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II Preparatory Acts

Committee of the Regions

60th plenary session, held on 6 and 7 July 2005

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Devolution in the European Union and the place of local and regional self-government in the draft Constitutional Treaty

(2006/C 31/01)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the decision of its Bureau of 15 June 2004, in accordance with Article 265(5) of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to instruct its Commission for Constitutional Affairs and European Governance to draw up this opinion, Devolution in the European Union and the place of local and regional self-government in the draft Constitutional Treaty;

Having regard to Articles 7(2) and 263 et seq of the Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Treaties of Amsterdam and Nice;

Having regard to the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, in particular the Preamble to the Constitution, the Preamble to Title II, Fundamental Rights and Articles I-3, I-5, I-11(3), I-46(3), II-82, III-280(1), and Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and Protocol No 29 on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion;

Having regard to its Opinion on the Recommendation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe on the European Charter of Regional Self-Government (CdR 39/2000 fin (1));

Having regard to its contribution to the European Convention of 4 July 2002 (CdR 127/2002 fin);

Having regard to the declaration of the Commission for Constitutional Affairs and European Governance of the Committee of the Regions and the Institutional Committee of the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe adopted at Prague on 21 September 2004 (CdR 202/2004 fin);

Having regard to the White Paper on European Governance drawn up by the European Commission (COM(2001) 428 final);

Having regard to the European Parliament Resolution of 14 January 2003 on the role of regional and local authorities in European integration (P5_TA (2003) 0009 — 2002/2141 (INI));

Having regard to the Council of Europe's European Charter of Local Self-Government of 15 October 1985;

Having regard to the draft European Charter on Regional Self-Government of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe of 5 June 1997;

Having regard to Resolution 154 of 22 May 2003 of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe on accession to the European Charter of Local Self-Government;

Having regard to Resolution 186 of 27 May 2004 of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe on the draft Convention on Regional Self-Government;

Having regard to the Declaration of the Assembly of European Regions of 4 December 1996 on Regionalism in Europe;

Having regard to its draft opinion (CdR 222/2004 rev. 3) adopted on 22 April 2005 by its Commission for Constitutional Affairs and European Governance (rapporteur: Mr José María Muñoa Ganuza, Commissioner for External Relations for the President of the Basque Government (ES-ALDE);

adopted the following opinion unanimously at its 60th plenary session, held on 6 and 7 July 2005 (meeting of 7 July).

1.   Views of the Committee of the Regions

PART I

Type and balance of power between States, Regions and Local Authorities

The Committee of the Regions

Developments in devolution and the transfer of powers, in particular the financial independence of regional and local authorities

Legal safeguards for regional and local authorities and the status of their representatives

Governance and support for Europe's citizens

PART II

Direct and indirect effects of the European Constitution's recognition of regional and local self-government

2.   Recommendations of the Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions

Brussels, 7 July 2005

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

----

(1)OJ C 144, 16.5.2001, p. 5.

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Fourth Report on Citizenship of the Union and the Communication from the Commission on the Fundamental Rights Agency

(2006/C 31/02)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the Fourth Report on Citizenship of the Union — 1 May 2001 — 30 April 2004 — (COM(2004) 695 final);

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission on the Fundamental Rights Agency (COM(2004) 693 final);

Having regard to the Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (COM(2005) 280 final);

Having regard to the decision of the European Commission of 26 October 2004 to consult it on the Fourth Report on Citizenship of the Union and on the Communication from the Commission on the Fundamental Rights Agency under the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

Having regard to the decision of the European Commission of 30 June 2005 to consult it, under Article 265(1) of the ECT, on the Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights;

Having regard to the decision of its Bureau of 15 June 2004 to instruct its Commission for Constitutional Affairs and European Governance to draw up an opinion on the Fourth Report on Citizenship of the Union and the Communication from the Commission on the Fundamental Rights Agency;

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, with specific reference to Articles 6 and 7, and the Treaty establishing the European Community, with specific reference to Part II;

Having regard to the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, signed on 29 October 2004, with specific reference to Articles I — 2, I — 9 and 1-10 and Title VI — the Democratic Life of the Union under Part I, the Charter of Fundamental Rights which constitutes Part II, and Article III-129 under Part III;

Having regard to its opinion on the Process of drawing up a Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CdR 327/1999 final (1)), its resolution on the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CdR 140/2000 final (2)) and its resolution on the approval of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CdR 381/2000 final (3));

