Published three times a year by the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party

Contents

■ We need a return to

the spirit of solidarity

. . . . . . . . . . . page 2

■ �Commission�must�fill�

the�energy�efficiency�

gap

. . . . . . . . . . . page 3

■ �Survival�of�the�fittest

. . . . . . . . . . . page 3

■ Join the European

Liberal�Democrats!

. . . . . . . . . . . page 3

■ ���Welcome�event�for�

new�Secretary�General

. . . . . . . . . . . page 4

■ ����Associate�members�

elect�Declan�Harmon�

. . . . . . . . . . . page 4

■ Federalism is ‘our

fortress against

nationalism’

. . . . . . . . . . . page 5

■ Interview with Bas

Verkerk: ‘We have a

lot of work ahead and

time�is�of�the�essence’�

. . . . . . . . . . . page 6

■ A liberal drink with

Nils Torvalds

. . . . . . . . . . . . .page 7

■ Liberal Movers and

Shakers

. . . . . . . . . . . . .page 7

■ President’s Column

. . . . . . . . . . . page 8

■ Calendar

. . . . . . . . . . . page 8

Earlier this year Ireland held the only referendum in the Union on the Fiscal Treaty. Even though we are in opposition, Fianna Fáil chose to put aside short-term partisan politics and supported the Treaty. We played a critical role in the campaign which saw the referendum pass

Eurosceptics across Europe are shamelessly exploiting the current economic crisis to misrepresent and undermine the European Union, its history, its institutions, its goals and its working methods. The five-yearly European elections are treated

with a 60% Yes vote. The support of the ALDE group made a big difference and helped to ensure that the debate was deeply inf luenced by arguments for a stronger and more effective European Union.

More on page 2

largely as national referendums on the government in office rather than a chance to really debate the political choices to deal with continental and global issues like climate change, terrorism, immigration or globalisation.

More on page 5

We need a return to the spirit of solidarity

Energy efficiency is a key part of economic efficiency. We need to get on with setting out a clear path for further energy savings and ensuring

that Member States stick to the measures and targets to which they have signed up.

More on page 3

Commission must fill the energy efficiency gap

issue 2012

Federalism is ‘our fortress against nationalism’

BULLETIN

Associate members elect Declan HarmonIt is my privilege to serve as the Delegate represent ing Associate Members of the ELDR at our Party Congress. It is a particular honour for me as the Congress is being hos ted i n my home c i t y of Dublin. I would l ike to

offer céad míle fái lte – the traditional Irish one hundred thousand welcomes – to our visitors from all across Europe assembling in Dublin.

More on page 4

Third

Interview with Bas Verkerk: ‘We have a lot of work ahead and time is of the essence’

“Local and regional authorities are working hard on making their communities more energy efficient. All over Europe we can see new initiatives that aim to provide sustainable energy. In fact, the ALDE delegation witnessed green economy in action on the Danish island

o f Bornholm du r i ng ou r annual seminar. Inhabitants, consumers and SMEs had their own means of generating ene rg y w i t h t he a im o f running their households in a sustainable manner.”

More on page 6

BULLETIN – Third issue | 2012 | PagE 2

We need a return to the spirit of solidarity

Earlier this year Ireland held the only

referendum in the Union on the Fiscal Treaty.

Even though we are in opposition, Fianna

Fáil chose to put aside short-term partisan

politics and supported the Treaty.

We played a critical role in the campaign

which saw the referendum pass with a 60%

Yes vote. The support of the ALDE group

and ELDR party made a big difference and

helped to ensure that the debate was deeply

influenced by arguments for a stronger and

more effective European Union.

We completely disagreed with attempts

to present the Treaty as the answer to

Europe’s problems – it is just one part of the

wider answer. Greater fiscal oversight and

discipline is clearly a necessary part of the

agenda to restore confidence and growth,

but much more needs to be done.

The ratification of the Fiscal Treaty and

the bold actions of Mario Draghi created

a foundation to move on to the wider

agenda, but unfortunately this moment of

opportunity is again being wasted. Three

years into the biggest economic crisis to

hit Europe since the Second World War no

one can say that the foundations of the Euro

are safe.

