International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
PreparationKit For Delegates of the International Summer Forum Menden (Sauerland), 9 – 15 July 2012 Deadline for Position Statements: Thursday, 5 July 2012 | 23:59 CET (c/o sebastian.gerbeth@eyp.de) Appendix: ‚The European Union ! functions | competences | development’ Published by EYP Germany, April 2012
European Youth Parliament Parlement Européen des Jeunes european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
1
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee Topics There is a list of all the committee work topics at the very beginning of the Preparation Kit. We encourage you to pay attention to all the topics. In General Assembly you will discuss all the eight topics, and during the Expert Talks you will get in touch with them as well. You can only benefit from preparing more than just for your committee work topic. The chairs wrote brilliant topic overviews for you, it’s worth reading them all.
Committee Work Preparation Overviews: The overviews are written by the Committee chairpersons to serve as background material. They aim to identify the key issues while synthesizing the topic area. The objective is naturally to keep these overviews as balanced as possible, yet they may not receive unanimous agreement. It should be noted that the EYP strongly encourages independent thinking so feel free to disagree. Keywords: The non!exhaustive list of keywords intends to facilitate searching for information, may it be through documents, news items or articles in different types of search engines, news websites and encyclopedias. Useful Links and further reading: As regards the suggestions for research links, the list is by no means exhaustive. Rather than citing individual links, we have preferred indicating links to websites where several relevant documents and articles can be found. Please note that the EYP is not responsible for the contents on various websites; the texts reflect the opinions of their authors only. Workings and Competences of the European Union: The compendium at the very end shall introduce you to the development of the European Union until present, the different competences’ distribution and the main fields of EU policy. Please remember that more and specialised knowledge will be necessary for your work and that preparation makes the difference. We wish you successful preparation and interesting reading!
Mari!Liis Orav
Maximilian B. Kiehn
President of the Session
Head Organiser
Franziska Maier President of EYP Germany
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
2
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee Topic Research and Position Statements At the International Summer Forum in Menden, your committee 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 sufficiently research your committee 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 summarise your initial research on the topic and present your first ideas, you are expected to write a position paper. An anonymised version of all position papers on your topic will be sent to your committee after completion. Please follow these steps to writing your position paper: Step 1 The first step is gaining an overview of your topic by reading the topic overview prepared by your chairperson. You will find a list of useful links at the end of the overviews, all of which you should read through. However, your research should go beyond the links provided in the overview. The following homepages might be a good starting point for your individual research: The gateway to the European Union: http://europa.eu/ Summaries of EU legislation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/index_en.htm A collection of current news on the EU: http://euobserver.com/ An independent media network concerning EU issues: http://www.euractiv.com/ Departments and services of the European Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/about/ds_en.htm
Step 2 After your initial research, you should now have a more concrete idea what your committee topic includes. You can jot down the conflicts you find most important and begin to think about what your own opinion on the topic is, especially bearing in mind your preparation. Step 3 Once you have gained a good understanding of what the main points within your topics are and formed your own opinion on the topic, you can start writing your position paper. It should be about half a page to one page long and answer the following questions: Question 1: What is the main conflict within the topic and which questions does the current public discussion revolve around? Question 2: What is your own opinion on the topic? Which measures should or should in no case be taken by the EU; what are your ideas for a solution to the problem?
Please send your complete position paper to sebastian.gerbeth@eyp.de no later than July 5th (23:59 CET), 2012. european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
3
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) page 5 Boosting rural economies: In light of the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2013! 2020, which priorities should the EU set to build up a more competitive and sustainable agricultural sector while ensuring the livelihood of European farmers?
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) page 8 Regulating risks: How should national and EU agencies in the European system of financial supervisors cooperate in order to discourage excessive risk!taking in the banking sector whilst still enabling European banks to provide for liquidity on European markets?
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) page 11 With demographic changes challenging the intergenerational contract: What strategies should Member States adopt in order to balance the interests of both the older generation and the younger workforce towards intergenerational equity and how can the EU support Member States in this process?
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety I (ENVI I) page 14 Reconciling economic and environmental interests: With the public consultations for the priorities of the upcoming 7th Environment Action Programme recently being finished, in what way and to what extent should industrial stakeholders be involved in the formulation and revision of environmental pro! tection policies under the new programme?
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety II (ENVI II) page 17 Water for a green economy: Bearing in mind the impacts of climate change on water resources, how can the EU both ensure water security for its economy and access to clean drinking water for its citizens?
Committee on International Trade (INTA) page 20 Exporting for growth: With small and medium!sized enterprises’ building the backbone of the Europe! an economy, how can the EU further promote the internationalisation of SMEs in order to help them access international trading markets?
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) page 23 Looking beyond Europe 2020: Which steps should the EU take to set up long!term energy infrastructures in coherence with its principles of justice and sustainability?
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) page 26 Integration as a two!way process of mutual accommodation: With the number of Muslims in Europe growing, how can the EU help safeguard their religious freedom and to what extent should the Muslim community assimilate to European values?
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
4
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Topic: Boosting rural economies: In light of the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2014! 2020, which priorities should the EU set to build up a more competitive and sustainable agricultural sector while ensuring the livelihood of European farmers?
Overview: Since its introduction in 1962 the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been one of European Union's (EU) most discussed and criticised policies. This is not least due to its large proportion of the EU budget, currently predicted to be around 39% in 2013.1 This equals to roughly "57 billion per year. The preparation of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014!2020, which sets both financial and political frameworks for EU policies for the upcoming years, has seen a great deal of discussion on CAP. The main controversy of the debate lies in the question whether the EU should promote real competitiveness and sustainability at the expense of European producers. The CAP has been, especially, criticised for its high cost compared to the agricultural sector’s 1,6% share of the EU’s GDP.2 Also the policy’s protectionist nature has faced a great deal of critique. Roughly 70% of CAP budget goes to direct and indirect subsidies,3 which include intervention purchases by the EU and direct income support for producers. These measures along with EU’s import limitation and export subsidising policies have been accused for keeping food prices artificially high within the internal market as well as harming the agricultural economies of developing countries.4 The products of developing countries aren’t able to compete with the heavily subsidised domestic goods. The results can be seen in any supermarket around the EU in the domination of the shelves by domestic brands. On the other hand, at the same time the concerns over the viability of the European agricultural communities are justified. Due to rising production costs the recent rise on food prices in the global market has not benefited European producers. Farmers have also
1 The proportion of CAP in total EU expenditure: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap!post!2013/graphs/graph1_e. 2 BBC article with Q&A about the CAP reform: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world!europe!11216061. 3 A Commission staff working paper on MFF 2014!2020 (see chapter 9): http://ec.europa.eu/budget/library/biblio/documents/fin_fwk1420/SEC!868_en.pdf. 4 A very comprehensive site gathering the bulk of the arguments supporting a CAP reform: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/explained/myths/myths_en.cfm.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
5
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit argued that most of the profits are ending up in the pockets of the distribution chains. At the moment the income of an EU farmer is approximately 60% of EU27 average. 5 Furthermore, a half of this income is formed by subsidies. On this basis, a substantial decrease in income support for producers would deliver a deadly blow to many rural communities. In 2010 the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolos launched a public debate on CAP’s future. Among the many conclusions of the debate were such hopes as to make the CAP more market oriented and environment!friendly and to increase its fairness for small farmers and less developed regions.6 According to many, the Commission proposal for the MFF 2014!2020 ended up being a victory to those who hoped for an extension for the current policy. 7 The proposal introduces some called!for reforms, such as making 30% of direct payments conditional based on environmentally friendly practices. The proposal also increases the equality of the subsidising system by, for example, capping the direct payments to single farms to "300 000. 8 However, there will be no significant change to the nominal amount allocated to CAP in the new MFF. The sum is set to remain at around a "390 billion total for the coming seven!year period. There will not be any changes to the proportions of rural development and direct payment funds either, where the ratio remains at 30/70.9 One of the key questions of the topic is, what other measures than market intervention does the EU have to combat volatility in the food market and ensure farmers’ minimum income. It will also be necessary to assess the sufficiency, or on the other hand, necessity of the proposed actions. And above all, is it possible to abandon the current system of subsidising in favour of real competitiveness and sustainability.
