Oulu 2014

Regional Session of EYP Finland

Preparation Kit for Delegates

 

Presidential welcome

Dear participants,

I am extremely glad to present to you in this booklet the academic preparation kit for the session. This is

something that has been prepared for you by the chairs team and will guide you in your preparation for a

weekend of discussion and debate. I encourage you not only to read the topic overview for your own topic but

also to take a look at some of the other topics at the session as well. This will be a chance for you to engage

in discussions with as many people as possible and discuss a wide range of issues in General Assembly. EYP

is very much about engagement and learning therefore I encourage you to come prepared but also to have

the courage to formulate your own opinion and express it.

EYP as a concept may at first seem confusing, but I assure you will soon get used to the structure of a

session. Where at first you may not quite know what you are walking into, I have a great team of people with

me ready to help you with this and facilitate your experience. Speaking and participating is a big part of a

forum such as this, and something we value as an organisation however learning to really listen to one

another is a skill we often neglect as secondary even though it is perhaps the most powerful way in which we

learn. Striking a balance between the two will be the challenge I present for you for the upcoming session.

I wish you all the very best for this session and I am looking forward to meeting you all.

Sincerely,

Saga Eriksson

 

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: Nina Huovinen (FI) & Charlotta Lahnalahti (FI)

The democratic deficit: in the 2009 elections of the European Parliament almost three quarters (71%) of

voters aged 18–24 abstained from voting. How should the EU address its democratic deficit and restore the

enthusiasm of its youth for the European project?

Committee on Human Rights (DROI)

Chairpersons: Saskia Kiiski (F)) & Lea Le Coq (FR)

With the number of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants steadily increasing in the EU, how should the EU

better control its external borders whilst respecting human rights?

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)

Chairperson: Lotta Moisala (FI) and Sébastien Lefèvre (BE

In the context of the economic crisis, many graduates from Southern and Eastern Europe are moving to the

more stable labour market of Northern countries. This phenomenon is leading to both a reduction of job

opportunities in the destination countries and a worsening of the educational system in the areas affected by

the so-called brain drain. What measures can the EU adopt in order to tackle this issue without hindering the

spreading of knowledge?

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

Chairpersons: Seraina Petersen (CH) & Robert Suomi (FI)

Creating a greener future: Following the failure of many EU Member States to meet the targets for

renewable energy set out in 2001 and 2003, and building upon the European Commission’s proposed 2030

climate and energy framework, how should the EU proceed to reduce its reliance upon fossil fuels?

 

Committee on Regional Development (REGI)

Chairpersons: Milan Mag (HU) & Henriikka Hakala (FI)

Building the periphery: mechanisms such as the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund have played an

important role in developing the peripheral areas of Europe, however they are also costly. Keeping in mind

that metropolitan areas are the primary motors for growth, how should the EU best support its peripheral

areas to suit the needs of their population?

Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE)

Chairperson: Rebecca Smith (FR) & Martin Ollinen (FI)

East versus West: With tensions between Russia and Western countries at its highest since the Cold War,

how should European states respond to Russia’s growing threat on post-Soviet states and what role should

the EU play in striving to uphold a diplomatic resolve to the situation?

 

AFCO – The Committee on Constitutional Affairs

The democratic deficit: in the 2009 elections of the European Parliament almost three quarters (71%) of

voters aged 18–24 abstained from voting. How should the EU address its democratic deficit and restore the

enthusiasm of its youth for the European project?

Summary

Despite 2013 being branded as the ‘The European Year of the Citizens’ the aim of which was to educate EU

citizens on their rights, the interest and voter turnout in the 2014 European Parliament elections reached an

all-time low at 42.54%. As a result of decreasing voter turnout and general interest in the Union, some argue

that the EU does not appear legitimate anymore. Struggling with the remnants of the Eurocrisis and youth

unemployment, the EU faces obstacles in harmonising the Union and creating a European spirit as

Eurosceptism and nationalism are on the rise in Member States.

Main Problem

One of the key issues concerning the European democratic deficit is that the EU is often seen as technocratic

instead of democratic at its core, highlighting the technicalities in the Union’s processes. Due to the difficult

structures of EU policy making and the European Parliament (EP) being the only directly elected body of the

EU, citizens may not see the importance of casting their vote. Despite major efforts put into information

campaigns concerning a wide variety of topics i.e. the rights of the European citizens, a vast majority of the

EU population still feel uninformed about the EU and its structures. The voter turnout varies drastically

across the Union from Slovakia's 13.05% to Malta's 74.80%, both of which joined in 2004, indicating that

there are vast differences even between countries that joined EU in the same year.