Having regard to its opinion on the Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States (COM(2001) 257 final — 2001/0111 COD) (CdR 287/2001 final (4));

Having regard to its opinion on the Third Report from the Commission on Citizenship of the Union (COM(2001) 506 final) and the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Directive 94/80/EC on the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections (COM(2002) 260 final) (CdR 121/2002 final (5));

Having regard to its opinion on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on an information and communication strategy for the European Union (COM(2002) 350 final) (CdR 124/2002 final (6));

Having regard to Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the Right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States;

Having regard to the draft report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on the Promotion and protection of fundamental rights: the role of national and European institutions including the Fundamental Rights Agency (Rapporteur: Ms K. Gál (- LIBE/6/25781);

Having regard to the EU Network of Independent Experts in Fundamental Rights' Report on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2003 (CFR-CDF.rapUE.2003);

Having regard to its opinion (CdR 280/2004 rev. 2) adopted on 22 April 2005 by the Commission for Constitutional Affairs and European Governance (rapporteur: Ms Claude du Granrut, member of the Picardy Regional Council, deputy mayor of Senlis (FR/EPP));

adopted the following opinion unanimously at its 60th plenary session, held on 6 and 7 July 2005 (meeting of 6 July):

1.   The Committee of the Regions' views

The Committee of the Regions,

1.1   Comments on the Commission's Fourth report on Citizenship of the Union

1.2   Comments on the Fundamental Rights Agency

2.   The Committee of the Regions' recommendations

The Committee of the Regions,

2.1   European citizenship

2.2   Fundamental Rights Agency

Brussels, 6 July 2005

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

----

(1)OJ C 156 of 6 June 2000, p. 1

(2)OJ C 22 of 24 January 2001, p. 1

(3)OJ C 144 of 16 May 2001, p. 42

(4)OJ C 192 of 12 August 2002, p. 17

(5)OJ C 73 of 26 March 2003, p. 64

(6)OJ C 73 of 26 March 2003, p. 46

(7)  Article 191 TEC, amending the Nice Treaty, provides that ‘Political parties at European level are important as a factor for integration within the Union. They contribute to forming a European awareness and to expressing the political will of the citizens of the Union.’ These provisions are reaffirmed under Article I-46 (4) of the Constitutional Treaty.

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Recommendation of the European Commission on Turkey's progress towards accession

(2006/C 31/03)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament — Recommendation of the European Commission on Turkey's progress towards accession (COM(2004) 656 final);

having regard to the European Commission's decision of 29 November 2004 to consult it under the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

having regard to its Bureau's decision of 28 September 2004 to instruct its Commission for External Relations to draw up an opinion on the European Commission's strategy on progress in the enlargement process;

having regard to the European Council presidency conclusions of 17 December 2004 to open accession negotiations with Turkey on 3 October 2005; the presidency conclusions of the Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003; the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council of 12 and 13 December 2002; and the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council of 10 and 11 December 1999;

having regard to the European Parliament's report on the regular report and the recommendation of the European Commission on Turkey's progress towards accession (COM(2004) 656 final) (A6-0063/2004 final);

having regard to its resolution of 18 November 2004 on the opening of negotiations for Turkey's accession to the EU (CdR 476/2004);

having regard to the conclusions adopted at the seminar between Turkish local authorities and the CoR Commission for External Relations held in Ankara on 11 October 2004 (the Ankara declaration, CdR 477/2004);

having regard to the European Charter of Local Self-Government which Turkey ratified in 1992;

having regard to its draft opinion (CdR 495/2004 rev. 1) adopted by the Commission for External Relations on 26 April 2005 (rapporteur: Ms Helene Lund, Local Councillor, Farum, DK/PES);

wishing to submit views on Turkey's progress towards accession from a local and regional perspective;

whereas:

adopted the following opinion at its 60th plenary session of 6 and 7 July 2005 (meeting of 6 July)

1.   Views of the Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions

2.   The Committee of the Regions' recommendations

The Committee of the Regions

Brussels, 6 July 2005.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament — Strategy Paper of the European Commission on progress in the enlargement process (Romania)

(2006/C 31/04)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament: Strategy Paper of the European Commission on progress in the enlargement process COM(2004) 657 final — SEC(2004) 1200;

Having regard to the European Commission's decision of 29 November 2004 to consult it in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

Having regard to its Bureau's decision of 28 September 2004 to instruct the Commission for External Relations to draw up an opinion on the European Commission's strategy on progress in the enlargement process;

