Newsletter of the European Social ists in the Committee of the Regions May 2012

Dear friends,

When you hold this newsletter in your hands,

we will all just have celebrated May 1st, the

international labour and workers’ day. We will also

have seen, about a month ago, on April 1st, not

just a number of April-fools jokes, but a serious

and important innovation in the EU context,

namely the entry into force of the European

Citizens’ Initiative – a new instrument of direct

democracy to complement the representative

EU structures. What do these two dates have in

common, and what do they mean for us as locally

and regionally elected members of the PES Group

in the Committee of the Regions? Obviously, work

in general, and decent work in particular, allowing

people to gain a living and offering them the

chance to fulfil their potentials and desires, is our

key concern. This is as burning an issue as ever:

while a few EU Member States are doing very well

and see unemployment falling, a large majority

of our countries see scandalously high rates of

people looking for jobs, with skyrocketing youth

unemployment. Moreover, we are also confronted

with a growing problem of ‘working poor’ and

of people who, in the name of flexibility, have

to work in unacceptable conditions and/or for

unacceptable wages. This is felt in our cities and

regions, and many people will put the blame for

this situation on the European Union, because

short-sighted austerity policies are pushed

through at the EU level and under the pretext

of calming down the financial markets. It is true

that the issues of employment, of employability

and of decent work must be tackled at European

level, and if the European Union we have today

cannot provide at least part of the answers to

these challenges, our citizens are right to criticise

it. But at the same time, we have to be aware that

much of what is happening (or not happening)

today is due to the member state governments.

As we know, a large majority of them are led by

conservatives or liberals, for whom it may also

be convenient to put the blame for the difficult

situation onto the European Union. We, as social

democrats and socialists, therefore have a double

challenge before us: we must offer alternative

solutions and we must explain, at all different

levels, who is responsible for what and that the

European Union must be and can be part of the

solution. This is where the European Citizens’

Initiative comes in: this new tool may help to

create a genuine European debate on issues

which go beyond the Member States. Measures at

EU level to stimulate growth, improve education

and qualifications, regulate speculative markets

or show to the politicians that many people do

indeed want a financial transaction tax, are just

some ideas for citizens’ initiatives. These will not

happen over night, and the fact that citizens will

be in charge through this instrument does not

relieve us politicians of our responsibility. On the

contrary, we have to use the momentum, maybe

even the anger which citizens feel and which may

lead them to propose citizens’ initiatives, and try

to channel this into political change – at EU and

national, but also regional or local level. I hope

by the time you read this, we will also be only

days away from seeing the first signs of political

change happening in France!

With social democratic greetings,

Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ

President of the PES Group in the CoR

w w w. p es . co r. euro p a . eu

Published by | PES Group Secretariat

Rue Belliard 101 | 1040 Brussels

+32.2.282.22.23 | pes-group@cor.europa.eu

NEWS OF THE PES GROUP IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 02

OTHER VOICES:INTERVIEW WITH HANNES SWOBODA, PRESIDENT OF THE S&D GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 03

PLENARY SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (3 – 4 MAY 2012) 04

COR COMMISSIONS: WHAT'S NEW? 08

AND NOW OVER TO PES MEMBERS 12

NEWS OF THE PARTY OF EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS 14

A LOOK AT SOME RECENT LOCAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS 16

02

NEWS OF THE PES GROUP IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

On 3 February, the PES Group Secretariat

hosted an information session for the

assistants of Members of the European

Parliament of the Group of the Progressive Alliance

of Socialists and Democrats (S&D Group), its

sister political Group in the European Parliament.

Opening the session, PES Group President Karl-

Heinz LAMBERTZ underlined the added value

of a close cooperation between the two groups,

which ultimately reinforces the voice of European

Socialists, Social Democrats and Progressives

in the European decision-making process and

successfully takes forward a European agenda

based on solidarity (see also Interview with the

President of the S&D Group, Hannes SWOBODA,

p. 03).

At its meeting of 15 February, ahead of the

CoR plenary session, the PES Group had an

exchange views with Ferenc VICSEK, chief

editor of the Hungarian independent radio station

Klubrádió, on the situation of media freedom and

democracy in general in Hungary.

Claudette BALDACCHINO, Deputy Mayor of

Qrendi (Malta) and PES Group Vice-President

in charge of Media and Communication,

commented on the meeting:

“Being both a politician and a journalist, I firmly

believe that the presence of an open media

landscape is a necessity for the sustainable

existence of a democratic environment”. She

expressed her serious concerns about the recent

developments in Hungary with respect to the

new media laws, through which the Hungarian

government attempts to silence internal

opposition. “The situation that the Hungarian

citizens are currently experiencing reminds me

that democracy is not something we should take

for granted, but what we must constantly nurture

and protect. On joining the European Union, we

all become members of a much larger family, with

its rights and obligations. It is evident that the new

Hungarian Constitution itself runs counter to the

spirit of European Union Law. Now we need to

put pressures on the European institutions and

our national leaders to take decisive action”, she

concluded.

On 1 March, the PES Group launched

its photo competition “Life 2.0 –

Ready for a new start”, inspired by

the theme of the 2012 European Year for Active

Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.

European amateur photographers aged 18 -108

are asked to send in a photo that illustrates

how senior citizens lead independent lives by

staying fit and healthy, take an active part in

society and continue to develop their potential.

The competition runs until 30 June 2012.

The first prize of the competition consists of two

trips for two persons to two European cities and a

tablet computer.

The PES Group, in cooperation with the

Foundation for European Progressive

Studies (FEPS), held its fourth seminar

in the lunchtime cycle on Sustainable Europe,

focusing on the Future of Europe’s agricultural

policy. Key speakers were PES Group member

René SOUCHON, President of the Auvergne

Regional Council (France) and CoR rapporteur on

the Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy

(CAP) and rural development post-2013, and Nella

MIKKOLA, Policy Advisor at the Committee of

Professional Agricultural Organisations and General

Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives in the

European Union (COPA-COGECA).The debate was

moderated by Mark ROGERSON, Director of

Consilia Ltd.

On 15 May, the PES Group will present,

alongside the meeting of the S&D

Group in the European Parliament, its

publication on a European agenda for social

Housing. The publication concludes the PES

Group’s campaign on social housing and includes

best practices on the ground provided by PES

Group members, general information on social

housing systems in different Member States,

compiled with the help of CECODHAS Housing

Europe, as well as the key interventions at the

workshop organised by the Group on this issue

within the framework of the PES Convention

(November 2011). The publication is complete with

photographic material by Belgian photographer

Loïc DELVAULX, who put into pictures housing

realities in five European cities: Brussels, Budapest,

Dunkirk, Lisbon and Malmö. To realise this project

in each of the five cities, Loïc was assisted by PES

Group members Alain HUTCHINSON, Gabor

BIHARY, Michel DELEBARRE, Antonia COSTA

and Ilmar REEPALU. His work, which is part of a

broader project called Europa Habitabilis, will be

exhibited at the European Parliament.

The PES Group’s extraordinary group

meeting will take place on 31 August in

Rijeka (Croatia), at the invitation of Vojko

OBERSNEL, Mayor of Rijeka and member of the

Croatian Social Democratic Party (SDP). It will

focus on real economy, re-industrialisation and

structural funds. Since the February CoR plenary

session, the PES Croatian delegation has been

associated to the works of the PES Group in their

quality of observers.

