Our work

Commissions

Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional & External Affairs

From a socialist and progressive point of view, the CIVEX Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs covers some the politically most sensitive topics, such as migration, human rights and enlargement, as well as external relations andsubsidiarity and governance-related issues. The Conference on the Future of Europe as a horizontal issue linked to democracy and possibly Treaty changes also falls under the CIVEX remit. Therefore, the CIVEX commission is crucial to achieve some of the most important political priorities of the PES group, namely to strengthen the democratic foundations of the EU and improve its governance through active subsidiarity, as well as to ensure that an EU framework for migration is delivered taking into due account the voices of cities and regions. Moreover, it is through the CIVEX Commission that Local and Regional Authorities will hopefully be able to make their voices heard in the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The CIVEX commission mirrors several parliamentary committees in the European Parliament, among which AFET, DROI, LIBE, AFCO and DEVE. CIVEX also interacts with different Directorates-General (DG) of the European Commission: the DGs for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (NEAR), International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), Migration and Home Affairs (HOME).

The remit of the CIVEX Commission covers the following fields:     

  • Area of Freedom, Security and Justice   
  • Immigration Policy, asylum and visas     
  • EU Charter of Fundamental Rights     
  • Active Citizenship
  • Devolution
  • Constitutional Affairs
  • Governance, better Law-Making, Subsidiarity and Proportionality     
  • External Relations, including administrative external cooperation and capacity building
  • International Treaties and negotiations, terrorism and border controls
  • Neighbourhood Policy (including Eastern Partnership and Euro-Med cooperation), decentralised cooperation for development and EU enlargement issues

 

In addition, CIVEX is responsible for the following bodies (related to CIVEX remits):

  • CORLEAP
  • ARLEM
  • Working Groups and Joint Consultative Committees
  • Ukraine Task Force
  • Nicosia Initiative (cooperation with Libyan municipalities)
  • Portal of Decentralised Development Cooperation
  • Cities and Regions for Integration initiative
  • Subsidiarity Monitoring Network (supports all Committee’s commissions)
  • High-Level Group Congress of the Committee of the Regions

Contact persons in the PES Group secretariat:

Olga Fotinou
CIVEX
+32 (0) 2 282 20 86
EL, EN, FR, IT
Francesco Carteri
ARLEM - WG Turkey - Decentralised cooperation for development
+32 (0) 2 282 20 48
IT, EN, FR
Bastian Meić
CORLEAP - JCC North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia - WG Western Balkans
+32 (0) 2 282 22 55
DE, EN, HR, NL, FR

Members

 Vincenzo BIANCO
Vincenzo BIANCO
First Vice-President Italy
Member of Catania Municipal Council
 Marie JOHANSSON
Marie JOHANSSON
PES Group coordinator Sweden
Member of Gislaved Municipal Council
 Vasco Ilídio ALVES CORDEIRO
Vasco Ilídio ALVES CORDEIRO
Member Portugal
Member of the Azores Regional Parliament…
 Daniel BĂLUȚĂ
Daniel BĂLUȚĂ
Member Romania
Mayor of District 4, Bucharest…
 Adrián BARBÓN RODRÍGUEZ
Adrián BARBÓN RODRÍGUEZ
Member Spain
President of the Principality of Asturias…
 Vincenzo BIANCO
Vincenzo BIANCO
Member Italy
Member of Catania Municipal Council
 Dimitrios BIRMPAS
Dimitrios BIRMPAS
Member Greece
Municipal Councilor of Egaleo
 Aoife BRESLIN
Aoife BRESLIN
Member Ireland
Member of the Kildare County Council…
 Loredana CAPONE
Loredana CAPONE
Member Italy
President of the Regional Council of…
 Mario FAVA
Mario FAVA
Member Malta
Member of the Local Councils'…
 Jens Christian GJESING
Jens Christian GJESING
Member Denmark
Councillor of Haderslev
 Antje GROTHEER
Antje GROTHEER
Member Germany
Vice-President of Bremen State Parliament…
 Jaroslav HLINKA
Jaroslav HLINKA
Member Slovakia
Mayor of Košice - South
 Basílio HORTA
Basílio HORTA
Member Portugal
Mayor of Sintra
 Danial ILKHANIPOUR
Danial ILKHANIPOUR
Member Germany
Member of the Regional Assembly of…
 Aleksander JEVŠEK
Aleksander JEVŠEK
Member Slovenia
Mayor of Murska Sobota
 Marie JOHANSSON
Marie JOHANSSON
Member Sweden
Member of Gislaved Municipal Council…
 Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Member Belgium
President of the Parliament of the German…
 Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Member Finland
Member of Rovaniemi City Council
 Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Member Spain
President of the Regional Government of…
 Marie-Louise RÖNNMARK
Marie-Louise RÖNNMARK
Member Sweden
Mayor of Umea
 Christophe ROUILLON
Christophe ROUILLON
Member France
Mayor of Coulaines
 Mindaugas SINKEVIČIUS
Mindaugas SINKEVIČIUS
Member Lithuania
Mayor of Jonava
 Matthias STADLER
Matthias STADLER
Member Austria
Mayor of St. Pölten
 Corneliu ŞTEFAN
Corneliu ŞTEFAN
Member Romania
President of Dâmboviţa County Council…
 Ángel Víctor TORRES PÉREZ
Ángel Víctor TORRES PÉREZ
Member Spain
President of the Government of the Canary…
 Gabriela Florica TULBURE
Gabriela Florica TULBURE
Member Romania
Mayor of Sein
 André VIOLA
André VIOLA
Member France
Councillor of the Aude Department
Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU budget

