Structured Dialogue with Commission President José Manuel Barroso
The Commission’s Legislative and Work Programme for 2007 Structured Dialogue with Commission President José Manuel Barroso
The Commission’s Legislative and Work Programme for 2007
EUROPEAN COMMISSION Photos on cover page:
Top left: Structured dialogue in the Charlemagne building, Photo: Committee of the Regions
Right: CoR President Michel Delebarre and Commission President José Manuel Barroso at the structured dialogue, Photo: Committee of the Regions
Bottom left: Group portrait of the representatives of the associations taking part in the dialogue meeting with CoR President Michel Delebarre and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President Photo: Committee of the Regions 2 Contents C Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme 3 I. Introduction Michel Delebarre President of the Committee of the Regions ...... 5
II. Foreword José Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission ...... 7
III. Background to the structured dialogue ...... 9
IV. Extracts from the opening speech by President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso ...... 15
V. Contributions from the associations ...... 19 Extracts from the dialogue on prosperity
Anders Knape, Council of European Municipalities and Regions ...... 20 Alain Rousset, Association of French Regions ...... 22 Olivier Bertrand, European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Regions ...... 24 Alain le Vern, Arc Manche Assembly ...... 26 Henrik Hammar, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions ...... 28 Riccardo Illy, Assembly of European Regions ...... 30 Extracts from the dialogue on governance and better regulation
Jörg Freunschlag, Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies ...... 32 Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions ...... 34 Hugo Alfonso Morán Fernández, Asturian Federation of Municipalities ...... 36 Franco Iacop, Association of European Border Regions ...... 38 Helmut Jahn, German County Association ...... 40
Extracts from the dialogue on solidarity
Jean-Michel Daclin, EUROCITIES ...... 42 Jesús Solá-Sevilla, LIEDRA European Network of Local Authorities against Gender Violence and for Equal Opportunities ...... 44 Jean-Louis Destans, Association of French Departments ...... 46 Mara Enrica Scagni, National Association of Italian Municipalities ...... 48 Enrique Rodríquez Contreras, Arco Latino ...... 50 Marie-Louise Rönnmark, Union of the Baltic Cities ...... 52 VI. Summary of questions at the structured dialogue and response provided by President José Manuel Barroso ...... 55
Dialogue on prosperity ...... 56 Dialogue on governance and better regulation ...... 59 Dialogue on solidarity ...... 62
Annex Resolution of the Committee of the Regions on the legislative and work programme of the European Commission and the priorities Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President of the Committee of the Regions for 2007 ...... 67 4 Introduction integration ontheright track, inaccordance withtherequirements ofsubsidiarityandproximity. and localregional electedrepresentatives isanessentialprecondition forkeepingEuropean The structured dialogue isanecessaryexercise: thedialecticofpoliticaldialoguebetweeninstitutions involvement inthethematicdialoguesbyCommissioners Wallström, Figel’andAlmunia. structured dialogue;the speechbytheCommissionPresident wastheculminationofastrong up totheWhitePaper onEuropean governance.2006wasinfactaparticularlygoodyearforthe putting intoeffecttheobjectivesthatstructured dialogueisendeavouringtoimplementasafollow- local associations,ImustsalutePresident Barroso andhisCommissioners fortheircommitmentto However, inanycase,onbehalfofthemembers oftheCommitteeRegionsandregional and and/or theassociations.President Barroso made thispointquiteclear, asisonlyright. Commission doesnotagree withalltherecommendations proffered bytheCommitteeofRegions the 2007 workprogramme, whichwasadoptedafterthestructured dialogue.*Conversely, the in itsvariouslegislativedossiers. Thiswastakenonboard bytheCommitteeofRegions'resolution on political priorities,andtheydonotnecessarilyshare allthepositionstakenbyEuropean Commission Obviously, localandregional electedrepresentatives maycallforshiftsinemphasistheCommission's local andregional associations.Hespokeclearlyandsincerely. panache, thePresident ledaquestion-and-answersessionwithelectedrepresentatives ofsometwenty present theEuropean Commission's2007 workprogramme, wasagreat success.Withconsiderable There canbenodoubtthatthisstructured dialogue sessionwithPresident Barroso, whichenabledhimto national associationsoflocalandregional authorities. Barroso's third visitsincetakingofficetoparticipate inthestructured dialoguewithEuropean and The CommitteeoftheRegions'plenarysessionon7December2006wasoccasionforPresident President oftheCommitteeRegions Michel Delebarre * Please seethefulltextofresolution inannexonpage67.
Photo: CommitteeoftheRegions ■ I.
5 Commission Programme 2007 Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 6 Foreword II. Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme 7
Photo: Committee of the Regions
José Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission
I was most happy to join you for a discussion as part of the structured dialogue with local and regional authorities in the European Union. We tackled fundamental issues. It seemed that a consensus was reached on some key subjects, which I welcome. However, in a single meeting it was, of course, not possible to find answers to all the questions of concern to us.
The topics selected for our dialogue were those of the 2007 work programme, namely prosperity, governance and solidarity. It will be based on these three areas that the European Union will be able to progress. However, other important issues must come into the discussion, such as energy and services of general interest; of this we are all aware.
Thank you for your cooperation; I urge you – from a European perspective – to remain critical and demanding of the Commission and the European institutions as a whole. Even if not everything is perfect, a united Europe needs a greater spirit of openness, dialogue and compromise, which is the surest way to make progress.
For this reason I call on all the stakeholders at local and regional level to take on responsibility for leadership. It is our duty to build a better future for all the people of Europe and for future generations. We will only manage to do this in a spirit of ever-closer partnership between regional and local levels and the European level. We must do more to ensure that the public understands what Europe is about. It is also necessary for the associations you represent to relay the public's expectations to the European Commission.
For the public, we will only succeed by working together. ■ Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 8 dialogue Background tothestructured -a There are twodifferent typesofstructured dialogue: to make theEUmore transparent. - to ensure citizensbetterunderstand theobjectivesofEUpolicy; - to strengthen policycoordination betweentheCommissionandlocalregional authorities; - to improve EUlegislationbyensuringthattheviewsoflocalandregional associationsare takenon - The aimofthestructured dialogueis: dialogue wasconfirmedbytheCommissioninDecember2003. more intensivelywithrepresentatives ofEurope’s regions andcities.Thepermanentnature ofthe on European Governance,whichidentifiedaneedfortheEuropean Union‘sinstitutionstocooperate The ideaforthisconsultativedialoguewasinitiatedinthewakeofCommission’s 2001 White Paper dialogue is hostedbytheCommitteeofRegions inBrussels. regional andlocalauthorityassociations onbothgeneral andspecific issues. The The structured dialogueis anopportunityfortheEuropean Commission toconsult -a The associationshavehadan opportunity tomeetthree timeswithCommissionPresident JoséManuel Romano Prodi, tookplaceinMay2004.Sincethen thedialoguehasdevelopedintoaregular activity. The first structured dialogue,hostedbyCoRPresident Peter Straub and former CommissionPresident found ontheCoRwebsite(http://www.cor.europa.eu/en/activities/dialogue_association.htm). registration process andtherunningofmeetings.More informationonthiscooperation canbe European Commission, theassociationsanditssecretariat inorder to prepare thedialoguemeetings, agreement signedinNovember 2005.TheCoRhasestablishedthecooperation procedure betweenthe Commission cooperate closelyinorganising thestructured dialogue onthebasisofcooperation of theRegions hasakeyrole inorganising thestructured dialogue As themainlinkbetweenEUinstitutionsandEuropean andnationalassociations,the board before interest suchastheannualworkprogramme oftheCommission, communication policy, maritimepolicy, educationpolicy. general dialogue thematic dialogue formal decision-makingprocesses start; with thePresident oftheEuropean Commission, concentrating onissuesofbroad with theappropriate Commissioner, focusedonaspecificEU policyarea e.g. . Indeed,theCoRandEuropean Committee III.
9 Commission Programme 2007 Barroso for a general dialogue on European policy (February and November 2005 and December 2006), with Commissioner Stavros Dimas to discuss climate change (October 2005), with Commissioner Joe Borg on EU maritime policy (December 2005), Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström on communication policy and Plan D (June 2006), Commissioner Ján Figel’ on education and culture (also June 2006) and with Commissioner Joaquín Almunia (October 2006).
Eighty one associations have participated in the structured dialogue meetings since 2004. The table below includes the detailed statistical information.
Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President The general structured dialogue with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso 10 took place on 7 December 2006 following the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions. Its theme was the "Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2007". It provided an opportunity to discuss the key elements and initiatives of the European Commission for 2007.
This brochure gives an account of the debate and contributions by the associations. ■
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURED DIALOGUE MEETINGS 2004 – 2006
GENERAL INFORMATION
Number of structured EU policy fields covered Number of participating Number of participating dialogues organised Commissioners associations
9 dialogues organised: General dialogues: 9 members of the 81 associations have – European Commission’s European Commission participated throughout – 4 general structured legislative and work all 9 dialogues (some of dialogues programme 2005, 2006 – 7 Commissioners them at several – 5 thematic structured and 2007 participated once occasions) including: dialogues – President Barroso Thematic dialogues: participated three times – 27 European associations – Environment and President Prodi – 54 national associations – Maritime policy participated once – Communication – Education and culture – European Monetary Union DETAILED INFORMATION
General dialogue meetings
Date Subject(s) Commissioner(s) Number of Number of elected participating representatives associations taking the floor 2007 Commission Programme 11 10 May 2004 Development of the Romano Prodi, 16 13 EU policies President of the European Commission, Michel Barrot and Péter Balázs, Commissioners for regional policy
24 February 2005 The Lisbon Agenda, José Manuel Barroso, 37 29 future of cohesion President of the policy and financial European perspectives, Commission European governance and subsidiarity
17 November 2005 The European José Manuel Barroso, 20 16 Commission’s President of the legislative and work European programme for 2006 Commission
7 December 2006 The European José Manuel Barroso, 20 17 Commission’s President of the legislative and work European programme for 2007 Commission Thematic structured dialogue meetings
Date Subject(s) Commissioner(s) Cooperation with Number of Number of COR thematic participating elected commission associations representatives taking the
Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President floor
12 6 October 2005 Climate change in Stavros Dimas, DEVE Commission 12 12 the light of Commissioner for progress towards environment the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol
2 December 2005 The Future of Joe Borg, COTER Commission 11 10 European maritime Commissioner for policy fisheries and maritime affairs
15 June 2006 The new European Margot Wallström, – 16 11 communication Vice-President of policy and Plan D the European for Democracy, Commission Dialogue and responsible for Debate institutional relations and communication strategy
20 June 2006 The European Ján Figel’, EDUC Commission 10 9 policy of education Commissioner for and culture: its education, contribution to the training, culture success of the and Lisbon Strategy – multilingualism the role of regions and cities
20 October 2006 The role of Joaquín Almunia, ECOS Commission 7 7 regional, national Commissioner for and EU budgets in economic and the Economic and monetary affairs Monetary Union
dialogue meetingof the structured José Manuel Barroso Manuel José Photos: Committeeof theRegions
(first from left) and left) from (first Announcement with CoR members CoR with taking place in
the Charlemagne building of Werner Jostmeier Werner
the European Commission. Jacques Blanc. Jacques
José Manuel Barroso with Riccardo Illy,
President of the Assembly of European
Regions (first from left).
Welcome by CoR First Vice-President Luc Van den Brande.
directly with politicians from regional and local level. member José Maria Muñoa Ganuza. Muñoa Maria José member
José Manuel Barroso with Werner Jostmeier: it is important for the Commission President to speak José Manuel Barroso with CoR with Barroso Manuel José
Christian Gsodam (first from right). Commission President José Manuel
associations' representatives – Barroso with CoR Head of Unit
Arrival and welcome by the 13 Commission Programme 2007 José Manuel Barroso: replying to challenging questions by the associations.
The dialogue about to begin: CoR President
Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President Michel Delebarre (first from left) and First Vice- 14 President Luc Van den Brande (first from right) with José Manuel Barroso Structured dialogue with the at the podium. associations in the presence of the CoR members at the CoR plenary session.
Jean-Michel Daclin, Mayor of Lyon, France, speaking on behalf of EUROCITIES (left) and Enrique Rodríquez Contreras from the Arco Latino Association. Marie-Louise Rönnmark, Mayor of Umeå, Sweden, speaking on behalf of the Union of the Baltic Cities.
Group photo of the associations' representatives with Michel Delebarre and José Manuel Barroso.
With the journalists after the dialogue: José Manuel Barroso and CoR member Jean-François Istasse.