Chairperson: Hammu Varjonen, hammuvarjonen@gmail.com
5 A Commission staff working paper on MFF 2014!2020 (see chapter 9): http://ec.europa.eu/budget/library/biblio/documents/fin_fwk1420/SEC!868_en.pdf. 6 An exclusive summary of the public debate on CAP’s future: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap!post! 2013/debate/report/executive!summary_en.pdf. 7 A researcher’s point view on how the MFF 2014!2020 is affecting the CAP: http://capreform.eu/commission! multiannual!budget!plan!protects!the!cap!budget/. 8 European Commission’s proposal for The Multiannual Financial Framework 2014!2020: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/library/biblio/publications/2011/mff2011/MFF_2011_en.pdf. 9 Main figures of the MFF 2014!2020: http://europa.eu/newsroom/highlights/multiannual!financial!framework!2014! 2020/index_en.htm.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
6
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords Common Agricultural Policy, MMF 2014!2020, Single Payment Scheme, CAP reform
Research links Introductory European farmers’ point of view on CAP http://www.copa!cogeca.be/Main.aspx?page=HomePage
Official A more thorough conclusion on the abovementioned: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap!post!2013/debate/report/summary!report_en.pdf A brief sum up of the CAP: http://europa.eu/pol/agr/index_en.htm EU answers to common criticism: http://ec.europa.eu/budget/explained/myths/myths_en.cfm
Other Politics.com article on CAP including history, controversies and statistics: http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/common!agricultural!policy
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
7
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Topic: Regulating risks: How should national and EU agencies in the European system of financial supervisors cooperate in order to discourage excessive risk!taking in the banking sector whilst still enabling European banks to provide for liquidity on European markets?
Overview: “Risk!taking by banks played a critical role in the global crisis and Eurozone crisis. “ – Richard Baldwin, Policy Director of the Center of Economic Policy Research (CEPR) One of the most heated discussions taking place in the European Union (EU) right now is undoubtedly the Eurozone crisis. Yet, the consequences have not reached the scale of the 2008 international financial and economic crisis, but it is sparking notes of urgency from around the globe, with the recent G20 meeting revolving mostly around European issues. Looking back at the beginning, the trigger to the global crisis was the burst of the United States (US) housing bubble in 2007 and the Bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in 2008, both created by banks’ excessive risk taking. The hallmark of this risk!taking was the subprime mortgage – for example the infamous loans to ‘No Income No Job or Assets’ customers (NINJA), many of which were never realistically possible to be repaid. Now coming back to our continent, we see that alarmingly excessive risk taking is not limited to the US. Indeed, we have already witnessed how Iceland (in 2008) and Ireland (in 2010) went bankrupt due to risky loans provided by national banks and now Spain seems to be flirting with a comparable outcome due to excessive risk!taking in property lending by its banks. But while speculations over Spain have dominated headlines in Europe, two smaller members of the Eurozone have quietly moved along with plans to recapitalise their own banking systems. Cyprus, which is to take over EU’s rotating presidency on July 1 2012, and Portugal, which already gets money from the bailout fund, are both in the process of finding ways of quickly injecting money into their banking system. At the same time, countries like Germany and Italy are observing a rise in non!performing loans. There is certainly insecurity in the Eurozone as analysts at Nomura estimate that a severe recession in Europe could cost the region’s 90 biggest banks "420 billion in losses10. It is evident that immediate steps to bring excessive risk taking under control are needed.
10
http://dr.economist.com/node/21556624.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
8
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit One possible explanation of risk taking relies on strategic bank decisions to encourage such risky activity in order to gain personal bonuses. The European Banking Authority (EBA) claims that if bonuses dominate bankers’ compensation that “could incentivize staff to take too much risk in order to assure a certain minimum pay level”11. Also the economic theory of moral hazard plays a decisive role as it describes the growing tendency to take undue risks as soon as one is not fully responsible for the outcome (not being liable for all the lost money and still getting bonuses for example) of a decision. A possible solution to this is to enforce regulations that cap maximum bonuses at a percentage of the employee’s fixed pay. However, there is already a flow of talent from both European and US banks to trading houses and hedge funds, which can allow greater scope to reward risk!taking. Banks thus have to be content with younger, less experienced traders. Further cutting of benefits could intensify this effect. Another important factor influencing risk taking is what happens as soon as speculations end badly. Banks play a vital role in national financial and economic systems as they are the core link between citizens, companies and the state concerning investments and savings. Many banks therefore are ‘too big to fail’ as they are so interconnected that a collapse would tear the whole economy down. That's why governments are willing to bail out banks, which in turn creates a feeling of security that encourages risk taking. One possible remedy would be to reduce the cost of bankruptcies. There have also been calls for banks to hold mandatory capital buffers to protect them from unexpected losses. Many banks are reluctant to do this as lowered credit ratings are already putting them in a tough position. The Los Gabos G20 meeting had EU Member States commit to institutional upgrades for the banking system, which will be further discussed at the EU summit in Brussels at the end of June. Advocates will find this an excellent opportunity to bring up the possibility of introducing a financial transaction tax (a.k.a known as the Robin Hood or Tobin tax)12. The European Union financial transaction tax (EU FTT) is still highly debated and would impact financial transactions between financial institutions.13 There are many ways to go forward at this point and not all aspects could be covered here. The general questions are: How should banks and speculations be regulated? How is the European Union even able to do so in the globalised banking sector? Should the Member States cooperate or should the market heal itself?
Chairperson: Andre Tamm (EE), andre.tamm@gmail.com
11 12 13
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2012!04!12/eu!lawmakers!may!seek!ban!on!bank!bonuses!that!top!salary. http://www.attac.org/en/overview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiuEONOaeQs.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
9
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords Value at risk, financial transaction tax, banking crisis, debt crisis, bonuses, Basel III, European System of Financial Supervisors, Capital Requirements Directive, bad banks, European Central Bank, Credit Default Swaps, Clearing
Research links Introductory material Great overview of how the economic governance of the European Union works: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/general/pdf/eu_economic_governance_en.pdf Exceptionally well written report and analysis of risk taking in the banking industry. The introduction is a must!read! (Of course the other chapters are good as well): http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/7806
Official sources Essential to understanding the concept of a banking union: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/413&format=HT ML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Specific proposal for bank capital rules – do they make sense? http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=!%2f%2fEP%2f%2fTEXT%2bIM! PRESS%2b20120511IPR44896%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0%2f%2fEN&language=E N European Commission – Economic and Financial Affairs. Good source for official material in an easy to digest format: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/index_en.htm European Parliament – Economic and Monetary Affairs press releases: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/econ/press!releases.html
Other sources Of special value is the ‘crisis jargon buster’ which can be very handy when you need a quick refresh on your finance terms. The site is also a great resource for articles about the Eurozone crisis in general: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special_reports/global_economy/ More insight into banks and how they are doing: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/10/banks!trading! idUSL5E8G1AQH20120510 Constant source of great quality articles: http://www.economist.com/economics
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
10
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Topic: With demographic changes challenging the intergenerational contract: What strategies should Member States adopt in order to balance the interests of both the older generation and the younger work!force towards intergenerational equity and how can the EU support Member States in this process?