From a socialist and progressive point of view, the COTER commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget deals with important topics for the future of regions and cities in Europe. The European Structural and Investment Funds, cohesion in urban and rural areas, the territorial approach, territorial cooperation and transport and urban policies are main drivers for change. They allow the implementation of integrated strategies based on the needs identified in cities and regions. In the COTER commission, we focus on building a more cohesive Europe based on solidarity that leaves no people and no places behind. 

The remit of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget covers the following fields:

  • EU Budget and Multiannual Financial Framework Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion
  • Cohesion Policy Funds
  • Territorial Development, including the Territorial Agenda
  • Urban Policy
  • Spatial Planning and Housing
  • Territorial Cooperation including Cross-border Cooperation and Macro-regional Strategies
  • Transport policy, TEN-T and Missing Links
  • Regional Statistics and Indicators

Contact persons in the PES Group secretariat:

Nicolas Lété
COTER
+32 (0) 2 282 25 40
FR, EN, ES
Bastian Meić
COTER
+32 (0) 2 282 22 55
DE, EN, HR, NL, FR

Members

 Nathalie SARRABEZOLLES
Nathalie SARRABEZOLLES
President France
Local councillor of the Finistère Departmental Council
 Miguel ALVES
Miguel ALVES
Member Portugal
Mayor of Caminha
 Concepción ANDREU RODRÍGUEZ
Concepción ANDREU RODRÍGUEZ
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Ionel ARSENE
Ionel ARSENE
Member Romania
President of Neamţ County Council
 Roby BIWER
Roby BIWER
Member Luxembourg
Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council…
 Isabelle BOUDINEAU
Isabelle BOUDINEAU
Member France
Member of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional…
 Abel CABALLERO ÁLVAREZ
Abel CABALLERO ÁLVAREZ
Member Spain
Mayor of Vigo
 Arianna Maria CENSI
Arianna Maria CENSI
Member Italy
Local councillor of Milan in charge of…
 Elio DI RUPO
Elio DI RUPO
Member Belgium
Minister-President of the Government of…
 Nijolė DIRGINČIENĖ
Nijolė DIRGINČIENĖ
Member Lithuania
Mayor of Birštonas
 Heinrich DORNER
Heinrich DORNER
Member Austria
Member of the State Government of…
 Paul FARRUGIA
Paul FARRUGIA
Member Malta
Member of thr South East Region Council…
 Guillermo FERNÁNDEZ VARA
Guillermo FERNÁNDEZ VARA
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Nuška GAJŠEK
Nuška GAJŠEK
Member Slovenia
Mayor of Ptuj
 Rumen Guninski
Rumen Guninski
Member Bulgaria
Member of the Local Council of Pravets…
 Birgit HONÉ
Birgit HONÉ
Member Germany
Minister for Federal and European Affairs…
 Danial ILKHANIPOUR
Danial ILKHANIPOUR
Member Germany
Member of the Regional Assembly of…
 Nicola IRTO
Nicola IRTO
Member Italy
Vice-President of Calabria Regional…
 Francisco Javier LAMBÁN MONTAÑÉS
Francisco Javier LAMBÁN MONTAÑÉS
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Michael LUDWIG
Michael LUDWIG
Member Austria
Mayor and Governor of Vienna
 Ričardas MALINAUSKAS
Ričardas MALINAUSKAS
Member Lithuania
Mayor of Druskininkaj
 Karsten Uno PETERSEN
Karsten Uno PETERSEN
Member Denmark
Regional Councillor
 Ilmar REEPALU
Ilmar REEPALU
Member Sweden
Member of Malmö Municipal Council
 Tomas RISTE
Tomas RISTE
Member Sweden
Member of Värmland County Council
 Marie-Louise RÖNNMARK
Marie-Louise RÖNNMARK
Member Sweden
Mayor of Umea
 Pascal SMET
Pascal SMET
Member Belgium
Secretary of State of the Brussels-…
 Ángel Víctor TORRES PÉREZ
Ángel Víctor TORRES PÉREZ
Member Spain
President of the Government of the Canary…
 Jobst-Hinrich UBBELOHDE
Jobst-Hinrich UBBELOHDE
Member Germany
State secretary for Europe of the Land of…
 Rudi VERVOORT
Rudi VERVOORT
Member Belgium
Minister-President of the Government of…
 Gerry WOOP
Gerry WOOP
Member Germany
Berlin State Secretary for Europe
 Nicola Zingaretti
Nicola Zingaretti
Member Italy
President of Lazio Region
Commission for Economic Policy