For more information on our activities, please visit

the website of the PES Group in the CoR at: www.

pes.cor.europa.eu

03

Could you tell us briefly about the priorities of your presidency, especially those relating to the regional and local level?

What are your expectations of the PES Group in the CoR with regard to preparing the European Parliament elections in 2014?

As President of the S&D group I have

emphasised the need for further

cooperation between parliamentary

groups and the other bodies within our political

family. It is vital that the Parliament and its

members are in touch with their representatives

in the regions. Prior to my election, I said that

under my presidency the S&D group would

begin a comprehensive dialogue and network

on a European basis. To that end, I am currently

undertaking a “European tour” to meet various

stakeholders who range from leading politicians

to regional and municipal bodies, think-

tanks such as the FEPS, trade unions, youth

organisations and others.

My priorities as president have centred on

offering the people and governments of

Europe an alternative economic plan as a

counterbalance to the harsh austerity measures

pushed through by the Commission, the Council

and the majority of national governments. I have

advocated the creation of a comprehensive

programme for economics and employment

which should form the basis of our early work

and which will include the involvement of

external experts. Our economic revival must

be based on growth and sustainability and

offer specific measures to the general public.

Austerity will inevitably be a burden on regions,

cities and municipalities and it is vital that we

as Socialists and democrats stand together and

show people all around Europe that there is an

alternative to austerity.

For us as a European parliamentary group,

it is vital to maintain a structural dialogue

with the regional level. Close cooperation

between us and the PES group in the

Committee of Regions is therefore important.

As the S&D group has limited resources and

cannot be active all over Europe, it is essential

that our members are supported by their local

and regional parties. Although the elections

are on a pan-European level, they are held and

won locally. Close cooperation between MEPs

and locally elected officials is therefore crucial to

the success of our campaign. Without effective

coordination and dialogue between the

regions and the Parliament, we, as Socialists and

Democrats, will not be heard by the European

citizen. Being close to citizens and their needs

is one of my declared aims; this is why close

cooperation with the CoR is at the centre of my

activity.

OTHER VOICES Interview with Hannes Swoboda, President of the S&D Group in the European Parliament

04

Plenary session of the Committee of the Regions (3 – 4 May 2012)

The May plenary session will examine 18 draft

opinions, 8 of which by PES rapporteurs.

The President of the European Council Herman VAN ROMPUY

will take the floor in relation to economic governance

and the preparation of the June European Council.

OPINIONS IN BRIEF

General regulation on the Structural Funds

Catiuscia MARINI (PES/Italy)

The draft opinion of the President of the

Umbria Region was adopted unanimously

by the COTER commission and will be presented

in plenary under the simplified procedure (Read

more under COTER commission, p. 09, and

Interviews, p. 13).

European Social Fund

Konstantinos SIMITSIS (PES/Greece)

The draft opinion of the mayor of Kavala

responds to a European Commission

communication on the future European Social

Fund (ESF) covering the period 2014-2020, as

part of an overall legislative package for the EU’s

future cohesion policy. In his draft opinion, the

rapporteur is sceptical whether the proposed

timid increase of the ESF budget will be

commensurate with the fund’s ambitious goals.

He also criticises that the ESF is too much oriented

towards serving the Europe 2020 strategy,

while neglecting its original objective of social

solidarity with the most disadvantaged regions.

According to the rapporteur, support provided

through the ESF should be tailored to the needs

and particularities of individual regions and the

principles of subsidiarity and proportionality

should be effectively applied when it comes, for

example, to the setting of thematic concentration

of the fund or investment priorities. He also

stresses the need to develop more reliable

evaluation procedures. Finally, he welcomes

the simplification measures put forward by the

European Commission, while underlining that

further improvement can be made through the

use of a series of innovative measures, already

discussed by the CoR (such as revolving funds for

microcredit operations, “social bonds” and “citizen

bonds”). In the COTER commission, some ALDE

amendments opposing the setting of a minimum

ceiling of 20% of ESF resources to the benefit of

the promotion of social inclusion and the fight

against poverty were defeated and the opinion

was adopted by a large majority.

(Read more under interviews, p. 13).

Revision of the TEN-T legislative framework

Bernard SOULAGE (PES/France)

The draft opinion of the Vice-President of the

Rhône-Alpes Regional Council was adopted

unanimously by the COTER commission and will

be presented in plenary under the simplified

procedure (Read more under COTER commission,

p. 09, and Interviews, p. 14).

EU Programme for Social Change and Innovation

Enrico ROSSI (PES/Italy)

The draft opinion of the President of the

Tuscany Region responds to a European

Commission proposal that incorporates three

existing instruments, that is, the Programme for

Employment and Social Solidarity (Progresss),

the European Employment Services (EURES) and

the European Progress Microfinance Facility for

employment and social inclusion. The overall aim

of the programme is to boost the Europe 2020

Strategy for Jobs and Growth and it covers the

period 2014-2020.

In his draft opinion, the rapporteur underlines

the need to focus the action under the

programme mainly on vulnerable groups and

in particular young unemployed people, who

have been hit particularly hard by the crisis.

In order to shape labour market reforms, he

highlights the importance of carrying out

social experimentation projects that address

the political priorities of society, sharing more

effectively experiences and disseminating good

practices. Another important aspect is to ensure

overall consistency in European action and

between the various funding programmes. The

05

microfinance facility, for example, should provide

more concrete support to innovative and social

small enterprises and must, at the same time,

be better coordinated with the European Social

Fund. Regarding EURES, the rapporteur calls for

improved evaluation procedures that focus on

the quality of the service provided. Last but not

least, Enrico Rossi calls for more targeted action

to tackle the obstacles to the free movement

of workers. The opinion was adopted by

overwhelming majority by the ECOS commission.

(Read more under interviews, p. 13).

Erasmus for All

Yoomi RENSTRÖM (PES/Sweden)

Erasmus for All brings together all the

current EU and international schemes for

education, training, youth and sport, replacing

seven existing programmes with one: Lifelong

Learning Programme (Erasmus, Leonardo da

Vinci, Comenius, Grundtvig), Youth in Action,

Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink and

the bilateral cooperation programme with

industrialised countries. The aim of the new

programme is to increase efficiency, make it

easier to apply for grants, and reduce duplication

and fragmentation. The Commission is proposing

a budgetary increase of approximately 70%

compared to the current seven-year budget, that

is, allocate €19 billion for the period 2014-2020.

The new programme will focus on EU added

value and systemic impact, with support for

three types of action: learning opportunities

for individuals, both within the EU and beyond;

institutional cooperation between educational

institutions, youth organisations, businesses, local

and regional authorities and NGOs; and support

for reforms in Member States to modernise

education and training systems and promote

innovation, entrepreneurship and employability.

Two-thirds of the funding would be spent on

mobility grants to enhance knowledge and skills.

The draft opinion of the PES/EDUC coordinator

underlines the role of local and regional

authorities in implementing both the EU’s

education programmes and other relevant

European initiatives, since in many European

countries the main responsibility for general and

vocational training at primary and secondary

level, as well as for adult education, lies with local

and regional authorities. The text is however

critical of the emphasis on mobility and higher

education, which is strongly reflected in the name

of the new programme; it therefore proposes

a new title, that is, Learning Europe. The draft

CoR opinion also stresses the need for the new

programme to ensure that all target groups (such

as youth or lifelong learners) are reached. Since

the allocation of funds for the new programme

will be performance-based, the CoR calls for

clear and transparent qualitative and quantitative

criteria, which should avoid direct competition

amongst different target groups and ensure

that even smaller educational institutions can be

financed. Several amendments were tabled in

commission and the rapporteur accepted most of

them as they ensured a coherent stance vis-à-vis

the new programme. Some further amendments

on the importance of regional partnerships in

education may be expected in plenary.

