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ELECTIONS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 22-25 May 2014 Solidarity Support SME Energy efficiency Human Rights politicalYour Recognition AssemblyRegions of Tackling of all party Diversity and Peoples tax fraud Languages Unity in Social Sustainable Diversity justice development and cohesion

Reduction Self- Internal of public Peace deficits determination enlargement Diversity in Renewable Diversity Autonomy Energy of energy Biodiversity farming/ Local supply sources fishing of food Subsidiarity Sustainable growth Stateless Energy Fiscal Regions nations sovereignty discipline (support for) Cooperation Self- Linguistic Transparency equality Independence Government

Transparent Energy Europe Equality Democracy markets of the Peoples

EFA your European Political party www.e-f-a.org It’s time for self-determination Our manifesto very much reflects this 6. Developing sustainable fisheries and for all the peoples of Europe diversity, and while respecting our differ- aquaculture; ences, works to build on the overarching 7. Facing the challenges to our languag- values and aspirations that we share es and cultures and working towards Welcome to the European Free Alliance whelming support of their people, now in common. Therefore, the manifesto linguistic equality. European election Manifesto for 2014. have the opportunity to decide on their focuses on these shared values of our future and whether they want to become member parties with seven general pol- It is an honour to be your EFA president We live in historic times. Across Europe free, independent states. icy proposals: at such a momentous time for all of ancient nations, regions, and peoples, 1. The right to self-determination, the our parties. I warmly commend this EFA currently under the jurisdiction of var- In May many of our EFA parties are look- internal enlargement, and EU recog- Manifesto to you as we launch our cam- ious states, are increasingly calling for ing forward to success in the European nition of this process; paigns for the 2014 European elections, either enhanced autonomy or outright Parliament elections. 2. Improving democracy and transpar- and wish you all good luck and great suc- independence, and all the benefits that ency in the EU; cess in the elections. The time has come go with bringing decision-making power The European Free Alliance is best 3. Overcoming the euro crisis; for self-determination for a true Europe back home. described as a broad alliance as it gath- 4. The development of sustainable of the peoples, the time has come to ers a diverse range of parties from across energy sources; make this aspiration a reality. Scotland and Catalonia, because of Europe each with their own unique 5. Developing sustainable agriculture the success of their pro-independence approach on how to better the prospects and reforming the Common Agricul- Veel geluk, parties and most importantly the over- for their people. ture Policy; Eric Defoort - President of EFA 1 Internal enlargement 2 Improving the democratic quality of the European Open doors to new states of old nations: be inconceivable that the EU would block institutions the EU must be committed to the recog- access to new states that have reached nition of new member states arising from their statehood through flawless demo- self-determination and democratic pro- cratic processes. The Lisbon Treaty was concluded after a The legislative capacity of the Council has cesses within current member states protracted process. Hopes that it would to become transparent. All legislative de- (which we refer to as the internal enlarge- The nations at sub-state level and / or lead to more democracy and account- liberations and relevant documents must ment). regions with legislative powers must ability were not fully realized. Following be freely available to Europeans in the have a role of their own in European deci- enlargement and the worst financial crisis same manner as the documents of the In the same way, the EU must ensure the sion-making through a strengthened that the euro has faced, the EU needs to European Parliament. The position of each continuity of European citizenship to citi- presence in an “Assembly of regions and set new and ambitious targets in order to member state should be made public. zens of these new states. Democracy is a peoples” replacing the toothless Commit- be a key player in the international arena, fundamental principle of the EU: it would tee of the Regions. a leader in the drive towards a sustainable The President of the European Commis- economy, a model of democracy, social sion should be democratically elected. justice and cohesion. In member states with a devolved struc- ture, all governments of their constituent The legislative capacity of the European nations will be required to be part of the Parliament must be further increased, process of proposing a candidate com- giving it true powers of legislative initiative missioner. and of amending the treaties alongside the competent parliaments within the The international vocation of the EU as a member states. player which acts on the basis of the values of democracy, peace, solidarity and re- Sub-state constituencies for the spect for diversity has to be clarified and European elections should be created in strengthened. the member states that have not yet done so.

