Preperation Kit Brussels2013 by EYP-Europolis Belgium

TOPIC PREPARATION KIT

EYP EUROPOLIS-BELGIUM

AFCO, AFET, AGRI, CULT, ECON, JURI, LIBE, SEDE

19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

A WARM WELCOME Dear%Delegates, Welcome %on%board% of% the %19th% National%Selection% Conference %of% EYP %Europolis?Belgium!%There %are %only% a% few% days %to% go% before %we %will% finally% meet% in% Brussels% and% dive% into %an% experience%that% has% often% been% summed%up%as%“hard%to%describe%but%fantastic%to%live”.% The % European% Youth% Parliament% offers% a% unique % platform% for% you% to% discuss % current% European% issues,% challenge%yourself% and%experience %what% young% people%are%truly% capable%of.%Whatever% we %are %doing,%we %are% doing% it%to%the %best% of% our%abilities.%The%results %will%not%necessarily% be%what%you%want% or%expect% them%to%be,% but%as%Cervantes%said,%“The %journey% is%beNer%than%the %end.”%And%you%can%trust% me %when%I% say% that% what%is% lying% ahead%of% you%will%be %one%hell%of%a %journey.%Every%journey% is %beNer%when%you%have %somebody%to%share %it% with%and%at%this%session%there%will%be %a%very%special%group%of%people,%your%chairs,%who%will%be %there %to%answer% all%your%questions,%calm%your%worries %and%help%you%make%the %most%out%of%this%journey.%They% are %a %bunch%of% experienced,% highly?skilled% and% well?prepared% EYPers% who% are% very% much% looking% forward% to% finally% meeting%you. They%have %wriNen%excellent%overviews%for%you%to%serve %as%background%material%and%aim%to%identify% the %key% issues% at% stake % while % synthesising% the% topic% area.% The % links% provided% at% the % end% of% every% section% will% hopefully% facilitate% your% further% research% but% are% of% course% by% no% means % exhaustive.% With% this % topic% preparation% kit% we %would% not% only% like%to%kick%off% this %session% for% you%and% facilitate %your% preparation,%but% also%give%you%an%idea %of%what%will%be%expected%of%you.%You%are%all%young%and%well%educated%people %with%a%lot% of% potential%?% and% your% resolutions%should% reflect%that!%This%is %your% opportunity% to%prove %to%the %world%that% you%do%have%an%opinion%and%that%you%do%care!% With% the % election% for% the% European% Parliament% in% June % 2014% approaching% rapidly,% the % session% theme% “Constructing% European%Citizenship“% is %especially% relevant% for% all%of% us %and% will% hopefully% prompt% you% to% carefully% consider%if% you%see%yourself% as%a%European%citizen%and%why% or%why% not% that% is %the %case.%Is%there%a% European%demos,%will% there%ever%be %a %European%identity?%You%will%have%the%unique %opportunity%to%not% only% discuss%these %and%many%other%questions%revolving%around%European%citizenship%during%commiNee %work,%but% also%with%MEPs%during%a%panel%debate%at%the%European%Parliament.% EYP %is%always%an% experiment% since %it% relies%on%its%participants %and% their%skills%and% motivation.%But%what%is% equally% important% for%our%concept%to%bloom%and%flourish%is%excellently% prepared%delegates.%All%of%us%aim%to% make%this%session%as %good% as %we %possibly% can,%but%for%this%to %really%work%out% we %also%need%you%on%our%side.% You,%delegates,%are%the %reason%why% this%event%will% be %happening,%and%you%are %the%ones%we %want% to%impress% and%inspire! So%get%excited,%be%curious%and%try%to%embrace%whatever%comes%along. See%you%all%in%Brussels%in%a%few%weeks! Kerstin%Mathias President%of%the%Session

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

ACADEMIC PREPARATION: FACT SHEETS We%aim% to% make %Brussels2013% as %enjoyable %as%possible%for% all% its%participants,% we %want% the %19th% National% Selection%Conference%to%help% you% change %your%view%on%the%world%and%make%friends%that%you%will%keep%with% you% in%the%years%to%come.%We %believe%that% a%big% part% of% making% this %happen% is%the %academic% aspect% of% the% session%and%we%hope%you%believe%that,%too. At%the %19th%National%Selection%Conference %of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium,%your%commiNee %will%be %dealing%with%a% relevant%and%current%political%topic.%For%the %discussions%to%be %as%interesting%and%constructive %as%possible,%it%is% important% that% you%do%sufficient) research% on% your%commiNee %topic% before %arriving% at% the%session.%As %you% have% surely% already% noted,% all% of% the % topics% are % complex% insofar% as % they% include %different% aspects% and% perspectives %that% should% be %considered.%In%order%to%visualise%and%sum?up%your%initial%research%on%the %topic,% you% are %expected% to% fill% in% a%fact) sheet.% We%hope %that% this% will% help% you% prepare %for% your% topic% and% the% discussions%and%debates%you%will%be%having%in%a%few%weeks.% We%thus%ask%you%to%compile%a%fact% sheet,%which%is %a%list% of% at)least)10) facts,%their%respective) sources) and% the% reason) why) you) believe) these) facts) are) relevant) for% your% commiNee %topic.% We %hope %this %will% help% you% research%as%well% as %to%increase %your%understanding% of% the %topic.%You%can%take%the%topic%overview%wriNen%by% your%chair%as %a %starting%point,%but%please %do)NOT )list)facts)already)mentioned)in)the)overview.%ANached%to% the % same % email% as% the % preparation% kit% you% are% currently% reading,% you% will% find% a % file) named) ‘FACTSHEET_COMM_FIRSTNAME_LASTNAME.xls’.% We % would% like% to% ask% you% to% enter% your% facts,% sources%and%explanation%of%their%relevance%in%this%template.%When%you%are%done,%please %change %the %title %and% fill%in%your%commiNee%abbreviation%as %well%as%your%first%and%last%name.%Remember%that%we%ask%you%to %find%10% facts,%but%feel%free%to%enter%many%more! When% complete,% please % send% your% .xls % file % to% facts@eypMeuropolis.be.% We % ask% you% to% do% this % before% Wednesday) February) 20th) 23:59) CET,% as % this% will% give % us% ample% time% to% process% all% of% them!% Please% remember% to%enter% your% first% and% last% name,%as%well% as% your% commiNee %abbreviation% and% the %words% ‘fact% sheet’%in%the%email%topic! Example: “Not% deep%enough?%In%light%of%the%increasing% competencies%of%the%EU,%should %citizens%now%accept%that% there%can%be%no% longer%be%representation%without%taxation?%How% should%Member% States%assess% the%scope% of%the%EUAs%Traditional%Own% Resources?“ Fact:% Art.%269%of%the %TEC%(retained%in%the%Lisbon%Treaty)%states%that%‘the %budget%shall%be %financed%wholly% from%own% resources’.%In%the%current% system%revenue %flows%from%the %above %mentioned% sources.%However,%even% though% the %GNI% resource %is%legally% an% own%resource,%in% economic%terms %it% is %more %an% inter?governmental%transfer% than%a%revenue%instrument%that%‘belongs’%to%the%EU%level%of%governance.% Source:% Treaty% Establishing% the %European% Community% (TEC),% retrieved% from:% hNp://eur?lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do? uri=OJ:C:2010:083:SOM:EN:HTML Relevance:% It%is%important%to%be %aware %of%the %legal%background%and%where%the %EU%is%supposed%to%retrieve %its%income %from% in%order%to%answer%the%question%at%hand.% European%Youth%Parliament%Belgium%|%www.eyp?europolis.be%|%2%%

19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

TOPICS PANEL DEBATE Constructing% European%citizenship:%how%can%the%EU%engage%young% people%in%European%politics%and %sustainably%foster% their%political%participation? All)of)the)delegates)are)to)suﬃciently)prepare)for)the)panel)debate)topic)in)addition)to)their)allocated) commiUee)work)topic!

1. COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS (AFCO) In%light%of%steadily%decreasing% turnout%at%the%European%Parliament%elections%how%can%the%EU%reform%its%electoral%system% to%meet% citizens‘% demands% for%a%more%European,%accessible%and %modern%way%of%electing% the% Members% of%the%European% Parliament?

2. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS (AFET) The% EU’s% eternal% candidate% state:% what% priorities% must% be% set% in% order% to% move% past% the% current% stalemate% in% the% accession%negotiations%with%Turkey?

3.#COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (AGRI) The%Common%Agricultural%Policy %(CAP)% postP2013:%building% on%the%European%Commission’s% reform%proposals,%which% longPterm%objectives%should%the%EU%pursue%in%this%policy%area?

4. COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION (CULT) The%role%of%the%media%in%the%creation%of%a%European%public%sphere:%how%can%European%decisionPmakers%in%tandem%with %the% ‘fourth%estate‘%improve%crossPborder%media%coverage%and%coPoperation?

5. COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS (ECON) The%faulty%setPup%of% the%Eurozone:%how%can%the%EU% compensate%for% its%Member%States’% lost%ability%to%shape%monetary% policy%and%create%a%mechanism%to%oﬀset%macroeconomic%imbalances%within%the%union?

6. COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS (JURI) Intellectual% Property% Rights% enforcement% after% the% European% Parliament’s% ‘no’% to% the% AntiPCounterfeiting% Trade% Agreement% (ACTA):% how% can% the% EU% strike% a% balance% between% guaranteeing% the% competitive% advantage% of% Europe’s% knowledge% and % creativity% economies% and% protecting% citizens’% rights% to% privacy,% data% protection% and% freedom % of% expression?

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TOPICS 7. COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS (LIBE) With%an%increasing% number%of%far% rightPwing% movements% entering% into%national%parliaments% and %the% spread %of%antiP Islamic%rhetoric% and %aXitudes%threatening% Europe‘s%social%cohesion,%what%role%has%the%EU%in%tackling% the%rise%of%rightP wing%populism%and%nationalism%in%its%Member%States?

8. COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE (SEDE) Considering% everPgrowing%budgetary%constraints%on%defence,%the%role%of%the%NATO%and %the%EU’s%normative%power,%what% future%for%European%military%capabilities%in%an%increasingly%interdependent%world?

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

PANEL DEBATE Constructing%European%citizenship:%how%can%the%EU%engage%young %people%in%European% politics%and% sustainably%foster%their%political%participation?

1. KEY TERMS •

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Citizenship: •

Legal/dimension:"Citizenship"denotes"the"citizen’s"legal"entitlements"or"rights."Those"rights"may" be"political,"economic,"social"etc."A"citizen"is"“the"legal"person"free"to"act"according"to"the"law"and" having"the"right"to"claim"the"law’s"protection.” 1

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Civic/dimension:"Citizenship"also"means"the"demand"on—or"at"least"the"invitation"for—the" citizen"to"participate"in"building"the"polity."One"visible"expression"of"that"share"in"the"polity’s" construction"is"voting."But"rights"imply"duties"and"with"the"advent"of"modern"citizenship,"the" right"to"vote"has"become"tied"to"the"payment"of"taxes,"military"service,"and"the"undertaking"of" such"public"duties"as"sitting"on"juries.2

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Af7iliative/dimension:"By"the"fact"that"they"possess"a"legal"status,"which"entitles"them"to"certain" rights"and"encourages"them"to"civic"participation,"citizens"become"members"too."Being"a"member" arguably"is"more"than"having"a"legal"status"and"responsibilities"of"participation;"belonging"brings" a"sense"of"identity:"that"of"forming"part"of"a"political"community,"of"being"afKiliated"to"a"polity."The" kind"of"identity"provided"by"citizenship"is,"therefore,"political."It"can"coexist"with"other"identities" (for"instance,"membership"in"a"religious"group),"even"with"other"political"identities"(as"in"the" cases"of"double"or"triple"citizenship).

Ius) Sangi) and) Ius) Soli:) The %traditional% criterion% according% to% which% the %status% of% citizenship% is% conferred%on%people %is%nationality.%These %two%basic%principles %determine %whether%one%is%a %member%of% a% nation% by% birth.% Whether% nationality% is% determined% by% reference% to% ius% sanguinis% depends% on% heritage,%which%is %usually% closely% associated%with%a%particular%culture,%language,%or%ethnicity.%On%the% other%hand,%ius%soli%couples%nationality%to%the%place%of%birth.

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Citizenship) of) the)EU:%Every% citizen%holding% the %citizenship% of% an%EU%Member%State %automatically% also%holds%EU%citizenship.%It% was %introduced%with%the %Treaty%of%Maastricht% and%entails%certain%rights% for%its%holders.3

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Polity:%A% distinction% can% de %drawn% between%three %political% dimensions:%policy,%politics%and% polity.% Polity% thereby%describes%the %formal/%institutional%dimension,%thus%the%structure%of%norms,%the %way% in% which%procedures%are%regulated%and%the%institutions%in%which%this%takes%place.

%D.%Leydet,%‘Citizenship’,%in%E.N.%Zalta%(ed),%The%Stanford%Encyclopedia%of%Philosophy%(Stanford%University, 2009),%retrieved%from%hNp://plato.stanford.edu/entries/citizenship/ 1

%D.%Castiglione,%E.%Santoro%and%R.%Bellamy,%Lineages%of%European%Citizenship:%Rights,%Belonging,%and Participation%in%Eleven%Nation?states%(Palgrave%Macmillan,%2004) 2

%hNp://ec.europa.eu/justice/citizen/

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

PANEL DEBATE •

Political)Participation:)While%there %is%no%universally%accepted%definition,%it%could%broadly%be %defined% as%“all%[…]%activities%by%individual%citizens%to%influence%either%directly%or%indirectly%political%choice %at% various%levels%of%the%political%system”. 4

Links: •

What%is%EU%citizenship%and%what%does%it%entail: hNp://ec.europa.eu/justice/citizen/%

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Diﬀerent%deﬁnitions%of%citizenship,%with%a%special%focus%on%participatory%citizenship: hNp://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/pdf/report_1_conextual_report.pdf%

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM Given% that% citizenship% is% of% such% paramount% importance % in% the% national% polity,% the % introduction% of% a% citizenship%of%the %EU%within%the %Treaty%on%the%EU%in%1992%raised%many% hopes.%Since %the%late %1980s,%the%Union% was% increasingly% deemed% to%suffer% from% a %democratic% deficit% which% was%often% aNributed% to%the%lack% of% a% European%demos%sharing%a %common%identity.%EU%citizenship%was,%therefore,%regarded%as%the %perfect%means%to% placate %the %rampant% legitimacy%crisis%in%the %EU.%At%first,%however,%the %catalogue%of%Union%citizenship%rights% was%not%thought%to%live %up%to%these %expectations.%Union%citizenship%rights’%positive %guarantees%were %at%most%a% reiteration% of% existing% rights% of% free % movement% under% the %restrictive %conditions % of% the %common% market% regime.%Grouping% those%rights %under%the %pompous%title %of%Union%citizenship%was%perceived%by%some %as %liNle% more%than%a %misnomer.%Notwithstanding% this%poor% start,%things %began%to%change%in% the %early% 2000s,%mainly% through%the %intervention%of%the %European%Court%of%Justice %(ECJ).%Thanks %to%the%laNer’s%case?law,%the %of%Union% citizenship%rights%have%gradually%been%broadened. EU% citizenship%nonetheless,% still% has%not% opened%a%window%of% new%opportunities%for% civic% involvement.%In% fact,%participation%in%elections%for%the%EU%Parliament—the %only% way%to%vote %for%representatives %at%EU%level— was%low%at% the %creation%of% the %EU%and%has%steadily%decreased%with%time.%Consistently% low%voter% turnouts%in% European%Parliament%elections %together%with%deep?seated%distrust% of%processes%of%EU%democracy%cast%doubts% on% the %promise %of% engaging% citizenries%with% European% affairs.%More%than% that,%lack%of% identification% with% Europe,%confirmed%by%one %Eurobarometer%poll%after% another,%and% a %lack%of%clarity% as%to%what%exactly% Union% citizenship%adds%to%nation%state%citizenship,%opens%the%question%why%we%need%it%in%the%first%place. Links: •

Problems%and%prospects%concerning%European%Citizenship: hNp://www.pourlasolidarite.eu/Problems?and?Prospects?concerning?lang=en%

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Five%diﬀerent%understandings%of%European%Citizenship:

% M.% Kaase,% A.% Marsh,% “Political% Action:% A% Theoretical% Perspective“,% in% Barnes,% Kaase% et% al,,% Political% Action:% Mass% Participation%in%Five%Western%Democracies%(1979). 4

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PANEL DEBATE hNp://youth?partnership?eu.coe.int/youth?partnership/documents/EKCYP/Youth_Policy/docs/ Citizenship/Research/5_Understandings_of_European_citizenship.pdf%

3. KEY QUESTIONS •

Why%is%there%a%need%for%European%citizenship?

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Why%is%there%currently%a%’lack’%of%European%citizenship/%Why%is%it%so%diﬃcult%to%construct%European% citizenship?

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How%can%we%engage%young%people%in%European%politics%form%early%on?

