SenatskanzleiHow does Hamburg participate in Europe?
(Bild: © Lampe / www.pixelio.de)
The Senate of Hamburg is convinced that European integration can only be successful if the citizens of the European Union member states identify with a European society “unified in diversity.”
The European Union influences our lives in many ways. For example: Until 2013, Hamburg will receive 151 million Euro in structural funding for the creation of jobs and innovations in one of Germany’s most dynamic economic regions. With respect to the single market, around 80 per cent of our legislation originates in European decisions. These are only two examples of the importance of the European dimension for domestic politics.
Hamburg seeks to influence European politics at federal level, in Berlin, and at the European level, in Brussels. The following pages shall provide an overview of Hamburg’s activities for and in Europe.
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Del.icio.usHamburg on the European Level
Representation in Brussels - The Hanse-Office
Since 1985, Hamburg is represented in Brussels through the “Hanse-Office”. The “Hanse-Office” is the joint representation of the Länder Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.As the joint representation of Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, the Hanse-Office handles relations of the two Länder with the European Union and informs politicians and decision makers in Germany of EU politics, legislative initiatives and funding opportunities. Extensive contacts with all EU institutions enable the Hanse-Office to incorporate the interests of the two Länder into European decision making processes.At the same time, the Hanse-Office organises a variety of events, exhibitions, congresses and cultural events in order to bring some of the cultural variety of the two Nordic Länder into the European capital. Link to Hanse-Office »
Hamburg in the European Parliament
The European Parliament (EP) currently has 736 members (MEP = Member of the European Parliament) – three of them from Hamburg. Birgit Schnieber-Jastram is a member of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) and the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest parliamentary group in the EP. Mrs. Schnieber-Jastram was elected to the EP in 2009 and is a member of the Committee on Development and dept. member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.Knut Fleckenstein is a member of the European Parliament since 2009. He belongs to the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the second largest parliamentary group in the EP. Mr. Fleckenstein is a member of the Transport and Tourism Committee and a dept. member of the Committee on Culture and Education.Sabine Wils was elected to the European Parliament in 2009. She belongs to the Left Party (DIE LINKE) and the Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left in the European Parliament. Mrs. Wils is a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and a dept. member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism.
Hamburg in the Committee of the Regions
Hamburgis represented in the Committee of Regions (CoR) by Barbara Duden of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Ms. Duden is a member of the Hamburg Parliament since 1991 and holds there the position of the First Vice President since 2004.
Hamburg’s European Policy on the Federal Level
European Policy on the Federal Level
On the federal level, Hamburg is continuously involved in the legislative procedure of the European Union via the Bundesrat”. The “Bundesrat” is Germany’s federal chamber, representing the governments of the Länder. The Committee on European Union Affairs, one of 16 standing Committees of the Bundesrat, reviews all documents of the European Council of Ministers and the Commission that require Bundesrat approval or concern Länder governments in any way.Statements and decisions regarding European affairs are generally agreed and approved by the full plenary of the Bundesrat. It is in session approximately once every three weeks. However, the three weeks rota may not always meet all requirements of urgency or confidentiality. Therefore, matters of urgency or matters that require strict confidentiality are dealt with in the Chamber of European Affairs which was established in 1993. With regard to matters of European Affairs, the Chamber can decide on behalf of the Bundesrat. Hamburg’s First Major Ole von Beust is deputy chairman of the Chamber of European Affairs and a member of the Committee on European Union Affairs. More information about the Commitee on European Union Questions and the Chamber of European Affairs »
Hamburg and the Conference of Länder Ministers of European Affairs
In addition to the Bundesrat forum, Länder organise their European interests within the permanent Conference of Länder Ministers of European Affairs (EMK). The conference was established in 1992 in order to meet the demands of the growing importance of European politics for the Länder. Due to its mandate, the conference shall co-ordinate European integration by facilitating a framework for exchange amongst the Länder and by coordinating exchange between the Länder and the Federal Government.The EMK comprises 16 representatives of the 16 Länder governments who are in charge of European politics. Carsten-Ludwig Lüdemann, Commissioner to the Federal Government, to the European Union and for Foreign Affairs, is Hamburg’s representative with the EMK.The EMK sits three times a year on average. During these conferences, the Länder discuss European politics and, if necessary, agree on a common line. The Chair rotates alphabetically for a one year term. Since July 1st, 2009 Baden-Württemberg holds the EMK chairmanship.
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