Priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU

On 22 December last, Luxembourg, which will shortly take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the 11th time, presented its work programme for the next six months. Luxembourg aims to make the most of its six months' Presidency to promote the European construction process and, in particular, to provide the European Union with the resources it needs to become a knowledge-based society with a competitive economy that can also fulfil its citizens' social and environmental ambitions.

A mid-term review of the Lisbon process is top of the list of priorities announced by the Luxembourg Presidency. The review will take place on the occasion of the European Council in March, on the basis of an "orientation report" submitted by the Commission in February. This will mean reactivating the Lisbon strategy, coordinated around its three pillars (economic, social and environmental), while identifying a restricted number of priorities. Luxembourg will act on the conclusions of the Kok Report, which highlighted the need for reforms to modernise the European socio-economic model. The incoming Presidency wishes to build on the idea - put forward in the Kok Report - of developing national action programmes. Furthermore, as part of its efforts to promote European economic growth, the Presidency will strive to ensure that the internal market continues to generate positive effects. Luxembourg also intends to clarify the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact and will seek to reach an agreement on its specific content in March.

The Luxembourg Presidency aims to reach a political agreement in June 2005 on the financial perspectives for 2007-2013 in order to enable the various legislative instruments included in the next financial framework to be adopted by the end of 2005. In addition, the agreement will pave the way for carrying out, in 2006, the essential preparatory work to implement the new generation of Community programmes (starting in 2007). The enlargement of the EU will continue in 2005: The Treaty of Accession with Bulgaria and Romania will be finalised with a view to its signature in April 2005; accession negotiations with Croatia are scheduled to begin on 17 March 2005; and the Presidency will also start preparations for accession negotiations with Turkey. Moreover, 2005 will be a crucial year with a view to ratifying the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The entry into force of this new founding pact is conditional upon its ratification by each of the 25 Member States, most of which plan to bring their national procedures to a successful conclusion in the course of 2005.

As regards Justice and Home Affairs, the "Hague Programme", which seeks to develop an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, will act as a framework for the Presidency's action. This now means optimising operational cooperation among the 25 Member States while at the same time strengthening and developing the existing legal framework. Work in the coming years will be organised with the support of an action programme to be submitted by the Commission and approved by the Council within the next six months.

The work programme of the Luxembourg Presidency is inscribed in the three-year strategic programme for 2004-2006, drawn up by the various Member States that will successively hold the Presidency of the Council over the above-mentioned period (Ireland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Austria and Finland). For detailed information on the work programme and major events in the next six-month period, visit: http://www.eu2005.lu.

News from the institutions

Budget 2005: First EU budget adopted by the enlarged Union

On 16 December 2004, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority the EU budget for 2005. This is the first budget to include the political priorities and needs for an enlarged Union - including all 25 Member States - for a full year. It amounts to €116.5 billion in commitment appropriations (+6,1% in relation to 2004) and €106.3 billion in payment appropriations (+4,4%). The latter figure represents 1.004% of the EU Gross National Income (GNI). The breakdown of the main budget headings (for commitment appropriations) is as follows:

• Common Agricultural Policy: €49.7 billion (+10,2%);
• Structural actions: €42.4 billion, including €50 million in 2005 for the PEACE II programme (Ireland / Northern Ireland), which has been extended into 2005-2006;
• Internal policies (health and consumer protection, research, education and culture, transport and energy, etc.): €9.1 billion, including €54 million to set up new decentralised agencies and €7 million for a pilot project to combat terrorism;
• External actions (policies to combat poverty, diseases and drug addiction; human rights; humanitarian aid; geopolitical programmes, etc.): €5.2 billion, including €190 million for the reconstruction of Iraq;
• Pre-accession strategy: €2.1 billion, including €1.552 billion for Bulgaria and Romania, €286.2 million for Turkey, €120 million for the Turkish Cypriot community and €105 million for Croatia;
• Special annual events (campaign for democracy, cultural and sporting activities, etc.): €2.5 million.
  

The 2005 budget, which is considered "adequate" by the three main European institutions, has been strengthened with €185 million from the "flexibility instrument" (100 for Iraq, 40 for the decentralised agencies, 45 for PEACE). However, strong reservations have been expressed: with payment appropriations limited to 1.004% of GNI, the new budget appears to reflect the logic of those Member States that wish to cap expenditure for the period 2007-2013 at 1% of GNI. For its part the Commission intends to present a preliminary draft Rectifying Budget in mid-2005 in the event that the appropriations prove to be insufficient to cover the agricultural and structural expenditure required for the enlarged Union. The European Parliament and the Council have pledged themselves to reach a rapid decision in such an event.

