EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions
The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 01 Editorial by the President of the Committee of the Regions 3
02 Editorial by the Danish Minister for European Aff airs 4
03 Why a Committee of the Regions? 6
Building bridges between the local, the regional and 04 the global - Danish Members at work 9
05 Danish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions 12
06 The decentralised Danish authority model 17
EU policy is also domestic policy 07 - Chairmen of Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions 20
08 EU-funded projects in Denmark 22
09 The 5th European Summit of Regions and Cities 26
10 Calendar of events 28
11 Contacts 30
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Committee of the Regions Editorial by the President of 01 the Committee of the Regions
Meeting the challenges together
We have already had a taste of Danish culture via NOMA, recognised as the best restaurant in the world for two years running by the UK’s Restaurants magazine for putting Nordic cuisine back on the map. Though merely whetting our appetites, this taster has confi rmed Denmark’s infl uential contribution to our continent’s cultural wealth. Happily, Denmark’s contribution to the European Union is far more extensive and will, undoubtedly, be in the spotlight throughout the fi rst half of 2012! A modern state, where European and international sea routes converge, Denmark has frequently drawn on its talents and fl ourishing economy to make its own, distinctive mark. It is in tune with the priorities for 2020: competitiveness, social inclusion and the need for ecologically sustainable change. The Danish economy has also followed a successful recipe, combining the fl exibility needed to adapt to globalisation, in particular through its exports, with the preservation of a model based on social cohesion. If international surveys are to be believed, this has made it the happiest country in the world.
And now the Danish people have a woman as their leader, a woman who has already set her policy programme within a European framework. Given the challenges the European Union will be facing in the fi rst six months of 2012, I very much welcome this change, which augurs well for our ability to tackle the deep crisis in the EU. Mercedes Bresso For Denmark’s energy will be crucial to Europe. Although negotiations on the next President of the Committee of the multiannual fi nancial framework will be diffi cult and are not due to be completed under Regions the Danish Presidency, Denmark will nonetheless have a key role to play in upholding the aspiration of ensuring that Europe brings added value and safeguarding the budgets and policies that strengthen our model of society, in particular Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy. It will also contribute its own vision of our shared future. I am impatient to see what the Presidency’s priorities will be with regard to the environment, research and innovation and the EU 2020 Strategy. In other areas too, such as territorial cooperation, particularly following the success of the Baltic macro-region, the greening of the CAP, the sustainability of fi sheries and renewable energies, Europe’s regions and cities are expecting Denmark to propose innovative solutions.
As it happens, the Committee has decided to organise its March 2012 summit on the theme of the 21st century urban fabric in Copenhagen. This city with an exemplary record of planned, sustainable urban development will be the setting for our discussions, illustrating that Europe can do better and more to take account of the urban dimension in regional development, benefi ting everyone by creating beautiful, prosperous, sustainable, inclusive cities.
Whenever Denmark defends European integration, the added value of the EU and the aspiration to shape a European community which respects regional and local diversity, the Committee of the Regions will be here to support it and to make proposals. We have no doubt that our cooperation will be more than strong enough to meet the challenges ahead!
Mercedes Bresso President of the Committee of the Regions Editorial by the Danish Minister 02 for European Aff airs
Taking Europe forward
As Minister for European Aff airs, I have been looking forward to the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union with great enthusiasm. The Presidency is a central priority for the entire Danish Government and we will strive to conduct an open, accessible and professional Presidency dedicated to achieving results within the bounds of our responsibility.
It will be six intense months for the Danish Presidency. One of its overarching tasks will be to unify and strengthen the EU through concrete achievements that take Europe forward and demonstrate the value and necessity of European cooperation for the individual. At the same time, we are facing fundamental fi nancial and economic challenges that may have a severe impact on our economic possibilities in the future if we do not show a readiness to act on the consequences of the debt level in Europe’s economies. We need to fi nd European solutions to our common European challenges, but it is also important that we live up to our individual responsibilities. Responding to the fi nancial and economic challenges at hand is a collective responsibility of all Member States and institutions. The prospects for generations of Europeans - especially for young Europeans who are experiencing high levels Nicolai Wammen of unemployment - are at stake. It will be crucial for us to implement and comply with new Minister for European Aff airs rules on economic governance and fi nancial regulation.
It is vital to create and promote new growth and employment initiatives in Europe if we are to emerge from the crisis. One of the EU’s greatest successes is the Single Market. We will create a more dynamic European economy by further developing its large untapped potential by working for the adoption of the Single Market Act’s 12 key priorities as defi ned by the European Commission. One of the many goals will be to bring the Single Market into the digital age by facilitating online shopping across national borders. We will strive to open up new export opportunities for European companies through both WTO and bilateral trade agreements. And fi nally, we should also encourage innovative companies by creating an environment that promotes green growth initiatives and sustainability through the Single Market.
Whilst we are endeavouring to contain the repercussions of the fi nancial and economic crisis, it is absolutely essential that we also look towards shaping a better future. In this respect, Denmark will use the Presidency as an opportunity for Europe to identify a path for future long-term growth. The negotiations on the EU multiannual fi nancial framework will determine how the EU allocates its funds up to 2020.We believe that these funds should be used to improve our joint competitiveness globally and promote options for future growth in Europe. It is unrealistic to expect that we will be able to fi nalise the negotiations during our Presidency, but we will do our best to prepare the ground for an agreement to be concluded by the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, in the second half of 2012.
Green growth is a key focus area for the government. Our goal is to create growth without increasing our resource and energy consumption, which is certainly possible. In recent years, we have developed an ambitious energy and climate policy in the EU, which shows that the EU is taking the lead globally. But we must work hard and agree on new initiatives if we are to maintain our comparative advantage. A key objective will be to agree on methods and measures for improving resource and energy effi ciency in Europe. The Presidency will work towards a focused seventh Environment Action Programme and an ambitious European energy policy up to 2050, with improved effi ciency and increased use of renewable energy.
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Committee of the Regions 4 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
We will also do our best to include energy, climate and environmental concerns in a number of EU policies such as agriculture, fi sheries, transport and the Single Market. The EU budget for 2014-2020 ought to support these endeavours, and we will therefore attempt to put this high on Europe’s agenda during our Presidency.