What is more, with significant youth unemployment and negative economic growth in a number of Member

States young Europeans are losing their faith in the European Union1. The decision-making processes and

possibilities to participate seem distant from their everyday life and thereby national interests are raised

                                                                                                                         1http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/06/world/europe/europeans-losing-faith-in-their-parliament.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&      

 

above the importance of the EU.

Recent years have played a big role in the rising popularity of nationalistic and populist political parties both

on the national and European level. The strengthening of national sovereignty and objecting European

integration is on the rise, resulting in a great threat to the common European spirit and re-building of the

economy after the crisis. How can the European Union affect such development and remind its citizens and

policy makers of the positive aspects of a united history i.e. a never-before-seen period of peace on the

continent?

Key Actors

• Citizens of the European Union choose whether they will cast their vote in the European Parliament

elections, define if the Union can be considered legitimate or not, vote in their national

Parliamentary elections and therefore indirectly choose the top policy makers of the EU.

• European Parliament the only directly elected body of the EU.

• The European Commission holds the right to initiate legislation; its composition is approved by the

Parliament.

• European Council consists of the heads of state of each Member State.

• European Alternatives is a civil society organisation that acts in the belief that our contemporary

issues can no longer be understood or dealt with at the national level alone, and that new forms of

transnational collectivity must be fostered to restore to citizens democratic control over their future.

• The European Youth Portal is an information and opportunity center online for young Europeans.

Current Legislation & Policies

• Treaty of Lisbon (2007) In accordance with the treaty, the Parliament received wider legislative

powers, it also introduced the Citizen’s Initiative, set a period of scrutiny of legislation proposals to

national Parliaments and announced the President of the Commission to be elected by the

Parliament.

• European Citizen’s Initiative (ECI) is a direct democratic tool for citizens to initiate legislation.

Initiative calls for the Commission to start a legislative proposal on the given matter.

 

• The EU Citizen Reports are published reports and statistics gathered by the Commission to remind

the citizens on their rights in the Union.

• Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) the treaty on the basics of the Union, which

includes the values and objectives of the Union, its competences, and restraints for its work. In the

Treaty, the youth is encouraged to participate in the democratic life of the Union.

Perspectives

• Sir Graham Watson about more democracy in Europe, a different approach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VZ3hdXpAcA

• Gerald Häfner: Towards a more democratic European Union. Should treaty changes be discussed

and decided upon in a democratic assembly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE9qYr7Iu6w

Would an increase direct democracy in the European Union help battle democratic deficit? Would increasing

the powers of the European Parliament affect the voter turnout positively or vice versa?

Key Words

Democratic legitimacy, European Citizen’s Initiative, youth activation

Definitions

• Democratic deficit: A situtation in which political structures, organisations or decision-making

processes lack democratic legitimacy, i.e. democratic accountability and control over the decision-

making process.

• European project: The common European spirit that has held the continent together.

• Eurosceptic: A person who is opposed to increasing the powers of the European Union.

• Transparency: Transparency can be defined as the disclosure of government information, and its

public use. Transparency, under this definition, requires a public that can access, understand, and

use the information it receives from the federal government2.

                                                                                                                         2http://fas.org/sgp/crs/secrecy/R42817.pdf    

 

Statistics

 

Links

Voter turnout:

http://www.results-elections2014.eu/en/turnout.html

The EU year of the citizen:

http://europa.eu/citizens-2013/en/about/context

Treaties explained briefly:

http://europa.eu/about-eu/basic-information/decision-making/treaties/index_en.htm

European Commission's website for the ECI

http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/welcome?lg=en

Open Method of Coordination (OMC)

http://ec.europa.eu/invest-in-research/coordination/coordination01_en.htm

The EU Parliament and the Treaty of Lisbon - Video on how the European Union works

http://ec.europa.eu/invest-in-research/coordination/coordination01_en.htm

Guardian article on European Parliament’s Democratic Deficit

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jun/10/how-to-reduce-eu-democratic-deficit

Open Democracy’s article on European Parliament’s Democratic Deficit

https://www.opendemocracy.net/sean-deel/european-citizens-initiative-tool-of-its-time

 

DROI - Committee on Human Rights

With the number of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants steadily increasing in the EU, how should the EU

better control its external borders whilst respecting human rights?

Summary

Over the past few years, the number of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants entering EU Member States

has sharply increased. This phenomenon is mainly due to conflicts in different parts of the world, such as the

civil war in Syria, which has brought thousands upon thousands of refugees to Europe. Escaping the

disastrous conflicts their nations are facing, some individuals use dangerous and illegal means to reach

Europe in order to claim asylum. Amnesty International has declared that many of the methods that

refugees and illegal immigrants are forced to use, are unsafe and in violation of basic human rights.

Currently, Member States cannot guarantee the same conditions for all refugees, asylum seekers or

immigrants. Some countries such as Greece, one of the major entry points for migrants, ask for more

burden-sharing in the EU in order to counter the rule of the Dublin II & III Regulations which are the basis of

current refugee legislation in the EU.