Report of Leader+ Steering Committee

The Steering Committee of Leader+, including European Commission representatives and the National Network Units and Managing Authorities of all 25 Member States, met in Brussels on 6-7 December 2004. After reviewing the progress of Leader+ in each country, the Commission drew the attention of participants to the financial situation as regards compliance with the "N+2 rule". Indeed, on the basis of the figures to the end of November, it appeared that about one-third of the 2002 budget (i.e. close to 36%) was at risk of being de-committed. The situation will of course be reassessed in the light of the figures for December.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to evaluate the implementation of Leader+ in the new Member States. The Czech Republic already has 16 LAGs and is calling for the sharing of experiences and best practices on how to motivate elected officials and prepare local partnerships. In 2005, Estonia will prioritise the training of experts and project leaders at territorial level. For its part Lithuania, where progress has been considerable, has created a Leader+ "certificate", which will be issued to LAG leaders upon completion of a training programme.

The discussion at the meeting also focused on how to improve transnational cooperation. One obstacle is the lack of information on rules at national level. Therefore it was decided to set up a working group to produce country information sheets. The documents concerning the meeting of the Steering Committee will be shortly made available on the Leader+ website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/rur/leaderplus/index_en.htm.

End to quotas on imports of textile products

Since 1st January 2005, all quotas on imports of textile and clothing products from WTO countries into the European Union have been abolished. A new Regulation, adopted on 13 December 2004, has established a transitional regime concerning the import in the first quarter of 2005 of products subject to the import quota regime in 2004. The Regulation also provides for the creation of a statistical monitoring system for imports of a number of textile and clothing products into the EU. This will give early intelligence on signs of serious market disruption and will enable the EU to monitor closely the development of trade in the new environment. The Commission will favour dialogue and consultation in averting and remedying possible problems. It has also indicated that it will shortly adopt guidelines for the transparent handling of such cases. The guidelines will cover in particular the use of the textiles-specific safeguard clause contained in the Protocol of Accession of China to the WTO. EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, who met the President of the European Apparel and Textile Federation (Eurotex) in December last year, said he was confident that European manufacturers stand to do well in the global market. For further information, read Press Release IP/04/1470 or visit the following website:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/sectoral/industry/textile/pr291104_en.htm.

10 Member States implement reformed CAP

As of 1st January 2005, 10 of the 25 EU Member States (Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark and Sweden) are making ready to implement the June 2003 decisions concerning reform of the Common Agricultural Policy including, in particular, the introduction of "single farm payments". The single payment system covers the main sectors of the market, among them cereals, meat and milk. In 2006 it will be extended to the tobacco, olive oil and cotton sectors. Finland, France, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands will introduce the system in 2006, while Malta and Slovenia will do so in 2007. The other eight EU member States have decided to apply the optional "Single Area Payment Scheme", which should be implemented by 2009 at the latest. For additional information, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/capreform/index_en.htm.

News from the networks

Via Campesina helps tsunami victims

Via Campesina has launched a fund drive to provide support for local communities stricken by the tsunami disaster in Asia. Via Campesina is an international movement bringing together organisations of farmers, agricultural labourers, women in rural areas and native communities in Asia, America, Europe and Africa. The funds raised will be used to provide emergency aid as well as to help farming and fishing communities to rebuild their way of life and livelihood systems. The initiative aims to strengthen local communities as key players in the reconstruction process. Local member organisations of Via Campesina are already active in Indonesia and Sri-Lanka.

Donations can be made on line at: https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=4589. Donations can also be made by bank transfer to account No. 3035 0022 4202 2005 5606. Account Holder: Via Campesina-Honduras. IBAN Code: ES23 3035 0022 4202 2005 5606. BIC/SWIFT Code: CLPEES2M. Bank: Caja Laboral. Bank address: Calle 8 de Enero, E-48300 Guernika (Spain). Tel. +34 94 625 0098, Fax: +34 94 625 6662. Please e-mail nico.verhagen@t-online.de to advise of your donation. For further information, visit: http://www.viacampesina.org.

