the committee of the regions and the danish presidency of the

The Committee of the Regions

and the Danish Presidency

of the Council of the European Union

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

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Editorial by the President of the Committee of the Regions 3

Editorial by the Danish Minister for European Aff airs 4

Why a Committee of the Regions? 6

Building bridges between the local, the regional and

the global - Danish Members at work 9

Danish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions 12

The decentralised Danish authority model 17

EU policy is also domestic policy

- Chairmen of Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions 20

EU-funded projects in Denmark 22

The 5th European Summit of Regions and Cities 26

Calendar of events 28

Contacts 30

EUROPEAN UNION


Meeting the challenges together

We have already had a taste of Danish culture via NOMA, recognised as the best restaurant

in the world for two years running by the UK’s Restaurants magazine for putting Nordic

cuisine back on the map. Though merely whetting our appetites, this taster has confi rmed

Denmark’s infl uential contribution to our continent’s cultural wealth. Happily, Denmark’s

contribution to the European Union is far more extensive and will, undoubtedly, be in the

spotlight throughout the fi rst half of 2012! A modern state, where European and international

sea routes converge, Denmark has frequently drawn on its talents and fl ourishing economy

to make its own, distinctive mark. It is in tune with the priorities for 2020: competitiveness,

social inclusion and the need for ecologically sustainable change. The Danish economy has

also followed a successful recipe, combining the fl exibility needed to adapt to globalisation,

in particular through its exports, with the preservation of a model based on social cohesion.

If international surveys are to be believed, this has made it the happiest country in the world.

And now the Danish people have a woman as their leader, a woman who has already set her

policy programme within a European framework. Given the challenges the European Union

will be facing in the fi rst six months of 2012, I very much welcome this change, which augurs

well for our ability to tackle the deep crisis in the EU.

For Denmark’s energy will be crucial to Europe. Although negotiations on the next

multiannual fi nancial framework will be diffi cult and are not due to be completed under

the Danish Presidency, Denmark will nonetheless have a key role to play in upholding

the aspiration of ensuring that Europe brings added value and safeguarding the budgets

and policies that strengthen our model of society, in particular Cohesion Policy and the

Common Agricultural Policy. It will also contribute its own vision of our shared future. I am

impatient to see what the Presidency’s priorities will be with regard to the environment,

research and innovation and the EU 2020 Strategy. In other areas too, such as territorial

cooperation, particularly following the success of the Baltic macro-region, the greening of

the CAP, the sustainability of fi sheries and renewable energies, Europe’s regions and cities are

expecting Denmark to propose innovative solutions.

As it happens, the Committee has decided to organise its March 2012 summit on the

theme of the 21st century urban fabric in Copenhagen. This city with an exemplary record of

planned, sustainable urban development will be the setting for our discussions, illustrating

that Europe can do better and more to take account of the urban dimension in regional

development, benefi ting everyone by creating beautiful, prosperous, sustainable, inclusive

cities.

Whenever Denmark defends European integration, the added value of the EU and the

aspiration to shape a European community which respects regional and local diversity, the

Committee of the Regions will be here to support it and to make proposals. We have no

doubt that our cooperation will be more than strong enough to meet the challenges ahead!

Mercedes Bresso

President of the Committee of the Regions

01 Editorial by the President of the Committee of the Regions

Mercedes BressoPresident of the Committee of the

Regions

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions 4

Taking Europe forward

As Minister for European Aff airs, I have been looking forward to the Danish Presidency

of the Council of the European Union with great enthusiasm. The Presidency is a central

priority for the entire Danish Government and we will strive to conduct an open, accessible

and professional Presidency dedicated to achieving results within the bounds of our

responsibility.

It will be six intense months for the Danish Presidency. One of its overarching tasks will be

to unify and strengthen the EU through concrete achievements that take Europe forward

and demonstrate the value and necessity of European cooperation for the individual. At the

same time, we are facing fundamental fi nancial and economic challenges that may have a

severe impact on our economic possibilities in the future if we do not show a readiness to

act on the consequences of the debt level in Europe’s economies. We need to fi nd European

solutions to our common European challenges, but it is also important that we live up to

our individual responsibilities. Responding to the fi nancial and economic challenges at

hand is a collective responsibility of all Member States and institutions. The prospects for

generations of Europeans - especially for young Europeans who are experiencing high levels

of unemployment - are at stake. It will be crucial for us to implement and comply with new

rules on economic governance and fi nancial regulation.

It is vital to create and promote new growth and employment initiatives in Europe if we

are to emerge from the crisis. One of the EU’s greatest successes is the Single Market. We

will create a more dynamic European economy by further developing its large untapped

potential by working for the adoption of the Single Market Act’s 12 key priorities as defi ned

by the European Commission. One of the many goals will be to bring the Single Market

into the digital age by facilitating online shopping across national borders. We will strive

to open up new export opportunities for European companies through both WTO and

bilateral trade agreements. And fi nally, we should also encourage innovative companies by

creating an environment that promotes green growth initiatives and sustainability through

the Single Market.

Whilst we are endeavouring to contain the repercussions of the fi nancial and economic

crisis, it is absolutely essential that we also look towards shaping a better future. In this

respect, Denmark will use the Presidency as an opportunity for Europe to identify a path for

future long-term growth. The negotiations on the EU multiannual fi nancial framework will

determine how the EU allocates its funds up to 2020.We believe that these funds should be

used to improve our joint competitiveness globally and promote options for future growth

in Europe. It is unrealistic to expect that we will be able to fi nalise the negotiations during our

Presidency, but we will do our best to prepare the ground for an agreement to be concluded

by the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, in the second half of 2012.

Green growth is a key focus area for the government. Our goal is to create growth without

increasing our resource and energy consumption, which is certainly possible. In recent years,

we have developed an ambitious energy and climate policy in the EU, which shows that the

EU is taking the lead globally. But we must work hard and agree on new initiatives if we are

to maintain our comparative advantage. A key objective will be to agree on methods and

measures for improving resource and energy effi ciency in Europe. The Presidency will work

towards a focused seventh Environment Action Programme and an ambitious European

energy policy up to 2050, with improved effi ciency and increased use of renewable energy.

Nicolai WammenMinister for European Aff airs

02 Editorial by the Danish Minister for European Aff airs

5


and the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

We will also do our best to include energy, climate and environmental concerns in a number

of EU policies such as agriculture, fi sheries, transport and the Single Market. The EU budget

for 2014-2020 ought to support these endeavours, and we will therefore attempt to put this

high on Europe’s agenda during our Presidency.