Main Problem

The increase in border control has led to immigrants pursuing more dangerous routes to Europe. According

to Amnesty International around 23,000 illegal migrants have lost their lives trying to reach Europe since the

year 2000. In 2013 in one incident alone, 360 illegal immigrants died as a boat sank by the island of

Lampedusa in Italy.

Countries that were hit the hardest by the economic crisis - Greece, Italy, Cyprus, and Spain – are the ones

struggling the most with immigration as they are located on the immigration front-line in the South of

Europe. In accordance with the Dublin Regulation, the immigrants must remain in the country they first

enter, placing responsibility primarily on the countries in Southern Europe.

 

Despite The Common European Asylum System, human rights violations still occur. In the hopes of finding a

better life in Europe, immigrants often face exploitation and are at risk of being victims of human-trafficking.

Alongside poor conditions in accommodation and lack of access to social support, racism and xenophobia

towards immigrants has been on the rise.

Key Actors

• Frontex is the European Union agency for external border security. It is responsible for coordinating

the activities of the national border guards in ensuring the security of EU borders with non-Member

States.

• The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and impartial institution within the

Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, mandated to promote the awareness and respect for human

rights in Member States. The Commissioner co-operates with a broad range of partners, including

the EU, the United Nations and its specialised offices, as well as leading human rights NGOs,

universities and think-tanks.

• Migration Policy Institute Europe (MPI) is an independent research institute that wishes to provide

EU citizens with better understanding on migration and effective policy making. It has been working

since 2001 but has not reached its necessary audience.

• The European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) is and independent legal

organisation that wishes to enforce human rights by new means of litigation3.

• Immigration Policy 2.0 (IMP2.0) provides a platform for “the latest developments (legislation

initiatives, migration procedures, etc.) on the national and European level”4 and raises awareness

on aforementioned initiatives to increase participatory citizenship5 and their information on

migration procedures.

Current Legislation and Policies

• The Dublin Regulation II was adopted in 2003 and states that only one Member State is responsible

for processing an asylum application. The objective is to avoid asylum seekers being sent from one

country to another.

                                                                                                                         3 ECCHR http://www.ecchr.de/home_en.html 4 IMP2.0 http://www.immigrationpolicy2.eu/aboutus 5 http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/participatory+democracy    

 

• The Common European Asylum System was approved by the European Parliament in 2013. The aim

is for asylum seekers to receive humane and fair treatment in Europe. However EU laws concerning

the Asylum System are implemented and interpreted differently in the Member States leading to

violations.

Perspectives

Unchanged, this situation has the potential of further damaging the conditions faced by asylum seekers in

countries most affected by the issue. As the numbers of asylum seekers grow, facilitating them is becoming

a heavier burden for the Member States acting as main access for immigrants. How should EU better

support these struggling countries in order for them to offer better conditions for their asylum seekers?

Should the EU adopt further laws or policies to evenly divide the responsibility of dealing with asylum

seekers?

Key words

Asylum seeker, illegal immigrant, Frontex, The Dublin Regulation, immigrant reception center, refugee,

conflict

Definitions

• Asylum seeker: Is a person who has crossed international borders to seek protection through

asylum, but is not yet recognized as a refugee.

• Illegal immigrant: Is a person who has entered a country unlawfully without authorization.

Statistics

Origin of asylum applicants 2013

 

origin of asylum applicants number of asylum applicants

Syria 56 000

Russia 40 000

Afganistan 38 000

Iraq 37 000

Serbia and Kosovo 35 000

Pakistan 26 000

Iran 24 000

Somalia 23 000

Eritrea 22 000

China 20 000

All together 596 573

 

Links

The official Frontex website

http://frontex.europa.eu/about-frontex/origin

Information on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration -

http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/handbook-law-asylum-migration-borders_en.pdf

An article on Europe’s Migration Crisis

http://www.cfr.org/migration/europes-migration-crisis/p32874

Graphics: Europe’s Asylum Seekers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24636868

UN Refugee Agency in Europe

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4a02d9346.html

Free movement of persons, asylum and immigration in the EU

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/free_movement_of_persons_asylum_im

migration/

Next steps in border management in the EU

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/free_movement_of_persons_asylum_im

migration/l14580_en.htm

BBC Article on Switzerland’s wishes to limit immigration

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22285886

 

Mapping Europe’s War on Immigration

http://mondediplo.com/blogs/mapping-europe-s-war-on-immigration

Wall Street Journal on illegal immigration

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444506004577617383132000476

EU Observer 'EU voters have not warmed to immigration'

http://euobserver.com/political/121838

 

EMPL – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

In the context of the economic crisis, many graduates from Southern and Eastern Europe are moving

to the more stable labour market of Northern countries. This phenomenon is leading to both a

reduction of job opportunities in the destination countries and a worsening of the educational system

in the areas affected by the so-called brain drain. What measures can the EU adopt in order to tackle

this issue without hindering the spreading of knowledge?

