Intergroups
The history of Intergroups dates back to 1979. As early as during the first term of the democratically chosen European Parliament, some informal groupings of MEPs started to emerge. They united on issues that concerned them. Up to this day they constitute an additional forum for cooperation and supplement the actions taken by political groups and parliamentary committees.
Intergroups are not the organs of the European Parliament, they cannot use the EP’s logo or other symbols, nor can they officially express the view of the Parliament. Any actions undertaken by Intergroups cannot contradict the official activities of the EP.
As the new term of the EP begins, new Intergroups are formed. According to the legally binding statute, each of them has to be supported by at least three political groups of the EP.
There are 23 officially registered Intergroups. MEP Jaroslaw Walesa a member of 5 of them:
1. “Baltic Europe” Intergroup – it was formed in 2004 as a forum for discussion and promotion of economic actions, environmental protection, and geopolitical problems of the Baltic Sea region. “Baltic Europe” proved to be an efficient and practical forum which is able to define long-term objectives as well as to react to arising challenges.
One of the most significant achievements of “Baltic Europe” was drawing the Europe’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region which was passed in the EP towards the end of 2006. During the next two years, “Baltic Europe’s” members managed to obtain recognition for the Strategy in the European Commission and the member states’ governments. The Swedish Presidency took the first steps on the way to implement the Europe’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. It is our challenge for the next five years to supervise the implementation of the Strategy and to take actions in order to promote the Baltic Sea region as a prospective place for investment, work and settling down.
The Europe’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is focused on four issues: environmental protection, prosperity, accessibility and attraction, and security. Its declared aim is to activate the potential of the region which occurred after the EU enlargement.
http://www.strategia-baltyk.ukie.gov.pl/www/baltyk.nsf/main?open
2. Intergroup on Seas and coastal affairs
Seas, oceans and coastal areas are the source of natural and economic affluence. Unfortunately, they are negatively affected by economic activity and sea transport which destroy coastal ecosystems.
In 2004 the European Commission launched the Integrated Maritime Policy which aims at developing a common approach towards various public policies in Europe.
The main issues of the “Seas and coastal affairs” Intergroup include: maritime security, sustainable development of the coastal areas, sea routes, employment, innovations, and the impact of the Common Fisheries Policy on the European maritime policy. “Seas and coastal affairs” is a space for discussions about issues concerning the Baltic Sea, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
The ideas of the Intergroup are supported by two European partners:
Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe which encompasses 161 sea regions and disposes of broad knowledge on territorial and maritime issues.
European Bureau for Conservation and Development, a non-governmental organization which has long collaborated with the EP. It initiated the Intergroup on Sustainable Development in 1994.
3. Tibet Intergroup (TIG)
TIG has been active since 1989. It supports all EP’s resolution on human rights and the release of political prisoners in Tibet through a dialogue with the Chinese government. TIG organizes debates, exhibitions and conferences with people from all over the world.
4. Intergroup on Youth
During its latest term, the EP adopted the written declaration on the role of youth in the decision-making process both on the national and European scale. By means of the Intergroup on Youth, the EP wants to take care of the youth’s issues more effectively .
Three main challenges which the Intergroup on Youth seek to address are:
- active citizenship for young people;
- encouraging the youth to participate in the implementation of the European strategy on youth;
- mobility.
5. The Union of European Federalists (UEF)
The aim of the Union of European Federalists is to promote the post-national parliamentary democracy and to work for the federal unity of Europe.
Three main golas of the UEF are:
- quick implementation of the Lisbon Treaty;
- reform of the voting procedure in EP before the next elections in 2014, which will increase the turnout and legitimization;
- reform of the financial system in the EU.
