The Committee of the Regions' first White Paper concerns ...cor.europa.eu/en/news/Documents/ff61142b-2bea-42ef-853d-91ad805d… · include local politicians such as Arne Sandemo,

http://www.eia.org.uk/view.php?id=637&PHPSESSID=4039f9b00b2e367eeb050b8002bab37c Recent EU News Multilevel governance

The Committee of the Regions' first White Paper concerns multilevel governance. It calls on EU institutions and Member States to increase the involvement of local and regional authorities in the preparation and implementation of EU policies. A public consultation on the White Paper runs until 30 November.

CoR Press Release

(Added 7 September 2009)

Agence Europe 9 September 2009 (EU) UE/RÉGIONS MARITIMES: la crise économique et son impact sur les territoires au cœur des travaux de l'assemblée générale de la CRPM Bruxelles, 09/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - La Conférence des Régions périphériques maritimes (CRPM) tiendra sa 37ème assemblée générale du 30 septembre au 3 octobre à Göteborg (Région Västra Götaland, Suède), à l'invitation du président du conseil exécutif régional, Roland Andersson. La crise économique et son impact sur les territoires seront au cœur des travaux. Les représentants des régions maritimes discuteront également de la nécessité d'une meilleure participation active des régions européennes à une mondialisation porteuse de développement. À ce propos, un pacte territorial sera présenté aux institutions européennes, annonce Enrico Mayrhofer, directeur de la communication à la CRPM. Parmi les autres sujets qui seront abordés à Göteborg, citons encore: (1) la mer et la politique maritime dans une nouvelle étape du développement, (2) développement, changements climatiques et énergies, (3) la participation de la CRPM à la détermination des perspectives de la présidence espagnole de l'UE, (4) examen et vote de la déclaration finale et des résolutions. La nouvelle secrétaire générale de la CRPM, Mme Eleni Marianou, sera élue officiellement après avoir été choisie par le bureau politique de la CRPM lors de sa réunion de juin dernier. Claudio Martini, président de la CRPM et de la région Toscane, introduira et clôturera les travaux. Le secrétaire général sortant, Xavier Gizard, présentera un bilan d'activités et de perspectives du travail réalisé en 2009-2010. Une allocution du président de la Commission européenne, José Manuel Barroso, est attendue. Dirk Ahner, directeur général de la DG Politique régionale à la Commission européenne, et Michel Delebarre, premier vice-président du Comité des Régions, prendront également la parole. (G.B.)

http://euroalert.net/en/news.aspx?idn=9096 Committee of the Regions discusses innovation in a time of crisis

published on Thursday, September 10, 2009 under Research & Innovation

On 10 and 11 September, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) will hold an extraordinary Bureau meeting in Uppsala, Sweden which will be chaired by Luc Van den Brande, President of the CoR. This official gathering of local and regional representatives from across Europe is the first of a series of events organized by the CoR in Sweden, in the frame of the Swedish Presidency during the second semester of 2009.

The meeting of the executive body of the EU Assembly of local and regional representatives will be preceded by a debate with Swedish local and regional stakeholders about "Innovation success stories from the regions and cities in crisis time" at the Uppsala University.

During this debate, Swedish elected politicians will be able to share difficulties, ask questions and make suggestions to local and European experts. Panel members will include local politicians such as Arne Sandemo, Chairman of the Uppsala Regional Council and Luc Van den Brande, President of the CoR, as well as experts and stakeholders.

The Bureau meeting on Friday 11 will maintain a strong focus on the economic crisis and its impact at local and regional level, with a speech by Mats Odell, Swedish minister for Local government and financial markets, representing the Swedish Presidency.

Prior to travelling to Sweden, Luc Van den Brande was invited by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) on the 8 September to conclude a conference on "Climate and Jobs: local solutions?" together with the Swedish Ambassador to the EU, Christian Danielsson. The conference included workshops and an exchange of best practice in the areas of energy infrastructures, transport, environmental issues and their consequences on sustainable economic growth.

This meeting is part of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, which is particularly emphasizing on the importance of innovation as an engine of growth and development in times of crisis.

Vendredi 11 Septembre 2009 http://www.fenetreeurope.com/php/page.php?section=actu&id=15175 Régions : Renouvellement des institutions un nouvel élan pour les régions et les villes? Les 10 et 11 septembre, à l'occasion de la présidence suédoise de l'Union européenne, le Comité des régions a décentralisé les travaux de son Bureau à Uppsala (Suède), sous la présidence de Luc Van den Brande. Les membres de l'exécutif politique de l'institution ont à cette occasion officiellement adopté un inventaire des demandes des régions et des villes européennes à l'attention de la nouvelle Commission européenne, qu'ils transmettront aux parlementaires européens dans les prochaines semaines en vue des prochaines auditions des candidats commissaires. Changements climatiques, environnement et ressources naturelles, politique de cohésion, gouvernance à plusieurs niveaux : en s'appuyant sur les liens étroits qui unissent le Comité des régions et le Parlement européen, le Président du CdR adressera ce récapitulatif thématique à Jerzy Buzek, Président du Parlement européen, lors d'une rencontre de travail prévue le 22 septembre. Il évoquera aussi à cette occasion la façon dont le CdR peut être associé aux auditions des commissaires désignés, soit par une présence directe de membres du CdR à ces auditions, soit par l’intermédiaire des députés européens auxquels sera transmis le document. Alors que les priorités politiques de l'Union se dessinent aujourd'hui pour les cinq années à venir, le Comité des Régions souhaite mettre à profit la période transitoire dans laquelle l'UE est entrée depuis le scrutin européen de juin dernier pour sensibiliser les autres institutions à ses recommandations. Cette réunion extraordinaire du Bureau du CdR a par ailleurs été l'occasion d'aborder le thème du soutien local et régional à l'innovation en temps de crise, avec un débat face à des représentants de collectivités locales et régionales suédoises, et une intervention du ministre suédois pour le gouvernement local et les marchés financiers Mats Odell.

http://www.eukn.org/eukn/news/2009/09/Will-the-renewal-of-the-institutions-bring-new-energy-to-the-EU-and-new-impetus-to-regions-and-cities-_1029.html

Will the renewal of the institutions bring new energy to the EU and new impetus to regions and cities? 14-09-2009 On 10-11 September, in the context of the Swedish presidency of the European Union, the CoR held its Bureau meeting in Uppsala (Sweden), with Luc Van den Brande in the chair. At this meeting, the institution's political executive body officially adopted a raft of recommendations from Europe's regions and cities to the new European Commission. These will be presented to MEPs in the coming weeks, in anticipation of the approaching hearings of the Commissioners designate. Climate change, the environment and natural resources, cohesion policy, multi-level governance: On the strength of the CoR's close ties with the European Parliament, the President of the Committee of the Regions will present this thematic document to Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, at their working meeting on 22 September. He will also discuss how the CoR can participate in the hearings of the Commissioners designate, either by being directly represented at the hearings or via MEPs to whom the document will be presented. "We will make sure that MEPs are aware of these recommendations and communicate them during the hearings of the designated candidates. And, before their hearings, on behalf of all CoR members, I will convey to these candidates our vision for the EU and the role that regional and local authorities will have to play in it" stated Luc Van den Brande, before adding "We have to ensure from the outset that the members of the next Commission take regional and local interests into consideration and understand that political action in Europe has no future unless the regional and local authorities have an active role. Europeans want a Europe that is closer to them, that is open and that delivers concrete results without generating red tape. To do this, EU institutions need, more than ever, the help of the regions, cities and councils." As EU policy priorities for the next five years begin to take shape, the Committee of the Regions intends to use this transitional period, which began with last June's European elections, to draw the other institutions' attention to its recommendations. This extraordinary Bureau meeting of the CoR also broached the subject of local and regional support for innovation at a time of crisis in a discussion with the representatives of Swedish local and regional authorities and a statement from Mats Odell, Swedish minister for local government and financial markets.

Source: Committee of the Regions

Links Read the article on the CoR website

AGENCE EUROPE

(EU) UE/INSTITUTIONS: pas d'avenir pour l'Europe sans la participation active des régions et des communes, affirme le président du Comité des Régions

Bruxelles, 14/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - À l'occasion de la Présidence suédoise de l'Union européenne, le Comité des Régions (CdR) a tenu une réunion extraordinaire de son Bureau les 10 et 11 septembre à Uppsala, sous la présidence de Luc Van den Brande (PPE, belge) et avec la participation du ministre suédois chargé du Gouvernement local et des Marchés financiers, Mats Odell. À cette occasion, les membres de l'exécutif du CdR ont officiellement adopté un inventaire des demandes des villes et régions européennes à l'attention de la nouvelle Commission européenne. Cet inventaire sera transmis d'ici peu aux députés européens en vue des prochaines auditions des candidats commissaires, indique le Comité. Autre thème abordé au cours de cette réunion du Bureau du CdR: le soutien local et régional à l'innovation en temps de crise, avec un débat face à des représentants de collectivités locales et régionales suédoises et une intervention du ministre Mats Odell. La réunion extraordinaire du Bureau du CdR s'est tenue avec en toile de fond la volonté du Comité de mettre à profit la période transitoire dans laquelle l'Union européenne est entrée depuis le scrutin européen de juin dernier pour sensibiliser les autres institutions à ses recommandations.

Le président du CdR, Luc Van den Brande, adressera au président du Parlement européen, Jerzy Buzek, lors d'une rencontre de travail prévue le 22 septembre, un récapitulatif thématique de cet inventaire portant sur: les changements climatiques, l'environnement et les ressources naturelles, la politique de cohésion et la gouvernance à plusieurs niveaux. Ceci bien entendu dans le cadre des liens étroits qui unissent le CdR et le PE, précise un communiqué du CdR. Lors de cette même rencontre, M.Van den Brande évoquera aussi la façon dont le Comité peut être associé aux auditions des commissaires désignés, soit par une présence directe à ces auditions, soit par l'intermédiaire des députés européens auxquels sera transmis le document.

Devant le Bureau, Luc Van den Brande s'est fait fort de ce que « les députés au Parlement européen aient connaissance des recommandations contenues dans l'inventaire et les relaient lorsqu'ils auditionneront les candidats commissaires désignés. Et avant que les candidats ne soient entendus, au nom de tous les membres du CdR, je leur transmettrai notre vision de l'UE et du rôle que les autorités régionales et locales vont devoir y jouer ». Il a affirmé: « Nous devons nous assurer que, d'entrée de jeu, les membres de la prochaine Commission prendront en considération les intérêts régionaux et locaux et comprendront que l'action politique, en Europe, est sans avenir si les régions et les communes n'y prennent pas part activement . Nos concitoyens souhaitent une Europe plus proche d'eux, qui se montre ouverte et qui produise des résultats concrets, sans prolifération bureaucratique. Pour ce faire, les institutions bruxelloises ont plus que jamais besoin de l'aide des régions, des villes et des communes », a conclu le président du Comité.

Notons encore qu'avant de se rendre en Suède, Luc Van den Brande a été invité par l'Association suédoise des pouvoirs locaux et des régions (SALAR), aux côtés de Christian Danielsson, ambassadeur de Suède auprès de l'UE, à une conférence organisée le 8 septembre sur le thème « Changement climatique et emplois: des solutions locales ? ». (G.B.)

http://www.theparliament.com/no_cache/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/meps-expected-to-back-barroso-for-second-term/ MEPs expected to back Barroso for second term

A majority of MEPs are expected to back José Manuel Barroso for a second term in office as commission president. Tue 15th Sep 2009

Martin Banks

The former Portuguese PM is likely to get the backing of a clear majority of MEPs during a plenary vote in Strasbourg on Wednesday. He is assured of the support of the EPP, with 265 deputies, the 84-strong ALDE group and the 54 members from the ECR. This will give him a majority of 403 votes in his favour, enough to secure his renomination. Although the S &D and Greens/EFA groups are not expected to vote for him, seven socialist Portuguese MEPs and most of the S&D group's 21 Spanish deputies are thought ready to break ranks and back Barroso as a sign of "peninsula solidarity." The Greens have condemned the "volte-face" of ALDE leader Guy Verhoftstadt who, despite his apparent initial reluctance, now says his group will vote for Barroso on Wednesday. Meanwhile, UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, has also urged MEPs to reconfirm Barroso. It says he has led the "most SME-friendly commission to date" and shown a "very good understanding of the challenges facing European small businesses in this time of economic crisis." "A second term would give Europe the continuity it needs at this stage and ensure that Barroso’s ambitious agenda is transformed into concrete results. This would benefit European citizens and businesses alike," said its secretary general Andrea Benassi.

Elsewhere, the Committee of the Regions has warned that, if re-elected, Barroso must "act quickly" to overcome the "shortcomings of one of the EU’s flagship policies" – the Lisbon policy for growth and jobs. Speaking at the meeting of the CoR’s economic and social policy commission in Poland, UK Socialist member Christine Chapman said her own initiative opinion on the future of the growth and jobs strategy after 2010 sent a clear message to the incoming commission. She said, "It is nearly ten years since the Lisbon strategy was first agreed in 2000 – an anniversary it shares with the National Assembly for Wales, which I represent in the CoR. "There is a strong consensus that the strategy should have a successor that it brings added value at the EU level, but there is also a strong majority view that the future strategy must be different, that business as usual is not the right option for Europe.”