As Minister for European Aff airs, I am also the Danish Minister responsible for the EU’s

Regional and Cohesion Policy. Cohesion policy plays an important role in creating growth

and employment in Europe and Denmark will prioritise this area by seeking to achieve

as much progress as possible in the negotiations on cohesion regulations during our

Presidency. In this respect, I am very much looking forward to the Committee of the Regions’

contribution to assisting the Danish Presidency by providing the necessary insight and

expertise for which the Committee has earned a reputation.

A heavy workload and a busy agenda await the Danish Presidency. But we will contribute

as much as we can, within the bounds of our responsibilities, to overcoming the current

diffi culties and taking Europe forward.

Nicolai Wammen

Minister for European Aff airs

The Kingdom of Denmark

EUROPEAN UNION


The three main decision-making institutions in the EU are the European Parliament, which

represents the EU’s citizens and is directly elected by them, the Council of the European

Union, which represents the individual Member States, and the European Commission,

which upholds the interests of the Union as a whole.

However, local and regional authorities are responsible for implementing the vast majority

of the decisions taken at European level - around two-thirds of EU legislation is put into

practice at sub-national level.

That is why the Committee of the Regions (CoR) was set up in 1994, to give local and regional

authorities the opportunity to express a view on the substance of EU legislative proposals at

the drafting stage in order to adapt them more closely to citizens’ needs.

The European treaties stipulate that the Committee of the Regions must be consulted

whenever proposals are made in areas likely to have repercussions at local or regional level.

In practice, this means that the Committee of the Regions is consulted on most European

legislation.

The Maastricht Treaty (1992) laid down fi ve areas for mandatory consultation: economic

and social cohesion, trans-European networks, health, education and culture. The Treaty

of Amsterdam (1997) added a further fi ve areas: employment policy, social policy, the

environment, vocational training and transport. Following the entry into force of the Lisbon

Treaty, the CoR has acquired new powers, both in the area of territorial cohesion and in terms

of monitoring the subsidiarity principle. The CoR now has a greater consultative role to play,

and also new leverage for implementing multilevel governance. The European Parliament,

the Commission and the Council must now consult the Committee of the Regions when

making laws in any area with a regional impact. And the Committee’s opinions now cover

several new policy areas, including energy and climate change. However, all three institutions

may also consult the CoR outside these areas if they see local or regional implications in their

work. The Committee of the Regions can also put its priorities onto the European Union’s

agenda by issuing own-initiative opinions and drafting reports on subjects of interest to it.

But the CoR’s involvement does not stop once it has issued its opinion on a Commission

proposal. The CoR also has the right to question the Commission, Parliament and Council if

Brussels headquarters of the

Committee of the Regions(the Jacques Delors building)

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03 Why a Committee of the Regions?

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they fail to take on board its viewpoint. In extreme cases, the CoR also has the right to go to

the European Court of Justice if it believes it has not been correctly consulted.

How does the Committee of the Regions work?

The Committee of the Regions is made up of 344 members and the same number of

alternates. These members are nominated by the Member States and appointed by the

Council of the EU for a renewable fi ve year term. They must hold elected offi ce or be politically

accountable to an elected assembly. For this reason, members who cease to hold such

offi ce automatically lose their seat on the Committee of the Regions. Each country chooses

its members in its own way, with the proviso that members must refl ect a political and

geographical balance and be taken from both regional and local levels. The CoR members

elect their own president – currently Ms Mercedes Bresso from the Piedmont Region in Italy.

The CoR’s work is split between six specialised commissions:

Territorial Cohesion policy (COTER)

Economic and Social policy (ECOS)

Environment, Climate change and Energy (ENVE)

Culture, Education and Research (EDUC)

Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Aff airs (CIVEX)

Natural Resources (NAT)

The commissions, which are made up of CoR members, draw up

draft opinions on legislative proposals submitted by the European

Commission, the Council or the European Parliament. The draft is

then voted on during one of the fi ve plenary sessions that take place

each year. It is only adopted if it receives a majority of votes cast.

The commission for administrative and fi nancial aff airs (CAFA) was

set up to facilitate and encourage a closer relationship with the

budget authority, in order to ensure that the CoR’s priorities are taken

into account and implemented in the annual budget procedure.

Four political groups are represented at the Committee of the

Regions: the European People’s Party (EPP), the Party of European

Socialists (PES), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

(ALDE) and the European Alliance (EA).

The work of the Committee of the Regions, a truly political assembly, is based on three

fundamental principles:

The subsidiarity principle: this principle requires that decisions be taken at the level of

government that best serves the public interest. The European Union must not pursue

initiatives that would be better carried out by national, regional or local authorities.

The proximity principle: all levels of government must work as transparently as possible

and as closely as possible with the public so that citizens know who is responsible for

what and how they can make their views known.

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EUROPEAN UNION


The partnership principle: European, national, regional and local authorities must work

together throughout the decision-making process.

Bringing the European Union closer to its citizens

While much of the CoR’s work lies in its involvement in the legislative process, its role does

not stop there. The CoR members live and work on a day-to-day basis in their regions and

cities as regional presidents, mayors or local councillors. This enables them to stay in touch

with the concerns of the people they represent, which puts them in a position to bring these

views to the heart of the European system when they come to Brussels for CoR meetings.

In addition, the CoR regularly raises the profi le of local and regional authorities on the

European stage by organising conferences, seminars and exhibitions all year round in

cooperation with its regional and local partners, including the “OPEN DAYS - European Week

of Regions and Cities”, which brings together more than 6,000 stakeholders each October.

OPEN DAYS 2012, taking place in Brussels, 8-11 October, will be the 10th anniversary of the

event.

OPEN DAYS 2011

Opening Session 10 October

From left: Johannes Hahn (European Commissioner for Regional Policy), Danuta Hübner (Member

of the European Parliament, Chair of the Committee on Regional Development), Mercedes Bresso

(President of the Committee of the Regions), Jerzy Buzek (President of the European Parliament),

Elżbieta Bieńkowska (Polish Minister for Regional Development), José Manuel Barroso (President of

the European Commission)

03 Why a Committee of the Regions?

9

The Committee of the Regions helps to ensure that local voices are heard in Brussels, say two of the

veterans of municipal and regional involvement in European cooperation.