6 - EFA Manifesto 2014 EFA Manifesto 2014 - 7 3 Overcoming the Euro-crisis

The current crisis has highlighted how of the (financial) markets. The measures the EU can mean an added value) and a economic conditionality in the cohesion in recent decades several governments taken to improve the economic govern- stricter control on all EU agencies, avoid- policy. A (regional) government should not spent in an irresponsible way without ance of the EU (six-pack, two-pack, fiscal ing overlaps and duplications, should be be punished for the mistakes of another stimulating economic growth and gua- compact) should be applied effectively. installed. government. ranteeing social cohesion. In the first EFA believes that the European Central instance it is up to the member states Bank (ECB) should fully play its role. A European Rating Agency should be set EFA recognizes the vital importance to take the necessary steps, but we also up to control in a transparent way interest played by small and medium sized enter- need to formulate a European framework Austerity measures have to be com- on debt and risk premiums. prises (SME). EU policies should foster the in order to avoid repetition of similar cri- plemented by investments in future competitiveness of SME’s. sis-prone policies in the future. orientated policies and by other stimulat- EFA welcomes the recent EU legislation on ing measures, in the countries hardest hit bonuses paid to bankers. The current international financial and The member states have to make public by the current crisis. On that healthy basis, economic crisis has an important negative finances and the broader socio-economic Europe will have to re-launch an econ- The European Commission should be effect on the labour market and employ- context healthy by: (1) budget consolida- omic recovery policy based on European allowed, alongside national and region- ment situation in the EU. In this context tion and reduction of public deficits, (2) high added value investments. al authorities, to create efficient tools our main focus should remain on the EU structural reforms and (3) investing in to tackle fraud and to fight against tax targets to realize an overall employment smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. EFA supports fiscal harmonization havens and tax evasion outside the EU. rate of 75% in 2020. As a priority the low More fiscal discipline is also necessary throughout the different Member States employment rates for groups at risk such because of new challenges concerning and regions, respecting the fiscal diver- The reformed European Structural and In- as young people, the elderly and the pop- demography, the labour market, social sity and the subsidiarity principle (the vestment Funds should be conditioned to: ulation with a migrant background should security and pensions. Fiscal and bud- rate should be decided by the nation con- ¬ recover competitiveness, be tackled. getary discipline is an essential condition cerned within an EU-wide framework as is ¬ boost public investments in R&D&I, to get access to the European Stability the case for the VAT). In order to improve ¬ encourage productive investments, With youth unemployment at an all-time Mechanism. Solidarity can only be provid- the efficiency and social justice of the cur- ¬ enhance energy savings, high in the EU, it is essential that the pol- ed in combination with more responsibility rent tax system, EFA wants to modify the ¬ improve job training, icies of all levels of government empower from all governments. tax burden imposed on our citizens. ¬ fight against social exclusion, our future generations, inter alia through ¬ Territorial cooperation, including the quality education, skills development and In addition Europe has a task. Solid The EU budget has to be managed bet- emerging macro-regional strategies the validation of informal education, and mechanisms at the EU level will enable ter (smart fiscal consolidation, better develop an inter-generational dialogue. decision-makers to regain the confidence spending and focus on areas where EFA rejects the introduction of macro- In this context priority should be given to

8 - EFA Manifesto 2014 EFA Manifesto 2014 - 9 4 European Energy policy realize the EU target to reduce the school of becoming unemployed or leaving formal EFA is committed to an energy strate- ergy sources in order to avoid becoming drop-out rates below 10% in 2020. education. gy which maximises energy efficiency, dependent on other regions or territo- prioritises the development of renewa- ries. Distributed generation, where energy EFA strongly supports the Youth Guaran- Imported goods should be classified ac- ble energy, makes the European gas and is produced by many small sources, is a tee Scheme with the aim to ensure that cording to ecological and social standards electricity markets more transparent and good model for some regions and nations all young people under the age of 25 years in the country of origin and should be la- provides for active supervision in order to and should be promoted where appro- receive a good quality offer of employment, beled accordingly. This measure would protect consumers sufficiently. priate. The European electricity network continued education, an apprenticeship or contribute to spread European standards should be renovated and turned into a a traineeship within a period of 4 months in the world. The debate on energy should focus on super-smart grid that can deal with big energy demand, as well as energy sup- fluctuations in green energy production ply and production. Energy consumption (offshore wind energy in the North Sea, should be reduced through a more ra- the Mediterranean solar energy ring, hy- tional and efficient use of energy. Energy dropower in Scandinavia) as well as with efficiency should be the priority since decentralized energy production, e.g. solar the cheapest and greenest kWh is the panels on private homes. kWh that is not consumed and therefore does not need to be produced. Improving We believe that European funding should energy efficiency means less energy pro- be specifically allocated for investment in duction installations are needed to cover renewable energy development and ener- the energy demand. Accordingly energy gy efficiency measures, whilst preserving conservation through energy efficiency the autonomy of the nations and regions measures leads to financial savings and to decide on their energy mix and rec- less carbon emissions. Therefore, EFA be- ognizing that in order to ensure payable lieves that there should be more focus on energy, a realistic energy mix focuses on energy efficiency measures, both for the renewable energy sources without exclu- benefit of the environment and the con- ding certain energy sources as long as sumer. EFA supports an energy savings alternatives are not yet available. As well target. as the benefits to the environment, such investment will create sustainable jobs EFA believes in ensuring a diversity of en- and encourage economic growth. A long

