Euclide
N°
624, Friday 04 March 2005 |
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Lisbon Strategy: Commission puts forward environmental policy
proposals
Ahead of the European Council of 22-23 March 2005, a few weeks
ago the European Commission presented its proposals concerning
economic growth and employment (see Euclide 621) and the social
agenda (see Euclide 622). As far as the environmental pillar of
the Lisbon Strategy is concerned, two communications, respectively
on the “Review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy”
and “Winning the Battle Against Climate Change post 2012”,
were adopted by the Commission on 9 February last.
The communication on sustainable development takes stock of the
progress made since the adoption of a European strategy in this
area by the Göteborg European Council in 2001 and lays the
foundations for an initial review. The Commission identifies a
number of threats (climate change, health hazards, inadequate
transport and land use, depletion of natural resources, etc.)
and puts forward several recommendations, including setting clearer
objectives and targets, establishing more effective monitoring
mechanisms, increasing public awareness, and developing market-based
instruments to reflect “the true costs of resource use to
society” (see Press Release IP/05/156 on RAPID).
In its communication on climate change, the Commission defines
an initial set of medium- and short-term strategic guidelines
for the EU and presents a number of proposals designed to structure
the future negotiations of the EU with its global partners over
climate change policies after 2012, when the first commitment
period under the Kyoto protocol will end. One key aim of these
proposals is to pave the way to bring major emitters (such as
the United States) as well as rapidly emerging economies on board
the international agreements. The communication also suggests
that more sectors (notably maritime transport, aviation and forestry)
should be included in the post-2012 regime. Other proposals put
forward in the Commission’s document concern the development
of new climate-friendly technologies and the continued use of
market-based instruments. According to Environment Commissioner
Stavros Dimas, the EU’s commitment to limiting the average
global temperature increase to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius
(in comparison with the pre-industrial area) by 2050 – a
target set by the Council in 1996 – would entail a cost
equivalent to 0.5% of the Union’s GDP. The cost of inaction,
on the other hand, would be directly proportional to the risk
of an irreversible climate change (see Press Release IP/05/155).
News from the institutions
Towards Ukraine’s accession?
On 21 February, the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council adopted and
signed the “strengthened” three-year Action Plan (2005-2007)
submitted by the EU to implement the new European Neighbourhood
Policy in relation to Ukraine. Earlier on the same day, at the
“Foreign Relations” Council, the foreign ministers
of EU members countries had approved ten additional measures proposed
by the EU High Representative for the CFSP, Javier Solana, and
External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner in order
to strengthen the original action plan in recognition of Ukraine’s
new commitment to democracy and reforms following the election
of its new President, Viktor Yushchenko. These improvements aim
to pave the way for a new enhanced bilateral agreement between
the EU and Ukraine (which will replace the existing Partnership
and Cooperation Agreement) in order to lend further support to
Ukraine’s bid to join the WTO, facilitate its access to
the market and speed up the preparatory contacts and procedures
so as to enable Ukraine to obtain “Market Economy Status”
as soon as the limited remaining issues have been satisfactorily
resolved. Significantly, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko,
who addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 23 February,
stated that “the EU’s Neighbourhood Policy seems to
us to be already somewhat overtaken by events” and, for
this reason, Ukraine is proposing “that steps be taken already
now to work towards Ukraine’s future accession to the European
Union”. In fact, the Ukrainian Government has already prepared
an action plan for the next five years with a view to preparing
Ukraine for accession, the President indicated. For more information,
see Press Release PRES/05/37 available on RAPID.