Summary

The effects of the EU economic crisis can clearly be seen in the employment trends of today. Although

labour mobility itself is usually positive, it now has the opposite effect on the labour market as having

mainly one goal and one direction: looking for a better life, from East and South to the North and

West. Brain drain does not only attack certain Member States with economic and academic problems

but it also affects the whole EU by weakening its cohesion.

Main Problem

Labour mobility is one of the EU’s fundamental founding principles and a key factor in the efficiency of

the Eurozone. A little over 7 million EU citizens worked and lived in a EU country other than their own

in 2013. Due to the economic crisis young graduates from Southern and Eastern Europe are moving to

the North and West to look for a better salary and better living standards. This leads to two major

problems.

The first is that the countries of origin lose expertise especially in the medical, scientific, financial and

engineering sector. It also worsens high-quality education and research. The second is that the effects

on the economy are major. The state loses the money it has invested for educating these emigrants.

On the other hand, if the country of origin has a high unemployment rate, it is better economically and

socially if employees work in another country than stay unemployed. It is also possible that the

emigrants will return to their home countries with expertise from their experience abroad, which

would then be a brain exchange.

 

With countries that already have a poorer economy constantly losing their capacities to wealthier

countries widens the gap between these two types. This does not support cohesion or integration in

the EU but rather creates conflicts and needs more money to be solved.

Key Actors

• European Commission (EC) The executive body of the EU responsible for proposing legislation

and implementing decisions. For example, the ELI discussed here later was a project which

was further developed with the help of the EC.

• National Governments If national governments invest in research and development, the

demand for the highly educated will grow. National governments can also encourage

entrepreneurship, which can also lead to a growing labour market.

• Multinational Corporations If Southern and Eastern countries were made attractive by their

governments, multinational corporations might invest in those countries, leading to new job

opportunities.

• Destination Countries These countries are mostly situated in the North or West of the EU and

have high living standards and high wages. The destination countries will benefit from this

migration, because the amount of highly educated workforce will increase in their country.

However, this may also lead to a rise in unemployment.

Current Legislation & Policies

• Cohesion Policy promises to tackle the brain drain through its funding. The policy is formed

by two funds, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund

(ESF). Of these two, the latter focuses more on investing in people, which also means

investing in employment, mobility and better education.

• Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) A current project funded by the European Regional

Development Fund (ERDF) under the programme “Economic Development”. A new research

hub was opened in Hungary after opening earlier ones in the Czech Republic and Romania.

The hub, which will attract hundreds of scientists to develop pioneer technology, is seen as a

major boost for Europe’s research capacity and for creating new job opportunities.

• The Newfelpro –programme A programme in Croatia that is trying to tackle the brain drain

and turn it into ”brain circulation” in the country.

 

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Fellowships (MSCA) The MSCA project awards 6.16 billion

euros until 2020 to support research training and career development that are especially

focused on innovation skills.

Perspectives

By developing and benefitting from the already existing measures, for example the ELI and MCAF, the

brain drain might change into a brain exchange. This may further encourage the cohesion between

different Member States. This might also lead to some immigration from the North and West to the

South and East. What if the EU didn’t take any measures at all? Would the EU suffer large

consequences? Why are those migrants moving? Is this move permanent or temporary? What are all

the benefits of this brain gain for the destination countries? And what are the disadvantages? How big

is the influence of those countries in the brain drain, do they only play a passive role or are they

actively involved?

Keywords

Brain Drain, Labour Mobility, Cohesion Policy, European Social Fund (ESF),

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Definitions

Brain Drain: The loss suffered by a country as a result of the emigration of a (highly) qualified person.

 

Statistics

 

Links

Articles, blog posts

http://www.euractiv.com/innovation-enterprise/brain-drain-new-challenge-eurozo-analysis-531938

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2013/11/08/all-o-eastern-europe-has-a-brain-drain/

Official sources

ELI

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-538_en.htm

Marie Curie Fellowship

http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/media-library/videos/items/brain-drain_en.htm

Labour mobility

http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/romanian-researchers-stay-home-take-part-eu-

programmes

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-541_en.htm

Cohesion Policy

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information/cohesion-policy-achievement-and-future-

investment/factsheet/en.pdf

Cohesion Policy Figure

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/thefunds/funding/data/graphics/cohesionpolicy20142020_full_hig

hres.png

 

ITRE – Committee on Industry and Research

Creating a greener future: Following the failure of many EU Member States to meet the targets for

renewable energy set out in 2001 and 2003, and building upon the European Commission’s proposed 2030

climate and energy framework, how should the EU proceed to reduce its reliance upon fossil fuels?