From a socialist and progressive point of view, the ECON Commission for Economic Policy is politically particularly sensitive, as it relates notably to economic governance, public investment, competition policy and public services, the governance aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as trade policy, including the follow-up of the negotiations with the United Kingdom.

The ECON commission mirrors several parliamentary committees in the European Parliament, among which ECON, IMCO, INTA and ITRE. ECON also interacts with different Directorates general (DG) of the European Commission, among which: the DGs for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW), for Defence Matters (DEF), for Competition Policy (COMP), for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (FISMA), for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECFIN), for Trade (TRADE), for Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO), and for Structural Reform Support (REFORM).

The remits of the Commission for Economic Policy cover the following fields:

  • Single Market and the Digital Single Market
  • Public procurement and competition
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Investment
  • SMEs, entrepreneurship and industry
  • LRAs in Economic Governance
  • Economic and Monetary Union
  • Trade and globalisation

Contact person in the PES Group secretariat:

Matthieu Hornung
+32 (0) 2 282 25 78
DE, FR, EN, PL

Members

 Robert Sorin NEGOIȚĂ
Robert Sorin NEGOIȚĂ
Vice-President Romania
Mayor of District 3, Bucharest
 Isolde RIES
Isolde RIES
PES Group coordinator Germany
First Vice-President of the Saarland Landtag
 Mikko AALTONEN
Mikko AALTONEN
Member Finland
Member of Tampere City Council
 Adrián BARBÓN RODRÍGUEZ
Adrián BARBÓN RODRÍGUEZ
Member Spain
President of the Principality of Asturias…
 Abel CABALLERO ÁLVAREZ
Abel CABALLERO ÁLVAREZ
Member Spain
Mayor of Vigo
 Loïg CHESNAIS-GIRARD
Loïg CHESNAIS-GIRARD
Member France
President of the Regional Council of…
 María Victoria CHIVITE NAVASCUÉS
María Victoria CHIVITE NAVASCUÉS
Member Spain
President of the Autonomous Community of…
 Elio DI RUPO
Elio DI RUPO
Member Belgium
Minister-President of the Government of…
 Paul FARRUGIA
Paul FARRUGIA
Member Malta
Member of thr South East Region Council…
 Ján FERENČÁK
Ján FERENČÁK
Member Slovakia
Mayor of Kežmarok
 Mariana GÂJU
Mariana GÂJU
Member Romania
Mayor of Cumpăna
 Eugenio Giani
Eugenio Giani
Member Italy
President of Tuscany Region
 Xamuel GONZALEZ WESTLING
Xamuel GONZALEZ WESTLING
Member Sweden
Member of Hofors Municipal Council
 Juri GOTMANS
Juri GOTMANS
Member Estonia
Member of the Võru City Council
 Tilo GUNDLACK
Tilo GUNDLACK
Member Germany
Member of the Landtag of Mecklenburg-…
 Basílio HORTA
Basílio HORTA
Member Portugal
Mayor of Sintra
 Nicola IRTO
Nicola IRTO
Member Italy
Vice-President of Calabria Regional…
 Tom JUNGEN
Tom JUNGEN
Member Luxembourg
Mayor of the municipality of Roeser
 Peter KAISER
Peter KAISER
Member Austria
Governor of Carinthia
 Ioannis Kourakis
Ioannis Kourakis
Member Greece
President of the Regional Union of…
 Francisco Javier LAMBÁN MONTAÑÉS
Francisco Javier LAMBÁN MONTAÑÉS
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Ričardas MALINAUSKAS
Ričardas MALINAUSKAS
Member Lithuania
Mayor of Druskininkaj
 Krzysztof MATYJASZCZYK
Krzysztof MATYJASZCZYK
Member Poland
Mayor of Częstochowa
 Luca MENESINI
Luca MENESINI
Member Italy
President of the Province of Lucca
 Vladimir Moskov
Vladimir Moskov
Member Bulgaria
Member of Gotse Delchev Municipality…
 Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Member Finland
Member of Rovaniemi City Council
Petre Emanoil NEAGU
Member Romania
President of Buzău County Council
 Robert Sorin NEGOIȚĂ
Robert Sorin NEGOIȚĂ
Member Romania
Mayor of District 3, Bucharest
 Isolde RIES
Isolde RIES
Member Germany
First Vice-President of the Saarland…
 Christophe ROUILLON
Christophe ROUILLON
Member France
Mayor of Coulaines
 Mindaugas SINKEVIČIUS
Mindaugas SINKEVIČIUS
Member Lithuania
Mayor of Jonava
 Stavros STAVRINIDES
Stavros STAVRINIDES
Member Cyprus
Municipal Councilor of Strovolos…
 Kata TÜTTŐ
Kata TÜTTŐ
Member Hungary
Deputy-Mayor of Budapest
 Karin WANNGÅRD
Karin WANNGÅRD
Member Sweden
Member of Stockholm Municipal Council…
Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy

The ENVE Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy is of central importance for the PES Group, as it will notably deal with a substantial port of the consultative work related to the European Green Deal and will thus formulate to a large extet the Committee of the Regions’ position on the fundamental transitions which are necessary to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. Climate and environmental criteria will have to be mainstreamed throughout all policy areas, both practically and financially and this in turn requires the need to build capacities at local and regional level on how to implement the green transition and to protect biodiversity. From a progressive point of view, it is important to ensure a just transition and that the implementation of the Green Deal will leave no region and no one behind. The ENVE commission also coordinates activities related to the Covenant of Mayors, involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change and for sustainability. The PES ENVE chair is also chairing the Comittee’s horizontal working group on the Green Deal Going Local. The ENVE Commission mirrors the work of several parliamentary committees in the European Parliament, notably ENVI and ITRE. ENVE interacts with different Directorates-General (DG) of the European Commission: Climate Action (CLIMA), Environment (ENV) and Energy (ENER).

The remit of the Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy covers the following fields:

  • European Green Deal
  • Climate Change: Adaptation, Mitigation and Finances
  • Environment Policy
  • Energy Policy and Trans-European Energy Networks
  • Space Policy for Territorial Development (including Galileo and GMES/Copernicus)

Contact person in the PES Group secretariat:

Francesco Carteri
ENVE
+32 (0) 2 282 20 48
IT, EN, FR

Members

 Roby BIWER
Roby BIWER
PES Group coordinator Luxembourg
Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council
 Vasco Ilídio ALVES CORDEIRO
Vasco Ilídio ALVES CORDEIRO
Member Portugal
Member of the Azores Regional Parliament…
 Francina ARMENGOL I SOCIAS
Francina ARMENGOL I SOCIAS
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Member Greece
Member of the Regional Council of Crete…
 Roby BIWER
Roby BIWER
Member Luxembourg
Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council…
 Loredana CAPONE
Loredana CAPONE
Member Italy
President of the Regional Council of…
 Arianna Maria CENSI
Arianna Maria CENSI
Member Italy
Local councillor of Milan in charge of…
 Michele Emiliano
Michele Emiliano
Member Italy
President of Puglia Region
 Paul FARRUGIA
Paul FARRUGIA
Member Malta
Member of thr South East Region Council…
 Ján FERENČÁK
Ján FERENČÁK
Member Slovakia
Mayor of Kežmarok
 Guillermo FERNÁNDEZ VARA
Guillermo FERNÁNDEZ VARA
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Mariana GÂJU
Mariana GÂJU
Member Romania
Mayor of Cumpăna
 Emiliano GARCÍA-PAGE SÁNCHEZ
Emiliano GARCÍA-PAGE SÁNCHEZ
Member Spain
President of the Regional Government of…
 Juri GOTMANS
Juri GOTMANS
Member Estonia
Member of the Võru City Council
 Jaroslav HLINKA
Jaroslav HLINKA
Member Slovakia
Mayor of Košice - South
 Birgit HONÉ
Birgit HONÉ
Member Germany
Minister for Federal and European Affairs…
 Anne KARJALAINEN
Anne KARJALAINEN
Member Finland
Member of Kerava City Council
 Malte KRÜCKELS
Malte KRÜCKELS
Member Germany
Representative of a regional body with…
 Luca MENESINI
Luca MENESINI
Member Italy
President of the Province of Lucca
 Ilmar REEPALU
Ilmar REEPALU
Member Sweden
Member of Malmö Municipal Council
 Matthias STADLER
Matthias STADLER
Member Austria
Mayor of St. Pölten
 Corneliu ŞTEFAN
Corneliu ŞTEFAN
Member Romania
President of Dâmboviţa County Council…
 Kata TÜTTŐ
Kata TÜTTŐ
Member Hungary
Deputy-Mayor of Budapest
 Rudi VERVOORT
Rudi VERVOORT
Member Belgium
Minister-President of the Government of…
 André VIOLA
André VIOLA
Member France
Councillor of the Aude Department
 Karin WANNGÅRD
Karin WANNGÅRD
Member Sweden
Member of Stockholm Municipal Council…
Commission for Natural Resources

