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A new team leading the CLRAE

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At its Plenary session (4-6th June 2002), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Europe (CLRAE/Council of Europe) renewed its Presidency and Bureau.

Liese Prokop, President of the Assembly of European Regions, sent a message of congratulations to Innsbrück Mayor Herwig Van Staa, Vice-President of the Confederation of Austrian Cities, for his election as Congress President. “On behalf of the AER and its 250 member Regions, I would like to express my full support for our common objective of bringing the construction of Europe closer to the citizens” declared Mrs Prokop. “In order to encourage sustainable stability and peace in South East Europe, may we suggest continuing with joint initiatives with the Congress, particularly concerning the AER training programmes such as Centurio, for example”.

President Prokop also congratulated Mr Giovanni Di Stasi, Regional Councillor of the Molise Region (Italy), AER member, for his election as President of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress. “We will provide all support necessary towards the adoption of the European Charter of Regional Self Government, which you quote as the priority for your mandate alongside of the promotion of regional democracy in greater Europe” emphasised President Prokop.

The AER was delighted with the outcome of the CLRAE Bureau elections for Committee VicePresidents and Presidents of the Chamber of Regions. Four out of the seven newly elected VicePresidents represent AER member Regions – Helena Pihlajassarari (Keski-Suomi/FIN), Peter Rabe (Niedersachsen/D), Hans-Martin Tschudi (Basel Ville/CH) and Léon Kieres (Woj. Dolnoslaskie). Hans Ulrich Stöckling from St-Gallen/CH, AER member Region, was elected as President of the Congress Institutional Committee. “I am particularly proud of the election of Jan Olbrycht (Woj. Slaskie/PL), AER Bureau member, and Lambert van Nistelrooij (Noord-Brabant/NL), Vice-President of our organisation, as President and Vice-President of the Institutional affairs Committee of the Chamber of Regions respectively” added President Prokop.

For more information: [email protected]

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Meeting in Madrid: Convention, Enlargement, Reform… The regions in action for tomorrow’s Europe

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The institutional affairs Committee of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) made the following decisions and set out the following guidelines at its meeting in Madrid on 14th May:

The AER will present its political position to the European Convention at its hearing on 6th and 7th June 2002 in Brussels. This position has been drawn up on the basis of a résumé of the contributions of AER member Regions which gave their view of the need for institutional reform and better regional policy in an enlarged Europe.

“Reform in competence distribution within the European Union (EU) is indispensable for bringing Europe closer to its citizens and increasing transparency. The Regions must be considered as more than mere administrative units, they are essential bodies and authorities in a democratic Union” proclaimed Dr. Palmer, President of the AER Institutional affairs Committee. “This aim can only be reached via strengthening the existing principle of subsidiarity and via control by an independent EU body. This would lead to the establishment of the Regions as a 3rd level of power. The Convention must be capable of creating a legal and political framework for a solid, united and strong Europe in the future”. The AER considers that it is also essential for the Convention to set out a clear and understandable distribution of competences, in the form of a catalogue for instance.

“The AER would like to see the EU leave room for the development of regionalisation in order to ensure that the enlarged Europe be governed in an efficient and democratic manner, close to the citizen. The reality of regional policy must be institutionalised and find its place in the Treaties. The strengthening of the role of the Committee of the Regions in the decision-making process at European level is essential in this line of thought, the Committee of the Regions must be brought up in ranking to that of a decision-making body” concluded Dr. Palmer.

A hearing on EU enlargement has also been organised in order to identify problems faced by the Regions and to clarify what help the AER can offer. In its Declaration, the AER considers enlargement as a political and economical necessity to be integrated into economic, social and territorial cohesion policies throughout Europe. “Enlargement must take place rapidly and deadlines must be set in order to ensure controlled progress”, declared Philip Johnsson, Vice-President of the AER Institutional affairs Committee. “It is also vital to differentiate between candidate countries according to the progress of each individual state and to allow those meeting accession criteria to join the EU without any hesitation” added the Vice-President. The AER also feels that EU agricultural and structural financing should be subject to reform from 2006.

Committee members looked at the activities of Regions with legislative powers, i.e. 60 Regions from 8 EU member states: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom. They stressed that Regions with legislative powers are particularly concerned by European integration and that it remains indispensable to consider these Regions as a potential source of impetus for all Regions in terms of regionalisation.

Participants also produced an intermediary report on the Spanish Presidency and weighed up the initial programme of the Danish EU Presidency.