10 - EFA Manifesto 2014 EFA Manifesto 2014 - 11 Assembly of Regions and Peoples Tackling tax fraud Solidarity Self- Diversity Human determination Social Rights Internal enlargement justice Renewable and cohesion Energy

Self- Autonomy Local Government Diversity supply of Subsidiarity of energy Energy food Reduction efficiency sources of public Energy deficits sovereignty

Independence

Sustainable Democracy Transparent growth Transparency Energy markets Linguistic equality term plan is needed, with investment in regional governments. Local authorities favoured over imports. Efficient Emissions order to prevent a production shortage, skills and infrastructure projects, with- should be involved in planning procedures Performance Standards should be applied large investments in the electricity market out leading to unrealistic costs, which for new constructions, so that no one on all new power stations. EFA supports will be needed. would make Europe a world leader in the community should have to take a dispro- research into carbon capture and storage sector. portionate burden of providing energy for technology but remains cautious about Whichever way energy is produced, it is the wider community. Renewable energy the viability of the technique. vital that the strictest safety measures We believe that the EU should commit projects should bring maximum bene- are guaranteed in every sector, from the itself to an ambitious annual carbon emis- fits to the local community, in the form of EFA is concerned by the practice of production level to waste management. sions reduction target and overhauling our benefits such as lower energy prices. extracting coal-bed methane and shale Guaranteed minimum standards should energy policy is essential to achieve this gas by hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ be set at EU level. aim. Ambitious targets for renewable ener- due to the negative impact on the environ- gy production should be set. An increase ment, particularly on underground water EFA wants to promote research and devel- The development of renewable energy in production can be achieved through courses. opment in the energy domain as a whole. will create jobs and boost the economy streamlining the consent process, sim- Renewable energy technologies are not as well as being a way of reducing carbon plifying planning advice, promoting EFA has long called for the phasing out of the sole areas of importance for the emissions. Promoting more use of renew- community engagement and promoting nuclear energy at a European level. The future; we must also invest in, amongst ables must, next to maximizing energy community benefit. Funding for renewable Fukushima incident was another reminder other things, research on new energy effi- efficiency, be one of the cornerstones of energy should be coordinated with other of the potential dangers of nuclear power. ciency technologies, energy storage and the EU’s energy policy. The possibility of EU funding instruments; in particular the EFA notes that Germany has announced nuclear waste. micro-generation, tidal lagoons, small rural development fund as farmers have a that its nuclear power plants will be scale hydro electric schemes, sea bed vital role in managing resources such as phased out by 2022. Switzerland has In the past, EFA has pointed out the lack turbines and other sustainable power gen- land and water, and structural funds which committed to phasing out nuclear power of democratic control and transparen- eration schemes should be explored. Given aim to develop the economies of our poor- by 2034 and Italy voted against nucle- cy in the energy sector. EFA has concerns that many European nations enjoy an est regions. ar power in a referendum in 2011. Even regarding undemocratic oil cartels, fossil abundance of coastline, a strong empha- though the share of renewable energy will energy oligopolies, nuclear monopolies, sis should be placed on tidal energy, which The use of fossil fuels should be reduced rise in the future, certain regions cannot or an alternative energy sector ruled is also a technology at a commercially with a view to an eventual end to their allow yet the exclusion of nuclear energy by multinational corporations. Govern- advanced state. production in favour of more sustaina- from their energy mix and have to dimin- ments should cooperate in encouraging ble sources. While we are still dependent ish their dependence on nuclear energy in large energy companies to reinvest their Planning policy should be the remit of on their use, local supplies should be a rational and realistic way. In any case, in profits in improving services or cutting