Executive Summary

Renewable energy sources play, and will continue to play, an increasingly vital role in European energy

production. Non-renewable sources (i.e., fossil fuels) will deplete at some point in the future, with some

researchers predicting 2050 and others 2100. With increased energy demands in Europe, and 89% of

Europe’s energy produced by non-renewable energy sources, states must transition into more sustainable

energy infrastructures.

Main Problem

There are several reasons why renewable energy sources are of high priority for European states. The three

main issues are security, emissions, and renewability. The first important aspect is energy security. At the

moment, Europe has a rather diversified energy supply, but still weighted towards non-renewable sources.

Over half of Europe’s energy is imported, mostly from Russia, with which it now has geopolitical tensions.

Diversification is a key concept for security in terms of both imports of energy and domestic production of

energy. The second important aspect is emissions related to energy production, which are an important

contributor to global warming. Climate change is expected to have severe impacts on the world’s

ecosystems, affecting for example agriculture. The third important aspect is renewability of energy sources.

The three main sources of renewable energy are solar, wind and hydro, which not used on a large scale yet.

Bio and wood-based power plants provide limited renewable energy sources as well however, they produce

emissions. Another problem is that infrastructure takes a long time to build, and so treaties should take

existing infrastructure into consideration to be more realistic.

 

Key Actors

• The EU its energy goal is to enforce and encourage transitions into renewable energy sources. There

are currently extremely different energy infrastructures within Europe. It is in the interests of all

European countries to develop the renewable energy infrastructures.

• Russia is one of the primary energy trading partners with Europe, responsible for 34% of European

energy imports. Russia is interested in maintaining this position of influence. With high tensions

arising from the crisis in Ukraine, and with further sanctions being imposed, Russia has threatened

to use the energy sector as a bargaining chip, although this is unlikely because both the EU and

Russia benefit from this trade.

• China The IMF recently announced that the purchasing power of China has surpassed the USA, thus

becoming the world’s most powerful economy. China has a large role in producing cheap solar

energy panels, yet the protectionist nature of European industries has limited the quota allowed for

entry into EU Member States.

Current Legislation & Policies

• 2020 package The 2020 climate and energy package’s key aim is to cut greenhouse gas emissions

by 20% (compared to 1990 levels), to increase the share of energy consumption produced from

renewable resources to 20%, as well as an improvement of energy efficiency of 20%, all by 2020.

• The Directive 2009/28/EC (on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources) this

Directive establishes a common framework for the production and promotion of energy from

renewable sources.

• 2030 framework In January 2014, the European Commission presented this framework for climate

and energy policies. Its key proposals include cutting emissions by 40% and increasing the share of

renewable energy to 27%. A final decision on this framework is to be expected in October 2014, so it

is important to stay tuned on updates about this framework.

• 2050 roadmap This roadmap draws up ambitious targets for emission cutting by 2050 (-80% of 1990

levels). The Commission proposed to reach these targets through a number of measures, including

increasing the share of Renewable Energy Production, thus moving away from fossil fuels.

 

Perspectives

Alternatives to fossil fuels are often reduced to “classic” renewable energy (Wind, Hydro, Solar); however,

biomass, nuclear, and geothermal energy are also important sources of energy. The question of nuclear

energy is still causing much controversy. A clear asset of nuclear power is the environmentally neutral

production of energy, but opponents also highlight the environmental damage stemming from mining and

transporting uranium (key element for nuclear energy) as well as the still unresolved question of how to

dispose of nuclear waste. Despite worries about the safety of nuclear power plants, this source of energy is

currently on the rise. Seeing the amount of fossil fuels being used for today’s energy production, nuclear

energy could be a way to reduce dependency on imported sources of energy. Additionally, nuclear energy is

often characterised as one of the most reliable sources of energy. A key issue about renewable energy is its

poor reliability, being to a large extent dependent on natural or environmental circumstances that cannot be

influenced by mankind. Renewable energy plants are also very costly, and thus not a viable option especially

for countries that are less economically developed. Conservationists also emphasise the impact of some

renewable energy sources (mainly hydroelectricity plants and wind farms) on landscape and the ecosystem.

Furthermore, the capacity of renewable energy is rather low, especially compared to nuclear power.

Key Words

Fossil fuels, alternative energy, greenhouse gases, global warming, energy efficiency, energy diversity,

energy sustainability, National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP)

Definitions

● Alternative energy: Energy fuelled in ways that do not use up the earth's natural resources,

especially by avoiding the use of fossil fuels

● Renewable Energy (and Renewable Energy Sources (RES)): energy from a source that is not

depleted when used, but instead regenerated over a (short) time. Examples are solar-, wind-, and

hydropower.