Photos: Committee of the Regions José ManuelBarroso President oftheEuropean Commission Extracts from theopeningspeech by d S be aturningpoint. The year2007, inwhichwewillcelebrate thefiftiethanniversary oftheEuropean venture, willhowever am honoured tolead.Ithinkweshouldallbeproud oftheoutcome recent wavesofenlargement. advancement inEuropean unification,andparticularlyofthekeyrole playedbytheCommission,which I We havealsosuccessfully steered RomaniaandBulgariatoEUaccession.Iamveryproud ofthis education andinnovationwhichhasstuntedprogress sofar. European Instituteof Technology willhelptoredress thefragmentation inthefields ofresearch, specifically, regional innovation-acornerstone ofoureconomicandsocialstrategies. Thecreation ofa To ensure thatEurope prospers intomorrow's knowledgeeconomies,wehavemadeinnovation-and globalisation. Globalisation AdjustmentFund,whichrepresents ausefulshockabsorberforthepowerfulmotorof renewed ourcommitmenttomaintainingsocialsolidarity, particularlythrough theestablishmentof Europe’s leaders haveagreed toputglobalisationattheheartofUnion'sagenda.We havealso market. practical foundation,andweare continuing oureffortstounlockthefullpotentialofinternal We havethusrestored confidenceintheStabilityandGrowth Pact, givingitamore realistic and our labour, withpredicted increased growth andwithunemploymentatitslowestlevelsince1998. are nowfullyengaged,adoptingtheirnationalreform programmes. We are already seeingthefruitsof Firstly, theCommissionhasrenewed theLisbonStrategy, launchinganewphaseinwhichMemberStates We canberightlyproud ofhowwehavereacted sofartotherapid globalchangesthathaveoccurred. common solutions. competitive world,climatechange,energy security, orofcourse internationalterrorism –callfor from globalisation.Andcommonchallenges–betheyaboutcreating growth andjobsinanincreasingly Now more thaneverweare facedwithanincreasing numberofcommonchallenges,resulting notably p i a e l e o c g h u
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t h IV. e 15 Commission Programme 2007 16 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso José ManuelBarroso: Commission and the European institutions as a whole. Even if not everything is perfect, a united Europe united a perfect, is everything not if Even whole. a as institutions European the and Commission needs a greater spirit of openness, dialogue and compromise, which is the surest way to make progress." make to way surest the is which compromise, and dialogue openness, of spirit greater a needs associations andmembers oftheCommitteeRegions atthedialoguewithCoRPresident Michel Commission President JoséManuelBarroso (secondfrom left)addressing therepresentatives ofthe to improve energy efficiency, wewillpresent theveryfirst Strategic Energy ReviewforEurope. Thiswill Firstly, energy –onbasisofourGreen Paper andonthemeasures takensincethebeginningofyear I wouldliketohighlightafewkeyelementsofthe2007 programme. Administrative costs:atthe2007 SpringEuropean Councilwewillpropose reducing theseby25% - Simplification:wewillintroduce majornewinitiativesinourprogramme; - Impactassessment:animpactassessmentcommitteewillbeestablished; - New measures willbeintroduced inthefollowingareas: standards ofbetterregulation. next 12-18months,dependingonthedepthandintensityofpreparation neededtomeetthequality The Commissionisalsocommittedtofinalisingapackageofpriorityinitiatives,beadoptedoverthe stage ofpreparation. TheCommissioniscommittedtoimplementingthemalloverthecomingyear. centred around ashorterlistof21 strategic initiatives,chosenfortheirpoliticalrelevance andadvanced This isthebackground toour2007 workprogramme. Itismore politicalthanprevious programmes andis funding programmes aspartofthenewEUagenda. It willbethemomentwhenanewbudgetaryframework willenabletheimplementationofmodernised exploit thefullpotentialofEU'sre-tuned machinerytomeettheexpectationsofitspeople. It willbethemomentwhenaEurope of27MemberStates,followingmeticulouspreparations, will Delebarre (first from left)andCoRFirst Vice-President LucVan denBrande (secondfrom right). plan settingoutthepriorityareas foraction. 2012, bothatEUandMemberStatelevel.Withinthenexttwomonths,wewillalsopresent anaction "I urge you – from a European perspective – to remain critical and demanding of the of demanding and critical remain to – perspective European a from – you urge "I Photo: Committeeof the Regions José ManuelBarroso: of expertiseforterrorist purposes. combat terrorism, placingaparticularemphasisonthefightagainstterrorist propaganda andthesharing Lastly, Europeans are allworriedaboutsecurity. TheCommissionwillpropose additional measures to Over thenextfewweekswewillalsosetoutwayaheadfordevelopingservicesofgeneral interest. been fragmented forfartoolong. modernise theinternalmarket.Akeyfocusin2007 willbedefenceindustriesandmarkets,whichhave We willnot,however, neglectourprimaryobjective:theCommissionwillcontinuetodefend,enlarge and In 2007 theCommissionwillsetoutwayforward forthisnewmaritimepolicy. protection ofthemarineenvironment. policy whichwillrelease untappedpotentialintermsofgrowth andjobswhilestrengthening the The Green Paper onafuture maritimepolicyfortheEUlaunchedadebateontrulyintegrated maritime change andEurope's decliningpopulation. I wouldalsoliketopointoutthatourgreatest challengescanbesummedupinafewwords: climate carbon technologies,inorder todiversify andsecure energy supplyforEurope andelsewhere. needed tocompletetheinternalmarketforelectricityandgasaccelerate thetransfer tolow detail thevariouselementsofanintegrated energy policyfortheEU,andparticularlymeasures "We must do more to ensure that the public understands what Europe is about. It is also necessary also is It about. is Europe what understands public the that ensure to more do must "We for the associations you represent to relay the public's expectations to the European Commission." European the to expectations public's the relay to represent you associations the for Dialogue meetingtakingplaceintheCharlemagnebuildingofEuropean Commission. Photo: CommitteeoftheRegions 17 Commission Programme 2007 Furthermore, 2007 will mark a turning point in our search for a solution to the institutional question.
The Berlin declaration, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, will enable Europe's leaders to renew their commitment to an enlarged, competitive Europe, standing tall on the world stage and with solidarity as a cornerstone. It will be a short and incisive political declaration that will affirm all that unites us and demonstrate above all where we want to go and what we want to make of Europe in the next 50 years.
Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President I'm happy to report that the search for a solution to the institutional question is also a priority for the 18 German presidency. So I am confident that the conditions are right for major progress to be made. Just a few more words: in the 2005 cooperation protocol, the Commission undertook to take greater pains to facilitate the Committee of the Regions' work programming. I can already inform you that the Commission will send the Committee a list of the priority dossiers on which it will be seeking its opinion. This, as you will realise, ties in with our shared desire to strengthen the political and strategic dimension of cooperation between the Commission and the Committee.
Finally, I would like to use this opportunity to inform you of the follow-up that the Commission intends to give to two opinions of the Committee of the Regions. The first concerns public-private partnerships: the Commission agrees with the Committee of the Regions on the importance of these partnerships when it comes to providing the right infrastructure, and also services of general economic interest.
However, there is one point in the CoR opinion that the Commission cannot accept: the suggestion that private companies should have more than 33% participation in the capital of internal operators, meaning that they could secure public contracts directly without competition. In the Commission's view, giving certain private companies a privilege of this kind would not be compatible with the basic Treaty principles of equal treatment and transparency.
The second opinion concerns the situation of unaccompanied minors. The Committee of the Regions' own-initiative opinion is welcome, as it echoes the strategic approach taken by the Commission in the area of children's rights. However, it should be stressed that the CoR's criticisms appear excessive: contrary to what is stated in the opinion, there are already special measures for minors, and unaccompanied minors in particular, in the European instruments on asylum and immigration.
When the Commission, I am presiding over, began its term of office, certain dossiers had stalled and there was a need for reform.
Over the last three years we have managed to put things straight, rising to the challenges and overcoming the obstacles. This hasn't been easy, but we are already seeing the fruits of our labour. The 2007 work programme is based on these new foundations.
When we celebrate Europe's 50th birthday next year, we will therefore be able to do it with much greater confidence. Once again, Europe has proved its strength and its relevance, by reinventing itself for the 21st century.
We are showing our determination to achieve real results and striving ceaselessly to build a stronger European Union: what better birthday present for Europe and all its citizens? ■ Contributions from the associations V. Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme 19 For the structured dialogue the participants were asked to comment on the European Commission's legislative and work programme for 2007, to present their expectations concerning the Commission's proposals and come forward with concrete suggestions regarding the areas where further action is needed. Extracts from the debate on prosperity Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 20
Photo: Committee of the Regions
Anders Knape Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Mayor of Karlstad, Sweden
We share the view expressed in the introduction to the work programme on the importance of the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome in 2007, and believe that the European Union has an ever more important role to play in tackling the major global issues.
Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) therefore welcomes the fact that globalisation and its challenges will be in the focus of the policy agenda of the European Commission. We also wish to ensure that in any future institutional settlement, the gains achieved for local and regional government in the Constitution are maintained and strengthened.
In the chapter on prosperity, the work programme presents a number of initiatives that aim to promote and modernise the European economy in order to increase growth and jobs. We welcome the emphasis given in this context to the role of local and regional level in stimulating innovation and economic change.
Let me just address shortly some aspects of the prosperity part of the work programme before going a bit more into detail on the review of the single market.
On the integration of migrants, we would like to encourage the European institutions and the Member States to recognise the positive role that migrants can play in the economy and society. CEMR’s policy committee recently adopted a declaration on the role of local and regional governments in relation to migration, in which we expressed our view that all levels of government need to cooperate in order to successfully manage inward migration.
CEMR fully supports the European Commission's proposals on energy and to tackle climate change. However, we are concerned that sustainable cities and towns – stressed by the European Council in its revision of the sustainable development strategy, adopted this year in June – seem to be no longer on [the European Commission's] agenda. services andtheinternalmarket. local andregional self-governmenthavenotalwaystakenintoconsideration inthedebateonpublic Communication onSocialServicesofGeneral Interest sensitive areas. Theirrelationship totheinternal marketrequires abetteranalysisthanintherecent importance, butwewillneedtoscrutiniseverycarefully theproposals tobeputforward inthesevery CEMR agrees thattheseservices–whichare notgenerally ofacommercial character –are oftheutmost Finally wenotethattheCommissionwilladdress healthservicesandsocialofgeneral interest. costs andadministrative burdens intheEuropean Union,whichwewelcome. internal market.Thiswouldcorrespond withyourrecently launchedinitiativetoreduce administrative a stepintotherightdirection: towards afocusonmacroeconomic problems ofreal relevance tothe local andregional government.ThecollegeoftheCommissioners acceptedherproposal, whichrepresents compensation paymentsfortheprovision ofpublicservices,whichavoidedunnecessarybureaucracy for approach. Forinstancein2006,CommissionerNeelieKroes presented aproposal onstate aidandthe house" delivery, forwhichwewouldliketheEuropean Commissiontotakeamore sensibleandpragmatic an issuefortheEUadministration. Thesameisvalidforinter-localgovernmentcooperation or"in- provisions ofpurely localdimensionandwithoutsubstantialimpactoncross-border trade shouldnotbe of theinternalmarketinwaysthathavenotreally followedthisobjective.Investigatingservice We are concernedthatintherecent past,theEuropean Commission’s serviceshaveinterpreted therules industries andsectors. increase Europe’s competitivenessinglobalmarkets.Thismeansaconcentration ontherelevant centre ofitspolicyagenda.CEMRwouldliketoencourage youtoconcentrate onaspectsthataimto European Parliament on14November2006,thatEurope’s leaders haveagreed toputglobalisationatthe [Addressing President Barroso] youexplainedinyourpresentation oftheworkprogramme tothe Comments ontheannouncedreview ofthesinglemarketin2007 Sola i Karlstad (Sun in Karlstad) in (Sun Karlstad i Sola adopted in2000.Itsignifies boththe the European Commission's proposals Commission's European the sun is theofficialsymbol ofKarlstad and also afamous waitress from the Anders Knape: cities forannualhours ofsunshine) end ofthe18thcenturyknownas ranked amongthetop5Swedish sunny weather(Karlstad is often on energy and to tackle climate tackle to and energy on "CEMR fully supports fully "CEMR Photo: MadeleneLybeck Sola iKarlstad. change." ■ – the . We are concernedthat,todate,theprinciplesof 21 Commission Programme 2007 Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 22 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Alain Rousset Association of French Regions President of the Regional Council of Aquitaine, France
The research and innovation world expects a lot from Europe and welcomes the major increase in funds through the RTD framework programme and the gearing of the ERDF towards the Lisbon objectives.
However, in the interests of greater effectiveness and user-friendliness, i.e. to win greater recognition in the world of research and innovation of Europe, the mechanisms need to be simplified to make them more effective and easier to evaluate.
Contact between research laboratories and research management in Europe has revealed that too many partnerships (more than three countries) actually result in the isolation of the individual research projects.
In other words, it would be better to:
- reduce the number of partnerships in order to strengthen the European partnership; - set up business-laboratory pairs, within a European context, to allow closer contacts, as five or six cooperation arrangements may actually amount to little or no European cooperation.
Simplification is the key.
Lastly, a link must be established with the European regions that co-finance most of the projects. It will of course take time for Europe to catch up in the realm of research and innovation, and this will only be possible with the support and commitment of Europe's regions, which are ready to invest much more than at present. ■ Research and Technological Development (RTD) Framework Programme Framework (RTD) Development Technological and Research Alain Rousset: scientific research centre inPessac, region ofAquitaine,France. The European Institute ofChemistry andBiology(EICB)– international and the gearing of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Fund Development Regional European the of gearing the and Aquitaine RegionGovernmentcontributedthemajorpartof Europe and welcomes the major increase in funds through the through funds in increase major the welcomes and Europe "The research and innovation world expects a lot from lot a expects world innovation and research "The financial supportfortheEICBbuilding. Photo: ADAGP–Franck HammouteneArchitecte towards the Lisbon objectives." Lisbon the towards 23 Commission Programme 2007 Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 24 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Olivier Bertrand European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Regions (AEM) Mayor of Saint-Sylvain de Bellegrade, France
Structured dialogue between the associations of local and regional authorities and the European Commission is an opportunity which, with this December meeting, has fully come into its own.
