EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

ALDE Group Secretariat

Committee of the Regions

Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat, 101

1040 Bruxelles/Brussel

Tel: +32 2 282 2059

alde@cor.europa.eu

LeaDeRsThe newsletter of Liberal and Democrat Regional and Local Politicians

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for EuropeAlliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour l'EuropeAlliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour l'Europe

APRIL 2014

The ALDE group have argued that new rules on state aid must promote green energy and

continue to allow governments to provide subsidies for renewables. Rapporteur Gusty Graas

(ALDE/LU) warns in his opinion that the current guidelines set ceilings that are too low, restricting

the number of green energy companies able to receive state aid which could undermine the EU’s

efforts to create a more “competitive, secure and sustainable” energy market. The EU must take the

opportunity to put in place controls to end subsidies for fossil fuels and ensure that member states

are unable to provide assistance for nuclear energy.

The rapporteur was reacting to the energy state aid guidelines released by the European Commission

which seek to promote sustainable growth, strengthen the internal market and streamline the

decision-making process. Whilst recognising that

state aid can create unfair advantage, the rapporteur

argues that new rules should give member states

the flexibility to support renewable energy allowing

them to deliver on their climate change obligations.

The opinion adopted at the CoR April plenary

session and drafted by Gusty Graas, member

of the Municipal Council of Bettembourg and

Luxembourg’s national parliament, makes it clear

that “competition and the existence of a free

market in energy are not ends in themselves”.

The adoption of the opinion was very timely,

especially in light of the current debates in member states such as Germany and the UK concerning

the transitioning towards renewable energy-based systems. A position paper asking for the

guidelines to be thoroughly revised was signed by Germany, the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands,

France, Austria and Luxembourg and submitted to the European Commission mid-March.

New guidelines for state aid for energy – ALDE’s

focus at the April 2014 plenary session of the

Committee of the Regions 1-2

ALDE-CoR President Bas Verkerk (NL) keynote

speaker at European Commission Urban

Megatrends and Future Challenges seminar 2

CoR asks the European Council to reinforce the

territorial dimension of the EU’s growth strategy 2-3

Bas Verkerk at the 6th European Summit of Regions

and Cities in Athens: “Delft deploys its own strength

towards creating employment for all its citizens.” 3

Alin Nica (RO) speaker at “Regional and Local

Community in the EU and the Role of the Media”

organised by Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 3

ALDE to discuss the development of a knowledge-

based society during its group meeting in Ptuj, Slovenia 3

Liberals from all over Europe at the CoR youth

conference 3-4

Doreen Huddart (UK) invited by the Lodzkie

Region in Poland to discuss current social problems 3-4

Upcoming ALDE activities: ALDE-CoR External Group

meeting in Ptuj, Slovenia; Open Doors Day; Joint ALDE-

CoR and ELF seminar in Hungary on Roma Integration;

ALDE seminar on Regional Energy Plans in the Netherlands 4

Ongoing ALDE opinions: Towards an integrated Urban

Agenda for the EU; The possibilities and instruments

available to local authorities to support the accession

process; EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region

(EUSAIR); Report on Agriculture Genetic Resources from

conservation to sustainable use 4

IN THIS ISSUE New guidelines for state aid for energy – ALDE’s focus at the April 2014 plenary session of the Committee of the Regions

Gusty Graas (ALDE/LU)

LeaDeRsThe newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians

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Bas Verkerk at the 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens: “Delft deploys its own strength towards creating employment for all its citizens.”

The Committee of the Regions (CoR), together with the Region of Attica, organised the 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Athens on 7 and 8 March 2014.

The objective of the Summit was to take stock of the efforts made at European, national, regional and local level to deliver job-rich recovery. It also brought a high-level debate with European political leaders about the 2014 European elections and the future of the EU.

The event welcomed a total of 1400 participants including members of the CoR and of national, regional and local parliaments and councils, stakeholders from the Greek civil society, representatives of associations, journalists and experts from the EU institutions. The summit also featured parallel thematic workshop sessions. Speaking at the workshop on “Investing in economic recovery and sustainable job creation: Europe’s regions and cities make it happen”, ALDE-CoR President Bas Verkerk brought his own city as an example pointing out how the Delft earning model has come to be fully dominated by the knowledge economy. Delft puts all its efforts in the knowledge-based economy in order to solve the problem of youth unemployment, which notably occurs among the less qualified. The highly educated play a key role here. Its international acclaim enables the Delft University of Technology to attract many top talents from the Netherlands, other European countries and Asian countries. This, however, can only be realised as long as the city provides proper housing and services. This is one of the ways in which Delft commits to the highly educated, which will also benefit its retail, catering and entertainment sectors that employ many young people in the first place. In his intervention Mr Verkerk pointed out that “Delft, in its capacity as City of Innovation and Technology, deploys its own strength towards creating employment for all its citizens.”.

