EPP in Action 2005

EPP IN ACTION 2005

WELCOME TO THE EPP

W elcome to the European People's Party, the largest European-level party of Europe. With 71 member-parties from 36 countries, 18 heads of government, 9 European Commissioners, including the President, and the largest Group in the EuropeanParliament with 264 members, the EPP is the leading political force on the continent.

The EPP is a family of the political centre-right, whose roots run deep in the history and civilizationof the European continent and has pioneered the European project from its inception.

The EPP is committed to a federal Europe, based on the principle of subsidiarity – a democratic,transparent and efficient Europe. Our vision is one of mutual respect, of inclusion of all freecitizens, encompassing all European countries and regions, no matter how diverse – a Europefor all. The EPP wants a Europe that upholds a prosperous and peaceful future for all its citizens.

2 005 was a year of expansion for the EPP. New member-parties joined us and we successfully implemented the new statute for European political parties that guarantees the steady development of our party. A range of activities-Summits, Bureau and WorkingGroup meetings, seminars, conferences, etc. – significantly improved our political and publicprofile in Europe.

2006 will be a pivotal Congress year in which the party will formulate a roadmap for a dynamicpolitical debate on the future of Europe. The EPP will seek solutions for the major challengesahead: economic development, the fight against terrorism, promotion of democracy, globalstability, our aging populations and energy depletion.

We in the EPP are proud to play a role in the Europe we believe in

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A t the Summits the EPP heads of government, party leaders in coalition governments and opposition, the EPP Presidency and EPP Presidents of the Commission and Parliament, meet regularly prior to the European

Council Summits. These important sessions offer EPP leaders an informal and confidential setting to air differencesand seek consensus within the EPP family in an effort to develop common positions at the EuropeanCouncil. The EPP Summit is customarily held at the Castle of Bouchout, in Meise, a suburb of Brussels.

During 2005, four Summit meetings were held. The discussions focused on the EU Constitutional referenda, on effortsto boost European economic growth, to approve the EU Budget and the support Croatia´s accession negotiations.

The EPP in theEuropean Council

EPP SUMMITS

This Summit discussed the accession negotiations withCroatia, EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy.

The EPP leaders were convinced that Croatian authoritieshad cooperated fully and without reservation with ICTYand had taken exhaustive measures in their effort to arrestwar-indicted criminal General Ante Gotovina. Theseefforts needed to be fully recognized and a strategy wasworked out on how to proceed further.

2| Statutory Summit, Meise, 22 March 2005

In spring 2005 Europe was debating its economic futureand the unsatisfactory results of the Lisbon Strategylaunched in March 2000, which aimed to make Europethe most competitive and dynamic knowledge-basedeconomy in the world.

Thus the Summit approved the Commission guidelines“For more growth, prosperity and jobs in Europe”, aimedat bringing new dynamism in the European economy.

Whilst reconfirming our unanimous support to PrimeMinister Ivo Sanader for his continued efforts to fulfilthe demands of the ICTY it was decided to request fromthe Council the creation of a monitoring team that wouldassess the preconditions put by ICTY’s chief prosecutor.

The EPP leaders also supported the candidature of JoséIgnacio Salafranca for the post of Director of the UNDP.

1| Extraordinary Summit of Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Brussels, 15 March 2005

2Meise, Brussels

3| Statutory Summit, Meise, 16 June 2005

After in-depth debate on one of the biggest challengesin the history of the EU, following the negative referendaon the Constitution in the Netherlands and France, thesuspension of the ratification process for a limited period(1 year) was favoured.

The leaders decided that the implementation of theLisbon Strategy should be given priority and that thereflection period should be an active phase of cooperationand awareness-raising. They showed solidarity for acampaign to promote the relevance of the Constitution,the European Union and its institutions, and to instil newenthusiasm in the European project.

It was decided that the Manifesto of the EPP Congress(Rome, 30 and 31 March 2006) would offer the guidelinesand strategy for a roadmap debate during the AustrianPresidency and the re-launch of the Constitutional Treatyin 2007 with new enthusiasm and solidarity.

Regarding Wolfgang Schüssel’s report on the EUmonitoring team for Croatia and the positive ICTY report,it was decided that they would act with force at theCouncil to get the accession negotiations started.

In pacta sunt servanda the leaders agreed to support thestart of negotiations with Turkey and decided these shouldbe an open-ended process while they would engage inopen dialogue with the AK party colleagues in the EPPorgans.

An intense dialogue followed on the financial perspectives2007-2013 in order to reach consensus.

The 1st edition of the EPP academic publication ‘EuropeanView‘ was presented.

4| Statutory Summit, Meise, 15 December 2005

While Angela Merkel was warmly welcomed as the newChancellor of Germany it was unanimously agreed thata decision at the Council meeting on the EU budget for2007-2013 was vital but that the British Presidency’sproposal was unsatisfactory and that the budget of theEuropean Union should reflect the Union’s ambitions ofintegration as well as enlargement.

The leaders agreed on more solidarity for equal treatmentto all member-states and more consideration for ruraldevelopment and Erasmus. A cut in the British rebate,a clause for a review in 2008 and in view of the Europeanparliament’s co-decision more flexibility in therules/mechanism for implementation was required.

The Summit noted that with the arrest of General Gotovinathe EPP was vindicated in its support for Prime MinisterIvo Sanader.

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T he EPP-ED Group, led by Chairman Hans-Gert Poettring, is the largestpolitical group in the European Parliament with a relative majority among all other political groups. This strength is reflected in the fact

that, since 1999, the EPP-ED Group has been on the winning side in morevotes than any other group in monthly plenary sessions.