17. September 2009 http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/road-v-rail-applying-taxes-fairly/65901.aspx

Road v rail: applying taxes fairly The two sides are to clash in one of the biggest legislative issues for 2010. By Jennifer Rankin 17.09.2009 / 00:00 CET (page 17 of the print edition) Road versus rail is one of the oldest contests in EU transport policy. The railways can claim to be one of the greenest ways of transporting goods and people. The road transport industry hopes that its sheer economic might will influence policymakers. The two sides will clash in one of the biggest legislative issues for 2010: whether member states should be able to charge lorries for the environmental damage that they cause. Under current EU rules on toll charges for heavy goods vehicles, governments are forbidden to levy “external” charges to cover the cost of environmental and social damage. But in a draft law published last year, the European Commission proposed that governments should be able to charge for air pollution, noise and congestion. The proposal has aroused passions among supporters and opponents. Herwig van Staa, president of Austria's Tyrol Landtag (regional assembly) and a vice-president of the EU's Committee of the Regions, is a strong supporter. Van Staa's region is home to the Brenner pass, famous for its scenic views and not-so-scenic traffic jams. Every year two million lorries use the pass, which is a main crossing-point between Italy and central Europe. Air quality Van Staa is concerned about air quality in the deep Alpine valleys of the Tyrol, but says that current policy sends the wrong signals. Transporting goods by road costs half as much as transporting goods by rail. Van Staa would like to see an EU-wide system of taxing roads that counts the cost of health problems, climate change, the environment, road-traffic accidents, energy and land use. “The system needs to be made mandatory so as to avoid a situation where the current economic climate means that only cities or the regions with the worst pollution problems will make the effort to introduce tolls,” he says. The rail industry believes that the proposed ‘Eurovignette' directive would help secure a level playing-field between road and rail. Rail passengers pay up to half of the cost of rail infrastructure in ticket prices, whereas road-users benefit from taxpayer-funded roads. If it is the taxpayer who foots the bill, then users are not made to take responsibility, says Jacques

Dirand at the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), which represents railway companies. According to the CER, a new charging regime could make rail competitive with road for 60% of all journeys greater than 700 kilometres. But even distances of 300 km could become more attractive for freight companies. Eurovignette opposition The International Road Transport Union, which represents hauliers, has rejected the ‘Eurovignette' proposals, arguing that the industry already pays for environmental costs when it buys fuel. The hauliers argue that the “polluter pays” principle is inconsistent with carrying out proper cost-benefit analysis before reaching policy decisions. Corien Wortmann-Kool, a Dutch centre-right MEP, has also said that the proposal would be “an extra burden on a sector that has a lot of problems in the economic downturn”. The Commission estimates that the additional cost would be €0.04-€0.05 per kilometre, which supporters describe as modest. But national governments are sympathetic to the cost concerns, and the Commission's proposal is languishing in the Council of Ministers. Compromise plans sketched out earlier this year may see the introduction of the law delayed by four years. A second reading is not expected until 2010, as the draft directive is not a priority for Sweden, which chairs the Council of Ministers. In the meantime, the road versus rail debate rumbles on.

http://www.cris.unu.edu/News-Archive.33.0.html?&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=720&cHash=f2bf6c8b4c 18.09.09 15:10 Tiziana Scaramagli, UNU-CRIS Research Assistant to the Director, will attend the conference on 'Multi-Level Governance in Europe' organised by the Committee of the Regions and the College of Europe, Bruges, 22 September 2009

On 22 September 2009, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the College of Europe will organise a conference on Multilevel Governance in Europe. The one-day event will bring together CoR members and other high level political and institutional representatives on the future of Europe, as well as experts, academics and students. It is an opportunity to present to a wider public the White Paper on Multilevel Governance adopted by the CoR in June 2009, and to discuss its main political recommendations. The opening session of the conference, chaired by CoR president Luc Van den Brande, will take the form of a political discussion on the issue of multilevel governance, including contributions from the Swedish EU Presidency, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Group of Wise Men on the future of Europe. This will be followed by a roundtable on the political direction that Europe should take at the start of a new mandate for both the European Parliament and European Commission. The event will close with a thematic workshop on the challenges of multilevel governance in the EU, chaired and moderated by representatives of the CoR and the College of Europe. Click here to read the updated version of the programme. The event complements the general consultation on the White Paper which was launched in June. The consultation will allow local and regional authorities, associations and other stakeholders to share their views on the issue of multilevel governance within the EU.

http://www.fenetreeurope.com/php/page.php?section=actu&id=15277 Lundi 21 Septembre 2009 Le Comité des Régions présente son livre blanc sur la gouvernance à multi niveaux A l'occasion de la Conférence de présentation du Livre blanc du Comité des régions sur la gouvernance à multi niveaux en Europe aux institutions, le CdR et le Collège de l'Europe accueillent demain à Bruges Felipe González, ancien Premier ministre espagnol et actuel Président du Groupe de réflexion sur l'avenir de l'Europe, et Pawel Samecki, Commissaire en charge de la politique régionale. Autour des rapporteurs du Livre Blanc Luc Van den Brande, Président du CdR, et de Michel Delebarre, Premier Vice président, cette rencontre offre l'opportunité de débattre du rôle et de la contribution des autorités régionales et locales à la gouvernance européenne, en particulier dans le contexte de la mise en œuvre du programme politique et stratégique de l'Union européenne pour les cinq prochaines années. Elus locaux et régionaux, représentants des institutions européennes et des principales fondations politiques européennes et universitaires confronteront, en présence des étudiants du Collège, leurs approches sur les défis de la gouvernance à multi niveaux et du partenariat pour consolider la méthode communautaire face aux enjeux socio-économiques de la mondialisation. Cette manifestation viendra conforter la consultation sur ce Livre blanc, ouverte jusqu'au 30 novembre, qui vise à permettre aux collectivités territoriales, à leurs associations et aux autres parties intéressées de faire part de leur vues sur la mise en œuvre de la gouvernance à multiniveaux dans l'UE.

http://www.fenetreeurope.com/php/page.php?section=actu&id=15263 Lundi 21 Septembre 2009 Régions : Le CdR veut un "partenariat d'avenir" avec la Commission

Luc Van den Brande, le président du Comité des Régions de l'UE (CdR), a adressé une lettre ouverte au président reconduit de la Commission européenne, José Manuel Barroso, pour appeler à un "partenariat d'avenir" entre le CdR et la Commission. Une démarche, dit-il, pour permettre à la Commission "d'installer dès à présent une coopération constructive avec les autorités locales et régionales dont le soutien est essentiel pour la réalisation sur le terrain du programme politique de la prochaine Commission".

Agence Europe du 23.09.2009 (EU) UE/GOUVERNANCE: débat sur le rôle et la contribution des autorités régionales et locales à la gouvernance européenne Bruxelles, 23/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - Le Collège d'Europe (Bruges) et le Comité des Régions (CdR) ont organisé, mardi 22 septembre à Bruges, une conférence de présentation aux institutions européennes du « Livre blanc du Comité des Régions (CdR) sur la gouvernance à multi-niveaux en Europe », dont les co-rapporteurs sont le président du CdR Luc Van den Brande et son premier vice-président Michel Delebarre. L'ancien Premier ministre espagnol et actuel président du Groupe de réflexion sur l'avenir de l'Europe, Felipe Gonzalez, ainsi que le commissaire désigné à la politique régionale, Pawel Samecki ont participé à cette journée de débats, dont les travaux ont été ouverts par le recteur du Collège d'Europe, le professeur Paul Demaret. La rencontre de Bruges a permis de débattre du rôle et de la contribution des autorités régionales et locales à la gouvernance européenne, en particulier dans le contexte de la mise en œuvre du programme politique et stratégique de l'UE pour les cinq prochaines années. Élus locaux et régionaux, représentants des institutions européennes et des principales fondations politiques européennes et universitaires ont ainsi confronté, en présence des étudiants du Collège, leurs approches sur les défis de la gouvernance à multi-niveaux et du partenariat pour consolider la méthode communautaire face aux enjeux socio-économiques de la mondialisation, indique le Comité dans un communiqué. Les interventions et les débats de cette journée sont venus nourrir la consultation publique ouverte par le CdR sur le Livre blanc, ouverte jusqu'au 30 novembre, qui vise à permettre aux collectivités territoriales, à leurs associations et aux autres parties intéressées de faire part de leurs vues sur la mise en œuvre de la gouvernance à multi-niveaux dans l'UE, précise le CdR. Felipe Gonzalez: « Il faut conserver au niveau européen un pouvoir de coordination » Rappelant, dans son intervention, le contexte de crise sociale et économique dans lequel s'inscrit la réflexion sur l'avenir de l'Europe, Felipe Gonzalez a insisté sur la nécessité de « saisir l'occasion de cette sortie de crise pour se remettre en question et ne pas avoir peur de réfléchir à la crise de l'État nation ». Et d'expliquer que « nous ne pouvons nier le processus de décentralisation de cet État nation qui s'est opéré du bas vers le haut et de manière transfrontalière (des États vers l'UE: NDLR). Ce processus a été accompagné d'un mouvement de partage des responsabilités vers le bas, vers des autorités régionales et locales qui sont à la fois l'essence de la proximité, qui sont devenues plus flexibles et donc plus efficaces pour répondre aux attentes des citoyens et des entreprises, et qui sont enfin les garantes de la diversité de l'identité européenne ». Et d'ajouter que « cette décentralisation et l'idée de subsidiarité qui la sous-tend ne peut se traduire par un mouvement centrifuge incontrôlé. Il faut conserver au niveau européen un pouvoir de coordination. La réalité de la gouvernance à plusieurs niveaux nous mène à une intégration plus correcte mais aussi plus stricte, tout en conservant une nécessaire cohésion ». Luc Van den Brande: gouvernance et solidarité, les deux enjeux essentiels pour l'avenir de l'Europe Pour Luc Van den Brande, « il est essentiel que, dans les phases décisives du processus politique européen, l'Europe se construise en partenariat ». Se référant au fait qu'à maintes reprises, on lui avait demandé « s'il s'agissait là d'un appel incitant à remplacer l'Europe des États par une Europe des régions », M. Van den Brande a affirmé que sa réponse était « sans ambiguïté: nous avons besoin d'une Europe qui se fasse avec les régions, avec les villes et avec les pouvoirs locaux. Il est en effet indispensable d'abandonner l'approche hiérarchique et pyramidale qui place l'Europe au-dessus des États membres, les États membres au-dessus des régions, les régions au-dessus des villes et des communautés locales ». S'adressant plus particulièrement à Felipe Gonzalez, Luc Van den Brande a souligné le fait que le CdR considère que « la gouvernance et la solidarité sont les deux enjeux essentiels pour l'avenir de l'Europe ». Et d'annoncer que le CdR allait initier un processus en vue de

proposer l'élaboration « d'une Charte de l'UE de la gouvernance à multi-niveaux » qui établirait les principes fondateurs d'un nouveau modèle de gouvernance de l'UE. Michel Delebarre: pour un programme de la Commission avec « un peu de chair territoriale » À l'adresse de José Manuel Barroso, Michel Delebarre a dit « attendre du programme de la nouvelle Commission européenne qu'il ait un peu de chair territoriale », en avertissant: « Ne venons pas nous plaindre dans quelques années que l'Europe accuse encore un déficit démocratique et considérons plutôt le bien-fondé de la gouvernance multi-niveaux qui va permettre de rapprocher l'Union de ses citoyens. La Commission européenne, le Parlement européen et les États membres ne doivent pas fonctionner en cercle fermé sans prendre en compte les citoyens et les autorités décentralisées qui gèrent leur cadre de vie », a conclu Michel Delebarre. Infos: www.cor.europa.eu (EU) EU/GOVERNANCE: Debate on role and contribution of local and regional authorities to local governance Brussels, 23/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 September in Bruges, the College of Europe (Bruges) and the Committee of the Regions (CoR) organised a presentation conference to the European institutions on the “White Paper to put multilevel governance on the European agenda”. Co-reporters for the White Paper are CoR president, Luc Van den Brande, and his vice president, Michel Delebarre. The former Spanish prime minister and current president of the reflection group on the future of Europe, Felipe Gonzalez, as well as the commissioner designate, Pawe³ Samecki, took part in the day's debates, which were introduced by the rector of the College of Europe, Professor Paul Demaret. The Bruges meeting discussed the role and contribution of the regional and local authorities in European governance, particularly in the context of implementing the EU's political and strategic programme for the next five years. A CoR press release explained that College of Bruges students attended the conference, where local and regional representatives and those from the European institutions and main European political foundations and universities discussed their different approaches to the challenges of multilevel governance and partnership for consolidating the Community method on tackling the stakes involved in globalisation. Speeches and debates during the day fed into the public consultation opened by the CoR on the White Paper, which is open until 30 November. CoR explained that the public consultation aims to enable regional organisations, associations and other stakeholders to express their points of view on implementation of multilevel governance in the EU. Felipe Gonzalez: “A coordinating power needs to be preserved at European level” In his speech, Felipe Gonzalez insisted that given the context of social and economic crisis in which the reflection on the future of Europe is taking place, there is a necessity to “seize the opportunity of coming out of the crisis for posing certain question and reflecting upon the crisis of the nation state”. Gonzalez explained that “we cannot deny that the process of decentralisation of the nation state took place in a cross-border bottom-up manner (Ed: from member states towards the EU). This process was accompanied by a downward shift for sharing responsibilities towards regional and local levels, which are both the very essence of proximity and have become more flexible and therefore more efficient in responding to citizens and companies' expectations, and which are ultimately the guarantors of European diversity and identity. He also added that “decentralisation and the idea of subsidiarity, which underpins it, cannot be translated into a centrifugal and uncontrolled movement. A coordinating power needs to be preserved at a European level. The reality of multilevel governance is leading us towards a more appropriate but stricter kind of integration, whilst preserving a necessary cohesion”.

Luc Van den Brande: Governance and solidarity, the two essential stakes at play in Europe's future Luc Van den Brande asserted that “it is essential that during the decisive phases in the European political process, Europe builds itself a partnership”. Van den Brande said that he had been asked on countless occasions whether this “involved an appeal to encourage the replacement of a Europe of states with a Europe of regions”. He affirmed that “unequivocally, we need a Europe that is built with the regions, cities and local authorities. It is indispensable that the hierarchical pyramid approach, which puts Europe above member states, member states above regions, regions above cities and local communities, is abandoned”. Addressing Felipe Gonzalez more specifically, Luc Van den Brande underlined the fact that the CoR considered that “governance and solidarity are the two essential stakes at play in the future of Europe”. He also announced that the CoR would initiate a process for proposing the elaboration of “an EU Charter for multilevel governance”, which would establish the founding principles for a new model of EU governance. Michel Delebarre: For a Commission that has “a bit of regional flesh on it” In comments aimed more at José Manuel Barroso, Mr Delebarre said that were expecting that “the programme from the new European Commission had a bit of regional flesh on it”. He warned: “Let's not complain in a few years' time that Europe is still being accused of a democratic deficit but rather, consider how good foundations for multilevel governance will help the Union to become closer to its citizens”. Delebarre concluded that “the European Commission, European Parliament and member states should not work in a closed circle without taking into account citizens and the decentralised authorities that manage the structure of their lives”. Information: (www.cor.europa.eu).

http://www.theparliament.com/no_cache/latestnews/news-article/newsarticle/regional-policy-can-help-tackle-effects-of-recession/ Regional policy 'can help tackle effects of recession' The EU's regional policy is a key tool in overcoming the effects of the financial crisis, according to prominent Italian economist Fabrizio Barca. Fri 25th Sep 2009 Martha Moss Barca, the director general of Italy's finance and economy ministry, wrote a report earlier in the year calling a comprehensive reform of cohesion policy for the post-2013 period. As the 2007-2013 budget nears its end, discussions are underway for the future of cohesion policy, which accounts for more than 35 per cent of the total EU budget and is intended to balance economic and social disparities. Visiting Brussels to take part in the first meeting of the Committee of the Regions' (CoRs') commission for territorial cohesion (Coter) on the issue, Barca said that the downturn highlighted the importance of regional policy. With national budgets tighter as a result of the crisis, he warned that social exclusion was likely to increase and said the EU has a responsibility to tackle the problem. Budget limitations would exacerbate "a problem that has already been around for a while, which is that member states take care of social issues and the EU takes care of markets", he said. He added, "The EU has to do something social. But how can you do it with a small budget? Cohesion policy is the answer - you can have a small budget well used for a good policy which is a territorialised social agenda." Reform Barca's report, published in May, said cohesion policy should be a "true development policy aimed at growth on one hand and social inclusion on the other". He told reporters that drastic reform was needed to make the policy more results orientated. A "place-based" approach was needed, with the policy tailored to regions facing very different issues, he said. He added that it should not be "decided in an ivory tower either in Brussels or the capitals". Barca also insisted that money should not only be provided for the poorest regions, saying that limiting EU intervention to less well off member states "wrongly assumes that cohesion policy is a mechanism for financial redistribution". Rich nations should also receive funding because they include poor places, he said, adding that they also needed intervention to help them adjust to globalisation.

