9th Conference of Presidents of Regions with Legislative Power. iv.vlaanderen.be/regleg

Transcription

1 9th Conference of Presidents of Regions with Legislative Power iv.vlaanderen.be/regleg Brussels, Flemish Parliament, 4-5 December 2008

2 Flanders stands for RICH HISTORY

3 Contents Voorwoord 4 Foreword 5 Programme 6 The conference venue 11 Registration information 11 Practical information 13 Accommodation 15 3 Transport 15 Embassies of REGLEG countries 17 Map 18 How to reach the Flemish Parliament 19 Floor plans of the Flemish Parliament 21

4 Voorwoord 4 Het is met bijzonder genoegen dat ik u welkom mag heten op de negende Conferentie van Presidenten van regio s met wetgevende bevoegdheid (REGLEG) was een belangrijk jaar voor de toekomst van de Europese Unie, waarin REGLEG de ontwikkelingen in verband met de ratificatie van het Verdrag van Lissabon op de voet volgde. Wat de uitkomst hier ook van wordt, REGLEG verwelkomt de inhoudelijke verwezenlijkingen van het Hervormingsverdrag. Hierin wordt immers een nieuw elan gegeven aan het belang van de regio s in het Europese bestel, met bijvoorbeeld de versterking van het subsidiariteitsbeginsel voor de deelstaten met wetgevende bevoegdheid. Het belang hiervan voor de 73 REGLEG-partners is dan ook evident. Het moge duidelijk zijn dat dit beginsel van grote waarde is binnen de Europese Unie. De regio s met wetgevende bevoegdheid kunnen immers beslissingen nemen dicht bij de burger, en zij zijn dan ook goed geplaatst om de stem van de burger in Europa te laten weerklinken. Een goede samenwerking tussen regio s enerzijds, en de Europese Unie anderzijds kan alleen maar de democratische legitimiteit van het beleid op Europees niveau versterken. Als medestichter en één van de drijvende krachten achter het REGLEG-netwerk, was Vlaanderen bijzonder verheugd REGLEG in 2008 te kunnen voorzitten. Zo kon aan het netwerk een nieuwe dynamiek gegeven worden, door het uit te bouwen en te verdiepen naar meer inhoudelijke thema s zoals de sociaal-economische agenda, gelet op het werkprogramma van de Europese Commissie. Ik hoop dan ook dat u kunt genieten van een vruchtbare conferentie, en dat u een aangenaam verblijf hebt in Brussel. Kris Peeters Minister-President van de Vlaamse Regering

5 Foreword I am delighted to welcome you to the 9th Conference of Presidents of Regions with Legislative Power (REGLEG) has been a significant year for the future of the European Union, in which REGLEG has kept very close track of the developments in connection with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. Whatever the result, REGLEG hails the accomplishments with respect to the content of the Reform Treaty. By this Treaty, a new zest is given to the significance of regions within the European framework, for instance by reinforcing the subsidiarity principle for the regions with legislative power. Manifestly, these realizations are of interest for the 73 REGLEG partners. It should be clear that this principle is highly regarded within the European Union. Indeed, the regions with legislative power can take decisions close to the citizen, and are therefore well placed to let the voice of the citizen resound in Europe. Good cooperation between regions on the one hand, and the European Union on the other can only reinforce the democratic legitimacy of European level policy. As a fellow founder and one of the driving forces behind the REGLEG network, Flanders was particularly pleased to chair REGLEG in In doing so, it was able to bring a new set of dynamics to the network, by developing and deepening it towards more substantive themes, such as the socio-economic agenda, having regard to the programme of the European Commission. Therefore, I hope that you enjoy a fruitful conference and have an agreeable stay in Brussels. 5 Kris Peeters Minister-President of the Flemish Government

6 Programme Thursday 4 December 14:30 h Plenary session (Room: Schelp ) Welcome Mrs. Marleen Vanderpoorten, President of the Flemish Parliament Opening Mr. Kris Peeters, Minister-President of the Flemish Government 6 Socio-economic challenges the EU faces by 2020, after the Lisbon Strategy Mr. Kurt Vandenberghe, Head of Private Office of Mr. Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research How Flanders as a region deals with the socio-economic challenges towards 2020 Mr. Karel Vinck, President of the Flanders in Action project Institutional challenges for the EU concrete challenges towards the Lisbon Treaty and beyond Mr. Jo Leinen, President of the AFCO Commission in the European Parliament Institutional and socio-economic challenges for regions in 2020 Mr. Luc van den Brande, President of the Committee of the Regions 15:45 h Coffee break ( Zuilenzaal ) Interventions by the Presidents

7 16:15 h Plenary session ( Schelp ) Brussels Declaration Presentation Mr. Kris Peeters 16:30 h Working groups (Location to be confirmed) Constitution of working groups and appointment of rapporteurs Mr. Koen Verlaeckt, Secretary-General of the Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs Working group 1 The future of the cohesion policy Mrs. Mercedes Bresso, President of Piemonte 7 Working group 2 Regions with legislative power in the EU Future prospects Mrs. Anna Terrón i Cusí, Secretary for the European Union of the Government of Catalunya 18:00 h Plenary session ( Schelp ) Presentation of working group conclusions and remarks Mrs. Mercedes Bresso & Mrs. Anna Terrón i Cusí Information about evening activity 20:00 h Reception and Dinner at the Tour & Taxis site