The new parliamentary term wasinaugurated with the approval of thenew Commission and its President,José Manuel Barroso, who wasnominated by EPP. The result of theelection (449 in favor, with 149 againstand 82 abstentions) was quite anaccomplishment for the President ofthe Commission, the EPP, and the EPP-ED Group, which favored a strongCommission led by Barroso. The EPP-ED Group looks to the Commission,above all, to promote thecompetitiveness of the EuropeanUnion, as an essential condition forcreating new jobs, combating crimeand securing the external borders ofthe Union as well as reducingbureaucracy.

In December 2004, the EuropeanCouncil took the important politicaldecision of starting accessionnegotiations with Turkey. The EPP-ED Group measured this questioncontinuously and in-depth during thecourse of 2005. The Group agreedthat the negotiating process must beentirely open and that the outcomemust not be looked upon as a foregoneconclusion. Negotiations with Turkeymust be open-minded, they can leadto membership, but not inevitably.

The EPP in theEuropean Parliament

The EPP-ED Group will be followingthe negotiations closely, with particularattention to Turkey’s complete andpermanent commitment to meetingall the political criteria.

The Group welcomed the opening ofaccession negotiations with Croatia.The EPP-ED Group upholds theprinciple that all European countriesshould be offered the prospect ofmembership in the long term, providedthey meet the Copenhagen criteriawithout reservation.

Following the crisis from the negativeresults of the referenda in France andthe Netherlands, the question of howthe European Union will move forwardwith the Constitution will be asignificant political issue. It is necessaryto persuade the citizens of the Unionof the value of the European Unionand of the need for reform - only inthis way can changes be carriedthrough and the Union’s power to act,in accordance with the Constitution.Most members of the Group are inagreement with this process andconsider the introduction of theEuropean Constitution an importantpolitical task for the future.

For more information on EPP-ED Group, please visit: www.epp-ed.org

PES

ALDE

EPP-ED

EUL/NGL

NI

IND/DEM

UEN

Greens/EFA

EPP-ED Group

EPP-ED PES ALDE Greens/EFA EUL/NGL IND/DEM UEN NI 264 200 90 42 41 33 30 32

TOTAL: 732

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The EPP in theEuropean Commission

T he European People's Party has always been engaged in the work of the European Commission, the main European institution that implements European Union policies. In the most recent Commission, the EPP played a catalytic role in the appointment of Jose Manuel Barroso - a leading figure of the EPP family - as President of the Commission. The current Commission has a total of 9 Commissioners, that originate from the EPP family:

EnvironmentStavros DIMASGreece, ND

“We have made important progress towards puttinginto place modern, streamlined and cost-effectivepolicies that will achieve a cleaner and healthierenvironment for our citizens while also stimulatinginnovation.”

Fisheries & Maritime AffairsJoe BORGMalta, PN

“I am committed to sustainable EU fisheries manage-ment in environ-mental, social and economic termsand the vision that will guide my actions is of acompetitive, prosperous and responsible fisheriessector.”

External Relations & ENPBenita FERRERO WALDNERAustria, ÖVP

“Enlargement must not create a new dividing lineacross our continent, and we have offered thosewho are geographically close to us the prospect ofa privileged partnership, the chance to participatein some of our policy activities, and ultimately astake in our single market”

Education & CultureJan FIGELSlovakia, KDH

“Education and training are crucial for the future of the EuropeanUnion. European-level actions on Culture are indispensable forpromoting a sense of European citizenship and to support an evolvingEuropean identity. I will strive to bring about a better understandingof others' cultures and wider recognition of a common heritage,while fully respecting cultural diversity.”

EnergyAndris PIEBALGSLatvia, TP

“Securing Europe with a stable energy supply atthe same time giving consumers a chance to buyelectricity and gas at affordable price – this is acore task that I have undertaken on November2004, when I became the European commissionerfor Energy.”

Information Society & MediaVivianne REDINGLuxembourg, CSV

“The Information Society is crucial to achieving the Lisbon Goalsof creating a competitive, sustainable and socially inclusive Europewhere everyone, regardless of their health, wealth or location, canfulfil their potential.”

Justice, Freedom & SecurityFranco FRATTINIItaly, FI

“At the centre of many debates in Europe are issues such as security,the fight against terrorism, integration within our countries of peoplewho come from outside the European Union and immigration/asylum.What we discuss and eventually decide in the EU on these issueswill have a direct impact on your daily life.”

TransportJacques BARROTFrance, UMP

“I want to put in place a transport policy that will both improve thecompetitiveness of Europe’s businesses and respond to the concerns ofall Europeans who want better environmental protection, higher levelsof safety and stronger rights as consumers.”

PresidentJose Manuel BARROSOPortugal, PSD

“My promise is to actively work to build a Europethat is much more than just a simple market place.I want a Europe with a social and cultural dimension;a Europe where everyone can find their place.”

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The EPP in theCommittee Of The Regions

The EPP in theCouncil of Europe

T he Committee of Regions (CoR) is the political assembly that provides local and regional authorities with a voiceat the heart of the European Union. The EPPGroup is a major political pillar in the Commit-tee of the Regions, making it the driving forcefor strengthening and increasing the role andinfluence of local and regional authorities inthe EU decision-making process.

In 2005, the EPP Group in the Committee ofthe Regions, led by President Isidoro Gottardo,was a key initiator of political resolutions tosupport the campaign for a ConstitutionalTreaty for Europe and to reach an agreementon an ambitious financial perspective for theEU between 2007 and 2013.

In addition to its ordinary meetings, the EPPGroup in the CoR held during 2005 twomeetings outside Brussels: “Euroregions:bringing citizens together” (Dubrovnik,Croatia) and on “Cities and Regions for MoreGrowth and Jobs in Europe” ( Bratislava,Slovakia).

The EPP Group in the CoR also issued adeclaration supporting the opening of acces-sion negotiations with Croatia and encourag-ing regional cooperation amongst countriesof South East Europe as a prerequisite forpolitical and economic development andstabilization in the region.