4. KEY ACTORS As% an% institutional% designer% and% agent% of% change,% the% ECJ% has% succeeded% in% institutionalising% European% citizenship,% that% is,% in% giving% meaning,% specificity% and% value %to% it,% thereby% establishing% new% institutional% norms%that%will%impact%on,%and%modify,%national%legal%cultures.%This%has%induced%further%changes %in%law%and% politics,% as%aNested% by% the%adoption% of% the %vCitizenshipv% directive %and% the %Commission\s% programmes%on% enhancing% civic%participation.%Developing% EU% citizenship% has %become %a%priority% for% EU% action,%thus%all) its) institutions,%and% a%means% of% enhancing% citizensv% identification% with%the %EU. 5 %On% the %other% hand% side,%the) general)public)largely% perceives%this%debate %as%remote %and%elite,%not%always%fully%understanding%the%reasons% behind%it.%EU)Member)States% are %left% in%a%somewhat%difficult%position;%while %they% wish%to%maintain%national% identities%and%citizenship,%it%is%also%in%their%interests%to%push%for%the%construction%of%European%citizenship. Links: •

A%then%point%agenda%to%move%European%citizenship%to%the%next%level: hNp://www.ezd.si/ﬁleadmin/doc/4_AKTIVNO_DRZAVLJANSTVO/Viri/ Alternative_Report_on_EU_citizenship_ecas.pdf%

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EU%citizenship%and%the%role%of%the%ECJ: hNp://www.eui.eu/documents/rscas/research/mwg/200910/mwg2010?05?19golynker.pdf

5. KEY CONFLICTS Some %claim% the %construction% of% European% citizenship% faces%a% so?called% demos) problem) or) conﬂict.%In% an% ordinary% state,% we % ﬁnd% that% the % citizenry% is% constituted% by% a% nation.% EU% citizenship% faces % conceptual% challenges% that% go% beyond% those % presented% by% dual% citizenship.% Yet,% EU% citizenship% is% not% exactly% dual% citizenship.%In%multinational%states,%there %could%be %one %demos%made %of%several%cultural%groups%or%nations.%In% %Kostakopoulou,%D.%(2008).%The%evolution%of%European%Union%citizenship.%European%Political%Science:%EPS,%7(3),%285?295.

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PANEL DEBATE this%second%case,%the%existence %of% a %demos%is%already% debatable,%but%it% could% be %sustained%on%the %basis %of% the% common% political%identity% (given%by% citizenship).%Now,% the %EU%is%not% only% a%polity% made %of% more%than% 27% nations,%but% also %a %polity% formed% of% polities%in% their%own% right—some %of% which%are %multinational% besides.% Can)there)be)a)demos)made)of)demoi? There %is%thus%a %conflict%around%what%EU%citizenship%should%exactly%be.%It% might%just% be %just)a)name)added)to) national)citizenships.%This%would%render%EU%citizenship%useless.%Another%possibility%is%that%EU%citizenship%is% seen%as%linking)the)EU)citizen)with)others%beyond%his%territory.%A%Portuguese%would,%then,%be %as %related%to%a% Slovenian%as%much%as%to%a%neighbour%in%Porto.%A% final%possibility% is%that%EU,%and%Member%State,%citizenship% have%a %subordinate)relation.%Someone %may%feel%more %an%EU%citizen,%and%secondarily% an%Italian—or%the %other% way% around.%The)question)about) which)demos) should)be)taken) as)more)important% is %normative,%and% has% caused%great%debates. In% addition,%it% is%generally% acknowledged% that% in% order% for%the%affiliative %dimension% of% citizenship% to%exist% there %needs%to%be %some %kind% of%common)identity) and)shared)values.%Regardless%of%the %question%what% these% could% be,%it% is%debatable %to%what% extend% a %person% can% have %several%identities%and% if% there%isn’t% an%inherent% conflict%between%national)and)European)identities. Lastly,%European%citizenship%is%marked% by% another% tension% between% a %citizenship% that% is %derivative) of) the) nationMstate% and% a % citizenship) that) is) defined) by) free) movement.% Citizenship% rights% in% the% Union% are% primarily% activated% through% practices %of% free %movement,% rendering% the %mobility% of% citizens%central% to% the% effective %institution%of%European%citizenship.%European%citizenship,%it%would%seem,%is%thus%marked%by%a %deep? rooted%tension)between)nationality)and)free)movement. Links: •

How%Europeans%seem%themselves: hNp://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/eu_documentation/05/txt_en.pdf%

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Vaclav%Havel%on%the%question%if%there%is%a%European%identity: hNp://www.project?syndicate.org/commentary/is?there?a?european?identity??is?there?a?europe%

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE As%stated%previously,%European%citizenship%has%matured%owing% to%the %ECJvs%tactical%interventions%in?between% Treaty% revisions %and%developments,%such%as%adoption%of%the %Charter%of% Fundamental%Rights%of% the %European% Union.% In% addition,% the% issue %features% centrally% on% the %Commissionvs% policy% agenda,% as% aNested% by% the% designation%of% 2006%as%the%European%Year% of% workersv% mobility,%2013) as) the) European)Year) of) citizens,%the% conversion%of%the%European%Union%Monitoring%Centre %on%Racism%and%Xenophobia%into%a %Fundamental%Rights% Agency,%the%adoption%of% a %Community)action)programme)to)promote)active)European)citizenship6 %and%the%

%hNp://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/programme/about_citizenship_en.php

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PANEL DEBATE follow?up% vEurope %for% Citizensv% programme %that% runs%from% 2007% to%2013,% designed% to% ensure%the%publicvs% active%involvement%in%the%process%of%European%integration.7 The %Council%of% Europevs%zWhite)Paper)on)Intercultural)Dialoguez%provides%an%example%of% the %way% in%which% dialogue %has%become%part% of% the %current% mode %of% governance%in% Europe.% Throughout% current% policy,% the% terms%zdialoguez%and% zvoicez% inform%the %introduction% of% practices %and% tools%that% constitute %the %citizen,%or% active%learning%citizen. 8 In%addition%to%the %elections) to)the) European) Parliament% that%were%introduced%in%1979% there%is%now%another% prominent%means%for%citizens%to%make %their%voice %heard:%the %European) Citizen’s) Initiative%which%allows%a% minimum%of%one%million%citizens%to%participate%directly%in%the%policy?making%of%the%EU.9 There %are%other% elements%such% as %the %European%anthem,%a%European% ﬂag% or% the %single %currency% that% have% partly%contributed%to%the%creation%of%a%European%identity. Links: •

The%Euro%as%an%outcome%and%element%of%European%identity: hNp://www.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Digital?Library/Publications/Detail/?ots591=0c54e3b3?1e9c?be1e?2c24? a6a8c7060233&lng=en&id=46700%

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Information%on%the%Europe%for%Citizen’s%Programme: hNp://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/index_en.php%

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A%guide%by%the%ILO%on%how%to%engage%youth%in%policy?making: hNp://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/yen/downloads/youthguide/part3_how.pdf%

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION According% to%Article%17(1)%EC,%“every% person%holding% the %nationality% of% a %Member%State %shall%be %a%citizen%of% the %Union.%Citizenship%of%the%Union%shall%complement%and%not%replace %national%citizenship.”%This%provision% has%two%implications.%First,%EU%citizenship%has%a%derivative %nature%since%holding%the %nationality%of%a%Member% State %is%a%prerequisite %for%acquiring%it.%Second,%EU%citizenship%has%a%complementary% nature %as%it% is%not%meant% to%replace%national%citizenship.%Why%do%Europe’s%peoples%thus%need%this%second%citizenship? Some %authors%venture %to%say% that%a%demos %only% exists%within%or% through%the %democratic%process,%and%hence% the %collective %consciousness%of%belonging%together%to%the %same %political%body.%The %questions%remains%how%this%

% Proposal% for% a% decision% of% the %European% Parliament% and% of% the%Council,% of%6%April% 2005,% establishing% for% the %period% 2007?2013%the%programme%vCitizens% for% Europev%to%promote%active%European% citizenship;%COM(2005)%116%ﬁnal.% The%main% aims% of% the% programme%are%to% enhance%interaction% among% European% citizens% and% civic% participation,% with% the%aim% of% promoting%intercultural%dialogue %and%a% sense %of%European% identity.% Three%types% of%action% have%been% envisaged,%namely,% vactive%citizens% for% Europev,% vactive%civil% society%in% Europev% and% vtogether% for% Europev,% and% the%proposed% budget% for% the% implementation%of%the%programme%is%EUR235%million. 7

%hNp://www.coe.int/t/dg4/intercultural/source/white%20paper_ﬁnal_revised_en.pdf

%hNp://ec.europa.eu/citizens?initiative/public/welcome?lg=en

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PANEL DEBATE consciousness%can%be %achieved%and%which%role%educational%institutions,%non?governmental%organisations,%EU% Member%States%and%European%institutions%play%in%this%process.% Links: •

A%great%overview%of%working%papers,%debate%forums%and%legislation%on%European%citizenship: hNp://eudo?citizenship.eu/eu?citizenship%

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Summery%of%a%seminar%on%European%citizenship: hNp://www.ezd.si/ﬁleadmin/doc/4_AKTIVNO_DRZAVLJANSTVO/Viri/ Debate_on_European_citizenship_ecas.pdf

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In%light%of%steadily%decreasing% turnout%at%the%European%Parliament%elections%how%can%the%EU%reform%its%electoral%system% to%meet% citizens‘% demands% for%a%more%European,%accessible%and %modern%way%of%electing% the% Members% of%the%European% Parliament? by%Heleen%Heysse%(BE)%and%Hanna%Ollinen%(FI)

1. KEY TERMS •

Proportional) representation:) the %number% of% places %a %party% receives%is% proportional% to% how%many% votes%they%receive.

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Degressive) proportionality:) a% principle %allowing% smaller% Member% States,% with% relatively% smaller% populations%to%be%overrepresented%in%the%European%Parliament%(EP).

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Europarty:% transnational% party% group% operating% mostly% in% the % EP,% regulated% and% funded% by% the% European%Union%(EU)%and%usually%made%up%of%national%parties.

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Democratic)deﬁcit:%institutions%of% the %EU% lack%democratic%accountability% and%legitimacy% compared% to%the%national%governments%of%its%Member%States.%One%deﬁnition%is%directed%towards %the%weakness%of% the%EP.

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Universal)suﬀrage:)the %right%to%vote %for%adult%citizens.%In%the%EU,%all%adult%citizens%have %the %right%to% vote%in%the%EP%elections%every%ﬁve%years.

Links: •

An%explanation%on%the%European%elections: hNp://www.europarl.europa.eu/aboutparliament/en/0046fccc11/Elections.html%

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EuparlTV,%Get%The%Picture:%European%Elections: hNp://europarltv.europa.eu/en/player.aspx?pid=b9f012ed?e983?4ba0?9e58?a0e500f1ef2f%

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EuroparlTV,%Eureka:%European%Elections: hNp://europarltv.europa.eu/en/player.aspx?pid=96e2da06?9606?4659?bﬀ1?a05100b45b3c%

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European%Parliament%political%groups: hNp://www.europarl.europa.eu/aboutparliament/en/007f2537e0/Political?groups.html

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A%deﬁnition%of%the%democratic%deﬁcit: hNp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itCJXEUsDvc

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM Nowadays %when%the %EU%has%a %great%deal%of%power%and%responsibilities.%When%it% is%regulating)our)life)more) than)ever)before,%the%European%people %do%not%seem%eager%to%vote %for%the%EU%parliamentary%elections.%Voting% is%one %of%the %core)principles%of)democracy.%But%during%the %last%EP %elections%in%2009,%less)than)ﬁfty)per)cent%of% the %citizens%voted% in)the)27)Member)States.%In%a %post?electoral%survey% 30%per%cent%of%the%respondents %stated% European%Youth%Parliament%Belgium%|%www.eyp?europolis.be%|%11%%

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COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

that% they% had% not% seen% any% encouraging% campaigns% urging% people%to% vote.% This% is% related% to% a%different% problem:% the) lack) of) interest% in% European% politics,% compared% to% national,% and% in% the % elections % more% specifically.%In% the %same %survey% 28)per) cent% of%the%respondents%from% different%EU% countries%abstained% from% voting%because%of%a%lack%of%trust%in%and/or%dissatisfaction)with)politics)generally. 10% % The %stakes% of% the%EP%elections% are %unclear.%European% elections %are %not% likely% to%provoke %a %changeover% of% political%powers%or%a %change %of%executive.%Also%one%vote %does%not%seem%to%be %of%great%importance %because %one% Member)of)the)European)Parliament%(MEP)%represents%almost%690)000)citizens.11 %People %often%do%not%realise% the % impact% of% the% European% legislation% on% their% lives,% for% some% people% the % EP% is% a% vague,% anonymous% institution%far%away%in%Brussels.%More %votes%are%vital%in%order%to%preserve%and%increase %the %legitimacy% of% the% EU%on%a%national,%intergovernmental%and%on%a%global%level. Links: •

Post?electoral%survey%about%the%EP%elections%in%2009,%lots%of%useful%stats%and%graphs: www.europarl.europa.eu/pdf/eurobarometre/28_07/FR_EN.pdf%

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An%article%discussing%the%last%EP%elections%and%some%causes%for%the%low%turnout: hNp://www.theeuros.eu/Predictable?polls?What?the,3002.html%

3. KEY QUESTIONS •

What%are%the%main%problems%resulting%from%a%low%voter%turnout?

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How% will% the% proposed% election% reforms% (in% electorate,% voting% system,% technology,% campaigns,% ﬁnancing%etc.)%aﬀect%the%current%procedure?

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What%legislative%and%institutional%reforms%can%be%implemented%to%increase%voter%turnout?

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How%does%the%democratic%structure%of%the%EP%aﬀect%the%legitimacy%of%the%EU?

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Does%the%EU%have%a%democratic%deﬁcit?

4. KEY ACTORS In% some%areas,%EU%institutions%aﬀect%up% to%80%% of% national%laws 12.%Thus,%it% is%safe %to%say% that% the%decision? making% process% in% the %EU% should% be% under% our% careful% surveillance% and% interest.% However,% the %average% European)citizen% prioritizes %national%politics,%both%in%terms%of% interest% and%voting.%This%topic%is%concerned% with%what% the%EU%can%do%to%activate %European%citizens;%make%them%aware%of% how %the %EU% functions,%what% changes%are%happening%and%how%this%will%aﬀect%the %and%increase %election%turnout.%Some %40%%of%the %European%

%www.europarl.europa.eu/pdf/eurobarometre/28_07/FR_EN.pdf

%hNp://www.theeuros.eu/Predictable?polls?What?the,3002.html

%„The%European%Union:%functions,%competences,%developments”,%EYP%Germany%www.eyp.de,%April%2012,%pdf

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citizens%voted%in%the %2009%EP %election%with%then%27%Member%States,%which%is%20%%less%than%in%the %ﬁrst%elections% in%1979%with%nine%members. When%voting% in%the%EP %elections %MEPs% are%elected%from% Member%States%to%represent% the%citizens %in% the %EP,% these %candidates%have %together%with%the%national)political)parties%a%strong%role%in%activating%voters.%National) governments%play% heir%share%in%pinpointing%the%importance %and%consequences%of%a%EU%membership%and%the% execution% of% elections.% Additionally,% various% interest) groups,% on% a% EU,% national% and% regional% level,% are% valuable%stakeholders%in%inﬂuencing%popular%discourse.

5. KEY CONFLICTS In% order%to%increase%the %legitimacy% of% the %European%Union%as%a%decision?maker,%the %voter% turnout% has %to%be% improved.%The %question%is %how%voter%turnout%should%be %increased%in%the %EP %elections.%The %first%issue %to%tackle% is% the% analysis % of% the % constitutional% structure% of% the% current% system.% Controversy% has % risen% on% how% representative%the% EP %really% is,%one %MEP% currently% represents% some%690% 000% EU% citizens,% who% often% vote% dependently% on%their%national%political%party%of%preference.%%Hix%and%Marsh%(2007)%researched%in%EU%election% voting% behaviour,% contesting% that% EU% citizens %often% use %the %EU% elections %as%a% channel% of% protest% towards% national%parties 13,%instead%of%expressing% their%views %on%EU%issues.%Thus,%there%is %a %need%to%activate%voters %and% alongside%with%modernising%the%election%procedure,%without%compromising%either%security%or%transparency. The %commiNee %faces%both%a%constitutional%and%a %social%issue.%With%the %2014%elections%administered%under%the% Treaty% of%Lisbon%for% the %very% first% time,%no%constitutional%changes%shall%be %considered,%but%the%effects%of% the% current%process.%How%does%the%EU%make %the %average %EU%citizen%vote%in%the%EP%election%and%not% use %it%as%an% additional%national%election?%In%order% for% the %EP %to%remain%a %legitimate%institution%and%moreover%the %whole% EU,%it%has%to%increase %the %voters%for% its %only% elected% body.%It% is%important% %for%the %EU%on%a%global%level,%as%a% model% for% a% democratic% intergovernmental% organisation.% However,% the % EP’s% legitimacy% and% structure %is% equally,%if%not%even%more%crucial,%for%the %EU%citizen.%The %EP%appoints%the %European%Commissioners%and%holds% both%the %Council%and%the %Commission%accountable.%It%is %not%the %EU%citizens’%right,%but%responsibility% to%vote %if% the%citizen%wish%to%change%the%representatives%in%the%EP,%increase%female%MEPs%and%affect%decision%made. Links:

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In%this%clip%you%hear%the%two%sites%of%the%democratic%deﬁcit%discussion. hNp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=WNFznoQ?aF4%

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EurActiv,%EU%elections%seen%as%irrelevant,%survey%ﬁnds: hNp://www.euractiv.com/eu?elections/eu?elections?seen?irrelevant?sur?news?222399%

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EurActiv,%EU%countries%ranked%for%vinﬂuence%potentialv: hNp://www.euractiv.com/future?eu/eu?countries?ranked?inﬂuence?po?news?222320%

hNp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468?2508.2007.00546.x/abstract