On the fi fth fl oor of the gleaming steel and glass building that houses the EU’s Committee

of the Regions, two of the veterans in the Danish delegation took some time out from the

crowded plenary session schedule to tell the outside world what it is that keeps them going.

Both Knud Andersen (Liberal Party) and Henning Jensen (Social Democrats) have been

regular commuters between Denmark and Brussels for many years. They have both chaired

the Danish delegation to the Committee, which now accounts for nine out of the CoR’s

344 elected members. And even though they come from diff erent sides of the political

spectrum and have been delegated to Brussels to represent their respective regions and

municipalities, they both agree that the hours they spend here in the EU political cauldron

only a few hundred metres from the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the

EU Commission are important. For here are the political workshops where the rules are

made which later become law, including in the municipalities and regions which the two

Members represent.

“When we started working here, there were many who looked a little askance at the

Committee of the Regions. We were not really recognised as an EU institution. So part of our

fi rst term was spent in proving our legitimacy as a committee,” says Knud Andersen, who is

regional councillor in Denmark’s Capital Region.

In his view it was time well spent, because before the Committee was set up in 1994 local

government was written out of the equation in the EU lawmaking process.

“When a bill came before the Danish Parliament, they used to ask Local Government

Denmark and the Association of County Councils in Denmark – now Danish Regions – for

their point of view. But at that time you could not really change even a comma. Now we

get a real insight into what is planned and so we can start to take action before the rules are

adopted,” he says.

04 Building bridges between the local, the regional and the global - Danish Members at work

Knud Andersen &

Henning Jensen

EUROPEAN UNION


“The European Commission used to think it just had to inform the Member States, but they

did not think about the sub-national authorities. Now they have learnt that they do have to,

because we are the ones who have to implement a large part of what they propose,” adds

Henning Jensen, who is a member of Næstved City Council and a former mayor.

For him it is important that the local level of government now has a voice in Brussels. And

he makes sure that the Committee’s right to be consulted is used actively when the EU

system lays down rules in areas such as employment, education, the environment, transport

or other key areas of local interest.

“We try to get posts as rapporteurs for those opinions which are important for us so that we

can try to infl uence the process,” says Henning Jensen who, among other things, has had the

EU’s plans for adaptation to climate change high on his agenda, as his base is in municipalities

where cellars are fl ooded when the sewers overfl ow because of increased rainfall.

“From a local and regional level, we want to provide added value to the Commission

initiatives”, he says.

“You can see it as an assurance of quality. When the EU adopts a rule, it has to work reasonably

well throughout the Union. And there are not many other places in the EU system where all

levels of Europe are as well respresented, as here in the CoR,” adds Knud Andersen.

On the other hand, neither has any problem with the fact that the Committee of the Regions

has a consultative role and is not part of the formal legislative apparatus in the EU set-up, like

the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

“One of the weaknesses of the EU system is decision-taking. And it would certainly not

make things any easier to give the Committee of the Regions formal authority. We must

give proper advice and be a committee which people listen to and which helps to set the

agenda. But we must not go in and challenge the European Parliament and be a second

chamber which has to approve things,” says Henning Jensen.

04 Building bridges between the local, the regional and the global - Danish Members at work

11



They also point out that even though the 344 members above all come to Brussels to

put forward regional and local views on what will one day become European law there

is just as much a fl ow of information in the other direction.

The knowledge that they gather in contacts with various EU offi cials, parliamentarians

and commissioners, who come and present their main legislative proposals to the

plenary assembly, gives them a good insight into which way the wind is blowing in

Brussels. This gives them access to information which they would otherwise not have

and which is useful both for themselves and for the Danish offi cials who accompany

them.

“This provides a range of knowledge to Local Government Denmark and Danish

Regions which is quite invaluable when it comes to Danish issues. For then we know

what is in the pipeline for certain areas. And the sooner you get down to the subject,

the more chance there is of fi nding a solution,” says Knud Andersen, who stresses that

being a member of the Committee of the Regions also provides an opportunity to do

some lobbying because it opens doors which would otherwise be closed.

“Here we have a legal justifi cation for talking with people in the Parliament and the

Commission early on in the process. Very often it is easier to get things changed before they

are written down on paper,” says Knud Andersen.

And interaction between the EU and local government should be a completely natural

thing, in the view of Henning Jensen, who notices a quote made that day in a speech by

Martin Schulz, the leader of the social democrat group in the Parliament.

“He quoted Churchill as saying that nation states are too small to handle the big problems

and too big to handle the small ones. That is true. So, it is a good thing that we have local

and regional government and it is a good thing that we have the EU,” says Henning Jensen.

Knud Andersen is Vice Chairman of the Danish Delegation at

CoR and member of the CoR commissions ECOS (Economic

and Social Policy) and ENVE (Environment, Climate Change

and Energy).

Henning Jensen is member of the CoR commissions EDUC

(Education, Youth and Research) and ENVE (Environment,

Climate Change and Energy).

EUROPEAN UNION


Danish local and regional authorities have been represented in the Committee of the

Regions since its establishment in 1994.

The Danish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions has nine members and nine

alternate members. These men and women are all directly-elected politicians representing

Denmark’s diff erent regions and municipalities. Their term of offi ce at the Committee of the

Regions ends if they lose their national mandate.

The current distribution of seats in the delegation is six members representing the

municipalities and three members representing the regions. The distribution for alternate

members is the same.

The selection procedure for members of the Committee of the Regions is vitally important

for its operation. The various procedures throughout the European Union refl ect the wide

range of political and territorial systems in Europe. In Denmark, it is the Ministry of Foreign

Aff airs that formally asks the Danish Regions (the interest organisation representing the fi ve

regions) and Local Government Denmark (the interest organisation and member authority

of the 98 municipalities) to propose the candidates. Local Government Denmark (LGDK)

proposes six members and six alternates and Danish Regions proposes three and an equal

number of alternates. The Danish national government then takes a decision on the basis

of the proposed list and submits it to the Council of Ministers of the European Union, which

appoints members and alternates for the Committee of the Regions.

Members of the Danish Delegation are represented in all six of the Committee of the Regions’

commissions and in three of the political groups: the Party of European Socialists (PES), the

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and the European People’s Party (EPP).