From a socialist and progressive point of view, the NAT Commission for Natural Resources has a unique window of opportunity to leverage its cross-sector policy expertise to strengthen the Committee of the Regions’ position on pressing debates such as depletion of natural resources, digital divide or ageing population in rural areas. It brings together agriculture, food policy, health, rural, maritime, forest, tourism, consumer and civil protection. The NAT Members can influence policy developments covering the whole food production chain, targeting sustainable land use and benefiting rural and coastal community, addressing health threats and boosting health promotion and prevention, stimulating maritime and rural economies, maintaining Europe's leadership in sustainable tourism and keeping consumers and citizens safe and protected. Moreover, it will play a fundamental role on the implementation of the ecological transition, mainly by greening the future common agricultural policy.

The remit of the Commission for Natural Resources covers the following fields:

  • The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
  • Rural development
  • Maritime policy
  • Fisheries
  • Public health
  • Tourism
  • Civil protection
  • Forestry
  • Food production
  • Consumer protection

Contact person in the PES Group secretariat:

Nicolas Lété
+32 (0) 2 282 25 40 | +32 (0) 487 17 83 27
FR, EN, ES

Members

 Karsten Uno PETERSEN
Karsten Uno PETERSEN
First Vice-President Denmark
Regional Councillor
 Joan CALABUIG RULL
Joan CALABUIG RULL
PES Group coordinator Spain
Regional Secretary for the European Union and External Relations of the Government of Valencia
 Miguel ALVES
Miguel ALVES
Member Portugal
Mayor of Caminha
 Nikos ANASTASIOU
Nikos ANASTASIOU
Member Cyprus
Mayor of Kato Polemidia Municipality…
 Francina ARMENGOL I SOCIAS
Francina ARMENGOL I SOCIAS
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Member Greece
Member of the Regional Council of Crete…
 Daniel BĂLUȚĂ
Daniel BĂLUȚĂ
Member Romania
Mayor of District 4, Bucharest…
 Dimitrios BIRMPAS
Dimitrios BIRMPAS
Member Greece
Municipal Councilor of Egaleo
 Roby BIWER
Roby BIWER
Member Luxembourg
Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council…
 Isabelle BOUDINEAU
Isabelle BOUDINEAU
Member France
Member of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional…
 Aoife BRESLIN
Aoife BRESLIN
Member Ireland
Member of the Kildare County Council…
 Joan CALABUIG RULL
Joan CALABUIG RULL
Alternate Spain
Regional Secretary for the European Union…
 Loïg CHESNAIS-GIRARD
Loïg CHESNAIS-GIRARD
Member France
President of the Regional Council of…
 Michele Emiliano
Michele Emiliano
Member Italy
President of Puglia Region
 Mario FAVA
Mario FAVA
Member Malta
Member of the Local Councils'…
 Karine GLOANEC-MAURIN
Karine GLOANEC-MAURIN
Member France
President of municipalities of Collines…
 Isilda Maria Prazeres GOMES
Isilda Maria Prazeres GOMES
Member Portugal
Member of Portimão Municipal Council…
 Xamuel GONZALEZ WESTLING
Xamuel GONZALEZ WESTLING
Member Sweden
Member of Hofors Municipal Council
 Tilo GUNDLACK
Tilo GUNDLACK
Member Germany
Member of the Landtag of Mecklenburg-…
 Rumen Guninski
Rumen Guninski
Member Bulgaria
Member of the Local Council of Pravets…
 Jácint HORVÁTH
Jácint HORVÁTH
Member Hungary
Member of the Local Government of…
 Aleksander JEVŠEK
Aleksander JEVŠEK
Member Slovenia
Mayor of Murska Sobota
Petre Emanoil NEAGU
Member Romania
President of Buzău County Council
 Robert Sorin NEGOIȚĂ
Robert Sorin NEGOIȚĂ
Member Romania
Mayor of District 3, Bucharest
 Karsten Uno PETERSEN
Karsten Uno PETERSEN
Member Denmark
Regional Councillor
 Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Member Spain
President of the Regional Government of…
 Isolde RIES
Isolde RIES
Member Germany
First Vice-President of the Saarland…
 Nathalie SARRABEZOLLES
Nathalie SARRABEZOLLES
Member France
Local councillor of the Finistère…
 Jobst-Hinrich UBBELOHDE
Jobst-Hinrich UBBELOHDE
Member Germany
State secretary for Europe of the Land of…
 Nicola Zingaretti
Nicola Zingaretti
Member Italy
President of Lazio Region
Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture

From a socialist and progressive point of view, the SEDEC Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture is politically particularly sensitive, as it deals notably with employment, the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, equality and labour mobility. At the same time, the implementation of R&I policies is very relevant to Socialists, Social Democrats and Progressives since it brings into play social, territorial and economic cohesion. Ethical aspects of Artificial Intelligence are of particular concern for our Group. Moreover, most policies covered by the SEDEC commission, including those related to education and training as well as youth, are central to a just transition that empowers people and leaves no person or region behind.

The SEDEC commission mirrors several parliamentary committees in the European Parliament, among which EMPL, FEMM, CULT, IMCO and ITRE. SEDEC also interacts with different Directorates-General (DG) of the European Commission: the DGs for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL), Research and Innovation (RTD), Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CONNECT), Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC), Justice and Consumers (JUST), Regional and Urban Policy (REGIO)  and the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

The remits of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture cover the following fields:

  • Employment Policy
  • European Pillar of Social Rights, including Social Policy, Social Protection
  • Equality
  • Social Economy
  • Demographic Change
  • Labour Mobility
  • Education and Training (including Lifelong Learning)
  • Innovation; Research and Technology and smart specialisation
  • Bio-economy
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • EU Information Society, including Trans-European ICT Networks
  • Audio-visual Industry and Media Technologies
  • Youth
  • Sport
  • Multilingualism and Promotion of Minority Languages
  • Culture and Cultural Diversity and Creativity

Contact person in the PES Group secretariat:

Olga Fotinou
+32 (0) 2 282 20 86
EL, EN, FR, IT

Members

 Anne KARJALAINEN
Anne KARJALAINEN
President Finland
Member of Kerava City Council
 Jácint HORVÁTH
Jácint HORVÁTH
PES Group coordinator Hungary
Member of the Local Government of Nagykanizsa
 Mikko AALTONEN
Mikko AALTONEN
Member Finland
Member of Tampere City Council
 Nikos ANASTASIOU
Nikos ANASTASIOU
Member Cyprus
Mayor of Kato Polemidia Municipality…
 Concepción ANDREU RODRÍGUEZ
Concepción ANDREU RODRÍGUEZ
Member Spain
President of the Regional government of…
 Ionel ARSENE
Ionel ARSENE
Member Romania
President of Neamţ County Council
 Vincenzo BIANCO
Vincenzo BIANCO
Member Italy
Member of Catania Municipal Council
 María Victoria CHIVITE NAVASCUÉS
María Victoria CHIVITE NAVASCUÉS
Member Spain
President of the Autonomous Community of…
 Nijolė DIRGINČIENĖ
Nijolė DIRGINČIENĖ
Member Lithuania
Mayor of Birštonas
 Heinrich DORNER
Heinrich DORNER
Member Austria
Member of the State Government of…
 Nuška GAJŠEK
Nuška GAJŠEK
Member Slovenia
Mayor of Ptuj
 Emiliano GARCÍA-PAGE SÁNCHEZ
Emiliano GARCÍA-PAGE SÁNCHEZ
Member Spain
President of the Regional Government of…
 Eugenio Giani
Eugenio Giani
Member Italy
President of Tuscany Region
 Jens Christian GJESING
Jens Christian GJESING
Member Denmark
Councillor of Haderslev
 Karine GLOANEC-MAURIN
Karine GLOANEC-MAURIN
Member France
President of municipalities of Collines…
 Isilda Maria Prazeres GOMES
Isilda Maria Prazeres GOMES
Member Portugal
Member of Portimão Municipal Council…
 Antje GROTHEER
Antje GROTHEER
Member Germany
Vice-President of Bremen State Parliament…
 Jácint HORVÁTH
Jácint HORVÁTH
Member Hungary
Member of the Local Government of…
 Marie JOHANSSON
Marie JOHANSSON
Member Sweden
Member of Gislaved Municipal Council…
 Tom JUNGEN
Tom JUNGEN
Member Luxembourg
Mayor of the municipality of Roeser
 Peter KAISER
Peter KAISER
Member Austria
Governor of Carinthia
 Anne KARJALAINEN
Anne KARJALAINEN
Member Finland
Member of Kerava City Council
 Ioannis Kourakis
Ioannis Kourakis
Member Greece
President of the Regional Union of…
 Malte KRÜCKELS
Malte KRÜCKELS
Member Germany
Representative of a regional body with…
 Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Member Belgium
President of the Parliament of the German…
 Michael LUDWIG
Michael LUDWIG
Member Austria
Mayor and Governor of Vienna
 Krzysztof MATYJASZCZYK
Krzysztof MATYJASZCZYK
Member Poland
Mayor of Częstochowa
 Vladimir Moskov
Vladimir Moskov
Member Bulgaria
Member of Gotse Delchev Municipality…
 Heike RAAB
Heike RAAB
Member Germany
State Secretary, Representative of the…
 Tomas RISTE
Tomas RISTE
Member Sweden
Member of Värmland County Council
 Nathalie SARRABEZOLLES
Nathalie SARRABEZOLLES
Member France
Local councillor of the Finistère…
 Pascal SMET
Pascal SMET
Member Belgium
Secretary of State of the Brussels-…
 Stavros STAVRINIDES
Stavros STAVRINIDES
Member Cyprus
Municipal Councilor of Strovolos…
 Gabriela Florica TULBURE
Gabriela Florica TULBURE
Member Romania
Mayor of Sein
 Gerry WOOP
Gerry WOOP
Member Germany
Berlin State Secretary for Europe