Alin Nica (RO) speaker at “Regional and Local Community in the EU and the Role of the Media” organised by Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Strong regions are the driving force of Croatia’s and EU development” was the massage of the round table on “Regional and Local Community in the

President Bas Verkerk (NL) keynote speaker at European Commission Urban Megatrends and Future Challenges seminar

The challenges originating from global megatrends are highly depending on the local characteristics in social and demographic composition, economic development, political circumstances, geographical location, etc. Therewith, the development path of European urban areas is very diverse which brings implications for policy making and research at all levels. With this in mind, the European Commission held a seminar on Urban Megatrends and Future Challenges for European Urban Areas on the 27th of March on the premises of the CoR.

As the CoR rapporteur on the Integrated Urban Agenda, ALDE-CoR President Mr Bas Verkerk (NL, Mayor of the City of Delft) opened the seminar by stating that “the problem with an integrated urban agenda has always been that the stakeholders have not been able to come to a conclusion as to ‘what’ exactly should be done at EU level in terms of urban policy.” There have been talks about an EU agenda on urban development for more than 25 years now. The Commission has published a Green Paper on the urban environment in 1990 and a Communication on an EU urban agenda in 1997. This led to the organisation of a first urban forum in Vienna in 1998. Many initiatives have been launched in this context: the URBAN Community Initiatives 1 and 2, the URBACT I and II programmes, the JESSICA initiative, the Urban Audit, the ‘smart cities’ initiative. But despite all of this, talking about an EU urban policy seems to remain controversial for some Member States, arguing that the word urban does not appear in the EU treaties.

Fortunately things are slowly changing. In his intervention, Mr Verkerk pointed out that “if we are serious about achieving Europe 2020 objectives, our towns, cities and metropolitan areas should be able to fully use their competences and potential”. This is why the CoR launched an own initiative opinion entitled “Towards an integrated urban agenda for the EU”, which should in the long run take the form of a white paper by the European Commission that would guide its work in the next mandate, and should cover the following 3 essential elements: a more integrated approach to policy making, more funding, and new governance.

CoR asks the European Council to reinforce the territorial dimension of the EU’s growth strategy

A few days ahead of the Spring European Council, a delegation the Committee of the Regions met with the President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy, on 18 March to discuss how to address the widening gaps among member States and regions as well as to share the proposals drawn up as part of the CoR review of the EU’s growth strategy.

The Committee’s delegation presented to Mr Van Rompuy the “Athens Declaration” adopted by the CoR on 7 March, calling for a stronger territorial dimension in the shaping and implementation of Europe 2020 as a key solution to address current shortcomings in the strategy’s progress and the increasing gaps among EU member states and among regions.

Representing the ALDE group was President Bas Verkerk (NL, Mayor of the City of Delft).

APRIL 2014

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to help sustain and enhance that culture, enabling the next generation of digital innovators in Slovenia.

Speakers will include among others Marko Curavic, Head of Unit, DG Enterprise and In-dustry, Harry Goldman, CEO of Swedish Jobs and Society, Dr. Matjaž Mulej, Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Economics, University of Maribor, and Alenka Hren, SPIRIT Slovenia, Public Agen-cy of the Republic of Slovenia for the Promotion of Entre-preneurship, Innovation, De-velopment, Investment and Tourism.

Liberals from all over Europe at the CoR youth conference

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) invited some 150 young people from a variety of youth organisations and European political parties, including students and interns from the EU institutions, the regional representation offices and Brussels-based think-tanks to discuss the future of a multi-level Europe and of the CoR itself, the only EU institution that truly represents the views of Europe’s cities and regions. In tandem with the CoR’s internal reflection process, the event aimed to elicit some feedback from the younger generation about what form they expect the CoR to take in the next 20 years. The young people involved were asked to present the results of their discussions during the 20th anniversary ceremony held in the European Commission during the CoR Plenary on 2 April. This was followed by an exchange of views with CoR members.

The event that was titled “For a Europe with regions and cities: the view of young people” took place on 1 April and included a number of liberal youngsters from different parts of Europe, including Denmark, Bulgaria and the Netherlands. ALDE group in the CoR worked together with the European Liberal Youth LYMEC (Liberal and Radical Youth Movement of the European Community) in order to have its member parties represented at the conference.

EU and the Role of the Media” held 28 February 2014 in Varaždin as part of a series of seminars and round tables on current EU issues titled “Get Informed and Make a Difference”, organized by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in cooperation with the European Commission Representation in Croatia, European Parliament Information Office, Varaždin County and the City of Varaždin.

By Croatia’s joining the EU, regional and local self-government takes on a large share of implementing the European laws, with almost three quarters of laws being implemented at the local level. Also, the regional and local level through its representatives in the Committee of the Regions participated in creating policies and influenced EU legislation. The round table also discussed the challenges of tapping into the EU structural and investment funds during the 2014-2020 period, as well as the role of local and regional self-government units in using EU funds.

