Courtesy translation - 5 -

Proposals of Mr , President of the Regional Government of the , for the office of the CPMR Presidency for 2014-2016

A new time for the European Union and the CPMR 2014 marks the beginning of a new political and institutional cycle for the European Union. For that reason, and as a result of the elections for the General Assembly of Umea in September, a new phase for the CPMR will also begin, bringing renewed challenges to our regions, challenges to which I am committed to give my contribution. It is my understanding that the initial mission of the CPMR’s Presidency for the 2014-2016 period is to ensure privileged political connections between our organisation and the new members of the Commission and the Parliament, as well as to ensure a close technical relation with the Commission senior officials as regards matters of greater interest for the peripheral and maritime regions. The connection to the European Parliament shall in fact constitute a priority, aiming, from the start, at continuing the Sea and Coastal Areas Intergroup and strengthening the support of CPMR to its functioning. The new configuration of the Parliament, on the other hand, also presents challenges for the action of CPMR and shall be used to demonstrate, once more, its technical capacity for the analysis of the different subject matters and its ability to submit proposals and to represent the interests of Europe’s peripheral and maritime regions. Regarding the European Commission, it will be essential to work towards the empowerment of Sea- related matters with a view to ensure that the development and effective implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) is part of the priorities of the new College. CPMR should also continue its work to strengthen the relationship with the Council, most particularly by monitoring and promoting the implementation of the Greek Presidency’s initiative regarding the creation of a Council’s specific configuration for the cohesion policy. This action should be particularly oriented now also to the Italian presidency and the following rotating presidencies, as the diversity of our members, the representativeness of the Political Bureau and its privileged connections to the Member States offer a significant added value for our future action in this field. This is, in fact, a dimension that I intend to privilege in terms of organisation and internal functioning. In all these domains, our action should not only follow the institutional agenda, but also seek to influence and determine the priorities of the European Union in the topics more closely related to the maritime and peripheral nature of our regions. The same applies to the Committee of the Regions, of which I am a member. The CPMR must strengthen its connection and institutional relation with the Committee, not only through its President, but also through the action of the representatives of the peripheral and maritime regions that are members of the Committee, so that the opinions of that EU organism may accommodate and reflect the political positions of the CPMR. The intrinsic link of CPMR with the creation of the Committee of the Regions reinforces our responsibility of becoming more visible and active as regards the topics with special importance for our regions, as well as the institutional debate about the reinforcement of the Committee’s own role. On the other hand, the structure and the interconnection capacity of the CPMR may represent an added value to the Committee of the Regions as a vehicle to promote and bring visibility to its opinions. Our organisation should therefore become particularly active in the next two years, renewing and reinforcing its position of influence and leadership near the main stakeholders of the European institutions. This should, in fact, be the basic prerequisite for efficiently defending the interests of the peripheral and maritime regions.

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A Presidency that is proud of the past and capable of meeting the challenges of the future It is only fair to acknowledge the important work developed by the CPMR in a particular context of economic, financial and political crisis, which affected, although with different intensity and consequences, all our regions, particularly in what regards unemployment amongst our fellow citizens. Recent years have also been marked by difficult and long negotiations regarding the multiannual financial framework, funds and programmes for 2014-2020. Fortunately, the CPMR was able to rise to the challenges and to maintain the same number of members, as well as the sustainability of its budget and to improve the technical quality, the institutional prestige and the political influence of its action . In fact, the work on the model and structure of the cohesion policy for 2014-2020 deserves to be stressed. This was only possible by combining the contributions of the leaderships of Jean Ives Le Drian and Annika Jansson with the action of the vice-presidents and members of the Bureau, as well as that of the presidents of the Geographical Commissions and the undeniable technical quality and fundamental support of the CPMR General Secretariat, led by Eleni Marianou. This spirit of dedication and joint collaboration is the basis of an important commitment of my candidacy: a determined and responsible presidency, rising to the challenges currently faced by the EU and Europe, our regions and our organisation; a presidency imbued in the spirit of solidarity that would be able to bring together the contributions of all the CPMR responsible bodies and stakeholders and also to enhance the participation of all its members. Maintaining and strengthening the vitality and pro-activeness of the CPMR in the years to come depends, as always, on the commitment of all its member-regions, which I am sure will continue to acknowledge the value of our joint collaboration and will remain active in our organisation. The economic and financial crisis, imposed supplementary challenges to our regions, in particular in what regards economic development, job creation and the consequent loss of credibility of the European project. However, the fact that we are so close to our economy and our citizens should encourage us to take on the mission of creating, on the short term, solutions for our enterprises and employability for our citizens. Therefore, now more than ever, regions are invited to play a more direct role in the interconnection between citizens and the European project, translating it into concrete, measurable actions. The decentralisation and the enhancement of regional capacity are, in my opinion, essential to emerge from the crisis, which is also one of identity and of policies, in which Europe is submerged. The European spirit that our regions embrace provides us with legitimacy to bring forward to the European institutions the relevance of CPMR stance and proposals, focused on solidarity, regionalism and economic, social and territorial cohesion . This is also one of the main thrusts of my candidacy, and that keeps with CPMR best practices: the uncompromising defence of the interests of Europe’s peripheral and maritime regions, as well as of the inspiring principles of our joint action, as our contribution to a European action that respects subsidiarity and proportionality, multilevel governance and regional power. In this regard, I believe and suggest that the CPMR focuses, during the next two years, in the areas that form the core of our joint action and that are the reason behind our existence: Maritime and Cohesion Policies as horizontal priorities, without forgetting the defence of regionalism and multilevel governance as fundamental instruments to protect and uphold the European project. These policies should be comprehensive and adjustable to the EU’s current institutional momentum and coupled with fundamental thematic axes, such as, accessibilities, macro-regions, energy, climate change and external relations.