From 2009 onwards, the European Capital of Culture
programme will be extended to include the new Member States
On 22 February 2005, the European Parliament adopted a decision
whereby the ten new Member States are now included in the list
of countries eligible to nominate candidate cities for the title
of “European Capital of Culture” for the years 2009
to 2019. This modifies a previous decision, passed in 1999, which
drew up a chronological list of Member States eligible to submit
applications for their cities to be designated “capitals
of culture” between 2005 and 2009. That list had in fact
been overtaken by events since the ten countries that joined the
Union in May 2004 were not included in it. The new list of cities/countries
selected for the 2005-2019 period is as follows: 2005: Cork (Ireland);
2006: Patras (Greece); 2007: Luxembourg (Luxembourg) and Sibiu
(Romania); 2008: Liverpool (United Kingdom) and Stavanger (Norway);
2009: Austria and Lithuania; 2010: Germany and Hungary; 2011:
Finland and Estonia; 2012: Portugal and Slovenia; 2013: France
and Slovakia; 2014: Sweden and Latvia; 2015: Belgium and the Czech
Republic; 2016: Spain and Poland; 2017: Denmark and Cyprus; 2018:
the Netherlands and Malta; 2019: Italy. The European Parliament
has also requested the Commission to submit a new proposal in
the course of the first half of 2005 with the aim of introducing
far-reaching reforms to improve the existing “European Capital
of Culture” programme, including – among such improvements
– a better designation procedure and a more detailed definition
of the role of the experts’ board responsible for selection,
as well as increased competition between candidate cities in each
Member State and a more thorough evaluation of results. For further
information, visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/other_actions/cap_europ/cap_eu_en.html.
The Roma and the Structural Funds
On 28 February 2005, a number of conferences and workshops were
held at the European Commission’s DG REGIO on the theme
“The Roma and the Structural Funds”. Some 100 representatives
of European institutions, international organisations and Member
State governments addressed the issue of how best to deal with
the problems (discrimination, difficulties in accessing education
and employment, inadequate infrastructures and health care, etc.)
faced today by the Roma population, which totals about 10 million
people in Europe. During the first session, conferences were held
on the following topics: “The context of anti-discrimination
and the social inclusion policy”, “The European Social
Fund and the integration of the Roma”, “Prospects
of the European Regional Development Fund”, and “The
EU Directive on data protection and the collection of ethnic data”.
Two workshops then focused on examples of good practices and attempted
to define the best approach to access European funds and use them
most effectively. In general, participants highlighted the need
to improve communication between national, regional and local
authorities, on the one hand, and the managing authorities and
Roma communities, on the other; a well as the need for a stronger
representation of the Roma people in the various countries concerned
and for more information on the use of the available funds. For
further information, read the “Review of the European Union
Phare Assistance to Roma Minorities” on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/phare_evaluation_pdf/revised_minorities_thematic_raw_161204.pdf.
News from the networks
Flemish and Walloon networks cooperate on rural development
In Wallonia, 15 Local Action Groups are implementing a range
of actions in some 60 municipalities. These projects are co-financed
by the Walloon Region, the French Community of Belgium, the European
Union (FEOGA fund) and private sponsors. The projects are led
by two teams who coordinate the network and are experienced in
the management of local development and cooperation projects.
In Flanders, five Local Action Groups are active in each of the
provinces. Their initiatives are funded by the Flemish Government,
the EU (EAGGF) and private sponsors. A team is responsible for
networking the participating associations and supporting the projects.
After identifying common goals and areas for possible cooperation,
the two Belgian rural development networks met in Opprebais on
14 February, within the framework of the Leader+ European rural
development programme. In this context, the associations active
in the two regions realised the advantages of working together
and exchanging ideas on issues on which they have different perspectives
and experiences. Two cases in point are the development of bicycle
lanes, which are exemplary in Flanders, and the collective marketing
of local products, which has been going strong in Wallonia for
some years now. For more information, visit: http://www.leaderwallonie.be
and http://www.leadervlaanderen.be.
Funding opportunities
Framework programme for judicial cooperation in civil matters
The Commission has launched a call for proposals concerning the
Framework programme for judicial cooperation in civil matters.
The full text of the call as well as the priority areas, the application
forms and the guidelines can be downloaded from: http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/funding/civil_cooperation/funding_civil_cooperation_en.htm.