Reform of the Common Agriculture Policy

René SOUCHON (PES/France)

The draft opinion of the President of the

Auvergne Regional Council responds to the

European Commission’s legislative proposals

aimed at reforming the Common Agriculture

Policy (CAP) by strengthening the competitiveness

and the sustainability of agriculture, while

guaranteeing quality food production and

preserving the environment. In his draft opinion,

the rapporteur underlines that the major

challenge facing the CAP post-2013 is to ensure

the full integration of the territorial dimension,

which reflects the real social, environmental and

local specificities of agriculture production and

to allow for greening and innovation measures.

He also highlights the need for improved market

stabilisation measures, aimed at ensuring stable

prices which are based on effective public control

of agricultural production. He also emphasises

the importance of supporting areas with natural

handicaps by strengthening measures, such as:

swiftly introducing convergence criteria for direct

payments in the Member States; allowing for a

better redistribution of funds to disadvantaged

areas by lowering capping levels; strengthening

rules on coupling and raising the overall ceiling

for funding for those areas as well as support for

small farmers. Last but not least, the rapporteur

calls for an adequate and stable budget that

ensures the continuation of the CAP’s strategic

dimension over the 2014-2020 period.

Out of the 280 amendments tabled to this draft

opinion in the NAT commission, the rapporteur

succeeded in adopting mostly those that

strengthen the substance and coherence of the

text. (Read more under Interviews, p. 12).

Health for growth programme

Tilman TÖGEL (PES/Germany)

The draft opinion of the Member of the

Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt (PES/Germany)

responds to a European Commission proposal on

the third multi-annual programme of EU action on

healthcare policy, covering the period 2014-2020.

In his draft opinion, the rapporteur welcomes the

general focus of the programme on innovative

and sustainable healthcare systems, better

deployment of resources, sickness prevention

and cross-border networks to prevent and tackle

health threats. However, he is extremely critical of

the programme title, which reduces health to a

mere question of economic utility, and therefore

proposes to replace it by: “Better health for

sustainable growth”. The rapporteur emphasises

the need to involve regional and local authorities

in the preparation, implementation, assessment

and analysis of the programme. He regrets the fact

that, although these authorities are responsible

for and provide healthcare services, they are

not at all mentioned in the communication. In

this context, he also suggests a reference to the

European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation

(EGTC), which can be a useful instrument for

cross-border cooperation on health. Finally, the

rapporteur highlights the need for more funding,

given the economic benefits of avoiding sickness-

related costs and absences from work, and to

better redirect the support to structurally weak

regions. The draft opinion was adopted by an

overwhelming majority in the NAT commission

and no controversial amendments are expected

in plenary (Read more under Interviews, p. 12).

Green paper on family reunification

Sergio SOAVE (PES/Italy)

06

The draft opinion by the Mayor of Savigliano

responds to a European Commission Green

Paper aimed a examining a number of key

aspects on the right to family reunification of

third-country nationals living in the EU. Given that

the implementation of the existing legislation on

family reunification by the Member States has

so far not been very successful, the Green Paper

asks a series of questions, on how to improve

implementation and whether some of the

‘integration measures’ required by Member States

in the context of family reunification really foster

integration or rather, they constitute indirect

barriers to the arrival of immigrants’ family

members.

In his draft opinion, the rapporteur underlines

that immigration policies need first of all to

comply with the fundamental right of people

to live with their family, which is a right that is

independent from access to citizenship and any

wider considerations of immigration policy. As

local and regional authorities have a key role to

play in managing integration of migrants and

promoting social cohesion on the ground, they

should be fully involved in discussions on the

rules for family reunification, because it is a key

element of successful integration. In particular,

the rapporteur proposes to further clarify the

legal guarantees for migrants at European level,

for example by establishing a minimum length

of residence, which would reconcile the need for

stability with respect for the right to a family life.

His draft opinion was adopted by a majority by

the members of the CIVEX commission. It remains

to be seen which conclusions the European

Commission will draw from the responses it has

received to the Green Paper and whether new

legislation will be proposed. In view of these

developments, the CoR opinion may have to be

updated at a later stage.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF):

Michael SCHNEIDER (EPP/Germany)

The draft opinion by the EPP Group President

and State Secretary and Delegate of the State

of Saxony-Anhalt for the German Federation

(Germany) stresses the need for a more flexible

approach for the allocation of funds under the

ERDF, mainly aimed at boosting competitiveness.

The rapporteur underlines that even in more

developed regions, investment in infrastructure

in the areas of environment, transport and

information and communication technologies

may be necessary. When it comes to funding

research and innovation, the ERDF should –

according to the rapporteur -not only support the

public sector, but also open it to the private one.

The rapporteur strongly rejects the creation of an

urban platform which might double the activities

of existing bodies. Finally, in areas with natural

or demographic constraints, the operational

programmes should take greater account of the

challenges of democratic change.

The draft opinion was adopted by majority by the

members of the COTER commission. Following

the discussions in the COTER commission around

the General Regulation and the ERDF, further

amendments can be expected in plenary on the

thematic concentration aiming at softening the

CoR position, instead of radically rejecting any

concentration.

Cohesion fund:

Romeo STAVARACHE

(ALDE/Romania)

The draft opinion of the Mayor of Bacău

was adopted unanimously by the COTER

commission and will be presented in plenary

under the simplified procedure (Read more under

COTER commission, p. 09).

Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy:

Mieczyslaw STRUK (EPP/Poland)

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The draft opinion of the Marshal of the

Pomeranian region responds to a European

Commission legislative package which sets

out proposals for a modern and simpler

Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) making fishing

environmentally, economically and socially

sustainable. The rapporteur generally welcomes

the proposals while making several amendments

to the new legislative framework. They refer

to an effective long-term management of fish

stocks and the management of discards, fishing

concessions and ways to encourage Europe’s

international partners to fish responsibly. He also

calls for increased regionalisation of the CFP and

for the creation of appropriate financial support

towards its priorities.

The draft opinion had already been submitted

to the February plenary session. However, given

the incoherent outcome on the vote, it was

referred back to the NAT commission, where the

66 amendments tabled evidenced the persisting

complexity of the debate (namely, the divergent

national positions with regard to fishing quotas

and undesirable captures, the control of discard

and fishing concessions). Most amendments

tabled by PES shadow rapporteur Pierre MAILLE,

which were aimed at improving the coherence

of the draft opinion, were adopted and the

draft report was adopted by a majority. Further

controversial amendments might be tabled in

plenary, but they are unlikely to obstruct the final

adoption of the opinion.

Review of EU air quality and emissions policy:

Cor LAMERS (EPP/Netherlands)

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The draft opinion of the Mayor of Houten

responds to a request of the European

Commission ahead of the review of the EU air

quality policy in 2013, which will set new long-

term objectives for the period after 2020. The

document focuses on the question of how

to improve air quality in order to guarantee

public health and how to best address the

implementation problems at regional and local

levels. The main challenge is to find the right

balance between the prevention of harmful

emissions at the source and the measures to deal

with the results (i.e. set maximum pollution levels).

Given the importance of air quality management

for many municipalities and regions in the EU, the

issue provoked a lively debate and divergent views

in the ENVE commission, and the 93 amendments

tabled to this opinion showed the complexity but

also the political pertinence of the issue.

