ECON
Brussels, 1 December 2015
MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC POLICY (ECON)
– 10 DECEMBER 2015 –
ITEM 4.7
DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2016
of the Commission for Economic Policy (ECON)
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 1/22
EN
DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2016
of the Commission for Economic Policy (ECON)
The following work programme has been prepared in accordance with the work programme of the
European Commission for 2016, the draft CoR Resolution on the European Commission's work
programme for 2016, the CoR Resolutions of 9 July 2015 on the priorities for the 2016 work
programme of the European Commission and of 4 June 2015 on its priorities for the sixth term of
office 2015-2020, and the intensified cooperation with the European Parliament.
This work programme aims to provide guidelines for the work to be carried out in 2016 and thereby
help to ensure continuity and coherence in advancing current priorities and reinforcing political
impact.
It aims to proactively and more dynamically progress forward-looking, strategic and thematic
planning, with better integration of CoR activities in the inter-institutional calendar and a more resultsoriented and longer-term focus on priority policy areas.
The following work programme is submitted for approval by the ECON commission members during
their meeting of 10 December 2015, with a view to its adoption by the CoR Bureau on 9 February
2016.
The remit of the ECON Commission covers the following fields:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Industrial Policy
SME policy
Economic and Monetary Policy
Economic Governance, European Semester
Internal market
International Trade and Tariffs
Competition and State aid policy.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 2/22
1.
Priorities of the ECON commission
1.1
Priority policy areas
The ECON commission will concentrate its efforts on the following priority policy areas:
 LRAs in Economic Governance, the European Semester and the future of EMU
The European Commission has announced that it will present in 2016 a new approach to ensuring
economic growth and social and environmental sustainability beyond the 2020 timeframe, taking into
account the Europe 2020 review and the external and internal implementation of the UN Sustainable
Developments Goals. The ECON commission will work, in cooperation with the European
Parliament, to ensure that the new approach has a meaningful territorial dimension and that LRAs are
involved in its design and implementation. The ECON commission will closely follow and seek to
influence new developments of the European semester, to ensure the appropriate involvement of the
LRAs. The ECON commission will also work to stimulate the debate, and put forward proposals, on
the involvement of the LRAs in a strengthened Economic and Monetary Union.
 Completing the single market
A complete and properly functioning single market is essential for delivering growth and jobs in
Europe. Addressing remaining deficits in the single market in order to unlock its full potential is
particularly relevant for the economic prospects of regions and cities, notably in relation to business
services and regulated professional services, as well as the sharing (or collaborative) economy. This is
why the ECON commission will prepare opinions on the new single market strategy ("Upgrading the
Single Market") and its follow-up measures, with special focus on legislative proposals put forward in
these areas. The ECON commission will also work on identifying and sharing good practices in the
field of the sharing economy and examine the subject of the transposition of public procurement
directives.

SME policy
The main policy objectives in this area include cutting red tape and improving regulation for SMEs,
improving SME access to finance, supporting businesses throughout their life-cycle and fostering
multi-level governance in SME policy. Activities planned in view of these priorities in 2016 include
events and seminars organised in cooperation with the Dutch and Slovak EU Presidencies, the OECD
Regulatory Policy Division and the EER regions, leading up to possible opinions on initiatives
relevant to SMEs and entrepreneurship that are set out in the European Commission's Single Market
Strategy, such as the VAT Action Plan, the Start-up initiative and the legislative initiative on business
insolvency. Analytical work, and possibly consultative action, on smart regulation for SMEs and better
governance of SME policy is also envisaged.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 3/22
 Europe's trade and investment strategy
The ECON Commission will continue its monitoring of developments in the negotiation of free trade
agreements, in particular the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in
Services Agreement (TiSA). Key objectives of the ECON will be to safeguard the interests of
European consumers and companies, particularly SMEs; to protect the interests of LRAs in relation to
public procurement; to secure a horizontal exemption for services of general interest and services of
general economic interest from obligations entailed by the principle of market access; and to ensure
that the CoR has privileged access to information on trade negotiation. Furthermore, the ECON
Commission will continue to insist that the European Commission undertake local and regional impact
assessments of trade agreements. ECON will also be a forum for members to obtain facts and figures
about trade negotiations.