Overview: Societies in developed countries are facing a worsening employment situation today: although in most parts people live longer and healthier lives than they did a century ago, the public opinion is strongly opposed towards any retirement age increase. Nicolas Sarkozy, former president of France, had faced strong opposition when he rose the retirement age by two years to 62. The move in 2010 sparked weeks of strikes across the country, mainly by public service workers. On contrary his successor François Hollande has unveiled details of a plan to lower the retirement age to 60 for some workers.14 Which way should the Member states choose? How often does such a far!reaching decision need a change? General overview Longer life spans, along with declining birth!rates, mean that there are growing numbers of old people (age over 65) expecting the younger working population to support them. The European median age is predicted to rise from 37 to 52 by 2050, while fertility rates will average at 1.5. The number of people aged 65 and more trebled to 15% of the population during the twentieth century, with a doubled life expectancy of around 75 years. The European Commission calculated that to preserve the age structure in the EU 15 would require net immigration of 4.5 million people a year by 2007 and 7 million a year by 2024.15 The process of retiring has changed significantly – since a few decades ago most people around the world have worked up to or close to the point of death, due simply to economic compulsion. But after the industrialisation and development of the nation state social welfare was developed over a century ago, which resulted in the emergence of retirement as a specific and substantive period of life in the late 20th century. Between 1881 and 2008 the economic activity rates of British men aged 65+ fell from 74% to 10%. Now, the majority of people in developed countries can expect to live for at least
14 15
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world!europe!18337884. http://populationmatters.org/wp!content/uploads/ageing_populations.pdf.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
11
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit twenty years in retirement.16 Therefore it is considered to be essential in all Member States to have more elderly people employed in order to preserve the various European social models, ensure productivity and maintain sustainability of public finances in the long! term.17 Measures taken In light of current trends in ageing¸ employment and fertility rates, European policymakers are shifting the responsibility for retirement funding to individuals. The old model of sharing societies’ resources between working people and retirees by pay!as!you!go (PAYG) transfers is becoming unsustainable.18 There are different systems with one to three pillars including various benefit and payment schemes. Meanwhile many countries are heading towards multi!pillar systems. 19 A more general problem is the different understanding of social security between the Member States. Liberal types like Great Britain emphasises the central role of the free market, free development of people and individual responsibility, whereas the social democratic type such as Sweden focuses on social equity and offers goods and services for a wide range of society. The conservative type like Germany combines active intervention by the state with a traditional understanding of one´s role.20 Many also claim that the right way to go is to reform the structural funds by allocating a certain percentage towards pension reforms starting in 2014. A key player in a possible common solution is The Group of Experts on demographic issues who advises the Commission on demographic change and policy responses. It acts as a platform for EU countries to share knowledge and good practice in areas like active ageing, family policy and care for elderly dependants.21 Conclusion As previously mentioned there are many stakeholders playing a vital role in the issue. Considering that the social policy falls under shared competences of the EU Member States, what can the EU do to support them in their actions moving towards a sustainable intergenerational working strategy? And how can the different views on how these systems work be combined? Should the different employment and social security systems be harmonised? Is it high time something was done about it, or is the economic situation too unstable for such radical changes? Chairperson: Zuzana Holakovská, holakovska@eyp.cz
16 http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/retirement_in_flux_changing_ perceptions_of_retirement_and_later_life. 17 http://www.mutual!learning!employment.net/index.php?mact=Trscontent,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt 01parent=22&cntnt01template=menu_languages&cntnt01orderby=order_by%20ASC&cntnt01item_id=61&cntnt01retur nid=58. 18 http://www.efmaefm.org/0EFMAMEETINGS/EFMA%20ANNUAL%20MEETINGS/2012! Barcelona/papers/EFMA2012_0172_fullpaper.pdf. 19 http://www.issa.int/pdf/helsinki2000/topic3/2fox!palmer.PDF, for a brief overview pages 1!3. 20 http://tiss.zdv.uni!tuebingen.de/webroot/sp/spsba01_W98_1/denver1.htm. 21 http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=502&langId=en.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
12
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords European Employment Strategy – Flexicurity, Pension reform, The open method of coordination (OMC), Structural funds, Population ageing, European Social Fund
Research links Official sources European Employment Strategy http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=101 Report of the mission of Flexicurity http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=1515&langId=en International Labour Organisation http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/social!security/lang!!en/index.htm
Relevant material The Swiss multi!pillar pension system http://thinkswiss.org/documents/social_security/WB%20Swiss%20Pension%20System.p df Gradual retirement http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/gradual_retirement_ and_pensions_policy Where is the pension reform? How can we encourage people to save? http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/where_next_for_pe nsion_reform_how_can_we_encourage_people_to_save
Videos Flexicurity (a strategy for enhancing the combination of flexibility and security in the labour market) http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=102&langId=en A short BBC overview on retirement in Germany http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business!11284031
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
13
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI I) Topic: Reconciling economic and environmental interests: With the public consultations for the priorities of the upcoming 7th Environment Action Programme recently being finished, in what way and to what extent should industrial stakeholders be involved in the formulation and revision of environmental protection policies under the new programme?
Overview: One of the most important and far!reaching areas of the EU legislation is environmental policy. In this field, Environmental Action Programmes (EAPs) provide a general policy framework by defining medium and long!term goals as well as concrete action measures. Six EAPs have been adopted in the periods from three to ten years since 1979. After a contractual basis was created on The Treaty of Maastricht (1992) and set forth in the Treaty of Lisbon (2007), those programmes are nowadays regarded as formal legal acts proposed by the European Commission (Commission) and adopted by the European Parliament (EP) and the Council (EC). The main environmental issues concerned in the EAPs are: Climate Change; Nature and Biodiversity; Environment, Health and Quality of Life; and Natural Resources and Waste. The 6th EAP (2002) is running out this year, and the Commission is preparing its successor. The world now, recovering from a deep financial and economic crisis, is very different from that in 2002. On one hand, enterprises are very sensitive and hostile towards regulations restricting their economic freedom and imposing obligations on them. On the other hand, environmental policies have to face the increasing challenges and, thus, implement stricter measures for the same enterprises. If the EU implements its strategies without regarding their influence on stakeholders, it takes the risk of pushing some industries to countries with more lenient environmental policies or increasing their chances to fail or go bankrupt. Therefore, while industrial stakeholders complain that EU environmental regulations are economically inefficient and misguided and that they put European business at a disadvantage compared to producers in other parts of the world, NGOs, activists and green parties accuse Member States and the Commission of not doing enough for the care of the environment. As it is a subject of serious controversy, the European Commission waited for the assessment results of the 6th EAP before they opted for a new programme. It was agreed to involve the EP and the EC, as well as the whole of civil society, on the preparation of the 7th EAP. The different viewpoints of citizens, organisations – including those of the private sector – and public authorities have been collected through a public consultation. The roadmap of the 7th EAP includes their will to help companies affected by economic and social policies. european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
14
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit Nevertheless, as it is shown, for example, in the documentary “The Brussels bussiness – who runs the European Union?”, many believe that large corporations already influence the decisions and policies of the EU through excessive lobbying. As an example, there is a study that shows how the British American Tobacco (BAT), together with other corporate actors, influenced the business!oriented form of Impact Assessments (IA) by the EC, which, allegedly, overemphasise economic interests over the social and environmental ones. Although the further involvement of industrial stakeholders, e.g. by participating in the process of developing and revising concrete policy, seem necessary by many people, it can lead to an opposite of its initial purpose, by only taking into account the enterprises’ own profit. Should it be accepted and if so, how should it be implemented? By which means can environmental and economic interests be reconciled?
Chairperson: Georgina Ansaldo, georginaansaldo@gmail.com
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
15
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords Environmental Action Programme, environmental and economic interests, industrial stakeholders, EU environmental policies, 7th EAP priorities, framework for environment policy, EU lobbying
Research links Introductory material
BBC article and video of the MEPs debate about the 7th EAP priorities: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/europe/newsid_9714000/9714717.stm
Official sources Institute for European Environmental Policy: http://www.ieep.eu/ European Environmental Bureau: http://www.eeb.org/ Official statement of the 7th EAP consultation and links to its results: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/7eap_en.htm Information about the public hearing on the 7th EAP the 7th of March 2020 (goals, presentations, etc.): http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.events!and!activities!7!environment!action
Relevant material
Final assessment of the 6th EAP from the Commission to the EP, the Council, the Europian economic and social committee and the committee of the regions (different languages): http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52011DC0531:EN:NOT Roadmap for a 7th Environmental Action Programme: http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/planned_ia/docs/2012_env_013_7th_environmen tal_action_programme_en.pdf “Potential options and priorities towards a 7th EAP” by the Institute for European Environmental Policy http://www.ieep.eu/assets/864/Potential_options_and_priorities_of_a_7EAP__IEEP_policy_paper.pdf !
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
16
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI II) Topic: Water for a green economy: Bearing in mind the impacts of climate change on water resources, how can the EU both ensure water security for its economy and access to clean drinking water for its citizens?