As Minister for European Aff airs, I am also the Danish Minister responsible for the EU’s Regional and Cohesion Policy. Cohesion policy plays an important role in creating growth and employment in Europe and Denmark will prioritise this area by seeking to achieve as much progress as possible in the negotiations on cohesion regulations during our Presidency. In this respect, I am very much looking forward to the Committee of the Regions’ contribution to assisting the Danish Presidency by providing the necessary insight and expertise for which the Committee has earned a reputation.
A heavy workload and a busy agenda await the Danish Presidency. But we will contribute as much as we can, within the bounds of our responsibilities, to overcoming the current diffi culties and taking Europe forward.
Nicolai Wammen Minister for European Aff airs The Kingdom of Denmark
5 03 Why a Committee of the Regions? © Bureaux d’architecture Atelier Paul Noël sprl - Art Atelier Paul & Build s.a. d’architecture © Bureaux
Brussels headquarters of the The three main decision-making institutions in the EU are the European Parliament, which Committee of the Regions represents the EU’s citizens and is directly elected by them, the Council of the European (the Jacques Delors building) Union, which represents the individual Member States, and the European Commission, which upholds the interests of the Union as a whole.
However, local and regional authorities are responsible for implementing the vast majority of the decisions taken at European level - around two-thirds of EU legislation is put into practice at sub-national level.
That is why the Committee of the Regions (CoR) was set up in 1994, to give local and regional authorities the opportunity to express a view on the substance of EU legislative proposals at the drafting stage in order to adapt them more closely to citizens’ needs.
The European treaties stipulate that the Committee of the Regions must be consulted whenever proposals are made in areas likely to have repercussions at local or regional level. In practice, this means that the Committee of the Regions is consulted on most European legislation.
The Maastricht Treaty (1992) laid down fi ve areas for mandatory consultation: economic and social cohesion, trans-European networks, health, education and culture. The Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) added a further fi ve areas: employment policy, social policy, the environment, vocational training and transport. Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the CoR has acquired new powers, both in the area of territorial cohesion and in terms of monitoring the subsidiarity principle. The CoR now has a greater consultative role to play, and also new leverage for implementing multilevel governance. The European Parliament, the Commission and the Council must now consult the Committee of the Regions when making laws in any area with a regional impact. And the Committee’s opinions now cover several new policy areas, including energy and climate change. However, all three institutions may also consult the CoR outside these areas if they see local or regional implications in their work. The Committee of the Regions can also put its priorities onto the European Union’s agenda by issuing own-initiative opinions and drafting reports on subjects of interest to it. But the CoR’s involvement does not stop once it has issued its opinion on a Commission proposal. The CoR also has the right to question the Commission, Parliament and Council if
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Committee of the Regions 6 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
they fail to take on board its viewpoint. In extreme cases, the CoR also has the right to go to the European Court of Justice if it believes it has not been correctly consulted.
How does the Committee of the Regions work?
The Committee of the Regions is made up of 344 members and the same number of alternates. These members are nominated by the Member States and appointed by the Council of the EU for a renewable fi ve year term. They must hold elected offi ce or be politically accountable to an elected assembly. For this reason, members who cease to hold such offi ce automatically lose their seat on the Committee of the Regions. Each country chooses its members in its own way, with the proviso that members must refl ect a political and geographical balance and be taken from both regional and local levels. The CoR members elect their own president – currently Ms Mercedes Bresso from the Piedmont Region in Italy.
The CoR’s work is split between six specialised commissions:
Territorial Cohesion policy (COTER)
Economic and Social policy (ECOS)
Environment, Climate change and Energy (ENVE)
Culture, Education and Research (EDUC)
Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Aff airs (CIVEX)
Natural Resources (NAT)
The commissions, which are made up of CoR members, draw up draft opinions on legislative proposals submitted by the European Commission, the Council or the European Parliament. The draft is then voted on during one of the fi ve plenary sessions that take place each year. It is only adopted if it receives a majority of votes cast.
The commission for administrative and fi nancial aff airs (CAFA) was set up to facilitate and encourage a closer relationship with the budget authority, in order to ensure that the CoR’s priorities are taken into account and implemented in the annual budget procedure.
Four political groups are represented at the Committee of the Regions: the European People’s Party (EPP), the Party of European
Socialists (PES), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Noël sprl - Art Atelier Paul & Build s.a. d’architecture © Bureaux (ALDE) and the European Alliance (EA).
The work of the Committee of the Regions, a truly political assembly, is based on three fundamental principles:
The subsidiarity principle: this principle requires that decisions be taken at the level of government that best serves the public interest. The European Union must not pursue initiatives that would be better carried out by national, regional or local authorities.
The proximity principle: all levels of government must work as transparently as possible and as closely as possible with the public so that citizens know who is responsible for what and how they can make their views known.
7 03 Why a Committee of the Regions?
The partnership principle: European, national, regional and local authorities must work together throughout the decision-making process.
Bringing the European Union closer to its citizens
While much of the CoR’s work lies in its involvement in the legislative process, its role does not stop there. The CoR members live and work on a day-to-day basis in their regions and cities as regional presidents, mayors or local councillors. This enables them to stay in touch with the concerns of the people they represent, which puts them in a position to bring these views to the heart of the European system when they come to Brussels for CoR meetings.
In addition, the CoR regularly raises the profi le of local and regional authorities on the European stage by organising conferences, seminars and exhibitions all year round in cooperation with its regional and local partners, including the “OPEN DAYS - European Week of Regions and Cities”, which brings together more than 6,000 stakeholders each October. OPEN DAYS 2012, taking place in Brussels, 8-11 October, will be the 10th anniversary of the event.
OPEN DAYS 2011 Opening Session 10 October
From left: Johannes Hahn (European Commissioner for Regional Policy), Danuta Hübner (Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development), Mercedes Bresso (President of the Committee of the Regions), Jerzy Buzek (President of the European Parliament), Elżbieta Bieńkowska (Polish Minister for Regional Development), José Manuel Barroso (President of the European Commission)
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Committee of the Regions 8 Building bridges between the local, the regional 04 and the global - Danish Members at work
The Committee of the Regions helps to ensure that local voices are heard in Brussels, say two of the veterans of municipal and regional involvement in European cooperation.