For more information: [email protected]

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Congratulations to Jean-Pierre Raffarin

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On behalf of all AER members, Liese Prokop, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and Vice-Minister President of the Land of Niederösterreich (A), sent a warm congratulations letter wishing every success to Jean-Pierre Raffarin for his appointment as Prime Minister of the French Republic.

“The experience gained in regional realities on the ground, mixed with the strength of your conviction in Europe will allow you to apply the principles of new Governance, which I know you are highly commited to, and to achieve the important mission assigned to you by President Jacques Chirac” stressed President Prokop.

Jean-Pierre Raffarin, aged 53, Senator (Liberal Democrat) and President of the Region of Poitou Charentes, is an AER Bureau member. He is also consistantly active within European and national interregional organisations (CPMR Atlantic Arc Commission, President of the Association of French Regions until January 2002).

We would also like to remind you that the 4th AER European Cup of Regional Flavours is due to be held in the Portuguese Region of Alentejo in March 2003. This Cup was originally launched by the Region of Poitou-Charentes, under the Presidency of Mr Raffarin.

For more information: [email protected]

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Decisions in Devon: Exeter, Capital of Regional Europe for a day

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Exeter, Devon (UK), 11 April 2002

The Executive Board of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) met on 11th April, in Devon County Hall, and decided the following:

• The AER continues to play an active role vis-à-vis the European Convention, and has recently launched its latest political discussion platform on this matter. The contributions received in this wide consultation process via internet will form the basis for an initial AER position to be presented on June during the hearing organised by the Convention. Each opinion is important to the AER, so please do not hesitate to make your views heard on the AER Website : www.are-regions-europe.org

• To provide real follow up to the successful step towards giving European regions one united voice, as decided by the Presidents of the European interregional Organisations in Linz on 21st March, by forwarding their common Declaration to the European institutions.

• A Conference on Public health and Social affairs of regional Ministers and political leaders. Major topics for this conference are the improvement of training of professionals in the sector of elderly care with a certain harmonization of qualification standards. Milano-I will host this Conference on 8th November.

• A Conference on Spatial planning with regional Presidents, Ministers and political leaders: “Towards a common regional project for a new cohesion policy: from Region’s experience to new strategies of sustainable development in an enlarged Europe”. The two main ambitions for this event are: – to bring the attention of European and national authorities to the Regions’ project for a new cohesion policy in view of influencing the decision-making process on this matter, – to encourage the exchange of regional innovative and good practices in favour of sustainable development, particularly via the presentation of representative “success stories” of Structural funds, in order to transmit useful know-how to future EU partners as well as to promote interregional projects. This event will take place in Pécs-H on 14th-15th November 2002.

• A Conference on Culture with regional Ministers and political leaders, which will focus on increasing the Regions’ awareness of their responsibility towards their cultural heritage and their duty to promote culture. European “added value” is the result of cooperation between the Regions, the guarantors of cultural diversity. “Regional cultural autonomy means that supra-national law cannot oblige the Regions to promote or not promote a particular cultural sector” declared Liese Prokop, AER President. localisation, unlike globalisation, means the possibility to direct and the means to promote local culture”.

This AER Conference will be held in Brixen-I on 18th October 2002.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER supports the Italian initiative for mountain regions

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“We encourage the initiative which aims at obtaining the recognition of the specific status for mountain regions in the EU Treaty, as presented by Enrico La Loggia, Italian Minister for Regional Policy, yesterday (13th March) to the President of the European Commission” declared Liese Prokop, President of the Assembly of European Regions. “Mountain regions suffer from demanding conditions for development and must therefore benefit, in this new phase of European integration, from the same status and European support as accorded to outermost maritime and peripheral regions since the Treaty of Amsterdam” she underlined.

“The AER requests that both the EU and member states support regional authorities in mountain areas in their action in favour of sustainable economic development, de-isolation, nature conservation, the improvement of the standard of living of local populations, particularly by the maintaining of public services and in their struggle against desertification” stressed Brian Greenslade, President of the AER Regional policies Committee.

At the occasion of the International year of Mountains 2002, the Assembly of European Regions calls for the rapid ratification of the Convention for the protection of the Alps in order to ensure its entry into force, and for the adoption of the European Convention on mountain Regions by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

At the Conference of Presidents of European interregional organisations, to be held in Linz on 21st March 2002, the AER will propose to the interregional organisations working in this field -Working Community of the Adriatic Alps (ALPEN ADRIA), Working Community of the Alpine Countries (ARGE Alps), Working Community of the Danube Countries (ARGE DONAULÄNDER), Working Community of the Western Alps (COTRAO), Working Community of the Jura (CTJ), Working Cmmunity of the Pyrenees (CTP) – the creation of an ad hoc structure aiming at providing political support for all mountain regions and at developing co-operation between mountain regions from the East and West of Europe.