05 Danish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions

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Members

Søren Pape PoulsenMayor of Viborg Municipality

EPP

Chairman of the Danish Delegation

“Th e EU has an impact on the day-to-day work in all European municipalities and regions and therefore it

is vital that we have an institutionalised place in the political decision-making process. Th e Committee of the

Regions is the extended arm of the local and regional authorities. As such you could see the Committee as the

party of municipalities and regions in the European Union.”

Knud AndersenRegional Councillor of the Capital Region

ALDE

Vice Chairman of the Danish Delegation

“I have been a part of the Committee of the Regions’ work since its inception. Over the years we have helped

to put many important issues aff ecting the regions on the European agenda. People can look upon it as an

assurance of quality. When the EU adopts a rule, then it should work reasonably well in the whole union.

And there is probably no place where all parts of the Union are so well represented as in the Committee of

the Regions. Within the environmental and climate sector I work, among other things, to see that climate and

environmental considerations are integrated into major EU policy areas and contribute to supporting the EU

2020 strategy.”

Henning JensenCouncillor of Næstved Municipality

PES

“I have followed the Committee of the Regions throughout the years and have had great pleasure seeing that

the Committee’s infl uence has greatly increased and that within the whole EU system there is now far more

respect for the many tasks performed by the states’ local and regional authorities.”

Per Bødker AndersenSecond Deputy Mayor of Kolding Municipality

PES

“Th e Committee of the Regions plays an important role in the integration of new EU Member States, the

Europe of tomorrow. People say that the Commission is the driving force, Parliament is the fuel and the

Council is the body of the EU integration process - but municipalities and regions are the wheels that will carry

the integration forward. EU legislation should be designed on the basis of taking proper account of municipal

decentralisation, deregulation and active citizen involvement. In the Committee of the Regions we assist our

new local colleagues with experience in the building and eff ective exercise of authority - and thus facilitate

their entry into the community.”

EUROPEAN UNION


Henrik Ringbæk MadsenRegional Councillor of the North Denmark Region (Nordjylland)

PES

“My work in the Committee of the Regions has resulted in an increased awareness in the EU system and in my

own region of the importance of regional funds for regional development. In the negotiations on the future EU

budget for 2014-2020, I have specifi cally worked to see that there will still be regional funds for innovation,

climate improvement and CO2 reduction in all regions of Europe.”

Kirstine BilleMayor of Syddjurs Municipality

PES

“We work to ensure that a larger proportion of EU farm subsidies is earmarked for the development of Europe’s

rural areas. In Europe, we want to create the world’s most attractive rural areas, where it is exciting to live,

work and do business, which is in balance with nature. Th e local voice reminds the EU system that Europe is

not just made up of big cities - 90% of EU land is made up of rural areas and the main activity in rural areas

is still farming. Th erefore, we must direct more resources towards the successful development of Europe’s rural

areas.”

Jens Christian GjesingMayor of Haderslev Municipality

PES

“I am a mayor in an old border region. Here, I feel strongly that my membership of the Committee of the

Regions gives me and my district both a special understanding and a positive opportunity to infl uence the

European agenda from a citizen’s standpoint. Interreg funding has been and still is a great opportunity to build

up communities and create development across national borders.”

Karsten Uno PetersenRegional Councillor of the Region of Southern Denmark (Syddanmark)

PES

“Th rough my work in the Committee of the Regions as rapporteur on the patient safety directive, which was

unanimously adopted by the Committee, I worked to ensure that issues including patient safety were given a

prominent place in the fi nal directive. Th is work is a good example of the importance of the regional authorities’

role in infl uencing European legislation in the health sector.”

Jens Arne Hedegaard JensenCouncillor of Brønderslev Municipality

ALDE

“We want to be involved in the draft ing and implementation of all policies of relevance to municipalities.

Th erefore, we work to ensure that municipalities and regions remain key actors in the partnership contracts

in the Structural Funds. Our knowledge of local conditions will ensure that money is used in the best possible

way for green growth and jobs. Without local involvement, the EU will repeat past mistakes, and the money

will not benefi t its citizens.”


15



Alternates

Bente LauridsenRegional Councillor of the North Denmark Region (Nordjylland)

PES

“Education and innovation are the way to growth and prosperity and they are the fl agships of Europe 2020.

Th ey are also issues that have a high priority in my own region and the Committee of the Regions. We are

working seriously on issues such as how best to ensure education for all young people, including vocational

education. As the population in Europe gets older lifelong learning, where Denmark has good experience, is also

of great importance. An ageing population also means challenges in the fi eld of health innovation. We take the

challenge seriously in Europe’s municipalities and regions and can contribute knowledge and experience that is

channelled through the Committee of the Regions to help the EU’s further work in this area.”

Lasse Krull PetersenRegional Councillor of the Region of Southern Denmark (Syddanmark)

EPP

“EU procurement rules play a major role when regions in Denmark want to buy into hospitals, for example.

Th erefore, it has also been important for us that through the Committee of the Regions we have been directly

involved in the decision-making regarding the upcoming review of the current rules. Th e Committee of the

Regions has called for far more fl exible and less bureaucratic rules in this area. And you can see, for example,

with the Danish procurement rules under the EU thresholds that it can easily be done without compromising

on transparency and fair treatment.”

Martin MerilldSecond Deputy Mayor of Struer Municipality

ALDE

“We are the fi rst to see when EU policy is moving too far away from the challenges that European citizens

in rural and remote areas are facing. Th erefore we are working to ensure that rural development funding is

invested in a balanced way between environment, business and an attractive local life. Rural funds are meant

to ensure sustainable development, growth and competitiveness in rural areas.”

Ole B. SørensenRegional Councillor of the North Denmark Region (Nordjylland)

ALDE

“When the EU adopts a growth strategy such as Europe 2020, it is Europe’s municipalities and regions, which

ultimately must translate policies and objectives into reality. Th rough the Committee of the Regions, we can pass

on the knowledge and experience which exists in EU municipalities and regions and thus contribute to better

legislation. Whether we are talking about a greener, healthier or more sustainable Europe, the decentralised

authorities with their local and regional knowledge play an important role. Th erefore, we also support the

Commission’s idea of partnership between the diff erent levels of government as the key to bringing Europe 2020

to life.”

EUROPEAN UNION


Simon Mønsted Strange Member of the City Council, Copenhagen

PES

“Th e Committee of the Regions is the watchdog that makes the EU system aware of challenges that occur in

municipalities and regions where the implementation of EU policies becomes reality and aff ects our citizens.