8 Martelarenplein, Brussels, seat of the Flemish Government

9 Friday 5 December 10:00 h Arrival and coffee ( Zuilenzaal ) 10:30 h Plenary session ( Schelp ) Report of the Flemish Presidency Mr. Koen Verlaeckt Political declaration - Discussion and approval Mr. Kris Peeters Election 2009 Presidency Mr. Koen Verlaeckt work programme - Presentation of the work programme by Piemonte Mrs. Mercedes Bresso Closure Mr. Koen Verlaeckt 12:15 h Group picture (Location to be confirmed) 12:30 h Press conference (Location to be confirmed) Lunch buffet ( Zuilenzaal )

10 Flemish Parliament

11 The conference venue The conference takes place at: The Flemish Parliament Hertogsstraat Brussels Registration and lunch buffet start at 12:30 h, followed by the plenary session at 14:30 h. After the conference on 5 December, press conference facilities are available and a lunch buffet is offered. Registration information For registration for the conference and hotel bookings at special rates, please send an containing the registration forms to registrations@admire.be. Registration deadlines can be found on the registration forms. For additional conference information, please go to or 11

12 Flanders stands for DIVERSITY

13 Practical information Interpretation Available in Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Swedish. Business centre Available for delegates throughout the conference in the Anna Bijns zaal at floor 0, with accessibility to fax and photocopying facilities, internet and . Press conference facilities After the conference, press conference facilities are available in the Schelp at the request of interested delegates. Cloak room Available at the main entrance, for delegates wishing to leave their luggage throughout the conference. 13 Other accommodation Delegates drivers are given the opportunity to wait in a room at floor -1, adjacent to the Masereelzaal. The Koffiehuis at floor 0 is available for bilateral meetings at the request of interested delegates. Conference administration Brigitte Boone +32 (0) (0) info@admire.be

14 Tour & Taxis

15 Accommodation Special REGLEG rates have been negotiated at three conference hotels (for details see registration forms) The Dominican Leopoldstraat Brussels Tel: +32 (0) Hotel Bloom! Koningsstraat Brussels Tel: +32 (0) Transport Coach transfers for delegates will be provided: On 4 December from the conference venue (Flemish Parliament) to the appointed hotels. from the appointed hotels to the official dinner at Tour and Taxis (and back). On 5 December from the appointed hotels to the conference venue (Flemish Parliament) and back. 15 Hotel Le Plaza Adolphe Maxlaan Brussels Tel: +32 (0)

16 Flanders stands for INNOVATION

17 Embassies of REGLEG countries Embassy of the United Kingdom Aarlenstraat Etterbeek tel. +32 (0) Embassy of Spain Wetenschapsstraat Etterbeek tel. +32 (0) Embassy of Germany Jacques de Lalaingstraat Etterbeek tel. +32 (0) Embassy of Italy Emile Clausstraat Elsene tel. +32 (0) Embassy of Austria Marsveldplein 5 - bus Elsene tel. +32 (0) Embassy of Portugal Gulden Vlieslaan Sint-Gillis tel. +32 (0) Embassy of Finland Kunstlaan Brussels tel. +32 (0)

18 Hotel The Dominican Hotel Le Plaza Hotel Bloom! 18 Brussels Central Station Subway station Park Flemish Parliament

19 How to reach the Flemish Parliament From Brussels Airport (arriving by plane) Taxis are available at the exit of the airport. The airport railway station is located below the terminal (basement level -1). As of 5:26 h, trains leave every 15 minutes to Brussels Central station, the station closest to the Flemish Parliament. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. From Brussels Central station, the Flemish Parliament can easily be reached on foot in approximately 10 minutes. Taxis are available at the main exit of the railway building. The Flemish Parliament can also be reached by subway from Brussels Central station, with the closest subway station being Park. From Brussels South station (arriving by train) From Brussels South station, the Flemish Parliament can be reached easily by taxi. Taxi s are available at the main exit. The Flemish Parliament is also accessible by subway, with the closest subway station being Park. The subway station is located below the railway station. A large number of train connections to Brussels Central station is also available (about 30 every hour). 19 For more information about Belgian railway and metro services respectively, please go to and

20 Flanders stands for AVANT-GARDE

21 Flemish Parliament - Floor 0 21

22 Flanders stands for QUALITY OF LIFE

23 Flemish Parliament - Floor -2 23

24 24 Flemish Parliament - Floor +2

25 Flemish Parliament - Floor +3 25

26 Flanders stands for OPENNESS

27 Responsible publisher Koen Verlaeckt, Secretary-General, Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs, Boudewijnlaan 30 bus 80, 1000 Brussels Editorial staff Christine Breugelmans, May Persoons Flemish Department of Foreign Affairs Photos Project T&T: p 14 Marnix Van Esbroeck: p 10 DigitEyes, Frieda Vanhauwaert: p 2, 12, 20, 22, 26, 28 Imec: p 16 Aquaterra: p Graphic Design Services for the General Government Policy Communication Suzie Favere Depotnr D/2008/3241/278 Print Beukeleirs, Lint

28 Grote Markt in Brussels