Being able to discuss the Commission’s annual work programme with President of the European Commission is a sign of good governance in the European Union.
2007 will clearly be a decisive year, marked by:
- Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, two new Member States with extensive mountainous regions, - Start of the new 2007-2013 programming period for the regions, - German presidency which we hope will take the opportunity offered by the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome to revive the institutional process – a process that should be further pursued by subsequent presidencies, - National and regional elections which are important for us all and for European democracy, - Finally, global political and socio-economic issues which will not await our decisions before affecting Europeans’ everyday lives.
The choices made as regards the Commission’s work programme for 2007 seem to us to be entirely appropriate.
The continental dimension of the European Union is clear from these choices, set in the framework of the renewed Lisbon Strategy.
We want a Europe united in its diversity and in its plurality! This is a fundamental asset for European innovation and competitiveness, as well as the source of growth and long-lasting jobs.
We hope that the Commission will conduct consistent and effective European policies which take account of the different economic, social and environmental situations of all Europe's regions, and more especially of its mountain areas.
In order to meet the growth and employment targets of a Union with 27 members, it will be necessary to mobilise all our regional resources – particularly those of mountain regions, whose number has increased with the accession of Bulgaria and Romania (and these two countries' regional and local authorities did not wait for enlargement in order to join our association). On this note, we support the Commission in the cross-cutting approach it is using in order to give practical effect to the renewed Lisbon Strategy.
Speaking as an elected representative from France's Massif Central region, more in tune with the innovative ideas of Blaise Pascal than being an "imaginary invalid", I would like to convey the AEM’s proposal that we should work with the Commission to enable all the EU's mountain regions to find solutions allowing them to attain a level of prosperity worthy of the Union’s ambitions.
[Addressing President Barroso] being Portuguese, you are aware of our mountains’ resources, and as the President of the Commission you know that certain mountain regions have overcome the extra economic
and social costs and established themselves as some of the most competitive regions in the single market. 2007 Commission Programme
With the agreement of the Commission, we wish to conduct a review of the European policies which 25 have an impact on mountain areas: cohesion policy, and an agricultural policy that promotes quality, innovation and rural development, which together provide the conditions for better access to general interest services. To this we would add transport and energy policy, including the trans-European networks whose main challenges – environmental and otherwise – are keenly felt in mountain areas. These European policies will help industry and businesses large and small to boost their innovation capacity.
Spurred by this vision of regional cohesion in furtherance of the renewed Lisbon objectives, and of growth and jobs, we would like to offer you proposals which could provide examples of good practice both for the new Member States and for the most disadvantaged mountain regions. Such proposals could feed into a green paper on a European policy for mountain regions. ■
Massif Central – an elevated area in south-central France covering several French regions, including Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées and Limousin where Olivier Bertrand is the mayor of Saint-Sylvain de Bellegarde (area of Tallende community, south of Clermont- Ferrand in the foreground).
Olivier Bertrand: "Speaking as an elected representative from France's Massif Central, I would like to convey the AEM's (European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain Regions) proposal that we should work with the Commission to enable all the EU's mountain regions to find solutions allowing them to attain a level of prosperity worthy of the Union's ambitions.”
Photo: Association nationale pour le développement de l'aménagement foncier agricole et rural Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 26 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Alain le Vern Arc Manche Assembly President of the Regional Council of Haute-Normandie, France
The Arc Manche Assembly brings together all the French regions and most of the UK counties located on the Channel coast.
The Arc Manche is a platform for consultation, discussion and the preparation of proposals, and has set itself two major objectives since it was launched again in 2003:
- To highlight the value and specific nature of Arc Manche as a comprehensive platform for cooperation in Europe. - To strengthen partnerships by preparing joint cooperation projects throughout the Channel area, on research, ports policy, cod stocks and the integrated management of coastal regions.
The Channel is a sea basin, and its particular features have caused regional elected representatives on both sides of the Channel to monitor closely the European Commission’s work, initiated in 2005, on an integrated European maritime policy, as well as the ongoing consultation which followed on from the publication of the Green Paper on an integrated maritime policy [Green Paper adopted in June 2006].
The busiest sea area in the world, the Channel is both a major point of entry into the European Union and an EU "canal" linking the Atlantic and the Baltic. A great number of activities are concentrated in this area, with all the accompanying opportunities and risks.
The Arc Manche Assembly therefore applauds the ambitious approach which aims to desegregate the sectoral organisation of maritime and marine issues in Europe and to place the sea at the centre of sustainable economic development in the European Union.
We fully support this initiative and will contribute to it via a joint conference of France and the United Kingdom on this topic in spring 2007, but we nevertheless wish to draw your attention to the following points:
- The Arc Manche Assembly wonders about the possible link, or links, between the pursuit of a mid- and long-term process in support of an integrated maritime policy and the importance attached to Furthermore, wefeelthatcare mustbetakentoemphasisetheimportanceofstrong involvementby - integrated maritimepolicy. the regions, togetherwithMemberStatesandtheEuropean Union,intheimplementationofan regions thatanagreement bereached rapidly ontheERIKA3packagemaritimesafety. and transport. Withreference tothelatterpoint,webelieveitisvitalforourcoastsandmaritime the maritimedimensioninmanyEuropean policies,inparticularthefieldsofmaritimeresearch Alain leVern, memberof the Arc MancheAssembly whichbrings togethertheFrench regions andUKcounties located ontheChannelcoast: desegregate the sectoral organisation of maritime and marine issues in Europe and to place the sea at the at sea the place to and Europe in issues marine and maritime of organisation sectoral the desegregate Cliff ofEtretat inthevicinityofLeHarve,acityNormandy, northernFrance, ontheEnglish Channel. ■ "The Arch Manche Assembly applauds the ambitious approach which aims to aims which approach ambitious the applauds Assembly Manche Arch "The centre of sustainable economic development in the EU." the in development economic sustainable of centre Photo: Jean-Fraçois Lanzarone 27 Commission Programme 2007 28 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso important tofulfillingthesocial dimensionoftheLisbonStrategy. address allaspectsoftheLisbonStrategy intheprogramme andinvestmentinthistypeofplatformis one ofourmostformidabletools forachievingtheLisbonStrategy objectives.Itistherefore important to the themesof7thFP:Theme8:Socio-economicSciences andtheHumanities.The7thResearch FPis I amverypleasedtonotethatSMRPs/SocialPlatformsare nowpartoftheworkprogramme foroneof often atlocalandregional level. industry thatiscallingfornewknowledgeorexpectedto be thedrivingforce, butpublicoperators, formulate andimplementstrategic research agendas.WithSMRPs/SocialPlatforms,however, itisnot stakeholders together within anumberofkeyareas sothatthey–alongwithresearchers –can SMRPs/Social Platformsdraw ontheso-called"Technology platforms"thataimtobringindustrial Technology platforms integration andmigration issues,andtheenvironment. involving allaspectsofsustainabledevelopment.Iamthinkinginparticularageingpopulation, the localandregional level'sabilitytomeetthemajorchallengesfacingEuropean society, i.e.those These SMRPs/SocialPlatformswill,then,contributewithrelevant knowledgeandhencebesignificantto been involvedinframing theproblem. type ofcooperation willbeeasiertoharnessbecausethestakeholders thatneedtheknowledgehave then leadstoresearch intheareas identified.Theknowledgeandresearch results generated through this knowledge requirements. Together thestakeholders create along-termstrategic research agendawhich researchers andotherparties,inorder toestablishadialogue andidentifypublicchallengesnew The ideabehindthemistobringtogethervariousstakeholders, e.g.localandregional authorities, 7th FP, theygounderthenameof"SocialPlatforms". forthcoming 7thFramework Programme (FP)forResearch, DevelopmentandDemonstration. Underthe context tocommendtheCommissionforitsforesight inincorporating themasanewfeature ofthe I wouldliketospeakabouttheSocietalMotivatedResearch Platforms(SMRP)initiative,andinthis Societal MotivatedResearch Platforms(SMRP)initiative Regional GovernmentCommissioner intheRegionofSkåne,Sweden Swedish Association ofLocalAuthoritiesandRegions (SALAR) Henrik Hammar Photo: CommitteeoftheRegions We are now working actively to deliver one or more potential platforms at European level and, on 21 November 2006, we organised an SMRP/Social Platform workshop in Brussels in order to discuss with other European stakeholders the shape such platforms might take and what the relevant themes are. ■ Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme 29
Meeting between the old and the new in Malmö, capital city of the region of Skåne – old mölla (windmill) in the foreground and the modern skyscraper Turning Torso in the background.
Henrik Hammar: "I am pleased to note that the Societal Motivated Research Platforms (SMRP) are now part of the 7th Framework Programme (FP) for Research, Development and Demonstration. They aim to bring industrial stakeholders together so that they can formulate and implement strategic research agendas."
Photo: Christian Andersson 30 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso advantage inafieldthatrequires ahigh-levelofinnovativeskillsandknowledge-based resources. already keychallengesinthemselves).Itisalsoaunique opportunitytodevelopastrong comparative not justtheonlywaytogetaway from energy dependencyandtolimitglobal warming(whichare All thisinvolvesalong-term approach inwhichRES mustplayacentral role: thedevelopmentof RESis affordable energy hampers regional economicdevelopment. Union withacommonmarket,theenergy infrastructure alsoneeds tobeliberalised; atpresent, alackof and gas)isnotplannedimplementedatEuropean levelbutinanationalcontext.IntheEuropean There are stillmajorbottlenecksintheinfrastructure forenergy. Theenergy infrastructure (e.g.electricity Infrastructure forenergy fully completetheworkdoneatnationalandEuropean levels. regions haveconcrete experiencesthatdemonstrate howagoodenergy strategy atregional levelcan of renewable energy sources andenergy efficiency. Thisiswhere theAERcanbringinitsexpertise:our cooperation withresearch centres, universities andbusiness,leadingtoincreasing innovationinthefield support toSMEswhoinvestintheverypromising RESmarket,participatinginresearch projects, in the regions canplayastrong role in:disseminatinggoodpractice intermsofenergy savings,providing For theAER,response oftheEuropean Unionneedstobealignedwithabottom-upapproach, where overall demandforoil,thereby creating apositivecompetitionanddecrease infossilfuelprices. market. Astrong growth inRenewableEnergy Sources (RES)willpartlycontributeindecreasing the support theEuropean Union’s effortstofavouramore competitiveandyetbetter-regulated energy adopt considerable newchangesinthewayweuseandproduce energy. ThisiswhytheAERwillstrongly between theMemberStatesforinstanceelectricityandgas.Theupcomingoilshortagerequires usto It isimperative thattheEUcreates atrulyEuropean energy marketandreduce thedifferences inprice European energy market new deal. determined bythepricesoffuelsandcapacityouradministrations andcompaniestoadaptthe citizens thatisatstake.Ittheveryeconomicprosperity oftheEuropean continentthatwillbe (AER): withtheenergy challenge,itisnotonlytheenvironment andthefuture well-beingofEuropean There isnothingnewinsayingthatenergy has becomeapriorityfortheAssemblyofEuropean Regions Energy –apriorityfor the AssemblyofEuropean Regions President oftheRegionFriuli-Venezia Giulia,Italy Assembly ofEuropean Regions (AER) Riccardo Illy Photo: CommitteeoftheRegions Riccardo Illy: of FriuliVenezia Giuliaon theAdriaticSea. The MoloAudaceinTrieste intheRegion our regions have concrete experiences that experiences concrete have regions our (AER). The AER can bring in its expertise: its in bring can AER The (AER). demonstrate how a good energy strategy energy good a how demonstrate for the Assembly of European Regions European of Assembly the for at regional level can fully complete the complete fully can level regional at implementation ofaEuropean strategy onenergy. role thatregional actors andtheirrepresentative organisations, liketheAER,canplayin commitment bytheEUtopromotion ofRESintheenergy mixandtheacknowledgementofkey must berecognised assuchbyallEuropean institutions.Therefore theAERasksforaneverstronger climate changeandoftheEuropean long-termsustainablestrategy onenergy production anduse,they If theregions are tobecomekeyactors intherenewal ofour collectivebehaviourandapproaches to funding. on low-consumptionbuildings,whichhasjustbeensubmittedtotheEuropean Commissionforco- programme –andlookforpotentialpartners. TheAERisalsoactingasanexternaladviseronaproject can present theirprojects –thatcouldbeeligible forinstanceundertheIntelligentEnergy Europe The AERonlinepartnership poolisanewtoolthatwehavedevelopedwhere allinterested stakeholders Encouraging interregional cooperation of Lower-Saxony, alsoprovides aplatformfordebateandexchange ofexperience. local leveltoimprove theefficiencyofourenergy strategies. Ourworkinggroup, chaired bytheRegion an accesstoalarge databaseofactivities,initiativesandprojects beingimplementedatregional and of bestpractices andadiscussionforumare currently beingdevelopedandwillprovide theregions with examples canbeintegrated intheactualenergy strategies oftheregions. To thisend,anonlinedatabase The secondtypeofactivityisdedicatedtothetransfer ofbestpractice andareflection onhowrelevant Promoting theexchangeofregional bestpractice systems. Thisconference istakingplaceinOldenburg, Lower-Saxony, inFebruary2007. Energy Systems”toexaminehowwecanintegrate renewable energy technologiesintomorrow’s energy quantified targets forthecomingyears. TheAERisalsoco-organising aconference on“Decentralised energy sources andisencouraging allitsmembers tojointheinitiativeandcommitclear and The AERisstrongly supportingtheDeclaration ofEuropean Regionsforenergy efficiency andrenewable Mobilising theregions andraising awareness Three examplesofhowtheAERiscontributingtoachievementtheseobjectives: promote RESandenergy efficiency. cooperation more dynamicandweare supportingourmembers intheirsearch forinnovativewaysto secure andcompetitiveenergy, wehavesetupalarge range ofactivitiesaimedatmakinginterregional To supportourveryambitiouspositionontherole thatregions shouldplayinthefieldofsustainable, and storage costsandrisksenhanceslocalemployment. Moreover, renewable energy sources are produced andavailableatlocallevel,whichreduces transport work done at national and European and national at done work "Energy has become a priority a become has "Energy Photo: RegioneFriuliVenezia Giulia levels." ■ 31 Commission Programme 2007 32 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso and betterregulation Extracts from thedebateongovernance set outintheworkprogramme, are really compatiblewiththesubsidiarityprinciple.Regarding its It isworthwhileaskingoneself here whethertheCommission's attemptstodealwithurbantransport, as This all-importantprincipleneeds tobeappliedinpractice. conference inVenice on31 October2006. democracy andstayingintunewiththepublicfinaldeclaration itadoptedatitsannual That iswhyCALREstrongly emphasisedthefundamentalimportanceofsubsidiarity principleto intervenes intheirdailylives. better byregions and municipalities. People feelacertainuneaseaboutthewayinwhichEurope At thesametime,however, thepublicdoesnotexpectEurope todealwithissuesthatcanbedealt Europe mustrespond tothisbyproducing concrete results. Europe, sinceindividualMemberStatesare not abletosolvemajorcross-border issuesontheirown. public aboutEurope's benefits.We havetomake itclearthatinaglobalisedworldweneedstrong economic successfortheUnion,alongwithsecurityandfreedom, playsacentral role inconvincingthe they feelpowerlessanddoubtwhetherpolicymakers caninfluencethepathofglobalisation.Therefore Large sectionsofthepublicfeelveryinsecure inthefaceofchallengesglobalisationhascreated; supply. such asstructuringglobalisationfairly, boostingtheUnion'scompetitiveness,andsecuringitsenergy We verymuchwelcomethefactthatCommissionprogramme focusesonmajorEuropean challenges concerned –andare accountabletothepublicforsuchimplementation. population. RegionalassembliesimplementEuropean directives –wheneverregional legislationis assemblies ineightMemberStatesoftheUnionwhichaccountforalmosthalfEuropean Union's Conference ofEuropean RegionalLegislative Assemblies (CALRE)represents 74regional legislative President oftheRegionalParliament ofCarinthia,Austria Conference ofEuropean RegionalLegislative Assemblies (CALRE) Jörg Freunschlag Photo: CommitteeoftheRegions proposed health policy initiatives, the Commission needs to make sure that health policy structures remain the sole responsibility of Member States, in accordance with the Treaties. It is in Europe's interest to heed this principle. Not every problem in Europe is also a problem for Europe!