For more information: [email protected]

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Presentation of the AER position on the European Convention to Valéry Giscard d’Estaing

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The AER intends to observe the Convention’s activities and to participate as the representative umbrella organisation of the Regions, both within the European Union and in accession countries. The AER also hopes to play an important role – along with other political organisations such as the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) – in the Forum set up by the Convention.

“The AER insists that the Convention must take into full account the legal status of the European Regions”, Liese Prokop, AER President, explained in her statement to Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, President of the Convention. For the AER, the European institutional framework must establish a Europe of the Regions as a third level of Government.

On the occasion of a debate organised by the CEMR with representatives of regional and local organisations and Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (March 7, 2002 in Valencia, Spain), Liese Prokop asked for a distinction between legislative and executive competences – a question closely linked to that of a catalogue of competences.

Other topics were:

– Distribution of competences according to the principle of subsidiarity,
– Right to referral before the European Court of Justice concerning the principle of subsidiarity,
– Enlargement and a Constitutional treaty: a proper representation for the Regions and their citizens in the decision-making process is necessary,
– Regions as direct partners in cohesion policy: a new scenario, for future cohesion policy based on the principles of increased decentralisation, competitivity and subsidiarity.

For more information: [email protected]

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The AER asks the European Union to review its level of involvement in culture and education

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Considering the EU Convention an opportunity to achieve the comprehensive and full-fledged application of the principle of subsidiarity, AER Committee D (Culture, Education, Training and Youth) appealed to its members to insist that the EU reviews on this occasion its involvement in certain policy areas, in particular culture and education (TEU articles 149-151). “Members should also insist that these domains remain in the competences of members states and regions, with the obligation of unanimous voting” said Committee President Dr Bruno HOSP at the meeting on 28th February and 1st March in Kielce (PL).

These issues will also underpin the 2nd European Conference of Regional Ministers of Culture that the AER is going to organise on 18th October 2002 in Brixen (I) under the title “The globalisation of culture and education – WTO and the effects of GATS for public service in the fields of culture and education”.

Debates also extended to education and training with a focus on eLearning. The Sub-Committee on Education and Training (led by Baranya – H) introduced a proposal for setting up adequate educational facilities combining education and training for migrant groups, in particular Roma and Sinti communities, throughout Europe.

The deliberations of the Youth Sub-Committee (led by Sörmland – S) concentrated on the organisation of the AER’s 1st Youth Summer School to be held in Autumn 2002 and the recently published EU White Paper “A New Impetus For European Youth”.

The Youth Sub-Committee, considering young people as an important factor to be immediately associated in the processes of building democratic societies, welcomed the EU White Paper, which is a comprehensive report providing a good overview of existing problems but which at the same time remains too general. Despite the extensive scientific expertise it shows, it fails to offer any strategic information on how young people should be involved in the participatory processes. Examples from the Regions of Nordland (N), Vestfold (N), and Sörmland (S) provided the participants with evidence of how this could be achieved.

The Youth Sub-Committee also questioned whether the EU is the appropriate level for implementing new Youth Programs and pronounced itself in favour of the EU supporting projects already existing at local and regional level in order to avoid high administrative costs and unnecessary bureaucracy.

For more information: [email protected]

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A step further towards decentralisation in France Twenty years after the first law on decentralisation

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The Assembly of European Regions (AER) welcomes the coming into effect of the law on the regionalisation of the SNCF (French national rail network) on 1st January 2002. This law allows the French Regions to organise their regional train networks (Regional Express Trains – TER). They will now be responsible for their own fares, new lines and the renovation of stations. The State government will provide a budget of 1.5 million Euros for 2002 for each Region in order to execute the new law. Twenty years after the first law on decentralisation, this transfer of competences in the field of transport is remarkable progress in the decentralisation process in France. The AER considers this law as going in the right direction for the building up of European Transport infrastructure – which requires the increased involvement of the Regions regarding planning, decision-making and execution – for the benefit of commerce, industry and the citizens.

On 13th February 2002, the French Senate also adopted a draft law on “grass-roots democracy”*. This law provides for the transfer of supplementary competences from the State to the Regions and local authorities (“départements”, “communes”…). The Regions will thereby gain new responsibilities in the fields of vocational training, the environment and its protection, tourism, ports and airports, economic assistance and culture to a certain extent. It may also be appropriate to mention that some of the competences transferred by the law are transferred “in a trial manner”, particularly the management of civil airfields, the development of national ports, the listing of monuments and items of artistic value.

