[Graphic in PDF & Word format]
|
|
|
|
|
COUNCIL OF
THE EUROPEAN UNION |
|
EN
|
C/04/136
Brussels, 11 May 2004
9063/04 (Presse 136)
Press release
2580th Council Meeting
Economic and Financial
Affairs
Brussels, 11 May 2004
President Mr Charlie McCreevy, TD
Minister for Finance of Ireland
|
Main Results of the Council
The Council decided to terminate the excessive deficit procedure opened in
November 2002 for Portugal, emphasising that continued budgetary
discipline will be needed in 2004. It took note of the Italian Minister's
commitment to keep the budget deficit below 3% in Italy and agreed to
assess, at its meeting on 5 July, measures to be announced by Italy.
The Council reached political agreement on two financial services
directives, one on transparency requirements with regard to information on
issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market, the
other establishing a new structure for EU committees on financial services. It
adopted procedural conclusions on EIB external lending and on output and
output gaps and was briefed on contacts with dependent and associated
territories and third countries regarding the EU's directive on savings
tax.
This was the first Council meeting since the EU's enlargement on 1 May. The
President of the Council opened the session with a welcome address to the
Ministers from the new Member States.
|
CONTENTS1
PARTICIPANTS 4
ITEMS DEBATED
BROAD ECONOMIC POLICY GUIDELINES 7
POTENTIAL OUTPUT AND OUTPUT GAPS – Council conclusions 7
EIB EXTERNAL LENDING – Council conclusions 7
STABILITY AND GROWTH PACT IMPLEMENTATION 8
– Abrogation as regards Portugal 8
– Early warning procedure – Italy 8
SAVINGS TAX DIRECTIVE – THIRD COUNTRY NEGOTIATIONS 9
FINANCIAL SERVICES 9
– Transparency requirements 9
– EU committee structure 9
PRELIMINARY DRAFT BUDGET 10
FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES FOR 2007-2013 10
OTHER BUSINESS 10
– Excise duty rates on alcohol 10
EVENTS IN THE MARGINS OF THE COUNCIL 11
– Macroeconomic dialogue at political level 11
– Troika meeting with the European Parliament 11
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Agreement with Andorra – Monetary matters* 12
DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Republic of Guinea – Consultations 12
APPOINTMENTS
Committee of the Regions 13
The Governments of the Member States and the European Commission were represented as follows:
Belgium:
Mr Didier REYNDERS Minister for Finance
Czech Republic:
Mr Bohuslav SOBOTKA Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance
Denmark:
Mr Thor PEDERSEN Minister for Finance
Germany:
Mr Hans EICHEL Federal Minister for Finance
Estonia:
Mr Aare JÄRVAN Secretary General, Ministry for Finance
Greece:
Mr Georgios ALOGOSKOUFIS Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance
Spain:
Mr Pedro SOLBES MIRA Minister for Economic Affairs
France:
Mr Pierre SELLAL Ambassador
Ireland:
Mr Noël O'GORMAN Ministry for Finance
Italy:
Mr Giulio TREMONTI Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance
Cyprus:
Mr Christos PATSALIDES Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance
Latvia:
Mr Oskars SPURDZIŅŠ Minister for Finance
Lithuania:
Mr Algirdas BUTKEVIČIUS Minister for Finance
Luxembourg:
Mr Jean-Claude JUNCKER Prime Minister, Ministre d'Etat, Minister for Finance
Hungary:
Mr Tibor DRASKOVICS Minister for Finance
Malta:
Mr Lawrence GONZI Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Netherlands:
Mr Gerrit ZALM Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance
Austria:
Mr Alfred FINZ State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance
Poland:
Mr Andrzej RACZKO Minister for Finance
Portugal:
Ms Manuela FERREIRA LEITE Ministra de Estado, Minister for Finance
Slovenia:
Mr Dušan MRAMOR Minister for Finance
Slovakia:
Mr Ivan MIKLOŠ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance
Finland:
Mr Antti KALLIOMÄKI Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance
Sweden:
Mr Bosse RINGHOLM Minister for Finance
United Kingdom:
Mr Gordon BROWN Chancellor of the Exchequer
Commission:
Mr Joaquín ALMUNIA AMANN Member
Mr Siim KALLAS Member
Mr Frederik BOLKESTEIN Member
Mr Marcos KYPRIANOU Member
Ms Michaele SCHREYER Member
Other participants:
Mr Philippe MAYSTADT President of the European Investment Bank
Mr Jan Willem OOSTERWIJK Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee
Mr Caio KOCH-WESER Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee
ITEMS DEBATED
BROAD ECONOMIC POLICY GUIDELINES
The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of its recommendation for this year's update of the EU's Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (8500/04). It requested the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee to take work forward so as to enable the Council to adopt, at its meeting on 2 June, a report to the European Council.