Funding opportunities

Intelligent energy

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals for actions under the 2004 programme "Intelligent Energy - Europe". The programme is structured in four fields: the improvement of energy efficiency and the rational use of energy (SAVE); new and renewable energy sources and their integration into the local environment and energy systems (ALTENER); energy aspects of transport (STEER); and the promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in the developing countries (COOPENER). Funds are also available to support local and regional energy management agencies. The closing dates for submission of applications are 23 March 2005 for actions of Type 1 and Type 2, and 31 January 2005 and 31 May 2005 for actions of Type 3. An information day will be held on 31 January 2005 in Brussels. Detailed information on the call for proposals and an applicant's guide are available on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/intelligent/index_en.html or can be obtained from the information office of the "Intelligent Energy - Europe" programme: TREN-Intelligentenergy@cec.eu.int. Call for proposals TREN/DIR D/SUB/05-2004, OJ C 2 of 5.1.2005.

Gender equality projects funding

The European Commission is calling for proposals for initiatives to promote gender equality, including activities concerning migrant women. The total budget for this call is 350 000 euro. Deadline: 1 February 2005. For further information contact: Unit G1- Call for proposals VP/2004/021, European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, CAD, SPA 3 00/07, B-1049 Brussels. E-mail: empl-call-genderorg@cec.eu.int. Website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/calls/2005/vp_2004_021/tender_en.htm. Call VP/2004/021 EMPL G1.

Audiovisual works

The Commission has published a call for proposals with the aim of supporting the broadcasting of European audiovisual works (MEDIA PLUS - Development, Distribution and Promotion, 2001-2005). Closing dates for submission of proposals: 4 February 2005, 4 May 2005 and 9 September 2005. The full text of the call and relevant application forms can be downloaded from: http://europa.eu.int/comm/avpolicy/media/distr_en.html. Call for proposals DG EAC 87/2004, OJ C 322 of 29.12.2004.

Tempus III

The European Commission has published the 2005 call for proposals of the TEMPUS III trans-European programme. Aimed at promoting cooperation in higher education, Tempus supports the development and restructuring of higher education in partner countries (Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Mediterranean countries). The three main cooperation instruments under the Tempus programme are the following:

- Individual Mobility Grants (IMGs), which enable higher-education teachers and administrative staff to benefit from limited periods of mobility towards other countries;
- Structural Complementary Measures (SCMs): these are short-term projects which follow a top-down approach and are mainly aimed at promoting reforms at national level;
- Joint European Projects (JEPs): medium-term projects which follow a bottom-up approach and are aimed at promoting reforms at institutional level.
Annual closing dates for submission of IMG grant applications: 15 February, 15 June and 15 October. Annual closing dates for submission of SCM grant applications: 15 February and 15 October. Annual closing date for submission of JEP grant applications: 15 December. The call for proposals and applicant's guide for the implementation of the programme in 2004/2005 are available in 5 languages on http://www.etf.eu.int/tempus.nsf ("Apply for Tempus"). Call for proposals EAC65/04, OJ C 319 of 23.12.2004.

Regions of knowledge

Consortia of regional organisations, including regional authorities responsible for development, are invited to submit projects under the "Regions of knowledge 2" call for proposals. The aim is to promote increased and better regional investment in research through mutual learning, coordination and collaboration between regional policies and initiatives, by applying the following: foresight, benchmarking, networking and coordination activities and exchange of personnel. Deadline: 19 May 2005. An information day will be held on 21 January 2005. For more information, visit: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=180#. Call for proposals FP6-2004-KNOW-REG-2, OJ C 325 of 31 December 2004.

 

Coming events

28-29 January 2005, Niort (FR)

"Citizens renew the democratic contract" is the theme of the 9th "Rencontres de la démocratie locale" (Local Democracy Conference), organised by the "Association pour la Démocratie et l'Education Locale et Sociale" (Association for democracy and local and social education - ADELS) in partnership with the "Union nationale des acteurs et structures du développement local" (National union of local development actors and structures - UNADEL) and the "Réseau Initiatives et Citoyenneté - Initiatives and Citizenship Network - RIC). The conference will be hosted by a number of associations and activists based in the town of Niort as well as by local authorities in the Poitou-Charentes region. Over 500 participants are expected to attend. To register (Fee: from €16), go to: http://www.adels.org or contact Cédric Lefebvre, "Animation des réseaux", Tel. +33 6 88 94 27 47, info@adels.org.

