Helsinki 2014

Regional Session of EYP Finland

Preparation Kit for Delegates

 

Welcome words

Welcome dear Delegates! Welcome to your EYP experience!

Speaking for the whole Officials’ Team, I would like to say “Thank you!” for joining us.

Why?

That is fairly simple: All 41 Officials and EYP Finland have dedicated an impressive amount of time, energy and passion to this session and it is our privilege to see our work bear fruit for creative, interested and fun people like you.

All of us began our EYP journey just as you do now – with the first step. And all of us were uncertain what to expect from our first days. Therefore, I hope that this preface will make you feel both a little more confident and excited about the Regional Session in Helsinki.

First of all, who are we? Whilst you will be able to get to know all of us individually at the session, I merely wish to say this: As President, I could not be happier with the different teams we have. It’s phenomenal to have such dedicated, diverse and driven (Head) Organisers, Journalists, Editors, Chairs and Vice Presidents who all contribute a great set of experiences, perspectives and talents to this – your – session.

But what should you expect from Helsinki 2014?

First of all, you will be challenged. It’s our ambition that you can grow personally at Helsinki 2014. Hence, creating an environment in which each and every one of you has the opportunity to develop further is at the heart of our motivation.

And yes, lets be honest about it: We have been working hard over the past months and we expect some effort from you as well. But don’t let that put you off. It is a different kind of work we are talking about and you will experience it when you arrive on Friday afternoon. The reason we have been “doing EYP” and working here for up to five years is that it is exciting, fun and always interesting.

Furthermore, it will reward you with some of the most amazing people you will ever meet. Whether it is the Delegates in your committee or someone on the Officials’ Team, embrace this moment and seize the opportunity to connect and grow together.

 Finally, Helsinki 2014 runs under the motto “impact.” and we mean it. We want to offer you a platform to impact the people around you, their experience and do so beyond the traditional scope. Hence, I encourage you that if you have an idea, do approach me or anyone else and we will try our best to realise your impact with you. We sincerely value new ideas and diverse perspectives from everyone. No matter how junior or senior the person.

What is this booklet about?

As you will join one committee to discuss and develop solutions for a critical current problem, your Chairs’ Team prepared overviews for every topic for you. They are meant to be an introduction for you to familiarise yourself with your topic’s basic aspects. Additionally, your Chairs provided you with links and further material to gather information to prepare you. It is vital that you make use of them.

Additionally, we developed a new overview structure, for example by putting an executive summary at the beginning of every topic overview. Since at the end of the session all of you will be debating every single topic, please do read through the eight summaries to get an idea of what the other Delegates will be tackling. The executive summaries are there to help you do this more efficiently.

Now, enjoy the topic preparation.

From all of us from all over Europe, we wish you a fantastic time in Helsinki and are truly excited to meet you soon!

Yours,

Marko Fischer

President of the Session

 

European Youth Parliament (EYP)

The European Youth Parliament represents a non-partisan and independent educational project, which is tailored specifically to the needs of the young European citizens. European Youth Parliament Finland, established in 2001, is the National Committee of the EYP in Finland.

The EYP encourages independent thinking and initiative in young people and facilitates the learning of crucial social and professional skills. Since its inauguration, many tens of thousands of young people have taken part in Regional, National and International Sessions, formed friendships and made international contacts across and beyond borders. The EYP has thus mad a vital contribution towards uniting Europe.

Today the EYP is one of the largest European platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters, political educational work and the exchange of ideas among young people in Europe. The EYP consists of a network of 41 European associations in which thousands of young people are active in a voluntary capacity.

The EYP is a programme of the Schwarzkoph Foundation.

European Union (EU)

The European Union is an economic and political union of 28 Member States. The EU was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992 upon the foundations of the European Communities.

The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws, which apply in all Member States, and ensures the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital, including the abolition of passport controls within the Schengen area. It enacts legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development. Eighteen Member States have adopted a common currency, the euro.

With a view to its relations with the wider world, the EU has developed a limited role in foreign and defence policy through the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Permanent diplomatic missions have been established around the world and the EU is represented at the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the G8 and the G-20

 The EU operates through a hybrid system of supranationalism and intergovernmentalism. In certain areas decisions are taken by independent institutions, while in others, they are made through negotiation between Member States.

The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community formed by six countries in the 1950s. Since the, it has grown in size through enlargement, and in power through the addition of policy areas to its remit. The last amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU came into force in 2009 and was the Lisbon Treaty.

The Institutions of the European Union

The European Council is responsible for defining the general political direction and priorities of the EU. It comprises the heads of state of government of EU Member States, along with its President (currently Herman Von Rompuy from Belgium) and the President of the Commission.

The Council of the European Union (commonly referred to as the Council of Ministers) is the institution in the legislature of the EU representing the governments of Member States, the other legislative body being the European Parliament. The exact membership depends on the topic: for instance, when discussing agricultural policy the Council is formed by the 28 national ministers whose portfolio includes this policy area.

The European Parliament is directly elected parliamentary institution of the EU. Together with the Council, it forms the bicameral legislative branch of the EU. The Parliament is composed of 751 MEPs. The current president is Martin Schultz from Germany.

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU. It is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union’s treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union. The Commission operates as a cabinet government, with 28 commissioners. The Current President is José Manuel Barroso from Portugal. His term will end in the end of December and his position will be taken over by president-elect Jean-Claude Juncker from Luxembourg.

Other important institutions of the EU include the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Central Bank. The EU also has several agencies and other institutions.    

 

Committee topics Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) Chairpersons: Ivana Biga (RS) & Jeroen de Marteau (BE) Direct democracy in the EU? Two years after the introduction of the European Citizens’ Initiative, what should be its future and which other steps should be taken to address the democratic deficit in EU politics?

Committee on Development (DEVE) Chairperson: Anamaria Olaru (RO) Facing drastic human rights violations, massacres and forced displacements, which role should the EU and its Member States assume to protect and assist the victims of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria?

Committee on Human Rights (DROI) Chairperson: Hanna Haavisto (FI) With military conflicts in the EU’s neighbourhood unresolved and increasing numbers of refugees seeking asylum, what policy should the EU adopt to ensure the integrity of its borders whilst maintaining its commitment to human rights?   Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Chairpersons: Nicklas Kövamees (SE) & Anna-Lena Szumowski (AT)

Recognising opportunities and challenges of globalisation: what strategic measures should the EU implement to preserve and enhance the competitiveness of its economy?

