E U R O P E A N E C O N O M I C A R E A FORUM OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OF THE EEA EFTA STATES Restricted Ref: 15-6501 3 Annexes ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE EEA EFTA FORUM OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES Staur Gård, Stange 11 12 June 2015 Minutes Ms Hilde Onarheim, Chair of the EEA EFTA Forum, welcomed the participants and opened the meeting. She especially welcomed the new Forum members from Iceland and Mr Philippe Receveur, observer, representing the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Governments. Mr Nils Røhne, Member of the Forum and Mayor of Stange, welcomed the Forum to the municipality of Stange. 1. Approval of agenda The draft agenda for the eleventh meeting of the EEA EFTA Forum was approved. 2. Approval of minutes The minutes from the tenth meeting of the EEA EFTA Forum, which took place in Brussels on 24 25 November 2014, were approved. 3. Free movement of persons and migration in the EEA - the social aspects at local and regional level The Chair introduced the topic. Ms Line Eldring, Senior Researcher at the research foundation Fafo, gave a presentation free movement of labour and services in the EEA. The rapporteur, Mr Nils Røhne, introduced the Forum s opinion on the topic. The Forum discussed the topic, and views from Iceland, Norway and Switzerland were presented. Amendments to the draft opinion were tabled. The opinion was amended accordingly and unanimously approved. 4. Round table on current affairs Mr Halldór Halldórsson, Vice-Chair, briefed the Forum on current affairs in Iceland. He told the Forum about the ongoing labour disputes, the most difficult in decades. Local authorities are not directly involved as their tariff agreements will not expire until later in the year but the outcome will clearly impact them as Samband s negotiating team will soon have to renegotiate sixty-two out of the sixty-three municipal tariff agreements in force. The Vice-Chair also briefed the Forum on the Government s new strategy for the abolishment of capital controls, which aims to bring 500 to 850 billion ISK into the State Treasury through stability conditions and taxation on the failed banks' estates. The Forum was also updated on the status of Iceland s application for EU membership. The Minister for Foreign Affairs informed the Presidency of the European Union in March that the Government did not intend
-2- Restricted Ref: 15-6501 to resume accession negotiations and that Iceland no longer considered itself a candidate country. Mr Philippe Receveur gave an update on current affairs in Switzerland. As a follow-up of last year s approval of the initiative Against mass immigration, the Federal Government must introduce a new admission system for all foreign nationals by 2017. This new system would be based on a quota system that, if implemented by then, would violate Switzerland s agreement with the EU on the free movement of persons. Furthermore, the Forum was informed about the decision of the Swiss National Bank in January not to link the Swiss franc to the euro anymore. The decision might have a serious impact on the Swiss economy - which is very much export-oriented - but it is too soon to draw firm conclusions. Ms Hilde Onarheim, Chair, briefed the Forum on recent developments in Norway, including the reform of the municipal and regional structures. The Government has presented a White Paper on the new tasks envisaged for municipalities in connection with the local government reform. Likewise, it is proposed that a reform on the regional level can be carried out in parallel with the local. Ms Torhild Bransdal briefed the Forum on the Council of Europe s (CoE) report on local and regional democracy in Norway, adopted in March. In general, the CoE is satisfied with the level of local and regional democracy in Norway. Nevertheless, it expresses its concern regarding some aspects, and invites the Norwegian authorities to further reinforce local selfgovernment and local democracy by incorporating the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and to bring legislation and judicial practice into full compliance with the Charter. 5. The EU review of cooperation with the EEA EFTA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. The Chair introduced the topic and Mr Andrew Byrne, Minister Counsellor at the European Union Delegation to Norway, gave a presentation. He summarized the EU s assessment of the EEA Agreement where the general conclusion is that the cooperation functions well and that the EEA has been robust and capable of adapting to EU enlargement and changes in EU treaties. On the cooperation with Switzerland, Mr Byrne noted that the Swiss EU agreements are more static than the EEA and lack a dispute settlement mechanism, which calls for new institutional arrangements. Mr Byrne also introduced a 2013 report from the European Commission on the options open to microstates interested in participating in the internal market. The Forum discussed the topic, and views from Norway, Iceland and Switzerland were presented. 6. Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) update on recent developments and in relation to the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) The Chair introduced the topic; the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) is a proposed international trade treaty between member states of World Trade Organization. Iceland, Switzerland and Norway are parties to the negotiations. The Chair underlined that the ongoing negotiations on TTIP and TiSA are relevant for local and regional authorities in both Europe and the USA. It is important that the Forum is well informed about developments concerning these highly political topics.