We welcome the fact that the Commission is acting in anticipation of the early warning system and now forwards EU documents directly to national parliaments. Regional assemblies are entitled to be involved in this procedure within the Member States.
Lastly, allow me to emphasise that whilst we welcome the forwarding of documents to Member State parliaments as a first step, this cannot be considered a replacement for the monitoring mechanisms on 2007 Commission Programme the subsidiarity principle that were to be provided for in the Constitutional Treaty. 33 Impact assessments are an important complement to the subsidiarity principle.
We very much welcome the fact that the Commission intends to pay special attention to assessing the impact of its economic and public administration proposals. ■
Landscape of the Austrian Land (state) Carinthia with the Carnian Alps. Carinthian Landtag (regional parliament) belongs to the Conference of European Legislative Assemblies (CALRE). Austria is made up of nine states - each has an elected legislature and is a member of CALRE. CALRE brings together the regional parliaments of the European Union that have legislative powers (in total 74 regions from eight countries).
Jörg Freunschlag: "The public does not expect Europe to deal with issues that can be dealt with better by regions and municipalities. That is why the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE) strongly emphasised the fundamental importance of the subsidiarity principle to democracy."
Photo: Office of the President of the Regional Parliament of Carinthia Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 34 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions President of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, Spain
[Addressing President Barroso] you have based your strategic objectives for 2007 on four of the Commission's major priorities: prosperity, solidarity, security and a stronger voice for the Union in the world. You added an important dimension, governance, whilst stressing, in agreement with your Vice- President, Ms Margot Wallström, that 2007 would be a decisive year for institutional reform, during which citizens would receive better information about the Commission's priorities and their added value.
Allow me to say that we fully endorse this aspiration and are ready to support you by taking concrete day-to-day action in our regions. To this end, in order to improve our active participation, there are several observations I would like to put forward.
Modernising the European economy
With regard to modernising the European economy, you have shown your commitment to enabling the regions to play their full role, namely by supporting the implementation of the future regional policy and its priorities, which are firmly geared towards innovation. As of 1 January 2007, the regions will have to demonstrate that they are going to apply themselves energetically and imaginatively to achieving this goal.
The competitiveness of our regions in Europe and worldwide depend on it. Nevertheless, the regions are also aware that, in the long-term, the factors for this success also depend on the capacity for reform and modernisation created by the Member States through their national reform programmes.
We do not want our efforts to be undermined by lagging reforms, nor do we want the latter to call into question the relevance of sustainable regional action.
Europe's position in a globalised world
With regard to the challenge of finding Europe's position in a globalised world we are already making a substantial contribution. As you are aware, in June 2006 our conference organised the first international meeting of regional presidents from the five continents under your patronage. In March 2007, we will be partnering the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to hold the first international convention on a regional approach to development to be attended by representatives of organisations from the five continents. EU policiesandourregional policies. project. Thisapproach willenableustobeconsistentaboutthecomplementarityofinternalandexternal where ourregional economiesoperate, thissupportisatangiblesignoftheaddedvalueEuropean areas beyondtheborders oftheEuropean Union.Facedwiththereality ofthesingleglobalmarket, point withourcompetitionandcooperation policies,whichare focusingnaturally andincreasingly on We wouldliketomakeitknownthatweare totallysatisfiedwiththispolicy, whichcorresponds pointby mainly withintheframework ofEUcooperation. stands for"Africa,CaribbeanandPacific"] aswellotherAsianandLatinAmericanregional groupings, development policiesforACPcountries[countriesthatare signatoriesoftheLoméConvention;ACP the Union'sexternalcooperation policies.Thisclearlyconcernstheneighbourhoodpolicy, and You intendtoworkcloselywiththeregional authoritiesinthecontextofforthcomingregulations on Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso: The mountainous region ofMurcia insouthSpainontheMediterranean Sea.TheAutonomous Communityof for reform and modernisation created by the Member States through their national reform programmes." reform national their through States Member the by created modernisation and reform for Murcia is oneofthe55regions forming theConference ofPeripheral MaritimeRegions ofEurope. "The regions are aware that their competitiveness in Europe depends on the capacity the on depends Europe in competitiveness their that aware are regions "The ■ Photo: Press OfficeoftheAutonomousCommunityMurcia 35 Commission Programme 2007 36 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso information canbeorganised bysubjectmatter. communicated through anobservatory. Thisisnecessaryforreasons ofefficiencysothatallthe network wouldallowallthework,projects andproposals ofthedifferent countriesinvolvedtobe being doneinthedifferent regions, whichcouldbeequallyapplicabletootherareas. HavingaEuropean It wouldbeveryusefultosetupnetworksbetweenorganisations thatprovide informationonwhatis Networks betweenorganisations channels andcoordinating thatamountofinformationisahugetask. The undertakingwillbelongandaboveallcomplex,because theaimistoopenmanycommunication as aninformationchannel,butalsoinstrumentforeffectiveparticipation. For allthesereasons Ifullysupportthelaunchofthis process toconnectwithEuropean society, notjust administrative systemthatmoveswiththetimes. Managing thisprocess iscomplicatedandnotunproblematic, butultimatelywillguarantee amodern ambitious programme withwhichpeopleidentify andwhichinvolveseverybody. This helpsnotonlytoachievegreater effectivenessandefficiency, butmakesitpossibletodevelopan needs, plans,ambitions,potentialandopportunitiesofallthosewithintheterritorymunicipality. Municipal policyisincreasingly beingframed onthebasisoffirmconvictionthatitmustaddress the more withthesocialstakeholders whoare involvedandwhoholdresponsibilities atgrassroots level. I wouldliketopointoutthatmanylocalauthoritiesare nowmakingaconsiderable efforttoconnect understand EUpoliciesandtheirrelevance. launched withtheWhitePaper oncommunicationpolicy, whichstatesthatcitizensshouldbeableto As President oftheFederation ofMunicipalities Iplacegreat importanceontheeffortthatisbeing Communication policyandcommunicationchannels Mayor oftheMunicipalityLena,Spain Asturian Federation ofMunicipalities Hugo Alfonso MoránFernández ■ Photo: CommitteeoftheRegions coast ofSpain,facingtheCantabrianSea,is characterized byhighpeaks, lowvalleys and The UbiñaMassif in themunicipalityofLenaPrincipalityAsturias onthenorth Hugo Alfonso Morán Fernández: basis of the firm conviction that it must address the needs, plans, ambitions, potential ambitions, plans, needs, the address must it that conviction firm the of basis and opportunities of all those within the territory of the municipality." the of territory the within those all of opportunities and "Municipal policy is increasingly being framed on the on framed being increasingly is policy "Municipal Photo: JuanjoArrojo thick forests. 37 Commission Programme 2007 38 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso thatthedecentralisation ofEUprogrammes becomespossible becauseregional and/orlocal - that thisfullcooperation alsoincludesthemanagementofEUprogrammes; - thattasks/responsibilities maybedelegatedtolocaland/orregional formsof cooperation; - joint,bindingdecisionstakenby thecooperating parties,followedbytheirimplementation; - bindingformsofcooperation involvingsocialpartners andcitizens; - thatregional andlocalauthoritiesinjointstructures are responsible forthedemocratic monitoringof - thatthere isfullscopeforlong-termstrategic cooperation; - thatcooperation doesnotdependonchangingmajoritiesoropinionsatgovernment,politicaland/or - Aguarantee thatcooperation cantakeplaceinthefuture atanytime,inplace,on topicand - A legalbasisforcross-border cooperation means: interregional andtrans-national basis)atregional and/orlocalauthoritylevel. directly inallEUMemberStatesfordecentralised trans-European cooperation (onacross-border, The newinstrumentunderCommunitylawcreates ahomogeneouslegalbasisthatcouldbeapplied determined. added valueforanewlegalinstrumentoftheEuropean Uniononcooperation across borders was Parliament andoftheCouncil5July2006onaEuropean grouping ofterritorialcooperation]. Aclear European grouping ofterritorialcooperation (EGTC), asagreed inJuly2006[regulation oftheEuropean Regions andfortheEuropean Commission.Bothstudiesservedasbasisforthedevelopmentof Association ofEuropean Border Regions(AEBR) elaborated twobasicstudiesfortheCommitteeof European grouping ofterritorialcooperation (EGTC) in theRegionofFriuli-Venezia Giulia,Italy Regional Minister forInternationalRelations, European Affairs andLocalAuthorities Association ofEuropean Border Regions Franco Iacop management tasks; cooperation structures haveabasisinpubliclawandcanassumeliability and undertake the practical implementation ofcross-border cooperation; administrative level; in anyform; Photo: CommitteeoftheRegions through theestablishmentofanagreement, afixedoffice,jointfinancesandsoon. border fundingprogrammes oftheEuropean Union.Butwe,AEBR,mustworktoletapply theEGTC would prefer tocontinuethisway;specially, ifwethinktousetheEGTC onabigscaleforfuture cross- We knowthattheprogrammes, thathaveuptonowbeenworkingintheframework ofan agreement, programmes. Also bycross-border structures forgeneral cross-border cooperation, andthatmeanswithoutEUfunding interregional andtrans-national projects it’s possible(e.g.infrastructure, environmental projects etc.). AEBR willdoeverythingthatispossibletoletapplytheEGTC insomanycross-border andalsolarge cooperation, evenifstillcanbeimproved infuture. AEBR welcomesthecreation oftheEGTC. ThisisfinallyaEuropean legalinstrumentforterritorial that astructure forcooperation underpubliclawissubjecttosupervisionthatsamelaw. - thatacommonplaceofjurisdictionispossible,asare shared headquarters, jointfinancesandequal - authority toappointanddismissstaff,etc.; territorial cooperation (EGTC). The new legal instrument under Community law creates a homogeneous legal basis that could that basis legal homogeneous a creates law Community under instrument legal new The (EGTC). cooperation territorial Piazza UnitainTrieste, acityintheItalianregion ofFriuliVenezia GiuliaontheAdriaticSea–aborder region toSloveni Franco Iacop: "The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) welcomes the creation of the European grouping of grouping European the of creation the welcomes (AEBR) Regions Border European of Association "The be applied directly in all EU Member States for decentralised trans-European cooperation." trans-European decentralised for States Member EU all in directly applied be ■ Photo: RegioneFriuliVenezia Giulia a. 39 Commission Programme 2007 Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 40 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Helmut Jahn German County Association Chairman of the District Authority in Hohenlohekreis, Germany
I fully endorse the Commission's efforts to remove red tape and improve governance. I regard the removal of red tape at European level (and also generally at national level) as essential if we are to tackle the rising tide of Euro-scepticism. The European Union – I am referring here to the view held at local level – is often seen from afar by the public as a bureaucratic monster, whose principal activity is to swamp its inhabitants with additional regulation.