Having regard to the presidency conclusions of the European Council of 16 and 17 December 2004 (No. 16238/04);

Having regard to the European Parliament resolution on Romania's progress towards accession (COM(2004) 0657 — C6-0151/2004 — 2004/2184(INI));

Having regard to the CoR's political priorities for 2002-2006, in which European enlargement is seen as a unique event, which will ensure peace and stability and strengthen the integration process in Europe as a whole;

Having regard to its resolution of 13 February 2003 on the European Commission's work programme and the Committee of the Regions' priorities for 2003 (CdR 6/2003 fin (1));

Having regard to its opinion on the document Towards the enlarged Union — Strategy Paper and Report of the European Commission on the progress towards accession by each of the candidate countries and on the Report from the Commission to the Council: Explaining Europe's Enlargement (CdR 325/2002 fin (2));

Having regard to its opinion on the Communication from the Commission on the Action Plans for administrative and judicial capacity, and the monitoring of commitments made by the negotiating countries in the accession negotiations (CdR 244/2002 fin);

Having regard to the Joint Declaration of the Federation of Romanian Local Authorities and the Committee of the Regions, signed in Bucharest with the occasion of the 11th conference of the Committee of the Regions organised in the perspective of the European enlargement (3 October 2001) (3) and the CoR's Essex Seminar on enlargement (5 November 2004) (4);

Having regard to the speech ‘Romania and the EU: common future, common challenges’, given by Mr Olli Rehn, member of the European Commission responsible for enlargement, (Bucharest, 28 February 2005) (5);

Having regard to its draft opinion (CdR 496/2004 rev. 1) adopted on 26 April 2005 by the Commission for External Relations (rapporteur: Mr Lars Abel, Member of Copenhagen County Council (DK/EPP);

adopted the following opinion at its 60th plenary session, held on 6 and 7 July 2005 (meeting of 6 July):

1.   Views of the Committee of the Regions

1.1   General comments on the enlargement process

The Committee of the Regions:

1.2   Observations on the regular report on Romania's progress towards accession

The Committee of the Regions:

a.   concerning local democracy and devolution process:

b.   concerning economic developments:

c.   concerning the implementation of the ‘acquis communautaire’:

2.   Recommendations of the Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions:

Brussels, 6 July 2005.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

----

(1)OJ C 128, 29.5.2003, p. 53

(2)OJ C 128, 29.5.2003, p. 56

(3)  CdR 5/2002 EN-LG/LA/fp.

(4)  COR Essex Seminar (5 November 2004), Lars Abel, The enlargement of the EU to Romania: The evolution of decentralisation.

(5)  Speech given at the Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, 28 February 2005.

(6)  The Constitution of Romania of 1991 revised in 2003, the framework-law no. 339/2004 on decentralisation, the law no. 340/2004 on the institution of prefect.

(7)  Romanian Government, Government Programme 2005-2008, December 2004.

(8)  Besides the EC report 2004, see also the last report of the Congress of local and regional authorities of Europe on the local and regional elections in Romania, held on 6 June 2004, which estimates an increase of the local elected politicians for the ex-ruling social democrat party from 27 % in 2000 to about 80 % in 2004, CG/Bur (11) 25 Strasbourg, 16 July 2004 .

(9)  Order of the President of the Competition Council NO 527/2004 (OJ No. 64/19.01.2005), No. 528/2004 (OJ No. 82/25.01.2005) and the adopted Guide for a more pro-active approach in the enforcement of competition rules No. 36/22.02.2005.

(10)  A synthesis of the Restructuring Strategy was published in the Official Gazette 127 of 9 February 2005.

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament: Strategy Paper of the European Commission on progress in the enlargement process

(2006/C 31/05)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament: Strategy Paper of the European Commission on progress in the enlargement process (COM(2004) 657 final — SEC(2004) 1199, 1200);

Having regard to the European Commission's decision of 29 November 2004 to consult it in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

Having regard to its Bureau's decision of 28 September 2004 to instruct the Commission for External Relations to draw up an opinion on the European Commission's strategy on progress in the enlargement process;

Having regard to the presidency conclusions of the European Council of 16 and 17 December 2004 (No. 16238/04);

Having regard to the European Parliament resolution on Bulgaria's progress towards accession (COM(2004) 0657-I6-150/2004 — 2004/2183(INI));