His report included calls for a greater focus on results of the policy, more concentration on key priorities and an increased role for the European commission. It should be made into the policy of the commission as a whole, not a sectoral policy, he argued. But he said that a strengthened commission would need checks and balances from a stronger parliament and council, with the Committee of the Regions given a say in the council. Michael Schneider, state secretary for European affairs of Saxony-Anhalt, chair of Coter and CoR rapporteur for the future of cohesion policy, welcomed Barca's suggestion. The report provided a "very good" basis for the discussion for the future of cohesion policy, said Schneider. He said, "Barca says 'yes' to cohesion policy. He gives good evidence for the necessity of cohesion policy in the future." "This 'place-based' approach means that regions are central players. We are the CoR, so we must agree deeply with this concept of looking at different regions with different needs and then saying what cohesion policy can do."

30.09.2009 UNION EUROPÉENNE

Belgique

Semaine européenne des régions et des villes – Journées portes ouvertes: "Défis globaux, réponses européennes",

5-8 octobre 2009 Les " Journées portes ouvertes– Semaine européenne des régions et des villes " de 2006 auront lieu en octobre à Bruxelles et dans 70 villes d'Europe. Des représentants des secteurs public, privé et bancaire, mais aussi des membres des milieux politiques européens, nationaux et régionaux devraient participer à cent quatre-vingts séminaires et ateliers consacrés aux nouvelles possibilités de financement et d'investissement qu'offrent les politiques de cohésion et les politiques régionales de l'Union européenne aux partenariats entre les administrations locales et régionales et le monde des affaires. Le programme est organisé autour des 4 thèmes suivants : - thème A - relancer la croissance: innovation dans les régions et villes européennes - thème B - les régions et le changement climatique: en vue d'un développement régional durable - thème C - coopération territoriale: travailler ensemble au-delà des frontières - thème D: résultats et prévisions: évaluation et futurs possible de la politique de cohésion de l'UE prospects. Informations et inscritption sur: www.opendays.europa.eu (en anglais). Participation gratuite. http://www.efap-fepa.eu/indexb.php?section=1&lg=fr&id=158&PHPSESSID=548c7b97f31f11996c56af493fa5b576

Issue 14October 2009

Paweł Samecki on Open Days 2009 and why Europe’s regions must work together to tackle global challenges

Maud Olofsson calls for a holistic approach to the economic and climate crisis

Luc Van den Brande sets out the priorities for this year’s Open Days

Danuta Hübner on her role as chair of parliament’s regional development committeeRegions in

partnership

“Open Days provides an opportunity for regions and cities to share ideas on boosting economic development and other shared challenges, such as climate change”

European Week of Regions and CitiesBrussels5 - 8 October 2009

in association with

4 REGIONALREVIEW October 2009

news analysis 8 Part of the solutionMichael Häupl and Anders Knape wrote to the Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in July, urging the EU presidency to work closely with Europe’s local and regional authorities

11 Bringing local backMercedes Bresso argues that if we change our attitudes towards food production and distribution we can kickstart regional, local and national economies

12 Change begins at homeThe EPP group in the CoR is launching a film competition to get the younger generation on board in the battle against climate change. Isidoro Gottardo explains

15 Train of thoughtWitold Krochmal looks at the challenges facing the rail freight industry

16 Priority patientsSusanna Haby believes that the pharmaceutical industry must take a patient-centred approach

19 Democracy, progress, prosperityCity diplomacy can help the EU resolve regional conflicts and other problems that undermine its own security, writes Eleni Loucaides

20 Heroes and villainsRichard Medic is looking for a new superhero to champion the subsidiarity cause

24 areas of opportunityInvestment in infrastructure has levelled the playing field between Europe’s regions, says Paul Bevan

26 City slickersPaul Bevan tells Martha Moss about his ambitions as Eurocities secretary general

29 Totally transportLocal and national representatives came together to discuss the price of mobility at the Regional Review’s Green Streets conference. Martin Banks was there

33 Financing the futureLena Tochtermann says the UK government must invest in urban transport systems if its regional cities are to keep pace with their European counterparts

36 Down to businessA pioneering project is bringing Europe’s regions together to increase understanding of how China views the EU. Richard Pascoe explains

38 Political visionThe Baltic Sea states must make more of the financial opportunities offered by the EU, writes Astrid Thors

43 a beneficial bondHalldór Halldórsson believes that Icelandic membership of the EU could be mutually beneficial, provided agreement can be reached on the country’s important fisheries sector

47 Bringing in BelarusIstvan Sertö-Radics explains how the eastern partnership can improve relations between countries outside Europe, at both national and local level

48 Buds of democracy?The role of local authorities must be strengthened if the democratisation process is to bloom in Belarus, writes Antonella Valmorbida

50 On the front lineDennis Abbott tells Martha Moss about life as the public face of regional policy, and what serving in Iraq and working at the Committee of the Regions have in common

52 Keep calm and carry onChris Jones tells Francesca Ross about his work at the Committee of the Regions, and his ‘best of British’ approach to tackling the tasks facing him

55 europe’s green futureAER’s peer reviews help measure a region’s ability to meet environmental targets. Justyna Podralska explains

55 Tapping our potentialAER’s peer review is helping Republika Srpska benefit from the positive experiences of other regions, writes Petar Jotanovic

56 energetic endeavoursMore can be done to exploit biomass potential in Republika Srpska, says Adrienn Buday-Malik

58 across the great divideDanuta Hübner is the latest EU commissioner to jump sides and join parliament. Martin Banks reports on Poland’s new high-profile deputy

COver sTOry OPen Days61 at the Core of europeThis year’s Open Days shows Europe’s regions and cities remain as committed as ever to finding local responses to global challenges, says Luc Van den Brande

65 regions in partnershipPaweł Samecki has high hopes for this year’s European week of cities and regions

70 ambitious agendaAs an important industrial centre and port city, Dunkirk is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, writes Michel Delebarre

71 Out at the picturesAER’s first ‘Snapshot: Europe’ photo competition will be on display at the Open Days exhibition in Brussels

76 Getting resultsThe EU needs a reformed, results oriented cohesion policy, according to Fabrizio Barca

81 a cornerstone of european integrationCohesion policy post-2013 must be geared towards innovation, competitiveness and sustainability, says Michael Schneider

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Issue 14October 2009

October 2009 REGIONALREVIEW 5

Issue 14October 2009

82 regions of the revolution Jeremy Rifkin speaks to Francesca Ross about how regions can help secure Europe’s energy supplies

85 Growing greenerPennsylvania is pursuing an ambitious policy to increase the use of alternative energy and reduce dependence on foreign imports. Edward Rendell explains

88 Top of the agendaDanuta Hübner intends to put parliament’s regional development committee at the heart of discussions over the future cohesion policy

91 Building blocks for the futureEurope’s regions have a key role to play in coordinating solutions to the economic and environmental crises, as Maud Olofsson tells Louise Tait

97 school of mockPhilip Bird reflects on the success of the mock council of the EU

98 Bridging the gapOpen Days can help bridge the gap between policy, practice and academia, writes Sally Hardy

101 up to the challenge?Open Days provide a valuable platform for debate for regional authorities, the business community and civil society, says Jürgen Thumann

103 Power to the peopleCities such as Birmingham can make a big contribution to getting people back to work and improving their quality of life, argues Clive Dutton

105 Open days programme

POliCy FOCus rOaD TO COPenHaGen107 let the work beginHenning Jensen calls for a green new deal to help tackle climate change

111 On the busesJens Stenbæk explains how Danish municipalities are taking the lead in making public transport greener, cleaner and carbon-neutral

117 local government, national progressThe role of local government in implementing the decisions made in Copenhagen should not be overlooked, writes Erik Fabrin

118 One for allRegions must learn from each other if Europe is to avoid dangerous climate change, says Lamberto Bottini

121 setting the standardWorld leaders can learn a lot from regional governments in the run up to the Copenhagen conference, write Steve Howard and Luc Bas

124 Taking care of businessRegional and local authorities are the caretakers of modern

communities, and must be fully involved in climate change negotiations, argues Antonella Cagnolati

127 Copenhagen and beyondDenmark’s capital has an ambitious climate plan to make the city carbon neutral. Julie Svendsen and Eske Kock Petersen explain

128 small changes, big differenceNantes Métropole is calling on individuals to help halve emissions by 2025

BesT PraCTiCe waTer manaGemenT133 who’s on board?With climate change threatening to wreak havoc with our water supply, the EU must get young people on board to secure a sustainable future, writes Michèle Sabban

134 waste not want notEurope’s regions should take inspiration from the innovative water management schemes on show in Valencia, as Juan Manuel Revuelta tells Martha Moss

136 Taking on the blue challengeMartha Moss tells us about the key issues discussed at this year’s AER summer school on water management, including why some fear Europe’s regions will struggle to tackle the crisis without more European investment

139 all in the same boatDanuta Hübner thinks it is up to voters to prioritise water preservation if politicians are to take the issue seriously. Martha Moss reports

142 a new vision for waterAgnes Biesiekierska talks to Martha Moss about the role of regional and local governments in encouraging responsible water consumption among citizens

sPeCial rePOrT CPmr General assemBly145 a crucial moment for europeThe economic crisis and climate change are just some of the issues on the agenda at the CPMR’s general assembly, writes Claudio Martini

146 Bigger, better, strongerTailored solutions are needed to tackle the financial crisis, says Julie Gourden

148 Heated discussionCPMR members discussed the role of the regions in recovering from the economic crisis at a roundtable meeting in July. Francesca Ross reports

149 stand as oneRegional authorities must work together to present a unified voice ahead of this years COP15, says Christian Guyonvarc’h

150 united in diversity?Europe’s islands and smaller territories need better suited policy and knowledgeable, flexible and proportional representation in the European parliament, says Jean-Didier Hache

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news analysis eCOnOMiC ReCOVeRy

There is no doubt that restoring growth amid the current global financial and economic crisis is the key concern for policymakers

throughout the world, despite the wide divergence in the methods employed.

Despite attempts to coordinate respons-es to a crisis that has stunted Europe’s growth, focused and decisive measures to prevent unemployment reaching 27 million by spring 2010 are still keenly awaited in the EU. Attaining this objective requires a strong partnership between the EU institutions and national, regional and local governments. Yet growth at all costs will not take us out of the crisis. What is needed is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable growth, but this requires some clear political choices.

Europe’s regions are key actors in the EU economy, not least through food pro-duction. They can offer viable solutions when it comes to growth, provided that social and environmental challenges are properly addressed. Measures to minimise the risk of rural depopulation and protect biodiversity must go hand-in-hand with those to create new employment possibili-ties and encourage rural diversification.

The trend towards uniform products, the concentration of production through intensive agriculture and farming and the practice of monoculture seriously under-mine territorial diversity and threaten the livelihood of European farmers and fisher-men. Moreover, inappropriate agricultural practices and land use have resulted in serious soil, water and air pollution, the fragmentation of habitats and the loss of wildlife. More sustainable modes of food production, based on the agro-ecological model, are the best way forward for both the developed and the developing world.

While developing countries have been encouraged to focus on export crops (such as cotton, tea or coffee) and promised to buy cheap food for subsistence on the international market, food prices have exploded. As a result, those countries were seriously affected by the volatility of global markets and were left with very limited ability to buy food for their people.

Food production is a viable way of fos-tering and maintaining prosperity in rural areas, which cover 90 per cent of the EU’s territory and are home to approximately 50 per cent of its population. Bringing the local back into the economy through local food production boosts growth that is economically, socially and environ-mentally sustainable. Food produced and consumed locally supports local econo-mies as there is a better margin of return for producers and the financial benefit is retained within the community.

While maintaining and creating employment, the production, processing and distribution of food locally and in an environmentally responsible manner leads to the consumption of fresh and nutri-tious food with tangible health benefits. It is time we defend not just our right to food, but also our right to affordable quality food. Mass food production, often compromising environmental and quality standards, puts tremendous pressure on the prices of local produce.

As a result, the right to quality food becomes an expensive issue and due to budgetary constraints, it is often over-looked in institutional meal provision (for example in schools, hospitals and elderly people’s homes). This is not just a financial matter but a question of social justice, since it is the vulnerable groups in the community that are likely to be unable

Bringing local backMercedes Bresso argues that if we change our attitudes towards food production and distribution we can kickstart regional, local and national economies

Mercedes Bresso is president of the PES group in the Committee of the Regions and president of the Piedmont region

to defend their right to good food, either because they cannot afford it or because somebody else decides for them.

Local communities should also be given the possibility of making informed decisions about land use. The agri-food sector plays an important role in the sus-tainable development of rural areas and the EU as a whole, representing between three and 31 per cent of EU employ-ment. Against an ever growing demand for biofuels, fuel crops are increasingly displacing subsistence agriculture, thus reducing food supply.

The link between biofuels and food prices has come under intense scrutiny lately with highly contradictory assess-ments of the situation. Singled out by some as the main culprit for the latest food crisis, and hailed by others as a miracle solution to climate change, bio-fuels are at the heart of a heated global debate on the competition between food and fuel. Although hugely profitable, such crops do not necessarily benefit local economies and leave a very heavy envi-ronmental footprint on local habitats and rural landscapes. It is therefore crucial that decisions concerning the future of the EU’s rural areas and their inhabitants are taken with them rather than for them.

The European economy cannot be put back on the growth track without support from the local and regional level. Clearly, getting out of the crisis does not require top down solutions, which may yield short term results but are doomed to fail without consensus from the local communities. After all, it is a matter of basic democracy. We should favour more sustainable modes of production which means that the agro-ecological model is the best way forward.

