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* * PACECOM078101 * * COUNCIL * A * CONSEIL OF EUROPE * * DE L'EUROPE

Parliamentary Assembly Assemblee parlementaire

Strasbourg, 15 1989 CONFIDENTIAL AALPRIXPV2.40 AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, REGIONAL PLANNING AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES Sub-Committee on the Europe Prize

DRAFT MINUTES of the meeting in Strasbourg on 10 March 1989

PRESENT MM AHRENS, Chairman Federal Republic of JUNG, President of the Assembly France HARDY, Chairman of the Committee United Kingdom Lord NEWALL (for Lord Kinnoull) United Kingdom MM THOMPSON United Kingdom VARA Portugal ZIERER Federal Republic of Germany

APOLOGISED FOR ABSENCE

MM ALEMYR Sweden BLENK Austria Mrs BROGLE-SELE Liechtenstein MM CACCIA Fulvio Switzerland LACOUR France ROBLES OROZCO Spain

20.455 01.52

Forty years Council of Europe Quarante ans Conseil de I'Europe AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2 - 2 -

The meeting was opened by Mr Ahrens, Chairman, at 9.30 am. 1. AGENDA [AS/Loc/Prix (40) OJ 2] The draft agenda was adopted. 2. MINUTES [AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 1] Mr Thompson said that the minutes eroneously stated that he had attended the meeting. Amended in this respect, the draft minutes of the meeting in Aalborg on 22 August 1988 were adopted.

3. EUROPE PRIZE, PLAQUES OF HONOUR, FLAGS OF HONOUR AND EUROPEAN DIPLOMAS a. Consideration of candidatures for the Europe Prize The Chairman reminded members of the principle of the Europe Prize, which was awarded annually to a community which had already received a flag of honour and had been a regular candidate for the Europe Prize. Mr Ahrens went through the 13 candidatures proposed by the Secretariat and suggested that the prize be awarded either to the Italian or to one of the French . This would achieve the desired geographical distribution. Mr Hardy agreed and proposed the municipality of LUCCA, in Italy, which he preferred to a French municipality. The Italian municipality's candidature seemed particularly deserving. The Chairman agreed and proposed that the sub-committee forward Lucca's candidature Lucca to the plenary committee. Agreed. b. Consideration of candidatures for plaques of honour The Chairman pointed out that candidates have to be chosen from the list of candidates for the Europe Prize. For financial reasons, he thought it desirable to limit the number of award-winners. Mr Zierer wished to know whether a municipality which was awarded a plaque would remain in contention for the Europe Prize. The Chairman said that it would. Mr Thompson said that the list of twelve candidates was too long, and that it would not reflect well on the public image of the prize if too many plaques of honour were awarded. He believed that four or five prize-winners would suffice. - 3 - AS/Loc/Asa (40) 1

the role of the tourist industry in the economic and social development of mountain ; the increasing need of Europeans for relaxation and unspoiled nature, particularly in mountain regions; the dangers of the tourist industry for the natural environment and way of life in mountain regions; the importance of protecting the landscape or using it carefully with full regard for the balance between man and nature which is always delicate. This report was adopted unanimously by the Committee on Regional Planning and Local Authorities, presented to the Parliamentary Assembly, and adopted by the latter on 3 July 1974, with Resolution 570. The Assembly particularly insisted on the role of Alpine regions in any comprehensive scheme for regional planning in Europe and on their special importance for purposes of recreation, communications and trade and the regeneration of natural resources. These functions fully justified the emphasis laid by the Assembly on the need for bilateral and multilateral transfrontier co-operation between states, regions and peripheral local authorities in Alpine regions as a way of solving problems of general concern. Alpine regions should become a kind of European pilot zone for transfrontier co-operation, on the understanding that the preparation of binding legal instruments would help to facilitate such co-operation in legal terms. The Assembly was also of the opinion that certain questions called for international co-operation at Alpine and even European level, particularly: establishment of the European network of trunk communications, with a view to securing both North-South and East-West trans- alpine routes; alpine research, glaciology, alpine meteorology, forecasting of avalanches and defence against them; civil defence and disaster relief; alpine cartography and cartographic inventory of Alpine regions, particularly those which are threatened by avalanches. Finally, the Assembly considered that the various projects then under way should be synthesised. This was expected to be one of the practical results of the Conference of Alpine Regions. » In Order No. 362 (1977) on regional planning, the Parliamentary Assembly instructed the Committee on Regional Planning and Local Authorities to initiate consultation of the representatives of the various socio-economic groups and the authorities responsible for planning and nature conservation in Alpine regions. AS/Loc/Am (40) 1 - 4 -