A good example is the EU procurement rules that impose administrative hassle and big fi nancial costs on

municipalities, without the rules getting foreign companies to bid for business in Denmark - there the local and

central levels must jointly fi nd solutions for gaining entry into the internal market for public services.”

Carsten KissmeyerMayor of Ikast-Brande Municipality

ALDE

“Something needs to be done about the EU procurement rules where we, in my view, have ended up with a

system that is too rigid and bureaucratic.”

Steen DahlstrømMayor of Middelfart Municipality

PES

“Th e aim of our work is to get the Member States and the European Parliament to recognise that European

growth and jobs in the future can only be assured if the EU also feeds the horse that pulls the load. Th at is why

we are fi ghting to see that EU Structural Funds can be used for all municipal growth and employment initiatives

- even those that are well-developed. With the Structural Funds we can make the targeted investments that we

would not otherwise be able to make.”

Tatiana SørensenSecond Deputy Mayor of Aarhus Municipality

PES

Freddie H. MadsenCouncillor of Esbjerg Municipality

(Within the Committee of the Regions no attachment to a political group)

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17

Denmark has a long history of decentralised political authority. It has been a longstanding

tradition that the state does not handle the running of key public services such as health,

schools, environmental planning, waste management and care for the elderly. The reason

for this devolution of welfare responsibilities is a belief that certain payments are best taken

care of by the level of government which is closest to citizens in their daily lives.

Municipalities and regions

The foundations for the current organisation of Danish authorities were laid as late as 2007.

Denmark underwent a structural reform in which control by a decentralised authority was

introduced in many key areas.

The result was that the 271 municipalities which existed up until then in Denmark were

merged to produce 98 larger municipalities. In addition, Denmark’s 13 counties were

abolished and replaced by fi ve regions. Since the structural reform in 2007 and up until

now the sub-national levels of government in Denmark have consisted of the respective

municipalities and regions.

Table:

Distribution of responsibilities after the 2007 structural reform (non-exhaustive list)

Municipalities Environmental planning, public roads and transport, waste

management, schools and care for the elderly, employment,

business and regional policy, culture, social aff airs, responsibility for

prevention and rehabilitation

Regions Operation of hospitals, organisation of in-service training sectors,

regional development, special institutions and special education,

psychiatric services, public transport planning, clearing up soil

pollution and the development of tourism

06 The decentralised Danish authority model

EUROPEAN UNION


Grassroots-based

The daily management of Denmark’s municipalities and regions is handled by elected

municipal and regional politicians. This means that authority decisions on matters such

as health, the running of local schools or care for the elderly are based on a popular

democratic mandate which legitimises the management of public services undertaken by

the municipalities and regions.

This is the expression of a local democratic mindset. Citizens can dialogue daily with their

local and regional politicians, and citizens have a direct infl uence on the setting of political

priorities and the management of public services through their right to vote in

municipal and regional elections held every four years.

THNORTH DENMARK

REGION

CENTRAL DENMARK

REGION

REGION OF

SOUTHERN

DENMARK

REGION

ZEALAND

CAPITAL REGIONCAPITAL REGAPIT

OF DENMARKOF DENMARO MA

06 The decentralised Danish authority model

5 regions

19



Organisation of national and European interests

On the domestic political front, municipalities and regions are each represented by their

own organisation. The municipalities are represented by LGDK, Local Government Denmark

(KL - Kommunernes Landsforening) and the regions by Danish Regions (Danske Regioner).

Both organisations are key players in the political debate on the future of welfare in Denmark,

because each organisation represents the background around which Denmark’s system of

decentralised authority is built.

In the European context, the Danish municipalities and regions are represented by LGDK

and Danish Regions. LGDK has six elected local politicians sitting on the EU’s Committee

of the Regions, while Danish Regions are represented by three elected regional politicians.

Together, these politicians make up the Danish delegation and the decentralised Danish vote

within the Committee of the Regions (see separate chapter on the Danish CoR delegation).

Hjørring

Aalborg

Jammerbugt

Mariagerfjord

Rebild

Læsø

Vesthimmerland

Frederikshavn

Viborg

Thisted

Skive

Morsø

Hedensted

Ringkøbing-Skjern

Ikast-Brande

Århus

Skanderborg

Samsø

Silkeborg

Randers

Odder

Favrskov

Norddjurs

Syddjurs

Struer

Lemvig

Holstebro

Herning

Vejle

Kolding

Horsens

Fredericia

Aabenraa

Vejen

Varde

Fanø

Esbjerg

Tønder

Sønderborg

Billund

Haderslev

Langeland

Svendborg

Odense

Nyborg

Kerteminde

Faaborg-Midtfyn

Assens

Middelfart

Bornholm

Vordingborg

Guldborgsund

Næstved

Lolland

Lejre

Sorø

StevnsSlagelse

Ringsted

Kalundborg

Faxe

Holbæk

Odsherred

Gribskov

Solrød

Roskilde

Halsnæs

Køge

Greve

Frederikssund

Egedal

Rudersdal

Hørsholm

Hillerød

Helsingør

Allerød

Furesø

Vallensbæk TårnbyIshøj

Rødovre

Lyngby-Taarbæk

Høje-Taastrup

Hvidovre

Albertslund

Herlev

Glostrup

Gentofte

Dragør

Brøndby

Ballerup

Frederiksberg

København

Fredensborg

Nordfyn

Ærø

Brønderslev

Gladsaxe

98 municipalities

Bornholm

EUROPEAN UNION


The EU has an increasing impact on municipalities and regions, say the Chairmen of the two

organisations Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions.

Those who believe that EU policy does not aff ect politicians on a local and regional level

should just talk to the members of the Danish municipalities and regional councils, if

they want to see a diff erent picture. For more than half of the items on a typical meeting

agenda at local or regional level will have their roots in Brussels. This is the view of both the

Chairman of Danish Regions, Bent Hansen, and the Chairman of Local Government

Denmark (LGDK), Jan Trøjborg. Both places have conducted studies on the number of

decisions in local politics which in reality come from the EU level.

“The EU has quite a lot of infl uence, which is increasing, on the rules that are the basis of our

administration,” says Bent Hansen from Danish Regions.

“If you look into the topics and compare them with the decisions taken at EU level you can

see that the eff ect is greater than many think.”