I would like to single out two projects aimed at removing red tape, which in my view are particularly important:
Existing legislation
As far as existing legislation is concerned, the Commission has proposed abolishing unnecessary rules and amending or reforming others. So far, however, not even half of the 54 simplification initiatives planned for 2006 have been approved. As regards codification, in other words the process that leads to the consolidation of legislative acts, of the 500 or so procedures planned by the Commission, only 85 have so far been completed.
This raises the question as to whether the Commission, by proceeding in this way, can actually succeed in pressing ahead with deregulation. I believe that the Commission must step up its efforts considerably, so that there may finally be a sense at local level, among citizens, businesses and the authorities, that red tape is actually being removed. Closer involvement of local authorities could provide the Commission with an even clearer picture of which pieces of Community legislation are the most burdensome at local level for all those concerned.
Future measures
As far as future measures are concerned, I believe it is particularly important that the European Union only becomes involved when it is really necessary and when things cannot be achieved by national, regional or local measures (subsidiarity). Even then, it is imperative that the local level and its representatives play a more active role. Who else, apart from the local and regional authorities themselves, could be better judges of whether or not action at local or regional level is sufficient or indeed meets local requirements more effectively and efficiently? For this is certainly not a question of avoiding regulation, but rather better regulation. Furthermore, I believe it is important that future impact assessments first and foremost are conducted according to a standard EU method for measuring administrative costs – the standard cost model. This model is already being used successfully in 14 Member States and it has finally allowed political decision- makers to see whether the benefits of a legislative measure outweigh the administrative costs. This helps to ensure that our citizens are spared the introduction of pointless regulation.
At this point, I should like to draw your attention to the Commission's proposal for local and regional authorities, when awarding public contracts for amounts below EU thresholds, to be subject to EU law on public procurement. This is an area in which the European legislative authorities have deliberately set a 2007 Commission Programme threshold to determine whether or not public contracts are relevant to the internal market. Put simply, this Commission plan represents increased costs for local and regional authorities and more bureaucracy, 41 not less. ■
Monastery Schöntal in Hohenlohe in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany – former Cistercian monastery, now used as a teaching centre for the Catholic church.
The teaching of the church has elaborated the principle of subsidiarity – one of the fundamental principles of the European Union. According to Pope John Paul II "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good." (Centisimus Annus, p. 48)
Helmut Jahn: "I believe it is particularly important that the European Union only becomes involved when it is really necessary and when things cannot be achieved by national, regional or local measures – subsidiarity."
Photo: Archiv Kreismedienzentrum Hohenlohekreis Extracts from the debate on solidarity Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 42
Photo: Committee of the Regions
Jean-Michel Daclin EUROCITIES Vice-Mayor of Lyon, France
EUROCITIES' 2007 work programme will focus on three key subjects: demographic change and social inclusion; sustainable development and energy efficiency; and integrated urban development and economic growth.
The first of these, demographic change and social inclusion, clearly comes under the heading "solidarity", and this is what I would like to talk to you about today.
All levels of government must be aware of the consequences of current demographic trends such as immigration and the ageing population. They must be prepared to play their respective roles as part of a wider partnership – between the local, national and European levels – that will enable these challenges to be met.
As regards the mid-term review of the implementation of the Social Agenda, EUROCITIES calls on the Commission to be as bold as possible, emphasising the need for Member States to involve local and regional authorities in a meaningful way. We support the initiative to relaunch peer reviews, and we recommend that you include a robust governance dimension in each such review.
As with the Lisbon Strategy, we are faced with gaps in implementation. All of us here know that the disappointing results of Lisbon are, among other things, due to insufficient involvement of the local and regional level in drawing up the National Reform Programmes. The same goes for the National Action Plans against poverty and social exclusion.
EUROCITIES, via its member cities, will do all it can to ensure that the various governments listen to us.
As regards social inclusion and the digital divide, and at a time when the Commission is developing a strategy for e-inclusion in 2007, we urge you to take into account local initiatives in this area, in particular the EUROCITIES Charter of Rights of Citizens in the Knowledge Society. These local initiatives are key parts of any European strategy that seeks to be close to the people. Another subject on which EUROCITIES has been working for years is immigration and integration.
I would like to highlight two of EUROCITIES' key messages in this area:
Immigration is not just a security issue.
Given its impact on the way our cities work day to day, across a large number of areas, a wide-ranging approach is essential, necessarily involving several Commissioners. This is the approach that was taken at the recent Integrating Cities conference in Rotterdam, organised jointly by the Commission and 2007 Commission Programme EUROCITIES, and we hope that the Commission will continue this integrated approach in 2007. 43 Immigration and integration are a largely urban phenomenon.
We call on the Commission to ensure that this urban dimension is clearly reflected in its activities in 2007, not least by means of systematic consultation and involvement of cities, and in particular through the European Integration Forum.
Finally, a point that is sadly missing from your work programme: although you are about to publish a communication on services of general interest, no follow-up to that communication is mentioned in the 2007 work programme. ■
The old town in Lyon with the church of St. George on the left on the Saône river. Lyon (450 000 inhabitants) is the second-largest city in France after Paris.
Jean-Michel Daclin: "EUROCITIES has been working for years on immigration and integration – a largely urban phenomenon. We call on the Commission to ensure that this urban dimension is clearly reflected in its activities in 2007, not least by means of systematic consultation and involvement of cities."
Photo: Muriel Chaulet – Ville de Lyon Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 44 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Jesús Solá-Sevilla LIEDRA European Network of Local Authorities against Gender Violence and for Equal Opportunities Mayor of Herrera de los Navarros, Spain
The European Union has every reason to be proud that it has formulated some of the most significant and well-designed anti-discrimination legislation in the world.
Laws must however be brought into use and fully applied if they are to be effective. Legislation must then be backed by clear political will, relying on public support.
Proclaiming equal rights and adapting them is not enough to make equal opportunities between men and women a reality. We also need to push for changes in behaviour and thinking.
Although the European Union has clearly made sustained and focused efforts in the legislative process, and will continue to do so throughout the 2007 – Year of equal opportunities for all initiative, much remains to be done – especially at local level, which is closest to the day-to-day life of our citizens.
The LIEDRA network association was founded on 27 October 2007 in Zaragoza.
LIEDRA now brings together 35 000 local authorities, socio-occupational actors and women's associations from 21 European countries, all working in the field of promoting gender equality and cooperating to eradicate a pernicious social problem – violence against women.
The association was founded on an awareness that there is as yet no uniform and clear policy applicable in all European countries to promote the involvement of women in social, political, economic and work- related life.
Neither is there yet standard European legislation helping to combat violence against women and defining such violence as a crime.
It emerged from the Zaragoza conference of local authority representatives that it is local administrations which are in the most direct contact with the problem of violence against women, and that they are at the forefront in implementing gender equality policies. It was also noted that the most innovative legislative and practical solutions for implementing these policies are devised at local level.
We are quite convinced that the European Union must apply equal opportunities policy at local level, encouraging women to be more involved in all aspects of life. This is the only way to achieve the objective of active public participation in the European venture. I am delighted at the European initiatives such as EQUAL, PROGRESS, DAPHNE II, AGIS, STOP and European Active Citizenship, all geared to promoted action by and co-financing for European networks operating in the field of equal opportunities.
LIEDRA will take an active part in these initiatives; the EMPARDAR project (meaning "making equal" in Aragonese) was unveiled on 17 November 2006, with the primary objective of bringing together existing local legislative and practical initiatives from across Europe, promoting women's involvement in all areas of life and backing legislation to eradicate gender-related violence.
In this way our municipalities can serve as a political laboratory. 2007 Commission Programme 45 Our other aim is to disseminate information on relevant Community legislation to all European countries by means of conferences, topical seminars and workshops.
We would like to invite the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the members of the European Economic and Social Committee to take part in these seminars, together with our national and regional governments; we hope that the European institutions will listen and take note of examples of best management practice in the field, and we aim to give them the opportunity to hear the concerns and proposals of citizens and social actors, so as to build such experiences and comments into the legislative process.
In our eyes, this would represent a palpable, practical express of Plan D and of active participation by citizens.
Gender equality is of course a fundamental human right, but on the world economic stage, marked by accelerating globalisation, equal involvement of women in political, social and labour life must be an objective and an obligation for the European Union – which has set itself the ambitious aim of becoming the world's most competitive economic in four years.
Here is another vital aspect – as well as being competitive, it must be economically attractive: the European Union must continue shaping its own social, political and democratic model, which can serve as a model for the world.
The new social model demands genuine and effective implementation of the concept of "flexicurity". This concept must not remain a dead letter, it must be applied at every level. ■
Church of Saint John the Baptist in the old city of Herrera (example of Mudejar architecture of Aragon listed as UNESCO World Heritage site).
Jesús Solá-Sevilla: "We are convinced that the European Union must apply equal opportunities policy at local level, encouraging women to be more involved in all aspects of life."
Photo: City Council of Herrera de los Navarros Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 46 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Jean-Louis Destans Association of French Departments President of the General Council of Eure, France
I would like to draw your attention to the views of the French departments on the solidarity aspect of your work programme, which sets out the implementation of the EU's Social Agenda, and more specifically on services of general interest (SGI) and social services of general interest (SSGI), which are among its components.
French departments correspond to NUTS III regions and are the frontline operators on inclusion.
We are directly concerned by today's debate. We are developing several services of general interest that contribute to regional, social, economic and environmental cohesion in the European Union. It is especially legitimate for us to operate in this field because our level of government is closest to the general public and more in touch with who they are and what they need.
Thus, in responding to what the public wants and what the community needs, by financing, managing or outsourcing these services, we have developed real expertise in the delivery of local community services.
In this respect, local and regional authorities are the guarantors of the general interest (proximity and universality). They are also responsible for ensuring that implementation complies with the legislation in force in an extremely diverse European context. Due to the ongoing decentralisation process in France, local authorities' responsibility in this area has grown.
At European level, the main challenge is to reconcile the fundamental freedoms of the internal market with the implementation of the EU's Fundamental Rights.
At a local and regional level, it is a matter of ensuring the continuity of intervention methods and policy development for public services delivered by local and regional authorities: their quality, geographical and social accessibility, and efficiency, as well as consumer and user protection.
I would like to draw your attention to a point that I feel I can make in my capacity as elected local representative dealing directly with the local community, and in daily contact with the public.
We are put in an increasingly difficult position by the absence of a precise definition for services of general interest at European level on the one hand, and, on the other, by a situation that has arisen by default, which has no political legitimacy; this is creating increasing legal uncertainty, to the detriment of local and regional authorities, local policies, the police and operators. We believe that only a stable, transparent legal framework will ensure that the subsidiarity principle, as enshrined in the Treaty, is recognised and safeguarded.
Only through such a legal framework will the local authorities' role in defining the tasks, management and funding of services of general interest be recognised at its true worth in keeping with the principle of administrative freedom.
It is the responsibility of the EU, in close cooperation with the Member States and their local authorities, to help stabilise positive law by identifying the characteristics of these services while taking into account their specific features. This distinction should be based on the tasks and objectives underlying SGI/SSGI. 2007 Commission Programme 47 This will at last help clarify the conditions for applying Community law to local authorities, arrangements for delivering these services.
A reassuring step forward was able to be taken by the Council in June 2006 on the revised proposal for a sectoral regulation on public transport service obligations.
Nevertheless, with regard to SGI, there is still a wide range of different responses, and the authorities we represent would like some clarification.
We are committed to the local authorities' freedom to define and manage local public services, including social services of general interest.
It is for this reason that, like the Committee of the Regions, of which I am a member, I cannot but support the principle of setting up a Community framework for services of general interest, including services of general economic interest, in the interests of greater legal certainty, based on the principles of the administrative freedom of local and regional authorities and subsidiarity.
This is the position I will expand upon during the plenary session, in the debate on the opinion on your Communication on social services of general interest. ■
Harcourt Castle situated in the department of Eure in Normandy – masterpiece of medieval architecture.
Jean-Louis Destans: "At European level, the main challenge is to reconcile the fundamental freedoms of the internal market with the implementation of the EU's Fundamental Rights."
Photo: Département de l'Eure Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 48 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Mara Enrica Scagni National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) Mayor of Alessandria, Italy
The ANCI fully welcomes and supports the 2007 priorities.
A few points on policy issues:
We would stress the need to revive the constitutional process, which has perhaps not been given sufficient priority here by the Commission. We feel that it is worth pursuing and that authorities at all levels, including the local level, have a contribution to make.
In this regard, we would highlight the agreement that we (along with the Italian regions) signed on 9 November 2006 at the Campidoglio [government building] in Rome, as one of the national associations of regional and local authorities, with the Commission – represented by Commissioner Wallström. This agreement is on cooperation across the regions and municipalities on initiatives aimed at reinforcing the idea of Europe and the work of its institutions being beneficial to the public and to economic and social growth throughout the EU.
With regard to the EU's Social Agenda:
As we have seen, many of the Commission's strategic priorities are concerned with the EU taking a proactive role in people's quality of life.
Aside from the issues of energy and internal market completion, which mainly impact on the EU's economy, many of the strategic proposals relate to social issues.