Both the PES shadow rapporteur André VAN DE

NADORT, Mayor of Ten Boer (Netherlands), and

PES/ENVE coordinator Hermann KUHN, member

of the Parliament of Bremen (Germany) supported

the emphasis on air quality as a key factor of

quality of life and stressed the need for local and

regional authorities to be assisted in their efforts

to improve air quality by clear political guidelines

for emission control, as well as by source-based

measures. The opinion was adopted by majority

and a number of further amendments may be

tabled to further clarify the political message of

this opinion.

Trans-European Telecommunications Networks:

Alin-Adrian NICA (ALDE/Romania)

The Proposal for a regulation on guidelines

for trans-European telecommunications

networks is part of the European Commission’s

“Connecting Europe Facility”, a €50 billion plan

to fund investment with a view to improving

Europe’s transport, energy and digital networks.

The draft opinion of the EDUC focuses on the

importance of trans-European availability of fast

Internet access and digital services for economic

growth and the Single Market. The European

Commission initiative is anchored in the Europe

2020 Strategy, which puts digital infrastructures

at the forefront through the flagship initiative

07

“Digital Agenda for Europe”. It underlines the

need to ensure by 2020 the roll-out and take-up

of broadband for all, at increasing speeds, through

both fixed and wireless technologies, and to

facilitate investment in the new very fast open

and competitive internet networks that will be the

arteries of a future economy.

The rapporteur agrees on the need to remove

bottlenecks which hinder the completion of the

Digital Single Market by ensuring connectivity

to the network and access, including across

borders, to an infrastructure of public digital

services. He also recalls the key role of local and

regional authorities in helping to ensure equal

and affordable broadband access in areas where

the market fails, in leading pilot projects aimed at

bridging the e-Accessibility gap, and in developing

new approaches towards people-centred public

e-services. Adoption in plenary is expected to be

uncontroversial.

Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2011-12:

Stanisław SZWABSKI (EA/Poland)

Responding to a European Commission

communication on the enlargement strategy

and main challenges in 2011-2012, and, not least,

in view of the accession of Croatia to the EU in July

2013, the draft opinion by the Chairman of the

municipality of Gdynia underlines the progress

that candidate countries and potential candidate

countries have made as well as the main challenges

ahead for the ongoing reforms. The rapporteur

recognises the important role of local and regional

authorities, of other associations as well as of cross-

border cooperation in supporting every stage of

the EU enlargement process, encouraging citizens’

participation and helping to implement the

subsidiarity principle in these countries.

Several PES Group members contributed to the

lively discussion in the CIVEX commission and

had tabled a number of amendments. Debates

focused (once more) on some issues related to

Turkey’s membership application. The overall

result is a rather balanced text, which was adopted

by majority

Energy efficiency in cities and rural districts:

Brian MEANEY (EA/Ireland)

In response to a request by the Danish EU

Presidency, the Member of the Clare County

Council and Mid-West Regional Authority will

present his draft opinion as a rapporteur general.

Given the need to meet the deadline of ministerial

debates on the issue in May, CoR President

Mercedes BRESSO decided to ask for this opinion

to go straight to the plenary. The key challenge

raised by this opinion is the need to support in

particular rural areas, where improvements in

energy efficiency in many cases are more difficult

to achieve than in cities, due to the nature of the

building stock (older buildings), the problem of

more dispersed buildings (no economic viability

of technologies such as district heating), and

generally less dense population. At the same time,

urban areas and rural areas depend on each other

and a key challenge is to improve the efficiency of

transport links between them.

The ENVE commission has therefore only held

a general debate on 17 April, and a number of

amendments on the document are likely to be

tabled for the plenary.

Consumer programme 2014-2020:

Istvan SERTO-RADICS

(ALDE/Hungary)

In his draft opinion, the Mayor of Uszka generally

welcomes the main elements of the European

Commission proposal for a regulation, which

aims at: strengthening the market monitoring

mechanism on product safety of the Community

system for the rapid exchange of information on

dangers arising from the use of consumer products

(RAPEX); improving information to consumers and

awareness of their rights; strengthening effective

redress, especially through alternative dispute

resolutions; and strengthening enforcement

of cross-border rights. The rapporteur also

emphasises that local and regional authorities

should have a key role in protecting consumers,

including through support to networks and

university centres that are active in this field and

through the promotion of mutual exchange of

experiences. The NAT commission adopted the

amendments tabled by PES shadow-rapporteur

Heinz-Joachim HÖFER, which aimed at clarifying

and reinforcing the text. The draft opinion was

adopted by majority and no major controversies

are expected in plenary.

European Globalisation

Adjustment Fund (EGF):

Gerry BREEN (EPP/Ireland)

The draft opinion of the Member of

Dublin City Council and Dublin Regional

Authority responds to a European Commission

communication on the future EGF covering

the period 2014-2020. The fund is aimed at

addressing unemployment and at intervening

in cases of significant redundancies. According

to the rapporteur, key challenges include the

establishment of a more efficient intervention

mechanism, the simplification of procedures, the

definition of higher rates for co-financing, greater

flexibility in the application of the fund and the

extension of the EGF to groups such as owner-

managers of SMEs and self-employed workers.

Last but not least, he highlights that the potential

of local and regional authorities should be better

exploited when coordinating and implementing

measures for workers. The most controversial

point remains whether the European Commission

proposal of extending the EGF to farmers affected

by trade agreements is useful. The opinion was

adopted by majority in the ECOS commission

and its adoption in plenary should be rather

uncontroversial.

Innovation – Smart Health – Better Lives: Sustainable

welfare, the welfare technology of the future, ageing populations

and active ageing:

Arnoldas ABRAMAVICIUS

(EPP/Lithuania)

This draft outlook opinion has been elaborated

at the request of the Danish Presidency and

due to time constraints, the ECOS Chair and Mayor

of Zarasai District Municipality was appointed

as rapporteur-general. The issue of an ageing

European population has a strong impact on local

and regional authorities in urban and rural areas

alike. The draft opinion seeks to better understand

how social innovation can help tackling the

challenge of social exclusion and dependency as

well as ensuring a healthier late life. It also looks

into the positive economic and social impact

that an ageing population can have on society,

including the expansion of economic activities

related to services to older people.

08

CIVEX (Brussels, 9 February 2012)

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The CIVEX commission adopted by majority

the draft opinion on Family reunification, by

Sergio SOAVE, Mayor of Savigliano (PES/Italy)

(Read more under plenary, p. 05).

CIVEX members also adopted by majority the

draft opinion on the Enlargement strategy

and main challenges 2011-2012, by Stanisław

Szwabski, Chairman of the municipality of

Gdynia (EA/Poland) (Read more under plenary,

p. 07). p

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Furthermore, PES member Nichi VENDOLA,

President of the Puglia Region (Italy), had an

exchange of views with CIVEX members on his

working document on the Global approach

to migration. The document focuses on the

involvement of regions and local authorities

in the implementation of the global approach,

which must centre on migrants and on respect

for human rights in source, transit and destination

countries alike. It also explores the link between

migration and climate change, and the delicate

balance between the idea to allow for ‘selective

immigration’ to address skills shortages in the

EU on the one hand, and the urgent need to

reduce brain drain in the countries of origin, on

the other. The rapporteur stresses that the right

to leave any country, including one’s own, is a

fundamental human right. A further discussion

and adoption of the draft opinion is foreseen for

27 April.p

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CIVEX members also had an exchange of views

on the working document on Intra-EU solidarity

in Asylum Policy, by PES member Theodoros

GKOTSOPOULOS, Municipal Counsellor of

the Municipality of Pallini, Attica (Greece).