Having regard to the CoR's political priorities for 2002-2006, in which European enlargement is seen as a unique event, which will ensure peace and stability and strengthen the integration process in Europe as a whole;

Having regard to its resolution of 13 February 2003 on the European Commission's work programme and the Committee of the Regions' priorities for 2003 (CdR 6/2003 fin (1));

Having regard to its opinion on the document Towards the enlarged Union — Strategy Paper and Report of the European Commission on the progress towards accession by each of the candidate countries and on the Report from the Commission to the Council: Explaining Europe's enlargement (CdR 325/2002 fin (2));

Having regard to its opinion on the Communication from the Commission on the Action Plans for administrative and judicial capacity, and the monitoring of commitments made by the negotiating countries in the accession negotiations (CdR 244/2002 fin);

Having regard to the recommendation of its EU-Bulgaria JCC on Strengthening regional and local administrative capacities in the Republic of Bulgaria of 2 April 2004 (CdR 33/2004 fin);

Having regard to the declaration of cooperation signed with the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria on 12 December 2001;

Having regard to the cooperation agreement between the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria signed on 11 December 2001;

Having regard to its draft opinion (CdR 497/2004 rev. 1) adopted on 26 April 2005 by the Commission for External Relations (rapporteur: Tilman Tögel (DE/PES), Member of the Saxony-Anhalt Landtag);

adopted the following opinion at its 60th plenary session, held on 6 and 7 July 2005 (meeting of 6 July):

1.   Views of the Committee of the Regions

1.1   General comments on the enlargement process

The Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions

2.   Recommendations of the Committee of the Regions

The Committee of the Regions

Brussels, 6 July 2005.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

----

(1)OJ C 128, 29.5.2003, p. 53

(2)OJ C 128, 29.5.2003, p. 56

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Own-initiative opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Draft Community guidelines on financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines departing from regional airports

(2006/C 31/06)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the decision of its Bureau of 22 February 2005, under the fifth paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to instruct its Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy to draw up an own-initiative opinion on this subject;

Having regard to the draft guidelines of the European Commission on financing of airports and start up aid to airlines departing from regional airports;

Having regard to its outlook opinion of 2 July 2003 on The capacity of regional airports (CdR 393/2002 fin) (1);

Having regard to its opinion on the Commission report on Better Lawmaking 2002 and the Commission Communication on Updating and simplifying the Community acquis (CdR 62/2003 fin) (2);

Having regard to its own initiative opinion on Low cost airlines and territorial development (CdR 63/2004 fin) (3);

Having regard to its draft opinion (CdR 76/2005 rev. 1) adopted on 29 April 2005 by its Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (Rapporteur: Cllr Gordon Keymer CBE, Leader of Tandridge District Council (UK/EPP);

Whereas:

adopted the following opinion at its 60th plenary session of 6-7 July 2005 (meeting of 7 July):

The Committee of the Regions' Recommendations

The Committee of the Regions

Brussels, 7 July 2005

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

----

(1)OJ C 256 of 24.10.2003 p. 47.

(2)OJ C 73 of 23.3.2004, p. 38.

(3)OJ C 318 of 22.12.2004, p. 7.

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Revision of the guidelines for regional State aids

(2006/C 31/07)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the decision of the European Parliament of 21 April 2005 to consult it on the ‘Revision of the guidelines for regional State aids’, under the article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

Having regard to the decision of its President of 19 May 2005 to instruct its Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy to draw up an opinion on this subject;

Having regard to the non-paper consultation document from the European Commission DG Competition on the review of the Guidelines for regional aid;

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission — Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion (COM (2004) 107 final);

Having regard to the Proposal for a Council Regulation laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund, COM(2004) 492 final — 2004/0163 (AVC) and the other proposals for regulations of the European Commission concerning the Cohesion Fund, COM(2004) 494 final — 2004/0166 (AVC) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), COM(2004) 495 final — 2004/0167 (COD);

Having regard to its opinion on The Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion (CdR 120/2004 fin) (1);

Having regard to its opinion on Building our common Future Policy challenges and Budgetary means of the Enlarged Union 2007-2013 (CdR 162/2004 fin);

Having regard to the conclusions of the Barcelona and Gothenburg European Councils, in which the Member States agree on the compromise to reduce the level of state aids in the European Union, orientating them to subjects of common interest, including economic and social cohesion;