Unfortunately at the heart of today’s

economic crisis lies a crisis of leadership.

The European Council has consistently

lacked the vision or urgency which the

situation so clearly requires. There is no

doubt that the enormous achievements of

the Union would not have come about if past

generations of leaders had acted like today’s.

To give one example, if the Eurobonds

proposal of Guy Verhofstadt had been

accepted we would by now be entering the

second year of recovery rather than fearing

the next turn in the crisis.

If we are to conclusively get through this

crisis and return Europe to stability and

growth we have to be honest in focusing

our actions on the actual causes of the crisis.

The lack of fiscal discipline was certainly

one of those, but many of the countries

facing severe pressures in sovereign debt

markets, including Ireland, have lower debts

than other countries outside the Euro who

have had no problem borrowing at low rates

through the crisis.

The lack of a lender of last resort has

undeniably caused an early and avoidable

run on certain countries, catching them in

a destructive spiral. Equally the absence

of a Union budget large enough to help

regions facing serious pressures has meant

that the Union is increasingly in the role of

simply imposing limits rather than enabling

opportunity.

I have spoken in detail about specific Treaty

measures and policy changes that I believe

the Union must adopt. Even more than these

we need a return to the spirit of solidarity

which once defined the Union and is less and

less on display at its most important meetings

and when leaders speak of other countries.

We can’t let the situation go on where

more and more people are seeing ‘Europe’

as a problem for their states rather than a

solution. It’s time for people who believe in

the Union to step-up the push for a more

radical and ambitious blueprint for the future

of the Euro and the Union.

As I travelled through Ireland during our

referendum I talked directly to thousands

of people. Time and again I found that

they feel let down by the Union but they

still have hope that it will again return to

the founding spirits which inspired us all so

much in the past.

Micheál Martin TD is leader of Fianna Fáil and a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork South–Central

constituency. Fianna Fáil will host the ELDR Congress 2012 in Dublin, Ireland.

There is no doubt that the enormous achievements of the Union would not have come about if past generations of leaders had acted like today’s.

BULLETIN – Third issue | 2012 | PagE 3

Commission must fill the energy efficiency gapDuring their September Plenary session in Strasbourg MEPs adopted the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), but UK Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall has called on European Commissioner for Energy Gunter Oettinger to come forward with additional urgent measures to ensure the EU does not fall short of achieving the agreed 20% energy saving target by 2020.

“The adoption of the Energy Efficiency Directive is a great achievement. But we simply can’t rest on our laurels when it comes to saving energy,” she said after the vote in Strasbourg. “Commissioner Oettinger needs to come out with the promised additional measures to close the remaining gap of 3% this autumn.”

“Energy efficiency is a key part of economic efficiency. We need to get on with setting out a clear path for further energy savings and ensuring that Member States stick to the measures and targets to which they have signed up.”

According to the Commission’s own calculations, the EED combined with other proposed new measures on boilers and vehicles - yet to be agreed - will only achieve a 17% energy consumption reduction.

The adopted directive brings forward legally binding measures to step up efforts to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain – from the transformation of energy and its distribution to its final consumption. Member states must now also present an energy efficiency action plan every three years starting in 2014, proving that energy efficiency obligations schemes or policy measures are being implemented nationally.

The Commission will then use these reports to review the situation and can if necessary propose other measures, including legally binding targets to achieve the energy saving target.

Fiona Hall MEP (Liberal Democrats, United Kingdom) is a Member of the European Parliament

for the North-East of England and a full member of the Industry, Research and

Energy Committee

Although the size of Europe’s population is shrinking, electricity demand is still on the rise. The Renewable Energy Directive stipulates that Europe aims to generate at least 20% of its energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Very important for our energy transition is the enhancement of interconnectivity through the power grid. Sustainable energy, if it is to flourish on the market, has to be sellable across borders. Since we live in a world of scarce

resources, whoever has the most efficient ways of producing energy has the largest say in the political future of the world. This means survival of the fittest, and so Europe should do what is in its best interest.

Sid LukkassenELDR Associate member and city councillor

for the VVD in Duiven (The Netherlands).Do you agree? Have your say by

e-mailing dtanahatoe@eldr.eu

Survival of the fittest: An Associate member’s view

Support European liberal values and become an associate member of the ELDR party.