POTENTIAL OUTPUT AND OUTPUT GAPS – Council conclusions
The Council held a brief exchange of views and adopted the following conclusions:
"The Council welcomes the EPC Report on Potential Output and Output Gaps and the further progress that has been achieved in refining the production function method for the estimation of output gaps as the reference method when assessing stability and convergence programmes.
The Council considers that good progress has been made so as to be able to apply the production function method in autumn 2004 also for Germany, Spain and Austria provided that the caveats identified in the EPC Report including data availability are properly addressed. For Austria and Germany, the PF method will be used as the reference method and the HP filter will continue to be used as a back-up method during a transition period. For Spain, both methods will be used in parallel until results have become more stable. The situation shall be reviewed before the assessments of the 2005 Stability and Convergence Programmes to ensure that the transition period shall be as short as possible.
The Council welcomes the efforts by the new Member States to apply, to the extent possible, the production function method to the estimation of output gaps. Taking account of the remaining difficulties caused by the lack of sufficiently long time series, the Council considers it appropriate to use, for the time being, the HP and PF methods in parallel for these countries.
Furthermore, the Council welcomes the intention of the EPC to continue the efforts to improve the production function method, and to focus in future work, together with the EFC, on settling open issues on the linking of output gaps and cyclically adjusted budget balances and their use to assess fiscal policies. Preliminary work should be presented by October 2004 so as to enhance the assessments of the next stability and convergence programmes."
EIB EXTERNAL LENDING – Council conclusions
The Council took stock of the situation regarding European Investment Bank external lending and adopted the following conclusions:
"The Council confirms its conclusions of 25 November 2003 on the review of the EIB external lending mandate and the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP), and intends, subject to the Opinion of the European Parliament, to adopt decisions in accordance with these conclusions in early autumn.
The Council will, when adopting the package agreed on 25 November 2003, base its decision on lending to Russia and the Western New Independent States (WNIS) on the Commission proposal to be adopted shortly for a separate lending mandate of up to 500 million, and will base its decision on other lending on the Commission proposal, contained in document 13753/03.
On this basis the Council invites the EIB to pursue its operations in Russia without interruption."
STABILITY AND GROWTH PACT IMPLEMENTATION
The Council adopted a Decision abrogating Decision 2002/923/EC on the existence of an excessive budget deficit in Portugal, noting that it had complied with the terms of the Recommendation adopted by the Council with a view to bringing that deficit situation to an end.
In its Decision, the Council highlights the efforts made by Portugal to meet the terms it set – the general government deficit stood at 2,8% of Gross Domestic Product in 2003 and was 2,7% in 2002, compared with 4,4% in 2001 – whilst highlighting the need for further vigilance in 2004.
The Council had adopted Decision 2002/923/EC and its Recommendation in November 2002 in the light of Portugal's breaching in 2001 of the 3% reference value provided for under the EC Treaty. It set a deadline for the correction of the excessive deficit by 2003 at the latest.
The Council took note of the presentation by Commissioner Joaquín Almunia of the Commission's Recommendation for the Council to issue an early warning in order to prevent the occurrence of an excessive deficit in Italy. The Council also took note of the Italian Minister's commitment to ensuring that Italy's deficit does not exceed 3% in 2004. It reached a broad consensus in favour of postponing further consideration of this issue until its meeting on 5 July, so as to be able to examine the measures to be announced by the Italian government.