On the fi fth fl oor of the gleaming steel and glass building that houses the EU’s Committee Knud Andersen & of the Regions, two of the veterans in the Danish delegation took some time out from the Henning Jensen crowded plenary session schedule to tell the outside world what it is that keeps them going. Both Knud Andersen (Liberal Party) and Henning Jensen (Social Democrats) have been regular commuters between Denmark and Brussels for many years. They have both chaired the Danish delegation to the Committee, which now accounts for nine out of the CoR’s 344 elected members. And even though they come from diff erent sides of the political spectrum and have been delegated to Brussels to represent their respective regions and municipalities, they both agree that the hours they spend here in the EU political cauldron only a few hundred metres from the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the EU Commission are important. For here are the political workshops where the rules are made which later become law, including in the municipalities and regions which the two Members represent.
“When we started working here, there were many who looked a little askance at the Committee of the Regions. We were not really recognised as an EU institution. So part of our fi rst term was spent in proving our legitimacy as a committee,” says Knud Andersen, who is regional councillor in Denmark’s Capital Region.
In his view it was time well spent, because before the Committee was set up in 1994 local government was written out of the equation in the EU lawmaking process.
“When a bill came before the Danish Parliament, they used to ask Local Government Denmark and the Association of County Councils in Denmark – now Danish Regions – for their point of view. But at that time you could not really change even a comma. Now we get a real insight into what is planned and so we can start to take action before the rules are adopted,” he says.
9 04 Building bridges between the local, the regional and the global - Danish Members at work
“The European Commission used to think it just had to inform the Member States, but they did not think about the sub-national authorities. Now they have learnt that they do have to, because we are the ones who have to implement a large part of what they propose,” adds Henning Jensen, who is a member of Næstved City Council and a former mayor.
For him it is important that the local level of government now has a voice in Brussels. And he makes sure that the Committee’s right to be consulted is used actively when the EU system lays down rules in areas such as employment, education, the environment, transport or other key areas of local interest.
“We try to get posts as rapporteurs for those opinions which are important for us so that we can try to infl uence the process,” says Henning Jensen who, among other things, has had the EU’s plans for adaptation to climate change high on his agenda, as his base is in municipalities where cellars are fl ooded when the sewers overfl ow because of increased rainfall.
“From a local and regional level, we want to provide added value to the Commission initiatives”, he says.
“You can see it as an assurance of quality. When the EU adopts a rule, it has to work reasonably well throughout the Union. And there are not many other places in the EU system where all levels of Europe are as well respresented, as here in the CoR,” adds Knud Andersen.
On the other hand, neither has any problem with the fact that the Committee of the Regions has a consultative role and is not part of the formal legislative apparatus in the EU set-up, like the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
“One of the weaknesses of the EU system is decision-taking. And it would certainly not make things any easier to give the Committee of the Regions formal authority. We must give proper advice and be a committee which people listen to and which helps to set the agenda. But we must not go in and challenge the European Parliament and be a second chamber which has to approve things,” says Henning Jensen.
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Committee of the Regions 10 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
They also point out that even though the 344 members above all come to Brussels to put forward regional and local views on what will one day become European law there is just as much a fl ow of information in the other direction.
The knowledge that they gather in contacts with various EU offi cials, parliamentarians and commissioners, who come and present their main legislative proposals to the plenary assembly, gives them a good insight into which way the wind is blowing in Brussels. This gives them access to information which they would otherwise not have and which is useful both for themselves and for the Danish offi cials who accompany them.
“This provides a range of knowledge to Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions which is quite invaluable when it comes to Danish issues. For then we know what is in the pipeline for certain areas. And the sooner you get down to the subject, the more chance there is of fi nding a solution,” says Knud Andersen, who stresses that being a member of the Committee of the Regions also provides an opportunity to do some lobbying because it opens doors which would otherwise be closed.
“Here we have a legal justifi cation for talking with people in the Parliament and the Commission early on in the process. Very often it is easier to get things changed before they are written down on paper,” says Knud Andersen.
And interaction between the EU and local government should be a completely natural thing, in the view of Henning Jensen, who notices a quote made that day in a speech by Martin Schulz, the leader of the social democrat group in the Parliament.
“He quoted Churchill as saying that nation states are too small to handle the big problems and too big to handle the small ones. That is true. So, it is a good thing that we have local and regional government and it is a good thing that we have the EU,” says Henning Jensen.
Knud Andersen is Vice Chairman of the Danish Delegation at CoR and member of the CoR commissions ECOS (Economic and Social Policy) and ENVE (Environment, Climate Change and Energy).
Henning Jensen is member of the CoR commissions EDUC (Education, Youth and Research) and ENVE (Environment, Climate Change and Energy).
11 Danish Delegation to 05 the Committee of the Regions
Danish local and regional authorities have been represented in the Committee of the Regions since its establishment in 1994.
The Danish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions has nine members and nine alternate members. These men and women are all directly-elected politicians representing Denmark’s diff erent regions and municipalities. Their term of offi ce at the Committee of the Regions ends if they lose their national mandate.
The current distribution of seats in the delegation is six members representing the municipalities and three members representing the regions. The distribution for alternate members is the same.
The selection procedure for members of the Committee of the Regions is vitally important for its operation. The various procedures throughout the European Union refl ect the wide range of political and territorial systems in Europe. In Denmark, it is the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs that formally asks the Danish Regions (the interest organisation representing the fi ve regions) and Local Government Denmark (the interest organisation and member authority of the 98 municipalities) to propose the candidates. Local Government Denmark (LGDK) proposes six members and six alternates and Danish Regions proposes three and an equal number of alternates. The Danish national government then takes a decision on the basis of the proposed list and submits it to the Council of Ministers of the European Union, which appoints members and alternates for the Committee of the Regions.
Members of the Danish Delegation are represented in all six of the Committee of the Regions’ commissions and in three of the political groups: the Party of European Socialists (PES), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and the European People’s Party (EPP). © Bureaux d’architecture Atelier Paul Noël sprl - Art Atelier Paul & Build s.a. d’architecture © Bureaux
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Committee of the Regions 12 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Members
Søren Pape Poulsen Mayor of Viborg Municipality EPP Chairman of the Danish Delegation “Th e EU has an impact on the day-to-day work in all European municipalities and regions and therefore it is vital that we have an institutionalised place in the political decision-making process. Th e Committee of the Regions is the extended arm of the local and regional authorities. As such you could see the Committee as the party of municipalities and regions in the European Union.”