For 25 Euros per year, associate membership cardholders have

privileged access to ELDR events, home delivery of publications

and much more. Many citizens from around Europe have already

joined ELDR, now you can too!

Would you like to sign up too ? Go to www.eldr.eu/en/associatemembership or scan the QR code with your smart phone !

Join the ELDR Party !

Welcome event for new Secretary General

BULLETIN – Third issue | 2012 | PagE 4

ELDR President Sir Graham Watson welcoming the new ELDR Secretary General Jacob Moroza-Rasmussen.

Sir Graham Watson and former ELDR President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck thanking Federica Sabbati.

Former ELDR Communication and Press officer Myriam Watson, Associate member Francis Burstin and Head of the Administration Unit, Sabine Dechamps.

Members of the FDP, Dr. Ellen Madeker, Roland Werner and Marc Naether.

Andrew Duff MEP, Katrien Van Den Broeck and Airis Meier.

Associate members in Brussels. Tuuli Reissaar, Johanna Lindblom and Martin Bailey.

The new Secretary General Jacob Moroza-Rasmussen with his predecessors Mechtild von Alemann (left), Federica Sabbati and Lex Corijn (right).

On�Tuesday�23�September,�Liberals�and�Democrats�gathered�at�the�ELDR�secretariat�in�Brussels�to�welcome�the�new�Secretary�General�Jacob�Moroza-Rasmussen�and�say�goodbye�to�former�Secretary�General�Federica�Sabbati.

It is my privilege to serve as the Delegate representing Associate Members of the ELDR at our Party Congress. It is a particular honour for me as the Congress is being hosted in my home city of Dublin. I would like to offer céad míle fáilte – the traditional Irish one hundred thousand welcomes – to our visitors from all across Europe assembling in Dublin.

I joined the ELDR as an Associate Member in 2011 following my participation in the 2011 Liberal Academy in Brussels. I am active in the ELDR member party in Ireland, Fianna Fáil. I served as Policy Coordinator on the Ógra (Young) Fianna Fáil National Executive Committee from 2009 – 2011.

I have a strong interest in European affairs and Ireland’s place in Europe. I am a member of the Advisory Council of the European Movement (Ireland) and, from 2008 – 2009, I served as the representative of European Movement (Ireland) to the Irish National Forum on Europe – the youngest ever member of that body.

I was educated in Trinity College Dublin where I studied Business and Political Science. I was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Fianna Fáil Branch in Trinity College. I am currently employed in the air transport sector in Dublin.

I look forward to meeting you all during the Congress.

Le gach dea-mhéin (Best regards),

Declan Harmon

Associate members elect Declan Harmon

BULLETIN – Third issue | 2012 | PagE 5

Eurosceptics across Europe are shamelessly exploiting the current economic crisis to misrepresent and undermine the European Union, its history, its institutions, its goals and its working methods. The five-yearly European elections are treated largely as national referendums on the government in office rather than a chance to really debate the political choices to deal with continental and global issues like climate change, terrorism, immigration or globalisation. Like a marital union, the EU requires constant attention, forbearance, support and belief that it can work in difficult as well as good times or else it risks separation and divorce.

In a recent book I have written together with a fel low European federalist from a different political camp (Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Franco-German Green), I aim to throw down a gauntlet to those who are sceptical, ambivalent or indifferent to the European Union. To those who still believe in the European Union, this is a wake-up call to be more outspoken of what the EU has achieved and can still achieve in pursuit of liberal values such as freedom, internationalism, tolerance, open markets etc. If we don’t do so, who will? If not now, when? Within three or four years a new Treaty will be necessary to legitimise the new measures to improve

economic governance and that will require referendums in some countries that may be hard to win if scepticism is allowed to fester unchallenged.

The status quo is not working. We see it in the stalemate in Council over ways to address the economic and financial crisis. But also on other matters such as approving a Single European Patent or es tabl i sh ing a sing le bank ing supervisor, or dealing with asylum claims or agreeing a viable budget for the Union that makes sense for the needs of the EU between now and 2020. So the alternatives are either to roll back the progress we have made in the last 60 years and give in to the eurosceptics, or lay out a vision and ambition for a stronger, more stable and united Europe of the future.