14 - EFA Manifesto 2014 EFA Manifesto 2014 - 15 5 Agriculture and CAP Reform costs for the consumer. monopolies in the energy market. EFA A safe and secure supply of food is therefore have to be adopted to suit the believes that our ambitions to estab- absolutely critical for the well-being of needs of these different types of farming In the 2011 EFA General Assembly, a lish political control of our countries and Europe’s 500 million citizens. Moreover, and different rural economic situations. motion on energy sovereignty was adopt- regions should be mirrored with control of the viability, prosperity and sustainabil- A “one size fits all” CAP is not in keeping ed. It addresses the oligopolies and our energy sources. ity of European agriculture underpins the with the principle of respect for diversity economic prospects of 12 million farm which is at the heart of EFA. Neverthe- holdings and many more associated food less, EFA parties do share some basic chain and rural enterprises; plays a major fundamental interests in agricultural role in managing landscapes, protecting policy, and call for the following interests the environment and fragile ecosystems; to be central in the discussions on the and forms an essential part of the social future of the CAP: and cultural heritage of the European regions. With an increasingly industrial- ¬ The retention of the Single Farm ised food chain, and ongoing revelations Payment with an adequate budget: about fraud in food labelling and the Farmers in EFA countries and regions spread of plant and animal diseases, the face the economic challenges of a case for securing a safe, healthy, sea- volatile market, high input costs, sonal and local supply of food is more marginal land and distance to markets. relevant than ever. So is the need for an The Single Farm Payment provides an effective reform of the EU’s Common essential bulwark for farm finances, Agricultural Policy. and must be adequately financed from the EU budget: it creates a level playing The constituent parties of the European field between farmers in different parts Free Alliance reflect the significant of Europe. diversity of Europe’s varied agricultural landscapes. The issues and challenges ¬ The strengthening of support for Less facing a livestock farmer in the Highlands Favoured Areas: Many EFA parties, such of Scotland are different from an olive ter- as in Bavaria and Galicia are situated in race in Greece, or a large arable farm in less productive agricultural areas which Germany. Different policy strategies will face significant natural handicaps,

16 - EFA Manifesto 2014 EFA Manifesto 2014 - 17 6 Fisheries and Aquaculture

and are classified as “Less Favoured”. countries and regions can tailor the EFA’s founding principle of respect for toric and traditional maritime role which Pillar II of the CAP provides financial implementation of CAP to their own diversity across Europe covers many deserves protection. support to help farmers overcome needs. aspects of our citizens’ culture - be it these handicaps. These payments help linguistic rights, national institutions or This protection has not been found in the prevent farm bankruptcies and land ¬ Greening: The EFA parties face vastly cultural heritage. EU Common Fisheries Policy as it has abandonment, and to maintain food different ecological and environmental existed for the last three decades. production. challenges in their areas: while flooding And in Europe’s coastal regions, livelihoods is a major environmental problem in dependent on the sea form an integral An over-centralised one-size-fits-all ap- ¬ The devolution of power over CAP northern Europe, the Mediterranean part of each area’s heritage and traditions. proach has ignored the needs of individual decision making: Under CAP rules, zone faces the challenge of drought. Generations of fishermen have put to sea areas, failed to conserve fish stocks and Member States are empowered to make The Commission’s proposal to “green” to catch fish in the waters around them, led to a decline in the fishing industry - decisions over the implementation of the CAP through three mandatory and those harvests provide numerous and therefore threatened coastal Europe’s the CAP schemes in their territories, and standard measures has been jobs for people onshore. Aquaculture too cultural traditions. such as how much money to transfer criticised for not reflecting the reality is playing an increasingly important role from Pillar I to Pillar II, or whether to of this diversity. EFA calls for a more in supplying Europe’s food needs - and in EFA believes that these traditions and apply the “small farmers scheme”. regionally flexible approach to greening sustaining often fragile economies. historic rights deserve to be protected, These decisions must be made at as which allows our countries and regions and therefore supports the following key local a level of decision making as to tackle the specific problems they Europe’s coastal traditions show as much points in fisheries policy: possible, particularly in Member States face, while ensuring overall equivalent diversity as any other part of our varied where agriculture is devolved to lower environmental action across Europe, cultures. The issues affecting fishermen ¬ Europe’s diverse fishing industries are a levels of government, so that EFA including safeguarding biodiversity. in Orkney or Shetland differ hugely from vital part of our shared cultural heritage those concerning Corsica or Sardinia. - and the rights and interests of all our Likewise, the development of aquaculture coastal communities must be protected. has shown huge variation across different seas and climate zones. ¬ Management decision making on fisheries must be decentralised, with real Nonetheless, what binds these interests power being returned to the fishing together is the deep link between coastal nations and regions. Problems are best communities and their dependence on the solved by decisions being taken at a level sea: each fishing town or village has a his- appropriate to each fishery with region-