LUXEMBOURG

Rhodes

BELGIUMGERMANY

NETHERLANDSPOLAND

CZECH REPUBLIC

SLOVAKIA

HUNGARYROMANIA

BULGARIA

AUSTRIA

SLOVENIA

GREECE

MALTA

SICILYCRETE

CYPRUS

FINLAND

SWEDEN

DENMARK

ESTONIA

LATVIA

LITHUANIA

IRELAND

BALEARICISLANDS

UNITED KINGDOM

ITALY

SPAIN

FRANCE

PORT

UGAL

SardiniaITALY

CorsicaFRANCE

Gotland

ALAND ISLANDS

SHETLANDISLANDS

ORKNEYISLANDS

HERBRIDES

FAROEISLANDS

12 REGIONALREVIEW October 2009

Climate Changenews analysis

Over the past 100 years the earth’s surface temperature has barely risen, but scientists are now fore-casting that the temperature is

set to increase by nearly 2°C by 2100 – marking a rapid and profound differ-ence from previous centuries. Moreover, the average sea level is expected to rise by 59cm by 2100. These changes could have dramatic consequences including flooded coastlines, disappearing nations, polluted water supplies and the extinction of numerous plant and animal species. Human beings, while not threatened in the same way, are also likely to face mounting difficulties as a result of disas-ters caused by extreme weather. Climate change and environmental protection are therefore top priorities for the EU and beyond. Indeed, later this year, the 15th meeting of the conference of parties (COP15), will take place in Copenhagen in a last ditch attempt for governments to find an answer to the global challenge.

The EPP group in the Committee of the Regions understands that our climate’s stability can only be assured through cooperation and compliance at a global level. By making an ambitious agreement that brings together all nations in Copenhagen, we may be able to ensure that the problem is not left for future gen-erations to deal with. However, it is not enough to only take action at the level of national governments. Action at the level of our regions and cities is also essential. Government authorities at this level often hold powers over citizens’ wellbeing, com-munity leadership and the involvement of local people, as well as in the fields of town planning, transport, housing and environmental protection. This is why we

supported the covenant of mayors initia-tive from its very inception. Moreover, individual citizens should feel empowered to do their bit to reduce the damage we are doing to our planet. Together, we really can make a difference.

Future generations are at the very core of sustainability. The UN general assem-bly’s report of the world commission on environment and development defined sustainability as the integration of eco-nomic, social and environmental spheres to “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future gen-erations to meet their own needs”.

We believe it is essential to raise aware-ness among young people and encourage them to play a part in our mitigation and adaptation methods. For this reason, the EPP group decided to give young people an opportunity to show their visions and ideas for reducing the impact of climate change in their homes, schools and places of work.

Since 2006, the EPP group has encour-aged young people to tell policymakers

Change begins at homeThe EPP group in the CoR is launching a film competition to get the younger generation on board in the battle against climate change. isidoro gottardo explains

Isidoro Gottardo is president of the EPP group in the Committee of the Regions

what they think about the EU and its policies through various competitions and, given that 2009 is the European year of creativity and innovation, we thought we would encourage young people to take advantage of technology and channel their ideas through the medium of film.We therefore asked them to make a 60 second film on the subject ‘change begins at home: creating a better environment’.

The results of the competition were very impressive and covered many differ-ent aspects of climate change including water, recycling and transport. The winning films ‘World Water War’, ‘Our Last Shot’ and ‘Cycle’ will be screened at a special event in parliament on 5 October, as part of Open Days.

I look forward to meeting these young film makers and discussing their ideas with them and high level EU representa-tives including CoR president Luc Van den Brande, MEPs Antonio Lopez Isturiz White and Eija-Riitta Korhola, and Matthias Reute, director general of DG Tren in the European commission.

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October 2009 REGIONALreview 15

news analysis Rail fReight tRanspoRt

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If we are to ensure the proper devel-opment of the rail freight market, approximately half of which is accounted for by international ser-

vices, an appropriate rail infrastructure capable of providing freight undertakings with a better service is needed.

Rail transport represents an essential part of the transport system. It serves an economic, social and environmental purpose by meeting essential transport needs. It is intrinsically linked to the principle of sustainable development, particularly in terms of the conditions required for EU integration.

Two factors influence the situation of rail transport: competition with other forms of transport and the broader economic climate. Rail transport is important for the competitiveness of the EU’s economy and for the quality of life of citizens.

It is estimated that the volume of goods transported in Europe will increase by 50 per cent between 2000 and 2020. In the years ahead, freight transport will have to address the challenges of efficiency, quality, flexibility, effectiveness and sus-tainability. It will therefore need to come up with suitable responses to the problems of congestion, infrastructure, environmen-tal protection, climate change and energy supply and security. New information and communication technologies and the influence of European freight transport on the global market also offer major opportunities for the future.

The EU has acted to spur dynamic development within the sector and to stem the decline in the volume of rail freight transport compared with road freight with a view to developing a sus-tainable transport system. If we are to ensure the proper development of the rail freight market, then an appropriate

rail infrastructure is needed, one which is capable of providing freight undertakings with a better service.

The market is governed by the laws of supply and demand – and price. Rail operators need to become more active and should join forces to maintain balance and ensure that the process of raising prices does not hamper the competitiveness of rail transport, as is the case in Poland. They also need to aim for higher-speed services, and greater reliability, capacity and flexibility.

We should welcome laws regulating the way the European rail network for com-petitive freight transport functions since the consistent implementation of its provi-sions will quickly raise the effectiveness of rail transport as the safest and most envi-ronmentally friendly mode of transport. However, I am concerned that certain provisions may lead to excessive red tape. The structure governing the rail freight transport corridors should not become bureaucratic but should function flexibly in accordance with the market situation, and resist unwarranted interference from member states and EU institutions. An optimum balance is needed between high-speed passenger networks, conventional and suburban passenger networks and the various kinds of freight network.

I firmly believe that any decisions on the location of the corridors must be based exclusively on substantive reasons linked to the effectiveness, accessibility, quality and size of the infrastructure, leaving aside political reasons where possible. I also think that the require-ment for a certain number of transport corridors in individual member states should be dropped.

It should be stressed that the cre-ation of a European rail freight network

train of thoughtwitold Krochmal looks at the challenges facing the rail freight industry

Witold Krochmal is mayor of Wołów and chairman of the union of small Polish towns. He is a UEN member of the Committee of the Regions

will only achieve the goals set provided that there is close cooperation with the local and regional authorities. Local and regional authorities should be involved every step of the way, from the planning and coordination stage right up to the operation and modernisation of the rail network corridors. Moreover, they should also participate in the bodies which run freight transport corridors. Local and regional authorities have greater scope for cooperation and dialogue with pro-ducers and businesses which make use of rail transport.

This is a very important issue for all regions. Much progress has been made towards the creation of a true internal European transport market, particularly in the aviation and road transport sectors. However, rail transport still has some way to go in this respect. I believe that we should concentrate on the optimal and compatible use of all modes of avail-able transport.

“Local and regional authorities should be involved every step of the way, from the planning and coordination stage right up to the operation and modernisation of the rail network corridors”

16 REGIONALREVIEW October 2009

Pharmaceutical reformnews analysis

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The pharmaceutical sector is, to a large extent, harmonised across the EU. This is true of areas such as drug approval, production, import,

wholesaling, classification, labelling and package leaflets, as well as marketing. As a local government representative, I welcome the commission’s initiative in submitting the pharmaceutical package, which sets out the overall conditions under which the industry must operate, and am convinced that the public will benefit from many of proposals. However, I have reservations and feel that certain aspects have not been sufficiently addressed.

Within its communication, the com-mission underscores the pharmaceutical industry’s contribution to European and global wellbeing in producing medi-cines, generating economic growth and securing sustainable jobs. While this is important, I believe first and foremost in a patient-centred approach under which the goal must be that the right patients receive the right dose of the right medicine at the right time. This ensures optimum care is provided and the best possible use is made of resourc-es. This clearly applies to rules on safety and adverse reactions to medicines, but perhaps to an even greater extent to the provision of information to be given to patients on prescription medicines.

The healthcare sector is the most important source for relaying informa-tion on prescription and alternative medicines. The proposal therefore seeks to establish clear rules for the involvement of the pharmaceutical industry in this. I support the plan to impose rules about how industry can provide information and believe it is important to retain the current ban on

advertising for medicines of this kind. I think this ban should also cover public health and vaccination campaigns with the only exception being for preventa-tive travel vaccines. Different channels of information must also be considered – health-related publications, television and radio are not suitable as the line between communication and adver-tisement can become blurred. Patients should seek out information for them-selves rather than having information thrust on them – the “pull” versus “push” principle. It is particularly important that the advertising of medicinal prod-ucts is not directed at children.

Improved monitoring of adverse reac-tions to medicines is a key aspect of improving safety. I therefore welcome moves to rationalise pharmacovigilance rules for medicines developed for human use. The reporting of adverse reactions both by patients and the healthcare sector must be encouraged. The commis-sion is proposing to change the rules on package leaflets – in particular to ensure close monitoring of adverse reactions for certain medicines. This will help speed up changes to the contents of package leaf-lets. However, it is important to ensure that these leaflets contain up-to-date information. Feedback is vital in moves to encourage the reporting of any adverse reactions that arise during treatment. The proposal is unclear as to the prerogatives of the healthcare sector to have a safety report drawn up. Yet the drafting of such a report should be within the healthcare sector’s remit and not that of industry. The new legislation should also provide for cooperation between the EU’s adverse reactions database and its WHO coun-terpart so that findings that come to light

Priority patientssusanna haby believes that the pharmaceutical industry must take a patient-centred approach

Susanna Haby is a member of the executive committee of the City of Gothenburg and Committee of the Regions’ rapporteur on the pharmaceutical package

EU pharma package ‘favours industry’, says CoR opinionPresenting her opinion to the Committee of the Regions (CoR), rapporteur Susanna Haby argued that commission proposals to tighten rules on the safety of medicines do not go far enough to protect the consumer.

In an opinion approved by the CoR’s commission for sustainable development in June, Swedish CoR member Susanna Haby said the pharmaceutical package was biased in favour of industry.

Her opinion welcomes the initiatives set out by the commission but calls for responsibility to be moved from DG Enterprise to DG Sanco, the commission department responsible for health.

It also criticises the failure to mention the “crucial” role played by local and regional authorities – which are responsible for healthcare in many member states – in providing information for patients. “This package of six proposals comes from DG Enterprise – not DG Sanco as would normally be the case for health-related legislation – which tells you all you need to know about who is likely to benefit from them,” said Haby.

European commission vice-president for industry Günter Verheugen said, “Everything we are doing builds on the needs and interests of patients. European citizens should benefit from safe, innovative and accessible medicines. They should be best informed about available medicines and treatments – since their health is at stake. We wish to restore the EU's traditional role as the pharmacy of the world.”

about specific medicines in the EU can be drawn on throughout the world.

A further problem within the industry is that of counterfeit and falsified medici-nal products. It is of great importance these are easily identified and stringent obligations are placed on both buyers and sellers. I support the possibility of continuing safe parallel trading in medi-cines to keep prices down, but the same strict safety requirements must apply to all players involved. I feel that the com-mission should take steps to address the problem of falsified medicinal products traded outside the legal supply chain.

October 2009 REGIONALreview 19

We live in a time of unpredict-able changes and ever more frequent conflicts that do not afford us the luxury of isola-

tion and unilateralism. Ours is a period in which the cooperation of national govern-ments, international organisations, local and regional organisations, and NGOs is no longer a desired route but a necessity.

The limits of central governments in initiating dialogue towards the construc-tive settlement of problems faced with their neighbours or between neighbour-ing regions make local authorities the most suitable candidate to determine and respond to citizens’ needs in a time of crisis or conflict.

City diplomacy has been proven to be a dynamic instrument available to local authorities for the promotion, at an international level, of social cohesion, sus-tainable environment, conflict prevention and resolution.

It can also help with the reconstruction that is necessary following such conflicts as well as creating a stable environment and the conditions that will allow citi-zens to coexist peacefully in a climate of democracy, progress and prosperity.

An increasing number of cities, par-ticularly the collective bodies of local

administration of EU member states, and several European and international insti-tutions, have nurtured the principles. They have also helped to build the foundations upon which city diplomacy now rests with great devotion, responsibility and effect.

Some cities and local authority asso-ciations are actually pioneers in the field, possessing extensive knowledge, con-tributing effectively in the creation of alliances that facilitate and promote dia-logue and conflict prevention, as well as conflict resolution, reconstruction and restructuring following conflicts, and the development of countries on the European continent, the Middle East, Latin America, and beyond.

Despite the extensive work conducted, there is no specific working model for city diplomacy and it remains difficult to identify the main factors for the success or failures of its use.

The procedures for formulating ini-tiatives and actions are complex and demand expertise in the subject, flex-ibility and sensitivity, as well as the practical element of the consent of the local authorities concerned.

City diplomacy and the wider concept of decentralised cooperation are supple-mentary tools, and local and regional EU

Democracy, progress, prosperityCity diplomacy can help the EU resolve regional conflicts and other problems that undermine its own security, writes Eleni Loucaides

Eleni Loucaides is the municipal councillor of Nicosia and former rapporteur on city diplomacy in the Committee of the Regions

authorities can use them to strengthen the effects of other initiatives, always within the framework of international law on human rights and the values and prin-ciples of the EU.

The EU has an immediate interest in seeking to resolve regional conflicts and other problems that undermine its own security, avert uncontrolled immigra-tion, safeguard its energy supply and promote world peace. City diplomacy is a useful and, dare I say critical, tool in this process.

The Committee of the Regions (CoR), as the competent institution, has an important role to play in the field of city diplomacy. It has the capacity to act as a catalyst and to give new impetus to such actions through its own policies. The own initiative opinion elaborated for the CoR and the consultation that led to its adoption in February this year has paved the way for a more focused and substantive contribution in a new and growing field.

As part of its efforts to further the role of city diplomacy in EU policy formula-tion, the EPP group in the CoR will hold a seminar, ‘City diplomacy: a tool for building measures of confidence’, on 6 October as part of the Open Days week of regions and cities. The seminar will take place from 14.30 to 16.15 in the VM1 room of the Van Maerlant building of the CoR.

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The front of the European parliament in Brussels. EU institutions have helped build the foundations of city diplomacy

nEws anaLysis CiTy DipLomaCy

October 2009 REGIONALreview 29

news analysis green streets

We all know our towns and cities are becoming increas-ingly clogged with traffic. But what are the solutions

and, particularly relevant in an economic downturn, how do we pay for them?

These were the questions posed at the Regional Review’s two-day Green Streets conference, which brought together key stakeholders and policymakers. The con-ference, at the Committee of Regions (CoR) on 7 and 8 September, came as the commission reviews future EU transport policy.

Next year, it will publish a white paper that will define its policy for the next 10 years. But many of the participants at the conference, supported by Eurocities and the CoR, were understandably more

preoccupied with the here and now, not least the crunch question of how improved urban mobility is financed.