The 2007 priorities show that the Commission has a strong sense that it is building a European model to be proud of. Achieving this will undoubtedly be difficult, but it is evident that a great, far-sighted effort is being made.
The European Commission initiatives which are for us particularly relevant, are those focused on immigration, highly-skilled migrants, flexicurity (i.e., balancing flexibility and social security), demographic change and its consequences on society. Furthermore we are interested in the report on the implementation on the ground of the EU's Social Agenda for more and better jobs and equal opportunities for all.
I really believe that this annual programme deserves the attention and the cooperation of local authorities. The close involvement of local authorities is crucial to the implementation of these EU policies, which bring much added value to the EU and represent the practical application of European ideals, making our European economic model unique, which should be not only competitive but also highly inclusive.
The European social model must be embraced as the hallmark of the European Union and should become the focus of the EU's message to the public. Local authorities want to convey and implement this clear message. For this to happen, local authorities must become more involved.
A few weeks ago, the CoR President Michel Delebarre, stated that local and regional authorities were still not sufficiently involved in the Lisbon Strategy. I, however, would go as far to say that local authorities 2007 Commission Programme and municipalities have hardly any involvement at all, even in a country like ours, which is highly 49 decentralised.
If we really want to implement a European model based on multi-level governance, we must go beyond the strict concept of competences and more directly involve all the institutions in achieving the EU's key goals.
The Commission is well aware of the role played by municipalities and towns in implementing social policies. To really develop this role, the Commission should encourage public campaigns encouraging good practice in this area. Last year our association launched a campaign aimed at involving municipalities in the Lisbon objectives. While we would hope to revive that campaign, we would also call the Commission to launch a new wave of pilot initiatives, similar to those promoted in 2000 involving local authorities and their national associations in the implementation of the European Employment Strategy.
Urban transport
We welcome the Commission's plans to take a coherent, systematic approach to urban transport in Europe's cities, through a Communication on the issue.
We wholeheartedly welcome such an initiative and are willing to play a full part in it. ■
City Council building in Alessandria, a city in Piedmont, Italy.
Mara Enrica Scagni: "If we really want to implement a European model based on multi-level governance, we must go beyond the strict concept of competences and more directly involve all the institutions in achieving the EU's key goals."
Photo: City Council of Alessandria Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 50 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Enrique Rodríquez Contreras Arco Latino Member of the Council of the Municipality of Las Navas de la Concepción, Spain
Arco Latino is an association of 65 administrations from the Western Mediterranean, comprising Spanish provincial and island councils, French departments, and Italian provinces. It represents the interests of 8 000 local authorities, covering a population of over 45 million (around 10% of the total population of the 25-member European Union), and has a strong Mediterranean slant.
2007 work programme is noteworthy for its consistency and follows on naturally from the 2006 programme.
Arco Latino supports the European Commission's drive to simplify and improve legislative processes.
The introduction of new Community programmes and, in particular, the new regional policy, makes 2007 a key year for shaping the future Europe. We would, however, like to stress the importance of actively involving local authorities – the administrations which are closest to the people – in the shaping of the EU's policies and in the implementation of its programmes.
As regards the European Commission's priorities:
Better management of migratory flows
Arco Latino supports the proposed directive to promote better labour-market integration of economic migrants.
However, it is concerned that the approach does not take account of aspects relating to integration, social cohesion and/or rights and obligations in the host communities. Given the scale of migration at European level and its impact on the EU's towns and cities, it would be advisable for the Commission to draw up a communication on reception and integration systems in Europe, and put forward proposals for establishing some common reference points for all the administrations involved. Arco Latino is producing a database of good practice by local authorities as regards the reception and integration of migrants, which could provide useful input for the debate.
Europe as a world player
In discussing the EU's external relations and the neighbourhood policy, explicit reference is made to strategic regions and countries without mentioning the Mediterranean. Although it may be inferred that the region is included in the revision of the 11 national action plans, the process lacks an overarching vision and proposal for the Mediterranean region as a whole to coordinate the national action plans of Mediterranean neighbour countries. The Med programme and other cross-border programmes are of key importance for Arco Latino. Arco Latino has played an active role in the planning of these, and believes that the neighbourhood policy must show itself to be a successful instrument.
In the context of the progress reports on implementation of the eleven national action plans, the Commission has an opportunity to draw up a regional reference framework.
Making Europe a better place to live
From the local authorities' viewpoint, the proposed study of the impact of EU legislation in the social 2007 Commission Programme services field is of particular importance. The report on the social situation in Europe should not only 51 cover national and regional level, but should also involve local authorities (small and medium-sized towns, and districts of big cities). These are the principal service providers and the main guarantors of social welfare and cohesion. The same applies to the proposed communication on a European strategy for social services of general interest. ■
Malpasillo reservoir in the province of Sevilla in Andalusia, southern Spain.
Arco Latino is composed of 65 administrations from the Western Mediterranean, comprising Spanish provincial and island councils, French departments, and Italian provinces.
Enrique Rodríquez Contreras: "We would like to stress the importance of actively involving local authorities – the administrations which are closest to the people – in the shaping of the EU's policies."
Photo: Juan Pedro Donaire Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 52 Photo: Committee of the Regions
Marie-Louise Rönnmark Union of the Baltic Cities Mayor of Umeå, Sweden
Europe has to find alternatives to its current dependence on fossil fuels. One alternative of special interest in Northern Europe is bio fuel based on forest. Together with organic waste and agricultural crops biomass might be a strong component in the mix of energy that will be needed rather soon. But still to reduce the energy consumption is the first option. To use sea freight will be one way to achieve this which will be possible when integrated transport networks and sea infrastructure are developed.
Some necessary steps to use biomass as an important energy provider will be:
- The forest must grow faster and be adjusted to the different needs. Innovations developed out of biotechnology and plant science must be given high priority. - To get best possible energy effect of the biomass full scale pilot production facilities will be needed. - Of course the process from the single tree to filling up the car at the gas station must be harmless to the environment. For example, new harvesters must come. Further, the distribution must find new ways and the urban planning will have to consider the new energy situation.
That will in our opinion lead to three requests based on the objects for this dialogue:
1. The European Commission has proposed the establishment of a European Institute of Technology (EIT). When approved, one of the six EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities should focus on the development of biomass as energy source and the use of plant science and other technologies to improve the outcome. 2. Production and distribution will need reliable and sustainable transport systems. The UBC cities see maritime transport as a key development factor, and therefore strongly support the development of transport corridor initiatives as ‘Motorways of the Sea’ *. 3. We would also like discuss security in a broader perspective. All energy production plants and distribution systems will be vulnerable to attacks of different kinds. Terrorism is one threat, biological diseases might be another. We welcome the upcoming EU efforts on security, and will by this especially emphasize the importance of efforts to fight biological and chemical threats.
Some of the key issues for prosperity are a society with strong economy, a good supply of energy resources and of course that it is safe and sustainable. ■
* 'Motorways of the Sea' is the concept proposed by the European Commission in the Transport White Paper of September 2001 aiming at introducing new intermodal martime-based logisitics chains in Europe, alternative to land transport, e.g. linking the Baltic Sea Member States in Central and Western Europe, including the route through the North Sea/Baltic Sea canal by 2010. Narcissus bloomingintheparkfront oftheOldCityHallUmeå,largest cityinnorthern economy, a good supply of energy resources and of course that it is safe and sustainable." and safe is it that course of and resources energy of supply good a economy, Marie-Louise Rönnmark: Sweden (with80500inhabitants), situated ontheGulfofBothnia. "Some of the key issues for prosperity are a society with strong with society a are prosperity for issues key the of "Some Photo: JohanGunseus–CityofUmeå 53 Commission Programme 2007 Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 54 Summary of questions at the structured dialogue and response provided by VI. President José Manuel Barroso Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme 55 Prior to the dialogue, associations were asked to prepare questions for the Commissioner. The following section contains a summary of these questions and selected extracts from the answers given by President José Manuel Barroso during the structured dialogue. 56 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso Debate onprosperity positions expressed bytheCommitteeofRegionswhendecisionistaken onthissubject." "We are stillinaperiodofconsultationatthisstage.TheCommissionwill take careful noteofthe President Barroso: level? proactive indirecting Communityfundingsoastocreate agenuinecapacityforactionatregional In connectionwiththepolicyoninnovationandresearch, doestheCommissionintendtobemore Question: legal securityforusers." principle ofsubsidiarity, bymeansofinitiativescompatiblewithopenmarketsandguaranteeing Commission intendstotakestepsstrengthen theregulatory framework, incompliancewiththe institutions, andurge that ideologicaldebatesbeavoidedsoasnottosplittheEuropean camp.The of oureconomy. Iwelcometheopinionsthathadbeenissued,bothbyCommitteeandother "The servicesofgeneral interest reflect valuesthatare crucialtothecompetitivenessanddevelopment President Barroso: the internalmarket?Willitsupportapragmatic solutionforlocalservices? What approach doesthe Commissionintendtotakepublicservicesinthecontextofrevision of Question: President oftheRegionalCouncilAquitaine,France Association ofFrench Regions Alain Rousset Mayor ofKarlstad, Sweden Council ofEuropean MunicipalitiesandRegions (CEMR) Anders Knape Framework Programme andhowdoesit think theCommitteeofRegionscouldsupportthem? What importancedoestheCommissionaccord tosocialplatformsinthecontext ofthe7thRTD Question: satisfied withtheverypositivereception giventothemaritimepolicy." maritime policy(coveringports,coastalareas, economicactivity, theenvironment andtourism)Iam "I takenoteoftheCommittee'sdesire tobemore fullyinvolvedinthedrawing upofanintegrated President Barroso: What are theCommission's plansasfarmaritimesafetyisconcerned? initiatives andsectoral priorities for2007? What doesitintendtodoensure thatthemaritimedimensionisatheartofitstrategic the MemberStatestoadoptanambitiousmaritimepolicybefore theendof2007? Does theCommissionconsiderthatitwillbepossibletoobtainnecessarysupportfrom theEPand Question: certain degree ofcoherence." that recognised thespecificproblems facedby mountainregions. Agreen papermighthelptoprovide a other) policieshadbeendrawn up.TheCommissionwouldendeavourtoadoptahorizontalapproach The mountainareas hadalready beensingled out forspecialattentionwhenthevarious(regional and "We are prepared toenvisagethepossibilityofagreen paper. Theideaisinteresting and stimulating. President Barroso: regions? agree totheAEMmakingproposals withaview toagreen paperonaEuropean policyformountain innovation andrural development)whichhaveanimpactonmountainareas? Would theCommission What isthepossibilityofdrawing upareview oftheEuropean policies(suchascohesion,agriculture, Question: Regional GovernmentCommissioner intheRegionofSkåne,Sweden Swedish Association ofLocalAuthoritiesandRegions (SALAR) Henrik Hammar President oftheRegionalCouncilHaute-Normandie,France Arc MancheAssembly Alain leVern Mayor ofSaint-SylvaindeBellegrade, France Regions (AEM) European Association ofElectedrepresentatives from Mountain Olivier Bertrand 57 Commission Programme 2007 58 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso priority initiativesthattheCommissionwouldpresent intheplanofaction." the energy policy. Localandregional authoritieswouldbeincludedaskeyplayers insevenoftheten be covered bytheactionplanandacknowledgedimportantrole oflocalandregional authoritiesin efficiency policy. TheCommissionagreed togivemore weighttoregional andlocalaspectswhichwould 2006, whichhadbeenwellreceived andwasseenasagoodbasisforfurtherdevelopingtheenergy "As farasenergy efficiency isconcerned,theCommissionhadadoptedanactionplanon19October President Barroso: Regions playinthiscontext? What are thenextsteps intheliberalisation ofenergy markets?What role mighttheCommitteeof Question: renewables." Committee hadaccorded totheinterconnections betweenelectricityandgasnetworksto development wasconcerned,theCommissionwouldendeavourtotakeaccountofprioritywhich measures and,inthatcontext, theCommittee'sopinionwasextremely important.Asfarasregional of theCoR11 October2006].TheCommissionwouldshortlypresent apackageofimportant Commission's green paper: AEuropean Strategy forSustainable,Competitive andSecure Energy [Opinion "Firstly Iwishtothank the CommitteeofRegionsforopinionithaddrafted onthe President Barroso: role wouldlocalandregional authoritiesplay in theseinitiatives? What concrete measures doestheCommission intendtopropose withregard toenergy efficiency?What Question: authorities, withapossibilityofaccessingfurtherfundingforthiskindprogramme." to develop"clusters" integrating theregions, universities, research centres, andoccasionallyalsolocal beyond large-scale European levelinitiativesby themajorcompaniesandtouseallappropriations Commission willsupportthesesocialplatforms.Asfarasresearch isconcerned,itnecessarytolook "I wouldliketoreaffirm theimportanceofsocialplatforms inthe7thframework programme. The President Barroso: President oftheRegionFriuli-Venezia Giulia,Italy Assembly ofEuropean Regions (AER) Riccardo Illy ■ Debate ongovernanceandbetterregulation President Barroso: Does theCommissionintendtorelaunch workontheconceptoftripartitecontracts? Question: deepening cooperation during thepre-legislative period." and thecontributionitmadethrough itsopinions.TheCommissionwascommittedtopursuing and principle of"betterlawmaking"are concerned,IwelcometheCommitteeofRegions'cooperation relation totheirownregions andlocalauthorities.Asfarasthemonitoring ofsubsidiaryandthe non-interference bythe European Union,were themselvesunwillingto applythesubsidiarityprinciplein the ConstitutionalTreaty. Very often,nationalgovernments,whichevokedsubsidiarityinsupportof importance, atthecurrent time,ofworkingwiththeregions andnationalparliamentsonthefuture of wish todevolveadministrative responsibilities tolocalandregional levels.Iwouldliketostress the and wayofbringingtheEuropean Unionclosertoitscitizens.Nevertheless,someMemberStatesdonot "I wouldliketoreaffirm mycommitmenttothesubsidiarityprinciple,whichisavitalpartofdemocracy President Barroso: assessments intheintroductions toproposed legislation? Will theCommissionfindacomprehensible formatforincorporating theresults ofitsimpact transparency? Would theCommissionbeprepared todraw upauniformevaluationformforassessingsubsidiarityand Question: Commission hadnevertheless notedthattheuseoftripartiteagreements bynationalgovernmentsand Paper ongovernance andwasdevelopedinaCommunicationissued 2002. LikethePresidency, the "The ideaoftripartitecontracts andagreements waslaunchedbytheCommission inthe2001 White President oftheAutonomous CommunityoftheRegionMurcia, Spain Conference ofPeripheral MaritimeRegions Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso President oftheRegionalParliament ofCarinthia,Austria Conference ofEuropean RegionalLegislative Assemblies (CALRE) Jörg Freunschlag 59 Commission Programme 2007 local and regional authorities has been low. If governments decide to develop the concept of territorial pacts with their local and regional authorities, the Commission would be pleased to consider ways of contributing to their success. I would like to stress the importance of the Committee of the Regions' contribution, particularly the opinion, in which the Committee proposed to develop the idea of territorial pacts [Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 12 October 2006 on the Establishment of European territorial pacts: proposal for a revision of the tripartite contracts and agreements]."