The rapporteur underlines that an improved

EU legislative framework is needed in the

asylum area, not least because of the increased

migration from North Africa and the Middle East,

triggered by the ongoing political upheavals.

He also calls for a clearer recognition of the role

of regional and local authorities and for a more

comprehensive definition of the principles of

solidarity and of fair sharing of responsibility. y g p y

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The CIVEX commission also appointed Lotta

HAKANSSON HARJU, Member of Järfälla

Municipal Council (PES/Sweden), as rapporteur

for the opinion on the Commission proposals for

funding EU External action for the period 2014-

2020 under the umbrella communication ‘Global

Europe’.p

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They also had a discussion on activities of the

CoR’s Joint Consultative Committees (JCC) and

Working Groups (WG). Both configurations are set

up by the CoR Bureau and their work ties in with

the CoR’s external relations strategy. Their aim is

to establish contacts between the CoR and local

and regional representatives of the candidate

countries for EU accession. PES members Per

Bodker ANDERSEN, Chair of the JCC for the

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and

Bernard SOULAGE, Chair of the WG on Turkey,

contributed to this debate with experiences from

the face-to-face exchanges with partners from

these countries.

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Finally, in view of the entry into force of the

regulation on the European Citizens’ Initiative

(ECI) on 1 April 2012, CIVEX members also took

part in a round table on this topic. The debate

focused in particular on which role the CoR

should play concretely (via the dissemination

of information etc.) in promoting the ECI as a

new tool of democratic participation, and what

contribution it could make to the follow-up

CoR Commissions: What's new?

09

of those citizens’ initiatives which receive one

million support signatures.

COTER (Lisbon, 5-6 March 2012)

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The COTER commission adopted

unanimously the draft opinion on the

General regulation on the Structural Funds by

Catiuscia MARINI, 1st Vice-President of the PES

Group and President of the Umbria Region (Italy).

The European Commission document lays down

common provisions on the European Regional

Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social

Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund, the European

Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

(EMFF). In her draft opinion, the rapporteur

supports the creation of a new category of

transition regions, including all regions with a

GDP per capita between 75% and 90% of the

EU-27 average; confirming thereby the approach

already taken by the CoR in its opinion on the

new Multiannual Financial Framework, adopted

in December 2011, and the opinion on the 5th

Cohesion Report (rapporteur: COTER President

Michel DELEBARRE, PES), adopted in April

2011. The President of the Umbria Region also

stresses the introduction of a flexibility reserve

for thematic concentration on key Europe

2020 goals and reiterates her firm refusal of

any macroeconomic conditionality penalising

regional authorities as a result of Member States’

failure to comply with their obligations. Last but

not least, the rapporteur suggests the setting

up of partnership contracts that guarantee

a stronger involvement of regional and local

authorities, who should be responsible for

choosing investment priorities and distributing

the structural funds between the ERDF and the

ESF on the basis of concrete territorial analysis.

The COTER commission also adopted by majority

the draft opinion on the European Social Fund

by Konstantinos SIMITSIS, Mayor of Kavala

(PES/Greece) (Read more under plenary, p. 04

and interviews, p. 13).

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COTER members also endorsed unanimously

the draft opinion on the Legislative Framework

on Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T)

by Bernard SOULAGE, Vice-president of the

Rhône-Alpes Regional Council (PES/France). In

his draft opinion, the rapporteur welcomes the

European Commission approach based on a so

called ‘dual-layer’ transport network. This involves

putting in place a comprehensive network by

2050 and a core network, including the most

strategic routes that offer the highest European

added value by 2030. The rapporteur suggests

that TEN-T infrastructure projects should be

based on existing networks and efforts should

focus on improving and interconnecting them,

promoting the most resource-efficient use and

enhancing cross-border transport operations.

He stresses the need to fully involve regional and

local authorities in preparing and implementing

the proposed actions (i.e. corridors) adopted as

part of the TEN-T programming. Finally, given the

strategic importance of the TEN-T networks for

territorial cohesion across the EU, he underlines

the need for sufficient funding to be made

available for the selected investments, also

through the mobilisation of innovative financial

tools and project bonds. p j

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Furthermore, COTER members adopted by

majority the draft opinion on the European

Regional Development Fund by EPP Group

President Michael SCHNEIDER, State Secretary

and Delegate of the State of Saxony-Anhalt for

the German Federation (Germany).

The draft opinion on the Cohesion Fund by

Romeo STAVARACHE, Mayor of Bacău (ALDE/

Romania), was adopted unanimously. The

rapporteur stresses that local and regional

authorities should be fully involved in decisions

at national and European level on investment

priorities funded by the Cohesion Fund. He calls

for better strategic planning of investments

and for a result-oriented approach. Finally, he is

concerned about the fact that there is no clear

formula for determining the budget share for the

Connecting Europe Facility and, in this context,

he stresses that this should not have a negative

impact on the budget related to cohesion policy

funds.

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The PES Group obtained the rapporteurship

on Cities of tomorrow: sustainable cities on

environmental and social levels, a dossier which

was referred to the CoR on a request by the

Danish Presidency. The draft opinion will be

elaborated by Hella DUNGER-LÖPER, State

Secretary of the Land of Berlin to the Federal

Government and for European Affairs (Germany).

ECOS (Brussels, 8 February 2012)

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1010

The ECOS commission adopted by majority

the draft opinion on the EU Programme for

Social Change and Innovation by Enrico ROSSI,

(PES/Italy) (Read more under plenary, p. 04

and Interviews, p. 13).

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The PES Group also obtained the rapporteurship

for a key political dossier on The award of

concession contracts, to be drafted by PES/

ECOS coordinator Henk KOOL. The European

Commission proposal aims at reducing legal

uncertainty on the award of concessions

contracts, which is currently governed by

case law. As local and regional authorities are

responsible for the majority of public spending

in Europe, they should benefit from transparent

and outcome-oriented European-wide

procedures.

ECOS members also adopted by majority the

draft opinion on the European Globalisation

Adjustment Fund for the period 2014-2020 by

Gerry BREEN (EPP/Ireland) (Read more under

plenary, p. 07).

Furthermore, ECOS members had an exchange

of views on the working document on the

Responsible business package by Satu TIETARI,

Member of Säkylä Municipal Council (ALDE/

Finland). The document stresses the need to

make better use of the potential, strengths

and opportunities presented by regions when

it comes to setting and developing social

enterprises and local businesses as well as

creating valuable networks.

Moreover, members had an exploratory debate

on a referral of the Danish EU Presidency on

Innovation - Smart Health - Better Lives (Read

more under Plenary, p. 07).

Finally, they had a roundtable debate on gender

equality. PES Vice-President Claudette Abela

BALDACCHINO, Deputy Mayor of Qrendi (Malta)

and former rapporteur on Non-discrimination,

equal opportunities and the implementation

of the principle of equal treatment between

persons, was among the key speakers.

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EDUC (Brussels, 27 February)

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EDUC members adopted by majority the draft

opinion of Yoomi RENSTRÖM, Member

of Ovanåker Municipal Council (PES, Sweden),

on Erasmus for All (Read more under Plenary,

p. 05, and Interviews, p. 12).