Overview: “There is enough water for everyone. The problem we face today is largely one of governance: equitably sharing this water while ensuring the sustainability of natural ecosystems.“22 Water problems start if people have too much water (e.g. a flood), too little (e.g. a drought) or contaminated water. In addition to these mostly natural reasons economic water scarcity, meaning that available water sources are not accessible to all is an increasing problem. Water plays an important role in the world economy, especially in agriculture, industrial procedures and chemistry. However, the world’s population is increasing and still over 10% of the world population lives without safe water (i.e. it can be consumed and used with little or no risk). 23 Not having enough safe water causes a multitude of further problems, such as problems in sanitation, healthcare, industry and agriculture. Climate Change exacerbates the problems through e.g. a more intense hydrological cycle with increasing intensity of droughts and floods. With this heat waves are more likely to happen and snow fall decreases, which affects harvesting times. Europe is already well developed concerning the supply of drinking water, however, water scarcity, droughts and pollution lead to water shortages especially in rural areas and many regions in Europe have to deal with weather changes or other effects of climate change. The European Union (EU) and its Member States try to combat the problematic issues mostly by raising awareness of the situation and reporting the unacceptable social, economic and environmental consequences it entails. But is that enough? The indicator virtual water estimates how much people consume and how to plan efficient supply infrastructures24. It quantifies how much water was used in the production and trade of certain goods or services. Food Production uses about 70% of all water used by humans and people in Europe consume almost three times the amount of virtual water a
22 http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001444/144409E.pdf p. 3. 23 http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/11_MDG%20Report_EN.pdf, p. 54. 24 http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2009/09/11/virtual!water!what!is!it!and!what!does!it!mean!for!nz/ | http://www.virtual!water.org/.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
17
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit day than people in Asia. Current programmes are the European Water Directive (2000)25 and the European Water Initiative (2002) 26 . The European Commission is currently working on the ‘Blueprint to Safeguard Europe´s Water’27 in order to ensure good quality water in sufficient quantities for all legitimate uses, and the ‘European Innovation Partnerships on Water’ 28 (EIPs), to address weaknesses in research and innovation systems. International actors are the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Non!Governmental Organisations (NGO), such as the European Water Partnership. The general conflict concerning economic water scarcity is that water is a common good: non!excludable and non!rivalrous in theory. According to the principle of free riding and common goods hardly anybody feels responsible for using or polluting water as it can be easily accessed. What is more, after a wave of privatisation of water services in the 1990s it was hoped for an improvement of public water utilities, lower prices and investments in connecting the poor to water and sanitation, but often the opposite happened and tariffs have increased. Also Public Private Partnerships (PPP), which should relieve public finances and develop new water resources (funded by European institutions), are criticised for only focusing on their own profit. Profit orientation and manufacturing needs thus collide with individual rights for access to water. As water becomes scarcer the importance of how it is managed grows vastly. Who should be responsible for distributing water, for investing in water infrastructure? Natural monopolies often occur, should they be controlled? In light of many changes due to climate change, how can water be saved, its supply be reduced, polluted water be purified and clean water supply be guaranteed for everybody while acknowledging the demands from different economic sectors?
Chairperson: Kerstin Eckart, kerstin.eckart@eyp.de
25 26 27 28
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water!framework/index_en.html http://www.euwi.net/policy. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/blueprint/index_en.htm. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/innovationpartnership/pdf/com_2012_216.pdf.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
18
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords Virtual Water, Desertification, Common Goods, Solar Water Disinfection, Fresh Water Resources, Public!Private!Partnerships, Water Transnational Corporations, Sustainable Water Supply, Eutrophication
Research links Information on water scarcity and droughts in the European Union http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/quantity/scarcity_en.htm The Awake Consumption Guide, European Commission http://www.generationawake.eu/guide/2720_Guide%20EN_links.pdf View from the economy http://www.rwe.com/web/cms/en/183968/rwe/innovations/water/ Black, Richard: Water map shows billions at risk of 'water insecurity’. BBC Online http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science!environment!11435522 Programme by Compassion International (NGO) http://water.compassion.com/ Every drop counts. 10 ways to stop wasting water http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/1108/water!usage/flat.html Water Footprint Network (NGO) http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/home
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
19
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on International Trade (INTA) Topic: Exporting for growth: With small and medium!sized enterprises’ building the backbone of the European economy, how can the EU further promote the internationalisation of SMEs in order to help them access international trading markets?
Overview: François le Bail, Director General for Justice at the European Commission has said that small firms are "the key" to economic recovery in Europe. Per Werngren, Past President of the IAMCP Worldwide, said that SMEs were at the "heart" of economic recovery and growth. SME stands for Small and Medium!sized Enterprises that are defined by their number of employees and turnover/balance sheet total.29 They count for 67% of employment within the European Union (EU) and 99.8% of EU non!financial business economy enterprises and have many advantages, such as a high flexibility, good working atmospheres and thorough apprentice training systems. Due to their large number, potential influence on the market and small size, the EU has many different instruments in place to facilitate their competitiveness and help them use their full potential. For example, there are many business!support programmes for SMEs in order to fund research, boost competitiveness, and encourage innovation. Generally, there is a more lenient approach taken towards them in terms of state aid which is otherwise prohibited. Additionally, SMEs have many exceptions as to administrative rules and requirements.30 Despite decisive globalisation effects, SMEs still tend to stay on national markets as they cannot compete with multinational corporations in terms of production capacity. They depend heavily on the state as they need more help to adapt and profit out of globalisation and the opportunities of the Single Market, although European SMEs are still more internationally active than the SMEs in the United States of America (US) and Japan. A European Commission study from 200931 showed that 25% of EU27 SMEs export or have exported at some point during the past three years, but only about 13% of EU SMEs are active in markets outside the EU. The study emphasised the main benefits of
29 See http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/sme-definition/index_en.htm for specific numbers. 30 For one example, the EU is currently discussing changes in European data protection standards, which would also benefit SMEs greatly by taking into account their small size. See http://www.theparliament.com/latestnews/article/newsarticle/new-data-protection-rules-will-be-hugely-beneficial-to-smes/ for general opinion. 31 See Report of the Study: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/marketaccess/files/internationalisation_of_european_smes_final_en.pdf.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
20
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit internationalisation that are all based on study results and relevant data: (1) creating more jobs; (2) increasing innovation. There are said to be strong links between innovation, internationalisation and productivity growth. All in all, the benefits and advantages of internationalisation are remarkable and compelling. Different studies and analyses have shown that SMEs often face difficulties in accessing the international market and thus miss out on potentially beneficial opportunities. Regular issues include the various non!tariff barriers, financial and cost!based barriers, lack of information, knowledge and experience in international markets, high costs in setting up and maintaining a functioning international business plus the issue of distance. 32 The European Commission's study of 2009 showed that SMEs are not aware of the benefits applicable to them in case of internationalisation. The EU has taken a step forward with the Small Businesses Act and tried to formulate a comprehensive policy framework for the EU and its Member States, but still a lot has to be done. How can the EU tackle the obstacles mentioned? What policy changes could and should it adopt? How big of an emphasis should be put on SMEs in the light of the current economic situation? What role could (internationalised) SMEs play in boosting Europe's economy? Chairperson: Jamie Brown, j.ben.brown@gmail.com
32 See OECD, Removing Barriers to Sme Access to International Markets: http://books.google.ee/books?id=QmDNM9YFAEC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=international+trading+markets+smes&source=bl&ots=EDes6MeCIh&sig=VS2hcmvgz8z2nj9Jmf11OUCvyg&hl=et&sa=X&ei=sDHkT9jKIIyG8gPruvDcCg&ved=0CIgBEOgBMAg#v=onepage&q=int ernational%20trading%20markets%20smes&f=false, p. 14.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
21
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords Internationalisation, more lenient requirements, competition, government support, EU exports, EU trade barriers regulation, market access database, market access unit
Research links European Small Businesses Portal (NB! Take time to look around there!): http://ec.europa.eu/small-business/index_en.htm Internationalisation: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/marketaccess/internationalisation/index_en.htm OECD, Removing Barriers to Sme Access to International Markets (for skimming through): http://books.google.ee/books?id=QmDNM9YFAEC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=international+trading+markets+smes&source=bl&ots =EDes6MeCIh&sig=VS2hcmvgz8z2nj9Jmf11OUCvyg&hl=et&sa=X&ei=sDHkT9jKIIyG8gPruvDcCg&ved=0CIgB EOgBMAg#v=onepage&q=international%20trading%20markets%20smes&f=false Christophe Leclercq, Founder and Publisher of EurActiv.com, talks about the panel 'SMEs; Engines for Recovery?' at the 2010 European Business Summit in Brussels (for some opinions on the role of SMEs): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvFJBoDcwUo Dossier about SMEs as the key to European growth: http://www.euractiv.com/innovation-enterprise/sme-growth-key-europes-economylinksdossier-188383 Small Business Act: Unlocking SMEs' potential? http://www.euractiv.com/innovation-enterprise/small-business-act-unlocking-smelinksdossier-188478
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
22
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Topic: Looking beyond Europe 2020: Which steps should the EU take to set up long!term energy infrastructures in coherence with its principles of justice and sustainability?