-3- Restricted Ref: 15-6501 Ms Celia Helen Thorheim, Senior Advisor, the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, gave a presentation on the ongoing negotiations between the EU and USA and an overview of possible consequences and options for Norway. In his presentation, Mr Robert Rönström, Administrator, ECOS Secretariat, EU Committee of the Regions, stressed the regional and local angle of TTIP and the importance of transparency and access to information about the negotiations. 7. Continuation of item 4 Roundtable on current affairs Mr Marius Vahl, Senior Officer, EFTA Secretariat, updated the Forum on recent developments in EFTA. He noted that EFTA has made important progress in reducing the backlog of legal acts to be incorporated into the EEA Agreement. He informed the Forum of the new European programmes included in the Agreement and gave an update on the status of the difficult negotiations on the funding of the EEA and Norway Grants in the next period. He also briefed the Forum on recent development concerning relevant EU legislation and initiatives. 8. Recent developments regarding topics discussed by the Forum Mr Björn Blöndal gave an update on the status of the EU initiatives on green employment and the circular economy. The Forum adopted an opinion on this topic at its tenth meeting. The opinion was shared with the European Commission and the Forum received a letter from DG Environment stating that in its work on a new proposal on the circular economy (an earlier version was withdrawn), the views of the Forum will be taken into account. Mr. Nils Røhne informed the Forum on the recent developments on the data protection regulation and Mr Jon Askeland on the re-use of public sector information. 9. Election of new President of the Forum Mr Halldór Halldórsson was unanimously elected Chair of the Forum for the next period. Ms Hilde Onarheim was unanimously elected Vice-Chair. The new Chair thanked the outgoing Chair, Ms Hilde Onarheim. 10. Next meeting (Brussels) It was agreed to take note of 16 18 November 2015 as possible dates for the twelfth meeting, as this could give an option for a joint meeting with the Parliamentary Committee. The secretariat was instructed to confirm the dates as soon as the dates have been settled with the EFTA Secretariat. 10. Any other business. No other business was raised. The new Chair thanked the participants for a fruitful meeting. He thanked the staff of the EFTA Secretariat and KS and SAMBAND for the preparation of the meeting. He expressed gratitude to the Swiss participation at the meeting. Mr Philippe Receveur recalled that the Swiss participation as observers in the Forum is scheduled to be evaluated after three meetings in the Forum, and thus an evaluation will be made by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Governments during the first half of 2016. The Chair then closed the meeting.
E U R O P E A N E C O N O M I C A R E A FORUM OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OF THE EEA EFTA STATES ANNEX I to ref. 15-6501 RESTRICTED Ref. 15-3116 4 June 2015 ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE EEA EFTA FORUM Stange, Norway 11-12 June 2015 15:00-18:00 9:00-12:45 AGENDA Day 1 Thursday 11 June: 12:30 Lunch at Staur Gård 15:00 Opening of the meeting 1. Approval of draft agenda 2. Approval of minutes from the tenth meeting, Brussels, 24-25 November 2015 3. Free movement of persons and migration in the EEA - the social aspects at local and regional level Ms Line Eldring, Senior Researcher Fafo (independent research foundation) Viewpoints from members Presentation by the rapporteur and adoption of opinion 4. Roundtable on current affairs: - Current local/regional affairs in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland 15:45-16:00 Coffee break 18:00 End of Day 1 19:00 Social programme and dinner
-5- Day 2 Friday 12 June: 09:00 Start of meeting 5. The EU review of cooperation with the EEA EFTA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. Mr Andrew Byrne, Minister Counsellor, European Union Delegation to Norway 10:00-10:15 Coffee break 6. TTIP update on recent developments and in relation to TiSA Ms Celia Helen Thorheim, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries Mr Robert Rönström, Administrator, ECOS Secretariat, Committee of the Regions of the EU 11:45-12:45 7. Continuation of item 4 - Roundtable on current affairs: - Recent developments in the EEA Mr Marius Vahl, Senior Officer, EFTA 8. Orientations 9. Election of new Chair and Vice-Chair 10. Next meeting (Brussels ) 11. Any other business 12:45 Closing of meeting 13:00-14:15 Lunch 14:15 Departure by bus to Oslo airport Gardermoen
E U R O P E A N E C O N O M I C A R E A FORUM OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OF THE EEA EFTA STATES ANNEX II to ref. 15-6501 Restricted Ref. 15-3763 ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE EEA EFTA FORUM Stange, Norway 11 12 June 2015 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ICELAND Elected representatives Mr Björn BLÖNDAL Ms Sigrún BLÖNDAL Ms Ingveldur GUÐMUNDSDÓTTIR President, Reykjavik City Council President, Fljótsdalshérað Municipal Council, President, Regional Municipal Federation of Eastern Iceland Councillor, Dalabyggð Municipality, President, Regional Municipal Federation of Western Iceland Mr Halldór HALLDÓRSSON (Vice-Chair) Councillor, Reykjavik City Council, President, Icelandic Association of Local Authorities Ms Unnur Valborg HILMARSDÓTTIR President, Húnaþing vestra Municipal Council, Vice-President, Regional Municipal Federation of North West Iceland Ms Friðbjörg MATTHÍASDÓTTIR President, Vesturbyggð Municipal Council, President, Regional Municipal Federation of the Westfjords ****************** Ms Anna Guðrún BJÖRNSDÓTTIR Icelandic Association of Local Authorities Ms Guðrún Dögg GUÐMUNDSDÓTTIR Icelandic Association of Local Authorities NORWAY Elected representatives Ms Gry Anette Rekanes AMUNDSEN Mr Jon ASKELAND Authorities, Member, Nome Municipal Council Authorities, Mayor, Radøy Municipality