Knud Andersen Regional Councillor of the Capital Region ALDE Vice Chairman of the Danish Delegation “I have been a part of the Committee of the Regions’ work since its inception. Over the years we have helped to put many important issues aff ecting the regions on the European agenda. People can look upon it as an assurance of quality. When the EU adopts a rule, then it should work reasonably well in the whole union. And there is probably no place where all parts of the Union are so well represented as in the Committee of the Regions. Within the environmental and climate sector I work, among other things, to see that climate and environmental considerations are integrated into major EU policy areas and contribute to supporting the EU 2020 strategy.”
Henning Jensen Councillor of Næstved Municipality PES “I have followed the Committee of the Regions throughout the years and have had great pleasure seeing that the Committee’s infl uence has greatly increased and that within the whole EU system there is now far more respect for the many tasks performed by the states’ local and regional authorities.”
Per Bødker Andersen Second Deputy Mayor of Kolding Municipality PES “Th e Committee of the Regions plays an important role in the integration of new EU Member States, the Europe of tomorrow. People say that the Commission is the driving force, Parliament is the fuel and the Council is the body of the EU integration process - but municipalities and regions are the wheels that will carry the integration forward. EU legislation should be designed on the basis of taking proper account of municipal decentralisation, deregulation and active citizen involvement. In the Committee of the Regions we assist our new local colleagues with experience in the building and eff ective exercise of authority - and thus facilitate their entry into the community.”
13 05 Danish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions
Henrik Ringbæk Madsen Regional Councillor of the North Denmark Region (Nordjylland) PES “My work in the Committee of the Regions has resulted in an increased awareness in the EU system and in my own region of the importance of regional funds for regional development. In the negotiations on the future EU budget for 2014-2020, I have specifi cally worked to see that there will still be regional funds for innovation,
climate improvement and CO2 reduction in all regions of Europe.”
Kirstine Bille Mayor of Syddjurs Municipality PES “We work to ensure that a larger proportion of EU farm subsidies is earmarked for the development of Europe’s rural areas. In Europe, we want to create the world’s most attractive rural areas, where it is exciting to live, work and do business, which is in balance with nature. Th e local voice reminds the EU system that Europe is not just made up of big cities - 90% of EU land is made up of rural areas and the main activity in rural areas is still farming. Th erefore, we must direct more resources towards the successful development of Europe’s rural areas.”
Jens Christian Gjesing Mayor of Haderslev Municipality PES “I am a mayor in an old border region. Here, I feel strongly that my membership of the Committee of the Regions gives me and my district both a special understanding and a positive opportunity to infl uence the European agenda from a citizen’s standpoint. Interreg funding has been and still is a great opportunity to build up communities and create development across national borders.”
Karsten Uno Petersen Regional Councillor of the Region of Southern Denmark (Syddanmark) PES “Th rough my work in the Committee of the Regions as rapporteur on the patient safety directive, which was unanimously adopted by the Committee, I worked to ensure that issues including patient safety were given a prominent place in the fi nal directive. Th is work is a good example of the importance of the regional authorities’ role in infl uencing European legislation in the health sector.”
Jens Arne Hedegaard Jensen Councillor of Brønderslev Municipality ALDE “We want to be involved in the draft ing and implementation of all policies of relevance to municipalities. Th erefore, we work to ensure that municipalities and regions remain key actors in the partnership contracts in the Structural Funds. Our knowledge of local conditions will ensure that money is used in the best possible way for green growth and jobs. Without local involvement, the EU will repeat past mistakes, and the money will not benefi t its citizens.”
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Committee of the Regions 14 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Alternates
Bente Lauridsen Regional Councillor of the North Denmark Region (Nordjylland) PES “Education and innovation are the way to growth and prosperity and they are the fl agships of Europe 2020. Th ey are also issues that have a high priority in my own region and the Committee of the Regions. We are working seriously on issues such as how best to ensure education for all young people, including vocational education. As the population in Europe gets older lifelong learning, where Denmark has good experience, is also of great importance. An ageing population also means challenges in the fi eld of health innovation. We take the challenge seriously in Europe’s municipalities and regions and can contribute knowledge and experience that is channelled through the Committee of the Regions to help the EU’s further work in this area.”
Lasse Krull Petersen Regional Councillor of the Region of Southern Denmark (Syddanmark) EPP “EU procurement rules play a major role when regions in Denmark want to buy into hospitals, for example. Th erefore, it has also been important for us that through the Committee of the Regions we have been directly involved in the decision-making regarding the upcoming review of the current rules. Th e Committee of the Regions has called for far more fl exible and less bureaucratic rules in this area. And you can see, for example, with the Danish procurement rules under the EU thresholds that it can easily be done without compromising on transparency and fair treatment.”
Martin Merilld Second Deputy Mayor of Struer Municipality ALDE “We are the fi rst to see when EU policy is moving too far away from the challenges that European citizens in rural and remote areas are facing. Th erefore we are working to ensure that rural development funding is invested in a balanced way between environment, business and an attractive local life. Rural funds are meant to ensure sustainable development, growth and competitiveness in rural areas.”
Ole B. Sørensen Regional Councillor of the North Denmark Region (Nordjylland) ALDE “When the EU adopts a growth strategy such as Europe 2020, it is Europe’s municipalities and regions, which ultimately must translate policies and objectives into reality. Th rough the Committee of the Regions, we can pass on the knowledge and experience which exists in EU municipalities and regions and thus contribute to better legislation. Whether we are talking about a greener, healthier or more sustainable Europe, the decentralised authorities with their local and regional knowledge play an important role. Th erefore, we also support the Commission’s idea of partnership between the diff erent levels of government as the key to bringing Europe 2020 to life.”
15 05 Danish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions
Simon Mønsted Strange Member of the City Council, Copenhagen PES “Th e Committee of the Regions is the watchdog that makes the EU system aware of challenges that occur in municipalities and regions where the implementation of EU policies becomes reality and aff ects our citizens. A good example is the EU procurement rules that impose administrative hassle and big fi nancial costs on municipalities, without the rules getting foreign companies to bid for business in Denmark - there the local and central levels must jointly fi nd solutions for gaining entry into the internal market for public services.”