● Fossil fuels: a natural fuel, formed in the geological past (over thousands of years) from the remains

of living organisms. Fossil fuels account for the by far largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide.

● Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): Gases that largely contribute to the greenhouse effect because they

absorb and emit longwave radiation (global warming). Examples: Carbon Dioxide, Methane.

 

Statistics

• Europe’s energy supplies are divided in the current way based on 2012 figures: petroleum (34%), gas

(23%), solid fuels (17%), nuclear (14%), renewables (11%), and wastes (1%). As a result, we are

highly dependent of non-renewable energy sources, which total up to 89%.

• It is estimated that if we continue at the current pace, sea levels will rise by up to 2 meters by 2100.

(Arthus-Bertrand 2013)

• Finland already produces 46% of its energy needs through renewable energy sources.

• The UK, France and Germany generate around 12-13% of its energy needs through renewable

sources.

 

Links

2020 Climate and Energy Package (summary by the European Commission)

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/package/index_en.htm

Energy  supplies  

petroleum  34%   gas  23%   solid  fuels  17%   nuclear  14%   renewables  11%   wastes  1%  

 

EU tracking roadmap

http://www.keepontrack.eu/contents/publicationseutrackingroadmap/kot_eutrackingroadmap2014.pdf

European Commission: Renewable Energy. (Here, you can find 2020 targets, action plans and forecasts and

specific chapters on sectors related to Renewable Energy)

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/index_en.htm

2030 framework for climate and energy policies (European Commission)

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/2030/index_en.htm

2050 roadmap for moving to a low-carbon economy in 2050 (European Commission)

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/roadmap/index_en.htm

Report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (UK): “Europe’s Power: re-energising a progressive

climate and energy agenda”, pp. 11-17

http://www.ippr.org/assets/media/publications/pdf/europes-power_Sep2014.pdf

Article on renewable propane (Scientific American / Reuters)

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bacteria-used-to-create-fossil-fuel-alternative/

On National Renewable Energy Action Plans (European Commission)

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/action_plan_en.htm

Key world energy statistics: (International Energy Association 2014)

 

http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf

http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf

Key EU energy statistics: (European Commission 2014)

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/publications/doc/2014_pocketbook.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/publications/doc/2014_pocketbook.pdf

Energy source prices (Euro/MWh): (Finnish Gov. Statistics 2014)

http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/til/ehi/2014/02/ehi_2014_02_2014-09-18_tie_001_en.html

http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/til/ehi/2014/02/ehi_2014_02_2014-09-18_tie_001_en.html

Statistics on Finnish energy production: (Finnish Gov. Statistics 2014)

http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/til/salatuo/2012/salatuo_2012_2013-11-05_tie_001_fi.html

http://www.tilastokeskus.fi/til/salatuo/2012/salatuo_2012_2013-11-05_tie_001_fi.html

When will non-renewable sources be depleted? (Shafiee & Topal 2009)

http://econpapers.repec.org/article/eeeenepol/v_3a37_3ay_3a2009_3ai_3a1_3ap_3a181-189.htm

http://econpapers.repec.org/article/eeeenepol/v_3a37_3ay_3a2009_3ai_3a1_3ap_3a181-189.htm

Directive 2001/77/EC: (European Parliament Legislation 2001)

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/energy/renewable_energy/l27035_en.htm

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/energy/renewable_energy/l27035_en.htm

Dependence on foreign energy: (European Commission 2014)

http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Energy_production_and_imports

 

REGI – Committee on Regional Development

Building the periphery: mechanisms such as the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund have played an

important role in developing the peripheral areas of Europe, however they are also costly. Keeping in mind

that metropolitan areas are the primary motors for growth, how should the EU best support its peripheral

areas to suit the needs of their population?

Summary

For the less developed regions to keep up with regional competition, funding to boost their regional

competitiveness, research and development, education and infrastructure is highly necessary. This is why it

is time for the EU to assist the periphery in order to meet the population’s needs. The Cohesion Policy (CP)

2014-2020 is a program aiming to decrease the gap between different regions. The budget of the program is

€351,8 billion, which is over a third of the total EU budget. However, it is important to be aware of the role

metropolitan areas play in terms of economic growth and therefore, it is essential that the funding

mechanisms nor other methods of support hinder the economic growth of these metropolitan areas.

Main Problem

The increasing demand of funding for different sectors and regions within the EU has highlighted the need of

re-evaluating the structure of the EU budget. The CP being one of the most costly sectors of the budget, it is

no wonder there have been opinions raised against the fact that the EU is heavily investing in its peripheral

areas. What is more, the CP, according to research6, has been proven to be ineffective in some areas

benefitting from the funding. The main problem is poor governance of the assets, which slows down and

complicates the implementation of the CP, while hindering the economic growth and entrepreneurship

simultaneously.