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Chairpersons: Anastasia Lvova (EE) & Laura Uusitalo (FI)

Equal pay for work of equal value is one of the EU's principles, yet a pay gap between men and women persists and women remain underrepresented on European companies' boards. What measures should the EU introduce to effectively promote gender equality in the workplace?

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Chairpersons: Rebecca Kiiski (FI) & Jesper Thundström (SE)

Recognising volatile and increasingly tense relations between the EU and Russia, how can the EU increase the reliability of its energy supply whilst still advancing its 2030 framework for climate and energy?

 Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Chairpersons: Konstantinos Andronikis (GR) & Cecilia Axelsson (SE) Human trafficking causes several hundred thousand victims in the EU annually and is amongst the most profitable criminal activities. How can the EU effectively combat human trafficking in Europe and preserve the Schengen agreement?

Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) Chairpersons: Teresa Artjoki (FI) & Sara Kalkku (FI)

With post-Cold War borders in Europe challenged by recent events in Ukraine, how should EU Member States respond to guarantee Europe's territorial integrity and address growing concerns in the EU?

 

Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) Direct democracy in the EU? Two years after the introduction of the European Citizens’ Initiative, what should be its future and which other steps should be taken to address the democratic deficit in EU politics? Ivana Biga (RS) & Jeroen de Marteau (BE) Executive Summary Since the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded, there has generally been an increased striving for more democratic decision-making. The Lisbon Treaty opened the door to a new way of actively involving citizens: the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). However, two years after the establishment of the ECI, little has changed and political engagement amongst Europe’s citizens is possibly at an all-time low. Problem The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) offers a method for involving citizens in the democratic process of the EU but, unfortunately, is far from perfect. First of all, most EU citizens are still unfamiliar with the ECI, thus only reaches those that are already interested in European politics. Furthermore, the past has shown problems with the signing process. For example, server issues have limited access to the ECI’s website, thus information regarding the ECI. Moreover, quotas for launching an initiative and succeeding are high. Furthermore, even though the ECI’s goal is to represent all social groups, it could easily be manipulated to suit the interests of citizens with high incomes, interest groups or lobbyists. The two initiatives1 that passed the requirements confirm this concern and were subject to strong non-governmental lobbying. It also appears that the more sceptical an individual is towards the EU, the less intention that person has to use the ECI. On the other hand, some Eurosceptic forces could also exploit the ECI. Are we in need of improving the already existing mechanisms to combat the democratic deficit within the EU or are other measures needed for achieving more active citizenship? And if so, what should those measures be? Actors, Interests and Conflicts

• Citizens’ Committee: the first step in launching an ECI is forming a Citizens’ Committee, which will be in charge of the initiative. It consists of at least seven EU citizens who reside in at least seven different Member States.

• The European Commission (EC): (1) The Citizens’ Committee will formally register the initiative with the Commission. The EC has the right to reject an initiative on the grounds that it is “manifestly

                                                                                                                         1 One being on the exclusion of water from the free market and the other on ending funding for embryonic research.

 abusive, frivolous or vexatious” or is “manifestly contrary to EU values”. (2) After the required amount of signatures have been collected and verified, the ECI is submitted to the EC, which is now required to host a meeting with the Citizens’ Committee and to make a reasoned decision on whether or not they will give effect to the submitted ECI. If the Commission decides to follow the ECI, the normal legislative procedure (‘co-decision’) will be initiated.

• European Citizens: After the initial registration with the EC, the Citizens’ Committee has one year to collect at least one million signatures of European citizens of at least seven different Member States that support the initiative.

• The European Parliament (EP): After the required amount of signatures has been collected and

verified, the Citizens’ Committee will be invited to take part in a public hearing of the EP.

Current Legislation & Policies

• The Treaty of Lisbon, in effect since 2009, is a reference point towards more direct democracy in the EU. Article 10.3 of the TEU stipulates, “Every citizen shall have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union”.

• The European Citizens’ Initiative, that took effect on 1st of April 2012, allows the citizens to be “co-authors of the law”: if a measure gathers at least one million signatures coming from at least 7 out of the 28 Member States, it will have to be considered by the European Commission.

Perspectives The European Commission has optimistically stated that the ECI is an exceptional tool to combat the large democratic deficit in the EU. Yet this may be disputable since a signature does not require more information on EU issues from citizens. In 2015 the EC will have to address the following questions when reviewing the ECI: (1) Does the initiative reach all EU citizens or only appeal to the people already interested in EU politics? (2) Given the long and complicated procedure, will citizens with limited resources be able to see their petition succeed? Or will the ECI become an instrument used by interest groups and lobbyists? (3) Considering the fact that the EC retains the right to either carry an ECI and thus initiate the lengthy co-decision procedure or to reject the ECI altogether (even when the required number of signatures have been obtained), is the Commission not too powerful with regards to the ECI? The ECI has the potential to empower citizens and increase their participation in the EU decision-making process. But can it live up to that potential? Or are other measures needed to combat the democratic deficit? Definitions

• Transnational participatory democracy: a democracy where the European level is not considered to be above the national level of the different member states. All Europeans, citizens from every Member State, together as a group form the basis of legislative power within the EU. In order for this

 power to be exerted, citizens have to actively participate in the decision-making process.

• Direct Democracy: a form of democracy in which the people themselves, rather than elected representatives, determine the laws by which they are governed.

• Citizens: according to Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), a citizen is “Every person holding the nationality of a Member State”.

• Democratic deficit: the term used by scholars to indicate that democratic institutions fall short of their democratic character, because the decisions they make are not supported by the citizens who elected the members of those institutions. This can be because of a lack of interest from the citizens or because a political system is in some way systematically removed from the people it affects, or is biased towards certain groups.

Key Words

• The European Citizens’ Initiative • Democratic Deficit • Direct Democracy • Transnational participatory democracy • Active Citizenship

Links

The Procedure of the ECI, step by step (The ECI’s Official Website)

http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/how-it-works

A Video by the European Parliament outlining the co-decision procedure and the ECI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypMvDKW5qm0

A Video by the European Parliament outlining the ECI and its current limitations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE8b5oVXzVQ

The European Citizens‘ Initiative – Chances, Constraints and Limits

https://www.ihs.ac.at/publications/pol/pw_134.pdf

Transnational Democracy In The Making: The Future of the European Citizen Initiative, Victor Cuesta

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/secretariat_general/citizens_initiative/docs/cuesta_victor_2_en.pdf

ECAS Paper on “Bringing Transnational Participatory Democracy to life: Tips for Would-be Organisers of

a European Citizens’ Initiative”

http://www.ecas.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ECI-Tips-JULY-2012-MS-final-version.pdf