Carsten Kissmeyer Mayor of Ikast-Brande Municipality ALDE “Something needs to be done about the EU procurement rules where we, in my view, have ended up with a system that is too rigid and bureaucratic.”
Steen Dahlstrøm Mayor of Middelfart Municipality PES “Th e aim of our work is to get the Member States and the European Parliament to recognise that European growth and jobs in the future can only be assured if the EU also feeds the horse that pulls the load. Th at is why we are fi ghting to see that EU Structural Funds can be used for all municipal growth and employment initiatives - even those that are well-developed. With the Structural Funds we can make the targeted investments that we would not otherwise be able to make.”
Tatiana Sørensen Second Deputy Mayor of Aarhus Municipality PES © Foto: Martin Ballund © Foto:
Freddie H. Madsen Councillor of Esbjerg Municipality (Within the Committee of the Regions no attachment to a political group)
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Committee of the Regions 16 06 The decentralised Danish authority model
Denmark has a long history of decentralised political authority. It has been a longstanding tradition that the state does not handle the running of key public services such as health, schools, environmental planning, waste management and care for the elderly. The reason for this devolution of welfare responsibilities is a belief that certain payments are best taken care of by the level of government which is closest to citizens in their daily lives.
Municipalities and regions
The foundations for the current organisation of Danish authorities were laid as late as 2007. Denmark underwent a structural reform in which control by a decentralised authority was introduced in many key areas.
The result was that the 271 municipalities which existed up until then in Denmark were merged to produce 98 larger municipalities. In addition, Denmark’s 13 counties were abolished and replaced by fi ve regions. Since the structural reform in 2007 and up until now the sub-national levels of government in Denmark have consisted of the respective municipalities and regions.
Table: Distribution of responsibilities after the 2007 structural reform (non-exhaustive list)
Municipalities Environmental planning, public roads and transport, waste management, schools and care for the elderly, employment, business and regional policy, culture, social aff airs, responsibility for prevention and rehabilitation
Regions Operation of hospitals, organisation of in-service training sectors, regional development, special institutions and special education, psychiatric services, public transport planning, clearing up soil pollution and the development of tourism
17 06 The decentralised Danish authority model
Grassroots-based
The daily management of Denmark’s municipalities and regions is handled by elected municipal and regional politicians. This means that authority decisions on matters such as health, the running of local schools or care for the elderly are based on a popular democratic mandate which legitimises the management of public services undertaken by the municipalities and regions.
This is the expression of a local democratic mindset. Citizens can dialogue daily with their 5 regions local and regional politicians, and citizens have a direct infl uence on the setting of political priorities and the management of public services through their right to vote in municipal and regional elections held every four years.
NORTHTH DENMARK REGION
CENTRAL DENMARK REGION CAPITALAPIT REGIONREG OFO DENMARDENMARKMA
REGION REGION OF ZEALAND SOUTHERN DENMARK
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Committee of the Regions 18 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Bornholm 98 municipalities Hjørring
Frederikshavn Læsø Brønderslev
Jammerbugt Hørsholm
Allerød Thisted Aalborg Rudersdal
Rebild Lyngby-Taarbæk Vesthimmerland Furesø Morsø Gentofte Mariagerfjord Herlev Gladsaxe Ballerup København Skive Rødovre Albertslund Frederiksberg Glostrup Randers Høje-Taastrup Lemvig Brøndby Norddjurs Struer Viborg Vallensbæk Hvidovre Tårnby Ishøj Dragør Holstebro Syddjurs Favrskov
Herning Silkeborg Århus
Skanderborg Gribskov Helsingør Ringkøbing-Skjern Halsnæs Ikast-Brande Fredensborg Odder Hillerød Horsens Bornholm Frederikssund Samsø Odsherred Egedal Hedensted Billund Vejle Varde Holbæk Kalundborg Lejre Roskilde Greve Fredericia Solrød Nordfyn Kerteminde Sorø Ringsted Køge Esbjerg Vejen Middelfart Kolding Fanø Odense Slagelse Stevns Faxe Assens Nyborg Næstved Haderslev Faaborg-Midtfyn
Svendborg Vordingborg Tønder
Aabenraa Sønderborg Langeland
Ærø Lolland Guldborgsund
Organisation of national and European interests
On the domestic political front, municipalities and regions are each represented by their own organisation. The municipalities are represented by LGDK, Local Government Denmark (KL - Kommunernes Landsforening) and the regions by Danish Regions (Danske Regioner). Both organisations are key players in the political debate on the future of welfare in Denmark, because each organisation represents the background around which Denmark’s system of decentralised authority is built.
In the European context, the Danish municipalities and regions are represented by LGDK and Danish Regions. LGDK has six elected local politicians sitting on the EU’s Committee of the Regions, while Danish Regions are represented by three elected regional politicians. Together, these politicians make up the Danish delegation and the decentralised Danish vote within the Committee of the Regions (see separate chapter on the Danish CoR delegation).
19 EU policy is also domestic policy 07 - Chairmen of Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions
The EU has an increasing impact on municipalities and regions, say the Chairmen of the two organisations Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions.
Those who believe that EU policy does not aff ect politicians on a local and regional level should just talk to the members of the Danish municipalities and regional councils, if they want to see a diff erent picture. For more than half of the items on a typical meeting agenda at local or regional level will have their roots in Brussels. This is the view of both the Chairman of Danish Regions, Bent Hansen, and the Chairman of Local Government Denmark (LGDK), Jan Trøjborg. Both places have conducted studies on the number of decisions in local politics which in reality come from the EU level.
“The EU has quite a lot of infl uence, which is increasing, on the rules that are the basis of our administration,” says Bent Hansen from Danish Regions.
“If you look into the topics and compare them with the decisions taken at EU level you can see that the eff ect is greater than many think.”
In the municipalities EU rules carry particular weight in areas such as climate and the Bent Hansen environment. Chairman of Danish Regions “Here, the municipalities can take note of EU law when they are renovating buildings to make them climate-friendly, guaranteeing safe drinking water for citizens and managing waste,” says LGDK chairman Jan Trøjborg and points out that the EU rules on procurement in particular are very important when, for example, sheltered housing is to be built or schools are to be renovated.
