1 Influencing EU decision making: how to be heard, understood and make a difference? Sami Tulonen Head of Unit, Nuclear Generation Foratom

FORATOM, the trade association of the European nuclear energy industry 2 QActs as the voice of the nuclear energy sector in EU policy debates and initiatives QWorks to enhance relations between the industry and the European Institutions QDelivers information on nuclear energy to the European Institutions, the media and the public QProvides regular information to its members on developments emerging from the European Institutions QActs as an adviser to international organisations and institutions

Why does EU lobbying matter? 60 % of new legislation is initiated at EU level 70 % of EU law (regulations, directives, decisions and recommendations) affects the business sector in general 80 % of EU policy-makers (MEPs, civil servants, permanent representatives and government officials) do not have private company experience! 3

Foratom Lobbying Strategy  The primary FORATOM lobbying objective is to ensure that the interests of the EU nuclear community are well-represented and defended through: building long-term relationships with key players in the European Parliament, the European Commission and other relevant EU Institutions creating and delivering the correct factual/technical information and political message through meetings and/or written material (e.g. position papers, draft amendments) in a politically usable format 4

Institutional Affairs/ Lobbying 5  Key targets: - European Commission: Maintain close and regular contact with key officials in the relevant Directorate Generals of the EC (DG TREN, DG ENVI, DG RELEX, DG R&D, DG COMP, DG TRADE…) - European Parliament: Maintain close and regular contact with MEPs, their assistants, the political groups and the civil servants; provide assistance to MEPs (material for speeches, reports, questions); follow different relevant parliamentary Committees (AFET, ITRE, ENVI, JURI)  Other targets: ECOSOC, EURATOM Supply Agency (ESA)

Case study: The Nuclear Package  Two main Directives: Safety Standards and Waste Management Issued in November 2002 by the European Commission The Foratom Lobbying Team has acted at all stages of the debate, particularly through: –the Commission –the European Parliament Pro-active actions of Foratom in the preparation and the development of the Nuclear Package have lasted more than one year 6

Case study: The Nuclear Package  The European Commission stage When the Nuclear Package was issued, Foratom - alerted the industry / formulated comments - set up special Task Forces gathering industry experts - expanded contacts and exchanged information with Commission officials - Foratom elaborated 3 position papers presenting the views of the industry on the Nuclear Package safety standards decommissioning funding waste 7

Case study: The Nuclear Package Once the Nuclear Package was issued, Foratom also: - organised meetings with senior Commission representatives - distributed widely the Industry views to the Commission services - set up thematic workshops and dinner debates with the Commission, the European Parliament and the IAEA - briefed industry spokespersons prior to meeting with media 8

Case study: The Nuclear Package  The European Parliament Stage Considering the political environment of the EP on nuclear issues, Foratom: - monitored discussion inside political groups prior to the designation of the rapporteurs - worked in close collaboration with the rapporteurs and shadow rapporteurs, Mr. Seppänen (GUE/NGL, Finland) and Mr. Vidal-Quadras Roca (EPP, Spain) and industry committee coordinators - assisted influential MEPs, their assistants and secretariats of relevant committees to draft amendments 9

Conclusions QInfluencing EU decision making: how to be heard, understood and make a difference? Basic Approach: Help the Legislator! - Have your priorities right - Know the playing field and rules of the game: procedures, timing, influential players - Build alliances - Have clear and politically usable messages based on facts - Think European! - Never forget the follow-up! 10