That was a question addressed by Mario Aymerich in the session on European funding solutions for sus-tainable urban transport. Aymerich is head of division for urban transport and other urban infrastructure at the European Investment Bank (EIB) which, he said, is often approached by public bodies and local authorities seeking financial backing for a whole assortment of schemes.

He stressed that the bank generally made loans only to large-scale projects and that the potential energy-saving benefits of any given scheme is one of the key criteria in deciding whether

totally transportLocal and national representatives came together to discuss the price of mobility at the Regional Review’s Green Streets conference. Martin Banks was there

financial support is given. He said, “We try to give whatever assistance is neces-sary and, in some cases, this can actually be up to some 70 per cent of the total investment.”

The financial theme was also taken up by another speaker, Mary Bonar, head of rail at the international law firm Stephenson Harwood and a specialist in rail transport. She said, “Clearly, in these economically difficult times, every last euro has to be accounted for. Even so, this should not detract from what I see as one of our key aims, which is to find ways of moving people around our towns and cities as efficiently as possible.”

Bonar, who used to work for British Rail before it was privatised, said that light railway transit systems could be the

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Delegates at the green streets event at the Cor

30 REGIONALreview October 2009

green streetsnews analysis

way forward as they are “greener than buses and cars in terms of greenhouse gases and do not emit particulates”. She told the conference that recent examples of the “polluter pays” principle in England had shown that car drivers in Manchester have rejected the use

of congestion charging as a condition for obtaining tram funding, while in another English city, Nottingham, work-place parking levies will be used to fund two tram lines.

Under this scheme, an employer has to pay a “levy” if he has car parking spaces for 10 or more vehicles on his premises. Bonar also said that a greater shift to the “user pays” idea for urban public transport was “not practi-cal” because of highly subsidised use by children, students and the elderly.

The session – entitled “policy measures for greener urban transport” – opened the well-attended conference and was particularly lively. One of the keynote speakers, Charles Raux of the University of Lyon, focused on the topical issue of cutting CO2 emissions – an issue will preoccupy world leaders when they gather for a much-awaited UN confer-ence in Copenhagen in December.

He pointed out that 50 per cent of the population currently live in cities and are responsible for up to 80 per cent of all global CO2 emissions every year. Raux, also director of the French laboratoire d´economie des transports, told the con-ference that transport must take its share of responsibility when it comes to tack-ling greenhouse gas emissions because “road usage accounts for 93 per cent of national transport emissions in the EU”.

Those which should bear the brunt of responsibility, he said, include the car industry which “influences specific emissions of new cars and trucks” and local authorities “which control the supply of transport infrastructure and services and land use planning”. Raux told delegates that one possible solu-

tion is the introduction of a “city carbon index” which, he said, would provide an indication of the success (or otherwise) of local government transport policy in tackling CO2 emissions.

“It is technically workable for all European countries but we would first need to build a consensus on the validity of the measures,” he said. What is clear, he concluded, is the “need to effectively include cities and local authorities in emissions abatement efforts”.

Rudolf Schicker, city councillor for urban development with the city of Vienna, said the EU should create a “sound and environmental friendly transport policy” and called for harmon-ised European regulations aimed at protecting the environment.

James Brathwaite chairman of the development agency for the south-east of England, chaired the session on RoCK, a major European project which has the backing of €5.9m of European regional development funding. Under this scheme, led by the Dutch city of Eindhoven, so-called knowledge regions such as Aachen in Germany and Leuven in Belgium will benefit from improved transport networks.

“RoCK focuses on getting the most out of existing infrastructure and develops smart rail services to improve transport networks,” said Brathwaite. Summing up, he said the conference provided an “invaluable opportunity” to highlight some of the problems facing Europe’s “urban conurbations”. “It also gave us a chance to showcase the wide variety of projects that city authorities have put into place to overcome these problems,” he said.

One such project is the ‘Civitas’ initia-tive which helps cities achieve a more sustainable, clean and energy efficient urban transport system. Such schemes include Burgos in Spain which is encour-aging the use of bicycles, Graz in Austria whose complete bus fleet has switched to bio-diesel, and the Ukrainian city of Odense which is pioneering a traffic training programme for children.

“In these economically difficult times, every last euro has to be accounted for. Even so, this should not detract from what I see as one of our key aims, which is to find ways of moving people around our towns and cities as efficiently as possible”Mary Bonar

Bottom: Civil engineer Charles raux

top: rail transport specialist Mary Bonar

October 2009 REGIONALreview 47

The eastern partnership is an important initiative which facili-tates the peaceful development of bilateral relations with all of our

eastern neighbours. As a locally elected representative, as well as member of the Committee of the Regions, I can see how developing these relations can lead to prosperity and stability. I am particu-larly glad to see that Belarus is moving closer to Europe.

From the very beginning, the eastern partnership was conceived as a natural and comprehensive development of the European neighbourhood policy in which local and regional authorities play an active role. I wish to stress that the key objectives of the partnership – bringing the eastern countries (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia) more closely in line with the legal standards, values and democratic principles of the EU – cannot be achieved without the active support of local and regional authorities. I am glad that the Czech presidency provided the leader-ship for the concrete development of the eastern partnership initiative at sub-national level (it was officially launched at the eastern partnership summit in Prague on 9 May 2009), and that the initiative remains a political priority for the current Swedish presidency of the EU.

As was stressed by the European com-mission’s communication on the eastern partnership, adopted last December, local and regional authorities are fully fledged stakeholders in the initiative, together with the commission, member states, businesses and civil society. The European commission, seeing the importance of local and regional author-ities for democratic stabilisation of these

countries, invited the Committee of the Regions (CoR) – and I quote from the communication – “to establish an eastern Europe and south Caucasus local and regional assembly”.

Following the request of the Czech presidency, the CoR adopted, during its plenary session in April, our opinion on the eastern partnership, for which I had the honour of being appointed as rap-porteur. This opinion stressed that the partnership must be implemented by concrete actions at national, local and regional level and enhances the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the partner countries.

Furthermore, the CoR wishes to strengthen regular political dialogue and cooperation between local and regional authorities from the EU and partnership countries with the aim of setting up an eastern Europe and south Caucasus local and regional assembly.

With the aim of developing democ-racy, good governance and stability, we encourage cooperation between partners at local and regional level, with additional funding for pilot regional development programmes addressing local needs for infrastructure, human capital and territo-rial development. EU expertise can assist in building up administrative capacity and support national development plans.

We also support territorial coopera-tion programmes (such as the EGTC)

Bringing in BelarusIstvan Sertö-Radics explains how the eastern partnership can improve relations between countries outside Europe, at both national and local level

Istvan Sertö-Radics is mayor of Uzska, Hungary and chairman of the Committee of the Regions’ Relex commission

between the regions of the EU and of partner countries, including the partici-pation of relevant stakeholders in existing trans-national programmes in south-eastern, central and northern Europe.

Belarus, an important eastern neigh-bour of the EU, is interested in developing its relations with us. We have had several positive signals from Belarus that augur better cooperation between this country and the EU, as well as other European institutions such as the Council of Europe. It is in our mutual interest to develop our political dialogue, including at sub-national level. I am glad that Belarus also supported the future establishment of an assembly of local and regional authorities of the eastern partnership.

Depending on its own choices and decisions, Belarus will be able to benefit from the eastern partnership to assist it in intensifying bilateral relations with the EU. Belarus has a real opportunity to become an active partner of the EU in the framework of the European neighbour-hood policy, by making further progress in the implementation of fundamental democratic and economic reforms and thereby moving closer to the common values of the EU.

I believe that enhancing EU-Belarus relations would create a long term part-nership with positive outcomes for the citizens of both the EU and Belarus.This view was also expressed by Arkadzi Karputs, deputy chairman of the perma-nent commission on regional policy and local governance of the council of the republic, during his presentation at our seminar on the role of local and regional authorities within the Eastern partner-ship which was held in Kosice, Slovakia, in June.

“The partnership must be implemented by concrete actions at national, local and regional level and enhances the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the partner countries”

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50 REGIONALREVIEW October 2009

communicating regionsnews analysis

Dennis Abbott, the commission’s spokesman for regional policy, sees himself as an ordinary hack who likes a beer and a sandwich.

With 21 years in journalism under his belt, he understands how newsdesks work and has developed a refined phi-losophy of communication based on making the complex accessible. Abbott is one of a team of 35 who make up the commission’s spokesperson’s service and is covering for four of his colleagues when we meet on an August afternoon in the hub of the European quarter in Brussels. As he sips his Boddington’s English ale, an Italian journalist stops for a chat and seems genuinely pleased to bump into Abbott. “That’s a reaction I’m glad I get,” he says.

Abbott is keen to dispel the mis-perception that being a spokesperson

involves little more than standing on the podium and answering a couple of questions. Abbott says it is about build-ing relationships and being accessible to journalists, providing them with jargon free information fit for publication. “My whole principle on communicating is that if I’m as helpful as possible to the journalist, when I need to get something across they’re more likely to be open to me. It’s about relationships, it’s about having a dialogue. You can’t expect jour-nalists to be open to taking up messages if the commission is not helpful. Being helpful gets results.”

The regional policy portfolio is, like so much of the EU, littered with acronyms and jargon and a big part of Abbott’s job is to translate the institutional language into something people can understand. He recalls a conversation with former

on the front lineDennis abbott tells martha moss about life as the public face of regional policy, and what serving in Iraq and working at the Committee of the Regions have in common

chief spokesperson Jonathan Faull, who said he always tried to communicate “in a way his mum would understand”. “I really like that,” says Abbott. “But afterwards I thought ‘his mum’s probably a professor’. I think it’s a good benchmark as long as your mum doesn’t happen to be an EU studies professor or a lawyer.”

Abbott’s background in local papers and the tabloid media holds him in good stead for communicating complex ideas to a mass audience. After almost a decade on local papers, he went on to work at UK nationals The Sun (1989-1995) and Mirror (1995-1998). He launched The Wharf in London in 1998 before becom-ing editor of Brussels weekly European Voice (2001-2004). It was during his time at European Voice (EV) that he was mobilised as a military reservist and sent to Basra, Iraq, as a British Army

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October 2009 REGIONALREVIEW 51

news analysis communicating regions

spokesman. In Iraq, Abbott gained a sense of perspective on the pressures he faced back home. “There I was, editor of EV, often not sleeping because I had so many stories buzzing in my mind and worrying about the paper, which is influ-ential, but it’s not life and death. In Iraq it was life and death. That really did put things in perspective… it made me take a step back.” He was surprised to find “that working on the other side could be a good crack”. “If I saw the British Army position accurately reflected in the media – which I often did – the feeling of satis-faction was as good, or nearly as good, as getting a great scoop for the front page of EV or at the Sun,” he recalls. “The buzz was the same – it’s like scoring a goal. The experience in Iraq made me think there might be life after journalism, or an alternative life to journalism.”

Abbott’s career as a press officer at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) began “kind of by accident”. Having returned to Brussels as EV editor, he attempted to avert a legal crisis with the CoR over a disputed article by personally visiting the then head of press, who mentioned that they had lost their native English speaker. “I went home that night and thought ‘that’s something I could do’… so I called her. She was just amazed that the editor of EV was interested, but they called me in. I did a test to see if I could

write – which I just about passed – and ended up there for four years as senior press officer.” The work was challenging, with the CoR competing with the com-mission, council and parliament, the “big beasts” of Brussels. Aside from swapping the military attire for a suit, Abbott found a number of similarities between his time in Basra and at the CoR. For example,

both jobs entail working in a hierarchical structure so “it’s not just a case of you shooting from the lip”. “You do have to check your lines and more often than not you have to go through a hierarchy. I’ve no idea how I managed working in a hierarchical framework because I’m a bit of a rebel.” Abbott’s rebellious side came to the fore last month when he found himself at the centre of the controversy surrounding Silvio Berlusconi, after the Italian prime minister demanded that commission spokespeople be gagged and prevented from speaking out on “any subject”. Berlusconi’s outburst came after Abbott said the EU was request-ing clarification from Italy and Malta over an incident where a boat of African migrants was turned back to Libya. The beleaguered billionaire said Abbott’s comments had been used by his political opponents and threatened to hold up the workings of the European council unless his demands were met.

Looking back to a more traditional battleground, Abbott says he had his work cut out in Basra, promoting the view of the British army when public sentiment was strongly against the war. He says, “The operation in Iraq was very contro-versial, you didn’t have a sense of huge public support for, or interest in, what the military were doing. In a funny kind of way the CoR was similar to that because

people weren’t particularly interested. It’s really very tough to challenge those pre-conceived ideas but governance isn’t sexy, so that’s a hard sell. The good thing about going to the CoR is that I didn’t have to wear a bullet proof vest.” After four years at the CoR Abbott became spokesman for the then regional policy commis-sioner Danuta Hübner, something he’d always been interested in “even though my linguistic skills leave something to be desired”. He finds it frustrating when DG Regio come back with a line that is too technical, but he clearly loves his work. “This is the best job I’ve ever had,” he says. “I thought working on the Sun was the best job, I thought being editor of EV was the best job, but this tops it because it’s got a bit of everything.” Abbott’s contract technically expires at the end of the current commission. So what next? “I hope it’s not the dole queue but it could be. I’d very much like to stay in the com-mission but that’s going to be for the new commissioners to decide – they will pick their spokespeople. I hope that my experi-ence will help but it’s very competitive.” Another option could be to go back to the CoR and, despite the 24-7 pressures of working in the press, he has “not entirely ruled out” a return to journalism. “I would never say never because I’m curious by nature and I’m a big news junkie. I love the media. It’s in my bones.”

“It’s about relationships, it’s about having a dialogue. You can’t expect journalists to be open to taking up messages if the commission is not helpful. Being helpful gets results”Dennis Abbott

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communicating regionsnews analysis

Keep calm and carry onchris Jones tells Francesca ross about his work at the Committee of the Regions, and his ‘best of British’ approach to tackling the tasks facing him

Having once looked from the outside in, Jones has a strong background in communicating Europe – often not an easy task. He says his work involves “spreading the word that the regional and local authority is the first point of call as far as governance is concerned, and they have legitimacy in spreading that message and building that bridge between Europe and the local level”.

On the topic of governance, I ask about the relationship between the CoR and his previous alma mater, the parliament. “The CoR is something of a little brother to the parliament – they are very similar,” he says. “And as with any sibling relationship, as they grow older that relationship changes. Many MEPs are former CoR members as politicians in their own country. Although they can’t make rules they can have influence through reports and by taking issues to members of their party in the legislative assembly.”