 Europe’s Democracy Deficit: Putting Some Meat on the Bones of Habermas’ Critique, Steven Hill

http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/06/europes-democracy-deficit-putting-some-meat-on-the-bones-of-

habermas-critique/

Article on the ECI, debating the pros and cons

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2013/10/28/the-european-citizens-initiative-encourages- civil-

society-organisations-to-engage-with-the-public-on-european-issues/

White Paper on the European Governance http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/institutional_affairs/decisionmaking_process/l10109_en.htm

An info graph that sums up the possibilities for citizens to express their voice

http://www.developmentprogress.org/sites/developmentprogress.org/files/j1862_odi_political

_voice_infographics_260314-01.jpg

 

Committee on Development (DEVE) Facing drastic human rights violations, massacres and forced displacements, which role should the EU and its Member States assume to protect and assist the victims of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria? Anamaria Olaru (RO) Executive Summary: ISIS and War in Syria Cause Major Humanitarian Disaster The brutal tactics of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) – including mass killings, persecution of religious and ethnic minorities and beheadings of journalists – have sparked fear and outrage across the world and prompted a US-led intervention. However, the conflict, including the civil war in Syria, already caused more than 7 million refugees who live in dire conditions and are in need of assistance. Problem: Number of Refugees Overwhelms Capacities in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan ISIS aims to establish a "caliphate", a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law. Although currently limited to Iraq and Syria, ISIS has promised to "break the borders" of Jordan and Lebanon and to "free Palestine". It attracts support from Muslims across the world Those forces cause massive human rights violations, especially since hundreds of women remain in detention illegally. Faced with the choice of submission to terror or escape, millions choose to flee from their homeland. The majority of Syrian refugees are living in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The former are the region’s two smallest countries with weak infrastructure and limited resources, and are facing the collapse of their social, health and infrastructure systems. Every fourth inhabitant in Lebanon is a Syrian refugee now. Since August, more Syrians have escaped into northern Iraq at a newly opened border crossing. The UN describes this situation as "the biggest humanitarian emergency of our era”.

Three million Syrians have registered with the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, which is leading the regional emergency response, and more than half of all Syrian refugees are minors. Most refugees struggle to find shelter in their reception country or live in dire conditions. Additionally, there are 6.5 million internally displaced Syrians. In Iraq, 1.8 million civilians have been forced to flee their homes, many of them seeking refuge in Turkey or the Kurdish autonomy region, putting a major strain on their capacities. Actors, Interests and Conflicts United States of America The US is providing nearly $500 million in additional humanitarian aid to help those affected by the war in Syria. Total US humanitarian assistance since the start of the conflict in March 2011 has accumulated to more than $2.9 billion. Thus, the US remains the single-largest donor of humanitarian aid. Additionally, a US-led alliance began military strikes against ISIS.

 Iran Although Iran stands on the opposite side of much of the international community over Syria, it has called for co-operation against ISIS. It has reached out to its rival Saudi Arabia - the leading Sunni power - and turned a blind eye to US actions in Iraq, which it has historically opposed Turkey As a primary destination for refugees, Turkey is struggling to provide appropriate resources to accommodate the more than 1 million refugees from Iraq and Syria. Further, it is eager to defeat ISIS, which has advanced into territory along its borders with Syria and Iraq. However, it refrained from signing a communique that committed a number of Middle Eastern states to take "appropriate" news measures to counter IS, frustrating US officials. European Union The EU Commission has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, providing both financial assistance (€2.8 billion) and material. Additionally, Member States have accepted a comparatively small number of refugees (about 120,000). Finally, some EU Member States have joined the US in deploying air force against ISIS. Perspectives: Which Resources Should the EU Employ to Grant Immediate Assistance? EU foreign ministers have condemned "atrocities and abuses" against religious minorities in Iraq, with Germany warning it cannot stand by and watch people being "slaughtered". The emergency meeting in Brussels left it to individual states whether they would arm Iraq's Kurds against ISIS. France, Germany and the US have already moved to supply the Kurds with arms, who are also struggling with a massive influx of refugees. Besides military engagement, the refugees in Syria and Iraq but also in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan need immediate assistance to avert a humanitarian disaster. Is the EU economically, socially and military capable to deliver support? And if so, what exact measures should be taken? Should the EU seek to cooperate with dubious regional powers like Iran to help the refugees? Torn between accepting more refugees in Europe, which seems to overwhelm EU capacities, and local support, which policy should the EU pursue? Key Words ISIS, Islamic State, caliphate, Sunni, human rights violations Links EU Factsheet on Syria http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/syria_en.pdf EU Factsheet on Iraq http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/aid/countries/factsheets/iraq_en.pdf UN Report on Syrian Refugees in Europe (p. 3 & 4)

 http://www.refworld.org/docid/53b69f574.html Where do we actually stand? http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116771/syrian-palestinian-refugees-besieged-assad-seek-food Areas Under ISIS Control http://dailymessenger.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/76042192_iraq_syria_isis_caliphate_624_03-07-14v2.gif Who do we trust? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29260015

 

Committee on Human Rights (DROI)

With military conflicts in the EU’s neighbourhood unresolved and increasing numbers of refugees seeking asylum, what policy should the EU adopt to ensure the integrity of its borders whilst maintaining its commitment to human rights? Hanna Haavisto (FI)

Executive Summary: Refugee Numbers Overwhelm EU Capacities

Turmoil in EU’s neighbourhood, from the Arab Spring to the rise of the Islamic State, has caused a massive rise in the number of people fleeing to Europe. However, the EU’s policies concerning the status of asylum seekers and refugees seem insufficient. People keep losing lives whilst trying to reach Europe, living conditions in reception centres are sometimes inhumane and Member States lack coordination to take good care of them.

Problem: “Not since the end of the Second World War have there been so many refugees, displaced people and asylum seekers” – Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General2

The EU receives almost half of the asylum applications in the world (48.91% in 2013) and the number of people seeking asylum jumped from 335,000 in 2012 to 435,000 last year. This poses particular difficulties to Member States with external borders, such as Spain, Italy and Greece. Consequently, these countries are also those that have the greatest problems in refugees’ treatment and reception conditions, which vary a lot between EU Member States. Although a Common European Asylum System has been created, not all Member States have implemented directives in their national laws. Instead, national laws can even be below both international and EU standards.3

Surveillance of borders is vital to prevent irregular immigration. However, tough border controls provoke people to seek access to the EU alternatively, e.g., crossing the Mediterranean in unseaworthy boats, which adds to the problem of congested reception centres. The island of Lampedusa in Italy, whose reception centre has a capacity for merely 250 people, although thousands of migrants reach it every year, is a striking example.