The Commission issued the following statement:
"The Commission takes note that the Council has not yet been able to reach a decision on the recommendation for an early warning to be addressed to Italy. In the view of the Commission the case for an early warning is fully established. The Commission notes that its early-warning initiative has already resulted in measures being planned by the Italian government to cut public expenditure with effect on the current year. However, the final size, their specific impact and the time of their implementation remain undisclosed. The Commission will continue to monitor the budgetary situation in Italy and will assess measures when they are adopted."
SAVINGS TAX DIRECTIVE – THIRD COUNTRY NEGOTIATIONS
The Council took stock of progress made in negotiations on savings tax agreements with Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino, with the United Kingdom Crown Dependencies and Caribbean Territories and with the Netherlands Caribbean Territories.
It welcomed progress made with Andorra on a savings tax agreement as well as the prospect of a monetary agreement with Andorra, in respect of which it adopted a Decision on the position to be taken (see page I).
As regards Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino, the Council took note of developments since its meeting on 9 March and reaffirmed its support for the position taken by the Commission in the negotiations. In particular, it emphasised its unwillingness to make concessions in relation to the benefits of the EU Directives on interest and royalties and parent companies and subsidiaries.
The Council reaffirmed its determination for the various savings tax negotiations to be finalised. This will enable it to conclude that the conditions for applying the provisions of the savings tax directive – namely that equivalent measures are applied Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Switzerland, and that the same measures are applied by the UK and Netherlands dependent and associated countries – will be met.
The Council reached political agreement on two draft Directives on financial services, as amended by the European Parliament in first reading, concerning:
– transparency requirements with regard to information on issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market (15275/03 + 7927/04);
– a new structure for EU committees on financial services (7954/04).
The two Directives will be adopted without further discussion at a forthcoming Council meeting, after finalisation of the texts in all the Community's official languages.
The Directive on transparency requirements will revise and replace provisions of Directive 2001/34/EC on the admission of securities to official stock exchange listing. The aim is to upgrade the information available to investors, thus helping them to allocate their funds on the basis of a more informed assessment.
The Directive aims to ensure that investors receive interim management statements from those share issuers who do not publish quarterly reports, and half-yearly financial reports from issuers of new bonds. In addition, all securities issuers will have to provide annual financial reports within four months after the end of the financial year. The Directive is also expected to improve the dissemination of information on issuers.
The Directive on committee structure is part of a package of measures aimed at extending the EU committee structure used in the securities sector since 2002 to banking, insurance and investment funds. The aim is to enable legislators and regulators to respond more quickly and effectively to technological change and market developments, and allow more detailed cooperation between supervisors.
Four new committees are established. Two of them, the European Banking Committee (EBC) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Committee (EIOPC) will, like the European Securities Committee (ESC) for securities, assist the Commission in adopting implementing measures under EU financial services directives. Two others, the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) and the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS), have already been established; bringing together national supervisors, they aim to improve implementation of EU law in their respective fields in the Member States.
The Council took note of the presentation by the Commission of the EU's preliminary draft budget for 2005 and held a brief exchange of views. It requested the Permanent Representatives Committee to examine the text and to prepare a package enabling the Council to establish the 2005 Draft Budget in July.
FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES FOR 2007-2013
The Council was briefed by the Presidency on work by the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) on the EU's financial perspective for 2007–2013, and held an exchange of views.
The Presidency intends that Coreper's work should contribute to the preparation by the Commission of its legislative proposals to be presented in June or July. A report will be prepared by the Presidency in advance of the European Council on 17 and 18 June, which will be called on to provide guidance for the next phase of work in the second half of 2004.
The Council took note of the situation regarding excise duty rates on alcohol and of concerns expressed by the Swedish delegation regarding delay in the presentation by the Commission of a report on this subject.
EVENTS IN THE MARGINS OF THE COUNCIL
Representatives of the Council, the Commission and the European Central Bank met with the social partners for the ninth meeting of the macroeconomic dialogue on the economic situation and public policy.