In implementation of these intructions, the committee decided to co-operate with the Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe in organising a conference of Alpine regions, to be attended by local and regional authorities, experts and representatives of the European organisations and various interest groups. The conference was to discuss: a. the main problems which arise in Alpine regions, including the possibility of reconciling the needs of economic and social development with the protection of an irreplaceable natural heritage; b. the possibilities of promoting co-operation between Alpine regions to ensure improved management of this area-, its integration within a consistent European regional planning scheme and its function as a forum for trade and contact between Europeans. The conclusions of the Lugano Conference were submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in a report by MM Ahrens and Baumel in January 1979. The Assembly's own strategy was formulated in Resolution 687, adopted at the end of the debate, which laid particular stress on the model role of Alpine regions in any overall regional planning programme in Europe, thus fully justifying their European function. Referring to the final Lugano Declaration, the Assembly endorsed the affirmation of the dual role of the Alpine range as a living space for its inhabitants and a heritage for all Europeans. It also observed that tourism and agriculture cannot on their own provide enough jobs, and that there is a need to develop industry in a small number of suitable centres and encourage handicrafts. The major hazards threatening the ecological balance of the Alps should be combated by means of a policy aimed at protecting water and forestry resources (the disasters of last summer have clearly shown how serious the threat is, and that protection policies have not always been given the attention, or funds, they deserve). Finally, the Assembly Resolution also pointed out that other mountain regions, above all the Pyrenees, should be enabled to take advantage of the experiences gained in the Alpine range and called for a conference to be organised to allow all mountain regions to exchange their views. Although we have had to wait rather longer than the authors of the Assembly Resolution anticipated, the fact that this exchange of experiences is finally taking place, here in Trent, is to be welcomed. The suggestion that other mountain regions, and above all the Pyrenees, should be able to take advantage of the Alpine experience was also taken up by the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) which, in conjunction with the Assembly, organised the Jaca Conference in June 1982. In addition to its main objective of mobilising regional energies for close and systematic transfrontier co-operation, as occurs in other frontier regions, the Conference also outlined the specific socio-economic problems faced by the Pyrenees, and set out in its final declaration, the instruments of a new policy based on transfrontier co-operation and the correction, by substantial investment in communications infrastructure and active support of traditional activities, of the structural weaknesses affecting most of the . - 5 - AS/Loc/Am (40) 1

Once again, the results of the conference were the subject of a report presented by Mr Ahrens and myself, as well as an Assembly debate in January 1983; they were also reflected in Resolution 791 which welcomed the fact that the Jaca Conference had constituted the starting point for genuine interregional co-operation through the setting up of a working community of Pyrenean regions. Another specific initiative regarding mountain regions was the report on transalpine traffic (Doc. 5610) which drew attention to the growing problems of traffic, especially road traffic, through the Alps, and the serious damage this causes to the beauty of the Alps and the Alpine environment, as well as the barely tolerable burden it imposes on. the local inhabitants. In its Recommendation No. 1041, adopted in 1986, the Assembly urged that freight should gradually transferred from road to rail and that railway lines through the Alps should be modernised rapidly so as to provide a service at least comparable with that offered by road transport. In its various reports on the environment (water and air pollution, forest dieback etc), the Assembly has frequently drawn attention to the special problems of mountain regions and their fragile ecological balance. The sociological, ecological and economic problems of mountain regions will also be on the agenda of a hearing entitled "A new management approach for rural areas", to be held in Strasbourg from 5 to 6 September under the auspices of the Parliamentary Assembly and the CLRAE. - 11 -

LISTE DBS DECISIONS

La Sous-commission du Prix de 1'Europe de la Commission de 1'environnement, de 1'amenagement du territoire et des pouvoirs locaux, reunie le 10 mars 1989 a Strasbourg, sous la presidence de M. Ahrens, a - precede a la selection de la ville-laureate du Prix de 1'Europe 1989, - selectionne six laureats pour les plaquettes d'honneur; - selectionne 33 laureats pour les drapeaux d'honneur5 - selectionne 36 laureats pour les diplomes d'honneur pour 1989; - decide de soumettre ces propositions a 1'approbation de la Commission pleniere le 11 avril prochain; - eu un echange de vues sur la publicite a donner pour eviter au cours des ceremonies de remise du Drapeau d'Honneur, la confusion entre le Parlemen europeen et 1'Assemblee parlementaire du Conseil de 1'Europe, - discute du programme de la reunion des villes laureates du Prix de 1'Europe a 1'occasion du 40e anniversaire du Conseil de 1'Europe le 12 mai 1989 a Strasbourg; - laisse a son President le soin de fixer la date et le lieu de la prochaine reunion. - 3 - AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2