Actors, Interests and Conflicts

                                                                                                                         2 Address to the General Assembly - "From Turmoil to Peace" Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly, 24 September 2014 http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=2361#.VCUwj_l_svw 3 The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) noted Bulgaria in October last year on their draft law on Asylum and Refugees, which, for example, included strict detention regime with few legal safeguards.  

 United Nations (UN) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which binds all Member States, plays an essential role in the European Convention on Human Rights and EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. A cornerstone of international refugee law is the non-refoulement principle, which prohibits returning victims of persecution to the country they originally fled from.

Member States still lack a consensus on asylum issues and there are different opinions on whether migration policies should be dealt with on the EU or national level. Furthermore, Member States struggle to successfully integrate refugees and asylum seekers into their societies, and they often face racism and xenophobia.

Additionally, several countries have called for more support EU-support for resource-intense sea surveillance operations.

Right-wing parties in Italy and Greece have demanded an end to sea operations, abandoning migrants. However, in Sicily, the mayor of a small town of Pozzallo, which has received 8,500 migrants this year, said they hold nothing against migrants but simply do not have the necessary resources to treat them appropriately. Is the EU turning its back on those in need of its support?

Current Legislation and Policies

Common European Asylum System (CEAS): CEAS provides a joint approach to asylum within the EU, aiming at equal conditions for the asylum seeker regardless of the Member State.

Dublin III Regulation (revised in 2013) establishes the Member State responsible for the examination of the asylum application, usually the state through which the asylum seeker first entered the EU. Nevertheless, it has been largely ineffective and the process of examining the asylum application is far too long in most Member States.4

European Refugee Fund supports EU states financially in managing their asylum seekers. The fund consists of a fixed amount plus annual allocations varying from country to country, which has still prompted questions if the criteria of fund distribution are objective enough.

The Italian rescue operation Mare Nostrum has been relatively successful in saving African migrants in the Mediterranean, said to so far have rescued 30,000 people. The EU’s similar operation Frontex plus has been less effective and there have been questions if the EU should help funding Mare Nostrum, since it places an inadequately large burden on Italy.

Perspectives: Short-term Improvements and Long-term Structural Reforms

                                                                                                                         4 E.g., in France officials need up to 70 days to issue a temporary residence permit and the entire process takes an average of 20 months (in Finland and the UK, approximately 6 months).

 As the migration into the EU is unlikely to decrease, the EU needs to improve the reception conditions and the application process. Observing a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Europe’s surrounding waters, should the EU consider creating a safer route to Europe instead of tough border controls?

Secondly, Member States are not cooperating sufficiently with each other, as well as EU bodies, to be able to ensure an effective implementation of EU directives and regulations. Do asylum laws need yet more harmonisation?

Thirdly, asylum seekers are often placed in remote areas and separate suburbs in many countries. This isolation exacerbates inequality and strengthens xenophobic and racist attitudes in Member States. How could such attitudes be changed?

Definitions

Refugee: According to the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Geneva Convention), a refugee is “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion”.

Asylum seeker: In the EU countries, an asylum seeker is a person submitting a request of refugee status.

Key Words

Common European Asylum System (CEAS), refugee, asylum seeker, Dublin III regulation, principle of non-refoulement, Frontex plus, Mare Nostrum, Lampedusa.

Links

European Commission, Directorate-General on Home Affairs http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/index_en.htm

Fact Sheet on the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/docs/ceas-fact-sheets/ceas_factsheet_en.pdf

Statistics on Asylum in the EU http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/multimedia/infographics/index_en.htm#0801262488c180fa/c_

UNHCR Regional Representation for Central Europe http://www.unhcr-centraleurope.org/en/index.html

 Asylum Information Database (AIDA): Annual report: An NGO Perspective on Challenges to a Fair and Effective Common European Asylum System (chapters 1.3 & 1.4) http://www.asylumineurope.org/annual-report-20122013

1951 Geneva Convention http://www.unhcr.org/protect/PROTECTION/3b66c2aa10.pdf Humanitarian Catastrophe, The Guardian article http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/02/europe-refugee-crisis-un-africa-processing-centres

EU migrant mission will not replace Mare Nostrum, EU observer http://euobserver.com/justice/125456

Lampedusa disaster: Europe's migrant dilemma, BBC News http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24396020

Correspondents’ reports on asylum seeking situation in various EU countries, Spiegel Online article http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/asylum-policy-and-treatment-of-refugees-in-the-european-union-a-926939.html

 

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Recognising opportunities and challenges of globalisation: what strategic measures should the EU implement to preserve and enhance the competitiveness of its economy?

Nicklas Kövamees (SE) & Anna-Lena Szumowski (AT)

Executive Summary: The Sustainability of the EU’s Economy at Risk

The dire financial straits of the past years have revealed severe deficiencies within the EU’s economic strategy. At the centre of the European competitiveness debate is the declining share of the manufacturing sector in comparison to the service sector, which makes the EU’s economy less diversified. In order to be able to compete with the powerful Emerging Market Economies (EMEs), it will be necessary to consequently stick to an approach, be it by extending the volume of the entire manufacturing sector or by building on existing strengths, such as the production of high-end goods within branches that already have competitive advantages.

Problem: Lacking Industrial Modernisation and EMEs Conquering the Service Sector

From the 19th century onwards, the major part of the world’s industrial production has been taking place in Europe. The combination of a subsidised agricultural sector, a thriving industry and an ever-developing service supply allowed for Europe’s recovery after two World Wars. This strategy of sector-balance worked well for decades and provided Europe with unprecedented wealth. However, since the end of the 1990s, a general shift from the manufacturing sector as the EU’s growth engine to the service sector is occurring. This shift, called deindustrialisation, has accelerated during the past years due to the industrial performance of EMEs and the financial crisis. Furthermore, EMEs are quickly gaining ground in the more knowledge intensive branches of the manufacturing sector and in the service sector, which have been the EU’s bastions. Although the EU still has a comparative advantage in about two-thirds of all branches of the manufacturing sector on the global market, manufacturing’s contribution to the EU GDP is declining steadily and is currently at approximately 15%, with the agricultural sector at 2% and the service sector at 83%. Moreover, almost every fourth private sector job is in the manufacturing sector, creating up to two jobs in the following tertiary and quaternary sector. With a subsidy-dependent agricultural sector and an irresistibly expanding service sector, the question arises how to balance sector specific support and the attached social costs, since supporting only one sector ultimately leads to job and quality losses within the other sectors.