The AER takes good note of the government’s efforts towards decentralisation on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the Deferre law of 2nd March 1982. This law on “grass-roots democracy” may not be the cure all for the French Regions, but it’s a step towards decentralisation in France. The AER is keeping a close eye on its implementation and hopes that these new “trial” prerogatives will rapidly become the responsibility of the Regions. The AER asks the French government to provide the Regions with powers of taxation, without which the new competences cannot be fully effective.

The AER will continue its initiatives with the same intensity alongside of the French Regions and the whole of Europe to make the voices of the citizens and their representatives heard in their respective State governments and the European institutions.

For more information: [email protected]

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Towards the glassy European worker ?

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AER criticises the Commission’s proposal for a common European format for Curricula vitae

Following banana regulations and standardisation, the EU Commission has launched an initiative proposing a common European format for Curricula Vitae, both on paper and in electronic form. These proposals have set off harsh reactions from the AER, in particular in relation to questions of data protection and data flow.

The AER is aware that many serious obstacles stand in the way of real mobility in the European labour market however, it is doubtful whether the introduction of a common European CV format would be of any help. “This decision puts forward serious questions if the Council and the Commission are in step with the realities of the European labour market and if they believe that a standard bureaucratic document will really improve access to the job market and be of help to the individual. It is naive to assume that the qualifications and qualities of each individual from the millions of workers can be treated more adequately in this manner, with a standard form for everyone. I wonder what has driven the Commission to seriously pursue such an initiative” stated Bruno Hosp, President of the Culture and Education Committee of the AER in his initial reaction to the announcement of Viviane Reding, member of the EU Commission in charge of Education and Culture, who had praised the initiative as the way forward for the portrayal of competences and professional experience in a clear and comparable way.

“Serious concerns have to be raised in relation to personal data protection and the transfer of data both within and outside the EU when these formats will be computer readable” added Mr Hosp. The AER expects the President of the Commission to launch wide public debate on this matter for the sake of transparency and the involvement of the citizens. The AER would also like to have more details concerning the time spent by EU officials and the expenses of experts for the production of this CV format.

For more information: [email protected]

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A working programme for 2002, capable of meeting the stakes in a Europe for the Regions

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The members of the Presidium of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), at their meeting in Strasbourg on Friday 1st February 2002, welcomed the outcome of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union which led to further involvement for the Regions in European decision-making. They regretted the absence of regional policy on the priority list of the new Spanish Presidency. According to the AER, Regional policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are heavy players in current accession negociations, and will create impetus for new governance in an enlarged Europe, therefore reform seems indispensable. The AER now asks the future Danish Presidency (2nd half 2002) to include these two priority items in its programme.

At this meeting, the AER Presidium adopted the AER working programme for 2002. “We have already produced common proposals of the Regions of Europe concerning the European constitution, new governance, enlargement, cohesion in an enlarged Europe and the setting up of environmentally friendly European transport networks. In 2002, we will compare these positions with those of other interregional organisations in order to act in collaboration with the latter at European level. The 2nd summit between the Presidents of the Interregional organisations in Europe, organised by the AER, will take place on 21st March 2002 in Linz (Austria). I hope that this event will lead to a major contribution in strengthening the role of the Regions in Europe and making their expectations heard in the Convention on the future of Europe” said Liese Prokop, AER President, at the press conference.

The President also gave the kick off for the activity programmes of the four Committees: Institutional affairs, Health, Regional policy and Culture, and its three programmes – Centurio, Eurodyssey and the Summer School.
She entrusted the Committees with organising three Conferences on important issues for the Regions and for the development of interregional cooperation in Europe:

– the 2nd Conference of Regional political leaders in the field of Culture,
– the 2nd Conference on Health,
– the 1st Conference on Spatial planning.

The AER President congratulated Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), for his nomination as President of the Convention on the future of Europe, and Mr Erwin Teufel, MinisterPresident of the Land of Baden-Württemberg, represented on the AER Presidium, for his nomination as member of this Convention. Mr Teufel has been a distinguished member of the AER since its creation.