 Promoting long-term investment
The ECON policy objectives are to increase the priority the EU agenda gives to the issues of
(i) removing obstacles to long-term investments, (ii) adequate funding of regional and local long-term
investments, and (iii) supporting administrative capacity building at regional and local level as a
precondition for promoting and funding long-term investments. The LRAs have a key role to play and
face the twin challenge of funding these investments and improving their administrative capacity. This
challenge is explicitly addressed in the CSRs and Country Reports in the European Semester 2014 and
2015. The ECON commission will consider proposing an Opinion on "Supporting administrative
capacity building of local and regional authorities with respect to promoting long-term investments",
provide inputs during the European Semester, engage in inter-institutional exchanges and monitor
developments on the ground.
Regional and national promotional banks could provide financial and technical support to local and
regional authorities' long-term investment projects within the context of the Investment Plan for
Europe. The ECON commission will follow up on its ongoing opinion on the role of regional and
national promotional banks for jobs and growth.
1.2
Other thematic issues
 Corporate tax package
Following up on its work on the matter in previous years, the ECON commission will give its full
attention to the Corporate Tax Package which the European Commission has announced for 2016. On
the basis of its past opinions on the Common Consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) in 2011, the
tax transparency package and the communication on a fair and efficient corporate tax system in 2015,
ECON will analyse the initiatives of this upcoming package and may issue an opinion on it.
 Industrial competitiveness
The ECON commission will continue working towards ensuring a favourable framework environment
for technological progress, industrial development and innovation and regions' competitiveness, in line
with its previous opinions in the area of industrial policy. It will focus its work on analysing and
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 4/22
exploring the opportunities and challenges created by the digitisation and servitisation of European
industry.
 State aid and services of general interest
The ECON commission will also monitor the developments in state aid and services of general
interest, specifically with a view to ensuring recognition of the fact LRAs are greatly affected by
policy developments in these fields and that the rules and how they are interpreted and transposed
need to reflect local and regional circumstances. The CoR will engage in contributing to the 2017
review of the "Almunia package" on state aid. Where relevant, it will cooperate with COTER
concerning cross-border issues of state aid regulation.
2.
Follow-up of opinions
The opinions of the European Committee of the Regions are the main political tools for conveying the
political viewpoint of CoR members to the other institutions of the European Union. In this new term
of office, the CoR and its constituent bodies, as well as all services of the administration, will put
additional focus on the follow-up of opinions, accompanied by a thematic communication strategy in
advance of as well as following their adoption, in order to ensure that the messages of the CoR achieve
the greatest political impact in the EU decision-making process.
The Commission will closely follow, and seek to influence, the interinstitutional developments that
concern the following key dossiers which are already the subject of CoR opinions:






1
2
3
4
5
6
Reform of the single market1
State aid modernisation2
Public Procurement3
Support for SMEs4
International trade and investment5
Corporate tax in the EU6
Opinion on Better Governance For The Single Market (CdR1529-2012, rapporteur: Markkula).
Revised opinion on EU guidelines on state aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (COR-2013-07451, rapporteur:
Rouillon)
Opinion on EU state aid modernisation (CdR1528-2012, rapporteur: Lindemann).
Opinion on the Directive on E-Invoicing and on end-to-end E-Procurement (CdR5278-2013, rapporteur: Segersten-Larsson)
Opinion on the Public Procurement Package (CdR99-2012, rapporteur: Segersten-Larsson)
Opinion on The award of concession contracts (CdR 100/2012, rapporteur: Kool).
Opinion on the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan, (CdR2447-2013, rapporteur: Adamowicz)
Opinion on the Programme For The Competitiveness Of Enterprises And Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises (2014-2020)
(CdR98-2012, rapporteur: Krochmal).
Opinion on the Transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) (COR-2014-05385, rapporteur: Töns)
Opinion on the Trade in services agreement (TiSA) (COR-2015-02700, rapporteur: Markov)
Opinion on the Tax Transparency Package ( COR-2015-02697, rapporteur: Imane)
Opinion on A Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) (CdR 152/2011, rapporteur: Graas).
Opinion on A fair and efficient corporate tax system in the EU (COR-2015-0386, rapporteur: Vanraes)
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 5/22


3.