The Presidency Troika (Ireland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) met with a delegation from the European Parliament to discuss the economic situation and public policy.
*
* *
Over lunch, Ministers were informed of the outcome of the Eurogroup meeting held on 10 May. They discussed issues raised in the Intergovernmental Conference on the EU draft Constitutional Treaty that are relevant to economic and financial affairs, and took stock of the state of negotiations with Switzerland with a view to the conclusion of the external dimension to the EU's savings tax directive.
At a breakfast meeting, Ministers also discussed the management of health care expenditure.
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Agreement with Andorra – Monetary matters*
The Council adopted a Decision on the position to be taken concerning the negotiation of an agreement with the Principality of Andorra on the use by Andorra of euro banknotes and coins, the legal status of the euro in Andorra and access to euro area payment systems (8268/04 + 8267/04 ADD 1).
Negotiations will start as soon as the Council has agreed that the necessary conditions, which include the initialling of a savings tax agreement, have been fulfilled. The Commission will conduct the negotiations on behalf of the Community; France and Spain, as neighbouring countries, and the European Central Bank will be fully associated with the negotiations.
Republic of Guinea – Consultations
The Council approved the text of a letter to be sent to the Republic of Guinea, requesting it to consider holding a meeting without further delay under consultations already launched in accordance with the Partnership Agreement between the Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries (8379/04).
The consultations were launched last month in response to the deterioration in the democratic environment in Guinea, but were postponed by the Prime Minister of Guinea without a new date being proposed. Originally scheduled for 15 April, the consultations are intended to enable a thorough examination of the situation in Guinea and, if necessary, to enable steps to be taken to remedy the non-respect of the EC-ACP Agreement as regards democracy and fundamental freedoms.
The Council adopted a Decision appointing the following as members of the Committee of the Regions for the period up to 25 January 2006 (8960/04):
ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA
BÉM Pavel, Lord Mayor of the Capital City of Prague
BŘEZINA Jan, President of the Regional Council of Olomoucký kraj
DOHNAL František, President of the Regional Council of Vysočina kraj
LÍNEK Roman, President of the Regional Council of Pardubický kraj
PAVEL Josef, President of the Regional Council of Karlovarský kraj
TOŠENOVSKÝ Evžen, President of the Regional Council of Moravskoslezský kraj
ZAHRADNÍK Jan, President of the Regional Council of Jihočeský kraj
VLASÁK Oldřich, Lord Mayor of the City of Hradce Králové, Královéhradecký kraj
TESAŘÍK Martin, Mayor of the City of Olomouc, Olomoucký kraj
GANDALOVIČ Petr, Lord Mayor of the City of Ústí nad Labem, Ústecký kraj
HANÁK Jaroslav, Mayor of the City of Veselí nad Moravou, Jihomoravský kraj
LANGŠÁDLOVÁ Helena, Mayor of the Municipality of Černošice, Středočeský kraj
EESTI