So, none of them is in any doubt that it is important for local and regional government in Denmark to keep a sharp eye on what is going on in Brussels. And both organisations make extensive use of their various outposts in the EU capital to try to gain infl uence and information. Both the municipalities and the regions have representative offi ces in Brussels. In addition, nine Danish politicians from municipal and regional government are regular guests in the EU’s Committee of the Regions.
“The fi rst rule for infl uencing decisions in Brussels is to be present in the city. The second is that our views will ultimately be supported by a majority in Parliament and the Council of Ministers. Therefore we use all the possibilities we have in Brussels to provide information on current issues, and create alliances in favour of our positions in the EU’s governing institutions,” says Bent Hansen.
“Ultimately it is the regional and local authorities which have to deliver services to citizens and so it is also our duty, as the organisation representing the regions’ interests, to try and nudge EU legislation in the right direction,” emphasises the regions’ chairman.
But it is also in the EU system’s best interest to look beyond their own little Brussels bubble and listen to those who must administer the law in practice,” says Jan Trøjborg.
“The EU should listen to local democracy and take it seriously. We are helping to improve the quality of legislation adopted by the Union. Our input refl ects the real world and the local circumstances which are closest to Europe’s citizens. And this is knowledge that the EU cannot aff ord to neglect,” says Trøjborg.
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions 20 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
According to Bent Hansen there is still a long way to go before the other institutions make full use of the ground-breaking opinions that the CoR’s 344 members produce in areas of EU legislation which has the greatest impact at regional and local level.
But he emphasises that simply taking part in a forum with local and regional government representatives from 27 diff erent countries is useful because from the Danish side one can actively use the knowledge of the others.
“It is a clear advantage to have an early input from other regional and local authorities in the EU. It gives us an idea of what possibilities and challenges are involved in implementing a given legislative initiative from the EU,” says Bent Hansen.
When Denmark takes over the EU rotating presidency on 1 January, international cooperation will be high on the agenda. And even if local and regional government does not play a particular offi cial role in the conduct of the presidency, both Bent Hansen and Jan Trøjborg point out that it is a good opportunity to turn the spotlight on some of their causes.
“We will work to put out a municipal agenda for some of our priority issues, including procurement, structural funds and climate adaptation. It is a question of not only highlighting Jan Trøjborg our individual political views, but also of creating an awareness of the relationship between Chairman of Local Government Denmark the EU and the municipalities among the general public and in our local constituencies,” says Jan Trøjborg.
For Danish Regions the presidency is a chance to focus on how to achieve the objectives of the new EU 2020 growth plan that replaces the so-called Lisbon strategy as a guideline for how the EU is to achieve smart and sustainable growth.
“We will emphasise the development of businesses and jobs in rural areas, and we want to stress that the way forward for the EU is through research and innovation. Among other things, it is a question of fi nding the right IT solutions in the healthcare sector and of ensuring that production and jobs are environmentally and climate-friendly,” says Bent Hansen.
And Jan Trøjborg adds:
“With the Lisbon strategy we saw how growth and employment initiatives just end up as plans on the drawing board, if the municipalities and regions are not included in the preparatory phase. Ultimately, we are the ones who have to turn their ideas into reality. Therefore, we have much to off er. The current EU 2020 strategy must not suff er the same fate. Local involvement is a recipe for success. So my message is: get us involved,” he says.
21 08 EU-funded projects in Denmark
3
8 KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE FOR 1 WIND TURBINE OPERATIONS VIDENS OG TEKNOLOGICENTER FOR VINDMØLLEDRIFT 4 TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 1.9 million ERDF COFINANCING: EUR 0.9 million LEAD PARTNER: International Wind Academy Lolland (partners: DONG, Brüel & Kjær, Fairwind, Mita Teknik and Flex Workers among others) 2
There is a focus on educating people in specifi c technical skills in the fi eld of wind turbines. At the international wind academy, International Wind 7 Academy Lolland (IWAL), a Knowledge and Technology centre for wind turbine operations (Videns- og Teknologicenter for Vindmølledrift) has been established. http://www.iwal.dk
Every year, hundreds of local and cross-border projects across The structural funds, namely the European Regional Denmark receive EU funds to speed up sustainable economic Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund development, train people for better jobs and facilitate (ESF), as well as the European Agricultural Fund for Rural cooperation between Danish researchers and others abroad. Development (EAFRD), represent the majority of EU funds Local and regional authorities often play a crucial role in supporting projects in Denmark. managing such projects. Between 2007 and 2013, EUR 358 million are earmarked for Over the period 2007-2013, the largest proportion of the ERDF projects in Denmark and EUR 255 million for ESF projects. EU budget is focused on supporting smart, sustainable and Of the ERDF allocation, EUR 103 million are designated for inclusive growth and the objectives of the ‘Europe 2020’ fi nancing cross-border, transnational and inter-regional strategy. Many of the EU programmes are managed by projects - e.g. with cities and regions in other EU Member regional and local authorities. States in the Baltic and North Sea regions. A total of EUR 445 million from the EAFRD has been allocated for projects in Denmark’s rural areas.
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions 22 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
LOWCARBON ECONOMY 2 REGIONS LOCARE
TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 4.2 million ERDF INTERREG COFINANCING: EUR 3.2 million LEAD PARTNER: Region of Southern Denmark (Region Syddanmark)
Led by Region Syddanmark, six European regions have
joined forces in a common initiative to reduce CO2 emissions regionally and locally. The objective is to develop low-carbon solutions at regional and local level and contribute to economic growth at the same time. http://www.locareproject.eu
5
1 6
IDÉKLINIKKEN 3 AN ENGINE FOR GROWTH
In addition to the structural funds, there are about TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 1.9 million 900 Danish-led projects under the 7th EU Framework ERDF COFINANCING: EUR 0.9 million Programme for Research (FP7), currently fi nanced by LEAD PARTNER: Aalborg Hospital some EUR 415 million. FP7 encourages the search for new ideas and products in cooperation with universities and Aalborg Hospital, the largest hospital in the region of Northern businesses from all over Europe. Within FP7 Denmark ranks Denmark (Nordjylland), was behind the creation of Idéklinikken as the 12th most successful out of the 27 Member States, (“Ideas Clinic”). Idéklinikken assists researchers and employees in developing and implementing ideas and making them confi rming the excellent reputation of Danish research and commercially viable. innovation. http://www.ideklinikken.dk/ These pages show eight examples from the hundreds of http://www.ideklinikken.dk/userfi les/folder_ny_engelsk.pdf EU-funded projects, which have the potential to make a diff erence for citizens in Danish cities and regions.