The sharing economy7
Capital Market Union; ensuring finance flow into the real economy8
Interinstitutional cooperation
The ECON commission will continue to develop its cooperation with the European Parliament. This
will include exchanges with the Committee Chairs in the EP, discussions between rapporteurs, inviting
members of the European Parliament to attend commission meetings and participation of ECON
rapporteurs at relevant EP committee meetings, all with a view to increasing the impact of ECON
opinions. The ECON secretariat will constantly monitor the EP committees' work and identify
upcoming opportunities for follow-up of ECON opinions. Particular focus will be put on the
Committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and the Economic Dialogues it organises
with the other EU institutions, the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), the
Committee on International Trade (INTA) and the Committee for Internal Market and Consumer
Protection (IMCO).
The European Semester is specifically covered by the EP-CoR cooperation agreement. The CoR will
continue mirroring the EP by adopting political documents linked to the main milestones of the
Semester (i.e., ahead of, and after, the new AGS). The next step will be the Resolution on the 2016
AGS, to be discussed at the ECON meeting on 10 December 2015 before adoption by the Plenary on
10-11 February 2016. The ECON will continue to provide analysis to inform the Economic Dialogue
of the Parliament with the Commission.
With regard to the European Commission, the ECON commission will carry on its work aimed at
establishing fruitful contacts with Commissioners, and maintain and reinforce the relations it has
developed with the relevant services. In the current organigram, these are in particular the Directorate
General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW), the Directorate
General for Competition Policy (COMP), the Directorate General for Financial Stability, Financial
Services and Capital Markets Union (FISMA), the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial
Affairs (ECFIN) and the Directorate General for Trade (DG TRADE). With regard to overarching
issues, such as the new approach to growth and jobs announced in the 2016 CWP (based on the
revision of the Europe 2020 Strategy) or the European Semester, the ECON commission will also
continue its collaboration with the Secretariat-General of the Commission (SG) as well as the
European Semester Officers. The ECON commission will continue following the work of these
services and inviting their representatives to attend its meetings.
The ECON commission will follow up on the work done to build good cooperation with the Council
and the Dutch, Slovakian and Maltese presidencies.
7
8
Opinion on the local and regional dimension of the Sharing Economy (COR-2015-02698, rapporteur: Brighenti)
Opinion on Long-Term Financing of the European Economy (COR-2014-03235, rapporteur: Krochmal)
Opinion on European Long-term Investment Funds (COR-2013-06862, rapporteur: Beissel)
Opinion on the Green Paper on the long-term financing of the European economy (CdR3303-2013, rapporteur: Silberg).
Opinion on the Green Paper Building a Capital Markets Union (COR-2015-01184, rapporteur: Truskolaski).
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 6/22
The ECON commission will develop its relations with the European Investment Bank (EIB), in
particular concerning its work aimed at increasing investment in the real economy and facilitating
access to finance for SMEs. The ECON commission will continue to invite EIB representatives to
meetings focused on different sectorial fields of relevance.
The ECON commission will explore opportunities to substantiate its opinions by commissioning
additional analyses from the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), as provided for in the
cooperation agreement between the CoR and the European Parliament.
Finally, in those areas of common concern, the ECON commission will continue to maintain good
working relations with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and, in particular, its
ECO, CCMI and INT sections and Europe 2020 Steering Committee.
4.
Cooperation with other organisations and bodies
The ECON commission will continue to work closely with relevant European and national
associations of regional and local governments in organising conferences, seminars and other events,
as well as involving them in its consultative political work through bilateral meetings with rapporteurs
and stakeholder consultations. The existing cooperation with the Eurocities, CEMR, CLRAE, CPMR,
UEAPME, BusinessEurope and Eurochambres will be maintained; cooperation will also be developed
with the remaining European social partners (ETUC, including EPSU, CEEP).
Under COTER coordination , the ECON will also continue its work with the OECD notably on
aspects linked to investments and good governance.
5.
Complementary, monitoring and networking activities
ECON external activities
The ECON commission plans to organise two complementary external activities in 2016. On 20-21
June 2016, ECON plans to hold an external Commission meeting paired with a conference in the
Polish region of Malopolska. The ECON meeting is scheduled to take place in Krakow, while the
conference would be held in Tarnow, and focus on "Entrepreneurship based on innovation". Later in
the year the ECON commission anticipates the organisation of a seminar in the Austrian region of
Styria, on the theme of "Smart Regulation – Smart Growth". The exact date for this seminar is yet to
be decided, but it is expected for September, October or November 2016.
Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform
While continuing to assess the implementation of Europe's growth strategy at local and regional level
and its possible review in 2016, the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform (EU2020MP) will further
develop its monitoring and other activities in relation to the European Semester and European
economic governance.