ANSIP Andrus, Mayor of City of Tartu, Tartu City Government
KALLASVEE Teet, Mayor of City of Haapsalu, Haapsalu City Government
KÕIV Tõnis, Mayor of City of Paide, Paide City Government
MÄEKER Mart, Head of Leisi Municipality, Leisi Municipality Government
MÜÜRSEPP Kurmet, Head of Urvaste Municipality, Urvaste Municipality Government
SAVISAAR Edgar, Mayor of the City of Tallinn, Tallinn City Government
TOBRELUTS Sirje, Head of Laheda Municipality, Laheda Municipality Government
ΚYΠΡΟΣ
ZAMBELAS Michael, Mayor of Nicosia
MESIS Christos, Mayor of Mesa Yitonia
SARIKAS Fidias, Mayor of Paphos
GEORGIOU George, Mayor of Kato Polemidia
IACOVOU George, President of the Community Council of Ayioi Trimithias
ELENODOROU Spyros, President of the Community Council of Oroklini
LATVIJA
PURGALE Cilda, Chairman, Trikāta Rural Municipality Council
BARTKEVIČS Edvīns, Chairman Ogre County Council
JAUNSLEINIS Andris, Chairman, Union of Local and Regional Governments of Latvia
KUCINS Arvīds, Chairman Dubna Pagasts Council
KRIEVINS Guntars, Deputy of Liepaja Town Council
KALNACS Janis, Deputy of Riga City Council,
NEILANDE Lolita, Chairman of Talsi district Sabile novads Council
LIETUVA
GUDELIS Darius, Mayor of Anykščiai district municipality
GARBARAVIČIUS Ramūnas, Member of Kaunas city municipal council
JAKUTIS Raimundas, Mayor of Šiauliai district municipality
LUKOŠIENĖ Virginija, Klaipėda county governor
MALINAUSKAS Ričardas, Mayor of Druskininkai municipality
MATUZAS Vitas, Mayor of Panevėžys city municipality
PAVIRŽIS Gediminas Adolfas, Deputy Mayor of Vilnius city municipality
VAIŠNORA Aidas, Member of Kazlų Rūda municipal council
VIGELIS Vytautas, Mayor of Švenčioniai district municipality
MAGYARORSZÁG
BALOGH László Dr., President of the Bács-Kiskun County Assembly,
BENKŐ Ferenc, Mayor of Tiszaladány
BOR Imre, Member of local government, Paks
BOROS Imre Dr., Vice-president of Zala County Assembly
DEMSZKY Gábor Dr., Lord Mayor of Budapest
DIÓSSY László, Mayor of Veszprém
FÁBIÁN Zsolt, Member of local government, Gödöllő
KÁLI Sándor, Mayor of Miskolc
MOLNÁR Árpád, Mayor of Balatonszabadi
SÉRTŐ-RADICS István Dr., Mayor of Uszka
SZABÓ Gyula, Member of Heves County Assembly
WEKLER Ferenc Dr., Mayor of Mecseknádasd
MALTA
MICALLEF Ian Dr., Councillor, Gzira Local council
COHEN Michael, Mayor, Kalkara Local Council
BORG Doris, Mayor, Birkirkara Local Council
FARRUGIA Antonia, Councillor, Zurrieq Local Council
FORMOSA Noel, Mayor, San Lawrenz Local Council
POLSKA
ARNDT Paweł, Chairman of the Sejmik, Wielkopolskie
CIACH Krzysztof, Starosta of the Poviat, Zachodniopomorskie
CZARSKI Michał, Marshal of Voivodship, Śląskie
CZERNECKI Andrzej, City Mayor, Podkarpackie
DUTKIEWICZ Rafał, City President, Dolnośląskie
GOŁĘBIEWSKI Henryk, Marshal of Voivodship, Dolnośląskie
KARSKI Karol, Deputy Chairman of the City Council, Mazowieckie
KROPIWNICKI Jerzy, City President, Łódzkie
LECH Mirosław, Wójt of the Commune, Podlaskie
MAJCHROWSKI Jacek, City President, Małopolskie
MAKAREWICZ Henryk, Marshal of Voivodship, Lubelskie
RAKOCZY Stanisław, Starosta of the Poviat, Opolskie
RONOWICZ Bożena, City President, Lubuskie
RYŃSKI Andrzej, Marshal of Voivodship, Warmińsko-Mazurskie
SEPIOŁ Janusz, Marshal of Voivodship, Małopolskie
STRUZIK Adam, Marshal of Voivodship, Mazowieckie