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6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE The %constitutional% measures% taken% by% the %Lisbon% Treaty% will% continue %appointing% seats%in% the%parliament% with%the %principle %of%degressive %proportionality,%with%a %minimum%number%of%seats%of%6%and%a%maximum%of%96.% To%activate %voters,%vast%campaigning%on%the %Internet%and%in%advertising%is%conducted,%financed%by% the %EU.%The% EP%solely% funds%campaigning% for%EP%political%groups%and%it%has %no %direct%financial%connection%to%the %national% political% parties’% campaigns.% Many% national% political% parties %spend% comparatively% lesser% funds%for% the%EP% elections%compared%to%national%governments,%though%in%some%areas %the %EU%stands%for%up%to%80%per%cent%of%the% legislation.%Other%than%campaigning%and%voting% the %same%day% no%bigger%harmonisation%in%voting% procedure% has%been%implemented. There %is%a %proposition14 %from%MEP%Andrew%Duff% to%reform%the %European%electoral%system.%Which%strives %for% semiMopen)lists% and% a%European) constituency% from%which%25%MEPs%will%be %chosen.%The)harmonisation)of) voting)ages% and%ages%to%stand% as %a%candidate.%This%proposal%should%be%implemented% before %the %elections%of% 2014.% A%second%initiative %that% is %useful%for%this%issue %is%votematch.eu,%an%example%of%an%EU%initiative %on%increasing% citizen%participation.%On%this %website %you%can%do%a%test%that%lets%you%vote%on%some%topic%and%then%shows%how% many%of%the%votes%you%have %in%common%with%the %MEPs.%It%also%shows %you%in%with%what% political%group%you% have%the %most%in%common.%It%is%an%accessible)tool%for%citizens%to%see %who%reflects%their)opinion%the %best%in%the% EP.%Among% Duff’s%other% propositions%is%a %semi?open%list% election,%which% is%to%be %able %to%vote %over%national% borders.%This%is%a%radical%and%rather%technical%issues%discussed,%but%the%effects %on%the %citizen%participation%are% not%clear. As%Internet%use %in% the %EU% is %part%of% everyday% life %for% most% citizens,%there %has%been% much%discussion% on%e? voting,%following%the %successfully% implemented% model%in%Estonia%in%200515 .%However,%no%decision%has%been% made %due %to%the%split% opinion% on% the %security% and% benefit% of% providing% the %possibility% of% voting% in%the%EU% electronically. Links: •

Proposal%of%MEP%Andrew%Duﬀ: hNp://andrewduﬀ.eu/en/page/electoralreformep%

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The %EP%began%as%a%consulting%body% in%the%EU,%and%was%only%transformed%into%a%Parliamentary% Assembly% in% 1958.% The %EP%should% have%become %elected% under% the%Treaty% of% Rome,%but% the %voting% procedure%was% not% agreed% on.%Hence,%the% ﬁrst% EP%election% was% held% among% the %nine %Member% States% in% 1979% and% every% ﬁfth% consecutive %year% thereafter.%Today,%the %EP %it% is %one %of% the %most% powerful% legislatures%in%the%world% and% has%

%hNp://euobserver.com/news/32601

% hNp://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20110321STO15986/html/Can?e?voting?increase?electoral? participation 15

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gained% more %power% from% successive%treaties.%Simultaneously% it%has%taken%a %more%political% role %as%MEPs%are% divided%into%seven%political%groups,%each%receiving%funding%from%the%parliament. Due %to% the %voting% down% of% the%Lisbon%Treaty% in%the %Irish% referendum,%the %last% EP%election% in%2009% still% fell% under%the%Treaty% of%Nice,%which%had%appointed%a %736%MEP %parliamentary%assembly,%instead%of%a%751%MEPs%as% of%the%Lisbon%Treaty.%In%the%2014%elections%the%Lisbon%Treaty%will%also%appoint%18%observers%to%the%parliament. In% order%to%deal%with%the %Euro%crisis %a%further%integration%and% more %political%inﬂuence %is%needed.%But% these% reforms%are%going% to%be %hard% to% sell% to%the%unresponsive %citizens%of% Europe. 16 % GeNing% people,%media %and% politicians%involved%for%the%elections%in%2014%is%vital%for%the%safekeeping%of%a%legitimate%EU. Links: •

An%interview%with%Simon%Hix.%His%idea%on%how%the%turnouts%in%2014%could%be%higher: hNp://www.theeuros.eu/How?the?turnout?at?European,2844.html

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Democratic%Politics%in%the%European%Parliament%Simon%Hix,%Abdul%G.%Noury,%Gérard% Roland_Chapter%9.pdf.%(n.d.): hNp://www.cambridge.org/aus/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521694605&ss=fro%

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Hix,%S.,%&%Marsh,%M.%(2007).%Punishment%or%protest?%Understanding%European%parliament%elections.% Journal%of%Politics,%69(2),%495–510: hNp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468?2508.2007.00546.x/abstract%

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The%euro%crisis:%An%ever?deeper%democratic%deﬁcit.%(From%the%print%edition:%Brieﬁng).%The%Economist.% Retrieved%from hNp://www.economist.com/node/21555927%

%hNp://www.economist.com/node/21555927

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COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS The% EU’s% eternal% candidate% state:% what% priorities% must% be% set% in% order% to% move% past% the% current% stalemate% in% the% accession%negotiations%with%Turkey? by%Lara%Eckert%Reinfelds%(CH)%and%Petya%Koleva%(BG)

1. KEY TERMS •

Copenhagen)Criteria:%Any% country% that% wishes %to%join% the %Union% must%meet% the %accession%criteria,% also%known% as %the%Copenhagen%Criteria.%For% the %European% Council%to%decide %to%open% negotiations,% the % political% criterion% must% be % satisﬁed.% It% was% laid% down% in% 1993% at% the % European% Council% in% Copenhagen,%which%is%from%where%it%derives%its%name.

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EU)Enlargement:%The %process%of%the%European%Union’s%(EU)%expansion%to%new%countries.%The %EU%has% grown%from%6%to%27%Member%States.%This%year%Croatia%will%be %joining%the%Union%after%having% applied% for%membership%in%2003.

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Acquis)communautaire:%A%French%term%referring% to%the %cumulative%body%of%EU%laws,%comprising% the% EU’s %objectives,%substantive %rules,%policies%and,%in%particular,%the%primary% and%secondary% legislation% and%case %law%–%all% of% which%form%part%of% the %legal% order%of% the %EU.%The %term%is%most% often%used% in% connection%with%preparations%by% candidate%countries%to%join%the %Union.%They%must%adopt,%implement% and%enforce%all%the%acquis%to%be%allowed%to%join%the%EU.%

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Privileged)Partnership:%A%term%referring% to%the%co?operation%between%the%EU%and%a %non?EU%country% to%advance %common%goals %without%using% full%EU%membership.%The %term%is%usually% used%to%describe% an%alternative%to%EU%membership%for%Turkey.%

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Ankara) Agreement:) Oﬃcially% known%as% Agreement% Creating% An% Association%Between%The% Republic% of% Turkey %and %the%European%Economic%Community.%The %Ankara%Agreement17 %was%signed%on%September%12,% 1963% in% Ankara.% The %Agreement% initiated% a%three?step% process% toward% creating% a %Customs% Union% which%would%help%secure%Turkeyvs%full%membership%in%the%EEC.

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Additional)Protocol:%Additional%Protocol%to%the %Agreement%establishing% an%Association%between%the% European% Economic%Community% and% Turkey% following% the%enlargement% of% the%EU.%The %additional% protocol%contains%technical%adaptations%necessary%for%the %Ankara %Agreement,%institutional%provisions% and% provisions%concerning% the %EC?Turkey% customs%union,%to% extend% this%provisions%to%all%Member% States,% including% Cyprus.% Turkey% has % not% yet% applied% this% additional% protocol% to% Cyprus,% thus% hindering%its%accession%negotiations.%%

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Cyprus)dispute:%The %result%of%the %ongoing%conﬂict%between%the%Republic%of%Cyprus%and%Turkey,%over% the %Turkish%occupied% northern% part% of% Cyprus.%With% Cyprus%being% in% the %EU% and% Turkey% being% in% NATO,%defence %relations%between%the %two%organisations%have %been%problematic.%Turkey% has %blocked% military% cooperation% between%NATO%and%the%EU,%saying% NATO% intelligence %cannot%be %shared%with% non?NATO%EU%countries%including%Cyprus.

%hNp://www.abgs.gov.tr/index.php?p=117&l=2

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Islamophobia:% A% term% ﬁrst% used% in% the % 1991% Runnymede% Trust% Report% to% describe %zunfounded% hostility%towards%Muslims,%and% therefore %fear%or%dislike %of% all%or%most% Muslims.z%It%also%refers %to%the% practice %of%discriminating% against%Muslims%by% excluding%them%from%the %economic,%social,%and%public% life%of%a%nation%or%territory.%

Links:

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Explanation%of%the%Conditions%for%EU%membership: hNp://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/policy/conditions?membership/index_en.htm

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EU%Enlargement:%Countries%preparing%to%join,%Enlargement%policy,%Instrument%for%Pre?accession% assistance%(IPA)%and%Funding%and%Technical%assistance: hNp://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/index_en.htm

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Essay%on%Turkey’s%accession%to%the%EU%and%the%Cyprus%dispute: hNp://www.e?ir.info/2012/09/09/why?turkish?accession?depends?on?mediation?of?the?cyprus? dispute/

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Islamophobia%deﬁned%by%the%Center%for%Race%and%Gender%of%the%University%of%California,%Berkley %%hNp://crg.berkeley.edu/content/islamophobia/deﬁning?islamophobia

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EU%Enlargement:%Countries%preparing%to%join,%Enlargement%policy,%Instrument%for%Pre?accession% assistance%(IPA)%and%Funding%and%Technical%assistance: hNp://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/index_en.htm

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM Ever% since %Turkey’s%1959% application% for% membership% to%the %European% Economic% Community% (EEC),%EU? Turkey%relations%have%been%marred%by%unrelenting%obstacles%that%encompass %not%only%political%and%economic,% but% also%social% and% cultural% challenges%that% have %come %to%deﬁne %the%Union’s %bilateral% commitments%to% the% now%largest)national)economy)in)Central)and)Eastern)Europe.%As%David%Phillips%rightly%argues %in%his %article% ‘Turkey’s%Dreams %of%Accession’,%‘Turkey% is%a %crucial%alley% for%the %West.’%However,%considering%the %on?going% stalemate%in% EU?Turkey% accession% negotiations,%many% have %come %to%question% if% only% a%full% membership,%as% opposed%to%a %privileged%partnership,%will%preserve %this%strategic%geopolitical%relationship.%It%is%important%to%bear% in%mind,%that% whilst%an% EU%accession% could%give %Turkey% the %incentive %to%modernise %its %political%institutions% and% economic% structures,% as% it% has% proven% to% do% for% all% previous% new% Member% States % in% the % past,% the% consequences% of% acceptation% should% also%be %taken% into% account.% Todayvs% EU% has% an% enormously% complex% structure,%to%which% independent% Member%States%have%handed%over% impressive%parts%of% their% sovereignty% ?% defying% doubts,%for%example,%about% the %introduction%and%success%of%a%single%currency.%Consequently% policy% makers% across% the% continent% are % contemplating% whether% the % Union% can% maintain% this% high% degree% of% integration,% if% it% continues % to% aim% for% enlargement.% Therefore,% given% the% current% deadlock% of% accession% negotiations%of% Turkey,%the %questions%facing% the%EU%is %whether%continuing% with%the%endeavour%is%worth%the%

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS political% and% foreign% policy% ramiﬁcations% that% are%inherent% to% this% protracted% process?% Could% the%current% privileged% partnership% existing% between% the % two% actors% suﬃce % or% is % an% accession% a% vital% component% for% procuring%an%even%more%coherent%and%unequivocal%Union? Links:

•

Article%on%Turkey%and%the%Eurozone%crisis%(Spiegel%August%14%2012): hNp://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/turkey?and?the?eu?turks?question?advantages?of?eu? membership?a?849982.html

•

Article%on%Turkey’s%economic%situation%(The%Economist%April%7%2012): hNp://www.economist.com/node/21552216

•

Turkey’s%Gross%Domestic%Product%(GDP)%growth: hNp://www.tradingeconomics.com/turkey/gdp?growth

•

The%EUvs%Impact%on%the%Greek?Turkish%Conflict,%a%review%of%Literature:%chapters%III.)EU)Influence% and%VI.)Conclusion: hNp://www.bhamlive1.bham.ac.uk/Documents/college?social?sciences/government?society/polsis/ research/eu?border?conflict/wp06?eu?impact?on?the?greek?turkish?conflict.pdf

3. KEY QUESTIONS •

What%do%the%EU%and%Turkey%gain%from%its%accession?

•

Why% has %the%accession% process%taken%so%long% already% and% will,%if% concluded,%go%on%for%a%very% long% time?

•

What%role%does%Islamophobia%play%in%Turkey’s%accession%to%the%EU?

•

Is%Turkey%a%part%of%Europe%and%what%has%the%EU’s%role%been%in%Turkey’s%Europeanization?

Links:

•

Article%on%Turkey%/%EU%Relations%by%Javier%Solana,former%Nato%secretary%general%and%head%of%EU% foreign%and%security%policy%(Aljazeera,%15%June%2011)%: hNp://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/06/201161492655398735.html

•

Video%on%Turkey%slowing%moves%towards%EU%membership%(25%January%2012): hNp://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2012/01/20121251401222234.html

•

Analysis%of%Turkey’s%long%wait%to%join%the%EU%(BBC,%17%May%2012): hNp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world?europe?18108049

•

Europe’s%fear%of%Islam,%an%article%(26.11.2012): hNp://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=299356

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4. KEY ACTORS Considering% the %extraordinary% geopolitical%stranding%of%Turkey% and%its%increasingly%important%strategic%role% in%the %global%foreign%policy% arena,%its%possible %accession%to%the %Union%could%tilt%not%only%the %balance%of%power% between% the % EU% and% other% global) actors% but% also% the % balance % within% the% Union% itself.% As% the % EU% is% contemplating% the % increasing% need% to% rethink% its% foreign) policy) strategy% towards% the% Middle % East,% the% membership%of% Turkey% could%play% a %pivotal%role %in%the %EU’s %inﬂuence %in%the%region,%not%least% because %of%its% standing%as%a%prominent%Muslim%state.% Links: •

Video%of%Turkey’s%Minister%for%European%Aﬀairs%holds%a%keynote%address%on%the%challenges%faced%by% Europe%and%Turkey%: hNp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHVnt6VROM8

•

Article%and%Video%on%Turkish%Prime%Minister%Recep%Tayyip%Erdogan: hNp://www.economist.com/node/21561918

•

Stefan%Füle%on%EU%member%states: hNp://www.turkishweekly.net/news/142897/stefan?fule?eu?member?candidates?must?meet?

5. KEY CONFLICTS The %key% conflicts%of% this %topic %correlate %both%to%maNers %of% domestic%as%well%as%foreign%policy% issues%between% the %EU%and%Turkey% that%have %proven%to%be%inseparable.%As %outlined%in%the %Treaty%of%Europe,%every%candidate% state %should% comply% with%all%the %chapters%of% the %acquis,%before%it% is%to%accede %to%the %Union.%Despite %making% distinctive% progress% in% the % areas% of% political% and% institutional% reform% by% decreasing% the% influence %of% the% military,%abolishing% capital% punishment%and% making% the %required%changes%to%its %legal%framework,%Turkey%is% yet%to%overcome %the %biggest%obstacle %on%the %path%to %full%membership.%Although%accession%negotiations%started% in%2005,%but%until%Turkey% agrees %to%apply%to%the %Additional)Protocol) of)the)Ankara)Association)Agreement) to) Cyprus,% eight% negotiation% chapters% will% not% be% opened% and% no% chapter% will% be %provisionally% closed.% Turkey’s%unwillingness %to%move %towards %a %resolution%with%its%decades %long% conflict% with%Cyprus%has%let% the% EU%no%choice %but% to%halt% all%further%negotiations.%In%addition,%Turkey’s%strained%relations%with%Armenia,%has% posed% additional% problems% and% signals% a %problematic% road% ahead% in% the% area% of% foreign% policy.% Equally% important% is %Turkey’s%inability% to% tackle %the %concerns%regarding% its%Human% Rights%record,%in% the%wake %of% continuous%evidence %for%the %suppression%and% social% and% economic%discrimination%of% the %country’s%Kurdish% population. A% further% key% problem% for% the %resolution% of% the %current% situation% is% the %increasingly% divided% position% of% different%Member%States %on%the %issue %of%Turkey’s %possible %accession.%This%not%only% undermines %the %credibility% of% the % EU% as% a %strong% global% player% but% also% diminishes % the % political% leverage % at% the % Union’s% disposal,% especially% regarding% its% relations% with% Turkey.% While %Germany,% France %and% Austria %are %more% inclined% to% preserving% the %current%status%quo%with%regards%to%Turkey’s %privileged%partner%status,%countries%such%as%Italy% and%the %UK%are %in%favour%of%the %eventual%accession%of%Turkey%to%the%Union.%Closely%related%to%the%debate%over% European%Youth%Parliament%Belgium%|%www.eyp?europolis.be%|%19%%

19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS Turkey’s%European%ambitions%within%the %Member%States,%is %the %issues%of%Islamophobia%and%the%role %it%plays%in% shaping% public%opinion% on%the %topic.%It%is%quite %often% the %case %that% the%public%concentrates%the%debate %over% further% Enlargement% around% the% themes% of% identity% politics% and% cultural% divides% and% fails% to% taken% into% account% all% the%political,%and% economic%factors%that% play% a %role %in% redeﬁning% the %EU% frontiers.% %Although,% important%to%be %addressed,%these %issues%become %problematic%once %they%succeed%in%diverting%the%public%debate% into% a % grey% area% that% could% potentially% obstruct% any% future % steps% to% a% positive% outcome % of% the %current% stalemate.% Links: •

Article%on%Cyprus%taking%on%EU%presidency,%especially%part%titled%‘Turkish%boycoN’%(BBC%2%July%2012):