They also adopted by majority the draft opinion

of Alin-Adrian NICA, Mayor of Dudeştii Noi

(ALDE/Romania) on the European Commission’s

proposal for a regulation on guidelines for

trans-European telecommunications networks

(Read more under Plenary, p. 06).

The EDUC commission also discussed the

working document of Gábor BIHARY, Member

of Budapest General Assembly (PES, Hungary),

responding to the European Commission’s

proposal for a regulation establishing the

Creative Europe Programme. The new

programme will replace the current Culture and

MEDIA programmes which have supported the

cultural and audiovisual sectors for more than

20 years. The proposed €1.8 billion budget for

Creative Europe represents a 37% increase on

current spending levels. The aim of the new

programme is to help Europe’s cultural and

creative sectors (representing around 4.5%

of European GDP and accounting for 3.8% of

the EU workforce, that is, 8.5 million people) to

overcome market fragmentation and difficulties

in accessing financing.

The working document raises a series of

questions related to the role of local and regional

authorities in enhancing the implementation

of capacity-building measures in the cultural

sector, facilitating the transition to digital

services and evaluating the leverage effect of

the current Culture, MEDIA and MEDIA MUNDUS

programmes. Moreover, it calls for a debate

on the main obstacles to the promotion of

European cultural activity in third countries and

of international cultural exchanges.

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Finally, the EDUC commission discussed the

working document of Markku MARKKULA,

Member of Espoo City Council (EPP/Finland),

on the European Commission’s new Framework

Programme for Research and Innovation ‘Horizon

2020’, which brings together all EU research and

innovation funding under a single programme,

covering the period 2014-2020. It focuses on

turning scientific breakthroughs into innovative

products and services while drastically cutting

red tape through the simplification of rules and

procedures.

In his working document, the rapporteur

announces that the CoR opinion on Horizon

2020 will have two main pillars: on the one hand,

it will address fundamental policy questions

related to excellence, capacity-building, smart

specialisation, regional research and innovation

eco-systems; on the other hand, it will make

concrete recommendations on issues affecting

local and regional actors. These issues include,

but are not limited to: public procurement;

researcher mobility; access to complementary

finance; research infrastructure; and strategies

for R&D and regional development (in particular

with respect to smart specialisation). One of the

key questions asked is how to ensure that new

effective instruments with a strong regional

dimension will be developed and taken up. It

remains to be seen to what extent the draft

opinion will incorporate the key messages of the

CoR response, elaborated by Claude GEWERC

(PES, France), to the European Commission’s

Green Paper in preparation of Horizon 2020.

11

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It is worth noting that the PES Group obtained

the rapporteurship of the European Commission

legislative package on Open data and the reuse

of public sector information, to be drafted by

Anne KARJALAINEN, Member of Kerava City

Council (Finland).

ENVE (Brussels, 7 February 2012)

The ENVE commission adopted by majority

the draft opinion on the Review of EU air

quality and emissions policy by Cor LAMERS,

Mayor of Houten (EPP/Netherlands) (Read more

under plenary, p. 06).

ENVE members also had an exchange of views

on the working document on Trans-European

energy infrastructure by Heinz LEHMANN,

Member of the Saxony Landtag (EPP/Germany),

responding to a European Commission proposal

for a regulation, aimed at laying down guidelines

for the timely development and interoperability

of priority corridors and areas of trans-European

energy infrastructure.gy

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The ENVE commission appointed PES member

Neil SWANNICK, Member of Manchester City

Council (UK), as rapporteur on a Mechanism

for monitoring and reporting greenhouse

gas emissions, which proposes legislation to

enhance EU rules in this field with a view to

meeting the EU’s climate and energy targets for

the period 2013-2020. p

Ilmmar REEREEPALPALUU

Finally, ENVE members participated in a

roundtable debate on the outcome of the Durban

climate negotiations and, more particularly, the

global agreement that countries will sign to curb

greenhouse gas emissions in 2015. ENVE Chair

Ilmar REEPALU, Mayor of Malmö (PES/Sweden),

who had represented the CoR in the official EU

delegation to the COP17 meeting of the UN

Framework Convention on Climate Change,

held in Durban (South Africa) in December 2011,

was among the key speakers. Jo LEINEN MEP

(S&D/Germany), former Chair of the European

Parliament’s ENVI Committee, took also part

in the debates. The discussion focused mainly

on the implications of the international climate

agenda for EU climate policy in general and for

local and regional action in particular.

NAT (Brussels, 26 March 2012)

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The NAT commission adopted by majority the

draft opinion on the Reform of the Common

Agriculture Policy by René SOUCHON, President

of the Auvergne Regional Council (PES/

France) (Read more under Plenary, p. 05. and

Interviews, p. 12)

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NAT members also adopted by majority the draft

opinion on the Health for growth programme

by Tilman TÖGEL, Member of the Landtag of

Saxony-Anhalt (PES/Germany) (Read more under

Plenary, p. 05. and Interviews, p. 12).

Moreover, they adopted by majority the draft

opinion on the Reform of the Common Fisheries

Policy by Mieczyslaw STRUK, Marshal of the

Pomeranian region (EPP/Poland) (Read more

under Plenary, p. 06).

Finally, the NAT commission adopted by majority

the draft opinion on the Consumer programme

for 2014-2020 by Istvan SERTO-RADICS, Mayor

of Uszka (ALDE/Hungary) (Read more under

Plenary, p. 07).

12

AND NOW OVER TO PES MEMBERS

“How can local and regional authorities contribute

towards ensuring that the new programme

reaches all relevant target groups, including parts

of the population that are unfamiliar with study or

financially disadvantaged groups?”

Yoomi RENSTRÖM, Member of Ovanåker

Municipal Council (PES, Sweden):

Local and regional authorities must play a key role

if the EU’s education programmes are to have an

impact, since in many countries responsibility for

the education of children and young people lies

with these levels of government.

The new programme calls more strongly

for schools and institutions to take overall

responsibility for projects. The intention is to

provide support for individuals and groups

seeking cross-border exchanges of experience.

Since the programme can be adapted to local

situations, the advantages of its integrated

character can be more effectively harnessed

through cooperation at local and regional level,

especially in the case of groups that are more in

need of support.

Being able to compare different approaches

can improve quality, and mobility in education

and work placements can give young people

experiences that support their development.

We can also contribute at local level by looking

for international experience, highlighting good

practice, contributing local resources and

developing support structures.

The correlation between weak school results and

socio-economic deprivation is a recognised fact,

and if the EU wants to meet the education and

employment goals of the Europe 2020 strategy,

efforts with these vulnerable groups must be

given more weight in the budget allocation

for the new education programme. Local and

regional authorities must also remember to

prioritise these groups in their planning.

In your draft opinion, you stress the fact that the

greatest challenge for the CAP post-2013 will be to

ensure that territorial aspects are fully integrated

into the policy. What does this approach comprise

and what will be its added value at European level?

René Souchon, President of the Auvergne Regional

Council (France):

The CAP has undergone several changes over

the last 50 years. However the question of its

governance has never been clearly raised. Now

it is time to do so. European agriculture is highly

diversified: there is no one type of agriculture,

but there is a multitude of different types.

Consequently, the CAP should take this diversity

into account. To this end, I feel it is absolutely

vital to rely more on local and regional levels of

governance.

The European Commission is proposing to

ensure the consistency of European structural

funds in a common strategic framework. This is a

development which allows greater responsibility

for the management of European funds to

be transferred to local and regional levels. In

concrete terms, this means that the measures

coming under the second pillar of the CAP,

relating to rural development, could be co-

managed by the regions, along the lines of other

structural policies.