Another challenge the EU is facing when looking for an optimal solution for supporting peripheral areas is

regional economic disparities. Furthermore, the so-called blind spots of the CP are currently industrial

                                                                                                                         6https://www.mir.gov.pl/aktualnosci/polityka_rozwoju/Documents/Background_report_Cohesion_Policy_and_EU_2020.pdf

 

policy, tax evasion, privatisation and alternative energy forms which need to be covered in the future when

implementing CP.

Key Actors

• The European Commission (EC) is responsible for preparing the EU budget. Thus it has a remarkable

influence on the allocation of funds. The Commission also negotiates with the national authorities on the

final content of the Partnership Agreement, as well as each programme. The programmes present for

example the priorities of regions or the cooperation area concerned.

• Member States The CP principles and priorities are distilled through a process of consultation between the

EC and the Member States. Each EU country produces a draft Partnership Agreement including the

country's strategy and a list of programmes.

• The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is the largest organisation of local and regional

governments in Europe. Its members are 55 national associations of towns, municipalities and regions from

41 countries that are part of the Council of Europe. With the help of local leaders, there might be a better

insight in local politics from EU legislators’ point of view.

Current Legislation & Policies

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is a fund that is focused on creating sustainable jobs,

fostering economic growth modernizing and diversifying economic structures in the regions of the European

Union. The fund is allocated by the European Union as part of its budget.

• The Cohesion Fund is intended for Member States whose per capita GDP is below 90% of the Community

average – that means it covers the 12 new Member States since 1 May 2004 plus Greece and Portugal. Spain

is eligible for grants from this fund for a transitional period.

• European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up to respond to major natural disasters and express

European solidarity to disaster-stricken regions within Europe. The Fund was created as a reaction to the

severe floods in Central Europe in the summer of 2002.

• European Investment Bank (EIB) is part of the EU’s regional policy in fostering the cohesion and

convergence of European regions by lending money for regional development.

 

Perspectives

The debate on regional development is stuck due to a costly and seemingly inefficient framework. This topic

allows you to think outside of the box and look for answers in many different places. The changing of the EU

budget allocation is one way of thinking about this problem, but it raises lots of other questions. Where

would you allocate money from? Another approach is making these funds more efficient, but how? Would

you change its aims and objectives, and so the projects it funds? Would you change its structure? How would

you like to be able to allocate the funds more efficiently? Would you use local decisionmakers’ opinions or

would you plan centrally? How would you make sure innovation is funded and achieved by the projects?

Key words and Definitions

• Periphery The outmost area of a region, and sometimes the most underdeveloped area.

• Cohesion: The process of forming a united whole. It can be said to enable less developed areas to catch up

with the most developed ones in order to reach a level of equality that avoids the economic or social

fragmentation of the EU.

• Convergence: Convergence means bringing to a similar level of development two or more different (in this

case regions).

• Research and development: work directed towards the innovation, introduction, and improvement of

products and processes.

• Metropolitan area: The most highly populated and usually most economically active and developed

regions. Since these areas are the main sources of economic growth, it is important not to harm them as

part of the regional cohesion process.

Links

European Commission Regional Policy Information

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.cfm

EU Cohesion Policy 2014-2020

http://www.euractiv.com/regional-policy/eu-cohesion-policy-2014-2020-linksdossier-501653

 

Summary of EU legislation on Regional Policy

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/regional_policy/index_en.htm

 

SEDE - Committee on Security and Defence

East versus West: With tensions between Russia and Western countries at its highest since the Cold War,

how should European states respond to Russia’s growing threat on post-Soviet states and what role should

the EU play in striving to uphold a diplomatic resolve to the situation?

Summary

Although the EU signed Partnership and Cooperation Agreements with post-Soviet states, including Russia,

at the end of the 1990s, and has taken steps to increase cooperation with all countries in the region, tensions

between Russia and Western countries are high. This is mostly due to the crisis in Ukraine, in which Western

countries accuse Russia of violating Ukrainian law and territory. There is a power struggle between

restrictive measures taken by the EU, and Russia refusing to retreat from their position in Ukraine. The EU

still strives for a diplomatic solution, although there has been little cooperation from Russia so far.

Main Problem

The tensions between Russia and Western countries are mostly due to the current crisis in Ukraine. The

crisis started in 2013, at the summit in Vilnius, in which the EU met with the heads of state of many post-

Soviet states, to develop the Eastern Partnership. Russia put pressure on post-Soviet states to refuse

cooperation with the EU and rather join its Eurasian Union.