Overview: Picture the European Union (EU) as a human body with the various economic systems as its organs. Just like organs need to be provided with blood so do economies with electricity. In this picture the energy infrastructure functions as veins and arteries that keep our organs running and supply the European economies and societies with energy. Imagine now irregularities in the system such as an increasing demand of energy, the necessity of reducing greenhouse gasses, decreasing reserves of traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels, price instability and fiscal constraints. Several events have shown in the past that the current energy infrastructure is not capable of managing crises or severe supply shortages as it is, to a large extent, old, fragmented and overloaded at several critical points. It is easy to imagine what would happen to the human body if there were not enough blood for each organ, or what it meant if only one organ fails. So this became one of the most pressing questions considered by the EU and its Member States: How can we upgrade and replace our old energy infrastructure while ensuring a solid and enduring energy supply? In this context energy infrastructure refers both to the electricity grid and the different energy mix of the Member States combining traditional energy sources like coal, gas, oil and nuclear energy with renewable energy sources like solar plants and wind farms. In 2010, the European Commission (EC) called in its Communication on energy infrastructure priorities for 2020 for a policy to coordinate and optimise network development on a continental scale. It aims at ensuring that strategic energy networks and storage facilities are completed by 2020. To this end, the EC has identified 12 priority corridors and areas covering electricity, gas, oil and carbon dioxide transport networks. It proposes a regime of "common interest" for projects contributing to implementing these priorities and having obtained this label.33 Therefore the EC adopted the proposal for a Regulation on Guidelines for trans!European energy infrastructure in 2011. These Communications are backed up by a Budget for Europe 2020 (p.55!57/74), for which the “EU executive has announced its first ever plan to use 9.1 billion from the EU’s 2014!2020 budget to help upgrade Europe’s energy infrastructure, according to strategic climate and energy needs.”34
33 34
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/strategy/2020_en.htm http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu-launches-9-energy-infrastruct-news-508430
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
23
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit The Commission proposed that the money can be used to support the installation of an offshore grid in the North Sea, projects to store electricity or gas pipeline projects enabling gas to flow in both directions. Yet the division of the money between renewable and fossil fuel projects is highly debated, also the priorities given to several projects still need to be discussed. However, as the majority of the earmarked projects are for gas and oil pipelines, the Green Party dismissed the package as “backward!looking […] [and] skewed” (Claude Turmes), while several big electricity firms and industrial groups praised the new package as “the right step forward”. Another critical point is that the Consultation does not seem to take into account the EU’s commitment to reducing its energy use and therefore meeting its energy saving targets in the context of climate change.35 The decision on Europe’s future energy infrastructure needs to be handled with great care, as this will have deep implications for the way we use energy and how much greenhouse gasses we emit. Further factors that need to be taken into consideration are the security of energy supply, competitiveness, sustainability and justice. The energy infrastructure in the European Union, in terms of both transporting and storing energy, is confronted with a variety of challenges and although there have been made steps in order to face these challenges, several questions remain: In which direction do we want Europe to go? What about the dependency through energy imports from non EU! states? And the future of traditional energy sources within the EU? What role do big energy firms play? Do we want to focus on renewable or fossil fuels? Do we have to choose between a green and a safe energy supply?
Chairperson: Monika Seidel, monika.seidel@eyp.de
35 http://qceablog.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/the-future-of-europe’s-energy-infrastructure-permits-gridsrenewables-nuclear/
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
24
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords Energy, Infrastructure, Europe 2020, priority corridors, energy networks, energy mix
Research links Core Documents and Articles: European Commission – Energy infrastructure (please have a good look at the various documents on these websites): http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/strategy/2020_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy2020/infrastructure/index_en.htm Guidelines for trans!European energy infrastructure: http://eur!lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0658:FIN:EN:PDF IP!Journal Article: Europe’s Energy Infrastructure (1 July 2011): https://ip!journal.dgap.org/en/ip!journal/topics/europe’s!energy!infrastructure For further reading: A Budget for Europe 2020: http://ec.europa.eu/health/programme/docs/maff_2020_fiches_en.pdf EurActiv Article: EU launches "9 billion energy infrastructure plan (20 October 2011): http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu!launches!9!energy!infrastruct!news!508430 Quaker Council for European Affairs Article: The Future of Europe’s Energy Infrastructure: Permits, Grids, Renewables, Nuclear (10 October 2011): http://qceablog.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/the!future!of!europe’s!energy!infrastructure! permits!grids!renewables!nuclear/ Chalmers Database 2006: European Energy Infrastructure http://www.energy!pathways.org/pdf/R1_european_energy.pdf
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
25
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Topic: Integration as a two!way process of mutual accommodation: With the number of Muslims in Europe growing, how can the EU help safeguard their religious freedom and to what extent should the Muslim community assimilate to European values?
Overview: Islam has a long history in Europe. The impact of the Ottoman Empire on the historical progression of the Balkans and of the Moors on Spain was considerable. Nonetheless, it is hard to escape from the fact that there is a strong perception amongst Europeans of Islam representing the “other”, something apart from Europe. Similarly, many Muslims do not feel a part of today’s Europe. It is fast becoming the mainstream view that the integration of Muslims into European society has failed.36 This is despite the growing number of Muslims living in Europe. Estimates place the Muslim population of the EU at 20 million (out of 500 million) which is a substantial 4%. Islamic populations in France (8%), the Netherlands (6%), Belgium (6%) make for major minority groupings and of an even greater impact is the presences of 20% or higher Islamic minority populations in a number of major cities in Europe (Brussels, Marseilles, Amsterdam, et cetera).37 Many consider current integration policies to have failed. Major policy statements from the governments of France, Germany and the UK38 in recent years have decried the failure of the multiculturalism that dominated integrationist policies across Europe for the past number of decades. Whereas multiculturalism emphasised the need for the state to accommodate the culture and values of minority populations, recent policy developments such as; banning the building of minarets in Switzerland, the criminalisation of arranged marriage in the UK39 and Burka bans in the Netherlands,40 France41 and elsewhere, have heralded a more assimilationist approach wherein the emphasis has been placed on the need of the minority population to accommodate the dominant culture of the state in where they reside. The failure of present policies is of a heavily negative consequence to the cohesion of European society. Islamophobia is a major aspect of right wing populist parties that have been surging in European politics since the onset of the 2008!? Economic crisis. Islamic
36 See, e.g. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/03/28/the_dis_integration_of_europe and http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/03/201231473832412963.html. 37 2010 Pew Report ( http://features.pewforum.org/muslim!population/. 38 UK Prime Minister David Cameron announcing the end of multiculturalism in Britain: http://bit.ly/Mu1ES9. 39 Criminalisation of Arranged Marriage in the UK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk!politics!18356117. 40 See: http://www.forbes.com/sites/abigailesman/2012/01/27/burqa!ban!comes!to!the!netherlands!finally/. 41 See: http://articles.cnn.com/2011!03!04/world/france.burqa.ban_1_burqa!ban!full!face!veil?_s=PM:WORLD.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
26
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit populations have been increasingly marginalised in public discourse in Europe.42 Then there is the situation whereby educational attainment, earning potential and health levels for Islamic peoples in Europe are substantially lower than those of the general populations. Another feature of increasing Islamic populations in Europe is the proliferation of ghettos where Islamic communities live entirely separate from that of the state within which they survive. Such developments of parallel societies are quite evident in France and Belgium and other European states. The reality is that many Muslims living in Europe, even those whose families have resided in European states for generations, do not consider themselves European and many of the majority population do not consider them European either. They are the “other”, apart from the main society, segregated to a large enough degree to cause widespread tension in European communities which can culminate is violence as seen in Paris in 2005. Clashes between majority populations and Islamic minorities have become prevalent across Europe. Anti!Islamic rhetoric is a cornerstone of many right wing populist movements that are gaining more and more of a sway over public opinion in Europe as the economic crisis develops. Thousands of dissatisfied Muslim youths brought Paris to a standstill in 2005 riots. 43 Such extreme tensions have engendered much violence and bitterness. The prevalence of Islam in Norway was one of the cited motivations for the tragic Oslo massacre in 2011.44 Home grown Islamic extremism has cost many lives in London and Madrid to name but a few examples.45 The archetypical example of the extreme clashes of culture between the majority European population and Islamic minorities was seen in 2005 when a Danish newspaper published images of Mohammed considered offensive by many Muslims.46 The result was a rake of death threats to the publishers and the polarisation of public opinion across Europe based on whether or not an individual was a Muslim. It is clear that the present failure of European integration policy is having a terribly damaging effect on European society writ large but where do we go from here? How can Europe best integrate Islamic populations whilst still respecting their cultures and European culture and values? Should a multicultural, assimilationist or midway path be taken? What relevance do immigration policies have for this issue? How can Europe combat the apparent inequalities between Islamic and other European populations?
