from the Western Balkans should join the EU. Gordana Philipovic, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, moderated the panel with Bence Bauer, Former President of EDS and Director of

the German-Hungarian Institute for European Cooperation. In the first part, he shared his experience with the EDS and how valuable it was for him, from connecting with other students across Europe to submitting motions to the EPP members of the European parliament. In the second part, he discussed the concept of European identity.

Gordana Philipovic, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, moderated the panel with Patrick Voller, Secretary of External Relations at the European People's Party. Partick gave a short overview of Western Balkans politics and its challenges. He thinks that the European Commission should speed up the European integration process.

After regional politics, he started a discussion with participants regarding their countries and the upcoming 2024 European Parliament elections. He concluded that the EDS must take an active role in the European election with new approaches and innovative solutions.

Belgrade. The prevailing opinion among the delegates was the importance of promoting European integration in Serbia and the EU member states.

One way to do this is through more events like this one, where young people meet, network, and discuss problems. Promoting European integration is essential because it promotes peace and stability, something that is very much needed in the Western Balkans, but also because of economic growth and prosperity, protection of human rights and democracy, effective solutions to everyday challenges but also climate change, and none the less cultural exchange and understanding.

EDS Policy days and Study missions remain one of the best ways to familiarize active young people with any country or region's political and social situation.

At the end of the program, EDS Secretary General Vladimir Kljajic conducted a reflection group in which participants shared their views and observations during the EDS Policy days. They expressed their thoughts on the topics, speakers, and impressions of

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Publications

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Editorial team Álvaro is a jurist from Spain specialized in Real Estate and Urban Planning.

He has worked in major law firms and is currently studying a Master in Urban Development at IE University. He is a member of Nuevas Generaciones and Secretary General of Criterio Joven, a young professionals think tank.

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Damjan Konjanovski - Editor-in-Chief is a Macedonian citizen and an active member of the Youth Forces Union of VMRO-DPMNE. He is a Faculty of Computer Science student at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje. In 2020 he was elected as the student coordinator of the YFU in the capital Skopje. His primary focus is oriented towards the Western Balkans and EU integration policy

Antoine Chikhany is serving as the International Secretary Coordinator of the Lebanese Kataeb Students and Youths organisation to EDS. He is also serving as an associate to the International Secretary of the Kataeb foreign affairs department. Antoine holds a bachelors degree in International Relations and European Studies.

Charlie Crumpton is from England, United Kingdom and graduated with a Masters in Political Communication. He has worked in British politics for the last two years and is particularly interested in objectivism and personal responsibility as political philosophies.

Gloria Grubmüller (21) lives in Vienna, where she is studying law at the University of Vienna. She works part time at a law firm specializing on corporate law. She has been a member of the AG since 2021.

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Emilia Bezzo (21), is from Turin, Italy. She is currently studying at “La Sorbonne” University in Paris. She is a student in a double degree program, in Philosophy and French literature, as well as in a university diploma in public affairs.

Member of GDS organisation, she is in EDS since March 2022.

Marika Urbini (25) is an Italian student, currently studying for a master’s degree in International Security, Criminality and Investigation at “UNINT” University in Rome. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Oriental Languages and Cultures from the “Sapienza” University of Rome. Over the years Marika has gained experience with NGOs, international organizations and the diplomatic world.

Håvard Rørtveit (22) is a Norwegian youth politician. He is active in the Norwegian Conservative Students and has since 2019 been an elected representative in a local municipal council. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Economics as well as a Bachelor in Comparative politics, both at the University of Bergen.

Vladimir Kljajic is currently deputy secretary of the EDS, and he is also the director of a small Educational and Cultural Center in Belgrade. Vladimir is a student of American Studies at the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade

Lenny Ferretti is representing the EDS member Belgian organization “Generation Engagee”. He is studying law and working for a MP in the Wallonia region parliament. He is passionate about institutional and international affairs.

He thinks that for a fairer European Union, we have to pay attention to the history.

George Walker is a Mechanical Engineer working for Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron. He is undertaking a part time PhD in Manufacturing Engineering at Cranfield University. Passionate about politics, promoting STEM and technical education/apprenticeships.

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Member organisations

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ALBANIA Youth Organisation of DP

CYPRUS FPK PROTOPORIA

AUSTRIA Aktionsgemeinschaft

ESTONIA Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit Noored

ARMENIA Youth Organization of the Republican Party of Armenia

FRANCE Les Jeunes Républicains

BELGIUM Christendemocratische Studenten

BELGIUM Génération Engagée

BULGARIA Federation of Independent Student Societies

BULGARIA Mladi Grazhdani za Evropeisko Razvitie na Bulgaria

CROATIA HAZ Croatian Academic Union

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GEORGIA United Young National Movement

GREECE Dimokratiki Ananeotiki Protoporia – Nea Dimokratiki Foititiki Kinissi

HUNGARY Fidelitas

KOSOVO Forumi i Rinisë i Lidhjes Demokratike të Kosovës

ROMANIA Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement from Romania Youth

LITHUANIA JAUNŲJŲ KONSERVATORIŲ LYGA (Young Conservatives’ Leage)

SAN MARINO Giovani Democratico Cristiani

MALTA Studenti Demokristjani Maltin

SERBIA Youth for Innovation

MOLDOVA Partidul Acțiune și Solidaritate

SLOVAKIA Občiansko-demokratická mládeže (Civic Democratic Youth)

MOLDOVA Liberal Democratic Youth of Moldova

SLOVENIA Slovenian Academic Union

NORTH MACEDONIA Youth Forces Union of VMRO-DPMNE

SPAIN Nuevas Generaciones del Partido Popular

ITALY Generazioni Di Studenti per il Nuovo Centrodestra

POLAND Stowarzyszenie “Młodzi Demokraci”

ITALY StudiCentro

ROMANIA Cluburile Studentesti Liberale

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