Likewise, I would like the regions to be able

to be involved in implementing all or part of

the funds coming under the first pillar. The

Commission does offer this possibility, such as

in the arrangements for providing support for

less-favoured areas. I believe, however, that it is

particularly in relation to «greening» the CAP that

the involvement of local and regional levels is

necessary. It is wrong to think that this «greening»

process will be uniform across the whole of

the European Union. To take into account the

diversity of the different farming and ecosystems

in the EU, greening measures have to be geared

to local contexts. This is what I am proposing in

my draft opinion with «territorial pacts».

Surprisingly, the proposal for a regulation on the

EU’s Health for Growth programme makes no

mention of regions and municipalities. So why does

their contribution matter – especially when it comes

to taking a more strategic approach to health?

Tilman Tögel, Member of the Saxony-Anhalt

Landtag (Germany):

“The proposal for a regulation does fail to

mention regions and municipalities, even though

practically everywhere they’re responsible for

securing and organising healthcare services.

Issues surrounding education and prevention,

and protection against cross-border health

risks are also dealt with locally. So if we want

to facilitate transfer of know-how or even

coordinate measures during a health crisis, for

example, it’s not enough to work at Member

State level alone. I also think it’s strategically

important to take advantage of the benefits

and opportunities offered by EGTCs (European

groupings of territorial cooperation), which may

be useful here in the case of border regions, in

particular.

12

ca p o e qua ty, a d ob ty educat o

13

Regional and local authorities are currently

facing heavy budget cuts owing to the economic

and financial crisis. In this context, cohesion

policy can play a key role in bringing about their

economic recovery. What are your main policy

recommendations regarding the Structural Funds for

the post-2013 period?

Catiuscia Marini, President of the Umbria region

(Italy):

The public finance situation is extremely critical:

on the one hand, heavy cuts in resources

(Fiscal Compact) are pushing authorities to use

emergency reserves; on the other, there is the

need to prevent Community resources merely

replacing national resources that are now lacking

(additionality). As “other” funding is dwindling,

Community funding is coming into play more

and more, which means its use needs to be

increasingly targeted, result-focused and geared

to regional economic development needs, with

an approach which is as integrated as possible

with regard to the various funds. First and

foremost, the European Union needs a budget

that is sufficient to implement the Europe 2020

strategy and achieve the specific cohesion policy

objectives properly. We must call for greater

integration of the European funds (ERDF, Cohesion

Fund, ESF, EAFRD, EGF), simplifying management

and monitoring rules and strongly encouraging

multi-fund operational programmes. I believe

that, in line with the subsidiarity principle, it is

essential for local and regional authorities to

be fully involved in drawing up, negotiating,

implementing and revising the various strategic

documents: by its very nature, cohesion policy

follows a bottom-up (rather than top-down)

approach based on a regional assessment

which identifies the strengths and weaknesses

of regions needing support from the Structural

Funds for their development. Moreover, restoring

effectiveness and a result-focused approach

are also essential, and can best be achieved by

enhancing the role of evaluations and making

them public and transparent, such that local

communities take greater ownership of cohesion

policy and its results, and strive for the enhanced

reputation that comes when effectiveness can

be demonstrated. Lastly, I believe that genuinely

simplifying the fund implementation provisions

of applications for this. Finally, we have offered

young graduates interest-free loans for advanced

study and specialisation both in Italy and abroad.

In short, we have come up with a batch of

opportunities at European level funded with

regional, national and Community resources that

can also be backed up by other funds from local

authorities and public and private entities.

This is an example of across-the-board

collaboration to achieve a common goal: giving

young people their future back. They should not

be seen as targets for assistance, but as a resource

in which to invest.

In your draft opinion, you criticise the European

Social Fund (ESF) for being too much oriented

towards serving the Europe 2020 strategy, while

neglecting its original objective of social solidarity

with the most disadvantaged regions. What are your

concrete proposals in this regard?

Konstantinos Simitsis, Mayor of Kavala (Greece):

We agree as a rule with the basic principle that

tasks and measures under the ESF be linked with

the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable

and inclusive growth.

We do have concerns, however, regarding “full

alignment” of the ESF with the objectives of the

Europe 2020 strategy, as this could restrict the

fund’s mission within the context of cohesion

policy, as set out in the Treaty, and divert it from

its role as the basic driver of cohesion policy to

become a tool in the exclusive service of the

Europe 2020 strategy.

Furthermore, we disapprove of the fact that there

is no reference whatsoever to the definition of

the ESF’s role, in the context of its full alignment

with the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy,

or to reducing the backwardness of the least

favoured regions (rural areas, areas affected by

industrial transition, the northernmost regions

with particularly sparse population density, and

island, border and mountain regions).

The amendments to Articles 4 and 10 of the draft

regulation are our attempt to address the above

dangers.

There are large differences in healthcare

provision even within Member States. In sparsely

populated or remote regions it’s sometimes

much poorer, and in any case more expensive

than in densely populated or urban regions.

Eliminating or reducing these inequalities is a key

objective of the programme. But in doing so, the

focus has to be very much on people and their

health. Economic benefits are all to the good,

but they can’t be the main motivation. That’s

why I’m also in favour of changing the title of

the programme to Better Health for Sustainable

Growth, as advocated by quite a few people at

the hearings.”

There is a lot of discussion at EU level on how best to

combat the high youth unemployment rates caused

by the economic and financial crisis. How can the

European Union Programme for Social Change and

Innovation help in this? Could you give an actual

example of how your region has reacted to this

challenge on the ground?

Enrico Rossi, President of the Tuscany Region

(Italy):

We in Tuscany are convinced that young people

are not a problem, but actually the solution for

returning to growth and leaving the crisis behind

us. We have to focus on the young, give them

what they need to take control of their own

future, and support them as they begin to gain

independence in terms of money, housing and

work. This is not just to improve the quality of life

of younger generations, who are unfortunately

among the main victims of unemployment and

job instability, but also to get us all out of the crisis

that we are in. With this goal in mind, we came up

with and implemented a project called “Giovani

sì” (Young People – Yes!), which combines a

number of initiatives to enable young people

to become self-reliant. We shall be spending

more than EUR 334 million on the project up to

the end of 2013. The results after the first few

months are encouraging: we have launched

more than 1 200 paid traineeships; around

2 000 young people have contacted our offices

to get a rent subsidy and the same number

have begun civilian service. Then we had an

initiative to nurture a new generation of young

entrepreneurs and we have received hundreds

14

yyGábor r BihBiharyaryy

On 9 February, the PES Presidency met for

the fist time under the new interim President

Sergei STANISHEV. The meeting aimed at setting

the pace of PES work up until the PES Congress,

due to take place in Bucharest (Romania), on

28-29 September 2012. Advancements in the

procedure for the selection of a PES candidate for

the presidency of the European Commission post

2014, as well as the timeline for the elaboration of

the PES Fundamental Programme were the main

issues discussed.

The Fundamental Programme is part of the

PES renewal process, launched at the 2009 PES

Congress in Prague, and it follows on from the

PES Declaration of Principles, adopted by the PES

Council last November. The programme’s broad

goal is to develop a common programmatic

basis for all PES member parties, while outlining

the PES vision for a progressive Europe. The PES

Fundamental Programme will be adopted by the

PES Council in spring 2013. Based on bottom-up

consultations, the programme will cover the four

overarching themes of the PES Convention: Fair

Economy, Equal Societies, a Just World and Active

Democracy. Gender Equality will be the fifth

consultation theme.