The EPP in the CoR strengthened its co-operation with the European Parliament forthe promotion of local and regional interestswithin the European Union.

For more information on the EPP Group in theCommittee of Regions, please visit:www.cor.eu.int/presentation/down/epp/

T he Council of Europe is the continent'soldest political organisation, foundedin 1949. It groups together 46 countries,

including 21 countries from Central and EasternEurope. It is distinct from the 25-nation EuropeanUnion, but no country has ever joined the Unionwithout first belonging to the Council of Europe.

The Group of the European People’s Party in theParliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europeis promoting co-operation in Europe in ademocratic and social framework, based onindividual freedom, linked to the concept ofChristian responsibility and according to theprinciples and the values of morality.

During 2005, the members of the EPP Group inthe Council of Europe participated as observersin the elections which took place in Moldova,Albania, Palestinian Authority, Azerbaijan andChechenia (Russia), as well as at the ConstitutionalReferendum in Armenia.

The working group “Christianity – Islam” held aroundtable discussion in April to which all Groupmembers of the Council were invited. The titleof this meeting was “Christianity and Islam:Cohabitation in the Europe of the 21st Century”.

The EPP Group accepted the membershipapplications of three new members from theUnion for the Principality of Monaco (UPM). TheGroup also welcomed twelve members of theTurkish AKP, four members of the RomanianDemocratic Party and two members of the PatrioticUnion of Liechtenstein.

Luc Van den Brande was elected by acclamationas President of the EPP Group in January. Heunderlined that the Council of Europe is the“Cathedral of Values” and must adhere to its coreobjectives while also reaching out to thecolleagues in the European Parliament and theOSCE. The outgoing President of the EPP Group,René van der Linden, was elected as the newPresident of the Parliamentary Assembly of theCouncil of Europe on 24 January 2005.

For more information on the Group of the EuropeanPeople’s Party/Christian Democrats in the ParliamentaryAssembly of the Council of Europe, please visit:http://assembly.coe.int/ppe/index_e.htm

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T he EPP is acknowledged as an importantpolitical player in the global politicalarena. The mere fact that the EPP has

71 member-parties in 36 countries is proofof EPP’s international profile.

The EPP has used its experience and influenceto promote democracy in transition countriesand to cooperate, on this basis, with importantinternational players. The ‘Orange Revolution’in Ukraine is a recent example of EPP’s pro-active involvement in assisting the forces ofchange. It is not surprising, therefore, thatPresident Victor Yushchenko and his ‘NashaUkraina’ bloc opted to join the ranks of theEPP (January 2005) and to represent EPP’spolitical values in Ukraine.

Countries like Moldova and Belarus are highon EPP’s agenda for democracy-building and- together with its member-parties,parliamentary groups, associations, and think-tanks - we are committed to help bring aboutchange.

In recent years, the EPP has been expandingits interest and involvement in regions beyondthe continent – Middle East, North Africa,Latin America & Southeast Asia - in order tooffer its experience and expertise to commoninternational efforts of democracy promotion.In doing so, the EPP began to widen its bilateraland multilateral contacts with like-mindedpolitical parties and organizations that arededicated to similar goals.

Specifically, the EPP is developing, on abilateral level, international partnerships withinfluential political parties and organizationsthat are active in the area of democracy-promotion. For example, in the United Statesthe EPP had, historically, contacts with theNational Democratic Institute (NDI) andcollaborated from time to time on issuesrelated to the Balkans. In 2005, the EPP beganits cooperation with the InternationalRepublican Institute (IRI) and has alreadyproven to be very fruitful on a variety ofrelated issues. In 2005, we also establishedcontacts with important like-minded partiessuch as the Conservative Party of Canada,led by recently-elected Prime Minister StephenHarper, the Liberal Party of Australia, led byPrime Minister John Howard, the Liberal Partyof Japan, led by Prime Minister JunichiroKoizumi, a.o.

Our longstanding affiliation with theChristian/Centrist Democrat International(CDI) has offered the EPP an influentialmultilateral platform to offer its input in regionssuch as Latin America, Africa and SoutheastAsia, in which the CDI is particularly active.In 2005, the EPP started to develop a tangiblerelationship with the International DemocratUnion (IDU), with a view to strengtheningthe transatlantic dimension of EPP’sinternational activities. In fact, because of ouremphasis on democracy-building – a goalshared by both the CDI and the IDU – theEPP aspires to eventually act as a bridge forthe two organisations to improve globalsynergy and cooperation.

For more information on EPP’s international activities,please contact:Kostas Sasmatzoglou, Secretary for External Relations([email protected])

For more information on CDI activities,please contact:Jose-Luis Fontalba, CDI General Coordinator([email protected])

EPP‘s Global Political ActivityGLOBAL CO-OPERATION

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T he EPP has three levels of decision-making: Presidency, Political Bureau and Congress. EPPheads of government in EPP Summits can give

policy recommendations, whereas EPP Working Groupsperform the preparatory political work.

The EPP Presidency decides on the general politicalguidelines and presides over the Political Bureau. ThePresidency is composed of the President, 10 Vice-Presidents, the Secretary General and the Treasurer.The Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the EuropeanParliament is also ex officio Vice President.

The EPP Congress is the highest decision-making bodyof the Party. It is composed of the delegates of EPPMember Parties and Associate Member Parties and ofEPP recognized Associations. The number of participantsreflects the number of delegates for the Political Bureau.The EPP Congress meets once every three years. It electsthe EPP Presidency and decides on the main policydocuments, electoral programmes and provides a platformfor the EPP Heads of Government and Party leaders.

The EPP Political Bureau defines the political positionsof the party between Congresses, deciding on membershipapplications and final political guidelines. The PoliticalBureau also decides on the budget and safeguards thepolitical presence of the EPP between the EPP Congresses.EPP Political Bureau is composed of the designatedmembers of the EPP Member Parties, Associated MemberParties and of the EPP recognized Associations. Thenumber of delegates for each party is linked to theelection result in the last European elections so thatparties are weighted according to their strength. Thisallows taking decisions by majority. The Political Bureaumeets three to four times a year.