This vision, I believe, should be based on a clear federal structure, defined and agreed in a new, concise constitutional document to be drawn up by the next European Parliament in conjunction with the Council and submitted to a referendum across the EU. The ‘f’ word has been much maligned in recent years, yet many member states are themselves federal structures. It would not detract from one’s national identity or cultural affinity but rather add an extra layer. I can be Flemish, Belgian and European all at the same time. One does not exclude the other.

The European Parliament is at the heart of the project to unite the peoples of Europe in a transnational democracy. It has legitimacy through direct elections but still lacks credibility in the minds of many voters who are less inclined to vote in European Parliament elections than for their national parliaments. There needs to be a sea-change at all levels of public consciousness. All European political parties (including our own) must make a real effort to mount EU-wide campaigns and address the real challenges we face together as a Union of 500 million citizens rather than just as 27 separate national entities. The prospect of electing the European Commission President from party lists would be an incentive to improve turnout so that voting is seen to have tangible consequences.

The European Union was intended to bring together the peoples of Europe after the devastation of two world wars, fuelled by nationalism on the back of economic depression. If we allow these forces to gain a foothold once again on our continent we will have wasted a century of building closer ties and condemned history to repeat itself. Federalism is our fortress against nationalism. It is the right model for addressing the supra-national challenges of the 21st century.

Guy Verhofstadt MEP (Open Vld, Belgium) is leader of the Liberals and Democrats group in the European Parliament and the former

Prime Minister of Belgium (1999-2008).

Federalism is ‘our fortress against nationalism’

Like a marital union, the EU requires constant attention, forbearance, support and belief that it can work in difficult

as well as good times or else it risks separation

and divorce

With energy efficiency and renewable energy being the key phrases in current EU policy-making, how would you describe the efforts made in this respect by Local and Regional Authorities, in general and the City of Delft, in particular?

Local and regional author it ies are work i ng ha rd on mak i ng t he i r communities more energy efficient. All over Europe we can see new initiatives that aim to provide sustainable energy. In fact, the ALDE delegation witnessed green economy in action on the Danish island of Bornholm during our annual seminar. Inhabitants, consumers and SMEs had their own means of generating energy with the aim of running their households in a sustainable manner. If it happens that they produce more energy than they consume then the local energy company buys it. This is a great stimulus for consumers and for providers alike.

As for the City of Delft, a successful initiative that the city has developed is the provision of a subsidy for placing solar panels on the roofs of residential houses. Additionally, Delft is also very active in implementing a policy banning large vehicles in the city centre – a pedestrian zone prevents trucks from entering the area. In order to avoid the difficulties this might cause for the shops and other commercial establishments in the area, the city has put into place a local package and delivery system to distribute goods.

Furthermore, in order to facilitate the setting up of SMEs, the City of Delft has launched the initiative to provide geothermal energy to these enterprises. Last but not least, we also have an info desk advising citizens on their approach to measures in a household for energy and environment-friendly constructions, such as isolation for example.

You will be hosting a seminar at the ELDR Party congress in Dublin on 10 November entitled: “How much economic growth and security can energy transition provide?” What is your own view on this matter?

The European liberals have made energy transition a priority throughout 2012. In November we will be gathering at our annual congress in Dublin to agree a road map for the energy transition. Imagine what it would do for our energy independence, for the

climate, and for our national budgets, if we could dramatically reduce the imports of fossil fuels because millions of our citizens were participating in generating clean energy!

Structural funds play a key role in facilitating this transition to a carbon-free economy. It is no exaggeration to say that Cohesion policy is one of the most powerful instruments available to accelerate this transition and to achieve the EU’s energy and climate objectives. The potential is enormous and our seminar in Dublin will enlighten us further on this matter.

You were elected as ALDE-CoR Group Leader in July of this year succeeding British Liberal Democrat Flo Clucas. What are your key priorities?