The EU2020MP will continue to provide a platform for expert discussions, exchange of experiences
and collection of good practice. This will comprise an annual platform conference, and several
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 7/22
thematic workshops, including a continuation of works in relation to quality governance and the
strengthening of administrative capacity.
The EU2020MP will also continue to provide support to thematic consultations/surveys, including for
rapporteurs from thematic commissions other than ECON.
EER (European Entrepreneurial Region)
Within the framework of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) initiative, three ex-post
evaluation missions will be organised to the EER 2015 regions Lisbon, Northern Ireland and the
Valencian Region during the first half of 2016 in cooperation with the European Commission and the
social partners represented on the EER jury. The implementation of EER activities in the EER 2016
regions will be monitored throughout the year. Following the closing of the EER 2017 call for
applications on 18 March 2016, the EER 2017 winners will be selected by the EER jury and awarded
the label during a CoR plenary session in mid-2016. Moreover, an EER annual conference will be
organised in May or June 2016 in cooperation with the EER regions, and an EER-themed workshop is
scheduled for the Open Days in October 2016.
*
*
N.B.: Appendices overleaf.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 8/22
*
APPENDIX I
List of documents already attributed to the ECON commission to be dealt with in 2016
Reference of European
Commission document
Title of European Commission
document
COM(2015) 361 final
Communication on Working
together for jobs and growth:
The
role
of
National
Promotional Banks (NPBs) in
supporting the Investment Plan
for Europe
Follow-up
to
the
Five
Presidents'
Report
on
Completing Europe's Economic
and Monetary Union
Communication on Trade for
All - Towards a more
responsible
trade
and
investment policy
COM(2015) 497 final
COM(2015) 550 final
Non-legislative
proposal
Scheduled
adoption by
the CoR
7-8
April
2016
Non-legislative
proposal
7-8
2016
Non-legislative
proposal
tbc
Communication on Upgrading Non-legislative
the Single Market: more proposal
opportunities for people and
business
tbc
*
*
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 9/22
*
Procedure
April
APPENDIX II
List of the principal legislative and non-legislative proposals corresponding to the political
priorities of the ECON commission for 20169
Reference of European
Commission document
Title of European Commission Procedure
document
A New Boost for Jobs, Growth and Investment
Commission Work
Standard Procurement
Programme for 2016
Document and Standard Forms
for Public Procurement
Commission Work
Programme for 2016
Commission
COMMUNICATION on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business (p. 13-14)
Commission Work
Programme for 2016
REFIT initiative
Legislative
tbc
State Aid: Commission Notice REFIT initiative
on a Simplified Procedure for Evaluation
the treatment of certain types of
State Aid
Remedies Directives
REFIT initiative
Legislative
Next steps for a sustainable Non-legislative
European future
proposal
A Deeper and Fairer Economic and Monetary Union
Commission Work
Communication "Towards the
Programme 2016
completion of Banking Union"
Commission Work
Proposal for a European Deposit
Programme 2016
Re-Insurance Scheme
Legislative/nonlegislative proposal
Legislative/nonlegislative proposal
A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base
Commission Work
Corporate Tax Package
Legislative/nonProgramme 2016
legislative proposal
Commission Work
Action Plan on VAT
Legislative/nonProgramme 2016
legislative proposal
(including REFIT
initiatives)
Commission Work
Prospectus Directive Review
REFIT initiative
Programme 2016
Legislative
9
The list is indicative and subject to change.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 10/22
Scheduled
adoption
by the CoR
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
Tbc
Commission Work
Programme 2016
Follow-up to the Capital
Markets Union action
plan
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business, p. 6
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business, p. 7
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business
Review of the European
REFIT initiative
Venture Capital (EuVECA) and Legislative
European Social
Entrepreneurship Fund (EuSEF)
regulations
Green Paper on Retail financial Non-legislative
services
tbc
tbc
Legislative initiative on
business insolvency
Legislative proposal
tbc
Start-up Initiative
Non-legislative
proposal
tbc
Guidance on reform needs for Non-legislative
Member States in regulation of proposal
profession
tbc
Legislative action to address Legislative proposal
targeted regulatory barriers in
key business services and
construction services
tbc
Legislative action to prevent
discrimination against
consumers based on
nationality or country of
residence
Legislative proposal
Dedicated guidance on service Non-legislative
proposal
standardisation
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 11/22
Mid-2016
tbc
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business
Legislative proposal modelled Legislative proposal
on the successful features of
the
current
notification
procedure under Directive
(EU) 2015/1535 for services
currently not covered by that
Directive
Action Plan to increase Non-legislative
awareness of the mutual
recognition principle
Commission
communication on
Upgrading the Single
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business
Commission
Guidance on how EU law Non-legislative
communication on
applies
to
collaborative
Upgrading the Single
economy business models
Market: more
opportunities for people
and business
Trade: A Reasonable and Balanced Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.