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Maritime Policy: the core of CPMR action The CPMR must ensure that the development and enforcement of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), endowed with the necessary human and material resources, is part of the priorities of the new College of Commissioners. We do know that the CPMR has had a vital role in the initial, structuring phase of the IMP (as well as in its action plan and macro-regional strategies, among others) and we believe it is now time to enhance its proactive stance, considering the second development phase of the IMP . Therefore, the action of the CPMR should focus, for the time being, on blue growth and the potential of development of sea activities in our regions, without neglecting the environmental component of its implementation , as provided for in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the external and global dimension of the IMP. In this regard, the development of the sea basin strategies raises a particular challenge: combining activities between the CPMR, its several Geographical Commissions, the regions themselves, the Member-States and the European Union. In fact, the maritime territory of the CPMR member-regions has enormous potential for development in favour of Europe, providing unique comparative advantages that result from their maritime and peripheral nature, their diversity and their political and institutional relevance. “Blue growth” represents thus a new phase on the IMP implementation and must be a priority for the CPMR, one that is closely linked to innovation, research, development of new technologies and tradable goods considering the biological, mineral and energy resources of the sea. Our great concern on this matter is to put this potential at the service of our regions and populations by enhancing our work and exchange of knowledge and good practices in the fields of blue biotechnologies, marine and maritime research, naval industry, employment and training (in this case, it is of utmost importance to continue the Vasco da Gama project), maritime and coastal tourism and fisheries. The environmental dimension of both the IMP and blue growth must not be neglected. On the contrary, the CPMR must safeguard, on a horizontal basis, the sustainable economic growth of sea activities by defending adequate and coordinated knowledge of marine data, the correct implementation on the EU’s marine strategy, maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal management, maritime safety and the reduction of polluting emissions. Naturally, in this context, priority should be given to our work on sea basins . Similarly, the implementation and operating of the different types of European territorial cooperation represent opportunities that cannot be ignored by the CPMR, as well as Horizon 2020 and other programmes that allow financing cooperation between peripheral and maritime regions . Finally, the IMP external dimension should also be valued, namely through the Commissions and members enjoying closer contact to areas such as the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Atlantic. In truth, eight years after the launch of the Green Paper on IMP, much has been achieved and much is still to be explored, not only at the European level, but also at international level. Hence, it is my belief that the CPMR must take on a leading role in sea-related matters in a global manner, namely through the organisation of an international event at the highest level, in order to assess the state-of-play of sea-related policies, as well as to determine their future development in both a European and a global context. Concerning the interconnections among CPMR member-regions, it is my conviction that we should take a path leading to greater sharing of information, knowledge and best practices between institutions, regional agents and civil society who will add value to the political and institutional relationship that connects us. By doing so, it would be possible to generate new ideas for a more successful development and for job creation in the field of maritime policy.

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Cohesion: Solidarity, Regionalism and Territoriality As the wider implementation of the Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes approaches, we believe CPMR should pay special attention, in this initial stage of the Cohesion Policy, to the identification of the difficulties faced by our regions in the 2014-2020 period, protecting its interests and clarifying relevant matters with the European Commission. After this period of conceptualising and creating the architecture of the Cohesion Policy, the CPMR should focus on territorial cohesion (which is still to be achieved and is still underdeveloped) as a paradigm for the development of Europe. In truth, Europe’s great challenges will be economic recovery and job creation. However, it is vital that these policies take the features of each territory into account, in order to generate a harmonious and solidary development of the European area . This is hence the time for the CPMR to prioritise an action in favour of the principles of solidarity, cohesion and territoriality, which have been undermined in recent years. This territorial dimension is also clearly linked to the work to be undertaken in the field of accessibilities (TENs-T, CEF) in order to create a global, integrated transport network . A network that will especially serve peripheral and maritime regions, namely outermost regions and islands, as well as other isolated territories. In addition, the cohesion perspective is equally connected to macro-regional strategies , which allow the reinforcement of synergies and the development of the territorial approach, continuing the involvement of the CPMR maritime regions through the Geographical Commissions, in the realisation of the strategies for the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic, as well as the future strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Seas region. On the other hand, territorial solutions for the development of our regions are also closely related to regionalism and multilevel governance. On account of the crisis of the latest years, several setbacks have been experienced by Europe’s regional authorities, whether resulting from the cuts in regional budgets, whether from the control of power or even from the delegation of competences to the regions without the correspondent financial allocations. However, it is well known that regions, given their proximity and privileged link to European citizens, are in the frontline of the implementation of economic recovery and job creation policies , either because of their exclusive competences or because of the shared application of European policies. The CPMR should, therefore, strive for a greater visibility and the promotion of regional authorities in Europe as well as for multilevel governance. Last but none less important, the CPMR should continue to work on its external perspective, throughout an external cooperation and development agenda, by enhancing the field of bilateral relations with regional levels of governance that face the same challenges as our regions . In this particular chapter, it is my understanding that CPMR should proceed with caution and certainty in order not to dilute its identity and add unnecessary layers of activity, but should also be attentive and intercede in other geographic areas , so as to maximise and also safeguard, the interests of peripheral and maritime regions in the ongoing European Union negotiations in such areas as transports and accessibilities, sea-related economic activities and research.

