Although the German federal elections are over, it is still time for decisions: after a round of exploratory talks between the new parliamentarians, official coalition negotiations have kicked off today in Berlin. In his current “EurOpinion” statement EM Germany President Rainer Wend urges the future government to fully commit to Europe and to revise its EU communication strategy accordingly. Elections are a recurring theme this fall: next year’s EP elections are slowly approaching and the preparations at EM Germany and EMI are already in full swing. At the Heads of Office meeting this October EMI briefed more than 30 member organisations on our common campaign for the European elections in 2014.

The current edition of our newsletter recaps the most important projects that have kept us busy over the last few weeks and gives you a quick overview of following dates.  Enjoy reading!

Kind regards,
Karoline Münz
Dep. Secretary General

EM Germany newsletter 07/13

Alternative for Germany (AfD) – Success and euro-skeptic mood: Has the ‘European’ Communication of the Federal government failed?
The communication of European politics and European affairs within the Federal government in previous years has resembled a poster competition rather than a dialogue, says EM Germany’s President Dr. Rainer Wend in his current “EurOpinion” statement. Despite the fact that a constructive solution to the issues faced has long been found, its implementation is as yet insufficient. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/hat-die-europakommunikation-der-bundesregierung-versagt-europapolitischer-einwurf-von-ebd-praesiden/>

The day after the Federal election Wend had demanded from the future government a clear commitment for more Europe. In the coalition agreement – of whichever colour it may be – “European public diplomacy” and a greater involvement of civil society in the European Convention are necessary. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/ebd-praesident-wend-fordert-von-neuer-koalition-ein-klares-bekenntnis-zu-mehr-europa/>

In a live interview just a few hours after the latest estimates had been announced, EM Germany’s General Secretary Bernd Hüttemann spoke with US broadcaster CNBC about the outcome of the Federal elections and gave his assessment of the anti-Euro party AfD and its success.| Full text in German and link to the English interview<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/der-tag-danach-wahlanalyse-von-ebd-generalsekretaer-bernd-huettemann-bei-cnbc/>

A shining evening in Würzburg: Women of Europe award 2013 goes to Daniela Topp-Burghardt Celebrating Europe in Würzburg: since May of this year, the city has been hosting a European event nearly every week on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the European Prize, an award given by the Council of Europe. As the grand conclusion to a series of European happenings, the city’s official anniversary ceremony on 9 October offered the setting for the presentation of the Women of Europe award to Daniela Topp-Burghardt. EM Germany honoured her voluntary engagement as founder and chair of the Ring Europäischer Frauen e.V. (European Women’s Circle). | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/europa-abend-mit-strahlkraft-daniela-topp-burghardt-erhaelt-den-preis-frauen-europas-2013/>

Environment Council did not produce a result on CO2 emissions, but reinforced commitments to UNFCCC No immediate conclusion on the Commission’s proposed Directive for the reduction of CO2 emissions from passenger cars could be reached at the meeting of the Environment Council on 14 October. The ministers however agreed soon to find common ground at first reading. An informal trilogue in June had initially concluded with a compromise on the Commission proposal, which Germany had rejected soon after. At the EBD De-Briefing on 16 October, Dr. Eva Kracht of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety explained the background to and outcomes of the Council meeting. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/ebd-de-briefing-zum-umweltrat-keine-einigung-ueber-co2-grundwerte-jedoch-mehr-geld-fuer-die-klimap/>

EMI Heads of Office meeting prepares civil society campaign for the European elections in 2014 More than 30 organisations met this October in Brussels for the “Heads of Office” meeting of European Movement International (EMI). Despite their different organisational structures, they all share a pro-European perspective and a commitment to their common campaign for the European elections. Similarly to the approach taken by EM Germany during the last EP elections, EMI now caters to European voters through its diverse member organisations. These in turn call upon their members by means of their own newsletters, magazines and other publications to cast their votes in the elections. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/die-europaeische-bewegung-international-nimmt-kurs-auf-die-europawahl/>

Refugee and asylum policy at the centre of EBD De-Briefing on Justice and home affairs More than 70 experts attended the EBD De-Briefing on the outcomes of the most recent Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. In the wake of the refugee disaster off the coast of Lampedusa, immigration and migration to and within the EU were the focus of the discussion. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/flucht-und-asyl-im-mittelpunkt-des-ebd-de-briefings-zum-rat-justiz-und-inneres-am-1010/>

“EBD Exklusiv” goes Brussels: Network Meeting for the Member Organisations from Brussels Information, participation, networking and support in the field of European politics: Based in Berlin, EM Germany deals with these tasks on behalf of its more than 230 member organisations. “EBD Exklusiv” on 25 September was the first networking event promoting these offers to the representatives of around 100 member organisations with a Brussels office. More than 30 stakeholders and representatives attended the event at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the EU. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/ebd-exklusiv-goes-brussels-netzwerk-treffen-fuer-die-bruesseler-mitgliedsorganisationen/>