In the municipalities EU rules carry particular weight in areas such as climate and the

environment.

“Here, the municipalities can take note of EU law when they are renovating buildings to

make them climate-friendly, guaranteeing safe drinking water for citizens and managing

waste,” says LGDK chairman Jan Trøjborg and points out that the EU rules on procurement in

particular are very important when, for example, sheltered housing is to be built or schools

are to be renovated.

So, none of them is in any doubt that it is important for local and regional government

in Denmark to keep a sharp eye on what is going on in Brussels. And both organisations

make extensive use of their various outposts in the EU capital to try to gain infl uence and

information. Both the municipalities and the regions have representative offi ces in Brussels.

In addition, nine Danish politicians from municipal and regional government are regular

guests in the EU’s Committee of the Regions.

“The fi rst rule for infl uencing decisions in Brussels is to be present in the city. The second is

that our views will ultimately be supported by a majority in Parliament and the Council of

Ministers. Therefore we use all the possibilities we have in Brussels to provide information

on current issues, and create alliances in favour of our positions in the EU’s governing

institutions,” says Bent Hansen.

“Ultimately it is the regional and local authorities which have to deliver services to citizens

and so it is also our duty, as the organisation representing the regions’ interests, to try and

nudge EU legislation in the right direction,” emphasises the regions’ chairman.

But it is also in the EU system’s best interest to look beyond their own little Brussels bubble

and listen to those who must administer the law in practice,” says Jan Trøjborg.

“The EU should listen to local democracy and take it seriously. We are helping to improve

the quality of legislation adopted by the Union. Our input refl ects the real world and the

local circumstances which are closest to Europe’s citizens. And this is knowledge that the EU

cannot aff ord to neglect,” says Trøjborg.

07 EU policy is also domestic policy - Chairmen of Local Government Denmark and Danish Regions

Bent HansenChairman of Danish Regions

21



According to Bent Hansen there is still a long way to go before the other institutions make

full use of the ground-breaking opinions that the CoR’s 344 members produce in areas of EU

legislation which has the greatest impact at regional and local level.

But he emphasises that simply taking part in a forum with local and regional government

representatives from 27 diff erent countries is useful because from the Danish side one can

actively use the knowledge of the others.

“It is a clear advantage to have an early input from other regional and local authorities in the

EU. It gives us an idea of what possibilities and challenges are involved in implementing a

given legislative initiative from the EU,” says Bent Hansen.

When Denmark takes over the EU rotating presidency on 1 January, international cooperation

will be high on the agenda. And even if local and regional government does not play a

particular offi cial role in the conduct of the presidency, both Bent Hansen and Jan Trøjborg

point out that it is a good opportunity to turn the spotlight on some of their causes.

“We will work to put out a municipal agenda for some of our priority issues, including

procurement, structural funds and climate adaptation. It is a question of not only highlighting

our individual political views, but also of creating an awareness of the relationship between

the EU and the municipalities among the general public and in our local constituencies,”

says Jan Trøjborg.

For Danish Regions the presidency is a chance to focus on how to achieve the objectives of

the new EU 2020 growth plan that replaces the so-called Lisbon strategy as a guideline for

how the EU is to achieve smart and sustainable growth.

“We will emphasise the development of businesses and jobs in rural areas, and we want

to stress that the way forward for the EU is through research and innovation. Among other

things, it is a question of fi nding the right IT solutions in the healthcare sector and of ensuring

that production and jobs are environmentally and climate-friendly,” says Bent Hansen.

And Jan Trøjborg adds:

“With the Lisbon strategy we saw how growth and employment initiatives just end up

as plans on the drawing board, if the municipalities and regions are not included in the

preparatory phase. Ultimately, we are the ones who have to turn their ideas into reality.

Therefore, we have much to off er. The current EU 2020 strategy must not suff er the same

fate. Local involvement is a recipe for success. So my message is: get us involved,” he says.

Jan TrøjborgChairman of Local

Government Denmark

EUROPEAN UNION


Every year, hundreds of local and cross-border projects across

Denmark receive EU funds to speed up sustainable economic

development, train people for better jobs and facilitate

cooperation between Danish researchers and others abroad.

Local and regional authorities often play a crucial role in

managing such projects.

Over the period 2007-2013, the largest proportion of the

EU budget is focused on supporting smart, sustainable and

inclusive growth and the objectives of the ‘Europe 2020’

strategy. Many of the EU programmes are managed by

regional and local authorities.

The structural funds, namely the European Regional

Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund

(ESF), as well as the European Agricultural Fund for Rural

Development (EAFRD), represent the majority of EU funds

supporting projects in Denmark.

Between 2007 and 2013, EUR 358 million are earmarked for

ERDF projects in Denmark and EUR 255 million for ESF projects.

Of the ERDF allocation, EUR 103 million are designated for

fi nancing cross-border, transnational and inter-regional

projects - e.g. with cities and regions in other EU Member

States in the Baltic and North Sea regions. A total of EUR

445 million from the EAFRD has been allocated for projects in

Denmark’s rural areas.

08 EU-funded projects in Denmark

4

8

2

3

7

1KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE FOR

WIND TURBINE OPERATIONS VIDENS OG

TEKNOLOGICENTER FOR VINDMØLLEDRIFT

TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 1.9 million

ERDF COFINANCING: EUR 0.9 million

LEAD PARTNER: International Wind Academy Lolland

(partners: DONG, Brüel & Kjær, Fairwind, Mita

Teknik and Flex Workers among others)

There is a focus on educating people in specifi c technical skills in the fi eld

of wind turbines. At the international wind academy, International Wind

Academy Lolland (IWAL), a Knowledge and Technology centre for wind

turbine operations (Videns- og Teknologicenter for Vindmølledrift) has been

established.

http://www.iwal.dk

23



In addition to the structural funds, there are about

900 Danish-led projects under the 7th EU Framework

Programme for Research (FP7), currently fi nanced by

some EUR 415 million. FP7 encourages the search for new

ideas and products in cooperation with universities and

businesses from all over Europe. Within FP7 Denmark ranks

as the 12th most successful out of the 27 Member States,

confi rming the excellent reputation of Danish research and

innovation.

These pages show eight examples from the hundreds of

EU-funded projects, which have the potential to make a

diff erence for citizens in Danish cities and regions.