Having regard to its draft opinion (CdR 77/2005 rev. 1) adopted on 29 April 2005 by its Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (rapporteur: Mr Vicente Alvarez Areces, President of the Principality of Asturias (ES/PES));

Whereas:

adopted the following opinion at its 60th plenary session of 6 and 7 July 2005 (meeting of 7 July):

I.   The Committee of the Regions' views

1.   General comments

The Committee of the Regions

a)   Assessment of state aid in recent years

The Committee of the Regions

b)   Rules

The Committee of the Regions

c)   New thresholds provided for by the Commission proposal

The Committee of the Regions

Indicators:

Net/gross grant:

2.   Areas that could be covered by the exception under Article 87(3)(a) TEC

The Committee of the Regions

a)   Bonuses for certain regions:

The Committee of the Regions

b)   Operating aid:

The Committee of the Regions

c)   Other consequences for regions no longer classified under Article 87(3)(a)

The Committee of the Regions

3.   Areas that could be covered by the exception under Article 87(3)(c) TEC

The Committee of the Regions

4.   Areas covered by the regional competitiveness and employment objective

The Committee of the Regions

5.   Regional aid and horizontal frameworks

The Committee of the Regions

6.   Sectoral aid and regional development

The Committee of the Regions

7.   Types of aid

The Committee of the Regions

8.   Aid and relocation

The Committee of the Regions

9.   Definition of initial investment

The Committee of the Regions

II.   The Committee of the Regions' recommendations

The Committee of the Regions calls for:

Brussels, 7 July 2005

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

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(1)OJ C 318 du 22.12.2004, p. 1

(2)  Article 87 of the EC Treaty

(3)  Guidelines on national regional aid (98/C74/06), OJ C 74 of 10.3.98.

(4)  As stated in the CoR Opinion on the Third report on economic and social cohesion (CdR 120/2004)

(5)  Guidelines on national regional aid (98/C74/06), paragraph 5 of the Introduction.

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the Commission on the Social Agenda

(2006/C 31/08)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission on the Social Agenda (COM(2005) 33 final);

Having regard to the decision of the Commission to consult the CoR on this subject, under the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

Having regard to the decision of its President of 20 January 2005 to instruct its Commission for Economic and Social Policy to draw up an opinion on this subject;

Having regard to the draft Constitutional Treaty and in particular Articles III-117 and III-209 to III-219;

Having regard to the White Paper on European governance adopted in 2001 (COM(2001) 428 final);

Having regard to the Report from the High-level Group on The future of social policy in an enlarged European Union (Employment and Social Affairs DG — May 2004);

Having regard to the report entitled Jobs, jobs, jobs — Creating more employment in Europe (drawn up by the Employment Taskforce chaired by Wim Kok — November 2003);

Having regard to the publication entitled The Economic Costs of Non-Lisbon. A survey of the literature on the economic impact of Lisbon-type reforms (European Economy, Occasional Papers no. 16, March 2005);

Having regard to its opinion of 23 February 2005 on the Proposal for a Regulation on the European Social Fund and the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community programme for employment and social solidarity — PROGRESS (CdR 240/2004 fin);

Having regard to its opinion of 23 February 2005 on the Communication from the Commission on The Social Dimension of Globalisation — the EU's policy contribution on extending the benefits to all (CdR 328/2004 fin);

Having regard to its opinion of 29 September 2004 on the Communication from the Commission on increasing the employment of older workers and delaying the exit from the labour market (CdR 151/2004 fin) (1);

Having regard to its opinion of 22 April 2004 on the Joint Report on Social Inclusion summarising the results of the examination of the National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (2003-2005) (CdR 21/2004 fin) (2);

Having regard to its Resolution of 24 February 2005 on Revitalising the Lisbon Strategy (CdR 518/2004 fin);

Having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 80/2005 rev.1) adopted on 3 May 2005 by its Commission for Economic and Social Policy (Rapporteur: Ms Linetta Serri, Member of Armungia Municipal Council (IT-PES));

adopted the following opinion at its 60th plenary session, held on 6 and 7 July 2005 (meeting of 6 July).

1.   The Committee of the Regions' views

The Committee of the Regions

2.   Recommendations of the Committee of the Regions

Increasing confidence

The Committee of the Regions

3.   The instruments

The Committee of the Regions

4.   Three conditions to succeed in increasing confidence

The Committee of the Regions

5.   The two priority areas: moving towards full employment

The Committee of the Regions

6.   Towards a more cohesive society

The Committee of the Regions

7.   Conclusions

The Committee of the Regions

urges the Commission to take adequate account of the effective role and responsibilities of local and regional authorities in the various areas covered by the Social Agenda, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle enshrined in the Constitutional Treaty, and reiterates that this is the best way to create a people's Europe that is also based on the principles of cohesion and solidarity, and is engaged in the process of making the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world.