For more information: [email protected]

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The Future of Europe: Full steam ahead for a Interregional Organisations Presidents Conference

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On 14th January 2002 in Strasbourg, the Assembly of European Regions met with the Secretaries General of its 13 interregional organisation members, to strengthen interregional cooperation and set up a common political platform for the increased participation of the regional organisations in decision-making at european level. They unanimously decided that today’s european context calls for the organisation of a top level conference of regional leaders and the launch of concrete steps for the conference of the 14 Presidents of the main interregional organisations in Europe to be held in Linz (A) on 21st March 2002.

Four topics will be discussed in particular:

– new governance and the future of Europe as well as the regions participation in the work of the Convention launched by the European Council in Laeken,
– new instruments for European Regional Policy after 2006, in favour of a polycentric development of our continent,
– the regional perspective for the implementation of Trans-European Networks (TENs) and the contribution of interregional cooperation to the development of environmentally sound transport in Europe,
– new quality models for Common Agricultural Policy in line with sustainable development and the concerns of rural populations.

The Committee of the Regions (CoR), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE) Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CMER) will be involved in this intitative.

AER member interregional organisations are: Assembly of European Wine-growing Regions (AREV), Assembly of European Fruit and Vegetable Growing and Horticultural Regions (AREFLH), European Association of Regions with Industrial Technology (RETI), Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), Working Community of the Adriatic Alps (ALPE ADRIA), Working Community of the Alpine Countries (ARGE ALP), Working Community of the Western Alps (COTRAO), Working Community of the Lower and Middle Adriatic, Working Community of GaliciaNorth Portugal, Working Community of the Jura (CTJ), Working Community of the Danube Countries (ARGE DONAULÄNDER), Working Community of the Pyrenees (CTP) and the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR).

For more information: [email protected]

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AER demands: “EU Presidency Programme, what about the regions and their citizens Mr Aznar?”

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After having assessed the programme for the Spanish EU Presidency, Liese Prokop, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), and Mr Brian Greenslade, President of the AER Regional Policy Committee, announced their astonishment with the lack of regional policy on the list of priorities on the “More Europe” programme drawn up by the new EU Presidency.

“The future of European regional policy and common agricultural policy are two poles of strength behind the implementation of new governance in an enlarged Europe. These policies will also play a substantial role in accession negociations beginning under the Spanish Presidency. Our member Regions within the EU and those in applicant countries work as partners on an equal basis, within my AER Committee. We deal on the future of regional policy and these Regions question the evasive attitude taken by the Spanish Presidency. This hesitation is confirmed by the fact that the Spanish Agricultural Minister recently announced a 5 year transition period for the payment of funding to farmers in new member States. The lengthening of transition periods will not solve the real problems created by enlargement” said Brian Greenslade.

“Spain is one of the main beneficiaries of EU structural funds. Its Regions enjoy wide ranging powers of autonomous government. This is surprising that Prime Minister Aznar has made no reference to regional policy in the EU-Spanish Presidency programme. The Spanish regions have been able to rapidly develop thanks to funding received from the EU. They will once again benefit from the European market and common development in an enlarged European Union” Liese Prokop stressed today.

“Over and above financial considerations, enlargement must be built on solidarity in the EU. Solidarity is one of the main values of our Assembly which brings together 250 member Regions from the East and the West. It’s the only way to avoid a double track enlarged Europe leading to the failure of EU enlargement” she added.

For more information: [email protected]

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Nordland crowned the most Youth-friendly region for 2001

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Sopron (H), 30 November 2001

The region of Nordland was unanimously nominated by the jury for the competition, organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER), as the most Youth-friendly region for 2001. This Norwegian peripheral coastal region faced severe depopulation in the early ninties, essentially due to the exodus of young adults seeking employment. Thanks to the implementation of measures in favour of youth employment figures, this situation has changed: young adults now stay in the region and the unemployment rate has dropped spectacularly, from 25% to 2.9%, in just a few years.

The jury, made up of the Secretary Generals from the twelve AER founder and member interregional organisations and representatives of the Presidency, also unanimously decided to award a prize of recognition for the regions of Thüringen (D) and Timis (RO) at a meeting in Strasbourg on 29th October. 33 regions from 14 countries participated in the competition.

This event, launched by the AER and open to all European regions, initially came into being at the first Youth Conference in Odessa (UKR) in Spring 2000 and is, in reality, much more than a competition between the regions. The idea is to make the innovative initiatives and projects of candidates better known and ensure their promotion as a source of inspiration for other regions wishing to take the expectations and talents of their young population into account. The aim is to include young adults in decision making and to encourage their involvement in politics.