Actors, Interests and Conflicts: A Conflict Between the Commission and the Member States

European Commission (EC): Launching a series of programmes and strategies, the EC aims at retaining the EU’s position as global economic leader. Its instruments are supporting research, innovation and job creation by private corporations and research institutions. Facilitating private sector investments is another pillar of the EC’s strategy. It declared increasing the manufacturing sector’s share of the EU GDP to 20% to be a major target. Council of the EU: Assembling all Member States, the Council would have to mobilise regional development funds to guarantee a successful revitalisation of the manufacturing sector.

 But due to the different importance of each sector in each Member State, the Council has not been able to take decisions on the issue and keeps postponing its industry conferences.

Private Sector: Both corporations and investment funds are essential to building a sustainable economy in any sector. But high costs and investment barriers have driven European companies’ investments abroad, let alone attracted foreign businesses to invest in Europe.

Current Legislation and Policies: A Wide Range of EU Programmes Strive to Achieve Ambitious Goals

“Europe 2020” is the EU’s growth strategy for 2020, focusing on creating a sustainable economy by promoting: education, employment, innovation, poverty reduction and climate/energy awareness.

“Horizon 2020” is one of the financial instruments for achieving the goals set forth by Europe 2020. Aiming at strengthening innovation and technological development, it includes investment in so called future and emerging technologies.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the EU’s long-term lending institution, supporting development and economic recovery primarily in EU member states.

Perspectives: Your Strategy for Europe 2030

With labour costs in EMEs starting to increase, Europe has the chance to re-attract outsourcing companies. A step towards this could be to maximise the potential of the internal market through developing the infrastructure and decreasing the bureaucratic burden for large companies as well as domestic SMEs. In case of a further decrease of the EU’s attractiveness for the industrial sector, the other sectors will have to make up the deficit caused by its disappearance. However, boosting the tertiary and quaternary sector within the EU and thereby building on current success could lead to the creation of a high-end economy, which becomes increasingly less self-sufficient. It remains arguable whether it is more sustainable to invest into a sector that is lagging behind or into one that is booming.

Which sector do you deem as the most promising one and should therefore receive investments? Which other measures need to be taken to enhance the EU’s economic potential? Are state subsidies an appropriate or cumbersome instrument?

Definitions

• Economic sectors generally are:

1) the primary sector (production of raw materials, e.g: barley, cattle, dairy products, wheat)

2) the secondary sector (manufacturing/industry, e.g: processing raw materials into usable goods, e.g: ferrous and non-ferrous metal production and processing, petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles)

3) the tertiary sector (supplying services)

 4) the quaternary sector (knowledge-based services, e.g: education, consultation, research and

development).

• Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) are less developed countries that are very rapidly growing and industrialising (e.g. “BRICs”: Brazil, Russia, India, China; “Next Eleven”).

• Comparative advantages exist wherever someone can produce one unit of a certain good by abstaining from producing an amount of a good which is lesser than the amount someone else would have to abstain from.

• Research & Development (R&D) is, in its wide sense, any knowledge-producing activity. Fostering economically useful R&D is one of the EU’s top priorities (cf. Europe 2020 strategy).

Key words

• Deindustrialisation in Europe

• Economic globalisation

• European competitiveness

• Europe 2020

Links

The European Commission: Facing Globalisation

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/international/globalisation/index_en.htm

The European Commission: EU competitiveness report 2014

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/industrial-competitiveness/competitiveness-analysis/european-competitiveness-report/index_en.htm

The European Commission: EU industrial structure report 2013

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/industrial-competitiveness/competitiveness-analysis/eu-industrial-structure/files/report_euis_2013_final.pdf

World Economic Forum: The Europe 2020 Competitiveness Report - Building a More Competitive Europe http://www3.weforum.org/docs/CSI/2012/Europe2020_Competitiveness_Report_2012.pdf

The European Commission: Commission calls for immediate action for a European Industrial Renaissance

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-42_en.htm

The EU’s 2020 Strategy in a nutshell

http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/europe-2020-in-a-nutshell/priorities/index_en.htm

 

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Equal pay for work of equal value is one of the EU's principles, yet a pay gap between men and women persists and women remain underrepresented on European companies' boards. What measures should the EU introduce to effectively promote gender equality in the workplace?

Anastasia Lvova (EE) & Laura Uusitalo (FI)

Executive Summary: Female Discrimination Still Widespread, Despite Efforts and Legal Commitments

Gender equality in employment is one of the principal goals of the European Union. Some Member States adopted measures to promote these principles, yet they face opposition from businesses and other interest groups, including female representatives. Torn between voluntary targets and binding commitments, the EU and its Member States struggle to bridge social differences.

Problem: No Enforcement and Differences amongst Member States Impede an Effective Response

Women constitute over half of the labour market. Despite accounting for 60% of EU graduates and being equal in skills and experience to their male counterparts, they receive 16% less pay than men in their positions. They are under-represented in senior management with only 2,8% female CEOs and few on the political arena - a little over a quarter of MPs are women.

Initially, the problem stems from patriarchal stands of Western society but the general attitude towards women is gradually changing due to measures taken throughout the EU to ensure equality in the workplace. Scandinavian countries pursue a policy of quotas, which have increased female leadership in politics and the corporate sphere. Evidence from corporate boards seems to suggest some negative short-term impact on returns, but also reduction of gender discrimination in the long run. There are striking disparities between countries that have adopted legally binding measures and those that haven't: the difference between employment rates by sex was as wide as 27.1 percentage points in Malta, while only being 2.1 points in Finland as of 2013.

The main challenge, therefore, lays in balancing stricter legislative measures with social concerns while taking into account Member States' differences.

Actors, Interests and Conflicts

EU Member States: The national governments are taking decisions about gender equality and related policies. The EU assumes an assisting role and supports Member States in achieving gender equality, for instance via different Treaties and Strategies (see Current Legislation & Policies below).

European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE): An autonomous institute that supports the promotion of gender equality in the EU by analysing and publishing related data.

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM): A committee of the European Parliament responsible for gender equality policies, especially those related to economic independence and the position of women in the labour market, including maternal and paternal leave and women in political and economic decision-making.

 Business life: A major conflict arises from reaching solutions that can balance enterprises' interests, economic challenges and work life realities, while being efficient enough to tackle the gender pay gap.

Private life: Women often have to face professional challenges related to their family life, involving maternity leave and, in many cases, the role of primary caregivers of their children.

Current Legislation & Policies

The Lisbon Treaty: The EU's framework legally establishes the principle of gender equality and reinforces this in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

The Directive on Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value (Directive 2006/54/EC): The directive made the principle of equal pay for work of equal value compulsory for the Member States.