So, just what is the idea that the CoR is trying to get across? Jones says, “It is about implementing laws. Through the voice of the CoR we have a say in how laws are put together in the first place – that is the difficult message to put across.” He adds, “It’s not just about the fact that the local region can get some money to build a bridge but that other policies like health policy, immi-gration, environment or transport are all areas where local authorities have a massive role to play.”

Is making the jump from journalist to press officer a smooth ride? Has Jones’ change in role required a massive change in mindset? He says, “I always have had, at least thus far, control over

chris Jones was editor of the regional review from June 2006 to December 2008

Chris Jones is the English-speak-ing voice of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) press team and, hailing from the north of

England, comes complete with regional twang himself.

Once editor of this magazine, he has spent the last eight months as part of a team which manages press contacts and

produces promotional material for the EU’s regional arm. He says, “We serve the interests of the members of the CoR first and foremost, who are themselves local politicians. Our role is to help them in their local media, it’s not so much about regional policy and more about how all EU policies come back to regional level at some point.”

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Getting the event up onto its legs means he is coordinating with col-leagues in DG Regio and the in-house events unit. However, the big job is “to make sure we send a message which is about the work of the CoR in general but also about the very specific theme of Open Days, managing the 200 or so journalists we invite, making sure people are in the right places, and that rooms are available”.

In the best of British traditions, Jones plans to keep calm and carry on (much to his colleague’s bafflement, he even has the wartime poster on the back of his office door) in the face of the task ahead of him. “It might seem quite dry to you, but from my point of view I find it fascinating – it’s the first time I have been involved with something on this

“Through the voice of the CoR we have a say in how laws are put together in the first place – that is the difficult message to put across”Chris Jones

how that message is delivered in terms of the structures above me. That’s what I’m here for. I’m the communications specialist. I know how to write things and I understand how the press will perceive things, but my bosses always make sure that, no matter what I say, it’s in the right tone.”

Though he is responsible for “writing a far broader range of material” than he was as a journalist, his experience has undoubtedly helped in his new role. “I am very impressed by the approach here in terms of allowing people to bring their experiences from outside in the way things are done. For example, I can say ‘when I was a journalist we looked at things this way’ or I can flag up things that won’t work.”

On the topic of switching sides, he is currently in the process of preparing for Open Days, which he says “is very interesting” for him. “Having followed Open Days as a journalist over the years, seeing the sheer scale and the ambition of the event is fascinating for me,” he explains. “And being involved is not an easy job by any means.”

level that has involved more than writing a press release or fielding a few questions – it’s a full scale thing.”

Other projects which the derring-do Jones currently has a hand in include the upcoming hearings of the new com-mission, where he is bringing together information from the political groups in the CoR and the committee sec-retariat, and the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen. This means a lot of his time is spent in meetings with various different colleagues, he says. Oh, and on top of that he’s also looking into ways the CoR can better organise and present the information on its website. Anything else I ask? Errr, no, not currently, but watch this space.

He’s obviously enthusiastic about his work, so I ask why he thinks region-al policy is important. “Regional policy matters because without the regions and the key role they play in implementing rules the whole thing falls down,” he says. “You need to have a regional policy that ensures that regions have the financial means to do what they are asked to do because, without that, there is no EU.”

news analysis communicating regions

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cover storyopen days | introduction

at the core of europe

From 5-8 October, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) will play host to Open Days: European week of regions and cities, the

biggest event on the EU regional policy calendar. In fact this is the seventh year that the first week of October has been dedicated to the work of Europe’s regions, cities and local authorities. With over 125 workshops and seminars taking

This year’s Open Days shows Europe’s regions and cities remain as committed as ever to finding local responses to global challenges, says Luc van den Brande

place in Brussels alone during the week, and a further 230 events across Europe throughout October, the 2009 event will be among the biggest yet.

This year’s event will provide the perfect platform for local and regional authorities to address two of the burning issues of the day – the fight against climate change and the economic crisis. Representatives from the CoR have

asked to be part of the official EU del-egation to the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen in December, and their message to the international negotiators will be stated loud and clear during Open Days: the sub-national level has a role to play alongside national and international efforts in both mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.

Two opinions due to be adopted at the CoR plenary session on 7 October – which has been designated as climate change day by the organisers, with a large number of related workshops, debates and media events planned for that day – will focus on the regional and local response to these two key issues. The opinion of Danish member Henning Jensen will present the CoR’s approach to how local and regional authorities can adapt to climate change, while the opinion of German member Helmut Jahn will look at how the sub-national level copes with being on the front line when it comes mitigating the impact of global warming. More specifically this includes the vital role many local and regional authorities play in managing climate change related disasters, such as forest fires and floods.

The centrepiece of climate change day for the CoR will be a high-level debate during the CoR plenary with a keynote address from noted US econo-mist Jeremy Rifkin, who will set out his vision for the role of local and regional authorities in the post-carbon economy. He will be joined at the podium by mayors and regional politicians from across the globe who will share their own individual experiences and approaches to fighting the problem of global warming. In tandem, a host of climate change related events and activities will take

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delegates at last year’s open days event

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open days | introductioncover story

place in the Open Days tent in front of the European commission headquarters. This will include examples of innova-tive green technology and exhibitions presenting a small sample of the efforts already being taken by regions and cities to do their bit in the fight against global warming, such as the covenant of mayors.

How the local and regional level is responding to the impact of the global economic crisis will also feature heavily in the Open Days agenda this year. The focus is squarely on the innovative and creative approaches taken by many regions and cities to help local citi-zens through the current difficult times. These are many and varied, from tar-geted retraining programmes designed to help citizens develop new skills and thus find new jobs, to cluster policies that help businesses develop through easy local access to R&D, transport hubs

Luc Van den Brande is president of the Committee of the Regions

and related industries. All too often the key role that local and regional authori-ties play as drivers of the local economy is overlooked; the CoR’s oft-repeated lament that national action plans drawn

up under the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs fail to take the local and region-al level into account is clear evidence of this lack of understanding. That is one of the reasons I wanted to create a new annual award for the best European entrepreneurial region (EER). In doing this I wanted to celebrate the fantastic work that Europe’s regions and cities are doing to boost entrepreneurship and to provide them with a forum for the exchange of best practice.

I will launch the EER along with enterprise and industry commissioner Günter Verheugen and other partners on 6 October, during Open Days. The aim of the initiative is to create dynamic, green and entrepreneurial regions throughout Europe, with the winning regions each year awarded the title of “Entrepreneurial region of the year”, along the lines of the capital of culture award. The award is open to all regions endowed with com-

petencies at a political level and able to implement an overall entrepreneurial vision. Regions will be asked to submit a “vision plan” setting out what they want to achieve, how it will be communicated and showing that there is a proven political commitment to implement it. The first awards will be presented in February 2010 for 2011 and 2012.

One of the ways in which regions show their entrepreneurial vision is through their creative use of partnerships with the private and financial sectors, and Open Days will once again highlight this . The CoR headquarters in Brussels will become the ‘meeting place’, where representatives from local and regional authorities can rub shoulders with com-panies such as Motorola, Siemens, Veolia, Philips Lighting or Cisco Systems, as well as banking groups and other busi-ness organisations. The meeting place will also feature a speakers’ corner for ad hoc briefings and presentations, as well as a programme of 33 seminars on the main themes of Open Days.

More than 7000 visitors are expected to attend the Open Days events in Brussels over the four days, with many more already registered for the 230 or so local events being held across Europe throughout October, a clear indication that regions, cities and local authorities remain as committed as ever to finding local responses to global challenges.

“The sub-national level has a role to play alongside national and international efforts to both mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change”

the launch of open days 2008 at the commission’s charlemagne building in Brussels

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cover storyopen days | introduction

regions in partnership

From 5 to 8 October, Brussels will once again welcome the annual Open Days – the Euro-pean week of cities and regions.

Organised by the European commis-sion’s regional policy department and the EU’s Committee of the Regions, Open Days provides an opportunity for regions and cities to share ideas on boosting economic development and other shared challenges, such as climate change. The event attracts some 7000 European, national and regional policy-makers, and representatives of academia, business and civil society, making it one of the biggest of its kind.

This is a far cry from the first Open Days in 2003. Back then only 10 regions and cities took part, between them orga-nising 16 seminars. In just six years, this number has grown to well over 200 regions and cities, surpassing even the boldest expectations. Open Days also attracts wide interest from outside the EU with participants from the US, China, Brazil and Ukraine among those taking part – recognition of the attention being paid at a global level to the success of the European cohesion policy.

But Open Days is not just about Brussels. Throughout October, 230 local events organised by partner regions and cities, will take place in over 30 countries under the Open Days banner. This initia-tive aims to raise broader public awareness of how the EU, through its regional funds (worth €347bn between 2007 and 2013), supports projects which impact on day-to-day lives. Technology parks, high-speed transport links and broad-band connections, urban regeneration, waste treatment plants… these are just a few areas where regional funding helps to transform regions across Europe.

paweł samecki has high hopes for this year’s European week of cities and regions

There is no escaping that this year’s event is taking place in a testing climate. In the global economic crisis, all regions need to find ways to respond to emerg-ing global challenges. The sustainability of regional economic development, and the need for adaptable, forward-looking policies, is fundamental. As the EU’s largest source of investment in the real economy, the cohesion policy provides vital support and stable investment at local and regional levels, where the effects of the crisis are most keenly felt. As a sounding board for exchanging views, the Open Days can help identify

long-term solutions. I am pleased that interest from the private sector is on the increase, with leading companies such as Motorola and Siemens continuing their involvement, and others such as Philips coming on board this year. Effective cooperation between public authorities and the busi-ness community is crucial for making the best use of EU funds. The Open Days can help lay the foundations for partnerships and joint projects.

One significant development this year is the introduction of the Open Days university. Designed to get the academ-

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open days | introductioncover story

ic community more involved, this will include a series of lectures and panels with renowned academics. I am delight-ed that the eminent US author and economist Jeremy Rifkin will address the conference with a video message. Rifkin is renowned for his visionary ideas on how Europe can lead the world in radi-cally overhauling the way we use energy to trigger a post-carbon ‘third industrial revolution’. I have no doubt that he will spark stimulating discussions on how regions can respond to climate change, and provide a valuable opportunity for regions to demonstrate practical ways in which they plan to help the EU reach its targets.

In total, more than 250 event partners have joined forces, among which 213 regions and cities from 33 European countries are actively involved. Regions and cities group together to organise events based around shared interests, such as innovation or transnational cooperation.

Under the heading of “global chal-lenges, European responses”, more than 120 seminars will be organised around four themes: 1) Restoring growth: inno-vation in Europe’s cities and regions. Europe’s regions must become more innovative to cope with global chal-lenges, not least the ongoing economic crisis. Learning from good practice else-where in Europe and hearing about projects implemented at regional and local levels to help regions innovate in sectors as diverse as transport and cre-ative economy, will be at the forefront of discussions under this first theme. 2) Regions and climate change: Europe’s way to sustainable regional develop-ment. Taking place at a critical juncture and just before the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, workshops

Paweł Samecki is EU regional policy commissioner

under the second theme will showcase a variety of approaches in tackling the effects of climate change. 3) Territorial cooperation: working together across borders. Promoting better cooperation on issues which touch all regions in Europe is a central objective, not only of the Open Days but also of the EU cohesion policy. This is reflected in discussions on the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region at the heart of the programme. Adopted by the European commission in June, the strategy, thanks to stronger cooperation between its stakeholders at various levels, sets out to boost prosperity in the Baltic Sea

region and to achieve other important objectives, such as reducing pollution. 4) Achieving results, looking ahead: evalu-ating EU cohesion policy and future prospects. Evaluation of the 2000-2006 cohesion policy programmes as well as the ongoing reflection on the future shape of the policy will be the basis for discussion. The event’s main objective is to facilitate exchange and network-ing among key players from the public, private and academic sector to enhance regional and local development.

I am convinced that with the range and calibre of participants on board, we will fulfil this mission and much more.

“Open Days is not just about Brussels. Throughout October, 230 local events organised by partner regions and cities, will take place in over 30 countries under the Open Days banner”

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open days | Covenant of mayorsCover story

ambitious agenda

During my tenure as president of the Committee of the Regions, it was my pleasure to launch the covenant of mayors – an

initiative of Europe’s cities working in partnership with the European commis-sion. Today, its success is clear: over four hundred cities have signed up. The idea is simple and, politically, very powerful. Europe’s cities pledge to go beyond the EU’s targets for improving our energy performance, developing renewable energies and reducing greenhouse gases. This is known as “20:20:20”. For us, it is also an opportunity to clearly demon-strate the key role that cities and their local governments play in combating climate change. And Dunkirk could not miss out on the occasion.

Dunkirk is an industrial city, a port, and an energy platform. For 20 years we have been committed to sustainable development policies in order to recon-cile this industrial and port activity with our desire for a pleasant place to live

As an important industrial centre and port city, Dunkirk is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, writes michel delebarre

and strong social cohesion. Two years ago, faced with the challenges of climate change, I launched a regional climate plan to ensure that all stakeholders in the metropolitan area (authorities, busi-nesses and individuals) were involved in and committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In concrete terms, in Dunkirk, I developed a far-reaching plan to reduce our energy expenditure.

By 2020, we plan to cut our energy bill by 20 per cent while improving our performance by 20 per cent. Public authorities must serve as an example to all. In order to motivate the public to become involved, we set up the “réflex-energie” operation. This provides advice and financial support for individuals in their efforts to reduce energy con-sumption or install insulation, and in the development of renewable energies. Public financial aid is a leveraging tool. In two years, with €300,000 of public aid, individuals have poured €3m into reducing their own carbon footprints.

As Dunkirk is Europe’s number one energy platform, it was logical for us to commit to ensuring that 20 per cent of our region’s energy consumption comes from renewable sources. We therefore responded to the national call for projects with a 15-hectare photovoltaic park in our region. Finally, as a port, we are also focusing on marine energy in order to help meet these ambitious targets.

As the largest European event dedicat-ed to local sustainable development, I am extremely pleased that Dunkirk will be the venue for the sixth European sustain-able cities and towns conference which takes place from 19-21 May 2010.

Following on from previous conferences in Aalborg 1994, Lisbon 1996, Hanover 2000, Aalborg 2004 and Sevilla 2007, next year’s event in Dunkirk will bring together some 1500 local government leaders and representatives from European institu-tions and NGOs from across Europe to discuss local sustainable development.

The conference will be a unique opportunity to take forward the progress and achievements of local governments from across Europe in the area of sus-tainable development, using the Aalborg commitments as a benchmarking instru-ment. The conference will also explore how local sustainability can provide answers to the continuing economic, social and climate crises and how it can be further implemented at the European level under the actual financial and polit-ical frameworks.