The Political Bureau defines the mandate of the WorkingGroups which prepare the Party’s policy documents. AllMember Parties and Associated Member Parties andmembers of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliamenthave the possibility of participating in the WorkingGroups.

The Political Bureauand the Congress

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27 & 28 January 2005

The Presidency of the EU was taken overby Luxembourg and EPP Prime MinisterJean-Claude Juncker and respectively, thePresidency agenda dominated the debatein the Political Bureau.

The implementation of the Statutes ofEuropean Political Parties was to beconcluded in 2005. The Turkish AK Partyand Victor Yushchenko’s politicalmovement “Our Ukraine” of the Ukrainewere accepted as EPP Observers.A resolution to support the PPCD ofMoldova was adopted. The new EPPcorporate identity was presented to thePolitical Bureau.

3 & 4 March 2005

The positive result in the referendum onthe European Constitution in Spain waswelcomed with great satisfaction. TheCroatian accession negotiations werethoroughly debated in the Political Bureau,and a draft resolution to support Croatiawas approved.The new EPP Statutespassed the second reading. The PPCD ofMoldova was granted EPP Observer status.

27 & 28 June 2005

The French and Dutch referenda on theEuropean Constitution were negative, andthe debate focused on the future of theConstitution. The EPP President calledthe heads of State and government toevaluate the results. The EPP EuropeanPolicy Working Group was given themandate to prepare the draft Congressdocument for the Congress in Rome (30-31 March, 2006).

A resolution on the 65th Anniversary ofthe occupation of the Baltic States wasadopted. Observer Parties, the DemocraticParty of Serbia (DSS) and G17Plus wereupgraded to Associated Members byunanimity.

19 & 20 September 2005

The Luxembourg Referendum on theConstitution gave a positive result. ThePolitical Bureau discussed terrorism inEurope, after bombing of the LondonUnderground. A strategy on how to pro-ceed with the Constitution was thoroughlydiscussed. The EPP continued to expand;more than 25 political parties applied forEPP Membership.

The decision to enhance cooperationbetween the EPP and the IRI (InternationalRepublican Institute) was approved. TheDemocratic Party (DP) of Romania wasaccepted as an EPP Observer. EU-Russiarelations were discussed.

7 November 2005

Angela Merkel, Chairperson of the CDUin Germany, won the German electionsand became Chancellor. The EU wasfacing serious challenges, after the twonegative referenda and the difficulties inEU budget negotiations. The EPP 2006Congress preparations occupied theworkings of the EPP Political Bureau. TheEPP draft budget was presented to theBureau and Membership fees wereapproved. The Bureau approved a draftresolution on EU-Russia relations.

Following its previous decisions in 2005,the EPP was working on many level inorder to guarantee the success of the EPPCongress to be held on the 30-31 March2006.

EPP Political Bureau highlights

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Working Groups are the backbone of EPP´s political work, where high-profilerepresentatives from the EPP member-parties develop common positions andstrategies on major policy areas and submit specific recommendations to thePolitical Bureau for final approval. A Working Group can be given a specificmandate for preparative work for EPP Summits and the EPP Congress. WorkingGroups are also responsible for organizing Conferences, Roundtable discussionsand other important events.

E PP President Wilfried Martens together with EPP Vice President Peter Hintzehad the task of preparing the EPP’s most vital policy papers and Congressdocuments on European issues. In past years, the Working Group has

prepared the Congress documents for Berlin (2001), Estoril (2002) and Brussels(2004). Thus, the European Policy Working Group prepared the most importantdecisions of the EPP in the last years.

Throughout the year 2005, the group had five meetings to prepare the DraftDocument “Citizens and Europe – Priorities for a Better Future” to be presentedat the EPP Congress in March 2006 in Rome. The document outlined the EPPposition on a more values-based Europe, better priorities in legislation and moretransparent and democratic institutions.

For more information:Christian Kremer, Deputy Secretary General([email protected])

C haired by Bartho Pronk and Peter Jungen in 2005, the working groupon Economic and Social policy focused on the fundamental developments

regarding Economic and Social policy at the European level. Particularemphasis was placed on the Lisbon Process, demographic issues and research anddevelopment.

In 2005 the working group continued its efforts to enhance its contacts with themain European economic institutions. The Working Group started its active yearby organising a high level seminar with the Organization of Economic Cooperationand Development (OECD), where essential issues of European and global growthwere debated.

As a result of a working group visit to the OECD and various initiatives fromworking group members, the working group began to draft a larger Policy document“EU and World Economy – Enforcing EU’s Global Role”, to be presented at theEPP Congress in Rome 2006. The goal of this document was to search for a newkind of approach in positioning Europe in the global economy, emphasizing thatthe only way for Europe to continue to ensure European economic well-being isfor Europe to contribute actively to the development of the global economy.

The Working Group followed closely the debate on the Services directive, whichwas considered a cornerstone for the success of the Lisbon Process. In its policy-preparation the working group interacted with various policy experts: fromresearchers and specialists to high-level politicians.

For more information:Tomi Huhtanen, Senior Political Adviser ([email protected])

EPP Working Groupsand Committees

Economic and Social Policy

European Policy

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C haired by Wim van Velzen, EPP VicePresident, this Working Group isdedicated to the political monitoring

of EU Enlargement policy, candidate countries,the Western Balkans and European Neigh-bourhood Policy countries that are membersof the Council of Europe. In 2005, the WorkingGroup placed particular emphasis on the EUcandidature of Croatia, in view of thedifficulties that caused the temporarypostponement of the start of accessionnegotiations.