Although there was a lot of popular support for closer cooperation with the EU, Ukraine did not sign the

Association Agreement, which would have led to closer political association and economic integration with

the EU. This sparked popular outrage, culminating in the ousting of President Yanukovych in February 2014.

With political instability in Ukraine, Russian forces began moving into Ukraine, although this is denied by

Russia. A referendum was held in which Crimea voted to join Russia, however it was deemed illegal by

Ukraine and the EU. Since this annexation, there have been further armed conflicts and instabilities in the

Eastern parts of Ukraine, which are populated in majority by ethnic Russians.

This conflict has seriously affected EU-Russia relations, from working towards increased cooperation to a

halt of those agreements, and sanctions. The EU, and the West in general, consider Russian action in

 

Ukraine to be a violation of Ukrainian national sovereignty, and may fear similar actions from Russia towards

other post-Soviet countries.

A further problem in this conflict is that Russia and the EU are big trading partners, in particular in the field

of energy. The EU is relatively dependent on Russian gas, which may affect its actions.

Key Actors

• The EU: the EU has many agreements with Russia and other post-Soviet states. It strives to develop

economic and political cooperation. It also aims for a diplomatic solution to the current conflict in

Ukraine.

• Russia: Russia seeks closer cooperation with post-Soviet states, and does not welcome closer

relations between the EU and post-Soviet states. It is currently militarily involved in Eastern

Ukraine.

• Ukraine: having recently toppled its president, Ukraine is in a fragile political situation. It receives

support from the West, and is currently fighting pro-Russian separatist forces in the East of the

country.

• NATO: Ukraine is not a member of NATO, which has thus far limited NATO’s involvement. However

some think that it should take action and show support to Ukraine.

Current Legislation & Policies

Currently, the main policy that governs the relationship between the EU and Russia is the Partnership and

Cooperation Agreement (PCA). It serves as a framework for political dialogue, and provides a basis for

cooperation in many fields, such as legislative, economic and social. Within the PCA, the EU and Russia

agreed in May 2003 to reinforce their cooperation by creating four “common spaces”, on the basis of

common values and shared interests.

The EU has concluded PCAs with many other post-soviet states as well, which in 2004 was complemented by

the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), of which Russia is not a part. The ENP aims at strengthening the

prosperity, stability and security of all. Since the military interventions of Russia in Ukraine, the EU has also

imposed economic sanctions on Russia, as well as taken diplomatic and restrictive measures.

 

Perspectives

From the perspective of the EU, Russia is violating Ukraine’s sovereignty, and acting as an invader. Further,

it supported the Ukrainian revolution, as it ousted a corrupt president who had very close ties to Russia, and

was showing decreasing cooperation with the West. It is in the EU’s advantage to have strong ties to post-

Soviet countries, rather than those countries joining partnerships with Russia.

Some consider that Russia is mourning its Soviet-era empire, and may want to re-conquer territories

previously under its power. However, it can be argued from the Russian perspective that they are simply

coming to the aid of ethnic Russians, in a time of political uncertainty in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s perspective is probably in favour of EU support, as its laws and territory have been violated by

Russia. However, in its weak position, it is highly reliant on external help.

Key Words

Diplomatic measures, sanctions, Ukrainian conflict, Eurasian Union, Association Agreements

Definitions

• Association Agreements: Is a treaty between the EU and a non-EU country to create a framework

for cooperation.

• Eastern Partnership: A joint initiative between the EU, EU countries and eastern European partner

countries, it enables partner countries interested in moving towards the EU and increasing political,

economic and cultural links to do so.

• Eurasian Union: Also know as the Eurasian Economic Union, is a political and economic Union

between Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, established by a treaty signed in 2014. It will go into effect

on 1 January 2015.

Statistics

Economic relations:

 

source: European Commission

More than 2200: number of deaths due to the Ukraine Conflict, according to the UN (end of August)

Links

Partnership and Cooperation Agreements:

http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/external_relations/relations_with_third_countries/eastern_europe

_and_central_asia/r17002_en.htm

EU-Russia Common Spaces:

http://eeas.europa.eu/russia/common_spaces/index_en.htm

European Neighbourhood Policy:

http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/about-us/index_en.htm

 

EU sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis:

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

Russia-Ukraine gas dispute of 2009:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7240462.stm

Article analysing the potential consequences of the Vilnius Summit:

http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21590585-success-eastern-partnership-depends-ukraine-playing-

east-against-west

Factsheet on the Vilnius Summit:

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-1057_en.htm

Joint Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/139765.pdf

Ukraine’s revolution and Russia’s occupation of Crimea: how we got here:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/05/ukraine-russia-explainer

The EU’s relations with Russia:

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

Profile of Crimea:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18287223  

 

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

www.eypfinland.org eyp@eypfinland.org

Oulu 2014 – Regional Session of EYP Finland is supported by

Ofisan Oy