1 Deepening the EU Sophie, Melita, Claudia, Tuulia, Pia, Ana, Lucas-Louis, Daniel, Daniela, Maria Alessandra

2 Content 1. What we mean by «deepening»? 2. Why there must be a deepening of the EU? 3. How to deepen the EU

3 1. What we mean by « deepening »? Empathy Empathy Democracy Democracy Transferring competences Transferring competences Interdependence and multilevel government Interdependence and multilevel government Redistribution and improvement of attained assets Redistribution and improvement of attained assets

4 2. Why there must be a deepening of the EU? European identity Same values concerning human rights and quality of living Stability of the economy and welfare Challenges of globalization EnlargementPeace

Reforms towards a more democratic EU 3.2. Economical aspects 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU? 3. How to deepen the EU

6 Institutions European Council Institutionalize Chaired by a President appointed for 2 ½ years renewable once 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU

7 Institutions Minister of Foreign Affairs High Representative for: - Common Foreign and Security Policy - External Relations Commissioner Member of the Commission Chair the Foreign Affairs Council 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU

8 Institutions Council of Ministers The presidency of the different Council formations will continue to rotate (with the exception of the External Relations Council) on an equal basis, to be decided upon by the European Council 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU

9 More power to the European Parliament 100% of European laws should be adopted under the co-decision procedure Increased power in budgetary procedures §§ Power of initiative Creation and a common definition of Political parties Institutional Changes 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU European Parliament

10 One million signatures of citizens from a significant number of MS can invite the Commission to submit an appropriate proposal to the legislator Criticism: – 1 million signatures too low number – wording has to be clarified Participatory democracy 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU

11 Proposal: Proposal: – 1% of population – 1/2 of Member States – Inform people signing an initiative Participatory democracy 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU

12 Adoption of new treaties Now: – Revisions of the founding treaties themselves have to be adopted unanimously – 2 methods: public referendum or vote in parliament 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU

13 Adoption of new treaties Proposal: – Public referendum carried out same day in all Member States with triple majority : – 2/3 of MS (55% - 60% of turnout within MS) – ½ of total turnout 3.1. Reforms towards a more democratic EU

14 Politique monétaire politique budgétaire BCE (institution indépendante) états membres politique anti-inflationniste plus concernés par stabilité des prix lemploi Divergence des objectifs/intérêts Politique incohérente et affaiblie 3.2. Economical aspects

15 Que faire? Il faut donc une meilleure coordination entre la BCE et les états membres afin… Il faut donc une meilleure coordination entre la BCE et les états membres afin… …dobtenir une véritable gestion économique de lUnion européenne pour pouvoir faire face à la compétition internationale (cf. globalisation) de la façon la plus effective et efficace. …dobtenir une véritable gestion économique de lUnion européenne pour pouvoir faire face à la compétition internationale (cf. globalisation) de la façon la plus effective et efficace Economical aspects

16 La politique budgétaire Le budget = compétence nationale Le budget = compétence nationale Cela ne signifie pas que les états membres de lEurozone peuvent sendetter librement! Cela ne signifie pas que les états membres de lEurozone peuvent sendetter librement! Maastricht: règles Maastricht: règles –déficit budgétaire <3% PIB Amsterdam: renforcement des règles par le biais du Pacte de Stabilité et de Croissance Amsterdam: renforcement des règles par le biais du Pacte de Stabilité et de Croissance A présent ce pacte est mort car plus appliqué A présent ce pacte est mort car plus appliqué Toutefois une régulation simpose: on ne peut sendetter sur le dos des autres + risque deffet déviction Toutefois une régulation simpose: on ne peut sendetter sur le dos des autres + risque deffet déviction 3.2. Economical aspects

17 Critique sur la règle de 3% Pas chaque déficit est condamnable Pas chaque déficit est condamnable –Distinction déficit voulu et subi Pas chaque déficit est comparable Pas chaque déficit est comparable Il sagit dune règle unique appliquée à des situations (très) différentes Il sagit dune règle unique appliquée à des situations (très) différentes Le niveau de 3% a été déterminé de façon arbitraire Le niveau de 3% a été déterminé de façon arbitraire 3.2. Economical aspects

18 Que faire? Prendre en considération les différentes réalités économiques des états membres Prendre en considération les différentes réalités économiques des états membres Laisser plus de liberté aux états membres afin quil puissent mieux réagir à des crises économiques Laisser plus de liberté aux états membres afin quil puissent mieux réagir à des crises économiques Regarder les taux dendettement et de croissance pour calculer un seuil plus réaliste (cf. effet boule de neige) Regarder les taux dendettement et de croissance pour calculer un seuil plus réaliste (cf. effet boule de neige) 3.2. Economical aspects

19 What exists? The Regional policy The Regional policy A committee of regions A committee of regions Committee on Regional Development by the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development by the European Parliament 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

20 Increasing direct link between the local/regional level and the EU level Increasing direct link between the local/regional level and the EU level Using the regional framework Using the regional framework 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU? What do we want?

21 Regional policy Structural funding Structural funding Cohesion Fund Cohesion Fund ISAP, Phare and Sapard ISAP, Phare and Sapard Solidarity Fund Solidarity Fund 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

22 Structural funding European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Infrastructure, Environment European Social Fund (ESF), Training, entrepreneurship European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), To adopt agriculture to the evolutions Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

23 The Committee of regions Advisory role by: The Commission The Commission The Council The Council Three principles Subsidiarity Subsidiarity Proximity Proximity Partnership Partnership maximum of 350 members maximum of 350 members Appointed by the government among persons elected at the local and regional level Appointed by the government among persons elected at the local and regional level renewable 4-year mandate renewable 4-year mandate 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

24 Decisions should be taken at the closest practical level of the citizens. The local level comes therefore first and the EU lastly What is subsidiarity? What is subsidiarity? 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

25 It refers to the principle of European governance which means the European, national, regional and local government working together What is partnership? 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

26 What is now a region in Europe…? Recognition of three levels (units) in the EU – NUTS classification Recognition of three levels (units) in the EU – NUTS classification The second and third levels are subdivisions of the first and second levels respectively The second and third levels are subdivisions of the first and second levels respectively Level Minimum population Maximum population NUTS 1 3 million 7 million NUTS million NUTS Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

27 What could we do: Define a concept of European region according to population, size and ethnical elements Define a concept of European region according to population, size and ethnical elements Increasing direct link between the local/regional level and the EU level Increasing direct link between the local/regional level and the EU level Using the regional framework to lessen national interests and find Using the regional framework to lessen national interests and find 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

28 Our ideas… What? The Committee of regions to become an assembly of regions, with representatives directly elected by the people What? The Committee of regions to become an assembly of regions, with representatives directly elected by the people How? Punctual meeting to enhance regional cooperation How? Punctual meeting to enhance regional cooperation What for? To lessen national interests in certain areas: tourism, transport, education, social development, culture etc. What for? To lessen national interests in certain areas: tourism, transport, education, social development, culture etc Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

29 Yes, but… Yes! The perfect framework to resolve regional identity issues (Northern Ireland, Basque country…) The perfect framework to resolve regional identity issues (Northern Ireland, Basque country…) Unity in diversity Unity in diversity But… How to finance the regional policy? How to finance the regional policy? The risk of creating new conflicts? The risk of creating new conflicts? Making Europe even more complex Making Europe even more complex 3.3. Increasing the regional ingredients of the EU?

30 The end