•

hNp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world?europe?18671574

•

Article%by%Orhan%Pamuk%on%Europe%turnings%its%back%on%Muslim%Turkey%(The%Guardian%26%October% 2012):%

•

hNp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/26/europe?turning?away?turkey?world

•

Critical%look%at%the%privileged%partnership%on%oﬀer%for%Turkey hNp://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/privileged?partnership?oﬀers?turkey?privilege?partnership/ article?183935

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE Turkey’s%accession%to%what%is%now%the%EU%started)in)1959)when%it%applied%to%become%an%associate)member%of% the %European)Economic)Community.%In%1963%an%agreement% was %signed,%the %Ankara)Agreement,%which%was% a%three?step%way% towards%a%full%membership.%In%April% 1987%Turkey% applied% for% formal) membership%of% the% European) Economic)Community.%Due%to%Turkey’s %political%and% economic%situation% accession% negotiations% were %not% started% immediately.%The%final% phase% of% the %Ankara %Agreement% started% in% 1996,% which% meant% a% Customs) Union% was % formed% which% facilitated% trade % with% some% goods.% The % European% Council% officially% recognised%Turkey%as%a %potential)candidate)state%in%1999.%3%years %later,%in%2002,%the %European%Council%stated% the % EU% would% open) negotiations% with% Turkey% without% delay% once) Turkey) fulfilled% the % Copenhagen) Criteria.% The %EU%agreed) to)start) negotiations)on)the)17th)of)December)2004.%In%October%2005%the %first% six%chapters%of% the %acquis%were %opened.%In%2006%the %chapter%on%Science %and%Research%was%opened%and%closed.%Since %then,%no) other)chapter)has) been)closed.%Problems%concerning% the %Cyprus) Dispute% prompted%the%EU%to%freeze)eight) chapters% in%December%2006.%It% was%declared%that% none %of% these %chapters%would% reopen%until%a%solution%was% found.% In%May% of% 2012%a%new%stance %was%taken,%a%‘positive %EU?Turkey%agenda’%was%launched%in%Ankara.%Intended%to% freshen%up% the %situation%the%agenda %is%supposed% to%promote %reforms %in%Turkey% and%shake %up% the %currently% stuck%situation.%

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COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS Links: •

The%European%Commission%on%Turkey’s%accession: hNp://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/detailed?country?information/turkey/index_en.htm

•

The%Ankara%Agreement%of%1963: hNp://www.abgs.gov.tr/index.php?p=117&l=2

•

Turkey%Customs%Unions,%especially%c)%Customs%Union%and%Pan?Euro?Mediterranean%Cumulation: hNp://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_duties/rules_origin/customs_unions/ article_414_en.htm

•

Press%Release%concerning%the%positive%agenda: hNp://europa.eu/rapid/press?release_MEMO?12?359_en.htm

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION In% 1959% Turkey% applied% for% what% was%then% the %European% Economic %Community.%Due %to%the %Turkish% coup% d’état% in% 1980% there%was% a %freeze %in%relations %but% by% 1983% they% were %restored,% after% the%country% had% held% elections.%In%1987% Turkey% applied% for% formal% membership% of% the %European% Community% but% the %European% Commission%refused%to%begin%accession%negotiations %citing% Turkey’s %current%political%and%economic%situation% as%well% as %the %Cyprus%conflict%and%Turkey’s%difficult%relationship%with%Greece.%It%was%not% until%1999%that% the% European%Council%recognised%Turkey% as %an%official%candidate.%In%2004%the%EU%agreed%to%start%negotiations%and% a%year%later%the %first%six%chapters%were %opened,%with%the %chapter%on%Science%and%Research%being%closed%in%2006.% This%was%the %first%and%only% chapter%to%be%closed.%Since%then%several%chapters%have %been%blocked%for%different% reasons. For% there% to% be %a% breakthrough% in% the %current% stalemate,% immediate %action% from% the% EU% is% required.% In% rethinking% both% its %domestic% and% foreign% policy% priorities,% Member% States %should% bear% in% mind% both% the% advantages% and% the % disadvantages% of% either% course % of% action% regarding% Turkey’s% possible % accession.% A% decision%to%grant%Turkey%privileged%partner%status%only% could%have %an%adverse%effect%on%EU?Turkey% relations,% that% could%have%serious %ramifications%for% the %EU’s%standing% in%the %global%foreign%policy% arena.%On%the%other% hand,%opting% for%a %full% membership%without% abiding% to%the %Copenhagen% Criteria%or%the%Additional% Protocol% could%seriously%diminish%the %EU’s%credibility%both%home %and%abroad.%The %outcome %of%this%impasse %for%the%EU% would%hinge%on%a%precarious%balance%between%upholding% European%values%and%institutional%principles%and% the %advancement% of% its%future %foreign% policy% objectives.%Whatever% course %the %EU% would% take %towards %its% relations% with% Turkey,% the% unequivocal% stance %of% Member% States% should% be %procured% in% order% to% ensure%

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COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS suﬃcient% political% clout% and% coherency% regarding% an% issue %that%is%posed%to%deﬁnite %the%next% chapter%of% EU% foreign%policy.%%% Links:

•

Country%proﬁle%of%Turkey: hNp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world?europe?17988453

•

Turkish%Ministry%of%Foreign%Aﬀairs%on%Turkey?EU%Relations: hNp://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations?between?turkey?and?the?european?union.en.mfa

•

Opinion%article%from%The%Guardian%about%the%current%situation%in%the%EU%and%Turkey%(28.10.2010): hNp://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/28/turkey?eu?accession?bid?why?bother

•

Bringing%turkey%back%to%the%EU%debate%(02.01.2013): hNp://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/bringing?turkey?back?eu?debate?analysis?516820

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COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The% Common% Agricultural% Policy% (CAP)% postP2013:% building% on% the% European% Commission’s% reform%proposals,%which%longPterm%objectives%should%the%EU%pursue%in%this%policy%area? %%%by%Monika%Ghosh(%UK)

1. KEY TERMS •

Common) Agricultural) Policy) (CAP)% ?% This %is %a %system%of% a %European% Union% agricultural% subsidy,% which%combines%a%direct% subsidy% payment% for% crops%and% land% which% can% be %cultivated% with% price% support% mechanisms,%including% guaranteed% minimum% prices,% import% tariﬀs%and% quotas%on% certain% goods%from%outside%the%EU.

•

Rural) Heritage) M) The %passing% down% of% traditional% farming% techniques% through% generations,%often% refers%to%agricultural%buildings.%(For%a%full%deﬁnition%see%links%)

•

Land) Stewardship) M)The%responsible %use %and% conservation%of% natural%resources %taking% into%account% the%diﬀering%interests%of%society,%future%generations%and%other%species. 18

•

Agenda)2000)M) Agenda %2000%explicitly%established%economic,%social,%and%environmental%goals %within% a%new%reformulated%set%of%objectives %for%the %CAP%consistent%with%the %requirements %of%the %Amsterdam% Treaty.

•

Two) Pillars) M) The %CAP%is% based% upon% two% pillars%–% pillar% 1% funds% production% support% via%direct% payments%and%price%support%while%pillar%2%funds%rural%development%measures.

•

International)Intervention)Price)M)The %price %at%which%the %Commission%will%take %surplus%products%oﬀ% the%market%through%large%scale%purchase)

•

Direct) subsidies) M) Direct% payment%to%farmers%through%the %single %payment% scheme %(SPS)%accounting% for%over%75%% of%the%CAP%budget%(pillar%1).%The %direct% subsidy%to%farmers %is%currently% allocated%to%EU% Member%States%based%on%historic%criteria.

•

Active) Farmers% M) Someone %who% engages%in% agricultural% activity% but% for% whom% the %following% does% NOT%apply:

•

a)% the%annual% amount% of% direct% payments%is%less%than%5%% of% the%total% receipts%obtained% from%non? agricultural%activities%in%the%most%recent%ﬁscal%year;%or%

•

b)%the %agricultural%areas%are %mainly%areas%naturally% kept% in%a%state %suitable %for%grazing%or%cultivation% and% they% do%not% carry% out% on% those %areas %the %minimum% activity% established% by% member% states%in% accordance%with%article%4(1)c. 19

%hNp://www.landstewardship.eu/

%hNp://capreform.eu/understanding?the?active?farmer?debate/

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COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Links:

Full%deﬁnition%of%Rural%heritage:%hNp://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/cemat/ confminist1?15/13eguide_EN.asp

Abstract%Agricultural%and%Environmental%Ethics%Journal%–%Stewardship%of%natural%resources:%hNp:// link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1009534214698?LI=true%

A%great%overview%of%what%CAP%is,%its%beneﬁts%and%its%history: hNp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap?overview/2012_en.pdf

A%glossary%of%all%the%terms%related%to%the%CAP:%hNp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/glossary/index_en.htm

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM The %CAP %has%been%the %centre?piece%of% European)integration%and%remains%the%EU’s %strongest%common%policy.% The %time%has%come %to%assess%the%results%of% previous)CAP)reforms)and%take %account%of%the%present%and%future% challenges%it%faces.% There %is%a %clear%link%between%agriculture,%the %environment,%biodiversity,%climate%change %and% the %sustainable) management)of)our)natural)resources) such%as%water%and%land.%Agriculture %is%also %important%for%the %positive% economic) and) social) development% of% the %EU’s %rural% areas.% Europe’s%farmers% deliver% public% goods%which% beneﬁt%society%as%a%whole.% Why% is %this%relevant% to%people %across%Europe?%The)total)CAP)budget) is) 42%%of%the %EU%budget% (31%% ?direct% aid% +% 11%% –% Rural% Development). 20 % It% represented% 48%% of% the %EUvs% budget,% €50% billion% in% 2006,% up% from% €48.5%billion%in%2005.%The%CAP %budget%is%constantly%shrinking:%from%71%%in%1984%to%an%expected%39%%in%2013.21% Its %policies%and%schemes%are %heavily% supported%by% France,%Spain%and%new%Member%States%but%are %criticised%by% countries %with%more%urbanised%populations,%like %the %UK%and%the%Netherlands %where %the %beneﬁt%per%capita %is% minimal. Links:

A%public%debate%on%the%future%of%CAP:%hNp://cap2020.ieep.eu/

A%newsleNer%from%a%recent%meeting%of%the%EN%RD%to%discuss%future%strategy: hNp://enrd.ec.europa.eu/app_templates/ﬁledownload.cfm? id=C5783D0F?93AD?1BC6?83B6?2869BA396C36

A%paper%on%the%concept%of%“Greening”%a%future%aim%of%the%CAP:%hNp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap? post?2013/legal?proposals/concept?paper?on?greening_en.pdf

DETAILED)paper%on%CAP%post%2013%?%scan%for%interesting%parts: hNp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap?post?2013/legal?proposals/com627/627_en.pdf

%hNp://ec.europa.eu/budget/ﬁgures/2011/2011_en.cfm

%hNp://europa.eu/rapid/press?release_MEMO?07?350_en.htm?locale=en%(Myth%3)

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COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT 3. KEY QUESTIONS •

What%is%the%impact% of% shrinking%the%CAP%budget%on%trade,%food% security,%rural%heritage%and%farming% across%the%EU?

•

?%How%can%we %ensure%that%the %EU%remains%a%leader%in%promoting% food%safety% and%the%development%of% organic%produce?

•

?% To%what% extent% does%the %CAP%artiﬁcially% shield%farmers%from%healthy% competition%and% hinder% the% evolution%of%modern%and%eﬃcient%agriculture?

•

?%How%can%we %make %CAP %support%more %equitable %across%Member%States%and%beNer%targeted%to %active% farmers?

Links:

European%Commission%to%the%European%Parliament%regarding%the%future%of%the%CAP.%See%the%Annex% on%page%14%for%useful%breakdown%of%options%regarding%reforms: hNp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap?post?2013/communication/com2010?672_en.pdf

Summary%of%opinions%from%a%public%debate%on%some%questions%regarding%the%future%of%CAP%post% 2013: hNp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap?post?2013/debate/report/executive?summary_en.pdf

A%detailed%economic%perspective%on%the%future%of%CAP%?%scan%for%useful%information: www.intereconomics.eu/downloads/getﬁle.php?id=836

4. KEY ACTORS It% may%seem%that%the%CAP%is%just%a%stream%of%money% and%produce %between%the %EU%and%the %farmers%however% there %are %many%key% players,%one %of% which% is%the) general) public,%as%it% is%us%who%are %aﬀected% by% food% prices,% quality%and%availability.%Other%stakeholders% include %farmers’)organisations,%for%example %the%World%Farmers’% Organisation,%and%professional)bodies,%such%as%a%Chartered%Institute %of%Agriculture.%Outside %of%these %farmer% related%bodies,%we%have%institutions%and%organisations%that% strive%for%environmental)protection,%who%will%be% greatly% involved%in%CAP %reforms%as%well%as%animal)welfare)groups% and% numerous %other%nonMgovernmental) organisations% (NGO’s).%Another% major% player% is% the %European% Network%for% Rural% Development% (EN) RD)) which%links %together%national%rural) networks,%European%organisations%and%national)authorities% involved%in% rural%development% programmes.%Think)tanks) and% academic)institutions) are %more %players%whose %opinions% and%output%on%the%maNer%should%also%be%considered%when%looking%into%future%CAP%reforms. Links:

Information%on%international%farming,%sharing%of%best%practice:%hNp:// www.worldfarmersorganisation.com/%

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ·

List%of%European%Agricultural%Research%Institutes:%hNp://www.eaae.org/eaae_site/index.php? option=com_weblinks&view=category&id=13%3Aeuropean?agricultural?research? institutes&Itemid=37

Rural%development%policies%from%the%EN%RD: hNp://enrd.ec.europa.eu/policy?in?action/rural?development?policy?overview/introduction/en/ introduction_en.cfm

One%of%the%leading%voices%for%animal%welfare%at%a%European%Union%level:%hNp:// eurogroupforanimals.org/

A%page%explaining%the%European%Agricultural%Fund%for%Rural%Development: hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/agriculture/general_framework/l60032_en.htm

5. KEY CONFLICTS One %of% the%main%problems%within% the %CAP%is%the%imbalance%and% inequity% of% its %beneﬁts%between%Member% States.%This %is%caused%by% the%ratio%of% urban%to%rural% population%and% the %national%support% given% to%farmers.% Another%issue%is%whether%the%CAP%is%harmful)to)developing)countries%in%terms%of%giving% Member%States%an% unnatural%advantage %in%the %import%and%export%of%natural%produce.%However,%it%allows %the %EU%to%continue %to% produce%a%variety)of)highMquality)goods,%which%underline%national%cultures.% There % has% always% been% a % question% of% ‘Should% we % scrap% the% CAP?’% Is% it% worthwhile% bothering% at% all,% considering% the %numerous%pros%is%this%a %question%of%public)ignorance%regarding% reasoning%for%CAP %or%is%this% a%point%to%consider? Links:

A%basic%outline%of%the%pros%and%cons%of%the%CAP:%hNp://www.debatingeurope.eu/arguments?for?and? against?the?common?agricultural?policy/

A%biased,%but%interesting%consideration%of%the%conﬂicts%created%by%the%reforms%in%2000.%Still%relevant% questions%today: hNp://wsws.org/en/articles/1999/03/cap?m05.html

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE The %CAP%has%been%reviewed%many%times,%various%reforms%have%taken%place %for%example %the %Agenda%2000,%the% Decoupling%in%2003,%direct%subsidy%limits%in%2007,%health%checks%in%2009,%milk%quotas %between%2009%and%2014.% Two%measures%that%will%be%very%important%in%the%2013%reforms%are%Capping%and%Greening.

European%Youth%Parliament%Belgium%|%www.eyp?europolis.be%|%26%%

19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Links:

An%up%to%date%overview%of%views%from%recent%debates%on%greening:%hNp://capreform.eu/further? thoughts?on?cap?greening/

An%unbiased%economic%look%at%the%pros%and%cons,%and%the%actual%means%of%capping%the%CAP: %hNp://pearsonblog.campaignserver.co.uk/?p=2163

BBC%Report%on%CAP%reforms%(Video): hNp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world?europe?15282928

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The %CAP%was %born% in%the %late %1950s%and%early% 1960s%when%the%founding% members%of% the %EC%had% emerged% from%over%a %decade%of%severe %food%shortages%during%and% after%World%War%II.%As %part% of% building% a %common% market,% tariffs%on%agricultural% products%would%have %to% be %removed.%However,%due %to%the %political% clout% of% farmers,%and%the%sensitivity%of%the%issue,%it%took%many%years%before%the%CAP%was%fully%implemented. Since%then%the %CAP%has%always%been%a%difficult% area%of% EU%policy% to%reform;%this%is%a%problem%that% began%in% the %1960s%and%one%that%continues%to%the %present% day.%The%Agricultural%Council%is%the %main%decision?making% body% for% CAP%affairs.% Outside %Brussels %official% institutions,% the %farming% lobbyvs %power% has%been% a %factor% determining% EU%agricultural%policy%since%the %earliest%days%of%integration.%A%reform%generally%proceeds%by% the% following% steps:% the % publication% of% a% discussion% paper% (known% as% a % Communication)% by% the %European% Commission,%a %period% of%public%consultation%with% stakeholders,%the %general% public%and% all% other% interested% parties,% the % submission% of% legislative% proposals% by% the % European% Commission% to% the % Council% and% the% European%Parliament% together% with%an%Impact%Assessment,%the%discussion%by% the %Council%and% Parliament% of% the%legislative%proposals,%and,%finally,%the%adoption%and%publication%of%the%reform%regulations Links:

History%of%the%CAP: hNp://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap?history/agenda?2000/index_en.htm

A%summary%of%a%detailed%paper%regarding%the%CAP%post%2013: hNp://ictsd.org/i/publications/97803/

A%really%helpful%look%at%CAP,%basics%and%the%reforms%over%the%last%two%years. hNp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world?europe?11216061

A%useful%video%to%explain%legislative%procedure%between%European%Institutions%and%explains%the% Lisbon%Treaty:hNp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUF5t1kRlI European%Youth%Parliament%Belgium%|%www.eyp?europolis.be%|%27%%

19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION

The% role% of% the% media%in% the% creation% of%a% European% public% sphere:% how% can% European% decisionP makers%in%tandem%with%the%‘fourth%estate‘%improve%crossPborder%media%coverage%and%coPoperation? by%Sigrun%FagerÑäll%(SE)

1. KEY TERMS •

Commercial)Media:%media%run%by%companies%with%the%aim%to%make%proﬁt

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State)funded)Media:%media%funded%by%the%state%through%taxes

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Multilingualism:%the%use%of%multiple%languages

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Fourth) estate:%a%societal% or% political% institution% whose %force %is% not% oﬃcially% recognised.%Generally% (and%in%this%case)%refers%to%the%media.