Nordland was officially awarded its prize at the AER General Assembly in Sopron (H) on 30th November, in the presence of high ranking representatives from regions having participated in the competition and their young population. The trophy was in the form of a work of art entitled “The Gold Cup” symbolising the power of youth. This trophy was donated by the region of Sörmland (S) and created by Kakizaki Hitoshi, a Japanese artist living in Sweden and working with Åsa Brant, member of the Swedish Glass Academy, and will be up for winning at the next edition of this two yearly competition. The AER calls out to all of the regions in Europe, which aim to construct the future for and with young adults, to start preparing their candidatures for 2003 now!

For more information: [email protected]

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General Assembly 2001 in Sopron: Main outcome

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Sopron (H), 30 November 2001

320 representatives from the Regions of 25 European countries met at the first ever AER General Assembly in a Central and Eastern European accession country on 29-30th November 2001, Sopron, Hungary.

Participants took part in discussion on enlargement, new European Governance and the need to strengthen regionalism especially in Central and Eastern Europe. A round table allowed views and experience to be exchanged between the Regions in applicant countries, EU Regions and Regions which will find themselves located on the future periphery of the Union.

Following the debates, the 250 member Regions of the AER adopted the enclosed “Sopron Declaration”.

In addition to other decisions concerning regular AER initiatives, the following was decided upon:

– Nomination of Nordland (N) as the “Most Youth-friendly Region”, a new AER initiative; Thüringen (D) and Timis (RO) both received a Prize of Recognition in runners up position;

– Election of Mr Chistoph E Palmer, State Minister for Baden-Württemberg (D), as President of the AER Institutional Affairs Committee and of Mr Klaus Klipp as AER Secretary General;

“Our decision to hold the General Assembly in Sopron takes the current developments in Europe into account” stated Liese Prokop. “The Regions – within the EU and in accession countries – need to be consulted by the European Commission and their national Governments when decisions are made concerning enlargement. Regional transport, spatial planning, waste management, agricultural policy, youth policy or the integration of minorities are just a few areas where Regions are heavily effected by EU policy” she added.

“I would also like to thank the President of Györ-Moson-Sopron, Mr Ferenc Ivanics, and his team for being a great host for this General Assembly and for making sure that the organisation of our conference was perfect” concluded Mrs Liese Prokop.

Download the “Sopron Declaration”:

For more information: [email protected]

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AER General Assembly: Election results

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Sopron (H), 29 november 2001

Dr Christoph E Palmer (CDU), Minister for European Affairs at the State Ministry of Baden Württemberg (D) was elected Vice-President of the Assembly of European Regions and President of the Institutional Affairs Committee at recent elections at the AER General Assembly on 29th November 2001 in Sopron, Hungary.

Born in 1962, in Stuttgart, Mr Palmer has a Doctorate in Economic and Social Sciences. He was a lecturer at the University of Stuttgart and at the Institute of Higher Education in Villingen-Schwenningen. Since 1989 he has been deeply committed to Public Affairs. As a member of Stuttgart Municipal Council, he was nominated Secretary of State within the Ministry of Science, Research and Art in elections in 1996: some of his most notable acts whilst in this position were the creation of the Culture Commission for the Land, the launch of the extension of the Stuttgart Gallery and the installation of a wide-ranging programme in favour of reading called “Room for words”. In 1998 he was nominated Minister and Political Speaker for the Minister-President Erwin Teufel. At elections in 2001, he was re-elected to his position with additional responsibilities: he is now in charge of European Affairs and of Film and Media Promotion. Minister Palmer is also President of the CDU Party in Stuttgart since 1996.

At this General Assembly, the AER also elected Mr Klaus Klipp as Secretary General of the organisation for a five year mandate.

Mr Klipp was born in Kassel in Germany in 1952 and graduated in Law. He began his professional career in the Ministry of Finance of the Land of Hessen, in Wiesbaden (1985-1992), where he went from Deputy Head of Unit/Budget of the Ministries of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Social Affairs (1985-88) to Head of Unit/Budget of the Ministry of Environment (1988-90) to Head of Unit/Budget for the construction of public buildings. In 1992 he spent 6 months in Thüringen in former East Germany in order to participate in the creation of new administrative structures. In 1992 he was nominated as Chef de Cabinet of the Vice-Mayor/Financial Affairs for the city of Frankfurt-am-Main. He continued his career within the city’s audit service as Head of Department between 1993-97 and was promoted to the position of Director of the European Affairs Office in 1998, responsible for the development and management of the town’s European and International policies and activities, a post which he occupied until his election as AER Secretary General.

For more information: [email protected]

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