International cooperation

Enlargement countries

Joint Consultative Committee with Montenegro

The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and Montenegro was set up in 2011. It works to reinforce the Committee’s activities promoting greater inclusion of the territorial dimension in the stabilisation and association process for south-eastern Europe and political dialogue between EU local and regional authorities and their Montenegrin counterparts.

Bastian Meić
+32 (0) 2 282 22 55
DE, EN, HR, NL, FR

Members list

 Vincenzo BIANCO
Vincenzo BIANCO
Member Italy
 Vincenzo BIANCO
Vincenzo BIANCO
Member Italy
Member of Catania Municipal Council
 +39 066 8009233
 IT, FR
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , SEDEC-VII
 Juri GOTMANS
Juri GOTMANS
Member Estonia
 Juri GOTMANS
Juri GOTMANS
Member Estonia
Member of the Võru City Council
 ET, RU, EN
Commissions: ECON-VII , ENVE-VII

Joint Consultative Committee with Serbia

The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and Serbia was set up in 2014 to encourage greater inclusion of the territorial dimension in the stabilisation and association process for south-eastern Europe and strengthened political dialogue with Serbian local and regional authorities.

Bastian Meić
+32 (0) 2 282 22 55
DE, EN, HR, NL, FR

Members list

 Aleksander JEVŠEK
Aleksander JEVŠEK
Member Slovenia
 Aleksander JEVŠEK
Aleksander JEVŠEK
Member Slovenia
Mayor of Murska Sobota
 +386 2 5251677
 SL
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , NAT-VII

Working Group on relations with Turkey

Set up in 2006, the Working Group on relations with Turkey provides the members of the European Committee of the Regions with a mechanism for monitoring accession negotiations with Turkey. It promotes the Committee’s involvement in interinstitutional cooperation while maintaining political dialogue between the EU’s local and regional authorities and their counterparts in Turkey.

Francesco Carteri
+32 (0) 2 282 20 48
IT, EN, FR

Members list

 Jens Christian GJESING
Jens Christian GJESING
Member Denmark
 Jens Christian GJESING
Jens Christian GJESING
Member Denmark
Councillor of Haderslev
 +32 2 5501260
 DA, EN, SV, DE
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , SEDEC-VII
 Stavros STAVRINIDES
Stavros STAVRINIDES
Member Cyprus
 Stavros STAVRINIDES
Stavros STAVRINIDES
Member Cyprus
Municipal Councilor of Strovolos Municipality
 +357 22 375006
 EL
Commissions: ECON-VII , SEDEC-VII
 Yoomi RENSTRÖM
Yoomi RENSTRÖM
Alternate Sweden
 Yoomi RENSTRÖM
Yoomi RENSTRÖM
Alternate Sweden
Mayor of Ovanåker
 +46 70 6063005
 SV, EN

Working Group on relations with the Western Balkans

The Working Group on relations with the Western Balkans (covering Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo*) was set up in 2006 and can be used by members of the European Committee of the Regions to encourage greater inclusion of the territorial dimension in the stabilisation and association process for south-eastern Europe and the future accession negotiations with these countries. The Working Group also contributes to the Committee’s involvement in interinstitutional cooperation in this field, while maintaining political dialogue between the EU’s local and regional authorities and their Western Balkan counterparts.