Closing date: 8 April 2005. Contact: European Commission, Directorate
General for Justice, Freedom and Security (Unit C.4), Office LX
46 00/151, B-1049 Brussels. OJ C 50 of 26.2.2005.
Leonardo da Vinci
The Commission has published a call for proposals under the Second
Phase of the Leonardo da Vinci Programme (2000-2006) with a view
to supporting “valorisation events” (conferences and
exhibitions) to promote the exploitation of results from Leonardo
da Vinci projects. The results of projects from other EU programmes
linked to vocational education and training may also be proposed
for the events. Available budget: €1,500,000. On the basis
of this amount, the Directorate General for Education and Culture
envisages supporting between 15 and 20 projects with a maximum
grant not exceeding €100,000 per project, up to a maximum
of 75% of eligible costs. Activities must start between 1 August
2005 and 1 October 2005. Call EAC/92/04, OJ C 48 of 24.2.2005.
Forthcoming events
March 2005: a month full of European conferences and seminars
in Brussels
Here is, in brief, a list of European events which will take
place during March 2005:
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15 March 2005, Brussels (B): « Refocusing
Lisbon -The vital role of SMEs »
For more information: F: +32 2 230 70 27, e-mail: bruessel@hss.de
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16 March 2005, Brussels (B): « Approche
sectorielle: communications électroniques » («
Sectorial approach: electronic communications »). Contact:
IEE, Legal section, T:+32 2 650 30 93, F: +32 2 650 30 69,
e-mail: jdeligne@admin.ulb.ac.be
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17 et 18 March 2005, Brussels (B): «
Europe-United States: What political justice in international
relations? ». Price: 15 EUR. Contact: Aline de Walsche,
IEE, T: +32 2 650 4969, F: +32 2 650 3068, e-mail: adewalsche@admin.ulb.ac.be
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17-18 March 2005, Brussels (B): «
Une information de référence pour tous »
(“Reference material for all”).
For more information and to register, contact: Joëlle
Etienne, T: +32 2 286 9117, F:+ 32 2 286 9148, e-mail: etienne@ebu.ch
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10 and 11 March 2005, Luxembourg (LU)
The European Centre for Judges and Lawyers, the Luxembourg branch
of the European Institute of Public Administration, is organising
two seminars on « European Company Law » on 10 and
11 March 2005. The main objective of these seminars is to analyse
the current EC regime on Company Law. They will focus on the legislative
progress that has been made in this area: entry into force of
the statute for a European Company on October 8, 2004, new directive
on Takeover Bids, proposal for a Tenth Company Law Directive on
Cross-Border Mergers of Companies. These key measures respond
to strong demands from businesses and will benefit companies that
want to operate in more than one Member State. Moreover, recent
rulings of the European Court and their practical implications
will be thoroughly examined. The primary target audience for these
seminars will be legal professionals such as EU officials, lawyers
and legal advisers working in private or public institutions.
Registration fee: EUR 700, including documentation, refreshments,
2 lunches and a dinner. For more information and to register,
go to http://www.eipa.nl/activities/05/55101_10Mar/en/invitation.htm
or contact Ms Christiane LAMESCH, Programme Organiser, T: +352
426230302, F: +352 426 237, e-mail: c.lamesch@eipa.net
20-22 March 2005, Madeira (PT)
EURADA, the European Association of Development Agencies, is
organising the First World Forum of Regional Economic Development
which will take place in Funchal (Madeira) on 20-21-22 March 2005.
The ambitious objective of the European Union to become the world’s
most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010 requires
all stakeholders, including regional and local businesses, to
mobilise and understand that from now on, as far as the Member
States of the European Union are concerned, the key drivers of
competitiveness are the production and utilisation of knowledge,
entrepreneurship and the power of networks. The First World Forum
of Regional Economic Development provides a unique opportunity
to exchange European ideas and experiences relating to competitiveness
and to gather information on experiments being conducted in other
parts of the world. For further information and to register, go
to www.madeiraworldforum.com or contact Intertours Travel Consulting,
T: 351 291 208904/06, F: +351 291 225020, e-mail: rui.simones@intertours.com.pt
or cristina.sousa@intertours.com.pt.