After opening addresses by Marušić, Head of European Commission Representation Branko Baričević and Head of Varaždin County Predrag Štromar, speeches were delivered by Spokesman for EU Budget Patrizio Fiorilli, Alin Nica (RO) from the Committee of the Regions, Jutarnji List Brussels reporter Augustin Palokaj and euinside editor Adelina Martini. Representing the CoR, Alin Nica (ALDE/RO) underlined the need to inform the citizens of EU initiatives and especially the need to inform Croatian citizens was greater than ever, since Croatia as an EU member has an opportunity to co-create a functional Europe in which decisions are being made at a level much closer to the citizens.

The participants underlined the importance of harmonizing the methodology and dynamics of planning at all levels of government, directing local and regional self-government units to use EU funds for financing development projects – which has to be preceded by investing into human resources and project development, stimulating cooperation among units and strengthening public administration capacities on all levels. It is also necessary to involve more actively local and regional self-government units in the process of formulating national positions the purpose of which is to implant Croatia’s interests into the EU acts.

ALDE to discuss the development of a knowledge-based society during its group meeting in Ptuj, Slovenia

As every year, the ALDE group in the Committee of the Regions will be holding its external group meeting at the invitation of one of its members. This year the group is invited to Ptuj, Slovenia by Štefan Čelan (SI). Taking place on the 11th of April, the central topic of the meeting will be the development of a knowledge-based society in order to boost growth and reduce poverty. Empowering entrepreneurship is a sub-theme of the meeting, with the aim

Alin Nica (ALDE/RO)

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LeaDeRsThe newsletter of Liberal Democrat Regional and Local Politicians

APRIL 2014

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Doreen Huddart (UK) invited by the Lodzkie Region in Poland to discuss current social problems

The seminar organised by Lodzkie Region in Poland on 7-8 April looked at Poverty and Exclusion of particularly vulnerable groups, such as the Elderly, disabled, children and the mentally ill. Representing the CoR was Doreen Huddart (ALDE/UK), Member of the Newcastle City Council.

Her intervention concentrated on Child Poverty across the EU. Ms Huddart compared and contrasted data such as employment statistics and relative poverty levels in order to draw an accurate picture of the current situation in the UK. During her intervention she also outlined the aims of 2020 strategy

and the EC Social Investment Package,

and how this has translated into national

policies on inequalities; she then looked

specifically at work which is being done

by local authorities to alleviate poverty and

social exclusion.

Among the speakers and panellists were

Anita Wochner, Baden-Württemberg,

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs,

Families, Women and Senior Citizens,

Joanna Skrzydlewska, Member of European Parliament, Prof. Dorota Jachnik,

The Pedagogical Academy in Lodz.

On 11 April 2014 the ALDE-CoR external group meeting will be held in Ptuj, Slovenia at the invitation of ALDE member Štefan Čelan (SI).

ALDE-CoR will be promoting European Liberals at EU institutions’ Open Doors Day. On 17 May, on the occasion of Europe Day, the Committee of the Regions will open its doors to the public along with other EU institutions. The ALDE-CoR Group staff and ALDE-CoR members will explain to the visitors what the EU does for its citizens. Come and visit us on the ground floor of Jacques Delors Building on 101 Rue Belliard.

The ALDE Group in the CoR will be co-hosting a seminar with European Liberal Forum (ELF) on Roma Integration in Hungary at the invitation of István Sértő-Radics (ALDE/HU), date to be confirmed ALDE 2014 seminar on Regional Energy Plans will be held on the 15th of September in Northern Netherlands provinces of Drenthe and Groningen at the invitation of Mr Henk Brink (NL/ALDE), Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Drenthe. Central themes of the seminar will be the role of regions and municipalities in:

Smart Cities & Regions (ICT & sensor technology, heat, gas, power networks, micro-generation)

Gas in transition: Power-to-gas, LNG, Biogas

Cross-border cooperation (innovative energy communities, f-shore wind, power-grid development and research)

Upcoming ALDE activities

Own-initiative opinion Towards an integrated Urban Agenda for the EU by Bas Verkerk (NL) Adoption at CoR plenary 25-26 June 2014 Opinion on EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) by Gian Mario Spacca (IT) Adoption at CoR plenary 25-26 June 2014

Opinionon Agriculture Genetic Re-sources from conservation to sus-tainable use by Giuseppe Varacalli (IT) Adoption at CoR plenary 25-26 June 2014 Own-initiative opinion on The EU Budget 2015 by Agnès Durdu (LU) Adoption at CoR plenary 25-26 June 2014

JCC FYROM Opinion on The possibilities and instruments available to local authorities to support the accession process by co-rapporteur Jasna Gabrič (SI) Adoption foreseen end of 2014

Ongoing ALDE opinions

Doreen Huddart (UK)