Chair: Eoin O'Driscoll, eoinodr@gmail.com
42 Spread of Islamophobia: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4325225.st. 43 Paris Riots 2005: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp! dyn/content/article/2005/11/04/AR2005110400183.html. 44 Extremist Violence in Oslo: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/July/Explosion!Damages!Government! HQ!in!Oslo/. 45 Extremist Violence in London and Madrid: http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/07/77!the!london!bombings! of!2005!remembered!and!muslim!perspectives/. 46 Danish Cartoon Controversy: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4670370.stm.
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
27
International Summer Forum of EYP Germany | Menden 9 – 15 July | preparationKit
Keywords Integration, Multiculturalism, Islamophobia, Burqa Ban, fundamental freedoms and human rights
Research links Overview of current situation: http://on.cfr.org/M4UPaL Summary of EU integration policies: http://www.1888932!2946.ws/ComTool6.0_CES/CES/E! DocumentManager/gallery/Policy_Briefs/PB!ImmigrationandIntegration!v3!web(2).pdf A Defence of multiculturalism: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/22/multiculturalism!blame!culture! segregation
european youth parliament germany | sophienstr. 28!29 | 10178 berlin
28
THE EUROPEAN UNION
www.eyp.de
European Youth Parliament
functions | competences | developments
Content History |
3
How Does the EU Work? |
4
Does the EU Pass Laws? |
5
Important Areas of Activity – What Does the EU Do? |
6
Mixed Responsibilities: What Is the EU Allowed to Do? |
6
Future Development? |
7
People and Places | 10 Important Terms and Abbreviations | 10 Links for Further Research | 11
EYP Germany I 2
I. History "We must build a kind of United States of Europe. In this way only will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living.“ (Winston Churchill, Prime Minister United Kingdom, 19 September, 1946) Since the beginning of the 20th century visions for a unified Europe have increasingly been shared and communicated. Especially in the aftermath of the Second World War, different scenarios and ideas about how a European integration process could look like were discussed. In the end six central European states agreed to set up an organisation focussing on the pursuit of common economic goals to ensure a future in peace, prosperity and security after two world wars and centuries of rivalry.
THE BEGINNINGS1 •
•
1951: Establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) initiated by the Schuman Declaration ! Common market for the production of coal and steel between Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands ! Starting point of the integration process; Generated hopes for a strong political and military union; 1957: Treaty of Rome ! Creation of the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) and the European Economic Community (EEC). The EAEC and EEC shared certain institutions with the ECSC and cooperated within the construction of the “European Communities” while having separate executive structures. Focus on economic cooperation after the failure of the European Defence Community;
KEY DATA EU 27 Member States 4 million km! 500 million citizens Europe Day 9th of May Biggest internal market in the world Common currency „Euro“ for over 300 million people ! Anthem: Ode to Joy (Beethoven) ! Operating principles: supranational and intergovernmental ! Goals: Peace, security, wealth and stability for all EU citizens; facing the challenges of globalisation; promoting a cultural understanding and solidarity between the states; ensuring basic values as human rights, sustainability and a social market economy ! ! ! ! ! !
EUROPEAN INTEGRATION: GOING BACK AND FORTH •
•
• • • • •
1965 Merger Treaty (Brussels Treaty) ! Combination of the judicial, legislative and administrative bodies of the three communities (ECSC, EAEC and EEC) and thus creation of a stronger political framework; Controversies in the 60s and 70s about voting procedures, the influence of certain countries and the future integration process („empty chair crisis“, „Luxembourg compromise”). Additional obstacles for the integration process were the oil and economic crises in the 1970s; 1973 Accession of Denmark, the United Kingdom and Ireland (EU-9); 1981 Accession of Greece (EU-10); 1985 Schengen Agreement (however not with all Member States; in the beginning only between DE, FR, BE, LU, NL); 1986 Accession of Spain and Portugal (EU-12); 1987 Single European Act (SEA) ! profound reform of existing treaties and extension of the community’s competences.2
1Until
1990 the term Germany in the text equals West Germany. East Germany was integrated into the EU during the German unification process. 2 Competence: the authority to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility.
EYP Germany I 3
RESTRUCTURING AND TREATIES • 1991 Treaty of Maastricht ! Transformation of the communities to the “European Union” and introduction of the pillar structure: Firstly, the European Community (EC) pillar including e.g. the economic and agricultural sector organised in a supranational way; secondly, the intergovernmental Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) pillar and thirdly, the intergovernmental Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) pillar3. The initial goal of an extensive reform in order to strengthen the union for the eastward enlargement was not fully achieved. In addition the Economic and Monetary Union was created (EMU); • 1995 Accession of Austria, Sweden and Finland (EU-15); • 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam ! Generally perceived as an attempt to solve the remaining problems after the Maastricht Treaty. Next to a reform of the institutions in the run-up to the next enlargement the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) obtained its own office; • 2001 Treaty of Nice ! Second attempt to solve remaining problems of Maastricht and Amsterdam; • 2004 Eastern enlargement: Accession of the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta and Cyprus (EU-25). AFTER THE EASTERN ENLARGEMENT • 2005 Failed “European Constitution” because of two referenda in FR and NL; • 2007 Treaty of Lisbon (in force since 2009, ratification process temporarily blocked by Ireland and Poland) ! It merges the former treaties into the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It furthermore makes the Charter of Fundamental Rights legally binding; • 2007 Accession of Romania and Bulgaria (EU-27); • Since 2008 the worldwide economic and financial crisis made several financial aid packages necessary and led to a sovereign debt crisis in a number of eurozone countries; • 2009 Proclamation of the current commission strategy paper „Europe 2020“; • 2011/12 Negotiation process of a European Fiscal Compact and establishment of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), also known as „bailout fund“, because of the growing instability in the European financial market. Ratification process of the Fiscal Compact not finished (not signed by the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic)
II. How Does the EU Work? The institutional structure of the EU cannot be compared to any other international organisation (e.g. NATO or the UN). It is neither a centralised unity like a nation state, nor does it imitate a relatively loose structure, such as the commonwealth of nations or a confederation like the United States of America => it is an organisation sui generis. The structure is unique and continuously developed. The Treaty of Lisbon marks the last big step in this process.
MAIN INSTITUTIONS IN BRUSSELS AND STRASBOURG
!