As the new President of the ALDE-CoR Group I hope that given my experience I will be able to contribute to a better and more liberal Europe in favour of peace, security, well-being, citizens’ rights, individual emancipation as well as social cohesion. And that is what our unique Europe should be like. However, we are not yet strong enough to be able to achieve all this at once but the Europe 2020 strategy will allow us to gain additional strength. I am very conscious of the rapid pace at which the world is changing. With that in mind it is of the utmost importance to keep up with the world and in doing so, we need to persevere in reinforcing our economy, pushing it to be more technology-driven and more sustainable. This would give us a clear advantage.

As a final thought, we are moving towards a multi-polar world, especially when speaking economically, and as far as progress and societal changes are concerned. By 2040 only 5% of the world population will be living in Europe. With that in mind, we have a lot of work ahead of us and time is of the essence.

Bas Verkerk (VVD, The Netherlands) is leader of the

ALDE�Group�in�the�Committee�of�the�

Regions�of�the�European�Union�and�

Mayor of the City of Delft

Interview with Bas Verkerk: ‘We have a lot of work ahead and time is of the essence’

BULLETIN – Third issue | 2012 | PagE 6

Imagine what it would do for our energy

independence, for the climate, and for our

national budgets, if we could dramatically reduce the imports of fossil fuels because millions of our

citizens were participating in generating clean

energy!

A liberal drink with Nils Torvalds

What or who motivated you to enter politics?That’s�a�long�story.�I�was�an�activist�while�at�school�so�when�I�entered�politics� is�an�open question, but more formally I entered politics�after�leaving�my�professional�job�as�a�journalist.

Do you remember your first ever international event in which you participated? I�think�that�was�a�conference�on�development�aid.�Held�in�Bad�Godesberg�near�Bonn�in�1967.

Where do you stand on the political spectrum?Slightly�left�of�centre�on�most�questions...

Have you ever read the Communist Manifesto?Yes!�I�have�read�Das�Kapital�(all�three�parts�+�Theorien�über�den�Mehrwert)�in�German.�I�

think�it’s�part�of�our�cultural�heritage�and�as�a�son�of�a�poet�I’m�not�afraid�of�reading�books.

What is your favourite quote? It’s a line from a poem of my godfather’s (Nils Ferlin):�«Mänskan�sitter�vid�diktens�port,�och�tänker�på�allt�vad�stort�hon�gjort,�och�allt�vad�stor�hon�skall�göra.�Förunderlig�är�hon�att�höra...»�[Translation�by�the�editor:�“Mankind rests at poetry’s doors, reflecting on the great that has gone and that is yet to come. How marvellous it is...”]

A cup filled half-way is… ?...�half-empty�-�I’m�slightly�pessimistic...

The best example of government waste is…Bureaucracy!

How do you feel about freedom of speech in Europe?As�a�grandson�and�a�son�of�journalists�(my�father� could�not� live�by�writing�poems)�I’m� heavily� disturbed� by� monopolistic�tendencies�in�journalism.

The most convincing evidence that brainwashing exists in Europe is the fact that some truly believe…...in�creation...

What should be the highest law in Europe? Human�rights!

What are the greatest books of all time? Well.�Interesting�question.�I�tend�to�think�that�the most revolutionary book in European history�was�the�Bible.�The�Russian�Biblical�Society�was�forbidden� in�-� if� I� remember�right�-�1828.�And�the�result�is�seen�today.

Three best things in life… Very�private.�All�three�of�them.

What do you fear? Almost�nothing.�We�are�here�as�guests.�For�a�while.

Do you remember the last time you danced? My�wife�keeps�track.

What is your favourite restaurant in Finland?I don’t have a really favourite restaurant in�Helsinki.�But�Kosmos�is�a�very�nice�one.

Nils Torvalds MEP(SFP, Finland) is a member of the Fisheries

and�Civil�Liberties,�Justice�and�Home�Affairs�

committees�of�the�European�Parliament

Liberal Movers and Shakers

In September, Felicita Medved from Slovenia was elected President of the European Liberal Forum, the political foundation of the European liberal family. She succeeds German Liberal MEP Alexander Graf Lambsdorff.