Strategy for Equality Between Women and Men (2010-2015): A strategy of the European Commission aiming to enhance the gender equality in the Member States and increase the cooperation with other stakeholders. The strategy includes concrete actions, which are based on the Women's Charter, a declaration of the European Commission in 2010.

European Social Fund (ESF): One object of the fund is to ensure fairer job opportunities for all EU citizens. The fund is an important tool in achieving the Europe 2020 Strategy for growth during this decade. One of the goals of the strategy is to create more jobs to Europe, especially for women to improve gender equality.

Perspectives: Binding Quotas or Voluntary Cooperation to Achieve Equal Opportunities?

Whilst the European Parliament urges for 30% female membership of management bodies by 2015 and 40% by 2020 in order to enhance the general welfare of EU citizens, businesses and even female representatives oppose a quota system in the work place.

How can the EU best support equal job opportunities for men and women? What policies should the EU design and implement to close the pay gap? How can private sector stakeholders be integrated in a cooperative process? Are gender quotas necessary to achieve a better gender balance in boardrooms?

Definitions

• Gender pay gap: The gender pay gap is the difference between men’s and women’s pay, based on the average difference in gross hourly earnings of all employees.

• Gender Mainstreaming: Gender Mainstreaming is not a goal in itself but a strategy to achieve equality between women and men. It is used to integrate gender concerns into all policies, and programmes of the European Union institutions and Member States.

• Glass ceiling: Reluctance to appoint female candidates to board positions, often due to gender stereotypes in recruitment or a male-dominated business.

• Quota: Compulsory appointment of a percentage of women in leadership roles or mandatory amount of women in a company overall, e.g.: a law passed in 2003 declared that Norwegian companies should set aside 40% of boardroom positions for women by 2008.

 Key Words

• FEMM • Gender equality • Gender segregation at work • Quotas in the workplace

Links

Gender equality in the Nordic region - vision or reality? http://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-fokus/in-focus-2011/gender-equality

Gender inequalities in the European Union (p 6-9, 31-33, 43) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/pdf/eurobarometre/2012/femme_mars/rapport_en.pdf European Commission report on progress on equality between women and men in 2013 http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/files/swd_2014_142_en.pdf

Current legislation of the EU about gender equality http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/law/index_en.htm

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union http://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/text_en.pdf

Strategy for equality between women and men (2010-2015) http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/files/strategy_equality_women_men_en.pdf

EIGE http://eige.europa.eu/

FEMM committee http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/femm/home.html

A Women’s Charter http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/news/documents/pdf/20100305_1_en.pdf

European Social Fund (ESF) and gender equality http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/esf/docs/genderequality_en.pdf The Economist in gender quotas http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/03/economist-explains-14

Gender quotas and female leadership: A review

http://www.hks.harvard.edu/fs/rpande/papers/Gender Quotas - April 2011.pdf

 

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

Recognising volatile and increasingly tense relations between the EU and Russia, how can the EU increase the reliability of its energy supply whilst still advancing its 2030 framework for climate and energy?

Rebecca Kiiski (FI) & Jesper Thundström (SE)

Executive Summary: Energy Dependence on Russia Exposes the EU to Greater Risk

Energy supply is being used as a political tool, which raises concerns over Europe’s energy dependency on states that can exert this political pressure. Currently, 53% of the energy the EU consumes is imported. Russia alone accounts for 39% of Europe’s natural gas imports. Simultaneously, the EU is working towards the 2030 framework with its three main targets: carbon emissions reduction, energy efficiency and boosting renewable resources.

Problem: Whilst Dependent on Imports, Investment in RES and Efficiency Lags Behind

Russia-EU relations have become increasingly hostile due to Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine. The EU has since imposed sanctions on Russia after failed attempts to achieve a diplomatic solution. Despite these political altercations, Russia remains one of Europe’s biggest trading partners and provides 39% of Europe’s natural gas supply. Europe is unable to provide enough energy for its own demand and is hence dependent on international trading counterparties to supply energy, such as Russia, giving these states an instrument for political pressure over the EU.

On the other side, the EU set itself the target to raise energy production from renewable energy sources (RES) to 20% of the total energy mix by 2020. Yet, considerable differences persist between the Member States: As of 2010, only 0.6% of electricity in Malta came from RES, opposed to 69.3% in Austria. Despite RES’ minimal environmental and relatively low production cost, overall cost efficiency remains problematic, as RES require large upfront investments in infrastructure and technology. Therefore, the final fossil fuel or coal-based energy prices are still comparatively lower. This and political uncertainty impede investments in RES. However, gas and oil prices are known to be volatile and expected to increase due to diminishing resource availability and accessibility. The need to import energy also constitutes a loss in employment opportunities, as an estimated 417,000 jobs would be generated from efforts to meet the goal for renewable resources in 2020 alone.

Finally, obsolete lifestyles, infrastructures and technologies lead to an abundance of energy going to waste. The biggest consequences of poor energy efficiency are both environmental and economic, considering Europe has to buy more energy from sources that damage the environment.

Actors

 

Russia: As the EU’s biggest energy supplier and major international player, the EU has an interest in a constructive diplomatic relationship. Some Member States’ energy supply, e.g. the Baltics and Finland, depends entirely on Russia. However, the EU-Russia relations have been unstable, worsened by its military involvement in Ukraine. Additionally, Russia severely needs access to the European capital, industrial and consumer goods market. EU-28: The EU has set energy targets for 2020, 2030 and 2050 but the specific processes to reach those targets and the integration of renewable resources is up to every Member State. Energy suppliers: Companies that supply and harness natural resources, such as fossil fuels, play a significant role in the trade and output of said resources. For example, Russian company Gazprom. European Commission: The institution responsible for setting the 2030 political framework for climate and energy as well as the Energy Efficiency Directive. Together with the Member States, it has substantial power in directing the European energy market.

Current Legislation & Policies

Europe 2020: The “20-20-20 climate and energy targets” is a set of binding legislation with three key objectives: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, raising the share of energy produced from renewable resources and improving the EU’s energy efficiency. 2030 political framework for climate and energy policies: framework aiming to further decrease greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency and renewable energy. EU leaders have agreed to decide on the framework in October 2014 at the latest. Treaty of Lisbon: defines the main aims of the EU’s energy policy as: ensuring energy security and functioning of the energy market, promoting energy efficiency and the development of new and renewable forms of energy and promoting the interconnection of energy networks. Energy Efficiency Directive: establishes a common framework for the promotion of energy efficiency in order to ensure the achievements of the 2020 energy efficiency target.