23 08 EU-funded projects in Denmark
4 HOLD FAST
TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 6.2 million ESF COFINANCING: EUR 3 million LEAD PARTNERS: Regions of Southern Denmark and Central Denmark
HOLD FAST (“Stay on!”) is a joint EU project between Southern Denmark Region (Syddanmark) and Central Denmark Region (Midtjylland). Its objective is to prevent students from dropping out of secondary education. http://viholderfast.nu/ 3
8
ENJOYING NATURE ALL 5 YEAR ROUND UD I NATUREN ÅRET RUNDT 4 TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 1 million ESF COFINANCING: EUR 0.5 million LEAD PARTNERS: NaturBornholm and the Forest & Nature Agency Bornholm 2
The visitor centre NaturBornholm and the Forest and Nature Agency Bornholm have been doing their best to change the view of tourists that Bornholm is a summer destination. The project ‘Enjoying nature – all year round’ aims to strengthen the development of year-round tourism. http://bornholmsnatur.naturstyrelsen.dk/heleaaret/
6 EFFICIENSEA
TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 8 million ERDF INTERREG COFINANCING: EUR 5.3 million LEAD PARTNER: Danish Maritime Authority (Søfartsstyrelsen)
As a fl agship project, Effi cienSea is the largest ever Interreg project. The project goal is clean, safe and reliable maritime traffi c in the Baltic Sea Region. Led by the Danish Maritime Authority (Søfartsstyrelsen), the Effi cienSea project brings together 16 partners from six countries. http://www.effi ciensea.org/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Rv5U8X_po
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions 24 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
SUNSTORE 4 DISTRICT 7 HEATING SYSTEM
TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 15.1 million FP7 COFINANCING: EUR 6 million LEAD PARTNER: Marstal Fjernvarme
Based on 100 % renewable energy, SUNSTORE 4 is a large- scale project for a district heating system. It is an innovative, reliable and cost-effi cient energy supply system for the city of Marstal. http://www.solarmarstal.dk/
5 FOOD PRODUCTION AND 7 FOODRELATED EXPERIENCES 8 VESTJYSKE FØDEVARER 1 6 OG OPLEVELSER VFO
TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 500,000 EAFRD COFINANCING: EUR 125,000 PARTNERS: VFO is a joint venture involving the four municipalities of Lemvig, Struer, Holstebro og Ringkøbing-Skjern, their four respective Local Action Groups and Local Action Group Vestjylland.
The objective of the VFO joint venture is to market Western Jutland as a centre of food production and food-related experiences. VFO has stimulated partnerships between local food producers and restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions. http://www.madlandet.dk
25 The 5th European Summit 09 of Regions and Cities
The European urban fabric in the 21st century
The 5th European Summit of Regions and Cities will be organised by the Committee of the Regions in conjunction with the City of Copenhagen and the Capital Region of Denmark on 22 and 23 March 2012. The Danish EU Presidency will be represented alongside the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament. To mark the Summit, the Bureau of the Committee of the Regions will hold a meeting with Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions, where the priorities of the Danish EU Presidency with special relevance for local and regional authorities will be debated.
Hosted by the City of Copenhagen and the Capital Region of Denmark, both with a reputation for their high quality of life, architectural achievements, accomplishments in sustainable development and social cohesion, the Summit will off er an excellent opportunity to refl ect on the European model for the “urban fabric”.
As with previous events of this kind, mayors of cities and presidents of regions are invited to express their views on the many challenges they face and to present some of their practical solutions and innovative approaches during the debates in various workshops and the accompanying exhibition “Beautiful, green, smart and inclusive: Colourful Cities”.
The debates will look at how urban and multilevel governance of EU policies and strategies could be further developed in the years to come, with a view to demonstrating the key role of cities and regions in designing and implementing sustainable models of development.
Several weeks ahead of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (“Rio+20”), the Committee of the Regions aims to showcase in Copenhagen best local and regional practices, as well as a strong political commitment, in order to have a signifi cant impact on the EU’s position at the UN conference in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro.
More details can be found at: www.cor.europa.eu/CoR-Summit2012
© Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen © Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions 26 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Frank Jensen, Vibeke Storm Rasmussen, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Chairman of the Regional Council, Capital Region of Denmark “Copenhagen is determined to work with cities, regions, private companies, national governments and the EU “I am very pleased to welcome all participants to the Capital Commission to share and develop new innovative and Region of Denmark. Th e Capital Region of Denmark is a sustainable urban solutions. Like many other cities, very good example of coherent, smart planning that meets the Copenhagen has been growing in recent years. At the same needs of business development, transport and infrastructure. time, we are set to become the world’s fi rst carbon neutral It is also a region that is characterised by its beautiful green capital in 2025. Th is is a challenge, but also an opportunity areas and by a high quality of life. - an opportunity to develop an even more livable city and I am very much looking forward to a fruitful Summit 2012 to generate economic growth. Th is is the reason why we are and learning more about how cities and regions can design going green in Copenhagen”. and implement sustainable models of development in the future.”
© Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen © Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen
27 10 Calendar of events
14 FEBRUARY 8 MARCH January Committee of the Regions The Danish Ministry for Business and Growth 1819 JANUARY Forum: Active ageing and The Danish Ministry of Employment solidarity between generations: European Competition and Consumer Day and the Danish Ministry of Social The role of regions and cities COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Aff airs and Integrations and the BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Danish Ministry of Health 8 MARCH Opening Conference for the 2012 16 FEBRUARY The Danish Ministry for the Environment European Year for Active Ageing and Europan Commission and the Danish Nature Agency Solidarity between Generations Urban Forum Meeting for Network of Territorial COPENHAGEN, DENMARK BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Cooperation Contact Points (NTCCP) COPENHAGEN, DENMARK 30 JANUARY 2728 FEBRUARY 3rd ARLEM Plenary Session The Danish Ministry for 1516 MARCH BARI, ITALY Business and Growth The Danish Ministry of Justice A Single Digital Market by 2015 – a The Charter of Fundamental Rights 31 JANUARY driver for economic growth and job of the European Union – How to Committee of the Regions Access the Charter in Practice COPENHAGEN, DENMARK NAT Commission COPENHAGEN, DENMARK BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 27 FEBRUARY Committee of the Regions 1821 MARCH EDUC Commission The Danish Ministry for Children and Education and the Danish Youth Council February BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Youth conference 7 FEBRUARY 29 FEBRUARY SORØ, DENMARK Committee of the Regions DAcoB (Danish Local, Regional ENVE Commission and Research Co-Op Brussels) 2223 MARCH BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Presidency Dialogues Committee of the Regions Research – Horizon 2020 5th European Summit of Regions 8 FEBRUARY and grand challenges and Cities – “The European urban Committee of the Regions fabric in the 21st century” BRUSSELS, BELGIUM ECOS Commission (External Bureau and Plenary Session) BRUSSELS, BELGIUM COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
9 FEBRUARY March 26 MARCH Committee of the Regions 12 MARCH Committee of the Regions CIVEX Commission Spring Council Danish Presidency NAT Commission BRUSSELS, BELGIUM BRUSSELS, BELGIUM BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
1416 FEBRUARY 56 MARCH 29 MARCH Committee of the Regions Committee of the Regions Committee of the Regions Plenary Session and Bureau COTER Commission EGTC Inter-institutional Conference BRUSSELS, BELGIUM LISBON, PORTUGAL BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions 28 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
27 APRIL April Committee of the Regions June CIVEX Commission 17 APRIL 1415 JUNE Committee of the Regions BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Committee of the Regions ENVE Commission NAT Commission BRUSSELS, BELGIUM May ROVANIEMI, FINLAND 1820 APRIL 2 MAY 1415 JUNE The Danish Ministry for Climate, Committee of the Regions European Commission Energy and Building and the Danish Forum on the European Citizens Initiative Regions for Economic Change Conference Ministry for the Environment BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – RegioStars Awards Ceremony Informal meeting of Ministers for BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Energy and Environment (ENVI) 24 MAY Committee of the Regions HORSENS, DENMARK 2022 JUNE Plenary Session and Bureau Rio+20 Earth Summit 19 APRIL BRUSSELS, BELGIUM RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL The Danish Ministry for Social Aff airs and Integration 10 MAY 2122 JUNE Enhancing democratic values, promoting Committee of the Regions Committee of the Regions social cohesion and furthering intercultural Forum on the Common CIVEX Commission dialogue: Sharing of best European practice Strategic Framework VEJLE, DENMARK BRUSSELS, BELGIUM DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
11 MAY 23 APRIL 2526 JUNE Committee of the Regions Committee of the Regions Committee of the Regions COTER Commission EDUC Commission ECOS Commission BRUSSELS, BELGIUM BRUSSELS, BELGIUM ANCONA, ITALY 12 MAY 24 APRIL Open Doors Day 26 JUNE Council of the European Union Council of the European Union All EU institutions including Meeting of the General Aff airs Council (GAC) Committee of the Regions Meeting of the General Aff airs Council (GAC) LUXEMBOURG BRUSSELS, BELGIUM LUXEMBOURG
2627 APRIL 15 MAY 28 JUNE DAcoB (Danish Local, Regional The Danish Ministry for Employment Committee of the Regions and Research Co-Op Brussels) and the Danish Ministry for Social ENVE Commission Presidency Dialogues Aff airs and Integration E-health – Healthy Innovation BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Youth in the Labour Market: Innovation, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM inclusion and improving skills END JUNE TBC Committee of the Regions HORSENS, DENMARK 31 MAY DAcoB (Danish Local, Regional Forum: The Europe 2020 Strategy and its 26 APRIL and Research Co-Op Brussels) fl agship initiatives: A regional perspective Committee of the Regions Presidency Dialogues BRUSSELS, BELGIUM ECOS Commission Cleantech BRUSSELS, BELGIUM BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Dates as per time of print - some changes might occur 29 11 Contacts
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
Committee of the Regions Bâtiment Jacques Delors Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99-101 B - 1040 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)22822211 Fax: +32 (0)22822325 www.cor.europa.eu
COORDINATORS OF THE DANISH DELEGATION TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
Birgit Yazdani Øbakke Local Government Denmark Sq. de Meeûs 1 B-1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)25501264 E-mail: [email protected]
Asger Andreasen Danish Regions Dampfærgevej 22 DK-2100 København Tel.: +45 35298100 E-mail: [email protected]
BRUSSELS OFFICES OF DANISH REGIONS AND CITIES
Local Government Denmark Zealand Denmark Sq. de Meeûs 1 Avenue Palmerston 26 B-1000 Brussels B-1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)25501260 Tel: +32 (0)22356656 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.kl.dk www.zealanddenmark.eu
Danish Regions South Denmark EU Offi ce Sq. de Meeûs 1 Avenue Palmerston 3 B-1000 Brussels B-1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)25501280 Tel: +32 (0)22854095 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.regioner.dk www.southdenmark.be
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions 30 The Committee of the Regions and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Central Denmark EU Offi ce CreoDK (Capital Region Denmark) Avenue de Tervuren 35 Rue du Luxembourg 3 B-1040 Brussels B-1000 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)22308732 Tel: +32 (0) 472279193 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.centraldenmark.eu www.regionh.eu / www.creodk.eu
North Denmark EU Offi ce Kalundborg EU Offi ce Avenue de Tervuren 35 Rue du Luxembourg 3 B-1040 Brussels B-1000 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)22300374 Tel: +32 (0)25010825 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.eu-norddanmark.dk www.kalundborg.dk
PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF DENMARK TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
Permanent Representation of Denmark to the European Union Rue d’Arlon 73 B-1040 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)22330811 Fax: +32 (0)22309384 E-mail: [email protected] Danish Presidency web site: www.eu2012.dk
EUROPEAN UNION REPRESENTATION IN DENMARK
Europa-Kommissionen Repræsentationen i Danmark Europa-Huset Gothersgade 115 DK-1123 Copenhagen K Tel: +45 33 14 41 40 [email protected] www.ec.europa.eu/danmark
31 _1315/01-2012/EN DR C
EUROPEAN UNION
Committee of the Regions
Edited by the Directorate of Communication, Press and Events
February 2012
Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 101 _ 1040 Bruxelles/Brussels _ Belgique/België Tel. +32 25468202_ Fax +32 22822085 www.cor.europa.eu