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Mise En Page 1 EUROPEAN UNION Committee of the Regions The Committee of the Regions and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union Mercedes BRESSO President of the Committee of the Regions Belgium: a creative country in the field of multilevel governance In common parlance, "Brussels" has become synonymous with European power, vaguely encompassing all the institutions. Unfortunately too, in the language of the Euro-sceptics, the term frequently denotes a bureaucracy that is associated with the image of a cold and inflexible machine. In short, "Brussels" symbolises the persistent remoteness between the European Union and the general public, a remoteness that is unanimously condemned. Yet nevertheless, for the next six months, "Brussels" is going to be close at hand. Such a statement is not a tribute to the surrealism with which the Belgians are so familiar, but rather the consequence of a very significant point: Belgium today is one of the most creative countries in the field of multilevel governance. In other words, for the Committee of the Regions the expectations in this area are great. The Belgian Presidency will probably not be the last one which will have to deal with the upheavals that the deep economic, financial and even monetary crisis has brought about for the 27 Member States. Its geographic proximity to the European institutions and the long experience of its politicians and administrators should, however, help it to take rapid decisions when required. The standard agenda, which is not inconsiderable, remains: the establishment of new institutional structures arising from the Treaty of Lisbon to which the Committee will pay particular attention, the relaunch of the internal market, the international negotiations on climate change, the implementation of the Stockholm programme in the area of justice, liberty and security, and the continuation of the enlargement process. Finally, a start will be made under the headings of budgetary reform and of future regional policy whose broad outlines will be sketched by the Fifth cohesion report. And to this will probably be added the initial proposals of the future common agricultural policy. There are so many subjects for which the CoR will have to gear up. It will be called upon to speak for and to express the views of the local and regional authorities, if it has not already done so, through its opinions or by taking part in informal ministerial meetings. On such occasions, Ministers from other Member States may be a little surprised when they discover – for the newest among them – that they are being chaired by regional ministers. For in point of fact, some sectoral powers are exercised in Belgium directly by the regional authorities, including those in an international context: a fine illustration by proxy of the message conveyed by the Committee of the Regions. Undoubtedly for our colleagues, CoR members, the greatest challenge of the next six months will not be to demonstrate that Brussels is close at hand. By playing the delicate role of "go-between" and intermediary, they will have a new and even more worthy task to perform: that of convincing us that multilevel governance makes it possible for all of Belgium to be close to the Europeans. The Committee of the Regions and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 3 Jerzy BUZEK President of the European Parliament Times of Challenges, Times of Opportunities - Time for Common Action The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union starts at a time of great challenges for Europe. What is currently so easily summarised as the "economic and financial crisis" has had a far reaching impact on many regions putting a question mark on the job security, family planning and economic well-being of their citizens. Its effects are not only economic and social in nature, but influence trust and solidarity as fundamental pillars of European integration. Meanwhile, the list of Europe's long-term challenges has not shortened: from the fight against climate change, and improving energy security to the implementation of the area of justice, freedom and security, the EU2020 strategy and the Belgian Presidency's Programme have taken note of them, providing a strategic framework for common action. Indeed, every crisis intrinsically offers opportunities and every challenge can be handled through a common striving for a solution. As direct representatives of European citizens, the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions can and will make a difference for growth and better social, economic and territorial conditions. In order to do so Cohesion Policy offers an excellent example - and a key instrument - of how financial support and mutual learning benefit all regions across Europe, while making the most of their particular characteristics and addressing their needs. Moreover the recent entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty takes into account the fundamental importance of the "territory" as the primary level of action and identification for citizens. Not only has "territorial cohesion" been recognised as a general political objective, but the Treaty also extends the subsidiarity principle to local and regional actors - and thus first and foremost boosts the role of the Committee of the Regions. At the same time the Treaty confirms the central role of the European Parliament by putting it on an equal footing with the Council regarding Structural and Cohesion Funds. The Parliament also exercises an increased influence on the EU budget and can count on strengthened National Parliaments as partners in the legislative process. New prerogatives alone, however, will not do the job. What is needed is a Cohesion Policy that enables Europe to face both crises and challenges successfully. This will require adaptations, and debates on the reform of Cohesion Policy are already under way. With the Fifth Cohesion Report and preparations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, two concrete opportunities will come up during the Belgian Presidency. The European Parliament is committed to make best use of both of them - in close cooperation with the Committee of the Regions and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union - in order for Cohesion Policy to continue to make a difference for Europe's regions and its citizens. 4 Herman VAN ROMPUY President of the European Council Our response to the crisis We, in the European Union, are at a critical juncture. At the very moment that the Treaty of Lisbon gives us a new departure involving a renewal of our institutional system, we also find ourselves economically challenged in an unprecedented manner. Among the various changes brought in by the Treaty of Lisbon are those affecting the European Council. This is now an institution in its own right, charged with defining "the general political directions and priorities of the Union". This co- ordinating and impetus-giving role means that it must henceforth act more up-stream, and less as a court of appeal on issues deadlocked in the ordinary Council. In this context, the changes brought to its chairmanship are important. The potential strength of having a longer term President lies in the time it disposes of. Not just six months, but two-and-a-half or five years, therefore either five or ten times longer than in the past. It also becomes a full-time post, whose incumbant is able to take the necessary time to prepare - and follow up - its meetings without having to simultaneously run a national government. Furthermore, the 27 heads of state and government now choose whom they want to chair their meetings, instead of having an automatic rotation with no choice involved. Before we even had time to adjust to these changes, however, we were hit by the sovereign debt crisis that began in Greece. This was an issue that only the European Council could handle, in that it involved mobilising the member states' powers and competences and those of the EU in a common endeavour. Its full implications for the governance of the Union are still being worked out, not least in the Task Force that I have been charged with chairing. The crisis has underlined how interdependent we all are The single European market binds our countries together -- whether we are in the euro or not. Our banks operate across our internal frontiers, loans are made internationally, and the rules and regulations made in one member state affect the situation of the others. We are all in the same boat. That is why our response to the crisis had to be one that relied on both responsibility and solidarity. We mobilised one of the biggest financial mechanisms ever, but in return, tough measures had to be taken to curb blatantly excessive and unsustainable deficits. We must learn the lessons of this crisis, to reduce the risks of it ever happening again. Looking beyond the immediate economic crisis, it is essential that we address the structural aspects of the European economy that have held back our growth rates. Just 1% a year of economic growth is not enough to sustain the "European way of life", especially with an ageing population. The Europe 2020 strategy is about addressing fundamentals. It is about focusing on key factors that will determine our potential growth rate for the future. Its implementation will also demand much of the regions and local government. Two-thirds of public sector investment across the EU comes from the regional and local levels, who are also responsible for substantial policy competences in fields crucial for the success of this strategy. I am pleased that the Committee of Regions is discussing a "Territorial Pact of Local and Regional Authorities on the Europe 2020 Strategy." The Council of Ministers must take account of this when it adopts the implementing measures for the strategy.
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