Moreover, this Working Group is mandatedunder Article 5 ‘Membership Admission’ ofthe EPP Internal Regulations, to review,facilitate and incorporate perspectivemembers, associate members, and observermember parties throughout the continent. In2005, the Working Group reviewed dozensof applications, including the recommendationand ultimate incorporation of the followingmember-parties: AKP (Turkey), NU (Ukraine),PPCD (Moldova), PD (Romania), DSS (Serbia– upgrade), G17 (Serbia –upgrade).

For more information:Kostas Sasmatzoglou, Secretary of External Relations([email protected])

C haired by Jan Petersen, Norwegian Foreign Minister and Nadezhda

Mihailova, EPP Vice President, theEPP Working Group was mandated to dealwith CFSP, ESDP, and the promotion ofcomprehensive European foreign and defencepolicies, also focusing on transatlantic relationsand multilateral co-operation. In 2005,emphasis was given to the EU-Russia relations.This work was concluded with a policyrecommendation, which was presentedand approved by the EPP Political Bureau.

Major emphasis was given to the EuropeanNeighbourhood Policy and the Middle-Eastpeace process and its future and, in relationto this, the working group interacted withrespective cabinets of the Commission andpolicy experts. The Working Group startedthe preparations for a major event on EUforeign and Security policy, which will takeplace in 2006.

For more information:Michèle Cimenti, Political Adviser([email protected])

Campaign Management

T he coordination of the persons responsible for campaigning from the headquarters of member-partiesis the main task of this Committee. The exchange of experiences in recent election campaigns as wellas the long-term preparation of European issues and the campaign for the European Parliament election

brought added value to the Member Parties and to the EPP.

During the last meeting of the Committee, which took place on November 21-22, 2005 in Lisbon, Portugal,25 participants exchanged their experiences in recent campaigns. Several ideas for campaigns were proposedwhich found a lot of interest among the participants. Numerous presentations were made which can be foundonline in the EPP Intranet.

The Irish Fine Gael had started a campaign in Ireland against “anti-social behaviour” (www.safestreets.ie) whereasthe concept of the German CDU to involve non-party members in the recent campaign for the elections to theFederal Parliament (www.team-zukunft.net) attracted particular interest.

The next meeting of the Campaign Management Committee is scheduled for May 2006 in Rhodes, Greece. Thismeeting will focus on the exchange of views on how to deal with European issues in national campaigns andthe possibilities for increasing the interest of the citizens in European issues – an important task after the lowturnout in the EP elections of 2004.

For more information:Christian Kremer, Deputy Secretary General([email protected])

Enlargement andEPP Membership’s

Foreign & Security Policy

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I n 2005 the EPP launched the initiative ‘Brussels Forum for Regional Party Organisations’, to help EPP supporters build contacts within the EPPfamily, benefit from the opportunities local Brusselspolitical life has to offer, and unite voices in Brussels.

Numerous EPP member-parties have active localorganizations in Brussels, gathering party supportersexpatriated to Brussels. These networks are valuableassets for EPP parties back home, facilitating communi-cations between the member-parties and their sup-porters in the Commission, in the Council and in theEuropean Parliament.

The EPP Brussels ForumMember Parties uniting forcesin Brussels

The Brussels Forum for Regional Party Organisationshad its first event on 23 November 2005. This firstmeeting was immediately crowned with success -more than 350 members from EPP Political parties,MEP’s and local authorities attended the event in thebeautiful Brussels venue Tour & Taxis, hosted by EPPPresident Wilfried Martens and the State Secretaryof the Region of Brussels Capital, Brigitte Grouwels,Jo Vandeurzen, CD&V President and Joëlle Milquet,CDH (Belgium) President.

Following the success and enthusiasm the initiativereceived, many suggestions were made by EPPmember-party local organisations about the futureactivities and role of the Brussels Forum. The futureplanning and ideas will pave the way. Nevertheless,it was clear that the first event will be the start of apermanent and flexible network, which will be furtherdeveloped in 2006.

The next meeting of the Brussels Forum is scheduledfor spring 2006 and will focus, among other issues,on the participation of the European voters in theBrussels local elections, due in October 2006, andthe strengthening of the EPP family in Europe’s capital.

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EPP Publications

A s a part of EPP´s new communication strategy and expanded activities, a new EPP Journal ‘European View’ was first published in spring 2005, in cooperation with the Forum for European Studies, with the lead of EPPPresident Wilfried Martens.

The European View is a biannual publication tackling the entire spectrum of Europe’spolitical, economic, social and cultural developments. The European View is an openforum for academics, experts and decision-makers across Europe to debate andexchange views and ideas.

With its high profile editorial board and Forum for European Studies, the EuropeanView rapidly gained an independent standing and managed to attract European decisionmakers and European top political strategists as prominent authors for the publication.In a relatively short period of time, the European View became a prestigious publication,available in all major Parliamentary libraries, Universities and thinktanks.

The first spring volume 2005 of the European View focused on “European Economyand the Challenge of Growth”, featuring among others Commission President JoseManuel Barroso and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The second, autumn volume,focused on “Europe, its Borders and Role in the world” featuring various heads of State– this second volume established the European View as one of the most relevantpolitical journals in Europe.

In order to better serve a wider European public and its member parties, the EPPdecided to make the publication freely available and downloadable from the EPPwebsite. Together with the creation of the European View web-page, an informationcampaign was launched in the late autumn of 2005 with the support of EPP Youthand Student Organisations, YEPP and EDS, aimed at promoting the free EuropeanView web-version.

For more information about European View:Tomi Huhtanen, European View Editor-In-Chief([email protected])

Launching the European View

EPP´s recognized Associations have a long tradition in Publications. A large variety of Annual Reports,thematic Publications and regular journals are published, with high standards and creative enthusiasm. 13

European Union of Christian DemocraticWorkers (EUCDW)

The EUCDW is the workers' organisation ofthe EPP with 22 member organisations from16 different countries. As the officiallyrecognised representative EPP association ofthe wage-earners, the EUCDW promotes theprinciple of social cohesion in our societies.

