Shaping and communicating Europe

European Union policy has a direct impact on people’s everyday lives in the Member States. However, many citizens are not aware of the significance of decisions made in Brussels and Strasbourg. A sometimes distorted perception of the European institutions obscures the major opportunities arising from the European Union’s integration process.

The Schleswig-Holstein state government has recognised this potential and uses it to the benefit of our region. Below are some representative examples:

Points of contact between the EU and Schleswig-Holstein

As Germany’s northernmost federal state, located between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and bordering Denmark, cross-border activities play a particularly important role for Schleswig-Holstein. They connect the state with European developments. Schleswig-Holstein benefits in particular

• from open borders, which allow citizens not only to travel without bureaucratic effort, but also to live in one country and work in the other;
• from European consumer protection, which safeguards against unpleasant surprises when shopping across borders;
• from the European Single Market, which is an important prerequisite for economic growth, employment and thus prosperity.

These examples illustrate the close interdependencies that now exist between Schleswig-Holstein and European policy, and which encourage state policy to pursue a proactive European policy.

European and state funds are used to develop regions and future-oriented sectors: technology transfer, the health economy and marine technology are key terms in this area, as are, for example, support for the energy transition or a modern labour market policy in Schleswig-Holstein.

Even though agriculture’s contribution to the state’s gross national product is no longer at the forefront, the framework of European agricultural policy remains decisive for Schleswig-Holstein’s rural development.

The state’s AktivRegionen help make Europe tangible. They are idea hubs in rural areas which, organised as associations, make rural regions attractive and future-proof. The people on the ground decide for themselves how much EU funding is used for which projects. The AktivRegionen have access to a wide range of funding programmes to implement their projects. The focus is on the Rural Areas Future Programme.

Schleswig-Holstein is Germany’s gateway for the growing flow of traffic linking Scandinavia and north-eastern Europe with the centre of the continent. Expanding ferry connections, fixed links and the “Motorways of the Sea” across the North Sea and the Baltic Sea within the framework of the trans-European networks, optimising port services, directly linking Baltic Sea ports with Hamburg and improving hinterland connections are concerns of both European and state transport policy. Schleswig-Holstein’s commitment to wind energy, its environmental policy and its integrated coastal zone management, as well as the state’s pursuit of a European maritime policy—particularly with regard to ship safety—are political interfaces between Europe and the state.

Since the early 1990s, Schleswig-Holstein has made a significant contribution at regional level to revitalising Baltic Sea cooperation as well as to the Union’s northern and eastern enlargement. The state is an active member of various networks and partnerships in this area. This includes, in particular, the state’s active engagement within the framework of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

SHAPING EUROPE

For more than two decades, the European Union has supported cross-border projects under INTERREG that help reduce economic, social and spatial disparities in Europe. INTERREG projects give regions in Europe the opportunity to tackle current issues and challenges together—issues that increasingly do not stop at national borders—and to jointly develop and implement strategies.

The INTERREG funding programmes are therefore important instruments for implementing the state government’s objectives in the area of Baltic Sea and North Sea cooperation, and in particular for further developing cross-border cooperation with Denmark. In the current funding period 2021–2027, Schleswig-Holstein is involved in a total of four of these programmes: the cross-border A programme with Denmark, the two transnational B programmes for the North Sea and Baltic Sea areas, and the Europe-wide Europe programme.

The state government has decided to establish an Interministerial Working Group (IMAG) on EU funds, whose secretariat is provided by the Europe Division of the MLLEV. The IMAG includes the managing authorities for the EU funds ERDF, EAFRD, EMFF and ESF, as well as the INTERREG programmes. It was responsible for coordinating preparations for the 2021–2027 EU funding period, and it monitors further developments in the Multiannual Financial Framework and the funds, as well as preparations for cohesion policy after 2027.

Schleswig-Holstein in Europe

As a joint institution of the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, the Hanse Office has actively represented Schleswig-Holstein’s interests in Brussels since 1987. It provides early information on current EU policies, legislative procedures and funding programmes. With the help of its extensive network, the Hanse Office enables Schleswig-Holstein’s interests to be incorporated into decision-making processes at European level. In addition, the Hanse Office informs Schleswig-Holstein’s citizens about the procedures of decision-making processes at European level and about the opportunities of European integration. It also showcases Schleswig-Holstein’s diversity through a range of events and thus engages in active location marketing.

Participation at federal level

Schleswig-Holstein is also involved in EU legislation via the Bundesrat, because under Articles 23 and 50 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz), the Länder participate in matters concerning the European Union.

The Bundesrat plenary meets around 12 times a year. In addition, for urgent cases and confidential deliberations there is the European Chamber (Europakammer), whose decisions are deemed decisions of the Bundesrat plenary.

Participation in matters concerning the European Union generally takes place in the Committee on European Union Questions. This committee is the lead body advising on all EU legislative proposals.

European Affairs Minister Werner Schwarz is a member of the European Chamber and the Bundesrat’s EU Committee.

Participation through the Conference of European Affairs Ministers

At the Conference of European Affairs Ministers, to which each federal state sends a government representative, Schleswig-Holstein is represented by European Affairs Minister Werner Schwarz. The conference usually meets three times a year. Participants discuss current topics and fundamental issues of the European Union and agree on common positions of the Länder.

COMMUNICATING EUROPE

Topics relating to European policy concern the public as a whole. The Ministry for European Affairs supports public communication on European policy, for example through various events intended to bring European policy topics closer to citizens. Regular annual events include, for example, the European Weeks, for which various stakeholders plan different activities to further promote and strengthen the European idea.