Following the recent parliamentary elections, Dutch liberal MP Anouchka van Miltenburg was elected the new President of the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch Parliament. Previously, Van Miltenburg was Deputy leader of the VVD parliamentary group.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on 3 October announced the extension of the mandate of Anders Fogh Rasmussen as its Secretary General. Fogh Rasmussen is a former Danish Prime Minister and leader of member party Venstre.

Widely regarded as one of the rising stars, Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat, UK) is now the party’s youngest MP and the party’s youngest minister after she was promoted to Under Secretary of State for Employment relations and consumer affairs in the September reshuffle.

BULLETIN – Third issue | 2012 | PagE 7

BULLETIN – Third issue | 2012 | PagE 8

I was very pleased to learn the news that

the Nobel Committee decided to award their

annual peace prize to the European Union.

This award not only goes to the founding

fathers who played their part in bringing

Europe together – Churchill, Schuman,

Monnet and others – but to every citizen of the

European Union who has enjoyed the longest

period of peace by overcoming old rivalries

through trade and creating prosperity. The

awarding of this prize should be seen as an

opportunity to remind ourselves of the reasons

why we are a member of the European Union.

At a time of resurgent nationalism a reminder

of what the EU is for is no bad thing.

Legislative proposals

In September, the European Commission put

forward proposals on banking supervision

which would give the European Central

Bank supervisory powers equivalent to

those of most national central banks but

across the whole eurozone. The proposals

put the European Parliament’s nose out of

joint because on matters to do with the ECB

we are merely consulted by the national

governments, whereas on the European

Banking Authority (their previous idea) we

had powers of co-decision. But we are set

for a prolonged run-in with the national

governments in the Council of Ministers in

any case, because we have withheld approval

of their latest nominee to the ECB’s board in

protest against their repeated failure to find a

single female candidate for the board.

The row over the absence of women from the

board of and director-level positions within the

European Central Bank was intensified by an

open letter from my excellent French colleague

Sylvie Goulard MEP to the President of the

Eurogroup suggesting that the ECB’s headquarters

be transferred to Riyadh or to The Vatican while

this remains the case. Under current tenure

agreements the situation cannot be resolved

before 2018. There can be no excuse for not

having women in such positions. Therefore, I was

glad to see my British colleague Sharon Bowles MEP join the race to succeed Sir Mervyn King as

governor of the Bank of England.

The Commission also brought forward proposals

to give EU-wide political parties a clearer legal

base and I welcomed this. To qualify, parties

will have to meet criteria on internal democracy,

transparency and commitment to democratic

values. We do, of course.

European reflections

In September I was involved in the annual

ELDR Liberal Academy speaking to an

international group of young people. I did

two sessions with them and I think I learned

at least as much from them as they from me.

Germany’s foreign minister Guido Westerwelle

(FDP) published a reflection paper drawn up

with ten other member state foreign ministers

calling for direct elections for the top positions

in the EU (e.g. President of the European

Council and/or Commission). I would not

be surprised if the proposal becomes law by

2019, the end of the 2014-19 Parliament and

Commission mandate.

After leading such a successful public campaign

to raise awareness of the deteriorating situation

in Georgia and speaking passionately in the

European Parliament on the matter, I was

pleased to hear that President Saakashvili’s

party lost the parliamentary elections last

month. They have been in power too long

and have become arrogant and corrupt. Worse,

political opponents are being tortured in

their prisons, as horrific film footage which

surfaced during the election campaign showed.

Saakashvili’s term as President may not yet be

at an end, but he is on the way out.

Sir Graham Watson MEP

President of the ELDR Party

President’s Column

European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, aisbl

Rue�Montoyerstraat�31,�1000�Brussels

Tel. 02 237 01 40 - Fax 02 231 19 07

Editors: Daniel�Tanahatoe,�ELDR Andrew�Burgess,�ELDR

Publisher : Didrik�de�Schaetzen,�ELDR

Layout and printing : Trinome.be

With support of the European Parliament

CAlendAr - upComing evenTs

ELF: governance in the 21st century, Brussels, Belgium, 27�November�2012

vvd Congress,�Den�Bosch,�The�Netherlands,�24�November�2012

LYMEC and aLDE group Winter academy, Brussels, Belgium 5-6�December�2012

At a time of resurgent nationalism a reminder

of what the EU is for is no bad thing