21-22 February 2005, Vitoria-Gasteiz (ES),

The European Centre for the Regions (ECR), the Barcelona Antenna of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), the Basque Parliament and the provinces of Álava, Vizcaya and Guipúzcoa, are organising an International Conference on "Inmigration in the European Union: a multilevel analysis". Participation is free and includes documentation, coffee-breaks and a certificate of attendance. The conference is open to all the Member States of the European Union. The working languages will be English, Spanish and Basque, and simultaneous interpretation will be provided. The deadline for registration is 11 February 2005. To receive more detailed information, contact: Ms. Natalia Doménech, IEAP-CER, C/ Girona 20, E-08010 Barcelona, T: +34 93 567 23 89, F: +34 93 567 23 99, courriel: n.domenech@eipaecr.com.

9-10 June 2005, The Hague (NL) - Call for papers

"ICT, the Knowledge Society and Changes in Work" is the theme of this first bi-annual European Conference focusing on the impact of ICT and the knowledge society on work, the quality of work and new forms of work organization (networks, virtual teams). This first conference will pay special attention to the development of skills and competencies, the role of institutions, social actors and regulation and new groups at risk. Potential speakers are invited to send a proposal paper (extended abstract) before 17 January 2005. The abstract (at least three A4-pages) for a thematic workshop should be sent to one of the convenors of the five thematic workshops. For more details see the conference website: http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOP_64PB8P.

 

Publications

"Spécial Patrimoine"

The Walloon Leader+ "Cellule d'Animation", which is responsible for networking 15 Local Action Groups in Wallonia (Belgium), has just published a magazine entitled "Spécial Patrimoine" (Heritage special issue). The magazine is the result of close cooperation with a number of Walloon operators active in the field of heritage conservation (including the Walloon Region, the not-for-profit associations "Qualité Village Wallonie" and "Les Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie", the "Cercle d'Histoire Religieuse du Brabant Wallon", etc.) as well as several LAGs conducting heritage projects. "Spécial Patrimoine" presents a variety of experiences concerning the listing of architectural sites, increasing public awareness of landscapes, preserving the folk heritage, protecting old graveyards, etc. The magazine can be downloaded from: http://www.Leaderwallonie.be (under "Publications") and is also available on request, in paper format, from: Cellule d'Animation Leader+, Cécile Schalenbourg, Rue de Liège 83, B-4357 LIMONT. Tel./Fax: +32 19 54 60 51, Mobile: +32 475 93 63 61, E-mail: c.schalenbourg@skynet.be.

Sport, social good and regional development

The "Agence de valorisation des intiatives socio-économiques" (Agency for the valorisation of socio-economic initiatives - AVISE) has published its second brochure, entitled "Sport, utilité sociale et développement des territoires. Associations sportives et collectivités locales, consolidez vos partenariats" (Sport, social good and local development. Sports associations and local authorities, strengthen your partnerships!). The sports sector is today facing the need to find a new balance between the sporting dimension, the social dimension and economic development. AVISE's publication proposes methodological guidelines, tools, testimonies and examples of practices with a view to enhancing the social usefulness of sports regarded as a factor of social cohesion, attractiveness and development in local communities. "Cahier de l'AVISE n°2", September 2004, 94 pages. Price: €25. Contact: AVISE, 37 rue bergère, F75009 Paris. Tel. +33 1 53 25 02 25, Fax: +33 1 53 25 02 20, E-mail: contact@avise.org, site web: http://www.avise.org.

Leader+ in Flanders

The Leader+ network in Flanders (Belgium) has just launched its newsletter, "Nieuwsbrief", which is available on the network's website. "Nieuwsbrief" includes information on the Leader+ programme in Flanders, a description of the Flemish Local Action Groups and the latest news on the implementation of the programme: http://www.Leadervlaanderen.be.

 

Partnerships

"Nature and Landscapes" photo exhibition (FR)

The Leader+ network in the "Pays de Redon et Vilaine" (Brittany) is organising a major photography festival on the theme of "Nature and Landscapes". The organisers wish to give the festival a genuine European dimension in 2005 and 2006 and, to this end, are developing a transnational cooperation project with Portugal, Hungary and Belgium. The idea is to increase public awareness of nature and landscape conservation, while at the same time promoting young new talents. For further information, contact: Christophe Bidaud, Tel. +33 299 70 38 49, E-mail: directeur-pays-redon-vilaine@wanadoo.fr.