Question: Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President How can coordination between the various public and private stakeholders with regard to transport 60 policy be improved so as to benefit users?
President Barroso:
"With regard to aspects that were addressed at local level, the Commission only intervened if it was obliged to do so in relation to Community law. In general, the Commission tended to let the regional and local levels resolve issues that could be better dealt with at that, rather than at Community level. Of course, the fact that the European Union as yet had no constitution made it more difficult, in formal terms, to meet certain obligations with regard to subsidiarity, but those obligations were nonetheless beginning to be met from a political point of view. The Commission could do that, without of course anticipating what would happen with regard to the Constitution, since it would not be democratic to anticipate a Constitution that had not been ratified."
Question:
Can you confirm the Commission's intention to involve local and regional authorities closely in the next regulations on the Union's external cooperation policies?
President Barroso:
"The Commission would not ignore the views of local and regional authorities, which had been expressed so effectively. Moreover, the experience acquired by local and regional authorities in cross- border cooperation on the Union's external borders made them vital partners, particularly in the neighbourhood policy."
Question:
What evaluation tools does the Commission intend to use to assess the respective responsibilities in applying regional policy?
President Barroso:
"The Commission was monitoring the evaluation systems, principally put in place by the Member States who were primarily responsible for evaluation. Accordingly, the emphasis should be placed on the responsibility of the Member States and on subsidiarity, as well as on the responsibility of local and regional authorities, which often had responsibility for applying regional policy, and generally also cohesion policies, on the ground." Hugo Alfonso Morán Fernández Asturian Federation of Municipalities Mayor of the Municipality of Lena, Spain
Question:
Is it realistic to think that in future European policy will be conducted by and for citizens, even if some governments are still so far from this goal? Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme President Barroso: 61 "I agree with this idea in "doctrinal" terms and as far as the relationship between government and citizens is concerned. It is a question not just of administrative efficiency, but of applying the principles of democracy and government closer to the citizens."
Franco Iacop Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) Regional Minister for International Relations, European Affairs and Local Authorities in the Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Question:
With regard to the European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) initiative, what will the Commission do if the Member States do not create the conditions for developing this legal instrument before August 2007? Does the Commission accept the non-EU countries' expectation to be involved in this process?
President Barroso:
"The Commission welcomed, as the Bureau of the Committee of the Regions had done, the Council's adoption of the Commission proposal. The Commission hoped that that instrument would make border cooperation more secure and accountable in legal terms, even above and beyond the use of the Structural Funds."
Helmut Jahn German County Association Chairman of the District Authority in Hohenlohekreis, Germany
Question:
Certain exceptions aside, the local level is not involved in the European legislative process. In your view, how could this participation procedure be improved, in qualitative terms? Following on from this, what concrete and effective steps does the Commission intend to take in the areas which fall within the remit of the local authorities, in order to ensure better governance in terms of cutting red tape?
President Barroso:
"The Commission is willing to work closely with national governments and regional and local authorities to ensure that the legislation of the European Union is transposed and implemented effectively and to examine any instruments which might improve cooperation." ■ Debate on solidarity Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 62
Jean-Michel Daclin EUROCITIES Vice-Mayor of Lyon, France
Question:
On the issue of demographic change and social inclusion: clearly, immigration and integration are a largely urban phenomenon. We call on the Commission to ensure that this urban dimension is clearly reflected in its activities in 2007, not least by means of systematic consultation and involvement of cities, and in particular through the European Integration Forum.
President Barroso:
"With regard to the Hague programme, and the question of immigration, I would like to congratulate the Committee of the Regions and the local and regional authorities for their involvement in the policy of integrating migrants. Their involvement should take the form of cooperation with the central authorities in the Member States and with the Commission, as the guardian of the Treaties."
Question:
How is the situation of non-accompanied minors evolving?
President Barroso:
"Specific measures already exist in relation to the European instruments on asylum and immigration and the Commission wishes to develop just that kind of integrated approach. The Commission's support for the Rotterdam conference, and the creation of a group of Commissioners, chaired by the Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Mr Franco Frattini. He emphasised the social aspects of integration and a generous admissions policy, which were part of European values."
Jesús Solá-Sevilla LIEDRA European Network of Local Authorities against Gender Violence and for Equal Opportunities Mayor of Herrera de los Navarros, Spain
Question:
How could the Commission simplify project management, particularly in the framework of EQUAL? Does the Commission envisage cooperating with local and regional associations, which often lack resources although they are best placed to dialogue with citizens? President Barroso:
"I would like to recall the Commission's concern to develop broad social dialogue with all the stakeholders in order to ensure the modernisation of the European social model and stressed that the Commission valued the support of local and regional authorities in carrying out that task. As far as the Equal Opportunities programme was concerned, the Commission took a great interest in the Committee of the Regions' proposal to develop a comprehensive political framework to combat discrimination." Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme Jean-Louis Destans 63 Association of French Departments President of the General Council of Eure, France
Question:
Does a genuine implementation of the principle of subsidiarity not depend on the existence of a cross- functional legal framework, which alone can safeguard local and regional authorities' actions?
President Barroso:
"It is essential to try to establish a dialogue with all the political forces, in particular with the European Parliament, in order to find a solution that would meet the expectations of the various parties concerned."
Question:
What strategy do you intend to develop for services of general interest and social services in particular?
President Barroso:
"In April 2006 the Commission had adopted a Communication on the social services of general interest and is now in the process of launching appropriate avenues for future action. I would like to stress the Commission's commitment to the principles and philosophy of services of general interest. The Commission is endeavouring to find a balance between services of general interest and an economy that is open, whilst also recognising their value. The Commission believes that services of general interest are an integral part of the European social model and wishes to preserve them."
Mara Enrica Scagni National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI) Mayor of Alessandria, Italy
Question:
Many paragraphs of the Commission Programme 2007 refer to social issues. Listed among the strategic initiatives in the appended table is a Communication on implementation of the Social Agenda; would you not agree that, here also, local authorities, and particularly cities, have an important role to play? In our view, the Commission should foster the involvement of associations in both the Social Agenda and the Lisbon objectives through specific programmes, as it did in 2000 with regard to the implementation of the European Employment Strategy. 64 Structured Dialogue with President José Manuel Barroso social situationintheEU?And whatimplicationsdoesitanticipatethisanalysiswillhave? How doestheEuropean Commissionplantoincludelocalauthoritiesperspectives init'sanalysisofthe Question: 2013." 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Localauthoritiesandcitieshavean capacity todelivertheexpectedresults alsodependsonourcapacitytoengageandinvolveina coordination invariouspolicyfieldsandfinancialincentivessuchastheEuropean SocialFund.TheEU combination ofinstrumentscomprisingEUlegislation,theimplementationopenmethods governance andimplementationoftheAgenda.Therealisation oftheSocialAgendarelies ona signal arefocus ofprioritiesintheemploymentandsocialfieldsdetailswaystoimprove the realising thesocialobjectivesofLisbonStrategy. Inlightofthisassessment,itwillifnecessary stock oftheimplementationSocialAgenda,inparticulartowhatextentithascontributed better jobsandtoofferequalopportunitiesforall.TheforthcomingCommunicationwillaimattaking "In itsSocialAgenda(2005-2010), theUnionhasfixedasitsoverall strategic goaltopromote more and President Barroso: Concepción, Spain Member oftheCouncilMunicipalityLasNavasdela Arco Latino Enrique RodríquezContreras development ofbiofuelsandwillmakeproposals inJanuary2007." define specificobjectivesatMemberStatelevel.TheCommission istherefore goingtosupportthe "The biofuelsdeserveparticularattentionandtheCommission isholdingdiscussionstoseeifitshould President Barroso: What isthesituationwithregard tothedevelopmentofbiofuels? Question: favourable, sincetheurgency ofthosequestionsisnowbeingfeltfarmore keenlythanbefore." fight againstclimatechange,byestablishingthelinkwithenergy supplies.Theconditionsare nowmore thing forEurope todo is tosetanexamplefortheemerging countries,tobeinthevanguard inthe emissions andinsodoingwewouldcreate newmarketsforinnovativeandtechnologies.Thebest environmental issuesand theneedsofeconomy. Whatweneedtodoislimitthepossibilitiesfor challenges andEurope is endeavouringtomeetthatchallengewisely, takingaccountbothofthe better environment and cleanertechnologies.Theclimatechangeisoneofthecentury'smajor "The Institutewouldfocus,amongstotherthings,oncombatingclimatechangeandworkingfora President Barroso: What isthesituationwithregard tothecreation ofaEuropean InstituteofTechnology? Question: survey questionnaires." and wouldimplyahugeburden oncitizenswhowouldbemuchmore oftenrequired torespond to the entire European Unionatthelevelofmunicipalities wouldrequire substantialadditionalresources therefore requires localsurveyswhichwouldhavetobecarriedoutbytheauthorities.Covering which there wouldnotbeasinglerespondent). Monitoringthesocialsituationatlocallevel area etc.),butitwouldbetoosmalltoprovide informationatthelevelofmunicipalities(inmany population). Thesamplesizeallowsavarietyofbreakdowns (e.g.byageclass,sex,urban/rural typeof samples (insomecountriesderivedfrom administrative informationwhich,inprinciplecovers theentire Household BudgetSurveyiscarriedoutlessregularly. Thesesurveysare basedonrepresentative European SurveyonIncomeandLivingConditions(EU-SILC)theLabourForce Survey(LFS).A "The analysisofthesocialsituationinEUismostlybasedonEuropean surveysandinparticularthe President Barroso: Mayor ofUmeå,Sweden Union oftheBalticCities Marie-Louise Rönnmark ■ 65 Commission Programme 2007 Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 66 Annex A Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme 67 Resolution of the Committee of the Regions on the legislative and work programme of the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions' priorities for 2007
(CDR/2006/380)
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,
HAVING REGARD to the Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2007 (COM(2006) 629 final);
HAVING REGARD to the Strategic Objectives 2005-2009 (COM(2005) 12 final);
HAVING REGARD to the resolution of the Committee of the Regions on its priorities for 2006-2008 (CdR 11/2006 final);
HAVING REGARD to the Commission communication entitled "The Commission's contribution to the period of reflection and beyond: Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate" (COM(2005) 494 final);
HAVING REGARD to the communication entitled "A Citizens' Agenda: Delivering Results for Europe" (COM(2006) 211 final);
HAVING REGARD to the protocol governing arrangements for cooperation between the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions (R/CdR 197/2005 item 11);
adopted the following resolution at its 67th plenary session on 6 and 7 December 2006 (meeting of 7 December 2006): The Committee of the Regions, Believes that an analysis of the costs of not having a Constitution is important for taking the debate forward and showing citizens the benefits Welcomes the accession of Romania and Bulgaria of the draft text, and is willing to contribute by to the EU on 1 January 2007 as a further step identifying such costs from a local and regional towards political stability and prosperity in authorities' perspective; Europe; Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President 68 EUROPEAN GOVERNANCE CONTINUATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS Welcomes the new strategy of the European Commission for European citizens which, while Intends, on the occasion of the celebrations to resting on the principles of subsidiarity and mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of proportionality, endeavours to consolidate the Rome that it will hold in the Italian capital on 22 Community method by promoting a "Europe of and 23 March 2007, to re-affirm the need for a projects and results", in particular with a view to revival of the constitutional process; the full completion of an open and efficient single market, the strengthening of solidarity, the Expects, as a consequence of the institutional implementation of the strategy for sustainable regulation, to keep the acquired rights granted in development and the consolidation of security; the Constitutional Treaty signed by the Heads of State and Government on 29 October 2004, and Urges the European Commission to make full use in particular with regard to the territorial of its role as the engine of the European dimension of the European Union; integration process and as guardian of the EU Treaties, and recalls that a coherent long-term Reiterates its desire to be involved, together with political vision which translates into concrete the European Parliament, the European political action is a precondition for "better law- Commission, the national parliaments and the making" and "better regulation"; German presidency, in the preparation of the Berlin Declaration of March 2007 in which it Welcomes the Commission' s commitment to wants to add its voice of support to the renewed hold a regular dialogue with young people. The commitment to an enlarged, sustainable, open and competitive Europe; EU needs to encourage young people to take part in shaping the future of Europe. Promoting the Is aware of the issues at this crucial phase and of creation of a citizens' Europe and the integration the responsibilities which also fall on local and of young people into society remain priorities for regional elected representatives; is cooperating in the CoR; the implementation of Plan D for democracy, dialogue and debate, particularly as regards its Requests the sustained adoption of European decentralisation in order to encourage an open territorial pacts which, in the name of the and direct dialogue with the citizens in Europe's "partnership principle", will make it possible to cities and regions on the future of the European increase territorial consistency and the flexibility Union, and urges reciprocal commitments which of policies with a strong territorial impact will be entered into by the Committee of the through structured collaboration between the Regions and the European Commission with various levels of governance; therefore calls on regard to the introduction of a decentralised the Commission to commit itself to re-launching communication policy; the test phase for this instrument; Advocates the strengthening of the Committee Stresses that the results of the Lisbon Monitoring of the Regions' commitment at all stages of the Platform (which has been established by the CoR Community's decision-making process, and in in 2006) show that the Lisbon governance cycle particular in assessing the territorial impact of has to encourage