Perspectives: The EU Between Ambitious Targets and Acute Threats The increasingly tense relations between the EU and Russia make it impossible to predict the development of Russia-EU energy cooperation. However, the years 2006 and 2009 demonstrated disruptions in Russian oil supply to Europe, hence the EU cannot neglect its exposure. The European Commission has released the European Energy Security Strategy, based on in-depth study on the Member States’ energy dependency, aiming to decrease Europe’s dependency on imported energy, creating short and long-term strategies.

What are the most significant threats to the EU’s energy security? How can the EU become less dependent on energy imports? How can the EU ensure diverse sources of energy? How can Europe safeguard its future

 

energy supply? Definitions

Energy over-dependence: State of being too dependent on a certain source of energy. Energy efficiency: Achieving maximum productivity with the minimal amount of energy being wasted or unused. Renewable energy: energy coming from resources that are not depleted when used. Energy security: Ensuring a continuous, reliable and sustainable supply of energy. Clean Energy: Energy that causes less harm than traditional resources such as fossil fuels.

Key Words Energy overdependence, energy efficiency, energy security, renewable energy, energy mix, energy diversity, EU-Russia relations.

Links

A report from the European Commission from a program called “The European Union Explained” focusing on “Sustainable, secure and affordable energy for Europeans”

http://europa.eu/pol/ener/flipbook/en/files/energy.pdf

The EU’s energy production, imports and energy dependency http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Energy_production_and_imports

A BBC broadcast entitled “Russia and Pipeline Politics” from September 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p026q0xf

Video, infographics and maps on the EU’s energy security

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/fpis_en.htm

BCG Report on the EU’s energy market https://www.bcgperspectives.com/content/articles/energy_environment_power_gas_managing_turbulent_times_europe_power_generation_market/ The EU’s 2030 goals for climate and energy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtI02ppT-lc

Renewable Energy Progress Report: 2013 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52013DC0175&from=EN

Video from the European Parliament entitled “Renewing Europe’s energy self-sufficiency” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MlMJaOdmdE

 

Dependency on Russian pipelines http://www.energypost.eu/ukraine-fallout-deal-south-stream-nord-stream/

The Economist on European Energy Security

http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21600111-reducing-europes-dependence-russian-gas-

possiblebut-it-will-take-time-money-and-sustained

 

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Human trafficking causes several hundred thousand victims in the EU annually and is amongst the most profitable criminal activities. How can the EU effectively combat human trafficking in Europe and preserve the Schengen agreement? Konstantinos Andronikis (GR) & Cecilia Axelsson (SE) Executive Summary: Could the Increase of Human Trafficking be Averted? Human trafficking, often referred to as modern day slavery, is a serious violation of human rights. Vulnerable individuals are often deceived into this exploitative business and forced to leave their home country. While work is being done on different levels in society each day, human trafficking is still increasing. Between 2008 and 2010, the number of identified and presumed victims increased by 18% in the EU. Problem: Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals Occurs Across EU Borders The number of confirmed victims amounts to almost 10,000 within the EU annually. Yet the estimated number of unreported cases is substantially higher, reinforced by the silence of the victims and the difficulty to prosecute traffickers. Human trafficking occurs in different forms:

• Sexual exploitation: Over 60% of cases with more than 90% of the victims being women or children. Victims are often trafficked to countries with a high demand for prostitution..

• Forced labour: 25% of cases with the majority of victims being male. Those are particularly vulnerable due to economic exclusion and poverty.

The majority of European victims involved come from Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria, which all suffer from high poverty and unemployment. While human trafficking occurs on a regional and national level, it is very often international. Due to the free movement across the borders within the Schengen area, surveillance of potential trafficking is difficult. Also, Member States focus differently on combating human trafficking as not all of them have the means to efficiently deal with the issue, while attitudes towards the severity of the problem also vary. For instance, not all Member States have yet implemented the EU’s Directive on trafficking in human beings. Due to these differences in procedures and legislation, victims often lack basic knowledge of their rights and available help, which complicates the prosecution of traffickers, as victims do not denounce them. Actors EU: The EU institutions and its bodies combat trafficking through legislation and Europol, their law enforcement agency, and the Anti-trafficking coordinator. In the EU, the number of convictions for trafficking in human beings decreased by 13% between 2008 and 2010.

 

Traffickers: People and groups that commit the crime of human trafficking, which is the second biggest illicit profit for criminals. In the EU, the number of suspected traffickers fell by 17% between 2008 and 2010. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): NGOs play an important role in the efforts against human trafficking. They provide support for victims and work both preventative as well as with follow-up work, e.g. through hotlines. Some of these organisations are the Anti-Slavery International, the Abbie's Intermission and the Not For Sale Organisation. EU Member States: They still have varying legislation on human trafficking, as well as prostitution, and only 20 out of 28 States have incorporated the Directive 2011/36/EU into law on time. Victims: Their number within the EU is increasing. While human trafficking is an issue affecting men and women, 68% of the victims are female, 17% are male and the remainder are children. Current Legislation and Political Framework Article 5 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the UN Protocol of Trafficking in Persons and the Council of Europe’s European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings specifically prohibit human trafficking. In 2011, the EU introduced the Directive 2011/36/EU, which sets out minimum standards to be applied throughout the EU in preventing and combating human trafficking and protecting victims. Perspectives: Balancing Victims’ Support and Combatting Traffickers Better implementation of already existing measures might lead to traffickers being punished more severely. However, a concern is that too many resources spent on combatting criminals can lead to the victims not receiving the required support. Yet, the vicious circle cannot be broken if resources are spent solely on supporting the victims. Decreasing the number of abductions, and thus the demand for help, is imperative as well. Another aspect is the varying legislation amongst Member States. More harmonised legislation has been suggested, although the perception of the problem is too different across the EU, making greater harmonisation hard to implement. How can the EU decrease human trafficking occurring across borders without breaking the Schengen agreement, while better applying the already existing legislation to combat human trafficking in the Member States? What can the EU do to prevent European citizens being trafficked and how can Member States cooperate to achieve this goal? How can the EU help the victims of human trafficking reintegrate into society? Can cooperation between non-governmental organisations and the EU be used as a more efficient tool to help victims of trafficking?