Brussels, 6 July 2005

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

----

(1)OJ C 43, 18.2.2005, p. 7.

(2)OJ C 121, 30.4.2004, p. 32.

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Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Green Paper on an EU approach to managing economic migration

(2006/C 31/09)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

Having regard to the Commission's Green Paper on an EU approach to managing economic migration (COM(2004) 811 final),

Having regard to the Commission's decision to consult the CoR on the subject under the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the decision of its President of 22 February to instruct the Commission for Economic and Social Policy to draw up an opinion on the subject,

Having regard to the Conclusions of the Tampere (1999), Nice and Lisbon (2000) and Seville (2002) European Councils,

Having regard to its Opinion on the Amended Proposal for a Council Directive on the right to family reunification (CdR 243/2002 fin) (1),

Having regard to its Opinion on the Communication from the Commission on a common policy on illegal immigration (COM(2001) 672 final) and on the Communication from the Commission on an open method of coordination for the Community immigration policy (COM(2001) 387 final) of 16 May 2002 (CdR 93/2002 fin) (2),

Having regard to its opinions on a Community immigration policy and a common asylum procedure (CdR 90/2001 fin) (3) and on the Proposal for a Council Directive laying down minimum standards on the reception of applicants for asylum in Member States (CdR 214/2001 fin) (4),

Having regard to its Opinion on the Proposal for a Council Directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents (CdR 213/2001 fin) (5),

Having regard to its Opinions on the Proposal for a Council Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of paid employment and self-employed economic activities (CdR 386/2001 rev. 1) and on the Proposal for a Council Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, vocational training or voluntary service (COM(2002) 548 final) (CdR 2/2003 fin) (6),

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission on integrating migration issues in the European Union's relations with third countries (COM(2002) 703 final),

Having regard to its opinion on the Commission Report requested by the Stockholm European Council: Increasing labour force participation and promoting active ageing (COM(2002) 9 final) (CdR 94/2002 fin) (7),

Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on Immigration, integration and the role of civil society organisations (CES 365/2002 fin) (8),

Having regard to Article 13 of the EC Treaty, and to Council Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation and Council Directive 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin,

Having regard to the Council of Europe report of July 2000 on Diversity and Cohesion: new challenges for the integration of immigrants and minorities,

Having regard to the Commission Staff Working Paper on the Extended impact assessment on the Communication on immigration, integration and employment (COM(2003) 336 final) SEC(2003) 694,

Having regard to its Opinion on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on immigration, integration and employment (CdR223/2003 fin) (9),

Having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament — Area of Freedom, Security and Justice: Assessment of the Tampere programme and future orientations (COM(2004) 401 final),

Having regard to the UN Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families,

Having regard to its draft opinion (CdR 82/2005 rev. 1), adopted on 3 May 2005 by the Commission for Economic and Social Policy (rapporteur: Mr Alvaro Ancisi, Member of the municipal council of Ravenna (IT-EPP),

Whereas

unanimously adopted the following opinion at its 60th plenary session, held on 6-7 July 2005 (meeting of 7 July):

1.   The Committee of the Regions' comments

The Committee of the Regions

With regard to the following key issues raised in the Green Paper:

The degree of harmonisation that future Community legislation should aim at

Admission procedures for migrant workers; work and residence permits

Rights, accompanying measures and cooperation with third countries

A key role for local and regional authorities

2.   The Committee of the Regions' recommendations

The Committee of the Regions

Brussels, 7 July 2005

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Peter STRAUB

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(1)OJ C 73 of 26.3.2003, p. 16

(2)OJ C 278 of 14.11.2002, p. 44

(3)OJ C 19 of 22.1.2002, p. 20

(4)OJ C 107 of 3.5.2002, p. 85

(5)OJ C 19 of 22.1.2002, p. 18

(6)OJ C 244 of 10.10.2003, p. 5

(7)OJ C 287 of 22.11.2002, p. 1

(8)OJ C 125 of 27.5.2002, p. 112

(9)OJ C 109 of 30.4.2004, p. 46

(10)OJ C 192 of 12.08.2002, p. 20

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