-7- Ms Torhild BRANSDAL Mr Christian HAUGEN Ms Hilde ONARHEIM (Chair) Mr Nils A. RØHNE Authorities, Mayor, Vennesla Municipality Authorities Member, Hedmark County Council Authorities, Member, City Government, City of Bergen Authorities, Mayor, Stange Municipality ****************** Ms Åse ERDAL Mr Knut HJORTH-JOHANSEN Norwegian Association of local and Regional Authorities Authorities SWITZERLAND Elected representative - observer Mr Philippe RECEVEUR Minister, Head of the Department of Environment and Infrastructure, Canton of Jura ****************** Mr Roland KRIMM Representative of the Swiss Cantons, Mission of Switzerland to the EU SPEAKERS Mr Marius VAHL Mr Andrew BYRNE Ms Line ELDRING Mr Robert RONSTRÖM Ms. Celia Helen THORHEIM Senior Officer, EFTA Minister Counsellor, European Union Delegation to Norway Senior researcher, Fafo Administrator, ECOS secretariat, Committee of the Regions of the EU Senior Advisor, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries OBSERVERS Ms Véronique Janand KOLBJØRNSEN Advisor, European Union Delegation to Norway
E U R O P E A N E C O N O M I C A R E A FORUM OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES OF THE EEA EFTA STATES ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE EEA EFTA FORUM Stange, Norway 11-12 June 2015 ANNEX III to ref. 15-6501 Opinion on free movement of persons and migration in the EEA - the social aspects at local and regional level Rapporteur: Nils Amund Røhne Ref: 15-3789 The EEA EFTA Forum of Local and Regional Authorities: A. Having regard to the EEA Agreement on Free Movement of Persons; B. Noting the reinforced subsidiarity principle set out in the Lisbon Treaty and its explicit reference to the local and regional dimension and self-government; C. Noting the role of the Forum as a body in the EFTA structure; D. Having regard to the increased migration of workers to Iceland and Norway from EU Member States following the enlargement of the EU; E. Having regard to the Forum s opinion of November 2012 on labour migration within the EEA and impact on the local and regional level; F. Having regard to the growing number of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants from third countries seeking to enter Europe; G. Noting the European Commission s launch of the European Agenda on Migration on 13 May 2015 and the measures presented on 27 May 2015. 1. Acknowledges the need for a joint European efforts in order to meet the need for resettlement of refugees especially from Syria and Eritrea; 2. Notes that local and regional authorities have a key role in refugee resettlement schemes which requires that they are consulted at all stages and receive adequate support from national governments to meet the needs of the refugees; 3. Notes that a high number of refugees need specialized support, in addition to general social assistance, to tackle the psychological and physical trauma they have experienced and to learn to live in a new cultural context; 4. Highlights that in some areas in Norway and Iceland there is a lack of affordable, quality housing available for immigrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers and that joint efforts by the government, local and regional authorities and civil society can make this challenge less pertinent; 5. Highlights that, in general, increased labour migration has had a positive effect for the economies of Iceland and Norway;
-9-6. Highlights that after the financial crisis the unemployment rate for immigrants in Iceland and Norway is generally higher than that of the general population and is concerned about the long term impact this may have on social security, social benefits and other welfare costs borne by local authorities; 7. Calls for targeted measures by the Norwegian and Icelandic national authorities, in cooperation with social partners and local and regional authorities to assist unemployed immigrants to re-enter the labour market; 8. Notes, as in the Forum s opinion of 2012, that labour migration may lead to social dumping in certain sectors, and supports the measures taken by Icelandic and Norwegian governments, in cooperation with the social partners, to prevent social dumping and circumvention of national rules and regulations on wages and working conditions; 9. Highlights that Norway and Iceland have been able to maintain their social and welfare models with the increased mobility of persons within the European labour market; 10. Underlines the importance of national language skills for successful integration and labour market participation of immigrants and calls for stronger measures from the national governments to support language teaching and training for both children and adults; 11. Asks the EEA EFTA Ministers to take into account the opinion of the Forum in discussions on free movement of workers and migration.