Commission Work
Follow-up to the Trade and Legislative/ non
Programme 2016
Investment Strategy
legislative proposal
*
*
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 12/22
*
tbc
tbc
tbc
tbc
APPENDIX III
Explanatory sheet for each Priority Policy Theme
Policy theme
Promoting long-term investment at regional and local level
CoR commission
ECON
Reference to the  CoR Resolution on Priorities for the new mandate 2015-2020, 2 June 2015
policy priorities of  ECON 2015 Working Programme (adopted by the Bureau on 15 April 2015)
the CoR
 Riga Process/Files for intensified cooperation between CoR Commissions
and EP committees/ECON
Relevance for EU The LRAs have a key role to play in promoting and funding the long-term
Regional and Local investments needed to achieve the Europe 2020 targets and to implement the
Authorities
"new approach to ensure Europe's economic growth and social and
environmental sustainability beyond the 2020 timeframe, taking into account
the Europe 2020 review" (2016 CWP). To this aim, they face the challenge of
improving their administrative capacity (explicitly addressed in the CSRs and
Country reports in the European Semester 2014 and 2015).
Policy objectives, Policy objectives:
key challenges and 1. Bringing up the issue of obstacles to long-term investments in the EU
impact indicators
agenda.
2. Bringing up the need for adequate funding of regional and local long-term
investments in the EU agenda.
3. Bringing up the issue of supporting administrative capacity building at
regional and local level, as a precondition to promote and fund long-term
investments, in the EU agenda.
Key challenges:
1. Elaborating new ideas and concrete proposals, drawing on the CoR's
monitoring and reflection activity
2. Reaching out to the relevant interlocutors in the EU institutions
Structuring an appropriate timeline of activity interlinked with the overall
Semester roadmap
Proposed actions
and support
instruments
Impact indicators:
 Publication of ideas and proposals based on monitoring results
 Number of policy milestones to which the CoR brings its voice
Quantitative/qualitative assessment of how Commission, Council and EP
documents reflect the CoR input (including impact of opinions)
a) Adopting and following up Opinions, namely: on "the role of national and
regional promotional banks" (underway); on "long-term financing of the
European economy" and on "Green Paper on the long-term financing of the
European economy" and on "promoting quality of public spending"
(BUDG-V-009) (follow-up). A further opinion will be considered on
supporting administrative capacity building of local and regional authorities
with respect to promoting long-terms investments;
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 13/22
b) Taking part in the relevant EU political and legislative milestones
(CWPs; European Semester, mirroring the related EP timetable; Council
rotating Presidencies and the European Council)
c) Engaging in inter-institutional exchanges ahead of the relevant
milestones, as appropriate (exchanges of views, also during CoR ECON
meetings/Plenary Sessions; workshops/conferences/high-level meetings;
publication of monitoring reports)
d) Monitoring developments on the ground, feeding results into Opinions,
Resolutions, Bureau Declarations and the overall political debate,
through panel debates, workshops, studies and similar actions.
Actively cooperating with the EIB, based on the Action Plan.
Timetable
for Timetable:
implementation and  Most actions follow the interinstitutional timetable below
inter-institutional
 Monitoring activities follow a parallel and interlinked timetable (to be
calendar
defined by the Steering Committee of the Europe 2020 Monitoring
Platform), aimed at publishing the Monitoring Report during the Open Days
week
Interinstitutional calendar:
As laid down in
 the CWPs (published in October)
 the European Semester (AGS in November, Country Reports in February,
NRPs in April, CSRs in May)
 the EP timetable relating to the European Semester
 the calendars of the Council rotating Presidencies and the European
Council.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 14/22
Policy theme
Improving the regional business environment and strengthening the
territorial dimension of SME policy
CoR commission
ECON
Reference to the The Resolution on the CoR's priorities for 2015-2020 (ref. COR-2015-02565, 7)
policy priorities of refers to boosting the entrepreneurial spirit and enhancing SME competitiveness
the CoR
under the priority A fresh start for the European economy.