SYNAK Brunon, Chairman of the Sejmik, Pomorskie
SZYMANOWICZ Marian, Deputy City President, Lubelskie
TEODORCZYK Mieczysław, Marshal of Voivodship, Łódzkie
WOŁODŹKO Franciszek, Marshal of Voivodship, Świętokrzyskie
ZAJĄKAŁA Jerzy, Wójt of the Commune, Kujawsko-Pomorskie
SLOVENIJA
SOVIČ Boris, Mayor of Urban Municipality Maribor
KOVAČIČ Boštjan, Mayor of Urban Municipality Novo mesto
PEČAN Breda, Mayor of Municipality Izola
SMOLNIKAR Anton, Mayor of Municipality Kamnik
HALB Janko, Mayor of Municipality Rogašovci
SMRDELJ Robert, Mayor of Municipality Pivka
ŠTEBE Tomaž, Mayor of Municipality Mengeš
SLOVENSKO
BAUER Rudolf, President of Košice Self-governing Region
SLAFKOVSKÝ Alexander, Mayor of Liptovský Mikuláš City
BELICA Milan, President of Nitra Self-governing Region
TARČÁK Jozef, President of Źilina Self-governing Region
MARČOK Milan, President of Banská Bystrica Self-governing Region
CHUDÍK Peter, President of Prešov Self-governing Region
DEMETEROVÁ Mária, Elected Representative of Bratislava Self-governing Region
BOBÍK Jozef, Mayor of Michalovce City
PETUŠÍK Jozef, Mayor of Dolný Lopašov
The Council adopted a Decision appointing the following as alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period up to 25 January 2006 (8960/04):
ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA
BENDL Petr, President of the Regional Council of Středočeský kraj
SLAVÍK František, President of the Regional Council of Zlínský kraj
JURÁNEK Stanislav, President of the Regional Council of Jihomoravský kraj
DERNER Vladimír, Deputy of the President of the Regional Council of Královehradecký kraj
ŠULC Jiří, President of the Regional Council of Ústecký kraj
ZÁMEČNÍK Jaroslav, CSc., Member of the Regional Council of Liberecký kraj
ZIMMERMANN Petr, President of the Regional Council of Plzeňský kraj
BYTEL Jiří, Mayor of the Municipality of Velká Hleďsebe, Karlovarský kraj
HALANOVÁ Květa, Mayor of the City of Jílové u Prahy, Středočeský kraj
PRŮŠA Luboš, Mayor of the City of Písek, Jihočeský kraj
ÚLEHLA Tomáš, Mayor of the City of Zlín, Zlínský kraj
DUCHOŇ Petr, Lord Mayor of the City of Brno, Jihomoravský kraj
EESTI
ELLRAM Jüri, Head of Imavere Municipality, Imavere Municipality Government
ERIKSON Urve, Chairman of Tudulinna Municipality Council
KALEV Saima, Head of Municipality of Jõgeva, Jõgeva Municipality Government
LEPIK Margus, Mayor of City of Valga, Valga City Government
MARIPUU Maret, Chairman of Tallinn City Council, Tallinn City Council
SILBERG Uno, Chairman of Kose Municipality Council, Kose Municipality Council
TAMKIVI Jaanus, Mayor of Kuressaare City, Kuressaare City Government
ΚYΠΡΟΣ
PITTAS Charalambos, Mayor of Morphou
PERICLEOUS Barbara, Mayor of Ayia Napa
HADJITOPHIS Kyriakos, Mayor of Ayios Athanasios
VIOLARIS Christakis, Mayor of Lakatamia
MICHAEL Dimitris, President of the Community Council of Ayios Ambrosios
KALLIS Nikos, President of the Community Council of Zoopigi
LATVIJA
AUGULIS Uldis, Chairman of Local Municipality Bērze
ZALĀNS Edgars, Mayor, Chairman of Kuldīga Town Council
PUKITIS Talis, Vice-Chairman of Development Council of Riga Region
ELKSNĪTIS Andris, Chairman of Dobele District Council
VĒTRA Aivars, Member of the Jūrmala City Council
KRASTINŠ Edmunds, Member of Riga City Council
VAIVODS Andris, Chairman of Līvāni District Council