1

5

6

3 IDÉKLINIKKEN

AN ENGINE FOR GROWTH


ERDF COFINANCING: EUR 0.9 million

LEAD PARTNER: Aalborg Hospital

Aalborg Hospital, the largest hospital in the region of Northern

Denmark (Nordjylland), was behind the creation of Idéklinikken

(“Ideas Clinic”). Idéklinikken assists researchers and employees

in developing and implementing ideas and making them

commercially viable.

http://www.ideklinikken.dk/

http://www.ideklinikken.dk/userfi les/folder_ny_engelsk.pdf

2 LOWCARBON ECONOMY

REGIONS LOCARE


ERDF INTERREG COFINANCING: EUR 3.2 million

LEAD PARTNER: Region of Southern

Denmark (Region Syddanmark)

Led by Region Syddanmark, six European regions have

joined forces in a common initiative to reduce CO2

emissions regionally and locally. The objective is to

develop low-carbon solutions at regional and local level

and contribute to economic growth at the same time.

http://www.locareproject.eu

EUROPEAN UNION


4

8

2

3

08 EU-funded projects in Denmark

4 HOLD FAST


ESF COFINANCING: EUR 3 million

LEAD PARTNERS: Regions of Southern

Denmark and Central Denmark

HOLD FAST (“Stay on!”) is a joint EU project between

Southern Denmark Region (Syddanmark) and Central

Denmark Region (Midtjylland). Its objective is to prevent

students from dropping out of secondary education.

http://viholderfast.nu/

5ENJOYING NATURE ALL

YEAR ROUND UD I NATUREN

ÅRET RUNDT

TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 1 million

ESF COFINANCING: EUR 0.5 million

LEAD PARTNERS: NaturBornholm and the

Forest & Nature Agency Bornholm

The visitor centre NaturBornholm and the Forest and

Nature Agency Bornholm have been doing their best to

change the view of tourists that Bornholm is a summer

destination. The project ‘Enjoying nature – all year round’

aims to strengthen the development of year-round tourism.

http://bornholmsnatur.naturstyrelsen.dk/heleaaret/

6 EFFICIENSEA

TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 8 million

ERDF INTERREG COFINANCING: EUR 5.3 million

LEAD PARTNER: Danish Maritime Authority (Søfartsstyrelsen)

As a fl agship project, Effi cienSea is the largest ever Interreg project. The project goal is clean,

safe and reliable maritime traffi c in the Baltic Sea Region. Led by the Danish Maritime Authority

(Søfartsstyrelsen), the Effi cienSea project brings together 16 partners from six countries.

http://www.effi ciensea.org/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Rv5U8X_po

25



1

5

6

7

7 SUNSTORE 4 DISTRICT

HEATING SYSTEM


FP7 COFINANCING: EUR 6 million

LEAD PARTNER: Marstal Fjernvarme

Based on 100 % renewable energy, SUNSTORE 4 is a large-

scale project for a district heating system. It is an innovative,

reliable and cost-effi cient energy supply system for the city

of Marstal.

http://www.solarmarstal.dk/

8FOOD PRODUCTION AND

FOODRELATED EXPERIENCES

VESTJYSKE FØDEVARER

OG OPLEVELSER VFO

TOTAL BUDGET: EUR 500,000

EAFRD COFINANCING: EUR 125,000

PARTNERS: VFO is a joint venture involving the four

municipalities of Lemvig, Struer, Holstebro og

Ringkøbing-Skjern, their four respective Local Action

Groups and Local Action Group Vestjylland.

The objective of the VFO joint venture is to market Western Jutland

as a centre of food production and food-related experiences. VFO

has stimulated partnerships between local food producers and

restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions.

http://www.madlandet.dk

EUROPEAN UNION


The European urban fabric in the 21st century

The 5th European Summit of Regions and Cities will be organised by the Committee of the

Regions in conjunction with the City of Copenhagen and the Capital Region of Denmark

on 22 and 23 March 2012. The Danish EU Presidency will be represented alongside the

Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament. To mark the Summit,

the Bureau of the Committee of the Regions will hold a meeting with Local Government

Denmark and Danish Regions, where the priorities of the Danish EU Presidency with special

relevance for local and regional authorities will be debated.

Hosted by the City of Copenhagen and the Capital Region of Denmark, both with a reputation

for their high quality of life, architectural achievements, accomplishments in sustainable

development and social cohesion, the Summit will off er an excellent opportunity to refl ect

on the European model for the “urban fabric”.

As with previous events of this kind, mayors of cities and presidents of regions are invited to

express their views on the many challenges they face and to present some of their practical

solutions and innovative approaches during the debates in various workshops and the

accompanying exhibition “Beautiful, green, smart and inclusive: Colourful Cities”.

The debates will look at how urban and multilevel governance of EU policies and strategies

could be further developed in the years to come, with a view to demonstrating the key role

of cities and regions in designing and implementing sustainable models of development.

Several weeks ahead of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

(“Rio+20”), the Committee of the Regions aims to showcase in Copenhagen best local and

regional practices, as well as a strong political commitment, in order to have a signifi cant

impact on the EU’s position at the UN conference in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro.

More details can be found at: www.cor.europa.eu/CoR-Summit2012

09 The 5th European Summit of Regions and Cities

© Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen © Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen

27



© Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen © Copenhagen Media Center / Wonderful Copenhagen

Frank Jensen,

Lord Mayor of Copenhagen

“Copenhagen is determined to work with cities, regions,

private companies, national governments and the EU

Commission to share and develop new innovative and

sustainable urban solutions. Like many other cities,

Copenhagen has been growing in recent years. At the same

time, we are set to become the world’s fi rst carbon neutral

capital in 2025. Th is is a challenge, but also an opportunity

- an opportunity to develop an even more livable city and

to generate economic growth. Th is is the reason why we are

going green in Copenhagen”.

Vibeke Storm Rasmussen,

Chairman of the Regional Council, Capital Region of

Denmark

“I am very pleased to welcome all participants to the Capital

Region of Denmark. Th e Capital Region of Denmark is a

very good example of coherent, smart planning that meets the

needs of business development, transport and infrastructure.

It is also a region that is characterised by its beautiful green

areas and by a high quality of life.

I am very much looking forward to a fruitful Summit 2012

and learning more about how cities and regions can design

and implement sustainable models of development in the

future.”