In conclusion, the covenant of mayors has provided Dunkirk with the oppor-tunity to compare and learn from the initiatives and experiences of other European cities, so that we may address this challenge together.

dunkirk’s mayor michel delebarre

Michel Delebarre is first vice-president of the Committee of the Regions and mayor of Dunkirk

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cover storyoPeN DAys | cohesioN Policy

A cornerstone of european integration

A major challenge for the current discussions on a post-2013 cohe-sion policy is the justification of its role in the European unification

process. It is therefore essential to ensure that this policy, which is the embodi-ment of solidarity between member states and enhances the competitiveness of Europe’s regions, reflects the realities of the enlarged EU.

Sound, basic principles such as funding focus multi-annual programming, and the role of local and regional authorities must be examined in terms of their effec-tiveness and, if necessary, updated with regards to practical application.

In his study on a reformed cohesion policy, Fabrizio Barca suggested refo-cusing the content of cohesion policy and his proposals for a “place-based policy” have paved the way for bringing it up to date.

The discussion on EU budget reform shows that policies must be even more focused on their core tasks in the future. The criteria for this readjust-ment must therefore be the tasks set out in the European treaties. Moreover, the EU treaty makes it clear that cohe-sion policy forms part of the core responsibilities of the EU that must be implemented through the inclusion of territorial cohesion.

Not only does European cohesion facilitate integration, EU action has

also promoted growth and employment. As a result, many of the current con-vergence regions will lose their present funding status during the next pro-gramming period.

However, it has also become apparent in past years that regions have substantially fallen behind the current competitiveness objective. It is therefore essential to reflect on new transitional mechanisms. The former convergence regions and those facing the greatest economic and social problems must be helped in the appropri-ate way to consolidate the earlier successes of cohesion policy. Funding for a tran-sitional region would supplement the existing funding for convergence regions and regions qualifying under the regional competitiveness objective.

Furthermore it is important to retain the horizontal nature of cohesion policy by means of a revised regional competi-tiveness and employment objective. This way the close partnership between the European regional development fund and the European social fund be guaranteed in future throughout the whole of the EU. Gearing the policy towards the Lisbon and Gothenburg objectives, namely inno-vation, competitiveness and sustainability, plays a major part in this respect.

Similarly, it is important to further promote territorial cooperation and, at the same time, adapt to the changing context. Through network building and

the exchange of experiences, territorial cooperation guarantees the close conver-gence of the EU and its citizens like no other community policy.

As regards the future direction of cohe-sion policy content, I believe it is essential to put a stronger focus on the regional dimension of this policy. No other EU policy targets local and regional authori-ties as strongly as the cohesion policy.

This characteristic must be retained and not blurred by other EU policies. For example, I consider it wrong to regionalise European research funding by renouncing the “principle of excel-lence”. European research funding must measure itself against the global compe-tition for the best ideas and skills at the service of scientific progress. The strong points of every policy must be clearly detailed and implemented. This clear description of responsibilities guarantees policy coherence which forms the basis for the reform of EU finances.

In particular, this debate is also about the future partners of the local and regional authorities in the integration. In its draft outlook opinion on the future of cohesion policy, the Committee of the Regions wishes to adopt a comprehensive position on this aspect. It also calls for close collaboration with the European institutions, particularly the commission and the parliament’s regional develop-ment committee.

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Dr Michael Schneider is representative of Saxony-Anhalt to the German federal government and president of the Coter commission at the Committee of the Regions

Cohesion policy post-2013 must be geared towards innovation, competitiveness and sustainability, says Michael schneider

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OPEN DAYS | kNOwlEDgE trANSfErcOvEr StOrY

Bridging the gap

The Regional Studies Association (RSA) was delighted to be invited to participate in the Open Days university. The association has

worked for almost 50 years to inform policy and practice and educate aca-demics on the data, information and analysis needs of those making decisions on behalf of European citizens.

RSA chair, professor David Bailey, commented, “Considerable sums are invested in research each year so it is important to be sure that as Europe recovers from current economic uncer-tainties. Its decision making is based on good data, analysis and recommenda-tion. An important part of this challenge is to ensure that a range of voices are heard and many ideas considered.”

With new emphasis on routes to effec-tive knowledge transfer – supporting the use of findings in policy and practice and promoting public engagement – where specialists listen to, develop their understanding of, and interact with non-specialists, the Open Days organisers have been quick to respond.

The Open Days university will run for three days, host 10 sessions and address the key themes of the meeting. Respected academics and research-ers will mix with practitioners in the thematically organised seminars and Open Days participants can book to attend in the normal way. The sessions aim to set out leading edge thinking and provide accessible syntheses of the prevailing views.

Topics include key challenges such as regional responses to the global economic crisis and understanding and promoting territorial cohesion. Professor Gordon Dabinett, from Sheffield university will

be speaking at the session. He main-tains that, “Work in the area of regional studies frequently has direct policy rel-evance. This requires timely flows of information to deliver research results to the policy community which sets a

challenge for both sides. Initiatives such as the Open Days university provide key opportunities to establish a dialogue.”

The complexity of knowledge trans-fer is reflected in the fact that it is itself, now a subject for academic study. For example in the UK a recent report

published by the Academy of Social Sciences and the Economic and Social Research Council concluded that aca-demics have been concentrating on pursuing academic rankings affecting funding allocations to the extent that policy relevant work and its effective dissemination has been neglected.

It is acknowledged that building net-works across the academic/policy divide is difficult especially in environments where members of staff are rotated between departments and elected offi-cials leave office. There are additional challenges of timescale and access. Dr Pip Tucker, of Devon county council in the UK says, “Policymakers often need to respond quickly to questions and this can be at odds with the aca-demic process. We also need to be sure to harness academic thinking at all its career stages. It can be hard for senior policy staff to hear the voices of young post-docs and PhD researchers. Learned societies are well placed to work with both communities facilitat-ing access and information.”

The global economic downturn thus sees the policy community turning to academic colleagues and the RSA is rising to the challenge. With involve-ment in the Open Days and ongoing collaboration in Brussels the aim is to develop busy networks between researchers and policymakers. This part-nership is important from the local to international scale and will require great effort and trust to improve the quality of analysis which underpins decision making affecting all our lives. The RSA welcomes the Open Days university initiative and the openness to new views that it implies.

Sally Hardy is chief executive of the Regional Studies Association

Open Days can help bridge the gap between policy, practice and academia, writes Sally Hardy

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"With involvement in the Open Days and ongoing collaboration in Brussels the aim is to develop busy networks between researchers and policymakers"

Professor David Bailey, chair of the regional Studies Association

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cover story open Days | economic crisis

Up to the challenge?Further simplification is needed in the management of Europe’s cohesion funds, says Jürgen thumann

The negative impact of the crisis on the corporate sector, labour markets and public finances has been very significant and will

be long-lasting in the absence of an adequate policy response. The business community is ready to take up the chal-lenge. The crisis must be a catalyst for change, an opportunity to support entre-preneurship and innovation, or accept that Europe’s prosperity will wane.

EU regional and cohesion funds are helping: payments have been advanced to guarantee that projects would not be blocked and simplification measures have been put in place. EU, national and region-al decision makers must now reform the cohesion policy framework to set a basis for the next financial perspectives.

BusinessEurope is closely involved in the cohesion policy debate and is calling for structural funds to be earmarked for innovation and competitiveness objec-tives. Secondly, the leverage effect of the structural funds must be amplified. Further development of financial instru-ments in cooperation with the EIB group is key and governance of cohesion policy must be enhanced. This implies reducing administrative burdens and further simplification in the manage-

ment procedures of funds. It is important to consider that European SMEs invest an excessive amount of resources when applying for funds. As a result, struc-tural funds are often seen as a last resort. Effective and independent evaluations are also needed – we can no longer use EU funds in projects that have no or limited economic added value.

Open Days offers a great opportunity to debate topics for regional development by bringing together EU and national decision makers, regional authorities, business community and civil society. As an Open Days partner, BusinessEurope has decided to organise an event on clus-ters. European business is convinced that cluster development should be the focus of increasing attention from policymak-ers in the post-crisis environment.

Clusters are significantly related to prosperity, being an engine for inno-vation, entrepreneurship and regional development. However, European clus-ters are generally limited in size and do not have sufficient global outreach.

EU intervention is justified by cross-border spillovers in knowledge transfer; the need to develop globally competitive and interconnected clusters and the need to align cluster support on the EU’s strategic priorities. Community policies impact on clusters indirectly but in a quite significant manner. However, the EU needs to ensure greater support for cluster development.

Brussels must also guarantee greater consistency in supporting the idea. These is usually done as part of broader strategies for innovation or regional development, often failing to meet the real needs of clusters. The EU must promote inter-clustering so that small-scale clusters can reach the necessary critical mass to compete internationally. The business community believes that defining an ambitious European cluster strategy, which lives up to the challenges of global competition by regenerating EU territories, will help pave the way for recovery and provide an essential stimu-lus to Europe’s sustainable growth.

Jürgen Thumann is president of BusinessEurope

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BusinessEurope advocates a consistent European strategy for clusters that:

Follows a bottom-up approach responding to companies’ •development needs

Is consistent and coordinated with other EU initiatives to •create an adequate framework support for clusters

Promotes inter-clustering as part of a broad strategy to •achieve world-class clusters in Europe

Upgrades the European clusters observatory to develop •stronger empirical evidence to support policy analysis and recommendations

October 2009 REGIONALreview 105

cover storyoPeN DAys | ProgrAmme

MONDAY 5 OCTOBER

15.00–17.00oPeNINg sessIoN

15.00 –15.10opening of the session and welcome address

Danuta Hübner, Chair of the European Parliament’s Regional Development committee Luc Van den Brande, President of the Committee of the Regions

15.10–15.40Keynote speeches

Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament (tbc)

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

Maud Olofsson, Minister for Enterprise and Energy, Deputy Prime Minister, representing the Swedish Presidency

15.45–16.45Panel debate on “global crisis, regional responses?”

Moderator: Jacki Davis, European Policy Centre

Patxi López Álvarez, President of the Basque Country

Helma Orosz, Mayor of Dresden

Luc Van den Brande, President of the Committee of the Regions

Paweł Samecki, Commissioner for Regional Policy

16.45–17.00closing remarks

Paweł Samecki, Commissioner for Regional Policy

Danuta Hübner, Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Regional Development committee

The OPEN DAYS University is a series of lectures and moderated panels with renowned academics and researchers, organised by the Commission’s Regional Policy DG, the Committee of the Regions and the Regional Studies Association. The sessions will cover the four themes of OPEN DAYS 2009. The University's venue is the Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170 (unless otherwise stated)

TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER

09.30–10.30Keynote speech: restoring growth through innovation

Room: Mansholt

Chair: Katarína Mathernová (tbc), European Commission

11.00–12.45How the third industrial revolution can bring the economy back on track. Jeremy rifkin (video address)

Venue: European Commission, Centre Borschette, CCAB 0A and CCAB OD (listening room)

Speakers: Jeremy Rifkin, The Foundation of Economic Trends

11.00–13.00regional responses to climate change

Room: Alcide de Gasperi

Chair: Georges Kremlis, European Commission

14.30–16.30Panel debate: Innovation and the role of the public sector

Room: Mansholt

Chair: Mikel Landabaso Alvarez, European Commission

14.30–16.30Panel debate: secondary cities and economic growth?

Room: Jenkins

Chair: Natalija Kazlauskienė, European Commission

WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER

11.00–13.00regional responses to the global economic crisis

Room: Mansholt

Chair: Ronald Hall, European Commission

11.00–13.00Panel debate: multi-level governance in the eU: New prospects for a european Union with its regions and cities

session 1: A partnership based renewed community method.

Chair and introductory statements: Javier Sanchez, Director EIPA Barcelona

session 2: Increasing multilevel governance in the EU's to be renewed meta strategies and agenda's.

Chair and introductory statements: Béatrice Taulegne, Committee of the Regions

Venue: European Commission, Centre Borschette, CCAB 1a (both sessions)

14.30–15.30Keynote speech: Does geography matter?

Room: Mansholt

Speaker: Ray Hudson, Durham University

14.30–16.15the global economic crisis: endangering the ‘european social model’?

Venue: European Commission, Centre Borschette, CCAB 0D

Chair: Jérôme Vignon, European Commission

16.00–17.30Understanding and Promoting territorial cohesion – Addressing the challenges of the green Paper

Room: Mansholt

Chair: David Bailey, Regional Studies Association

THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER

9.30–12.30european cohesion Policy post-2013 - Keynote Address on regional innovation, followed by a panel debate on european cohesion Policy post-2013

Room: Alcide de Gasperi

Chair: Dirk Ahner, European Commission, DG Regional Policy

14.30–15.30cLosINg sessIoNrestoring growth and strengthening innovation:

Jean-Yves Le Drian, President of Brittany, France, Member of the Committee of the Regions (tbc)

regional responses to climate change:

Kay Twitchen, Essex County councillor, United Kingdom, Member of the Committee of the Regions

territorial co-operation:

Jan Kozłowski, Marshal, Pomorskie voivodship, Poland

evaluation and the future of cohesion policy post-2013

Michael Schneider, Secretary of State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, Member of the Committee of the Regions

15.30–15.45closing remarks

Luc Van den Brande, President of the Committee of the Regions

Paweł Samecki, Commissioner for Regional Policy

A: Restoring growth: Innovation in Europe’s regions and cities

Europe’s regions must become more innovative in order to cope with global challenges and the current economic crisis. The 54 seminars in this section will discuss strategies, programmes and projects implemented at regional and local levels to help regions innovate in sectors diverse as health, tourism, transport, the automotive industry, the creative economy and the environment.

B: Regions and climate change: Europe’s way to sustainable regional development

Some weeks before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the OPEN DAYS 2009 will showcase several approaches and best practice in regional and local solutions to tackle the effects of climate change. 19 seminars in this section will deal with regional strategies towards low carbon economies, renewable energies and ways of financing energy efficiency measures through EU cohesion policy.

C: Territorial co-operation: Working together across borders

European and international exchange on territorial co-operation is of key importance for mutual learning on policy development and best practice including the recently adopted EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. 29 seminars under this topic cover a wide range of themes such as cross-border and inter-regional co-operation as well as exchange with countries from outside the EU.

D: Achieving results, looking ahead: EU Cohesion Policy’s evaluation and future prospects

The evaluations of the 2000-2006 EU Cohesion Policy programmes as well as the ongoing reflection on the future of the policy will be the basis for discussion and exchange among experts on lessons learnt for the ongoing implementation and future design of European Cohesion Policy. 22 seminars under this thematic priority will discuss the key findings from the evaluations as well as different views on Cohesion Policy post-2013.