Publications
“European Energy and Transport – Scenarios on key
drivers”
A new publication entitled “European Energy and Transport
– Scenarios on key drivers” follows last year’s
publication on “Trends to 2030” and examines a wide
range of quite different energy policy options over the next three
decades. The alternative scenarios illustrate the broad directions
in which our energy system could evolve given different conditions
for the economy, the world energy context, transport demand for
energy or given alternative policy decisions on energy efficiency,
on the use of renewables, of nuclear, and on climate change mitigation.
This publication, which is available in English only, also contains
a summary of the baseline energy and transport developments up
to 2030 indicating the challenges ahead. Today’s policy
makers and citizens have it within their grasp to transform Europe’s
energy outlook to ensure economically, socially and environmentally
sustainable development. This analysis of scenarios on key drivers
should contribute to an informed debate among stakeholders and
provide valuable pointers to future policies. The 262 pp book
comes with a CD-ROM (not sold separately) and costs € 45
(excluding VAT). To obtain it, contact the sales agent in your
country: http://publications.eu.int/others/sales_agents_en.html,
F: +352 29 29 42758.
“Lingua products”
The first edition of “Lingua Products” has now been
published and will be followed by annual editions. “Lingua
Products” is a brochure presenting a wide range of language
teaching/learning products that have been developed with the support
of the EU’s Lingua Action. The 20-page brochure is available
in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian on the following
website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/lingua/products/2004_fr.pdf.
“Rinoceros”: informing on major international issues
Launched in March 2002 by the association Ritimo (a network of
documentation centres) on the occasion of an international meeting
of documentation centres, the “Rinoceros” project
aims to coordinate an international network for exchanging information
with a view to promoting responsible and solidarity-based development.
To this end, it provides on-line information (articles, reports,
book reviews, links to other sites, an authors database, a list
of actors of change, a calendar of events, a bibliographical database,
an experiences database, etc.), as well as methodological tools.
Rinoceros promotes international civil-society campaigns to act
on, publicise and lobby decision-makers on development issues.
It will also strive to make the most of different approaches (experiences,
theoretical analyses, academic research, case studies, civil-society
campaigns and proposals, etc.), to put forward geographically
and culturally varied viewpoints, and to encourage cooperation
among all interested parties. Visit: http://www.rinoceros.org/spip/.
Partners search
European Neighbours’ Day
The third annual “European Neighbours’ Day”
will be held on 31 May next. The aim of the association promoting
the Day is to encourage a more convivial neighbourhood, foster
neighbourhood ties among European Citizens “and develop
local solidarity in this world threatened by the rise of individualism
and growing social indifference”. The means proposed are
quite simple: Every year, on the last Tuesday in the month of
May, people living in the same building or the same street meet
socially for a drink and/or a snack. Initiated by local municipalities,
European Neighbours’ Day brings together all citizens and
local actors (public institutions, elected representatives, local
shopkeepers, neighbours’ associations, local community groups,
etc.) around a project that fosters positive values. It provides
an opportunity for “sharing and caring” between all
the inhabitants of a town, thus helping to overcome everyday difficulties
and conflicts. All European towns are invited to join and participate
actively as partners in this event. For additional information,
contact: Christel Rathle, T: +33 1 42 12 72 72, E-mail: christel.rathle@european-neighbours-day.com,
Website: http://www.european-neighbours-day.com.
Responsible at Law: William
Van Dingenen - Editor in Chief: Isabelle
Mirambet - Editors: Monique
Braem, Stephen Gardner, Wendy Jones, Eirini Nikolaïdou. |