The CoR Resolution on the priorities for the 2016 work programme of the
European Commission (ref. COR-2015-03308, 16) suggests a more prominent
role for local and regional authorities in implementing the SBA principles.
Relevance for EU Regions and cities can contribute valuable expertise from the ground to the
Regional and Local identification of administrative and regulatory burdens that are detrimental to
Authorities
the business environment.
Regional and local authorities also foster SMEs and entrepreneurship by
contributing to the emergence of strong business ecosystems. Consequently,
they should be associated more strongly to the governance of EU SME policy.
Policy objectives, The main policy objectives within this priority are twofold:
key challenges and 1) Improving the regional business environment by cutting red tape and
impact indicators
creating smart regulation for SMEs, including removing obstacles related to
the Internal Market and to VAT reporting requirements.
2) Strengthening regional and local business ecosystems by improving access
to finance for SMEs and start-ups, supporting businesses throughout their
life-cycle, and improving governance of SME policy.
One key challenge consists in the fact that the European Commission no longer
envisages a "Small Business Act 2.0", but aims to integrate SME policy into
sectoral policies. The priorities therefore focus on specific policy areas, such as
regulatory simplification, access to finance, access to markets, and governance.
Impact indicators:
 a greater recognition of the regional and local dimension of SME policy by
the European Commission;
 formal association of CoR representatives to the SME envoys' network
 inclusion of a territorial dimension in the SBA fact sheets
Proposed actions
and support
instruments
Objective 1):
 Possible joint event with the Dutch EU presidency and the Dutch provinces
on administrative burden for SMEs;
 ECON seminar in Graz to launch the debate on Smart Regulation, with the
participation of the OECD's Regulatory Policy Division;
 Possible CoR analytical/consultative action on better regulation for SMEs;
 Possible CoR Opinion on the VAT action plan, which is expected to include
a comprehensive simplification package for SMEs;
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 15/22
Timetable for
implementation and
inter-institutional
calendar
 Support instruments: Surveys of CoR networks and platforms, in particular
of the EER regions and possibly the Europe 2020 platform, to identify the
most burdensome regulation for SMEs and contribute to the REFIT exercise.
Cooperation with the EEN in this area could also be explored.
Objective 2):
 Possible CoR Opinions on the Start-up initiative and on the legislative
initiative on business insolvency, which is of particular relevance to SMEs;
 Possible CoR analytical/consultative action on governance of SME policy;
 Letter from the ECON Chair or CoR President to Commissioner
Bieńkowska following up on her suggestion to associate LRAs to the SME
envoys meetings, made at the EER conference on 22 June 2015;
 Support instrument: Study gathering evidence on good practices in
subnational governance of SME policy, based on the EER experience.
It is suggested that the CoR take the lead in shaping the calendar on
objective 1), also considering the expected priorities of the Dutch EU
presidency. The precise timetable will depend on the areas of legislation to be
considered:
 16 March 2016: Report on the evaluation of the Late Payment Directive;
 First half of 2016: Possible event with the Dutch EU presidency on
administrative burden; consultation of CoR networks and platform;
 2016: Expected publication of the VAT Action Plan by the Commission;
 September-November 2016: External ECON Seminar.
A possible timetable for objective 2) could include the following milestones:
 28 October 2015: Publication of the European Commission's Single Market
Strategy, which puts a strong emphasis on SMEs and start-ups.
 December 2015: Launch of a study on lessons learned about good practices
in the governance of SME policy (publication in April 2016);
 2016: Legislative initiative on business insolvency and Start-up initiative;
 Depending on the date of the Start-up initiative, a first discussion of a CoR
Opinion on this dossier could take place at the ECON meeting in Kraków.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 16/22
Policy theme
Europe's trade and investment strategy
CoR commission
ECON
Reference to the Both the CoR resolution on the priorities for the 2016 work programme of the
policy priorities of European Commission (ref. COR-2015-03308, point 48) and the CoR
the CoR
Resolution on the European Committee of the Regions' priorities for the sixth
term of office 2015-2020 (ref. COR-2015-02565, point 38.) highlight the
relevance of international trade to the CoR.
Relevance for EU Trade and investment deals entail risks as well as opportunities and are likely to
Regional and Local have consequences across all levels of society, including the local and regional
Authorities
levels.