The Chairman proposed that two municipalities in France, one in the Federal Republic of Germany and one in the United Kingdom be chosen. Mr Jung expressed preference for a fair distribution among the , with the selection of one municipality per . The Chairman proposed the following municipalities: Mayrhofen (Austria) Beersel (Belgium) Zwolle (Netherlands) one municipality each from France, the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom. The Secretariat suggested that Bourg-en-Bresse be selected from France, given that it was one of the first French municipalities to be awarded a flag of honour and that its twinnings dated from meetings between war veterans. The sub-committee agreed. On the subject of the British municipalities, Mr Hardy did not see how the plaque could be awarded to Herne Bay, which was within the of Canterbury Council, as this would mean the entire city receiving it, despite perhaps not deserving it as a whole. He would therefore prefer the candidature of Swansea to be put forward. Lord Newall expressed regret that small which were part of larger urban could not be given recognition of this type, and that awards had to be restricted to municipalities. He felt that this was a shortcoming and that there was a need to amend the regulations accordingly. Mr Hardy pointed out that, in accordance with the Regulations, awards could be made to municipalities or other territorial authorities. He would therefore regret the award of such a distinction as a plaque of honour to Herne Bay, if it then in fact went to Canterbury. The sub-committee therefore selected Swansea. The Chairman proposed that the municipality of Rendsburg be selected from the Federal Republic of Germany. Agreed. The sub-committee finally decided to propose to the plenary committee that plaques of honour be awarded to the following municipalities: Mayrhofen (Austria) Beersel (Belgium) Zwolle (Netherlands) AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2 - 4 -

Bourg-en-Bresse (France) Swansea (United Kingdom) Rendsburg (Federal Republic of Germany) Mr Hardy said that it was important for the plaques to be presented to the award-winning municipalities by committee members. The Chairman reminded members that they were in any case given priority for award presentations, but that former members of the Assembly could also present awards if necessary. c. Selection of flag of honour and European diploma winners The Chairman pointed out that the year had seen 61 new candidatures, and proposed that 30 to 35 flags of honour and 30 to 40 diplomas be awarded. The flags would be presented by members of the Assembly, priority being given to committee members; wherever possible the member would be a national of a country other than that in which an award-winning was situated. With a view to fair geographical ^^ distribution, he proposed that the flags be awarded as follows: 8 to Mr France, 15 to the Federal Republic of Germany, 3 to Italy, 2 to the Netherlands, 4 to the United Kingdom and 1 to Belgium. The following municipalities were proposed for flags of honour and diplomas: Austria It was proposed that a European diploma be awarded to the municipality of Wels. Belgium It was proposed that a flag of honour be awarded to the municipality of Poperinge. France It was proposed that flags of honour be awarded to: Annonay, Joinville-le-Pont, Marvejols, the Department of Mayenne, Mennecy," Montbeliard, Saint-Priest and Saint-Etienne. Three European diplomas were proposed, for: Guipavas, Saint-Andre and Villeneuve-les-Sablons. Mr Jung said these proposals had a certain geographical balance. Federal Republic of Germany The following municipalities could be selected to receive flags of honour: Bad Ems, Stadtbezirk Bonn, Bonnigheim, Emmendingen, Konz, Langenfeld, Memmingen, Reimlingen, Rudesheim, Remscheid, Singen, the District of Steinfurt, Trittau, Wachenheim/Weinstrasse and Wiirselen. The following municipalities could be proposed for diplomas: Beerfelden-Olfen, Euskirchen, Friedberg, Gladbeck, Griindau, Herbstein, Hiirth, Linkenheim-Hochstetten, Neuwied, Oberviechtach, Puderbach, Waldstetten and Waltrop. - 5 - AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2