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Public) sphere:% an% area %in% social% life %where %citizens% can% freely% discuss %social% issues% and% inﬂuence% political%action.%A%base%for%forming%common%values%and%ideas.

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Traditional)media:%traditional%forms%of%media%such%as%printed%media.%

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Press)freedom:%the%independence%of%media

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Audiovisual)media:%media%with%sound%and%visual%components.

Links: •

An%article%which%makes%it%easier%to%understand%the%concept%of%a%European%public%sphere: Europe%talks%to%Europe:%Towards%a%European%public%sphere?

•

The%Press%Freedom%Index%from%Reporters%Without%Boarders: Press%Freedom%Index

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM Low %turnouts%in%European%Parliament% elections%and% general%disinterest%in%European%issues %among% common% Europeans%are%factors %that%undermine%a%democratic%and%functioning% European%Union%(EU).%Some%claim%that% one%of% the %causes%of% this%problem%is% the %lack%of% a %European% public% sphere 22.% Since %the %EU%holds %so%many% different% cultures,% languages % and% people% within% its% boarders% it% is% sometimes% difficult% to% find% common% denominators.%As%a%result,%many%people %feel%like %being%European%is%not%a%big% part%of%their%identity.%Because%of% this,%European% politics %feel%distant%and% irrelevant% to%many% Europeans’%lives,%they% do %not%vote%since %they% do% not% feel% like%the %issues %concern%them.%In%order% to% create %a %European%public%sphere,%some%claim% that% cross? boarder%media%coverage %and%media%coverage %from%a %European%perspective %must% be %increased%so%that% people% all% over% the %EU%have%equal% insight% into%pan?European%concerns.% It% is%of% high%relevance %of% the%EU%that% this%

%Political%Identity%and%European%Elections%by%Michael%Bruter%

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION problem%is%solved,%at%the %same %time %commercial%media%cannot%be %controlled%by%regulations%or%other%political% initiatives%since %this %would%interfere %with%the %press %freedom.%According% to%a %report%published%by%“Reporters% without% boarders”% in% 2010,% the % independence % of% European% media% is% being% increasingly% undermined% by% political%interference 23.%Commercial%media%is%controlled%by%independent%corporations%and%therefore %ruled%by% commercial%interests,%in%order% for% there%to%be %more%cross?boarder%media %coverage %it% has%to%be%proﬁtable %for% publishers.%Another%issue %that% must%be %addressed% is%language%barriers.%Multilingualism%in%the %EU% makes%it% diﬃcult%to%establish%a%pan?European%news%network.%Another%aspect%that%must%be %kept%in%mind%is%the%change% from%traditional%media %to%online%media;%many% media%companies%will%need%to%change %their%concepts%in%order% to%survive.% Links: •

An%article%about%the%future%of%European%media%on%a%debating%forum%with%comments%and%videos%from% Members%of%the%European%Parliament%(MEPs),%various%aspects%of%the%topic%are%addressed: Do%we%need%pan?European%media?%by%Debating%Europe

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Video%where%Judith%Sargentini,%MEP,%addresses%the%issue%of%multilingualism%in%European%media: Judith%Sargentini%responds%to%a%comment%from%Christos%on%European%media

3. KEY QUESTIONS •

What%is%the%aim%of%creating%a%European%public%sphere?

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What% is% the% role % of% European% decision?makers% in% the % process % of% increasing% cross?border% media% coverage%and%media%coverage%from%a%European%perspective%without%undermining%press%freedom?%

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How%can%pan?European%media%overcome%the%language%barriers%of%the%EU?

4. KEY ACTORS The %main% actors %dealing% with% this%issue %are%European% institutions %and% MEPs,% media%companies,%national% political% institutions %and% European% citizens.% It% is%in% the %interest% of% the%European% institutions%and% MEPs %to% create%a %European%public%sphere %and%increase %cross?boarder%media %coverage %in%order% to%increase %awareness% about%European%issues%and%the%turnouts %in%elections 24.%Media %companies %aim%to%increase%their%proﬁt,%many%of% these %companies%are %facing% a%crisis%due%to%the%transition%from% traditional% media%to% online %media.%National% political%institutions %will%generally%guard%national%interests%and%support%national%industries.%This%may%result% in%a %reluctance %to%support%European%initiatives%that% can%threaten%to%intrude %on%the%national%public%sphere%or%

%EUROPE%FALLS%FROM%ITS%PEDESTAL,%NO%RESPITE%IN%THE%DICTATORSHIPS%by%Reporters%Without%Boarders

%Political%Identity%and%European%Elections%by%Michael%Bruter

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION compete %with%national%companies.%European%citizens%will%consume %media%that%they%ﬁnd%relevant,%interesting% and%easily%accessible.% Links: •

Study%of%the%concept%of%the%European%Identity%and%its%relevance%in%a%functioning%European%society: Political%Identity%and%European%Elections%by%Michael%Bruter%

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Article%about%the%transition%from%traditional%media%to%digital%media: Is%There%a%Future%for%Newspapers?%by%Jack%Myers

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Debating%Europe%on%the%concept%of%a%European%Public%Sphere%and%its%aﬀect%on%democracy:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Debating%Europe%at%PdF%Brussels

5. KEY CONFLICTS Firstly,%there %is%the%conflict% between%media %controlled%by% regulations %and% political%interests%and% free %media% controlled%by%commercial%interests.%Some %claim%that%introducing%regulations%is%a %way%to%make%sure %that%cross? boarder%media%coverage %increases%while %others%argue %that%this%would%undermine %the%press%freedom%and%the% credibility%of%media.%Secondly,%the %commercial%nature %of%the%media %can%sometimes %also%be %at%conflict%with%its% ability%to%shape %the %public%opinion.%Media%plays %an%important%part%in%the %political%process,%educating% people% and%providing% them%with%arguments.%On%occasions,%the %commercial%interests %of%the %media %interfere %with%its% credibility% and% media %pluralism.% We %have %seen% many% examples,%where %people %with% political%interests%buy% their%space%in%media%in%order%to %feed%consumers%with%news%that%will%benefit% their%interests.%Finally,%there %is%a% conflict% between% the %concept% of% pan?European% media% networks% and% media % that% is% equally% accessible % to% everyone %because %of%the %multilingualism%in% Europe.%If% pan?European%news %channels%are,%as%an%example,%in% English,% they% will% not% be %accessible %for% people%who% do%not% speak% the %language.% Since %the %EU% harbours%so% many%different%languages%it%is%difficult%to%solve%this%problem.% Links: •

Debating%Europe%on%granting%media%pluralism%and%freedom: How%can%we%guarantee%media%pluralism%in%Europe?

•

Debating%Europe%on%the%need%for%a%pan?European%media:

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Do%we%need%pan?European%media?%by%Debating%Europe

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE The %EU%has%an%audiovisual%and%media %policy% that,%among% other%measures,%provides%a%regulatory% framework% and% funding% programmes% for% media.% The% Audiovisual% Media % Service% Directive % (AVMSD)% is% the % main%

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND EDUCATION directive;%it%aims %to%create %an%eﬀective %single %European%market%for%audiovisual%media.%The %directive%is%meant% to%level%the %playing%ﬁeld%for%emerging%audiovisual%media,%to%safeguard%media %pluralism%and%to%guarantee%the% independence% of% national% media% regulators 25.% The % EU% funding% programmes% for% media % includes% the% programme %MEDIA%which%funds%audiovisual%projects%with%a%European%dimension.%It%is %also%meant%to%enable% European% media%to%spread% across %national%and% European%boarders 26.%An% already% existing% network%for%pan? European% news% is% Euronews,% since %it% broadcasts% in% thirteen% languages %it% also% deals% with% the %problem% of% multilingualism.%The %Franco?German%TV%network%Arte %has %a%similar%concept;%it% promotes%European%culture% and%arts%and%caters%to%both%French%and%German%audiences.% Links: •

Audiovisual%Media%Service%Directive: AVMSD

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A%more%easily%accessible%overview%of%regulations%etc: EUROPEAN%MEDIA%LANDSCAPE%by%EU4Journalists

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Website%of%the%MEDIA%programme: MEDIA%Programme

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Increasing% cross?boarder%media%coverage%and% media %coverage %from%a%European%perspective%can%be %seen%as% important% factors%in% creating% a%European%public%sphere.%When% coming% up% with% initiatives%to% achieve %this,% factors%such% as %the %conﬂict% between%commercial%and% political% interests %and% multilingualism%must% be %taken% into%concern,%while%also%safeguarding%press%freedom%and%preserving%media%pluralism.%

%Audiovisual%and%Media%Policies%from%the%European%Commission%

%Website%of%the%MEDIA%programme

European%Youth%Parliament%Belgium%|%www.eyp?europolis.be%|%31%%

19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS

The%faulty%setPup%of%the%Eurozone:%how%can%the%EU%compensate%for%its%Member%States’%lost%ability%to% shape% monetary% policy% and% create% a% mechanism% to% oﬀset% macroeconomic% imbalances% within% the% union? by%Bram%Van%Meldert%(BE)

1. KEY TERMS •

Monetary) Policy:%the %regulation% of% interest% rates%and% money% supply% by% a%central% bank%in% order% to% achieve% macroeconomic% stability.% It% is% one %of% the %two% options% for% a% government% to % influence% the% economy.%Monetary%policy% has%a %direct%influence%on%the %money% market%and%an%indirect% influence%on% the%goods%market. 27

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Monetary) Union:% when% two% or% more % countries % share% a% common% currency% and% thus % monetary% policy. 28

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/ Fiscal) Policy:% The % second% option% for% a % government% to% inﬂuence % the % economy.% By% the% use % of% government% spending% and%taxation%governments%have %a%direct%impact% on% the %goods%market% and%an% indirect%impact%on%the%money%market. 29

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Fiscal)Union:%when%two%or%more %nation%states %integrate%their%fiscal%policy.%Opinions%differ%as%to%what% a%fiscal% union%entails%and% thus %one %could% distinguish%a%spectrum% of% fiscal%unities%trending% towards% increasing%fiscal%integration. 30

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Economic)and)Monetary)Union)(EMU):%the %group%of%policies%aimed%at%converging% the %economies%of% EU%Member%States%in%three%stages%so%as%to%allow%them%to%adopt%the%euro.

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Macroeconomic) imbalances:) Significant% deviations% from% the % normal% values % of% the% main% macroeconomic% indicators,% such% as% current% accounts,% difference% in% labour% cost,%employment% rate,% public%and% private%debt,%difference %in% real% estate%prices,%inflation%etc.%These %deviations%can% be %both% positive%and%negative.

Links: •

Introduction%to%the%basics%of%Monetary%policy: hNp://backpack.tv/video/economics/economics?classroom/jason?welker/tools?monetary?policy

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Introduction%to%the%basics%of%ﬁscal%policy: hNp://backpack.tv/video/economics/long?road?sixth?form?college/bryn?jones/ﬁscal?policy

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Brief%considerations%about%monetary%and%ﬁscal%policy:

%hNp://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/MonetaryPolicy.html

%hNp://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/MonetaryUnion.html

%hNp://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/FiscalPolicy.html

%Some%diﬀerent%opinions%concerning%the%desirability%of%several%possible%compositions%for%a%European%ﬁscal%union:%hNp:// www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/43fcb7fc?17b0?11e2?9530?00144feabdc0.html#axzz2HZAuBmzd%(sign%up%for%free%in%order%to% have%access%to%8%articles%per%30%days) 30

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS

hNp://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/12/ﬁscal?or?monetary? policy.asp#axzz2HTK6vRhs •

Overview%of%EMU%(also%take%a%look%at%the%sub?headings): hNp://ec.europa.eu/economy_ﬁnance/euro/emu/index_en.htm

•

Overview%of%the%macroeconomic%indicators%used%for%the%Macroeconomic%Imbalances%Procedure% (MIP): hNp://ec.europa.eu/economy_ﬁnance/economic_governance/ macroeconomic_imbalance_procedure/mip_scoreboard/index_en.htm%

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM The %euro% area% countries% share %a %single %currency% and% have%interdependent% economies,%but% do%not% have %a% sound% common% fiscal% policy,% eventually% leading% to%severe%macroeconomic,% financial% and% fiscal% imbalances% within%the%euro%area.%This%discrepancy% is %one%of% the %main% problems%of% the %complex,%multifaceted%crisis %that% the %EU% is %currently% facing.% The %crisis %has% made %painfully% clear% what% we %already% knew% when% EMU% was% initiated,%namely% that% a) common) monetary) policy) alone) is) not) sufficient) to)ensure) proper) functioning)of) EMU31)in)states)which)such)diverse)and)differently)developed)economies. Under%the %current%structure %Member%States%(MS)%are %left%with%liNle %policy%adjustment%space%to%respond%to%the% needs %of%their%national% economies%as %even%their%last%tool% of% influence,%fiscal%policy,%is%strictly%constrained% by% the %rules%laid% down%in% the %different% treaties%and% agreements%that% make %up% EMU.% Furthermore,%these %rules% and% the % European% Central% Bank’s% (ECB)% policies % favour% certain% economic% policies,% contributing% to% the% widening% of% the%competitiveness% gap% in% the%Eurozone.% Therefore,%the%set?up% of% EMU%does%not% only% gave% prominence %for%moral%hazard32 %issues %for%the %weaker%economies,%but%it%also%let%the %stronger%economies%grow% at% the %expense %of% these %debtor% countries.%These%two%sides %of%the %same %coin%lead%to%increasing% heterogeneity% amongst%European%economies.%All%of%this%causes%EMU%to%be%even%less%of% an%Optimal%Currency%Area 33%then%it% was%when%the%Eurozone%was%established. In% order% to%rectify% this%situation% one %will%have %to%decide %which%path%the%EU%should% follow:%disintegrating) EMU) or) further) political) and) fiscal) integration% in%order%to%allow%strong% economic%governance%on% the %EU% level%to%ensure %the %proper%functioning% of% EMU.%Regardless %of%the %chosen%path,%one %will%have%to%foresee %and% deal%with%the%implications)of)its)choice,%also%in%terms%of%democracy)and)legitimacy)in)the)EU.

%See%the%‘Delors%report’%for%early%warnings

%In%a%monetary%union,%the%downsides%and%risk%of%additional%debt%are%not%only%borne%by%the%country%that%takes%up%extra% debt%but%also%by%all%other%members%of%the%monetary%union. 32

%An%Optimal%Currency%Area%(OCA)%is%an%area%for%which%it%would%be%economically%efficient%to%share%a%common%currency.% Criteria%are%price%and%wage%flexibility,%labour%and%capital%mobility%and%sufficient%fiscal%transfers,%etc.%In%a%monetary%union% that%is%not%an%OCA,%monetary%policy%cannot%address%each%countries%needs,%enhancing%the%importance%of%fiscal%policy%to% deal%with%economic%shocks. 33

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS

Links: •

Philip%Arestis%on%the%problems%of%the%EMU: hNp://users.ntua.gr/jea/tua/journl/jea_volume1_issue1_pp1_14.pdf%

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Monetary%and%ﬁscal%policy%interactions%in%a%monetary%union: hNp://www.ecb.int/pub/pdf/mobu/mb201207en.pdf%(p51?64)

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The%creation%and%ﬂaws%of%the%European%Economic%and%Monetary%Union: hNp://ebook.law.uiowa.edu/ebook/uicifd?ebook/part?6?i?creation?and?ﬂaws?european?economic? and?monetary?union%

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Article%in%the%Economist%on%whether%a%currency%needs%a%state%or%not: hNp://www.economist.com/node/13767419%

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Warning%for%a%democratic%deﬁcit%potentially%caused%by%further%economic%integration: hNp://www.economist.com/node/21555927%

3. KEY QUESTIONS •

More)or)less)Europe)as)remedy)for)the)crisis? %Is%there%a %future %for%EMU%in%further%ﬁscal%and%political% integration%or%should%EMU%be%dissolved?

•

If%less%Europe:%how)to)breakMup)EMU%whiteout%pushing%European%economies%over%the%cliﬀ?%

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If% more %Europe:% what% degree) of) ﬁscal) and) political) integration% is% needed% in% order% to%ensure %the% proper% functioning% of% EMU?%And% how %to%guarantee) the) democratic)legitimacy% of% an% increasingly% powerful%EU?

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How%much%solidarity%should%there%be%among%EU%Member%States?