 

Key words

Combat Human Trafficking

Strategy of the EU on Human Trafficking

Directive 2011/36/EU

Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the EU

Slavery of the modern age

Sexual exploitation

Schengen agreement

Links

Eurostat http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-is-new/news/news/2013/docs/20130415_thb_stats_report_en.pdf

Trafficking in Human Beings

http://ec.europa.eu/anti-

trafficking/download.action?nodePath=%2FPublications%2FTrafficking+in+Human+beings+-+DGHome-

Eurostat_EN.pdf&fileName=Trafficking+in+Human+beings+-+DGHome-Eurostat_EN.pdf&fileType=pdf

EU Strategy

http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/doc_centre/crime/docs/trafficking_in_human_beings_eradication-

2012_2016_en.pdf

EC

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and-human-

trafficking/trafficking-in-human-beings/index_en.htm

Infographic and statistics on human trafficking within the EU http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/multimedia/infographics/index_en.htm#0801262488c18d4a/c_ Glossary

http://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/Citizens%27+corner/Glossary/

Europol

https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/page/about-europol-17

EU webpage on anti-trafficking

http://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/index.action?breadCrumbReset=true

 

Not For Sale Organisation http://notforsalecampaign.org/ Anti-Slavery International http://www.antislavery.org/

Articles

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/oct/20/people-trafficking-europe-italy-anti-mafia

http://www.dw.de/human-trafficking-the-eus-dirty-secret/a-17412036 http://euobserver.com/justice/122953

Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) With post-Cold War borders in Europe challenged by recent events in Ukraine, how should EU Member States respond to guarantee Europe's territorial integrity and address growing concerns in the EU?

Teresa Artjoki (FI) & Sara Kalkku (FI)

Executive Summary: Crisis in Ukraine has Effects on the EU’s Security

After the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the on-going conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the EU realised that its territorial integrity is no longer self-evident. While the impact of sanctions on Russia has been unclear in the short-term, the EU needs to assess and improve its tools for achieving long-term stability, such as its Common Security and Defence Policy, cooperation with NATO and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

Problem: EU Struggles to Guarantee the Protection of its Members

The Russian annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the military conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine constitutes the first forceful alteration of European borders after the Second World War. Russia’s involvement has been repeatedly justified on the grounds of defending Russian-speaking minorities. Similarly, Russian minorities live in Estonia and Latvia, and Finland as well as many other EU Member States share a sensitive history with Russia. Russia’s annexation of Crimea set a dangerous precedent and some EU Member States fear that their own Russian minorities might be used to a similar extent. Given the obvious vulnerability of, e.g., the Baltic EU Member States, their integrity depends on collective security, i.e. an alliance. On the other hand, the EU’s institutional framework, namely the Common Security and Defence Policy, is not effective enough to guarantee that collective security since it requires all 28 Member States with diverse interests to act unanimously. Finally, today EU Member States rely on US-led NATO security since European forces alone seem insufficient.

Actors, Interests, Conflicts

Russia Acting as supporter of separatists and violating international law, Russia’s recent actions challenged its relations with the EU severely. Despite mutual economic dependence, a political partnership became difficult, as demonstrated by Moscow’s violation of EU airspace and threats against EU Member States.

EU Member States Interests vary across the EU with states such as Italy and France being very hesitant to adopt a tough stance against Russia, whereas the Baltic States and Poland are very concerned. Security and Defence policy is an

entirely national competence, i.e. the EU is not responsible, and Member States have not yet engaged in a substantial collaboration.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) As military alliance it provides security for its members, many of which are also members of the EU, including the ex-Soviet states. An armed attack against any NATO Member would be considered as an act of aggression towards all.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) The OSCE has 57 participating states from Europe, Central Asia and North America, and is seen as a neutral party. Thus, it could act as intermediary between Russia and the West in past crises.

Current legislation/policies

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) The CFSP was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon to strengthen the role of the European Union internationally. Decisions can only be adopted unanimously by the European Council and the Council of the European Union.

European Union External Action Services (EEAS) The EEAS executes the CFSP. One of the key tasks of the EEAS is to ensure that all the different activities that the EU performs abroad are consistent and effective.

Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) The CSDP is a branch of the CSFP. It aims to strengthen the EU's external ability to act through the development of civilian and military capabilities in conflict prevention and crisis management. The Lisbon Treaty, the EU’s fundamental framework, includes a mutual defence clause (Article 42 / 7), similar to NATO, requiring all Member States to assist the subject of an armed attack.

European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and Eastern Partnership Through its ENP and the Eastern Partnership, the EU works with its neighbours to increase stability near its borders. Partner countries on an action plan to enhance human rights, democracy and good governance. In return, the EU grants economic benefits and political support..

Perspectives: How to Guarantee Security Whilst Avoiding Further Escalation?

Acknowledging that the political relationship with Russia will be volatile in the future, SEDE should develop a strategy, which takes this into account and protects EU Members against impairments of their integrity. Simultaneously, economic dependence and the danger of further escalation in the relations to Russia need to be considered as well. Hence, how can the EU strike a balance between adequately responding to the violation of international law and threats against its Members, whilst not severely damaging its economy? Should one be given priority over the other? In the long-term, should the EU work on further enhancing its Common Security and Defence Policy? Between integration, i.e. common EU forces, or collaboration, i.e. maintaining national authority, of capacities, which way should the EU choose? Or should it refrain from any European defence policy? Besides, are institutional changes necessary, e.g. regarding the need for unanimous decision-making?

Definitions

Territorial integrity Territorial integrity is defined as a principle under international law that no state is allowed to interfere with the internationally accepted borders of another state.

Key words

Territorial integrity, sanctions, annexation of Crimea, Ukraine, NATO, Common Security and Defence Policy, European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)

Links

The Ukraine-Russia conflict

The European Parliament: Ukraine timeline of events

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140203STO34645/html/Ukraine-timeline-of-events

The Economist: War in Ukraine

http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21615605-now-willing-use-russian-troops-more-or-less-openly-eastern-ukraine-vladimir-putin-has

EU sanctions against Russia

http://europa.eu/newsroom/highlights/special-coverage/eu_sanctions/index_en.htm

The EU security bodies, policies and measures

The EEAS: Security and Defence

http://eeas.europa.eu/what_we_do/index_en.htm

Common Foreign and Security Policy

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/institutional_affairs/treaties/lisbon_treaty/ai0025_en.htm

The European Foreign and Security Policy: Common policy or an aggregation of national diplomacies?

http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0299-the-european-foreign-and-security-policy-common-policy-or-an-aggregation-of-national-diplomacies

Common Security and Defence Policy, European Defence Agency, Mutual Defence Clause

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/institutional_affairs/treaties/lisbon_treaty/ai0026_en.htm

European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)

http://eeas.europa.eu/en    

 

 

European Youth Parliament Finland – EYP-Finland ry Uudenmaankatu 15 A 5, 00120 Helsinki

www.eypfinland.org eyp@eypfinland.org

Helsinki 2014 – Regional Session of EYP Finland is supported by