Mr Thompson raised the question of whether the information provided by candidate municipalities was sufficiently detailed for the Secretariat to be able to evaluate it. The Chairman acknowledged that this was in fact a problem, given that the Secretariat could not check the accuracy of the information and was certainly unable to find things out for itself. Mr Jung wondered whether perhaps too many of these distinctions were now being awarded. He was uncertain of the usefulness of the diplomas, while more flags were being given every year. Ireland It was proposed that a diploma be awarded to Clonmel. Italy The following municipalities were proposed for flags of honour: Monte San Biagio Verona Battaglia Terme. The following municipalities were proposed for diplomas: Rivoli Montebelluna Montemarciano Atina Porano Liechtenstein The Secretariat reminded members of the interest shown by Vaduz at the 1988 meeting. Unfortunately, no file had been submitted in 1989, so the sub-committee was unable to make an award. Luxembourg It was proposed that a diploma be awarded to the municipality of Dippach. Netherlands The following municipalities were proposed for flags: Brunssum Roermond Sleen. AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2 - 6 -

The following municipalities were proposed for diplomas: Aardenburg Bathmen Beek. Portugal Mr Vara knew the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Coa very well and said that, given the low level of European activity, an award should only be made in order to offer encouragement, which meant giving a diploma. It was therefore proposed that this municipality be awarded a diploma.

The Chairman pointed out that two candidatures had been submitted, by Barcelona and San Sebastian. Both were highly prestigious, but had unfortunately been submitted only a year ago. While it would be regrettable if a choice had to be made between the two municipalities, it would be unjust to the other municipalities which had submitted candidatures the same year if both Spanish municipalities were awarded flags straight away. It was therefore proposed that both municipalities be awarded diplomas. Mr Hardy said that he would like the diploma to be accompanied by letters to the mayors of both municipalities informing them of the committee's satisfaction at having received such high level candidatures and encouraging the municipalities to re-submit candidatures the following year, so that they could be awarded flags of honour. Switzerland It was proposed that a European diploma be awarded to the municipality of Plaffeien. United Kingdom The sub-committee decided to propose the award of flags of honour to: Alnwick Leicester The Vale of White Horse and Abingdon T.C. The following municipalities could be selected for European diplomas: Tonbridge and Mailing Wellington - 7 - AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2

Hornsea Motherwell. Turkey The Chairman thought that Antalya's European activities were not sufficiently extensive to justify the award of a flag of honour. Mr Hardy, however, said that he would like this town to be awarded a diploma by way of encouragement. Mr Zierer wished to know whether Antalya had renewed its candidature in 1989, considering that even the award of a diploma was a reward for pro-European activities. Mr Thompson agreed with Mr Zierer and said that he would not like the award of a flag or diploma to amount to just a publicity exercise by the municipality concerned. Nevertheless, he was in favour of awarding a diploma. Agreed. The Chairman thanked the sub-committee for making these selections and asked members not to change their minds at the plenary committee meeting about the municipalities selected by the sub-committee. Mr Zierer wished to raise the matter of the procedure for awarding diplomas. He believed that the fact that this distinction was sent by post had the disadvantage of devaluing it and was by no means appropriate to the level of the award. He wondered whether it would not be preferable to invite diploma winners to attend a presentation ceremony in Strasbourg, making it clear that the Council of Europe was not in a position to refund travel expenses. The Committee Secretariat pointed out that this question had been raised before, and that, given that the winner of the Europe Prize was invited to the CLRAE session, an effort ought to be made to avoid confusion between two ceremonies, diploma representing the lowest, and the Europe Prize the top level of these European awards. The Chairman mentioned the possibility of inviting diploma winners outside CLRAE sessions, perhaps to a more modest ceremony which could be held during a committee meeting. Mr Zierer proposed that an event be organised to coincide with the Parliamentary Assembly. The Chairman pointed out that the winners of these distinctions would not be decided until 11 April, thus leaving an extremely short time between the decision and the May session, which would probably be insufficient to organise a ceremony of this kind. The Committee Secretary also pointed out that a major ceremony was planned to mark the 40 tn anniversary of the Council of Europe on 12 May 1989. Indeed, on that date, all past winners of the Europe Prize were to be invited to Strasbourg, and there was a risk of confusion if another ceremony was held to award diplomas. AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2 - 8 -

The Chairman put forward another alternative, that of holding a meeting of this kind in the autumn, but this would have the disadvantage of taking place after the European elections. Mr Zierer said that it was important to hold a ceremony, rather than just to send diplomas by post.