Links: •

Pros%and%cons%of%ﬁscal%union: hNp://www.debatingeurope.eu/infobox?arguments?for?and?against?ﬁscal?union/

4. KEY ACTORS The %ECB)controls%the %Eurozone’s%monetary% policy.%Its%main%concern%is%price %stability%in%the%euro%zone 34.%The% different%Member)States% (MS)%of%the%EU%control%their%respective %fiscal%policies%within%the%limits %laid%down%in% the %treaties%and% other% intergovernmental% agreements%that% make%up% EMU.%The%Eurogroup% is%the%informal% gathering% of% the %finance %ministers%of%the %MS%who%are %part%of% the %Eurozone %in%order%to%enhance %the %dialogue% between%these %MS%and%to%develop%closer%coordination%of%their%economic%policies.%The %European)Commission%

%hNp://www.ecb.int/ecb/orga/escb/html/mission_eurosys.en.html%

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monitors %the %compliance %of%the %MS’%ﬁscal%policies%with%EU%treaties %and%initiates%new%legislation.%The)Council% monitors % the % implementation% of% programs,% can% suggest% adjustments % of% MS% programs% and% can% start% an% excessive%deﬁcit%procedure%against%a%MS.% Links: •

Who%does%what%in%EMU: hNp://ec.europa.eu/economy_ﬁnance/euro/emu/who/index_en.htm

•

Oﬃcial%site%of%the%Eurozone:%hNp://eurozone.europa.eu/eurogroup?lang=nl%

5. KEY CONFLICTS The %first% key% conflict% is%between% those%who%believe%that% further)fiscal)and)political) integration% is %the%only% way%forward%and%those%who%see%relief%in%dissolving)EMU%or%at%least%in%leNing%some%Eurozone%members%go. The %second) key) conflict% is %amongst% those%who% believe %in% further% integration.%The%argument% is %about% the% desirable% degree %of% integration% and% the %incorporation% of% strict% budget% rules.% Some %argue %that% budgetary) flexibility% is% essential% to % respond% accurately% to% the %needs %of% the %different% national% economies% with% their% respective %economic%and% public?spending% cultures% and/or% do%not% believe %in% the %effectiveness% of% excessive% austerity% in%times %of%a %bad%economic%situation.%Others%claim%that%the %incorporation%of%strict%budget%rules%is%the% only% way% to%deal%with%the %moral%hazard% problem%posed%by% the %monetary% union.%This%argument% is %related%to% one%of% the %most% fundamental% debates% in% economics:% the) fight) between) followers) of) Keynes35 ) and) their) opponents3637 . The %third% key% conflict% is% amongst% those%who%claim% that% profound% fiscal% integration% without% institutional% reforms%will%lead%to %a%serious%democratic)deficit)and% those%who %minimise %the %threat%of%a%democratic%deficit% argue %that% the%first% priority% should% be %to%solve%the %crisis,% after% which% a%treaty% change%or% reforms% could% be% considered. Links: •

Report%by%President%of%the%European%Council,%‘Towards%a%genuine%Economic%and%Monetary%Union’: hNp://www.google.be/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFUQFjAA&url=hNp %3A%2F%2Fconsilium.europa.eu%2Fuedocs%2Fcms_data%2Fdocs%2Fpressdata%2Fen%2Fec

%Keynesians%believe%that%governments%should%run%deﬁcits%during%recessions%or%periods%of%high%unemployment,%when% private%spending%is%low,%to%compensate%the%lack%of%private%demand.%Keynesians%focus%on%ﬁscal%policy.%For%more% information%on%Keynesianism:%hNp://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/KeynesianEconomics.html 35

%The%main%opponents%of%Keynesians%are%Monetarists,%who%focus%on%monetary%policy.%For%more%information%on% monetarism:%hNp://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Monetarism.html 36

%Apart%from%Monetarists%there%are%some%other%opponents%of%Keynesianism,%whose%most%relevant%argument%is%that%it%is% more%important%to%reduce%the%deficit%by%cuNing%taxes%and%government%spending.%They%claim%that%budget%deficits%are%bad% since%they%allegedly%lead%to%higher%interest%rates.%In%this%view%avoiding%deficits%should%be%the%main%aim%of%fiscal%policy.% 37

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%2F131201.pdf&ei=NSv3T76RMIeg? Ab7u5XgBg&usg=AFQjCNHfeaTgc83H9ZMH41LBf5IpOmALDg •

Proposing%a%ﬁscal%union:%hNp://www.bruegel.org/publications/publication?detail/publication/646? what?kind?of?ﬁscal?union/

•

Arguing%for%a%ﬁscal%union:%hNp://www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2012/110112.htm%

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Wolfgang%Kasper%being%skeptic%about%the%monetary%union: hNp://www.econlib.org/library/Columns/y2011/Kaspereuro.html Arguing%against%a%ﬁscal%union: hNp://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/11/ﬁscal?union?cannot?save?the?euro/249093/%

•

A%European%ﬁscal%union?:%hNp://ftp.iza.org/pp39.pdf

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE The %founding%fathers%of%EMU%knew%that% a %pure%monetary%union%alone%would%not%work.%Therefore,%the%initial% Stability) and) Growth) Pact% (SGP)38 %stipulates %that%euro%area %Member%States%have %the%obligation%to%comply% with%certain%budgetary%rules 39.%The %SGP,%however,%did% not%succeed%in%securing% fiscal%discipline.%By% exposing% the %flaws%in%the %original%set?up%of%EMU,%the%crisis%called%for%a%reinforcement%of%the %EU%economic%governance% framework.% Hence,% during% the%last% two% years% European% leaders% have %undertaken% a %series% of% measures% to% rectify% the % situation% and% to% ensure % the% stability% and% smooth% functioning% of% EMU.% First% the % European) Semester 40 %was%introduced,%followed%by%additional%policy%commitments%in%the %Euro)Plus) Pact41% and% the %so? called%sixMpack41,)which%included% amongst%others%a%Macroeconomic%Imbalances %Procedure %(MIP)42 %.%To%this% day,%the %fiscal) compact42,%as%part% of% the%Treaty% on%Stability,% Coordination%and% Governance %in% the %Economic% and%Monetary% Union%that% was%signed%in%March%2012,%is%the %last% and% most% profound% fiscal% agreement% in%the% continuous%fight%against%the %crisis.%However,%the%European%Commission%proposed%two%additional%regulations% in%November%2011.%These%regulations,%known%as%the%twoMpack42,%are%currently%still%in%the%pipeline 43.% Links: •

A%paper%on%the%Stability%and%Growth%Pact%by%the%European%Central%Bank: hNp://www.ecb.int/pub/pdf/scpops/ecbocp129.pdf

%Here%you%can%ﬁnd%a%brief%summary%of%what%the%SGP%includes:%hNp://ec.europa.eu/economy_ﬁnance/ economic_governance/sgp/index_en.htm% 38

%In%essence%the%SGP%says%that%all%countries%in%the%euro%area%should%aim%to%keep%their%annual%budget%deﬁcit%below%3%%of% GDP,%and%keep%total%public%debt%bellow%60%%of%GDP,%the%deﬁcit%criterion%applies%to%all%EU%Member%States. 39

%hNp://ec.europa.eu/economy_ﬁnance/economic_governance/index_en.htm%

hNp://ec.europa.eu/economy_ﬁnance/articles/governance/2012?03?14_six_pack_en.htm%

hNp://ec.europa.eu/economy_ﬁnance/economic_governance/macroeconomic_imbalance_procedure/index_en.htm%

hNp://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20120608IPR46526/html/Economic?governance?two?pack? dominates?morning?debates% 43

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•

A%ﬁscal%compact%for%a%stronger%Economic%and%Monetary%Union,%monthly%bulletin%ECB%May%2012% (p79?94): hNp://www.ecb.int/pub/pdf/mobu/mb201205en.pdf

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Overview%of%EU%economic%governance%in%light%of%Europe2020: hNp://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe?2020?in?a?nutshell/priorities/economic?governance/ index_en.htm%

•

Memo%of%the%EC%about%a%ﬁscal%union: hNp://europa.eu/rapid/press?release_MEMO?12?483_en.htm#PR_metaPressRelease_boNom

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The %debate %on%the%setMup)of)the)Eurozone)and)the)functioning)of)EMU%is %at%the%core %of%this%topic.%A%decision% on% which% degree %of% monetary,% fiscal% and% political% integration% is%optimal% for% proper% functioning% of% EMU,% whilst% allowing% the %necessary% fiscal% autonomy% to%meet% countries’% specific% demands,%considering% different% opinions%about%Keynesian%economics%and% ensuring% the %democratic%legitimacy% of% the %EU,%needs%to%be%made.% Essentially,%should)EMU)evolve)into)a)complete)economic)union,%or%should%MS%preserve%a %certain%degree%of% independence%in%economic%policy?making? Links: •

Exploring%ﬁscal%federalism: hNp://shadowfed.org/wp?content/uploads/2010/10/Bordo?Euro?Needs?A?Fiscal?Union.pdf

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A%roadmap%towards%a%ﬁscal%union: hNp://www.eng.notre?europe.eu/media/completingtheeuroreportpadoa? schioppagroupnejune2012.pdf

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What%to%do%about%macro?economic%imbalances:%hNp://www.karlwhelan.com/Papers/Whelan? April?2012.pdf%

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COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS Intellectual% Property% Rights% enforcement% after% the% European% Parliament’s% ‘no’% to% the% AntiPCounterfeiting% Trade% Agreement% (ACTA):% how% can% the% EU% strike% a% balance% between% guaranteeing% the% competitive% advantage% of% Europe’s% knowledge% and % creativity% economies% and% protecting% citizens’% rights% to% privacy,% data% protection% and% freedom % of% expression? by%Lorenzo%Van%de%Pol%(BE)%and%Kerstin%Mathias%(DE)

1. KEY TERMS •

Intellectual)Property) Rights)(IPR):%Rights%given% to%persons%over%the%creations%of% their% minds.%They% usually% give %the %creator% an% exclusive %right% over% the %use %and% marketing% of% his/her% creation% for% a% certain%period%of%time.%IPR%can%include%copyright,%patents,%trademarks,%etc.

•

AntiMCounterfeiting)Trade)Agreement)(ACTA):%A%proposed%multilateral%agreement% for%the%purpose% of%establishing%international%standards%on%intellectual%property%rights%enforcement.

•

Knowledge) economy:) Production% and% services% based% on% knowledge?intensive% activities% that% contribute%to%an%accelerated%pace%of%technical%and%scientiﬁc%advance.

•

Data) protection:) The % relationship% between% collection% and% dissemination% of% data,% technology,% the% public%expectation%of%privacy,%and%the%legal%and%political%issues%surrounding%them.

•

Collective)rights) management:)The%exercise%of%copyright%and%related%rights%by% organisations%acting% in%the%interest%and%on%behalf%of%the%owners%of%these%rights.

Links: •

Intellectual%Property%Rights,%Copyright%and%Industrial%Property: hNp://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/intel1_e.htm

•

ACTA%explained%by%the%European%Commission: hNp://ec.europa.eu/trade/tackling?unfair?trade/acta/

•

European%Commission%website%for%Data%Protection: hNp://ec.europa.eu/justice/data?protection/index_en.htm

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM When%we %talk%about% Intellectual% Property% Rights%we %immediately% put% ourselves%in%the %following% situation:% “Yes,%I%might% have %downloaded%that%song%without% paying% for%it.”% The %hesitation%in%admiNing% to%it%reveals%a% sense %of% immorality.% But% rest% assured,% you% are %deﬁnitely% not% alone.% A% 2011% study% concluded% that% 24%% of% internet% data% traﬃc% is% being% used% for% infringing% use.44 % But% is %downloading% copyright% protected% material% always %illegal?%It%depends %of%many%factors,%the %country% where%you%live %in%being%the %most%important%one.%This% immediately% exposes% our% biggest% concern% about% IPR:%there) is) no)harmonised) policy) in) the) EU.% Belgium,% %hNp://documents.envisional.com/docs/Envisional?Internet_Usage?Jan2011.pdf

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COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS France,%Germany% and%The %Netherlands%for%instance %have %an%exception%concerning% a %“personal%copy”%whilst% in%the %United%Kingdom%reproducing%for%personal%use %is %considered%illegal.%Does%this%mean%actions%to%enforce% IPR%will%not% affect% our% daily% (digital)% life?%They% undoubtedly% will,%but% maybe %not% (only)%where%you%expect% them% to% do%so.% When% discussing% this %topic%it% is% beneficial% to% take %a% more %global% approach% rather% than% an% individual%one.)Whilst%debates %concerning% copyright%most%likely%will%spark%interest%because%of%its%proximity% to%our% personal%lives,%IPR%enforcement% will%immediately% affect%our%economies.%Intellectual) Property) Rights) infringements) are) harmful) as) they) reduce) revenues,)hinder) economic) and) creative) growth) and) thwart) investments) and)innovation.%Whilst%the%World% Wide%Web%is%a %catalyst% in%our%lives,%it% is%more %difficult% than% ever% before %to%control% the %market% on% the %genuineness%of% products.%With% creative %industries%accounting% for% 3,3%% of% the %EU’s%GDP%and% 3%% of% EU%jobs 45,% are %the %measures%already% in%place%sufficient% to% incentivise%and% stimulate%(investment%in)%culture%and%creativity? Links: •

IPR%infringements,%a%serious%problem%for%everyone: hNp://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/counterfeit_piracy/combating/ index_en.htm

•

Enforcement%of%Intellectual%Property%Rights: hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/ﬁght_against_fraud/ﬁght_against_counterfeiting/ l26057a_en.htm

•

Intellectual%Property%and%Innovation,%a%European%Assessment: hNp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac2npweI_q

•

Some%recommendation%fro%Digital%Europe%on%the%Single%European%(digital)%Market: hNp://www.digitaleurope.org/Portals/0/Documents/Digital%20Economy/Copyright%20Levies/ DIGITALEUROPE_CRM_POP_02032011.pdf

3. KEY QUESTIONS •

Should% IPR%aim%to%protect% an%author’s%moral% right% to%proﬁt% from% their% work%or%should% they% be%an% incentive%for%cultural%and%creative%innovations?%

•

In%what%way%should%the%EU%harmonise%IPR%legislation%across%Member%States?

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What%is%the%right%balance%between%personal%(digital)%freedom%and%protection%of%intellectual%property?

•

With%what%measures%should%the%EU%take%action%in%combating%IPR%infringement?

%hNp://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1292

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4. KEY ACTORS Counterfeiting% and% piracy% do% not% only% pose % an% immediate% threat% to% the % work% of% artists,) creators) and) inventors,% but% also%have%serious% consequences %for% European% society% as%a%whole.%As% from% the %moment% we% developed%into%an%information%society,%knowledge %has%been%the%ultimate %incentive %for%our%economy.%National) governments%beneﬁt% from%companies %established% in%their%countries%by%gaining% company% tax.%The)European) Commission%wishes %to%extend%her%Single %European%Market%plans%through%digital%channels %too%and%therefore% urges%for%a%secure,%reliable%and%stable %environment%for%creative %investments. 46 %On%the %other%hand,%the)public) sphere)questions,%in%case %of%digital%copyright% violations,%if%their%fundamental%rights%to%privacy%and%freedom% of% expression%are%still%adhered%when%combating% IPR%infringements.%Although%important% considerations,%one% could%also%wonder%if%this %is%not%just%a %publically%accepted%excuse %to%continue %with%the %comfortable,%yet%illegal,% way%of%sharing%information. Links: •

Some%ﬁgures%on%the%adverse%eﬀects%of%counterfeiting%and%piracy%on%governments,%rights%holders%and% consumers: hNp://www.oecd.org/sti/industryandglobalisation/ magnitudeofcounterfeitingandpiracyoftangibleproductsnovember2009update.htm

•

A%dilemma%for%intellectual%property%rights%for%developing%countries?: hNp://ocw.unu.edu/maastricht?economic?and?social?research?and?training?centre?on?innovation? and?technology/economic?development?and?innovation?studies/Bilal_Mizra_Verspagen_2006.pdf

•

(Subjective)%website%against%ACTA,%showing%public%sphere%opinion: hNp://www.stopacta.info

5. KEY CONFLICTS Even%though%we%defined%many% actors%in%the%section%above,%we %can%distinguish%two%main%conflicts %in%the %IPR% debate.%First% of% all% there%is %the%issue %on%the%availability) of)certain) products.%Research%and%development% or% creating% an%artistic%work%can%require%a%serious%amount%of%money%and%it% is %therefore %obvious%that% companies,% producers %or% artists% want% to% generate %revenues %to% cover% for% their% investments.% By% enforcing% the %granted% copyright% or% acquiring% a%patent,%they% are%a %creating% a %monopoly% of% their%idea%on% the %market.% On% the %other% hand,%consumers%have %the %opinion% that% a %product,% sometimes%vital% to %survive%(e.g.%medicines)% should% be% available %to%anyone%at%a %reasonable%price.%Secondly,%combating)IPR)infringement)is)often)at)odds) with)civil) rights,%such%as%the %right%to%privacy% and%freedom%of%expression.%More %specifically%when%related%to%the %internet,% where % the % most% straightforward% solutions,% such% as% blocking% websites % that% contain% copyright% protected% material,%are %also%the %ones%that%touch%fundamental%rights.%The %French%HADOPI47 %law %could%serve %as %a %recent% %hNp://eur?lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:0608:FIN:en:PDF

%hNp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology?14294517

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COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS example,% how%far% are %fundamental% rights%violated% when%citizen’s%internet% access%is %blocked% up%to%one %year% when%accused%of%illegal%downloading? Links: •

Working%document%on%data%protection%issues%related%to%Intellectual%Property%Rights: hNp://ec.europa.eu/justice/policies/privacy/docs/wpdocs/2005/wp104_en.pdf