Stronger protection for workers and for parties affected by cartel agreements – EP rapporteurs Jutta Steinruck and Dr. Andreas Schwab present legislative proposals An own-initiative report introduced by MEP Jutta Steinruck (SPD) aims at enforcing more effective labour inspections to prevent undeclared work. The report, which is meant to give an incentive for new EU legislation, relies on the benefits of more revenue through taxes, fairer competition and ultimately, better working and health conditions for employees. Within the framework of EM Germany’s event format “EP-Berichterstatter im Dialog”, Steinruck presented her draft report to around 75 participating experts. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/ep-berichterstatter-im-dialog-jutta-steinruck-spd-mdep-zu-praeventiven-kontrollen-zur-bekaempfu/>

Parties which have been affected by cartel agreements shall have easier access to compensation for damages in the future: the Commission has proposed a Directive governing actions for damages under national law for infringements of EU competition law provisions. MEP Dr. Andreas Schwab (CDU) reported on the current status of the proposed rules to 70 participating experts and gave an insight into the EP’s approach to simplifying private antitrust enforcement. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/ep-berichterstatter-im-dialog-dr-andreas-schwab-vereinfachung-privater-kartellrechtsdurchsetzung/>

To Study Europe: scholarship recipients present College of Europe at the trainee reception in Brussels
200 German “stagaires” from different institutions and associations came together in the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU to find out more about studying at the College of Europe. Kathleen Burkhardt, Kathrin Enenkel and Moritz Rudolph, three of the College’s 33 German scholarship recipients, gave first-hand information about living and studying in Bruges and Natolin (Warsaw). | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/europa-studieren-praesentation-des-college-of-europe-beim-praktikantenempfang-in-bruessel-1/>

Creative and motivated winners: eTwinning’s pilot project turns out to be a success The European Pupil’s Competition, Germany’s oldest schools’ competition now connects students from all across Europe: the pilot round of eTwinning, the Competition’s new online cooperation platform, was a huge success. Schools from different European countries came together via ‘Twin Space’, eTwinnings virtual classroom, to work on the tasks of this year’s contest. | Full text in German<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/kreativ-engagiert-und-motiviert-die-gewinner-der-etwinning-testrunde-des-europaeischen-wettbewerbs/>

Events to come
28.10.: EBD De-Briefing European Council<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/2810-ebd-de-briefing-zum-europaeischen-rat/> | 5.11.: Stakeholder-Forum on civic participation in Europe<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/511-stakeholder-forum-europa-mitentscheiden/> | 6.11.: Career Lunch Europe<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/611-career-lunch-europa/>

Member Organisations‘ news
DGSV<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/dsgv-bankenunion-darf-nicht-griff-in-die-taschen-anderer-bedeuten/> : A European banking union must not dig into the pockets of other banks | Diakonie<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/diakonie-begruesst-gerichtsurteil-zu-hartz-iv-fuer-eu-buerger-rechtsbeugung-fuer-unionsbuerger-in-n/> : Diakonie welcomes the judgment on Hartz IV legislation for EU citizens handed down by the North-Rhine Westphalian Sozialgericht | BVÖD<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/bvoed-unternehmen-verbaende-und-wissenschaft-debattieren-ueber-plaene-der-eu-zur-ausweitung-von-be/> : EU proposals to expand reporting requirements for businesses debated by companies, assocations and in academia | bpa<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/bpa-altenpflege-bleibt-zukunftsfaehig-kompromiss-des-europaeischen-parlaments-begruesst/>: bpa welcomes EP compromise on criteria for care services for the elderly | Markenverband e.V.<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/markenverband-ev-kritik-an-der-tabak-produktrichtlinie/> : Markenverband criticises the Tobacco Product Directive | CEP<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/eurobankenaufsicht-cepanalyse-zur-bankenabwicklung-in-ssm-staaten/> : Analysis of EU legislation on bank resolution in SSM states | Bundeszahnärztekammer<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/eu-kommission-will-freie-berufe-demontieren-bundeszahnaerztekammer-mobilitaet-darf-qualitaet-nicht/> : Commission damages liberal professions | and much more

EU protagonists on the move
New Eurochambres President: Richard Weber<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/neuer-praesident-von-eurochambres-richard-weber/>| New directors of study at College of Europe: Nanette Neuwahl and Olivier Costa <http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/neue-studiengangsleiter-am-college-of-europe-nanette-neuwahl-und-olivier-costa/> | New Manager for public affairs at EurActiv.de: Nicole Bogott <http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/neue-public-affairs-managerin-bei-euractivde-nicole-bogott/> | New Chair at the German Women’s Academic Society: Dr. med. Patricia Aden <http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/neue-vorsitzende-des-deutschen-akademikerinnenbundes-dr-med-patricia-aden/> | New President at the Federation of European National Collection and Debt buyer Associations (FENCA): Andreas Aumüller<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/neuer-praesident-der-federation-of-european-national-collection-and-debt-buyer-associations-fenca/> | New Secretary General at the European Economic and Social Committee: Nicolas Alexopoulos<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/news/nicolas-alexopoulos-neuer-leitender-generalsekretaer-des-europaeischen-wirtschafts-und-sozialaussch/> | and many more

You do not wish to receive our newsletter anymore? Unsubscribe here<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/aktuelles/newsletter-english/un-subscribe/>.

European Movement Germany
Sophienstraße 28/29  |  D-10178 Berlin
T +49 (0)30 30 36 201-13  |  F -19
http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de<http://www.netzwerk-ebd.de/>
karoline.muenz@netzwerk-ebd.de<mailto:karoline.muenz@europaeische-bewegung.de>