4. FLAG OF HONOUR PRESENTATION CEREMONIES The Chairman reminded members that the European Parliament had started to award European flags to certain towns in the Community, something which brought the danger of further confusion with the flags awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly. Mr Hardy said that there was a need to take a firm decision in the face of this course of action by the European Parliament, and that a press release should be prepared at the end of the plenary meeting of 11 April emphasising the fact that these awards were made by the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly. He wondered whether it might not be useful, in the same context, to express the Parliamentary Assembly's regret about this attempted encroachment by the Communities. He proposed that in any case firm action be taken in respect of these Community schemes. Lord Newall believed that more systematic publicity should surround the presentation ceremonies, at least as far as local publicity was concerned. The prime aim should be to clear up any confusion between the Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament. It would be a good idea, for example, to display a map in the award-winning municipalities showing the geographical extent of the Council of Europe, the organisation's objectives, the main subjects with which it dealt and the names of the countries, and then to explain the fundamental differences between the Communities and their European Parliament and the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly. The Chairman proposed that a protest about the action taken by the European Parliament be lodged at the next meeting between the President of the Assembly and the President of the European Parliament. He agreed with Lord Newall that parliamentarians who were presenting awards ought to explain the fundamental difference between the two institutions in their speeches. To the same end, better press coverage of the Europe Prize system and the committee's reasons for its awards ought to be ensured by the Council of Europe's DPI. The Committee Secretary pointed out that it was always the same difficulties which were encountered and that, while certain newspapers published the names of their country's prize-winners when the committee's decision was announced, only local newspapers covered the presentation ceremonies. The Chairman said that it was important for the press release which would be published after the meeting on 11 April to make clear the reasons on which the committee had based its decisions. Mr Hardy, taking up what Mr Ahrens had said, expressed his view that it was essential for parliamentarians, when presenting awards, to make clear the difference between the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly. ; - 9 - AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2

Lord Newall and Mr Thompson also stressed that it was necessary to give winning municipalities details of the parliamentarians who were to make the presentations beforehand. The Secretariat pointed out that municipalities were sent photocopies of the biographical notes given to the Office of the Clerk by parliamentarians. 5. MEETING OF WINNERS OF THE EUROPE PRIZE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, STRASBOURG, 12 MAY 19tf9~ The Secretariat of the Committee pointed out that mayors and their retinues would be received by the Committee Chairman on the morning of 12 May and would be invited to attend part of the discussions which, on that day, would be focusing on the presentation of reports by the committee. After a lunch hosted by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly and attended by the Committee on the Environment, the mayors would be invited to take part in a discussion with members of the Parliamentary Assembly who were on the Committee on the Environment. This exchange of views would be followed by a buffet reception at the Hotel de Ville. On the following day, 13 May, members of the Assembly and mayors would be able to follow a programme of visits prepared by the City Council. Lord Newall pointed out that the WEU Defence Questions Committee was to be in China on those dates. Mr Hardy pointed out that representatives of the CLRAE and of Eastern bloc countries were to meet in Strasbourg on 11 and 12 May, and that the committee had been invited to attend their discussion. He therefore feared that the two events would be too time-consuming for parliamentarians, who would not be able to fit in both. The Chairman pointed out that two reports by the committee were scheduled for presentation in session on 12 May; this should therefore be of interest to committee members, and he suggested that they be invited to stay on for the programme provided for winners of the Europe Prize. 6. OTHER BUSINESS The Chairman said that the municipality of LINDEN (Holstein) would be arranging a ceremony at which a plaque of honour would be presented on 16 June. As none of the members would be able to make this presentation, he proposed that nomination be deferred to the meeting of the plenary committee on 11 April. He also stated that the Bureau of the Association of Towns awarded the Europe Prize would be meeting from 18 to 20 May in Aalborg, and that the Association itself would hold its general meeting from 19 to 21 October in Avignon. As he was free on both occasions, he offered to represent the committee. Agreed. AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2 - 10 -

7. DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING The sub-committee decided to hold its next meeting on the occasion of the ceremony at which the Europe Prize was to be presented to the winning municipality. The meeting rose at 12.03 pm. - 11 - AS/Loc/Prix (40) PV 2

LIST OF DECISIONS The Sub-committee on the Europe Prize of the Committee on the Environment, Regional Planning and Local Authorities, meeting on 10 March 1989 in Strasbourg, with Mr Ahrens in the Chair : - selected the winner of the 1989 Europe Prize; - selected 6 winners for the Plaques of Honour; - selected 33 winners for the Flags of Honour; - selected 36 winners for the European Diploma for 1989; - decided to submit the list to the approval by the Plenary Committee on 11 April next; - held an exchange of views on the publicity to be given in order to avoid during the Ceremonies of Award of the Flag of Honour the confusion between European Parliament and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; - discussed the programme of the meeting of the1 winning towns of the Europe Prize on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Council of Europe on 12 May 1989 in Strasbourg; - let it to its Chairman to fix the date and place of the next meeting.