EUROPEAN UNION


January1819 JANUARY

The Danish Ministry of Employment

and the Danish Ministry of Social

Aff airs and Integrations and the

Danish Ministry of Health

Opening Conference for the 2012

European Year for Active Ageing and

Solidarity between Generations

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

30 JANUARY

3rd ARLEM Plenary Session

BARI, ITALY

31 JANUARY


NAT Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

February7 FEBRUARY


ENVE Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

8 FEBRUARY


ECOS Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

9 FEBRUARY


CIVEX Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

1416 FEBRUARY


Plenary Session and Bureau

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

14 FEBRUARY


Forum: Active ageing and

solidarity between generations:

The role of regions and cities

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

16 FEBRUARY

Europan Commission

Urban Forum

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

2728 FEBRUARY

The Danish Ministry for

Business and Growth

A Single Digital Market by 2015 – a

driver for economic growth and job

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

27 FEBRUARY


EDUC Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

29 FEBRUARY

DAcoB (Danish Local, Regional

and Research Co-Op Brussels)

Presidency Dialogues

Research – Horizon 2020

and grand challenges

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

March12 MARCH

Spring Council Danish Presidency

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

56 MARCH


COTER Commission

LISBON, PORTUGAL

8 MARCH

The Danish Ministry for

Business and Growth

European Competition and Consumer Day

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

8 MARCH

The Danish Ministry for the Environment

and the Danish Nature Agency

Meeting for Network of Territorial

Cooperation Contact Points (NTCCP)

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

1516 MARCH

The Danish Ministry of Justice

The Charter of Fundamental Rights

of the European Union – How to

Access the Charter in Practice

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

1821 MARCH

The Danish Ministry for Children and

Education and the Danish Youth Council

Youth conference

SORØ, DENMARK

2223 MARCH


5th European Summit of Regions

and Cities – “The European urban

fabric in the 21st century”

(External Bureau and Plenary Session)

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

26 MARCH


NAT Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

29 MARCH


EGTC Inter-institutional Conference

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

10 Calendar of events

29



April17 APRIL


ENVE Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

1820 APRIL

The Danish Ministry for Climate,

Energy and Building and the Danish

Ministry for the Environment

Informal meeting of Ministers for

Energy and Environment (ENVI)

HORSENS, DENMARK

19 APRIL

The Danish Ministry for Social

Aff airs and Integration

Enhancing democratic values, promoting

social cohesion and furthering intercultural

dialogue: Sharing of best European practice

VEJLE, DENMARK

23 APRIL


EDUC Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

24 APRIL

Council of the European Union

Meeting of the General Aff airs Council (GAC)

LUXEMBOURG

2627 APRIL

The Danish Ministry for Employment

and the Danish Ministry for Social

Aff airs and Integration

Youth in the Labour Market: Innovation,

inclusion and improving skills

HORSENS, DENMARK

26 APRIL


ECOS Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

27 APRIL


CIVEX Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

May2 MAY


Forum on the European Citizens Initiative

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

24 MAY


Plenary Session and Bureau

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

10 MAY


Forum on the Common

Strategic Framework

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

11 MAY


COTER Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

12 MAY

Open Doors Day

All EU institutions including


BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

15 MAY




E-health – Healthy Innovation

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

31 MAY




Cleantech

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

June1415 JUNE


NAT Commission

ROVANIEMI, FINLAND

1415 JUNE

European Commission

Regions for Economic Change Conference

– RegioStars Awards Ceremony

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

2022 JUNE

Rio+20 Earth Summit

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

2122 JUNE


CIVEX Commission

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

2526 JUNE


ECOS Commission

ANCONA, ITALY

26 JUNE

Council of the European Union

Meeting of the General Aff airs Council (GAC)

LUXEMBOURG

28 JUNE


ENVE Commission

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

END JUNE TBC


Forum: The Europe 2020 Strategy and its

fl agship initiatives: A regional perspective

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Dates as per time of print -

some changes might occur

EUROPEAN UNION


11 Contacts

COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS


Bâtiment Jacques Delors

Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99-101

B - 1040 Brussels

Tel.: +32 (0)22822211

Fax: +32 (0)22822325

www.cor.europa.eu

COORDINATORS OF THE DANISH DELEGATION TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Birgit Yazdani Øbakke

Local Government Denmark

Sq. de Meeûs 1

B-1000 Brussels

Tel.: +32 (0)25501264

E-mail: [email protected]

Asger Andreasen

Danish Regions

Dampfærgevej 22

DK-2100 København

Tel.: +45 35298100


BRUSSELS OFFICES OF DANISH REGIONS AND CITIES

Local Government Denmark

Sq. de Meeûs 1

B-1000 Brussels

Tel.: +32 (0)25501260


www.kl.dk

Danish Regions

Sq. de Meeûs 1

B-1000 Brussels

Tel.: +32 (0)25501280


www.regioner.dk

Zealand Denmark

Avenue Palmerston 26

B-1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)22356656


www.zealanddenmark.eu

South Denmark EU Offi ce

Avenue Palmerston 3

B-1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)22854095


www.southdenmark.be

31



Central Denmark EU Offi ce

Avenue de Tervuren 35

B-1040 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)22308732


www.centraldenmark.eu

North Denmark EU Offi ce

Avenue de Tervuren 35

B-1040 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)22300374


www.eu-norddanmark.dk

CreoDK (Capital Region Denmark)

Rue du Luxembourg 3

B-1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0) 472279193


www.regionh.eu / www.creodk.eu

Kalundborg EU Offi ce

Rue du Luxembourg 3

B-1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)25010825


www.kalundborg.dk

PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF DENMARK TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Permanent Representation of Denmark to the European Union

Rue d’Arlon 73

B-1040 Brussels

Tel.: +32 (0)22330811

Fax: +32 (0)22309384


Danish Presidency web site: www.eu2012.dk

EUROPEAN UNION REPRESENTATION IN DENMARK

Europa-Kommissionen

Repræsentationen i Danmark

Europa-Huset

Gothersgade 115

DK-1123 Copenhagen K

Tel: +45 33 14 41 40

[email protected]

www.ec.europa.eu/danmark

Edited by the Directorate of Communication, Press and Events

February 2012

Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 101 _ 1040 Bruxelles/Brussels _ Belgique/BelgiëTel. +32 25468202_ Fax +32 22822085

www.cor.europa.eu

EUROPEAN UNION


CDR_

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the committee of the regions and the danish presidency of the

Documents