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE Intellectual%Property% Rights %have %been% around% for%quite%a %while %already,%the %question% to% the %commiNee %is% certainly%not%yes %or%no%to%IPR.%The %EU’s%two%main%bodies%in%charge %of%IPR%protection%are%the %European)Patent) Office%(EPO)%and% the %Office)for)Harmonisation)in)the)Internal) Market% (OHIM).%Special%interest%should%be% given% to% the % European) Observatory) on) Infringements) of) Intellectual) Property) Rights.% Although% the% existence%of% these%bodies%and% numerous %international%agreements%about% IPR%(WIPO/OMPI48,%TRIPS49),%all) legislation) is) covered)by) the) Member)States.% Copyright% (sensu% lato)% is%granted% from%the%moment%an% idea% meets %the%necessary%criteria.%On%the%other%hand,%there%is%the %need% for% most% Industrial% Property% Rights%to%go% through%an%extensive %procedure%(e.g.%patents,%trademarks).%Concerning% copyright,%the %following% documents% and%measures %are %worth%mentioning:%The %2004/48/EC)directive)on)the)enforcement) of)Intellectual)Property) Rights50 % requires% all% Member% States %to% apply% effective %and% proportionate %remedies% and% sanctions% against% counterfeiting% and% piracy.%Next% to%that,%the %proposal% for% a%directive %on% the %management% of% copyright% and% related%rights,%amending%2006/16/EC51 %was%enacted%to%implement%WIPO/OMPI.%More%recently%Commissioner% Barnier%communicated% his%recommendations%in%the%publication%“A)Single)Market)for)Intellectual)Property) Rights52 ”%which% included%the %proposal% to%create %a%European%framework%for%online%copyright% licensing.%The% commiNee% has %the% challenging% task% to% take% into% account% the %large% amount% of% legislative %documents% and% decisions%concerning%IPRs,%before%evaluating%further%possible%solutions. Links: •

Website%with%more%measures%applicable%in%the%EU: hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/internal_market/businesses/intellectual_property/ index_en.htm

•

More%information%about%copyright%(sensu%lato): hNp://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/valorisation/ipr_en.htm

%hNp://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/treaties/en/ip/wct/pdf/trtdocs_wo033.pdf

%hNp://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/trips_e/t_agm0_e.htm

%hNp://eur?lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2004:195:0016:0025:en:PDF

%hNp://eur?lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:372:0012:0018:EN:PDF

%hNp://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/copyright/docs/ipr_strategy/COM_2011_287_en.pdf

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•

Website%of%the%European%Patent%Oﬃce: hNp://www.epo.org

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The %European% Commission%reports%that% the %digital%economy% has %been% a %major%driver% of% growth% in%the %past% two%decades,%and% is %expected%to%grow %seven%times%faster%than% overall% EU%GDP %in%coming% years.53 %To%fully% utilise%the %possibilities,%the%EU%should%further%establish%a%secure,%reliable %and%stable %environment%for%creative% investments.%But%to%what% extent%and%what%price %are %we %willing%to%pay%for%it?%Are%citizens’%fundamental%rights% such%as%the%right% to%privacy% and% freedom% of% expression% to%be %sacriﬁced% to%safeguard% the %digital% economy?% Another% question% can% be % raised% concerning% combating% IPR% infringement% and% how% to% combat% it?% It) is) deﬁnitely) a)problem) requiring)a) global) solution.%When% the %European% Parliament% turned% down% ACTA% in% July% 2012,%combating%IPR%infringements%are %still%in%a %legislative %grey%zone.%Which%stance %should%the%EU%take% in%enforcing%IPRs?%

%hNp://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/copyright/docs/copyright?infso/121218_communication?online?content_en.pdf

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS With%an%increasing% number%of%far% rightPwing% movements% entering% into%national%parliaments% and %the% spread %of%antiP Islamic%rhetoric% and %aXitudes%threatening% Europe‘s%social%cohesion,%what%role%has%the%EU%in%tackling% the%rise%of%rightP wing%populism%and%nationalism%in%its%Member%States? by%Dimitris%Chapizanis%(GR)

1. KEY TERMS •

Nationalism

•

Populism

•

Far)right)movements

•

Racism

•

Xenophobia

•

Islamophobia

•

Ethnic)Identity

•

Social)Cohesion)in)the)EU

•

Euroscepticism

Delegates% are %required% to% acquire % detailed% deﬁnitions% of% the %key% terms %on% their% own% hand% prior% to% the% session. Links: •

According%to%a%recent%poll,%Europeans%are%the%most%xenophobic%people%in%the%world: hNp://ipsos?na.com/news?polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=5298

2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM The % increasing% popularity% of% far% right?wing% movements % in% several% European% countries% has% become % an% important% subject% of% concern%for%those %who%are%envisioning% the %future %of% democratic%institutions%in%Europe% and%there %has%been%much%debate %about%the%causes %of%their%growing%appeal.%The%economic%crisis%is%giving% rise% to%fear%and%aﬀects%political%outcomes.%Without%a%profound% change %in%the %working%of%democratic%politics,%the% problems%that%have%led%to%the%emergence%of%right?wing%populism%will%not%disappear. Links: •

zIs%Europe%on%the%zRightz%Path?z%?%Right?wing%extremism%and%right?wing%populism%in%Europe,%2011,% Report%published%on%behalf%of%the%Friedrich?Ebert?Stiftung: hNp://library.fes.de/pdf?ﬁles/do/08338.pdf

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS 3. KEY QUESTIONS •

How%the%far%right%arose%as%a%phenomenon?

•

Why%is%the%far%right%growing?54

•

What%are%the%solutions%to%xenophobia?

•

What% bodies%within% the%EU% deal% with% nationalism% and% populist% parties,% how%should% these %bodies% progress?

•

What% does% the % term% “European% identity”% mean?% What% makes% people % think% of% themselves% as% Europeans? Can%there%be%a%European%identity%without%sacriﬁcing%national%identities?

•

Can%we %work,%as %Europeans,%towards%the %expansion%of%an%eﬀective %political%answer%to%the %challenge% of%right?wing%populism?%Which%should%be%the%concrete%steps%toward%this%direction?

Links: •

European%Integration,%Nationalism,%and%European%Identity,%Department%of%Sociology,%University%of% California,%Berkeley,%September%2011,%Paper: hNp://sociology.berkeley.edu/sites/default/ﬁles/faculty/ﬂigstein/Fligstein?Polyakova?Sandholá? article?1.pdf

•

“EU%parliament%sees%birth%of%new%right?wing%group”,%June%2009,%Article: hNp://euobserver.com/political/28350

4. KEY ACTORS As%the%after?war% time %taboo% on% far?right% discourse %is% fading,% Europe’s) farMright) parties% in% all% states% have% modified% their%welfare%agenda %with%nationalism%and%protectionism,%to%fit% current% issues%nations%are %facing.% An%understandable %strategy% and% important% issues%to% discuss,%as%flow) of)immigrants) pressure%our% welfare% systems%and%a%popular%view%of%a %failed%multiculturalism)and)social)inclusion%in%the %EU.%Nation%leaders,%like% Nicolas% Sarkozy% and% David% Cameron,% joining% the% popular% discourse,% enforce% this 55.% Eurosecpticism% is% growing,%which%is%seen%in%governmental%elections %across%EU 56.%With%the%Lisbon%Treaty% adopted%the %Charter) of)Fundamental)Rights)of)the)European)Union,%which%is%enforced%by%the%European)Court) of)Justice)for%EU% maNers.%Individual%Member%States’%issues %fall%under%the%European%Convention% on%Human%Rights%enforced% by%the %European%Court%of%Human%Rights,%though%note%that%it%is%an%institution%set%up%by%the %Council%of%Europe% and%is%therefore%not%a%EU%institution.

%In% order%to%understand%the%appeal%of%right?wing%populism,%it%is% necessary%to%question% the %rationalist%and% individualist% principles%which%inform%the%main%trends%of%democratic%political%theory. 54

% Angela% Merkel:% German% multiculturalism% has% vuNerly% failedv,% October% 2010,% Guardian% Article:% hNp:// www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/17/angela?merkel?german?multiculturalism?failed 55

%“Euroscepticism%growing%among%voters”,%December%2012,%Guardian/ICM%poll%ﬁnds:% hNp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/26/euroscepticism?growing?voters?poll 56

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Simultaneously,%the%media%convey%the%discussion%between%the%citizens% and%the %decision?makers,%confronting% the %choice %of%aNacking%the %far%right,%objectively% cover%its %opinions%and%actions %or%ignore %it%completely.%In%fact,% the %media%has%a %way%of%controlling%our%understanding%of%the %far?right%voters%and%can%sometimes%be %reluctant% in% pointing% out% how% the % crisis% has % not% been% the % main% kick?starter% for% right?wing% extremism% and% how% education%has%a%huge%inﬂuence 57. Interest)groups;%national,%international%and%European%play%in%important%role%as%stakeholders%in%discussion%on% European%Union%social%cohesion.%They%play%a%mobile %role %between%the %general%public,%institutions%on%EU%and% national%level,%political%parties%and%the%media. Links: •

The%Media%and%the%Far%Right%in%Western%Europe,%Publication%date:%April%2010,%Book: (Check%“Summary”%and%“Look%Inside%>%View%excerpt%as%PDF”) hNp://www.cambridge.org/gb/knowledge/isbn/item2703073/?site_locale=en_GB

•

“How%can%we%beat%the%far%right”,%September%2012,%Financial%Times,%article: hNp://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/667b08a6?02b6?11e2?9e53?00144feabdc0.html%?%axzz2IblGTbpG

•

The%Social%Integration%of%Immigrants%in%the%European%Union,%January%2007,%Keynote%speech%at%the% JILPT%International%Symposium%‘Migration%Policy%and%Society%in%Europe’: hNp://www.jil.go.jp/event/symposium/sokuho/documents/20070117/Enáinger_e.pdf

•

“Anger%at%austerity,%immigration%feeds%far%rightvs%rise%in%Europe”,%%May%2012,%CNN%article: hNp://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/08/world/europe/europe?far?right?austerity/index.html? iref=allsearch

•

„Culture%maNers%more%–%The%far%right%in%Europe%is%rising%in%many%European%countries%in%spite%of%its% inability%to%provide%a%coherent%economic%message“,%August%2012,%The%Economist,%article: hNp://www.economist.com/node/21560294

5. KEY CONFLICTS Immigrants) as) perceived) threat:% Far% right% parties% hold% immigrants% responsible% for% an% alleged% grow % of% criminality%and%unemployment.% Lack% of% tolerance % and% malfunctioning% integration% mechanisms:% prejudice) and) xenophobia% are % making% immigrants’%integration%in%the%Member%States’%societies%infeasible.

%hNp://counterpoint.uk.com/research?projects/reluctant?radicals?2/

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Power) and) impact) of) far) rightMwing) movements:% % Anti?Islamic% rhetoric% as % well% as% the % rejection% of% multiculturalism% constitutes %common% points% of% reference %between% the %populist% right% and% the %right?wing% parties. The)economic)situation:%The %rise %of% nationalism%within% the %Eurozone %will%make %managing% the%Euro%crisis% ever%more%complex%to%resolve. The)role)of)Euroscepticism:)Eurosceptic%strategies%can%be%aNractive %to%populist%far%right%parties %because %they% present%an%eﬀective%method%for%gaining%support. Links: •

“The%Consequences%Of%The%Rise%Of%European%Nationalism”,%June%2012,%Article: hNp://www.zerohedge.com/news/consequences?rise?european?nationalism

•

“The%Rise%of%Europevs%Right?Wing%Populists”,%September%2010,%Spiegel%Article: hNp://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/continent?of?fear?the?rise?of?europe?s?right?wing? populists?a?719842.html

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE The %European% Union%has %been%involved% in%combating% racism%since %the%mid?1980s.%The %first% key% measure %in% the %fight% against%racism%was%the %resolution58 %adopted%by% the %Council%and%the%representatives%of%the%Member% States %in%July%1996,%declaring%1997%to%be %the %zEuropean%Year%against%Racismz.%Later%that%same %year%a %European% Monitoring%Centre%on%Racism%and%Xenophobia%(EUMC)%is%established59,%with%its%seat%in%Vienna. The %Amsterdam%Treaty%(1999)%inserted%a %new%Article %6a 60%which%provides%the%EU%with%the %option%of%adopting) binding)legislation%against%discrimination%based%on%sex,%racial%or%ethnic%origin,%religion%or%belief,%as%well%as% for% the %fight% against% racism% and% xenophobia% in% the %fields%of% police) and) judicial) cooperation% in% criminal% maNers.%

% 23%July%1996,%Resolution%of%the %Council%concerning%the %European%Year%Against%Racism% (1997).% Check #the#Annex:% hNp:// eur?lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:41996X0815:EN:NOT 58

% 2% June %1997,% Decision% of% the% Representatives% of% the% Governments% of% the% Member% States% :% the% establishment% of% a% European%Monitoring%Centre%on%Racism%and%Xenophobia%(EUMC) hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/other/c10411_en.htm 59

%The%Amsterdam%treaty:%Fundamental%rights%and%non?discrimination hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/institutional_aﬀairs/treaties/amsterdam_treaty/a10000_en.htm 60

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS The %European%Union%Agency% for%Fundamental%Rights%(FRA)%assists %EU%institutions%and%EU%Member%States%in% understanding% and%tackling% challenges%to%safeguard%the%fundamental% rights%of% everyone %in%the %EU% without% intervening%in%individual%cases%but%rather%investigating%broad%issues%and%trends. In% 2000,% the %EU% adopted% two% Directives% (Directive% 2000/43/EC61 % and% 2000/78/EC)% prohibiting% direct% and% indirect%discrimination.%The%framework%decision%adopted%in%200862 %ensured%that%racism%and%xenophobia %are% punishable%by%eﬀective%criminal%penalties%in%the%EU. Finally% with%the %Treaty% of%Lisbon%entered%into%force %in%2009,%the)Charter)of)Fundamental)Rights63 %of%the %EU% became%legally)binding. Links: •

The%issue%was%ﬁrst%raised%through%a%1985%CommiNee%(CommiNee%of%Inquiry%into%the%Rise%of%Fascism% and%Racism%in%Europe)%by%the%European%Parliament.% hNp://bookshop.europa.eu/en/commiNee?of?inquiry?into?the?rise?of?fascism?and?racism?in?europe? pbAX4686654/

•

European%Union%Anti?Discrimination%Policy:%From%Equal%Opportunities%Between%Women%And%Men% To%Combating%Racism: hNp://www.equalrightstrust.org/ertdocumentbank/EU%Anti?Disc%Policy%Working%Paper.pdf

•

Green%Paper,%Equality%and%non?discrimination%in%an%enlarged%European%Union: hNp://eur?lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2004/com2004_0379en01.pdf

•

European%Commission%against%Racism%and%Intolerance%(ECRI).%Reports#by#country: hNp://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/library/publications_en.asp

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Fundamental%Rights%Agency%(FRA).%Publications%on%anti?Semitism,%xenophobia,%discrimination,% minorities:%hNp://fra.europa.eu/en

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Handbook%on%European%non?discrimination%law: hNp://www.echr.coe.int/NR/rdonlyres/DACA17B3?921E?4C7C?A2EE?3CDB68B0133E/0/ ENG_FRA_CASE_LAW_HANDBOOK_01.pdf

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NGO%perspective: European%Network%Against%Racism%(ENAR).%National%Shadow%Reports: hNp://www.enar?eu.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=15278&langue=EN

% Council% Directive% 2000/43/EC% of% 29% June % 2000% implementing% the% principle% of% equal% treatment% between% persons% irrespective%of%racial%or%ethnic%origin hNp://eur?lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32000L0043:EN:NOT 61

%28%November%2008,%Council%Framework%Decision%2008/913/JHA%on%combating%racism%and%xenophobia%hNp://europa.eu/ legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/combating_discrimination/l33178_en.htm 62

%Charter%of%Fundamental%Rights hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/combating_discrimination/l33501_en.htm 63

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS 7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION In% the %period% between% June %2009%and% March% 2011,%far% right?wing% parties%obtained% 155% of% 3,066% seats%in% 13% parliaments,%approximately% 5% %% of% total%representation 64,% leading% to%the%entry% and/or% reinforcement% of% far% right?wing% movements% in% national% parliaments.% Popularity% of% right?wing% parties% is % causing% mainstream% parties%to%adopt%more%right?wing%policies%in%order%to%retain%the%favour%of%the%electorate. At% ﬁrst% sight,% the % spectrum% of% extreme% right?wing% and% populist% parties % in% Europe % seems% still% to% be% fragmented.% Yet% the %overlaps %that% can% be %seen% demonstrate %that% a%process% of% formation% is %underway% i.e.% between%the%party%grouping%in%the%European%Parliament65 . Right?wing%populism%represents%a%real%challenge %to%the %democratic %values%that%are%at%the %core %of%the %political% identity% of% Europe.% The % rise % of% nationalism% implies% that% Europe % is% returning% to% an% age % of% intolerance.% Consequently,% some % of% the% main% principles % on% which% the % EU% is% founded,% such% as% social% diversity,% multiculturalism%and%respect%for%human%dignity,%are%now%at%risk. Links: •

“Nine%European%Countries%Where%Extreme%Right?Wing%Parties%Are%On%The%Rise”,%June%2011,% Business%Insider%Article: hNp://www.businessinsider.com/rise?of?far?right?populist?parties?can?derail?the?eu?2011?6?op=1

%European%Election%Database%hNp://www.nsd.uib.no/european_election_database/

% “The % Extreme% Right% in% Europe,% Current% Trends% and% Perspectives“,% Bibliographic% Information% published% by% the% Deutsche %Nationalbibliothek,%May%2011.% Page%19/25,%See%Figure1.%A%political%map%of%the %European%populist%radical%right.% Check%also:%Pages%24%and%25. hNp://www.e?cademic.de/data/ebooks/extracts/9783525369227.pdf 65

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Figure1: The %winner%of%France’s %ﬁrst%election%round,%Francois%Hollande %is %out% saying% that% austerity) is)the)reason) so) many)voters)turned)to)nationalist%candidate%Marine%Le%Pen%in%the%election. This%might%sound%controversial,%but%it%has%a)historical)precedent%to%the%rise%of%nationalism%in%Europe.