18 - EFA Manifesto 2014 EFA Manifesto 2014 - 19 7 Challenges for cultures and languages al cooperation encouraged where shared interests are apparent. Respect for cultural and linguistic diver- the unifying English language is not an ¬ The onshore industry must be given ade- sity is a key element in safeguarding and identification instrument for Europe, while quate protection with both men and enhancing Europe’s cultural heritage. our national languages become local ones women being supported in their vital and lose their European scope. EU policies roles. EFA considers that all the European lan- must contribute to reverse this negative guages in their written and oral forms trend. ¬ Sustainable fishery and aquaculture are equal in value and dignity and are should be allowed to develop in a manner an integral part of European culture and EFA considers that linguistic diversity most appropriate to each region. civilization, contributing to the enrich- stimulates creativity, innovation and the ment of humankind. The EU must support promotion of local cultural heritage, thus the policies of the concerned communi- contributing to economic development. ties to reappropriate their languages. Cultural and artistic creation, cultural heritage, gastronomy, arts & crafts have EFA believes that European languages a job creation potential, help foster iden- and cultures are like biodiversity, a living tity, cannot be relocated and are also basic heritage necessary for the sustainable elements for a sustainable tourism. The development of our societies. They must language industry, i.e. designing, produc- be protected from any risk of extinction. ing and marketing products and services related to languages, is one which has We must prevent our national languages great potential. from being reduced to a secondary role of “low” vernacular languages for daily life, EFA considers that the EU must ensure the while English, promoted by the economic preservation of the linguistic and cultural globalisation, becomes the “high” uniform heritage of Europe and in particular of all language of important discourses, educa- its languages, and must therefore, while tion, science, economic life, etc. Because respecting the principle of subsidiarity, its drive is global and essentially economic contribute to the promotion and develop- (as opposed to being political or cultural), ment of this invaluable cultural heritage.

20 - EFA Manifesto 2014 EFA Manifesto 2014 - 21 Languages with co-official status must be and organisations, initiatives and activi- recognised at EU level. ties, which work to develop and promote endangered languages. One of the most Although the budget allocated to Euro- important issues for EFA is changing the pean regional or minority languages has eligibility criteria for community language been greatly reduced, EFA believes that the programmes in order to allow all language new Commission programmes for 2014- groups to apply for these funding oppor- 2020 Erasmus for all, Creative Europe and tunities. Europe for Citizens must support NGOs

22 - EFA Manifesto 2014 The European Free Alliance (EFA) pro- EFA argues that stateless nations have motes the right to self-determination the right of self-government and of par- and supports the aspirations which EFA ticipation in the world and in the European member parties have for their coun- Union on equal terms with other national- tries, including independence, greater ities, some of which are the possessors of autonomy and linguistic and cultural rec- statehood, others not. ognition. EFA rejects the two extreme solutions that EFA assembles political parties involved in are presented in the current debate on the the quest for enhanced self-government future of the European Union paving a way for our stateless nations. out of the crisis: the centralised and uni- tarian model or the retreat into the nation EFA aims for European unity in diversity, state. creating a European Union of free Peoples based on the principle of subsidiarity, EFA advocates the bottom-up approach of in solidarity with each other and other a European Union of free peoples based on What is EFA? peoples of the world. EFA promotes a the principle of subsidiarity who co-oper- European cooperation based on the diver- ate where necessary in the policy areas sity of nations, regions, peoples, cultures where a European added value offers a and languages. better policy outcome.

EFA promotes the process of internal EFA shares the democratic values that enlargement within the European insti- underpin membership in the European tutions and elsewhere as the mechanism Union: human rights, respect for democ- by which nations who gain the statute of a racy and its foundations, gender equality, State remain as an EU member state. rejection of racism and xenophobia. It re- presents a vision of Europe that promotes EFA does actively support the ongoing a more just and more democratic world, democratic self-determination processes including by building solidarity with the across the EU. peoples struggling for self-determination.

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