The EUCDW, led by its President Elmar Brok,MEP, has the following aims: to press forpolitical unification of a democratic Europe;to promote the development of the EPP onthe basis of Christian-social teaching; torepresent and defend worker interests inEuropean Policy; to work for the achievementof Christian-social principles and policies inthe European workers' movements; to stepup co-operation with the workers and theirorganizations, particularly those based onChristian-social teaching.

Therefore, in the last years and 2005 inparticular, the EUCDW has spent a lot of efforton employment policy, social protection,inclusion of values and fundamental rightsinto the European Constitution, and also therealization of a reasonable and balancedapproach of the Internal Market which willnot destroy the social cohesion of our societies.

For more information on EUCDW, please visit:www.eucdw.org

European Senior Citizens’ Union (ESU)

The ESU, founded in Madrid in 1995, is thelargest political senior citizens’ organisationin Europe. The ESU is represented in 21 EPPmember states with 34 organisations andabout 500.000 members.

The ESU is dedicated to the advancement ofrights of European senior citizens and theengagements for the society. The aims of theESU are the promotion of the role of theelderly in ageing European societies, againstthe discrimination of the elderly, the Europeanpension systems, seniors and volunteering,intergenerational relationship & participation.In 2005, ESU based its work on three firmprinciples: 1. the Christian conception of man,2. the call of mankind to freedom andsolidarity, 3. ethnical, economic and socialdemands which are not in conflict, but inagreement with each other.

The ESU, led by its President, BernhardWorms, calls for the active participation ofsenior citizens in the workplace, in decisionsand in the promotion of responsibility inEuropean societies. Senior citizens are thedetermining group of a society in the 21stcentury.

For more information on ESU, please visit:www.eu-seniorunion.info

EPP Associations

Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Union(SME Union)

The SME UNION of the EPP is the networkof pro-business Christian-Democrat, Conserva-tive and Liberal politicians and politicalorganizations. Its main objective is to help inshaping EU policy in a more SME friendlyway. The importance of the work of the SMEUNION can be seen in the fact that SMEs areconsidered as the key for sustainable jobs,growth and prosperity.

Its top priority is to reform the legal frameworkfor SMEs all over Europe and to promote andsupport the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises which - due to theirwillingness to take risks and responsibility -are the engine of the European economy.

In June 2005, President of Eurochambres andPresident of the Austrian Federal EconomicChamber, Christoph Leitl, was electedPresident of the SME UNION.

For more information on SME-UNION, please visit:www.sme-union.org

EPP Women

EPP Women is recognised by the EPP as theofficial association of women from all like-minded political parties of Europe. EPPWomen have over 40 member organisationsfrom countries of the European Union as wellas outside of it. All member organisations arewomen's organisations from political partieswhich are members of the EPP.

EPP Women, led by its President, Doris Pack,MEP, was dedicated in 2005 to the advance-ment of women's political emancipationthroughout Europe and to the promotion ofimportant women-related issues such as equalopportunities between men and women,human trafficking, the fight against prostitution,the Lisbon Strategy "harmful traditionalpractices" etc.

For more information on EPP Women, please visit:www.epp-women.org

T he EPP is firmly committed to civil society. The Party's Associations, which continue to expand throughout Europe, are vital mediums between the EPP and European societies. The EPP also cooperates with the Robert Schuman Institute (www.rschuman.hu)

and several like-minded think-tanks, affiliated to our national member-parties.

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European Democrat Students (EDS)

EDS is the official student organisation of theEPP. Since its founding in 1961 it bringsstudents and young political leaders fromEurope together to enhance a political proEuropean exchange. Due to its long lastinghistory EDS has an excellent standing in manyof the national centre-right parties whichcontributes to the aim of being a lobby forstudents and youth interests. Primary focus ispresently given to the Bologna Process,however EDS is also aware of its historyconnected to the fight for human rights anddemocracy.

EDS, led by its Chairman, Sven HenrikHäseker, has 37 member organisations, re-presenting nearly 500.000 students. Currently,EDS is represented in 36 countries, includingcountries like Belarus, Georgia and Israel.EDS is not a centralized organisation. As an“organisation of organisations” EDS describesitself as a networking structure. The generalaim is to bundle the power of the variousorganisations in order to give young peopleand students a strong voice.

2004/2005 was an energetic working year forEDS. EDS organised events in Spain, Cyprus,Poland, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Malta,Bulgaria and Ukraine counting up to 150participants per event. Finally, various dele-gations of EDS attended meetings in severalother countries.

For more information on EDS, please visit:www.edsnet.org

Youth of the European People's Party(YEPP)

YEPP, the EPP's official youth organisation,has very clear ambitions throughout all itsactivities. YEPP aspires to influence commonEuropean policy-making, to have strongeryouth participation in party-politics andtransparent democracy in all parts of Europe.YEPP is comprised of young party-politicalactivists that want to take part in the shapingof Europe.

YEPP, led by its President, David Hansen, hasmore than 50 national, political party youthorganisations from 35 different Europeanstates. In each of these countries, nationalmember organisations pursue YEPP’s goals.Thus, YEPP brings together more than 1 millionyoungsters with an ambition to take part inthe shaping their societies.

2005 was a very active period for YEPP. Thefirst seminar of the year took place inMediterranean Cyprus. Later on YEPP heldits Congress in Paris in the middle of areferendum campaign. After going to the Eastwith a Balkan conference and a study visit toMoscow and aseminar in Georgia, YEPPmoved to Denmark to discuss the future ofEurope.