* “This designation is without prejudice to the positions expressed by the EU Member States on Kosovo’s status and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1244/1999 and the International Court of Justice Opinion of 22 July 2010 on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.”

Bastian Meić
+32 (0) 2 282 22 55
DE, EN, HR, NL, FR

Members list

 Jaroslav HLINKA
Jaroslav HLINKA
Member Slovakia
 Jaroslav HLINKA
Jaroslav HLINKA
Member Slovakia
Mayor of Košice - South
 EN, SK
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , ENVE-VII
 Jácint HORVÁTH
Jácint HORVÁTH
Member Hungary
 Jácint HORVÁTH
Jácint HORVÁTH
Member Hungary
Member of the Local Government of Nagykanizsa
 +36 30 6408671
 EN, DE, HU
Commissions: NAT-VII , SEDEC-VII
 Loredana CAPONE
Loredana CAPONE
Member Italy
 Loredana CAPONE
Loredana CAPONE
Member Italy
President of the Regional Council of Apulia
 +39 080 5408017
 IT
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , ENVE-VII

Joint Consultative Committee with North Macedonia

The Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and North Macedonia was set up in 2008. Its purpose is to prepare the ground for North Macedonia's accession to the EU by promoting political dialogue and cooperation between regional and local authorities in the EU and their counterparts in the country.

Bastian Meić
+32 (0) 2 282 22 55
DE, EN, HR, NL, FR

Members list

Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation (ARLEM)

Euro-Mediterranean Assembly of Local and Regional Authorities (ARLEM)

Launched in 2010, the Euro-Mediterranean Assembly of Local and Regional Authorities (ARLEM) is a permanent political body representing local and regional authorities within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

The Assembly consists of an equal number of delegates on each side (40 representing the EU and 40 from the southern and eastern Mediterranean partner countries). The Assembly is co-chaired by the president of the European Committee of the Regions (for the EU) and a representative of the southern and eastern Mediterranean partners.

ARLEM has one commission, the Commission for Sustainable Territorial Development, whose role is to issue reports for adoption at ARLEM’s annual plenary session. ​

Contact

Francesco Carteri
+32 (0) 2 282 20 48
IT, EN, FR

Members list:

 Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Member Greece
 Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Stavros ARNAOUTAKIS
Member Greece
Member of the Regional Council of Crete
 +30 2813 400300
 EL
Commissions: ENVE-VII , NAT-VII
 Basílio HORTA
Basílio HORTA
Member Portugal
 Basílio HORTA
Basílio HORTA
Member Portugal
Mayor of Sintra
 +351 21 3552620
 PT
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , ECON-VII
 Anne KARJALAINEN
Anne KARJALAINEN
Member Finland
 Anne KARJALAINEN
Anne KARJALAINEN
Member Finland
Member of Kerava City Council
 +358 9 2945663
 EN, FI
Commissions: SEDEC-VII , ENVE-VII
 Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Member Spain
 Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Ximo PUIG I FERRER
Member Spain
President of the Regional Government of Valencia
 +34 96 3866112
 ES
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , NAT-VII
 Christophe ROUILLON
Christophe ROUILLON
Member France
 Christophe ROUILLON
Christophe ROUILLON
Member France
Mayor of Coulaines
 +33 2 43743518
 FR, DE
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , ECON-VII

Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP)

Conference of the Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP)

Set up in 2011, the Conference of the Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership  (CORLEAP) is a platform for regular dialogue between local and regional authorities from the EU and their counterparts in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine).

CORLEAP is co-chaired by the President of the European Committee of the Regions and a representative from the partner countries.

The platform is made up of 36 regional and local politicians, 18 from the Committee and 18 from the six Eastern Partnership countries. 

Bastian Meić
+32 (0) 2 282 22 55
DE, EN, HR, NL, FR

Members list

 Mariana GÂJU
Mariana GÂJU
Member Romania
 Mariana GÂJU
Mariana GÂJU
Member Romania
Mayor of Cumpăna
 +40 241 739003
 FR, RO
Commissions: ENVE-VII , ECON-VII
 Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Member Belgium
 Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ
Member Belgium
President of the Parliament of the German-Speaking Community of Belgium
 +32 87 318402
 DE, FR, NL, EN
Commissions: CIVEX-VII , SEDEC-VII
 Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Member Finland
 Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Mikkel NÄKKÄLÄJÄRVI
Member Finland
Member of Rovaniemi City Council
 +358 400 765002
 SV, EN, SE, FI, FR
Commissions: ECON-VII , CIVEX-VII
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