Figure'1.%The'rela.onship'between'the'rate'of'German'unemployment'and'the'Nazi'vote Source1:%Werner%Kalteﬂeiter,%Wirtschaft%und%Politik%in%Deutschland,%Köln,%Westdeutscher%Verlag,%1968,%p.%37,% reprinted% i% n% j% .% Linz% and% A.% Stepan,% The %Breakdown% of% Democratic% Regimes:% Europe,% Baltimore,% John% Hopkins%University%Press,%1976,%p.%51. Source2:%%CommiNee%of%Inquiry%into%the%Rise %of%Fascism%and%Racism%in%Europe:%Report%on%the %ﬁndings%of%the% inquiry,%December%1985

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Figure)2:

Figure' 2.' Elec.on' Results' of' extremist' rightCwing' par.es' in' the' selected' EU' member' countries,' na.onal' parliamentary'elec.ons. Source:% FES% parer:% “Is% Europe% on% the% Right% Path?% RightPwing% extremism%and% rightPwing% populism %in% Europe”,% Langenbacher%and%Schellenberg,%Friedrich%Ebert%Stiftung%(Friedrich%Ebert%Foundation)

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Figure)3: Trust)In)National)Governments)And)Parliaments)And)In)The)European)Union:)Trend Trust%in%the%European%Union%has%fallen%since %autumn%2011% and% now%stands%at%its %lowest%ever% level%(31%,%?3% percentage %points).%At%the%same %time,%levels %of%trust%in%national%governments%and%parliaments%have %recovered% slightly%(28%,%+4%and%28%,%+1%respectively).%As %a %result,%the%gap%between%trust%in%national%political%institutions% and%the%European%Union%is%now%very%narrow.

Figure'3.%A'poll'of'European'Ci.zenry,'conducted'by'the'EU:'“Do'you'have'trust'in'the'European'Union?” Source:%“Public%Opinion%in%the%European%Union”,%Standard%Eurobarometer%77,%Spring%2012

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COMMITTEE ON CILVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Figure)4: RightMwing)Populists)in)national)parliaments

Figure'4.'Europe's'Right'Turn,'Spiegel Source:%The%Rise%of%Europevs%Right?Wing%Populists,%Spiegel,%September%2010 Web%Link: hNp://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/bild?719842?136031.html

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COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE Considering% everPgrowing%budgetary%constraints%on%defence,%the%role%of%the%NATO%and %the%EU’s%normative%power,%what% future%for%European%military%capabilities%in%an%increasingly%interdependent%world? by%Hans%Maes%(BE)

1. KEY TERMS •

Budgetary) constraints:% Due %to%the%ﬁnancial% crisis,%governments%have %been%facing% the %need% to% cut% back%on%their%spending%by%limiting%their%budget%on%several%headings.

•

Defence:%Total%of%eﬀorts%to%preserve%national%and% international%security,%in%this%case%with%a%speciﬁc% focus%on%the%maintaining%of%armed%forces.%

•

NATO:% North% Atlantic% Treaty% Organisation.% Intergovernmental% military% alliance % constituting% a% system%of%collective%defence %by%having% member%states%agree %to%mutual%defence %in%case %of%an%aNack%by% any%non?member.

•

Normative) Power) Europe) (NPE):% Heavily% debated% theory% promoting% the % idea % of% the %European% Union%(EU)% as %an%‘ideational’%actor% in%global% politics. 66 %Although%in% social%sciences%there%is%a %wide% range%of%deﬁnitions%for%normative %power,%it%basically% comes%down%to%the%involvement% of% normative,% regularising%justiﬁcation%instead%of%the%use%of%material%incentives%or%physical%force. 67%

•

Military) capability:%the %ability% to%achieve %a%speciﬁed% (wartime)% objective,%e.g.%win%a %war% or% avert% a% terrorist%aNack.

•

Interdependent)world:%A%world%where%countries%are%mutually%dependent%on%each%other.%

•

Smart)Defence:%This%new%way% of% strategic%defence%thinking% encourages%allies%to %co?operate %more %on% several%levels. 68

•

Pooling)and)sharing:%Smart%and%economical%use %of% resources%available%to %diﬀerent%states,%by% means% of%mutual%sharing.%

Links: •

An%interactive%and%comprehensive%introduction%to%the%NATO: hNp://www.nato.int/cps/en/SID?1CFFBC2B?E702491F/natolive/what_is_nato.htm

•

Information%on%the%European%military%capabilities: hNp://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security?defence/capabilities/military?capabilities?lang=en

% hNp://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=347055,% hNp://www.e?ir.info/2011/09/03/is?the?eu?a?normative? power/. 66

%The%concept%of%Normative%Power%in%World%Politics,%<hNps://docs.google.com/viewer?url=hNp%3A%2F %2Fwww.diis.dk%2Fgraphics%2FPublications %2FBriefs2009%2FB09_maj__Concept_Normative_Power_World_Politics.pdf>,%pp.%2.% 67

%hNp://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/78125.htm

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COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE 2. RELEVANCE AND EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM Ever%since %the %end%of%the%Cold%War,%EU%Member%States%have %viewed%defence %in%a%different% light.%Keeping% in% mind%the %long% lasting%peace%and%decline %of%military%threat,%the%importance %of%maintaining%military% forces %has% steadily% decreased,%with%currently%46%% of% EU%citizens %favouring%military% spending% cuts. 69.%Reinforced%by% the% financial%crisis%and%its%resulting%austerity% measures,%national%governments%have %made %budgetary%cutbacks%on% defence.%This%has%lead%to%new %methods%of%maintaining%an%up%to%date%standing%army%and%gradually% towards %a% new %way% of% thinking% on% maNers %of% security% and% defence.%Over%the%past% decade,%several% EU%Member% States% have%made %efforts%to%co?operate %with%each%other%and%tried%to%specialise %their%forces,%mainly%to%avoid%spending% money%on%the %same%things%unnecessarily.%Very%important%on%this %level%is%the %European%Common%Security%and% Defence%Policy%(CSDP),%regulating%such%efforts.% On%a%more %international%level,%there %has%been%an%increasing% overlap%between%joint%EU%military%operations%and% the %NATO.%It% must% be%said%that% NATO%is%a %prime %example %of% smart%defence %and%of% good% practices %such%as% pooling% and% sharing.% However,% some %claim% that% the%US% dominance%in% NATO% is%unhealthy% for% the %further% development% of% future % EU% military% capabilities.% Due % to% the % incredible %discrepancy% between% US% and% EU% military%spending,%EU%military%forces%have%found%themselves%becoming%increasingly%dependent%on%the%US.% Links: •

Must?read%concise%and%comprehensive%overview%of%the%entire%issue.%Ideal%starting%point%for%research: hNp://www.eurunion.org/eu/images/stories/eufocus?security.pdf

•

Article%from%the%EU%Observer%on%the%growing%diﬀerences%between%EU%and%US%Defence%budgets: hNp://euobserver.com/defence/115906

•

Sheet%with%SIPRI%(Stockholm%International%Peace%Research%Institute)%military%expenditure%data% (1988?2011).%Make%sure%to%look%at%the%diﬀerent%tabs,%as%the%expenditure%‚Share%of%GDP‘%is%very% relevant%for%this%topic.:%hNps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc? key=0AonYZs4MzlZbdDQyQWd3TDNMcXlLVU1abFRKVEh4WEE#gid=1

3. KEY QUESTIONS •

Does%the%EU%need% military% force %to%act%in%an%interdependent%world?%Is %there %a %need%for%an%EU%peace% force?

•

To% what% extent% should% the% EU% be %granted% power% over% defence %aﬀairs,% instead% of% the %individual% Member%States?

•

How%can%national% military% forces%co?operate %in%order% to%cut% costs %and% avoid% unnecessary% double? spending,%whilst%enhancing%military%capabilities?

•

What%should%the%relation%between%NATO%and%EU%military%forces%look%like?

%hNp://www.gmfus.org/archives/transatlantic?trends?public?opinion?and?nato/%

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE 4. KEY ACTORS Within%the%EU,%there %are%several% stakeholders.%First% and% foremost,%there %is%the %European) Defence) Agency) (EDA),% headed% by% Catherine %Ashton.70 % This% agency% supports% Member% States% as % they% strive % for% further% military% co?operation% on% European% level.%On% a %more %concrete %level,%the %Political) and) Security) CommiUee% plays%a%major%role.%They% define%the %CSDP,% and% prepare %reactions%international% crises.%For% military% maNers,% this%commiNee%is%advised%by%the%EU%Military%CommiNee,%consisting%of%Member%State%Defence%Chiefs.% The %acting%role%of%the%traditional%EU%institutions,%the%European%Commission%and%the %European%Parliament,%is% surprisingly%limited71 .%The %main%reason%for%this%is%that%defence %has%been%a%traditional%cornerstone%of%all%nation% states,%and%that%Member%States%have%been%very%hesitant%entrusting% the %EU%with%power%on%this %maNer.%Thus%it% becomes%clear%that%National)Governments%are %very%important% as %key%actors %on%this%topic.%They%still%hold%the% final%power%over%their%military%forces,%and%different%Member%States%have %very%divergent%opinions%on%military% co?operation%on%EU%level.% Slightly% less%important,%but% still% to% be%considered,%is%the%vast% array% of% peace) organisations% across%the%EU,% stressing%the%need%to%decrease%European%military%forces%in%total%and%focussing%on%the%EU’s%normative%power.% Lastly,% NATO% is% a%key% actor% as% well.% The %co?operation% between% NATO% and% EU% military% forces %has% been% defining% the %direction%of%European%military%development.%Within%the %scope%of%NATO,%it%could%be %argued%that% the %US%is%another%independent%actor%worth%mentioning.%Due%to%the%aforementioned%dominance %in%NATO%and% EU%dependence%on%US%military% forces %and%funds,%the %US%have %gained%considerable%influence %in%the %entire %EU% defence%debate.%One %of%the %best%examples%was%the %former%US?Secretary% of%State,%Albright,%outlining%American% expectations%on%the %ESDP%in%the%three %famous %D’s:%no%duplication%of%what%was %done %effectively%under%NATO,% no%decoupling%from%the%US%and%NATO,%and%no%discrimination%against%non?EU%members%(such%as%Turkey). 72% Links: •

Homepage%of%the%EDA: hNp://www.eda.europa.eu/home

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A%legislative%outline%on%the%Political%and%Security%CommiNee: hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/foreign_and_security_policy/ cfsp_and_esdp_implementation/r00005_en.htm

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A%webpage%of%the%International%Peace%Bureau,%explaining%why%defence%budgets%should%be%cut.%A% good%way%to%start%research%on%peace%organisations%involved:

%Catherine%Ashton%is%the%EU%High%Representative%for%Foreign%Aﬀairs%and%Security%Policy.%

%The%European%Council,%however,%does%play%an%important%role.

%Reichard,%Martin,%The%EU?Nato%Relationship:%A%Legal%And%Political%Perspective,%pp.%293.%(hNp://books.google.be/books? id=N6FLjCZdwOIC&pg=PA293&lpg=PA293&dq=nato+albright +3+D&source=bl&ots=D0EV37W?09&sig=5fVCPG9NXZsHm5Ha964n2bR3avs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UNr6ULjoI? nm4QSdxYD4DA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=nato%20albright%203%20D&f=false) 72

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19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE hNp://www.ipb.org/web/index.php?mostra=content&menu=Military%20vs.%20Social %20Spending&submenu=%20Imbalance%20between%20development%20and%20defence %20budgets •

The%NATO%TV%channel: hNp://natochannel.tv/

5. KEY CONFLICTS The %first% and% most% obvious %conflict%is%an%ethical%one,%namely% whether%the %EU%should%be %able%to%use%military% force %at%all.%As%mentioned%above,%peace %activists %and%others%have %been%stressing%the %normative%function%of%the% EU%in%the%global%interdependent%world.%Especially%the %storage %of%nuclear%warheads%of%several%Member%States% has%roused%a %lot% of% discussion.%Others%point%out%the%military% force %available %to%superpowers%like %the %US% and% China,%and% the %need% for% the%EU% to% maintain% an% army,%if% only% for% defence.% This% conflict% also%involves% the% perception% of% the %EU% as %a% global% actor.% Throughout% Europe,% opinions %majorly% differ% on% whether% the %EU% should% focus%on%its%normative %role,%or%further% develop%its %military% capabilities.%Some %deem%these %options%as% mutually%exclusive,%whereas%others%look%for%optimal%solutions%joining%both%ends. A%second%major%conflict% lies%between%the %EU%Institutions%and% the %Member%States.%In%general,%the %institutions% would%like%to%obtain%more %power% on%defence %affairs,%to%be %able %to%really% act% as %one%player% on%a%global%level.% But%a%lot%of%Member%States%are%unwilling%to%hand%over%such%power%to%a%higher%institution.% Third% point% of% disagreement% is%the %extent% of% military% cooperation%and% specialisation.%Small% Member% States% fear%to%be %overpowered%by% Member%States %with%larger%armies%and%bigger%defence %budgets,%and%are %thus%less% eager%to%co?operate.% As%mentioned%above,%another% point%of%conflict%is%the %role %of% NATO% in%European%defence.%Some%say%NATO’s% influence %on%this%maNer%gives%the %US% too%much%power%in% Europe.%Others %counter% with% arguments%that% the% NATO%is%a %body%already% practicing% far?reaching% military%co?operation,%thus%reducing% the %need%for%the %EU%to% have%military%capabilities%of%its%own.%

6. MEASURES ALREADY IN PLACE The %most% important%measure %currently%in%place,%is %the %Common%Security%and%Defence%Policy% (CSDP),%which% is%an%important% part% of% the %larger% Common% Foreign% and% Security% Policy% (CFSP).%This%policy,%in% place %since% 1999% and% consolidated% by% the%Treaty% of% Lisbon% in% 2009,% and% provides%a% framework% for% institutions %to% act% within.%The %policy% is %generally% seen%as %the %first%step%towards%a %truly%united%European%defence %policy.%One %of% the %most%important%parts%of%the %CSDP%are %the%Petersberg%tasks.%These%are %the%tasks%that%the %EU%is%empowered% to% fulfil,% formulated% as%humanitarian% and% rescue %tasks,% peacekeeping% and% crisis% management.% Within% the% CSDP,%the%European% Council% has% formulated% development% goals.% The %first% one %was %the %Helsinki% Headline% Goal,%met% in%2004% for%the %creation%of%a%European%Rapid%Reaction%Force.%Currently%active%within%the %CSDP %is% the%Headline%Goal%2010,%which%lapsed%without%anyone%really%noticing%in%2010.% European%Youth%Parliament%Belgium%|%www.eyp?europolis.be%|%56%%

19th%National%Selection%Conference%of%EYP%Europolis?Belgium

COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE Concerning%the%relations%between%the %EU%and%NATO,%several%steps %have %been%taken%in%the%past.%The%last%step,% dating%back%to%2003,%was%a%huge%improvement%between%the%two,%and%is%known%as%the%Berlin%Plus%agreement.% Apart%from%these %measures%on%a%higher%international%level,%several%Member%States%have %made %eﬀorts%to%work% more%closely%together. 73 %Exemplary%for%this%kind%of%co?operation%are%the %EU%BaNlegroups.%These %are %baNalion% sized% military% units %from% diﬀerent% Member%States %working% closely% together% on% foreign%missions,%operation% under%the %CSDP.%The%BaNlegroups%mainly% deal%with%the%Petersberg% tasks.%Another%example%of%increased%co? operation%is%Eurocorps,%a%rapid%reaction%force%of%60,000%troops%head%quartered%in%Strasbourg.% Links: •

Information%on%the%structures%and%instruments%of%the%CSDP: hNp://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security?defence/csdp?structures?and?instruments? amp;lang=en

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An%introductory%document%to%the%Berlin%Plus%Agreement: hNp://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/dv/berlinplus_/berlinplus_en.pdf

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Short%article%on%the%Benelux%army: hNp://www.nisnews.nl/public/190412_1.htm

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More%information%on%the%Petersberg%Tasks: hNp://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/glossary/petersberg_tasks_en.htm

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Short%and%comprehensive%paper%on%the%EU%BaNlegroups: hNp://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/dv/091006eubaNlegroups_/ 091006eubaNlegroups_en.pdf

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Paper%on%the%Helsinki%Headline%Goal%and%the%Headline%Goal%2010: hNps://docs.google.com/viewer?url=hNp%3A%2F%2Fwww.cicerofoundation.org%2Fpdf %2Flecture_lindleyfrench_dec05.pdf

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Homepage%of%Eurocorps: hNp://www.eurocorps.org/

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Ever%since%the %fall%of%the%Berlin%Wall%and%the %end%of%the %Cold%War,%defence %has%become %an%increasingly%import% issue%on% the %European%agenda.%In% light% of% the %American%military% developments%after% 2001%and% the %shift% of% focus%of% NATO,% the %question% of% Europe’s %need% for% an%army% has%been% raised% and%debated.%Important% steps% have%been%made %so%far,%but%evidently%a%lot% more %needs%to%be %done.%The %task%now%at%hand%is%to%come %up%with% adequate%solutions%to%this%issue.

%An% excellent% example%of% this% are %the%eﬀorts% to% create %in% integrated% Benelux% army.%Articles% on%this% are%widespread% in% Belgium%in%both%Dutch%and%French.% 73

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EYP EUROPOLIS-BELGIUM