Trade and investment deals are likely to amount to joint agreement that are
subject to approval by the European Parliament and ratification by all 28 EU
Member States, which, depending on the law of each Member State, may
require the approval of not just the national parliaments, but also that of the
governments, parliaments and chambers representing the regional level.
Policy objectives,
and key challenges
and impact
indicators
Proposed actions
and support
instruments
The European Commission has announced a review of the European
Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). The review aims to make it easier to get
access to the EGF as the reserve set aside for EGF interventions has never been
fully used.
 A recognition and a sincere consideration of the regional and local
dimension of international trade and investment
 Further modernisation of the investment protection agreements in
agreements other than TTIP
 Clearer distinctions of what the trade agreements cover-Ensure that the
increased transparency in trade negotiation also reaches the CoR and LRAs
(specifically in the TiSA negotiations)
 Highlight that not only national parliament but also regional parliaments
should be consulted on trade agreements before they can be finalized.
 Ensure that the review of the EGF really provides easier access to its funds.
Impact indicators:
 Systematically improved information on how new trade agreements are
likely to affect regions
 Further access to confidential trade negotiation information
TTIP: Continued follow-up of the TTIP opinion with regular visits to the
reading room in view of new negotiation rounds. Letter from the rapporteur and
the ECON chair to Commissioner Malmström as regards the new investment
protection proposal.
TiSA: Further exploration of the possibility of the TiSA rapporteur to participate
in INTA committee debates as well as less formal structures as the TISA
monitoring group. Further inquiries as to the possibility of having access to
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 17/22
Timetable for
implementation and
inter-institutional
calendar
classified documents as is the case for TTIP.
Trade and Investment Strategy: A rapporteur could be appointed on
10 December 2015 and then the opinion should be discussed in ECON on
29 February 2016 and adopted in ECON on 22 April. Adoption in plenary in
June.
Possibly undertake a territorial impact assessment or other forms of research on
the effects of TTIP or TiSA. The basis could perhaps be the CEPR study which
is the basis for the Commission's calculation of the benefits of TTIP.
TTIP: Commission is aiming to conclude of the negotiations by end of 2016.
The EP will then accept or refuse the TTIP. The letter from the ECON chair and
the TTIP rapporteur to Commissioner Malmström is pending political validation
of the Chair and political coordinators.
TiSA: Possible conclusions by end of 2016. EP report to be adopted beginning
of 2016. Possibly a speaking slot at the INTA Committee meeting on
30 November/1 December.
The EP report on the Trade and Investment Strategy is scheduled to be adopted
in May in the INTA Committee and in the June plenary.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 18/22
Policy theme
Completing the single market to promote growth, competitiveness and
employment
CoR commission
ECON
Reference to the – Resolution on the Commission's Work Programme for 2015 (COR-2015policy priorities of
00074);
the CoR
– Resolution on the European Committee of the Regions' priorities for the
sixth term of office 2015-2020 (COR-2015-02565);
 Resolution on the priorities for the 2016 work programme of the European
Commission (COR-2015-03308);
Relevance for EU The economic prospects of regions and cities are directly impacted by
Regional and Local measures to complete the single market. Realising the untapped potential of
Authorities
services, profiting from fast-developing trends such as the sharing economy
and further opening up public procurement markets are aspects of the single
market that are particularly relevant for LRAs.
Policy objectives, Policy objectives:
key challenges and  Ensure that the views and interests of Europe's regions and cities are taken
impact indicators
into account in measures aimed at completing the single market, in
particular as regards business and professional services, and that related
territorial impacts are evaluated
 Ensure that the views and interests of Europe's regions and cities are taken
into account in the process of development of the European agenda for the
sharing (collaborative) economy, clarification of the regulatory frameworks
for the sharing economy business models and assessment of regulatory gaps
 Ensure that the rules on public procurement and their interpretation and
transposition need to reflect regional and local circumstances. In this
context it is of particular importance that the remedies directive, currently
subject to the REFIT exercise, is revised with the aim of reducing the
number of frivolous claims.
Key challenges:
Communicating the CoR's key political messages in the interinstitutional
processes via events, publications and follow-up activities.
Proposed actions
and support
instruments
Impact indicators:
Provisions in enacted legislation and other measures that address the concerns
of regions and cities.