There are also a series of workshops taking place at various locations. The workshops are organised around four themes:

For details of individual workshops, see the full OPEN DAYS programme, available online at www.opendays.europa.eu

ProgrAmme oF eveNts

Luc van den BrandeMonday 15.00, 15.45Thursday 15.30

Paweł sameckiMonday 15.45, 16.45Thursday 15.30

Jerzy BuzekMonday 15.10

Danuta HübnerMonday 15.00, 16.45

October 2009 REGIONALreview 107

policy focusRoAD To copENHAGEN

let the work beginHenning Jensen calls for a green new deal to help tackle climate change

The UN climate conference 2009 in Copenhagen is approaching. The decisions taken here will affect European municipalities and

regions tremendously as we are directly exposed to the consequences of climate change in our everyday life. Therefore, local and regional authorities hold the key to the solution and must be more deeply involved in the process of adapt-ing to climate change.

There is no doubt anymore. The climate is undergoing perceptible change. The intergovernmental panel on climate change has given severe and plausible

statements during recent year about the consequences of climate change caused by man. Climate change evolves over time and we do not yet know the exact tipping point after which time it will be too late to make good on the damage done. Therefore, in dealing with climate change we must carefully consider how much risk we are willing to take. How often can we let people wake up to flooded basements and sewers?

Some of the changes cannot be stopped even if the parties come to an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen in December. The changes are already present and

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they are permanent. Therefore, it is essential that we learn how to adapt. The European commission is currently working on a strategy in regard to adap-tation to climate change. To this end, the commission has published a white paper on the subject. The white paper is the commission’s proposal for a framework for action to reduce the EU’s vulnerabil-ity to climate change.

In the proposal the commission sketches a two-phase process. Phase one, from 2009-2012, is a structuring phase. On the basis of phase one, the commis-sion will deploy an adaptation strategy

World leaders will meet in copenhagen in December to agree a framework for tackling climate change

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RoAD To copENHAGENpolicy focus

to climate change from 2013 onwards (phase two).

The structuring phase has four main elements. Foremost, the commis-sion proposes the establishment of an EU-wide clearing house mechanism – a web based platform that allows the exchange of information on climate change impact, vulnerability, and adap-tation. Secondly, the introduction of a comprehensive approach incorporating different sector requirements in the legislation and recognising the need for adaptation to be horizontally integrat-ed into key EU policy areas. Thirdly, the modelling of tools, indicators, and cost-benefit analyses to be used for improving policies in the area of adap-tation to climate change, and finally a strengthened international cooperation on climate change adaptation.

We welcome the commission’s pro-posal but believe that they should pursue a bottom-up approach with common actions at all levels of authorities. In other words, an approach in which the local and regional authorities are formal-ly involved in both phase one and phase

Henning Jensen is mayor of Næstved municipality and vice-president of the commission for sustainable development at the Committee of the Regions

two. Only in this way will we be able to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated effort in the field.

The involvement of the local and regional level implies that the clear-ing house mechanism is based upon national platforms and the informa-tion is accessible for local and regional authorities to contribute to and benefit from. In line with this, we request that all scientific evidence is made available to local and regional authorities by 2012, as many local and regional authorities have already started actions to adapt to climate change. Finally it is important to ensure adequate financial incentives to promote action at the local and regional level. This is a joint task that private and public actors, as well as all levels of government, must address.

We know that the financial crisis has meant a cut in investment in Europe. This is problematic if we are to restruc-ture our society to meet the challenges posed by climate change. The restructur-ing demands that we invest great sums. So isn’t it now, as the financial crisis puts local communities under pressure, that

we need public investment? We propose significant public investments in the shape of a green new deal. On one hand, such a deal would create work places and growth and on the other hand give local communities the strength to adapt to the changes caused by climate change.

The involvement of all levels of gov-ernment in forging a green new deal are vital if the EU and the rest of the world want to adapt to the changes that we have forced upon ourselves and future gen-erations. Therefore, we have the following message for our European colleagues and national governments: EU and national governments should provide local and regional authorities with realistic sce-narios of the effects of climate change and its impact, so that they can adapt to it. They should also ensure that it is economically reasonable for municipali-ties to make an extra effort to protect the climate, and local and regional authorities must be compensated for the extra cost that climate change will bring.

It is us at the local and regional level that feel the consequences of climate change and it is us who will have to

adapt. We are the ones who must build new dikes, for example, ensure the storage of excess water, and extend the sewers so that they can withstand higher water pressure. In other words, local and regional authorities are facing a huge task. But the issue also creates new opportunities. Therefore, it is impor-tant that good examples from the local level are passed on to national and European politicians, so that policy frameworks are adapted to local condi-tions. Furthermore, local and regional authorities across Europe must provide inspiration and solutions for each other if we are to meet the challenge. Let the work begin.

“It is us at the local and regional level that feels the consequences of climate change and it is us who will have to adapt”

October 2009 REGIONALreview 111

On the busesJens Stenbæk explains how Danish municipalities are taking the lead in making public transport greener, cleaner and carbon-neutral

When it comes to facing climate change, transport is both part of the problem and also part of the solution. One of the

obvious solutions to the problem is better public transport. In many cities, public transport is already a realistic alternative to the car, but it must be further developed so that better solutions using green transport can contribute to the reduction in CO2 emissions. The future development of public transport must not only be green, but also more energy efficient. The public sector has a unique opportunity to be one of the frontrunners when it comes to invest-ment in this area. Danish municipalities have used and tested different green solutions for some years, and have useful experiences to share.

The 98 municipalities in Denmark have many inter-ests when it comes to finding clever transportation solutions. First of all, municipalities are politically and administratively responsible for local spatial planning. Municipalities also have responsibility for the construction and repair of small and medium-sized roads.

Local and regional authorities contract bus services from public trans-portation companies and have overall responsibility for the bus transport in Denmark, which caters for many peo-ple’s need for transport to work and education. In fact, as many as two thirds of the passengers using public transport use this particular form regularly. In areas that have low population density, the bus is the only alternative to the

pOlicy fOcuSROAD TO cOpENHAGEN | GREEN TRANSpORT

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ROAD TO cOpENHAGEN | GREEN TRANSpORTpOlicy fOcuS

car. Here, services are crucial for the elderly to go shopping, pupils commut-ing to classes, and kids getting to their after school activities. Naturally, the municipal administration itself is also a user of transport, and therefore a net contributor to CO2 emissions. Local services, especially the municipality’s homecare service, road and environ-mental administration depend on cars on a daily basis.

In response to this, many Danish municipalities (and their working partners) are implementing or testing eco-friendly technologies and initiatives as part of their vision to become CO2 neutral. One way in which municipali-ties and regions are contributing to this vision by placing environmental criteria high on the list in the assessment of new arrangements for bus services.

For example, Randers municipality is working with a bonus contract that will give the bus company an incentive to minimise their use of fuel. The concept is to return €1.70 for every litre of fuel saved. If the 21 city busses in Randers use nine instead of 11 litres of diesel oil per hour, the bus company can earn a bonus on €16.8m a year. Fredericia municipality is planning to run 12 busses

Jens Stenbæk is an ALDE member of the Committee of the Regions and chair of the environmental board at Local Government Denmark

on biogas from 2010. Moreover, the biogas is a by-product from Fredericia central sewage treatment plant.

Aalborg municipality has many inter-esting initiatives concerning cleaner and better transport in cities in connec-tion with the Archimedes programme. Archimedes is a project under the EU-financed programme ‘Civitas’ which stands for ‘City-Vitality-Sustainability’. The objective of Archimedes is to introduce innovative, integrated and ambitious strategies for clean, energy-efficient, sustainable urban transport.

Like many other cities, Aalborg is struggling with heavy goods transpor-tation going through the city. That is why the municipality has implemented a green zone that imposes restrictions in terms of filters on vehicles more than 3.5 tonnes. The goal is to reduce emis-sions by 20-25 per cent. Aalborg is also developing traffic information on the internet. The purpose of online traffic information is to give an overview of the traffic conditions in and around the municipality. Citizens will then be able to create their own personalised front page, which shows the informa-tion important to them for commuting. They will also be able to point out

favourite addresses which will be inte-grated automatically in the search for the smartest way of travelling, using either the cycle route planner or the public transport travel planner.

It is not only citizens who must change their habits and invest in new material to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions. The public sector must also take responsibility and lead the way to a greener transport system. That is why municipalities in Denmark are starting to look at their own public administra-tion when they look for ways to reduce CO2 emissions.

Gladsaxe municipality, for example, has initiated an electric car experiment. They have bought four electric cars and one electric lorry that will be used in four different areas of the municipality’s administration. The electric cars will, for example, be used by the homecare service. The purpose of the project is to gather experience concerning the environmental, economic and technical aspects – as well as the general use of – electric cars. In the light of this infor-mation the municipality will decide whether the rest of the municipality’s traditional cars should be replaced by electric cars. Throughout the last seven years, Frederiksberg municipality has used electric cars in its gardening and road services, and now has 11 electric cars which use lithium batteries. By being ahead in the use of electric cars, both Gladsaxe and Frederiksberg hope to inspire their citizens to follow suit.

Danish municipalities are just at the beginning of becoming greener, CO2-neutral administrations, but we hope to keep our focus and take the develop-ments further. We would be happy to share our experiences so that the vision of a green, sustainable transport system can be a reality throughout the EU.

“Danish municipalities have used and tested different green solutions for some years, and have useful experiences to share”

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Water managementBeSt PraCtICe

Waste not want notEurope’s regions should take inspiration from the innovative water management schemes on show in Valencia, as Juan manuel revuelta tells martha moss

It is no accident that AER’s summer school took place in Valencia, south-ern Spain. With low rainfall and high temperatures, the region has

been coming up with a number of pio-neering projects to reduce water waste and improve the management of the resource. Valencia is making full use of the structural funds available under DG environment’s ‘Life’ programme. According to the director of the Valen-cian regional office in Brussels, Juan Manuel Revuelta, the region participates more than any other in the scheme, which provides funding for pilot projects aimed at protecting the environment.

With climate change set to have profound implications for water-related issues across the EU, and with southern

Spain – where reduced rainfall threat-ens to dry up rivers and lakes – expected to be particularly badly affected, the Valencian region is taking steps to pre-serve resources and prevent a scramble for water when stocks evaporate. For example, the €1.7m Urbanbat dem-onstration project, which received 48 per cent of its funding from the EU, collects contaminated water produced from the maintenance of public trans-port vehicles. The project has seen a reduction in overall water consump-tion, with Valencia estimating that it reuses 98 per cent of the water used for washing bodywork and 96 per cent used for engine washing.

Other projects designed to improve energy management include the Ecobús

scheme, which aims to convert veg-etable oils used for cooking in bars, hotels and restaurants, as well as private homes, for use in the municipal bus company’s fleet. Pioneering these may be, but Revuelta insists they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the innovative ideas coming out of the Valencian region. The Spanish govern-ment has invested a lot of money in modernising irrigation systems over the past 20 years, he says, and he wants Valencia to play a part in develop-ing new technologies to help facilitate water reuse.

The Valencian region is also leading the European Wateregio network, aimed at boosting regional coopera-tion to help reduce water scarcity. The network has come up with more than 20 project ideas to improve water man-agement. Members come together to exchange experiences, share examples of best practice and lobby EU policy-makers on water issues.

In the longer term, Revuelta is expect-ing a “logical position” from Spain when the country takes over the rotat-ing EU presidency in January 2010. “Spain is a Mediterranean country so we want a political enforcement about the problem of water,” he says. He also wants to see a “water observa-tory” created and a concrete financial programme for water; both ideas have been backed by the Committee of the Regions. “We have programmes for social inclusion and the environment – why not for water too?” he asks. “We believe it’s a global problem. It’s a very important issue, but from our perspec-tive the EU has been more interested in other topics.”

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a boat rests on a dry reservoir in southern Spain

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CPMR geneRal asseMblysPeCial RePoRt

Heated discussion

Regional representatives came together in this summer to discuss the best was of tackling the economic crisis. A round-

table discussion on the issue took place on 16 July. A number of representa-tives from the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), made up of the major sea areas, attended the debate, held on the initiative of the president of the principality of Asturias (Spain), Vincente Álvarez Areces.

“This roundtable represents the first stage in discussions on the crisis with an exchange of personal accounts, feelings and ideas, which is essential in order to shape more concrete and useful proposals for the future,” explained Xavier Gizard, secretary general of the CPMR. Before discussing the future of EU policies, participants addressed the impacts of the crisis in the regions, and the mea-sures taken to tackle them. Also on the table were comments about the syner-gies between the regions and member states to implement recovery plans, and the use of structural funds in helping to cope with the crisis.

During the session, the CPMR regions launched a manifesto, “Emerging stron-ger from the crisis: a European territorial

pact”, which, among other things, calls on the EU to convene a special meeting bringing together the commission, the member states and representatives of European regional authorities to examine the impact of the various recovery plans on the European territories.

The main stakeholders in the debate were the regional representatives expe-riencing the crisis first hand on a day-to-day basis. However, other par-ticipants included representatives from the commission, the OECD and the Committee of the Regions’ forward studies unit.

“My region suffered a very serious recession in the 80’s and 90’s when we depended on coal and steel,” said Areces. “We managed to overcome it success-fully, but this crisis is different since it has a much more global dimension to it.” He continued, “However, I do think that a peripheral region like ours could become a ‘central’ region in a number of sectors by working intelligently. We have to emerge stronger from this crisis by adopting a new model for develop-ment: the fight against climate change for example which can be led without having to wait until the crisis is over.”

Silvia Godelli, minister for the Italian

CPMR members discussed the role of the regions in recovering from the economic crisis at a roundtable meeting in July. Francesca Ross reports

region of Mediterranean at Puglia took her chance to stress the importance of climate change. “Our region has the biggest source of renewable energies and this sector is fortunately not affected by the crisis.”

She added, “We installed wind tur-bines, solar panels and biomass plants well before the crisis struck, and this decision is a great boon to us at present, making us convinced that we need to continue in this direction.”

Speaking on behalf of the commis-sion, Dirk Ahner, director general of DG Regional policy, explained that “the diver-sity of the impact the crisis is having on the territories calls for adapted responses that are also consistent at EU level”. In his view, innovation is a fundamental key to aiding recovery from the crisis, but “we need to talk about innovation in general and not just high-tech innovation”.

The event was a follow-up to a survey the CPMR conducted among its regions which, according to Julie Gourden, director in charge of cohesion policy, shows that “there is not one crisis but several crises, since the situation differs greatly depending on the region in question, and responses clearly vary depending on the region’s situation, its powers and its budgets”.

The CPMR will next be organising a seminar on “European responses to the crisis: what do the regions expect?” on 27 November 2009 in Marseille, France. “This will provide an opportunity,” said Gourden, “to draw some initial lessons for the future in the face of this crisis and above all to propose to the com-mission and parliament some concrete measures related to the expertise within our territories.”

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