European Council (since 1974)
Regular meetings (aka summits, at least four times per year) of the Heads of State/Government + Commission President + President of the European Council + High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union. Provides political guidelines, sets general goals and incentives to the further development of the EU and common strategies concerning the CFSP. Levels in politics: local – regional – national – international. Possible ways of interaction: intergovernmental encompasses the interaction between governments of single states; supranational describes the cooperation between states in organisations like the EU wherein power is transferred or delegated to a higher authority. 3
EYP Germany I 4
•
European Commission (EC)
„Executive“4 power of the EU (1 Commissioner per Member State, with one being the President of the Commission). Commissioners are appointed by their nation state, approved by the European Parliament and responsible for one issue area (e.g. Connie Hedegaard as Commissioner for Climate Action). The Commission monitors the adherence to the EU aquis communautaire, represents the Union in foreign relations and has the exclusive Right to Initiative.5
•
European Parliament (EP)
The first part of the EU´s legislative branch6 consists of 754 Members of Parliament elected for 5 years by all EU-citizens (over 18 years old, in Austria over 16). The first direct election of the EP was held in 1979, the latest in 2009. The parliament is divided into seven big fractions plus several independent Members of Parliament (the biggest three fractions are firstly the European People‘s Party pooling Christian Democrats, secondly the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats for the left and the social democratic political spectrum, and thirdly the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats). It is working either in a big plenary or in its 20 different committees, each responsible for specific issue areas. The Parliament shares its legislative competences with the “Council”.
•
Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers)
Also known as “the Council”, structured in issue-specific councils with the respective ministers of the Member States (e.g. Council Justice and Home Affairs with all ministers of the interior). The presidency of the council changes every six months. The “president” in office supplies the different councils with a chairperson except the council on Foreign Affairs, which is presided by the High Representative (Catherine Ashton since 2009).
The „Council of Europe“ is a completely different institution than the European Council and the Council of the European Union. Founded in 1949 it is both a predecessor and a project that runs parallel to the EU as an independent organisation mainly focussing on the adherence to Human Rights agreements. There are currently 47 members, among them EU Member States, as well as e.g. as well Ukraine and Russia.
The issue division in the councils is mirrored in the parliamentary committees (e.g. environment, education, economy, budget). The council shares its legislative competences with the EP and holds executive powers, too. Denmark holds the current presidency until June 2012 when Cyprus will take over.
III. Does the EU Pass Laws? Not exactly! The European Union can issue several legal acts, however, not all are fully binding for its Member States. The EU has the following legal options to regulate: Regulations, Directives, Decisions, Recommendations and Opinions. Regulations have to be strictly adhered to in all Member States and leave no room for adjustments during the implementation process. Directives provide a framework and give a certain policy direction, leaving the states with more flexibility and room for adjustments. Decisions always address certain recipients and are only valid for those specific countries/people/institutions. Recommendations and Opinions are not formally valid.
Executive power: Institution in a state or similar entity, which acts as government and administration and is responsible for the implementation of laws. 5 Right of Initiative: The right to propose laws. In the EU: right to propose Regulations and Directives to the European Parliament and the Council. 6 Legislative power: Institution in a state or similar entity with the power to pass, amend and repeal laws. Often elected directly by the people. 4
EYP Germany I 5
The European legislative procedure lasts a bit longer than on a national level. The EC has the exclusive Right to Initiative, the Council and the EP decide if the proposal becomes a legal act after having discussed relevant details.7 General policy guidelines and statements, especially from the EP, are formulated in Resolutions. They can entail instructions for future procedures as well as regulations, which are formally valid in the Member States." Legal acts passed by the EP and the Council only enter into force after the respective national governments have introduced and implemented it within their national laws. The combined legal heritage of the EU, inter alia including legal acts and contracts is pooled under the term aquis communautaire.
IV. Important Areas of Activity - What Does the EU Do? The EU is engaged in many policy areas and tries to implement its goals together with its Member States. Many options are possible: Either the Union provides money and/or expertise for projects or certain measures or it passes regulations that harmonise laws and norms in Europe and/or gives them a new direction. Furthermore the EU deals with many issue areas, in which it has no competence to regulate, but can nevertheless express visions, requests and warnings in order to provoke the Member States to act. The Union is more and more visible as a single actor and is also able, in case of a consensus, to speak on behalf of Europe within the scope of the CFSP. Important areas in which the states cooperate: • Single Market (4 Fundamental Freedoms: Free movement of goods, services, capital and people) • Economic and Monetary Union (see part “Mixed responsibilities” and „The Single Currency and the Eurozone“) • Common Agricultural Policy (CAP, almost complete agricultural communitarisation with no scope for action for national governments; subsidies make up a big part of the EU-Budget) • Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP, in general still unilateral decision making processes, however, efforts to speak with one voice in international relations; especially in peace-keeping missions and increasingly at financial and economic summits the Member States try to jointly formulate an EUopinion) • Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (Free movement in all EU Member States; cross border police cooperation against transnational crime, drug traffic and to control migration) • Energy and Climate Action (Security of supply, environmental sustainability, profitability, support of innovation and research)
V. Mixed responsibilities: What is the EU allowed to do?8 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has been given jurisdiction as the ultimate appellate court to the Member States on issues of European law. EU law always takes precedence over national law. Primary law of the EU is the supreme source of law and consists mainly of the treaties, which set up competences (Art 2 TFEU) and a framework for policies for the different institutions: the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Secondary law includes unilateral acts and agreements by the Legislature of the European Union (see point “Does the EU pass laws”, Art. 288 TFEU). The Charter of Fundamental Rights is part of the primary law and legally binding since the Lisbon Treaty. (Art 6 (1) TEU)
7 See
also: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldselect/ldeucom/125/12502.gif overview of all policy areas: http://europa.eu/pol/index_en.htm
8 Short
EYP Germany I 6
EXCLUSIVE COMPETENCES (Art 2 (1), Art 3 TFEU) In this area only the Union may legislate and adopt legally binding acts.4 Exceptions are possible if the EU empowers Member States to act or with regards to the implementation of Union acts: • •
• • • • •
The customs union including an internal free trade zone with common customs tariffs (Art 31 TFEU) The monetary policy of the EU for the Member States whose currency is the euro overseen by the European Central Bank and with certain precepts formulated in the Stability and Growth Pact (see part “The Single Currency, the Eurozone and the debt crisis”) (Art 129 (3) and (4), Art 132, 138, 219 TFEU) Competition rules controlling state aid from national governments and the actions of companies; necessary for the functioning of the internal market. A common international trade policy (e.g. common position in international trade negotiations) (Art 207 TFEU) The conclusion of certain international agreements (Art 3 (2) TFEU) Common commercial policy The conservation of marine biological resources (part of the Common Fisheries Policy, Art 38 (1) TFEU)
SHARED COMPETENCES (Art 2 (2), Art 4 TFEU) In those policy areas Member States agreed to act individually if the EU has not exercised its competence or planned to do so. If a policy area is neither exclusive nor falls under supportive actions it is a shared competence. Some examples are: • • • • • • • •
Internal market Economic, social and territorial cohesion Agriculture and fishing (except the conservation of marine biological resources) Social policy Transport Environment, pollution and energy Consumer protection Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
SUPPORTING, COORDINATING OR COMPLEMENTARY COMPETENCES (Art 2 (5), Art 6 TFEU) The EU can financially support the actions of the member states that have agreed to co-ordinate their domestic policies through the EU. However, it does not entail harmonisation of regulations. These areas include: • • • • • • •
Education, vocational training, youth and sport Tourism Administrative co-operation Civil protection Protection and improvement of human health Industry Culture
VI. Future Development? Generally commentators agree that a shared vision for the future of the Union has been missing since the failure of the constitutional treaty in 2005 and that both the Lisbon treaty and the current efforts towards a fiscal union are only further drops in the bucket that cannot answer the most fundamental question of where to go from here? This problem can be identified in various policy areas of the EU:
EYP Germany I 7
MULTI-SPEED EUROPE Is the European Union meant to become a single state or should it be a loose confederation of states? How far and how deep further integration should go is a discussion that has kept elites and citizens occupied since the foundation of the ECSC. As already mentioned above the Union is none of these things so far. It has become an organisation sui generis thanks to heads of state passionately and tediously arguing about every transfer of competence to the European level. This lengthy process has led to a sometimes criticised method of integration where some states cooperate more closely in a certain policy area than others in order to move forward. As soon as other states are ready they are free to join the project (e.g. the Monetary Union and the Schengen Area). This gradual form of integration has many names: Two-speed Europe, Multi-speed Europe, Core Europe, variable geometry or Europe à la carte. The discussion about a deeper cooperation in the economic and financial sector in the aftermath of the worldwide financial crisis 2008 and debt crisis in the Eurozone since 2010 can be seen as one of the latest most prominent examples for different visions of integration, its speed and its depth.