The PES Presidency also agreed on the 2012

PES campaign, which will focus on youth

unemployment. ‘My future is your Future’ calls for

a European Youth Guarantee, which would ensure

that every young person (under 25) is offered a

job, further education or work-focused training at

the latest four months after leaving education or

becoming unemployed. The official launch of the

campaign is due in late April.

The PES Group was represented at the PES

Presidency by Gabor BIHARY (Hungary), who

reiterated the Group’s full commitment to the

elaboration of the PES Fundamental Programme

and unreserved support to the PES youth

unemployment campaign. It is worth noting that,

within the framework of the Open Days 2012,

the PES Group will be organising a workshop on

‘Youth (un)employment: Exploring solutions that

work’, due to take place in Brussels, on 10 October,

News of the Party of European Socialists

for management, supervisory and audit

authorities will make access to financing easier

for beneficiaries.

In your draft opinion on the Trans-European

Transport Network (TEN-T), you stress the need to

do more to include local and regional authorities in

the governance system. Could you give a practical

example of how regions and cities can contribute to

developing the EU’s transport infrastructure?

Bernard Soulage, Vice-President of the Rhône-

Alpes Regional Council (France):

All too often people forget that local and regional

authorities finance a significant share of the

trans-European networks and their access routes.

Without this critical financial input, many projects

would never come into being. The fact is that

the EU contribution only amounts to between

20 and 40% of projects’ real cost and Member

States no longer have the resources to make up

the difference. Regions and cities therefore have

a crucial role to play in financing these projects.

By virtue of their proximity to the public, regions

and cities also have a fundamental part to play in

winning public support for large-scale transport

infrastructure projects. There is no shortage of

good projects. However, the public need to be

persuaded that the changes entailed are not

necessarily a bad thing and that small sacrifices

are sometimes necessary to make major

advances in terms of mobility, sustainability, the

environment or solidarity.

Regions and cities support major European

transport infrastructure projects because they

bolster territorial cohesion and the attractiveness

of their areas within the single market. It is a

shame that Member States are penalising the

trans-European transport networks so as not

to have to justify their shortcomings to the

European Union.

15

KarKarKarKarKaKarKarKara l-Hl-Hl-Hl-Hl-H-H-HHeineineineineineineeei z Lz Lz Lz Lz Lz Lzz AAAAAMBA ERTZ

It is worth noting that PES Group President Karl-

Heinz LAMBERTZ has taken the initiative to

bring to the attention of PES Group members the

existence of over 150 PES City Groups, created

by PES Activists. The President underlined the

added value of synergies with the PES City

Groups and encouraged PES Group members to

explore the full potential of such exchanges.

borders, and finally, women at risk of multiple

discriminations.

Another item on the agenda was the state of

play concerning the introduction of quotas

for women in company boards. An extensive

exchange of views took place on the renewal

process launched within PES Women, especially

with regard to the structure and responsibilities

of their Executive and in view of the forthcoming

elections within the framework of the PES

Congress. Last but not least, PES Women adopted

a declaration welcoming the Danish Presidency’s

gender equality priorities to combat youth

unemployment The PES Group was represented

by its Vice-President Yoomi RENSTRÖM, who

underlined the significance of the local and

regional perspective in the fight for gender

equality.

On 29-30 March, the PES organised a conference

in Tunis (Tunisia), in cooperation with the Global

Progressive Forum, the European Parliament’s

S&D Group and the FEPS. The Arab Spring

Conference, which was entitled “A Progressive

Agenda for a new Arab World”, aimed at

supporting PES partners in the region as well as

informing the European institutions about the

latest developments. The conference focused on

how to strengthen the democratisation process

in areas such as the media, police or justice and

how to empower progressive political parties and

movements. Participants shared experiences of

the ongoing transition processes and discussed

perspectives for future trade agreements and

regional integration.g g

BerBernarnarn d Sd Sd SOULOULOULAGEE

The PES Group in the CoR was represented by

Bernard SOULAGE, who underlined the key

role of local and regional authorities in the

democratisation process in the region.

which will be enriched through contributions by

PES Group members.

The PES Financial and Economic Network met

on 7 March to discuss the latest developments in

EU economic and financial policies. The agenda

included a legislative update on the credit rating

agencies and the state-of-play with regard to

the new Treaties, i.e. the European Stability

Mechanism (ESM) and the Treaty on Stability,

Coordination and Governance (TSCG).

The members of the network also exchanged

views on the draft PES investment strategy for

jobs and growth in Europe. The PES proposes

concrete measures that will translate into the

creation of 12 million new jobs in Europe by 2020.

The strategy would be financed through the

reform of tax policy to create room to manoeuvre

for investment, the use of current instruments

to their full capacity and the use of new tools to

redirect capital towards long term investments in

the EU.

The key axes of proposed action revolve around

nine priorities: redefining competitiveness;

improving the quality of education and formation;

strengthening active labour market policies;

strengthening innovation in Europe; reducing

the use of energy and resources; decarbonising

and modernising energy production; investing

in strong health care and long-term care

systems; modernising transport infrastructure in

Europe; providing high-quality internet access

and communication infrastructure for jobs and

growth in Europe.

Finally, members discussed the elaboration of the

PES Fundamental Programme. It is worth noting

that the PES Group in the CoR has contributed to

the consultation on the theme Equal Societies,

and in particular the challenges facing a

progressive social model and welfare states. p g

Yoooooooooo mi mi RENRENNSTRSTRSTST ÖMÖM

PES Women held their statutory meeting in

Copenhagen, on 23 March. They discussed

their involvement in the 2012 PES campaign

through a particular focus on young women’s

unemployment, and in the elaboration of the

PES Fundamental Programme. Their input

will be articulated around six key policy areas:

equal representation of women and men,

women’s economic independence, sexual and

reproductive health and rights, violence against

women, gender equality for women beyond EU

16

POLITICAL GROUPS MEMBERS (FULL)

■ PES .................................................................. 105

■ EPP .................................................................. 129

■ ALDE .................................................................. 42

■ EA ...................................................................... 18

■ NA ...................................................................... 25

■ Pending appointments ......................................... 25

TOTAL CoR 344

POLITICAL BALANCE IN THE CoR

30.5%

37.5%12.2%

5.2%

7.3%7.3%

A look at some recent local and regional elections

Malta (10 March 2012)

This year’s local elections in Malta involved just over half of the country’s local

councils (68 in total). Malta’s Labour Party (LP) won almost 56 % of the votes

cast, increasing its share by 6% and taking control of 19 out of 35 councils. The

ruling conservative party (PN) suffered an electoral meltdown just 12 months

before the general election and obtained less than 42 % of votes. PES Group

members Ian BORG and Joe CORDINA were re-elected in their position as

mayors of Dingli and Xaghra respectively.

Saarland, Germany (25 March 2012)

At the regional elections held in Saarland, the Social Democratic Party (SPD)

came second with 30.6 % (after the Conservatives, who obtained only 35.2%),

increasing their share of votes over 6% compared to the 2009 elections.

The left wing party Linke came third with 16.1%, followed by the Pirate

Party (7.4%) and the Greens (5%). The Liberals, currently in coalition with the

Conservatives in Angela Merkel’s government, were punished by voters and

obtained only 1.2%.

w w w.pes .cor.europa.eu