For more information on YEPP, please visit:www.yepp-online.net

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The website also includes a special section onthe ‘European View’, the EPP academic journal,with all electronic editions freely available fordownloading. The website also functions as aportal for all EPP-related websites, including ourmember-parties, parliamentary Groups, associa-tions, think-tanks, etc.

After being online for a little over a year, the EPPwebsite has witnessed a steady increase of visitorsfrom Europe and the rest of the world. This facthas reinforced our commitment to systematicallyenrich the contents of the website and developit as a vanguard for promoting the EPP and itsvalues. w

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In January 2005, the EPP launched its brandnew website www.epp-eu.org . Apart fromthe new URL name, the website also adopted anew, more user-friendly format with expandedcontent and with a look that complements thenew EPP logo and its colors.

Apart from presenting on the home page the mostrecent news items, the EPP website offers acomprehensive presentation of the Party, detailson its 71 member-parties, a review of its horizontalengagement in all major European institutions, aupdated listing of current and upcoming eventsand a virtual library of documents, speeches,photos, etc.

EPP Websitewww.epp-eu.org

16

For more information, please contact:Kostas Sasmatzoglou, Secretary for External Relations ([email protected])

Guy Volckaert, Infomatics and Internet, ([email protected])

Regulation (EC) N° 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Councilof November 2003 provides a framework for the transparent funding of politicalparties at the European level. This regulation is the result of a long and sustainedbattle fought by the European People’s Party to give to the European politicalparties a solid legal and financial basis.

Statute of the EPP

On 23 May 2005, the Belgian Ministry of Justice granted by Royal Decree thelegal status of an International Non-Profit Association (Association InternationaleSans But Lucratif) to the European People's Party and the By-Laws (Statutes) werepublished in the Moniteur Belge on 9 August 2005.

The recognition as an International Non-Profit Association was a necessaryprerequisite in view of the new European regulations on party funding.The former Belgian EPP non-profit association was dissolved and liquidated andall the assets and liabilities were transferred to the new International non-profitassociation.

There are now four types of Members of the new International Non-Profit-MakingAssociation :- Ordinary Member Parties- Associate Member Parties- Observer Member Parties- Individual Members : Individual Members are all MEP´s that were elected on alist of a party belonging to the EPP.

As a transitional provision, the present Members of the EPP Presidency were electedas the first Members of the new Presidency. The mandate of the Presidency hasto be renewed through election at the next the EPP Congress, which will be heldon 30 and 31 March 2006 in Rome.

Party Funding

Eight European parties applied for Party funding in 2005- European People's Party (EPP)- Party of European Socialists (PES)- European Liberal Democrat and Reform party (ELDR)- European Democrat Party (EDP)- The European Federation of Green Parties (EFGP)- Party of the European Left (GUE)- Alliance for a Europe of the Nations (AEN)- European Free Alliance (EFA)

The European Union budget for 2005 set aside 8.4 million EURO for party funding.15% of the budget is distributed among the parties in equal shares. 85% is distributedon the basis of the number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) accountedfor by every Party. EPP accounted for 224 MEP´s.

The European funds were allocated as follows (in million EURO):

The EPP on a solid legaland financial basis

The European Parliament funds constitute 2/3 of the EPP budget. The remainingincome is generated through membership fees. Membership fees of the ordinaryMember Parties are calculated on the basis of the political strength of the partyand the number of MEPs. The membership fees of the associate and observermember parties is calculated by the Political Bureau on the basis of the votesobtained by these parties during the last national elections.

EPP now has a solid legal and financial basis, which allows us to reach-out to ourmembers and the public.

For more information:Luc Vandeputte, Deputy Secretary General([email protected]) 17

VICE PRESIDENT

Peter HINTZEMP (Germany, CDU)

Who Is WhoEPP PRESIDENCY

PRESIDENT

Wilfried MARTENSFormer Prime Minister (Belgium, CD&V)

VICE PRESIDENT

Gunilla CARLSSONMP (Sweden, Moderaterna)

TREASURER

Ingo FRIEDRICHMEP (Germany, CSU)

VICE PRESIDENT

Alberto Joao JARDIMPresident of Madiera

Regional Government(Portugal, PSD) VICE PRESIDENT

Kostas KARAMANLISPrime Minister (Greece, ND)

VICE PRESIDENT

Pierre LEQUILLERMP (France, UMP)

VICE PRESIDENT

Nadezhda MIHAILOVAMP (Bulgaria, UDF)

VICE PRESIDENT

Viktor ORBANFormer Prime Minister(Hungary, FIDESZ)

VICE PRESIDENT

Hans-Gert POETTERINGChairman EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament

(Germany, CDU)

VICE PRESIDENT

Wim van VELZEN(Netherlands, CDA)

VICE PRESIDENT

Antonio TAJANIMEP (Italy, FI)

HONORARY PRESIDENT

Leo TINDEMANS(Belgium, CD&V)

HONORARY PRESIDENT

Sauli NIINISTÖ(Finland, KOK)

18

DEPUTIES SECRETARY GENERAL

Christian KREMERDeputy Secretary General (Germany, CDU) · [email protected]

SENIOR OFFICIALS

José Luís FONTALBASenior Political Adviser (Spain, PP) · [email protected]

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Kostas SASMATZOGLOUSecretary of External Relations (Greece, ND) · [email protected]

SECRETARY GENERAL

Antonio LÓPEZ-ISTÚRIZSecretary General, MEP (Spain, PP) · [email protected]

OFFICIALS

Michèle CIMENTIPolitical Adviser (Italy, FI) · [email protected]

CABINET OF THE PRESIDENT

Ingrid GOOSSENSHead of President's cabinet affairs · [email protected]

ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL

Mélanie DURSINAssistant to Secretary General Antonio López-Istúriz · [email protected]

ASSISTANTS TO THE DEPUTIES SECRETARY GENERAL

Danièle BUFFELSAssistant to Deputy Secretary General Luc Vandeputte · [email protected]

SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL

Pavlína HEYMANS-PA˘KOVÁReception, Archives & Logistics · [email protected]

ASSISTANT OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Rita TRIESTAssistant of External Relations, General Administration · [email protected]

Luc VANDEPUTTEDeputy Secretary General (Belgium, CD&V) · [email protected]

Tomi HUHTANENSenior Political Adviser (Finland, KOK) · [email protected]

Javier JIMENEZPress Officer (Spain, PP) · [email protected]

Yelba TORRESCDI, Working Groups · [email protected]

Guy VOLCKAERTInformatics and Internet · [email protected]

Galina FOMENCHENKOPolitical Adviser (Ukraine) · [email protected]

Pieter RONSIJNPolitical Adviser (Belgium, CD&V) · [email protected]

Susanne CORDSAssistant to Deputy Secretary General Christian Kremer · [email protected]

EPP SECRETARIAT

GERMANY

CDUChristlich DemokratischeUnion Deutschlandswww.cdu.de

CSUChristlich-Soziale Union in Bayernwww.csu.de

GREECE

NDNea Demokratia www.nd.gr

HUNGARY

FIDESZFidesz Magyar Polgári Szövetség www.fidesz.hu

MDFMagyar Demokrata Fórum www.mdf.hu

IRELAND

FGFine Gaelwww.finegael.ie

ITALY

FIForza Italia www.forza-italia.it

UDCUnione deiDemocratici Cristianiwww.udc-camera.it

UDEURPopolari UDEURwww.popolariudeur.it

SVP *Südtiroler Volkspartei www.svpartei.org

LATVIA

JL/NENew Erawww.jaunaislaiks.lv

TPTautas Partijawww.tautaspartija.lv

LITHUANIA

LKDLietuvos KrikscionysDemokratai www.lkdp.lt

TS-LKTevynes Sajunga www.tslk.lt

LUXEMBOURG

CSVChrëschtlech SozialVolleksparteiwww.csv.lu

MALTA

PNPartit Nazzjonalistawww.pn.org.mt

MOLDOVA

PPCDPartidul Popular Crestin Democratwww.ppcd.md

NETHERLANDS

CDAChristen DemocratischAppèl www.cda.nl

NORWAY

HOYREwww.hoyre.no

KRF *Kristelig Folkeparti www.krf.no

POLAND

POPlatforma Obywatelskawww.platforma.org

PSLPolskie Stronnictwo Ludowewww.psl.pl

PORTUGAL

PSDPartido Social Democrata www.psd.pt

ROMANIA

PPCDPartidul NationalCrestin Democrat www.ppcd.ro

RMDSZRomániai MagyarDemokrata Szövetség www.rmdsz.ro

PD*Partidul Democrat www.pd.ro

SAN MARINO

PDCS *Partito DemocraticoCristiano Sammarinesewww.pdcs.sm

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO

DSSDemocratic Party of Serbiawww.dss.org.yu

G17PLUSwww.g17plus.org.yu

DHSS *Christian Democratic Partyof Serbia www.dhss.org

SLOVAKIA

KDHKrestanskodemokratickeHnutie Slovenskawww.kdh.sk

MKPStrana Madarskej Koalíciewww.mkp.sk

SDKÚ-DSSlovenská Demokratická aKrest‘anska Únia –Demokratická Stranawww.sdkuonline.sk

SLOVENIA

NSINova Slovenija -Krscanska Ljudska Strankawww.nsi.si

SDSSlovenska Demokratska Strankawww.sds.si

SLSSlovenska Ljudska Strankawww.sls.si

SPAIN

PPPartido Popularwww.pp.es

UDCUnió Democràtica de Catalunyawww.unio.org

SWEDEN

KDKristdemokraterna www.kristdemokraterna.se

Moderaterna www.moderat.se

SWITZERLAND

CVPChristlichdemokratischeVolkspartei www.cvp.ch

EVPEvangelische Volksparteiwww.evppev.ch

TURKEY

AKP *Justice and Development Partywww.akparti.org.tr

UKRAINE

NU *Our Ukraine www.razom.org.uawww.yuschenko.com.ua

ALBANIA

PDR *New Democrat Party

PDSH *Democratic Partyof Albaniawww.dpalbania.org

AUSTRIA

ÖVPÖsterreichische Volksparteiwww.oevp.at

BELGIUM

CD&VChristen-Demokratisch & Vlaams www.cdenv.be

CDHCentre DémocrateHumaniste www.lecdh.be

BOSNIA & HERZOGOVINA

HDZBiH *Hrvatska Demokratska Zajednica BiHwww.hdzbih.org

PDP *Partija Demokratskog Progresa RSwww.pdp-rs.org

SDA *Stranka Demokratski Akcijewww.sda.ba

BULGARIA

BANU-PUBanu People's Union

DPDemocratic Party

UDFUnion of Democratic Forceswww.sds.bg

CROATIA

HDZHrvatska DemokratskaZajednica www.hdz.hr

DC *Demokratski Centarwww.demokratski-centar.hr

HSS *Hrvatska Seljacka Stranka www.hss.hr

CYPRUS

DISYDemocratic Rally of Cyprus www.disy.org.cy

CZECH REPUBLIC

KDU-CSLKrestanka a demokraticka unie www.kdu.cz

DENMARK

DKFDet Konservative Folkeparti www.konservative.dk

KDKristendemokraterne www.kd.dk

ESTONIA

PPUIsamaaliit, Pro Patria Union www.isamaaliit.ee

RPRes Publica www.respublica.ee

FINLAND

KOKKansallinen Kokoomus www.kokoomus.fi

KD *SuomenKristillisdemokraatit www.kristillisdemokraatit.fi

FRANCE

UMPUnion pour unMouvement Populairewww.u-m-p.org

* Observers

EPP Member Partiesand Observers

20

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