ENLARGEMENT Many neighbouring countries of the European Union wish to join the European project while the EU often fails to reach a common position causing some discussions to last over decades. The first question that needs to be asked is: what is Europe? Several possible criteria a r e a t h a n d t o d e fi n e “ E u r o p e ” : geographical borders (rejection Morocco 1987), political/ideological differences (fundamental opposition to the eastern bloc before 1989) or cultural disparities (Europe shaped by Christianity and Turkey as a candidate country). Furthermore economic performance and political stability of the candidate countries also play a role in the accession process. In an attempt to structure the many criteria that had to be checked, especially before the Eastern Enlargement, the Copenhagen Criteria were formulated in 1993. They include the guarantee of a constitutional democracy, adherence to human rights, protection of minorities, a functioning market economy and the ability to implement the aquis communautaire into national law. Technically every “European” state can apply for membership to the EU. The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) has been used since 2004 as a mean to prepare states for this step, however, it sometimes seems like it is also used as a substitute for membership. By means of the ENP the EU cooperates more closely with immediate neighbours in political, economic and cultural areas either bilaterally or in multilateral partnerships (e.g. Eastern Partnership, Union for the Mediterranean, Black Sea Synergy, Northern Dimension). Since the Lisbon Treaty Member States can formally quit membership (although Greenland already quit in 1985). Acceding countries: Croatia (Member State on 1 July 2013) Recognised candidates: Iceland, Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, Serbia Applied (but not recognised as official candidates): Albania Potential candidates (that have not yet applied for EU membership): Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo
EYP Germany I 8
DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT AND CRISIS OF LEGITIMACY The progressional integration and gradual transfer of more competences to the European level is increasingly noticeable in national, regional and local politics as well as in the EU citizens’ everyday life. In some issue areas EU institutions presumably influence up to 80 per cent of national laws (keyword: Europeanisation). At the same time many claim that there are no adequate mechanisms to incorporate public opinion into the process of European policy making. A European civil society, a European public sphere and a sense of community are still missing or at least insufficiently developed. The European Union faces a steadily decreasing turnout in European Parliament elections and legislative bodies that lack the Right of Initiative. Moreover, national governments, heads of state and ministries exercise legislative power in the EU, whereas they were initially elected or appointed as executive bodies, which ideally focus on implementation and administrative tasks. The EU as an “elite project”: Is it rather summit meetings than parliamentary assemblies that provide the best forum to further develop the European project and is the European role of nationally elected decision-makers sufficiently legitimised? ? Are calls for more transparency, democracy and efficiency justified? How well do numerous interest groups and lobbyists reflect and advocate the interests of all EU citizens? With the extension of the EP’s competences during the past decades and the public election of the EP since the 1970s, many claim that the EU is moving into the right direction. From 1 April, 2012 one million citizens can directly call on the EC to initiate a law by means of the European Citizens’ Initiative (see also: Lisbon Treaty, Title II, Article 8B point 4).
THE SINGLE CURRENCY, THE EUROZONE AND THE DEBT CRISIS With the implementation of the EMU after the Maastricht Treaty a single currency, the “Euro”, was introduced on January 1st, 1999 in all 11 members of the “eurozone” (money in cash has been available since January 1st, 2002). Today´s members of the eurozone are: Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Greece, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia and Estonia as well as non-EU Member States San Marino, Andorra, Vatican and Monaco. The ECB sets the monetary policy for the eurozone. New members have to fulfil the convergence criteria laid down in the Maastricht Treaty in order to enter the eurozone, i.e. they must limit their new annual debt to 3% of the GDP and keep the total state debt under 60% of the GDP. These criteria also apply to states, which are already in the eurozone. Based on the “Stability and Growth Pact” of 1997 sanctioning violations is possible. In the aftermath of the financial and economic crisis in 2008 several countries in the eurozone had problems to acquire new capital while their economy was generally struggling, interest rates were growing and credit ratings were downgraded. Therefore Greece, Ireland and Portugal have required financial aid since the beginning of 2010. To prevent further crises in the eurozone, its members set up the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF, bailout fund) in July 2011. The exact measures, size and durations were modified several times. The latest step in this area was the European Fiscal Compact, an intergovernmental treaty signed by 25 Member States so far, imposing much stricter fiscal rules (except Great Britain and the Czech Republic). It is meant to foster fiscal discipline between the states and to convert the EFSF into a permanent structure: the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).
EYP Germany I 9
VII. People and Places •
José Manuel Barroso: President of the Commission 2010-2013
• • • •
Martin Schulz: President of the European Parliament Herman van Rompuy: President of the European Council Catherine Ashton: High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Mario Draghi: President of the ECB
•
Brussels: Offices for Members of Parliament, Committee Work of the EP, Seat of the Commission, certain meetings
• •
of the Council of Ministers Strasbourg: place of the parliament, Plenary debates Luxembourg: European Court of Justice, many institutions close to the EU, certain meetings of the Council of Ministers
VIII. Important Terms and Abbreviations EP "
"
European Parliament
EC "
"
European Commission
Council" "
Council of Ministers or Council of the European Union
ECJ " " "
"
European Court of Justice (27 judges from all Member States, two chambers, normally hears cases in panels of three, five or thirteen judges; highest court for European Union law, ensures the equal application of European law)
EESC " " " " " "
European Economic and Social Committee (body of the EU; 344 representatives of Member States composed of employers, employees and various other stakeholders; consultative assembly that comments on current issues)
CoR" "
" "
Committee of the Regions (body of the EU; 344 representatives of local and regional sub-national authorities; consultative assembly that comments on current issues)
ECB "
"
European Central Bank
ECA"
"
Court of Auditors (Audits the accounts of all EU-Institutions)
CFSP"
"
Common Foreign and Security Policy
CSDP"
"
Common Security and Defence Policy (defence and military aspects of the CFSP)
EMU"
"
Economic and Monetary Union
ENP"
"
" "
European Neighbourhood Policy
EU acquis " " "
Aquis communautaire (accumulated legislation, legal acts, and court decisions, which constitute the body of European Union law)
Copenhagen Criteria" "
Preservation of democratic governance, rule of law, human rights, a functioning market economy, protection of minorities and the acquisition of the EU acquis
Schengen " Agreements"
Creation of a borderless zone very much like a single state with external border controls without internal border controls. (Implemented in EU-law with the Treaty of Amsterdam)
Subsidiarity " # # " "
The general principle of subsidiarity limits actions by the EU or the state if and when the concerned lowest level of authority (e.g. German Länder or local authorities) is capable of doing it on its own and the actions are sufficient. "
EYP Germany I 10
IX. Links for Further Research European Union http://europa.eu/index_en.htm EU-Institutions http://eu2012.dk/en/EU-and-the-Presidency/About-EU/EU-Background/EU-Institutions European Neighbourhood Policy http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/index_en.htm Enlargement http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/index_en.htm Common Foreign and Security Policy http://europa.eu/pol/cfsp/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/agencies/regulatory_agencies_bodies/security_agencies/index_en.htm Lisbon Treaty http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/index_en.htm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6901353.stm http://www.robert-schuman.eu/doc/divers/lisbonne/en/10fiches.pdf TEU – Treaty on European Union http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2008:115:0013:0045:EN:PDF TFEU – Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2008:115:0047:0199:en:PDF TFEU with explanations http://en.euabc.com/upload/books/lisbon-treaty-3edition.pdf Europe 2020 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:2020:FIN:EN:PDF Charta of Fundamental Rights of the European Union http://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/text_en.pdf
United in Diversity About this guide! This guide is published by EYP Germany and it is free to use for all National Committees and individuals. For feedback, comments or questions on the guide please contact us via info@eyp.de. We did not intend to violate any copyrights in the publishing of this guide. Should you feel otherwise, please also write to info@eyp.de. Last updated: April 2012
EYP Germany I 11