more visible ownership and major Community policies; stresses, moreover, the commitment to delivery at all concerned levels, decisive role that regional and local authorities, and greater involvement of local and regional properly involved in the preparation of legislative authorities; acts, can play in their transposition and implementation; Therefore urges the Member States and the 2007 Commission Programme European Commission to involve local and 69 Underlines the potential offered by the new regional authorities to a greater extent, as the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Lisbon Strategy can only be successfully delivered (EGTC) Regulation as an innovative legal if all stakeholders are fully involved in the mechanism for the development of territorial decision-making, implementation and monitoring cooperation and looks forward to contributing processes and invites the European Council, the towards its implementation on the ground by European Commission and the Member States to activating concrete initiatives, especially within take part in its Territorial Dialogue 2007, which its cooperation agreement with the European deals with the contribution of cities and regions Commission; to the successful implementation of the Strategy for growth and jobs; Believes that a constant scrutiny should be placed on ensuring proper implementation of EU Reiterates its emphasis on the role of regionally standards and principles in candidate and pre- and locally anchored services of general interest candidate countries; stresses that close attention in delivering the aims of the Lisbon Strategy; should be paid to genuine decentralisation, respect for cultural and linguistic diversity and Stresses, through the Lisbon Monitoring Platform the establishment of a modern public results, the great importance of the Cohesion administration; Policy in the funding of Lisbon-related actions at local and regional level. The study that was made in connection with the outlook opinion – Leverage effect of European Cohesion Policy under the Structural Funds – that the CoR will BUDGETARY REVIEW adopt at its plenary session in February 2007 shows that, as a result of its specific features (partnership, additionality, strategic programming Confirms its commitment to contribute to the and multiannual funding), EU cohesion policy has review of the EU budgetary framework; had a number of significant impacts and leverage announces that a working group has been effects at the local and regional level. It is visible established for this purpose within the and perceived to be inclusive by European Committee of the Regions Bureau; citizens because of its tangible contribution to improving quality of life;
Welcomes the planned Regions for Economic Change initiative as an opportunity to share PROSPERITY experiences between regions, to bridge territorial cooperation with mainstream regional development programmes and to allow closer Underlines the need for a continuous work between the European Commission, the modernisation of the European economy and the Member States, and cities and regions; urges the European Social Model through the renewed Commission to actively involve local and regional Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs; authorities in the process of selecting priority fields for the initiative and expects to be fully that support a regionally and socially equitable involved in the development of this initiative; information society which includes all citizens and equips them with the skills they need to live Welcomes the European Commission's proposed and work in the knowledge society; will continue stocktaking of European society as well as the to ensure that the regional and local dimension is Single Market review, to which the Committee of also given focus within the framework of the the Regions will contribute by adopting an i2010 initiative; outlook opinion; agrees with the ambition of Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President breaking down barriers to the opportunities Welcomes the European Commission proposal to 70 offered by the European Single Market, ensuring continue, as part of the framing of the EU's that citizens effectively reap these benefits; future maritime policy, the development of an underlines, however, that solidarity and social and integrated approach taking into account all the territorial cohesion must at the same time remain policies that have repercussions on the maritime at the core of European policy-making; environment, including measures needed to guarantee the sustainability of the European Welcomes the European Commission's aim to fisheries sector, and in particular the take further steps to improve the European communication on the ports policy of the Research Area and points out that European European Union; reaffirms its interest in being research and innovation potential depends on the involved in the framing of this integrated policy capacity and specialisation of every European and its implementation; region; will continue to follow closely the setting-up of the European Institute of Underlines the importance of the mid-term Technology, highlighting the decisive cluster- review of the EU Transport Policy and expresses forming role which local and regional authorities its intention to highlight those commitments play in promoting university-enterprise already made by the EU in this area with a view collaboration, in particular with small and to their full implementation, and its wish to medium enterprises, and reiterates that one of contribute to the debate on the initiatives put the prerequisites for a successful innovative forward by the European Commission on urban Europe is the introduction of a Community transport, port policy, air transport and the Trans- patent; European Networks of Transport during the period 2007-2013; Stresses that education, training and life-long learning are fundamental to meeting the challenges of globalisation, in particular by Considers that some serious thinking should be promoting a highly qualified workforce that is started as of now on producing a quality-based able to meet the constantly changing labour Common Agricultural Policy and on the role of a market demands of the knowledge society; beefed-up rural development policy after 2013, underlines the need to recognise the key and asks that a consultation procedure, focused competences of local and regional authorities in on sustainable development, competitiveness and these fields; innovation and involving local authorities should be started from the beginning of the new Believes that Europe also needs a strong programming period in 2007; enterprise culture and will continue to encourage local and regional authorities to promote Considers that coordination at regional and local entrepreneurship in schools as a valuable career level between rural development policy and choice contributing to Europe's prosperity; regional policy is essential to ensuring optimum encourages the EC to re-start its 'Young use of the financial resources are allocated to Entrepreneurship' programme; them, and, for this reason, points out how much importance it attaches to local authorities being Reiterates the importance of promoting involved in all the stages of developing and information and communication technologies implementing rural development programmes; Encourages the Commission to stimulate an open Welcomes the forthcoming 4th Report on debate on the co-existence of genetically Economic and Social Cohesion on the progress modified crops and conventional and biological made towards economic, social and territorial crops, and, while respecting the powers of local cohesion and the contribution made to cohesion authorities and the options chosen by them, by European and national policies, as well as by promote transparent solutions that reconcile the the Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund, other interests of consumers and farmers, respect the financial instruments and the European environment, protect health and promote Investment Bank, and underlines the important research and competitiveness; place of cohesion policy in the upcoming mid- 2007 Commission Programme term review of the Community budget; 71
SOLIDARITY ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Recognises that an ageing population is one of the main challenges that the European Union will Expects the strategic review of energy policy for have to face in the years to come; underlines the Europe to provide a fresh impetus for a common necessity of taking into account the issue of approach to competitiveness, the security of ageing in all policy areas and affirms that there energy supplies, and the challenge of climate need to be regionally diversified approaches since change; This must be based on innovation and significant differences are apparent in ageing the use of new technologies, renewable energy patterns at different territorial scales; and energy efficiency so as to reduce dependence on energy imports from non-EU countries and Welcomes the initiative of the European bring about the internal market in gas and Commission to develop a European framework for electricity; requests, therefore, that the dialogue economic immigrants with special attention given between the European Commission and regional to highly skilled migrants as one of the responses and local authorities be stepped up, since the to increasing demographic pressures, without latter are fully involved in the implementation of undermining the development of third countries; projects to encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy; Urges the Commission to come forward with a communication outlining common principles to Reiterates its support for the European define and explain "flexicurity", in particular with Commission in its commitment to face up to regard to how this approach could combine climate change and feels it essential that the labour market flexibility and the development of Commission should promote ambitious objectives skills with strong social protection and at the at international negotiations for the post-2012 same time taking into account the specific period, which involve both the main greenhouse features of different Member States and regions; gas-producing countries and the main sectors responsible for climate change; will contribute Welcomes the "European Year of Equal ideas for the post-2012 targets during the course Opportunities - 2007" as well as the European of 2007; Commission's ambition to take stock of the social situation in the European Union, with a particular Welcomes the emphasis placed once again by the emphasis on questions of access and opportunity, European Commission on adapting to climate with a view to building a new consensus on the change, as certain effects of climate change are social challenges facing Europe; reiterates the no longer avoidable; stresses the need to examine need to take seriously discrimination with regard Community policies in the light of these changes; to age, gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual considers it a priority to beef up research into the orientation, religion and belief; economic, ecological and social effects of climate change in the various regions and to inform Welcomes the initiative of the European citizens of these effects and costs and asks the Commission to issue a handbook on immigration European Commission to promote an exchange of and integration during 2007, stresses that the good practices in this field so that local and Committee of the Regions, through its members, regional authorities can develop methods of can provide a rich source of information and best adaptation that can be applied to the various practices in this area, and therefore calls on the situations of the cities and regions of Europe; European Commission to involve the Committee of the Regions as closely as possible in the
Structured Dialogue with Structured José Manuel Barroso President preparation of this handbook; 72 Highlights the fact that several regions and cities AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND are particularly affected by immigration influxes JUSTICE and suffer from a lack of means to deal with the masses of immigrants with adequate humanitarian care; therefore requests that Recommends recognition of a common European FRONTEX play an increasingly important role in policy on immigration and asylum which is based coordinating assistance to the regions concerned; on five pillars: increased cooperation between the Member States and non-EU countries; securing of Recalls the need for a careful balance to be external borders and the fight against human struck between security needs in a globalised trafficking; the development of coherent and world and fundamental individual rights and effective policies to protect minors; a return freedoms; policy; an integration of migrants into society. This policy must take account of local authorities' responsibilities in implementing the priorities of the Hague Programme, particularly as regards the integration policy followed with the aim of ENLARGEMENT encouraging access to jobs, the right to education and training, access to social and health services, the participation of immigrants in social, cultural Encourages the Commission to assess the EU's and political life, and access to facilities for capacity for integration in cooperation with the learning the official languages of the host other institutions, including the CoR; recognises country; that a public debate about future enlargements is taking place and welcomes this debate; Welcomes the new initiative by the European Commission to organise an annual conference on Supports the process of EU enlargement to the subject of Integrating Cities, the first one include Croatia, Turkey and the Western Balkans having been held in Rotterdam in October 2006. and commits itself to developing dialogue Confirms its commitment to continue playing an between regional and local authorities in the EU important part in future editions, beginning with and in countries which are or may be candidates the 2007 conference which will take place in for EU membership; believes that, regardless of Milan; Turkey's future status within the European Union, it is in Europe's interest to continue encouraging Asks, therefore, with a view to setting up a Turkey down the path of reform. Plans to systematic and structured institutional continue direct contact with Turkish local and partnership, to be involved in the consultation regional authorities with the objective of setting phase on immigration, which will be launched by up a Joint Consultative Committee at the earliest the European Commission at the beginning of possible opportunity; 2007, and in the new method for assessing implementation of the Hague Programme presented by the Commission in June 2006; SPEAKING WITH A STRONG VOICE IN along the newly drawn Eastern borders of the THE WORLD European Union;
Underlines that relations should be developed Intends to contribute to the democratic and reinforced to the extent of creating Strategic consolidation of the neighbouring countries and Partnerships with Russia and the new Northern the countries of the Western Balkans by taking Dimension Policy Framework; part in missions to observe regional and local Commission Programme 2007 Commission Programme elections and by developing, with this end in Stresses the importance of good governance for view, suitable inter-institutional cooperation at implementing the European Consensus for 73 Community and European level; Development and considers that application of the subsidiarity principle as part of decentralised Strongly encourages implementation of the cooperation is a key constituent of good regional conference Euromed Barcelona + 10 and governance and European development policy; recalls the importance of institutional dialogue between local authorities in the European Union Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the non-EU partner countries of the to the European Commission, the European Mediterranean basin (MPCs) with a view to Parliament, the Council and the presidencies of encouraging the exchange of good practices as the European Union in 2007, namely the German regards regional partnership, decentralised and Portuguese presidencies. cooperation, decentralisation and good governance in the Euro-Mediterranean area; to this end calls for the creation of a Forum for dialogue between regional and local authorities in the EU and the MPCs; Brussels, 7 December 2006. Stresses the need to nurture constructive relations with countries in the Neighbourhood The President of the Committee of the Regions area at a local and regional level, particularly Michel Delebarre European Union - Committee of the Regions Structured Dialogue with Commission President José Manuel Barroso Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2007 2007 - 73 pp. - 21 x 29.7 cm
Produced by: Committee of the Regions Unit for Subsidiarity Monitoring (Inter-Institutional Relations and Parliaments) and Relations with Associations
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