LIETUVA
ABRAMAVIČIUS Arnoldas, Member of Zarasai district municipal council
GUSTAITIS Antanas, Mayor of Prienai district municipality
JASEVIČIUS Valdemaras, Mayor of Šilalė district municipality
KAUBRYS Donatas, Member of Telšiai district municipal council
KOLOSAUSKAS Feliksas, Vilnius county governor
PEKELIŪNAS Alfredas, Mayor of Panevėžys district municipality
ULKĖ Zenonas, Member of Šakiai district municipal council
ŠEDŽIUS Alvydas, Šiauliai county governor
ŽUKAUSKAS Liudvikas, Mayor of Skuodas district municipality
MAGYARORSZÁG
BIHARY Gábor, Member of local government, Budapest
GÉMESI György Dr., Mayor of Gödöllő
IPKOVICH György Dr., Mayor of Szombathely
JÓSZAI Attila, Member of local government, Szigetszentmiklós
KOCSIS Károlyné, Member of local government, Dunapataj
KOVÁCSNÉ HORVÁTH Klára Dr., Mayor of Bábolna
LÁZÁR János Dr., Mayor of Hódmezővásárhely
MÁTIS András, Mayor of Szirák
NAGY Sándor, Mayor of Kistelek
PAJZS József, Mayor of Szigetvár
SZABÓ Lóránt, Mayor of Dombóvár
SZAKÁCS Imre Dr., President of Győr-Moson-Sopron County Assembly
MALTA
MIFSUD Malcolm Dr., Mayor, Pieta' Local Council
GRECH Keith, Councillor, St Paul's Bay Local Council
BORG Joseph, Councillor, Mellieha Local Council
AGIUS Joan, Deputy Mayor, Zejtun Local Council
BUTTIGIEG Paul, Mayor, Qala Local Council
POLSKA
ACHRAMOWICZ Waldemar, Marshal of Voivodship, Kujawsko-Pomorskie
BOROŃ Piotr, Chairman of the Sejmik, Małopolskie
DOMBROWICZ Konstanty, City President, Kujawsko-Pomorskie
FOGLER Piotr, Chairman of Sejmik, Mazowieckie
KOBYLIŃSKI Maciej, City President, Pomorskie
KROCHMAL Witold, City Mayor, Dolnośląskie
KRZYŻEWSKI Janusz, Marshal of Voivodship, Podlaskie
KUBAT Grzegorz, Marshal of Voivodship, Opolskie
KUŹNIAR Lucjan, Councilor of the Sejmik, Podkarpackie
LEWANDOWSKI Eugeniusz, Starosta of the Poviat, Kujawsko-Pomorskie
MIKOŁAJCZAK Stefan, Marshal of Voivodship, Wielkopolskie
OLSZEWSKI Marek, Wójt of the Commune, Kujawsko-Pomorskie
OSOWSKI Karol, Chairman of the Sejmik, Zachodniopomorskie
PAŃTAK Kazimierz, Deputy Chairman of the Sejmik, Lubuskie
PRUSZKOWSKI Andrzej, City President, Lubelskie
SŁOWIŃSKI Jerzy, City President, Łódzkie
ŚWIĘTALSKI Leszek, Wójt of the Commune, Dolnośląskie
TRAMŚ Marek, Starosta of the Poviat, Dolnośląskie
TROMBSKI Marek, Councilor of the Sejmik, Śląskie
WĘGRZYN Ludwik, Starosta of the Poviat, Małopolskie
WRONA Tadeusz, City President, Śląskie
SLOVENIJA
COLARIČ Anton, Member of City Council in Urban Municipality Ljubljana
ČELAN Štefan, Mayor of Urban Municipality Ptuj
ŠKRJANEC Breda, Member of Council in Municipality Grosuplje
ŽAGAR Ivan, Mayor of Municipality Slovenska Bistrica
LEDINEK Branko, Mayor of Municipality Rače - Fram
GERMOVŠEK Siniša, Member of Council in Municipality Bovec
KOVŠE Anton, Mayor of Municipality Podvelka
SLOVENSKO
KUBOVIČ Vladimir, Mayor of Záhorská Bystrica - Bratislava City Distict
ORAVEC Vladimír, Mayor of Bojnice City
VÍTEK Ferdinand, Mayor of Nitra City
ŠTEFANEC Štefan, President of Trenčin Self-governing Region
ĎURKOVSKÝ Andrej, Mayor of Bratislava City
TOMEČEK Peter, President of Trnava Self-governing Region
LUMTZER Ladislav, Mayor of Košice - Dargovských hrdinov City District
RICHTER Marián, Mayor of Medzev City
JANOČKO Vladimír, Mayor of Košice - Pereš City District