Organisation and internal functioning As previously mentioned, the goal of my candidacy is to accomplish a determined, responsible presidency imbued in solidarity, one that would be able to bring together the contributions of all the CPMR responsible bodies and stakeholders. My candidacy also aims at a decentralised action for the 2014- 2016 period, particularly concerning the action of the vice-presidents , who, without prejudice of their

4 horizontal position, could be linked to certain fields and topics within the action of our organisation. I intend to work in close cooperation with the vice-presidents to address this idea in the most suitable way. Similarly, the CPMR institutional representation should both privilege and enhance the added value, as well as the thematic and geographic connections of the vice-presidents of CPMR and presidents of the Geographical Commissions, namely their connection to the upcoming presidencies of the Council: Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Slovakia. I aim, therefore, for an inclusive Presidency, based on informal and close relationship in which transparency and openness is a guarantee that we expect the active input of all the CPMR members. Preserving the CPMR undeniable technical ability for analysing proposals, in constant connection with the political stance of our regions , proposed by the Political Bureau and adopted by the General Assembly, is indeed a prerequisite for all these actions. Finally, the need for a sound financial management will not be disregarded. In fact, considering that most of our regions are facing great budget constraints, the CPMR should continue to set an example as regards resource management and presentation of concrete results of its action . In conclusion, the CPMR is a unique organisation in Europe, based on both the specificities and the diversity of peripheral and maritime regions and on the effective protection of their interests, authority and action. The success of this organisation results from the dedicated and active work undergone by its geographical commissions, working groups, secretariat, but, above all, from the commitment of every single one of its member-regions . We shall therefore consider the solutions, good practices and concrete proposals brought forward by our regions, which should reflect the territorial diversity that characterise each one of us and differentiates our organisation. We shall then aim at bringing to the European institutions and our partners the concerns, priorities and needs of our citizens, the call for economic, social and territorial cohesion, the defence of innovation, development and environmental sustainability; we should equally aim at ensuring adequate accessibilities to all our peripheral and maritime territories. If you believe I deserve your trust as to take on the Presidency of the CPMR, I am absolutely committed to continue the good work carried out by my predecessors. I guarantee you my personal commitment and that of my team in the Azores to work closely with all member regions and with the General Secretariat of your organisation.

Vasco Alves Cordeiro

President of the Government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores

July 23rd 2014

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Vasco Alves Cordeiro was born on 28 th march, 1973. Son of a family of farmers, he spent his childhood and adolescence in the rural village of , in the island of São Miguel, Autonomous Region of the Azores. After completing his basic education and secondary studies in his home island, he pursued his academic path in mainland , where he obtained, in 1995, his degree in Law at the University of Coimbra. Returning to the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro attended a postgraduate course in Regional Law and practiced Law from 1995 to 2003. In 1996, Vasco Cordeiro was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and held the position of leader of his parliamentary group ( 2000/2003 ). In 2003 and 2004, he served as Regional Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries of the Government of the Azores. Between 2004 and 2008, he held the position of Regional Minister of the Presidency, with competences, amongst others, in EU affairs and regional cooperation. While in office, he acquired international experience representing the Azores in several bodies, including the Committee of the Regions of the EU, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Conference Peripheral and Maritime Regions and the Conference of Presidents of Outermost Regions. In 2008, he was appointed Regional Minister for the Economy of the Azores Government, holding competences on air and maritime transports, tourism and promotion of incentive measures to boost the Azores economy. Vasco Cordeiro was also a Member of the Municipal Assembly ( 1997 / 2003 ) and Member of Covoada Village Assembly ( 1997 / 2005 ) were he also served as President between 1997 and 2001. He is the President of the Government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores since November 6, 2012. Amongst other organizations, he is a member of the Committee of Regions and part of the ENVE ( Environment, Climate Change and Energy ) and NAT (Agriculture, Fisheries and Maritime policies, Tourism ) Commissions. He was recently appointed CoR rapporteur on the European Strategy for Coastal and Maritime Tourism. Vasco Cordeiro is married to Paula Cristina and they have two sons, Tomás, born in 2010 and António, born in 2013.