 Political follow-up of the EC Communication on "Upgrading the Single
Market: more opportunities for people and business";
 Follow-up of the opinion "Local and regional dimension of the sharing
economy", including cooperation with representative organisations of the
sharing economy sector at European level; possibly a good practices
sharing Open Days event;
 Subsidiarity monitoring network consultation/territorial and urban impact
assessment on any EU regulatory actions concerning the sharing economy,
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 19/22


Timetable for
implementation
and interinstitutional
calendar



if necessary;
Cooperation with representative business organisations, regions and the EC
in an event addressing the gaps and untapped potential of the Single Market
from a regional point of view;
The CoR could launch a study measuring to what an extent the public
procurement directives in place have been transposed and how that may
affect the functioning of the single market as well as LRAs. The CoR could
use the study to devise a handbook to help LRAs interpret the public
procurement rules correctly.
CoR: first half of 2016: launch of a study on transposition of the public
procurement directives;
CoR: Open Days 2016: a workshop/seminar presenting good practices and
regulatory/practical approaches towards sharing economy business models
at the local and regional levels and the latest developments
CoR: second half of 2016: Single Market event in cooperation with
representative business organisations, regions and the EC.
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 20/22
Policy theme
LRAs in Economic Governance and the European Semester
CoR commission
ECON
Reference to the  Athens Declaration (Ref: COR-2014-00750)
policy priorities of  Resolution on Improving the functioning of the European Union: Lisbon
the CoR
Treaty and beyond (Ref: COR-2015-03307) (point 16)
 Resolution on the 2016 Work Programme of the EC (Ref: COR-201503308)
 Bureau Declaration On the 2015 European Semester (Ref: COR-201504461)
Relevance for EU LRAs have a key role to play in economic governance and the European
Regional and Local Semester, in order to ensure that they are designed adequately and
Authorities
implemented effectively, as well as to increase their democratic legitimacy and
accountability.
Policy objectives, Policy objectives:
key challenges and  Strengthening the involvement of LRAs in European economic governance
impact indicators
in general, and the European Semester in particular (whether as targets for
CSRs, or as partners for NRPs drafting and implementation, etc.);
 Strengthening the involvement of the local and regional authorities in the
forthcoming European Commission's "new approach" to sustainable
development, based on the Europe 2020 review and linked to the UN
Sustainable Development Goals;
 Reinforcing the interinstitutional role of the CoR at EU level in the field of
economic governance in general, and in the Semester in particular, in part
via deeper cooperation with relevant institutions (EP, principally, and EC)
Key challenges:
 Elaborating new ideas and concrete proposals, drawing on the CoR's
monitoring and reflection activity,
 Reaching out to the relevant interlocutors in the EU institutions
 Structuring an appropriate timeline of activity interlinked with the overall
Semester roadmap
Impact Indicators:
 increase in measured involvement of LRAs in the European Semester
(CSRs and NRPs in particular) as well as the Europe 2020 strategy
 strengthened CoR role at EU level in this policy field – in particular in
relation to the EP
Proposed actions  opinions (including on 5 Presidents' Report, as well as a potential opinion
and
support
on Europe's long-term strategy for growth and jobs and a sustainable
instruments
European future)
 yearly resolutions on the European Semester and AGS (before or after their
publication), based on analysis of the Country Reports, NRPs and CSRs
 cooperation with EP via joint hearings and events, invitations to the CoR,
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 21/22
etc.
 cooperation with other actors: EC, MS, think tanks, etc. via hearings and
events
 EU2020 Monitoring Platform work, including annual Monitoring Reports,
and distribution of work to institutions and stakeholders
 surveys and distribution to institutions and stakeholders
 studies, possibly looking, among other things, at the implicit cost, in
economic terms, of not giving EU growth and jobs strategies a territorial
dimension
 stronger involvement of members (including ECON chair and coordinators)
Timetable
for Implementation: Ongoing, following the Semester's interinstitutional timeline
implementation
Calendar: Ongoing yearly cycle (European Semester: AGS in November,
and
inter- Country Reports in February, NRPs in April, CSRs in May)
institutional
+ EP timetable relating to the Semester (resolutions)
calendar
+ calendars of the Council Presidencies and the European Council
For Europe's long-term strategy for growth and jobs and a sustainable
European future, the calendar is tbc on the basis of the upcoming EC initiatives
_____________
COR-2015-05404-00-01-TCD-TRA (EN) 22/22