European Economic and Social Committee

Europe 2020 Strategy

Opinions

• 8 Feb 2013
  EESC opinion on the Annual Growth Survey 2013 Adopted References: CESE 2595/2012 Referral - COM(2012)750 final Rapporteur: Xavier Verboven (Workers - GR II / Belgium) The 2013 Annual Growth Survey (AGS), which launches the European semester, sets out what the Commission believes should be the overall budgetary, economic and social priorities for the this year.
  
  Given the importance of the involvement of the organised civil society and the social partners in setting priorities for action at the national and EU level, the EESC issues its opinion as a contribution to the debates ahead of the Spring European Council.
• 22 Feb 2012
  Annual growth survey 2012 Adopted References: CESE 497/2012 Referral - COM (2011) 815 General Rapporteur: David CROUGHAN (Employers - GR I / Ireland) Plenary Session: 22 Feb 2012 - 23 Feb 2012 The Committee's opinion, prepared in view of the Spring European Council, comments on the Commission’s ‘Annual growth survey’ (AGS) 2012.
  
  In the first part, it deals with general issues related to the AGS such as: its focus on growth, on fiscal consolidation and on the implementation of reforms agreed in the framework of the European semester as well as the implication of organised civil society and social partners in the AGS process.
  
  The second part brings together specific contributions from various EESC opinions that were adopted in 2011 in relation to the five AGS priorities: pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; restoring normal lending to the economy; promoting growth and competitiveness; tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis; and modernising public administration. These comments update the EESC’s position on the AGS 2011 that was adopted in March 2011.
• 8 Dec 2011
  Concluding the first European semester of economic policy coordination Adopted Referral - COM (2011) 400 General Rapporteur: Michael SMYTH (Various interests - GR III / United Kingdom) Plenary Session: 7 Dec 2011 - 8 Dec 2011 The EESC opinion focuses on several issues in relation with the Europe 2020 Strategy: the reinforcement of governance, the improvement of communication and of its concrete implementation by the Member States.
  
  Issued in a particularly difficult context, when the Union is experiencing the worst economic, social and political crisis in its history, the opinion stresses the need to move from emergency measures to long term growth reforms. It considers that the overarching Europe 2020 Strategy is more important than ever since it offers a comprehensive agenda for reforms aiming to secure sustainable growth and making the Union more resilient in future.
  
  The EESC also reiterates that organised civil society and social partners' participation in the carrying out of reforms is determinant for their success and can encourage national administrations and the EU in delivering concrete results.

Photo Galleries

• 13 Apr 2011 4 photos

  3rd meeting of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee - 13 April 2011

Press Releases

• 4 Oct 2012
  Ref: 060 2012
  Defending the social enterprises in Europe: A social model and millions of jobs at stake Social Europe can be translated into business opportunities and much-needed job creation. In the current crisis situation, where the number of people without a job or access to economic resources is steadily increasing, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) wants to strengthen growth, employment and competitiveness, through social enterprises while creating a more inclusive society that is in line with the Europe 2020 strategy.
  
  
  Social Europe can be translated into business opportunities and much-needed job creation. In the current crisis situation, where the number of people without a job or access to economic resources is steadily increasing, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) wants to strengthen growth, employment and competitiveness, through social enterprises while creating a more inclusive society that is in line with the Europe 2020 strategy.
  
  
  At the Conference Social Enterprises and the Europe 2020 Strategy: Innovative solutions for a sustainable Europe, held on 3 October in Brussels, the Various Interest Group of the EESC analysed the present and future of social enterprises in Europe. "Social enterprises have proven to be more resilient in the current crisis, and should therefore play a key role in Europe's exit strategy from the crises while contributing to a faster and fairer recovery. We call on national and European policy-makers to politically support the social economy and social enterprises, and to create a level-playing field which will unleash the potential of this key economic sector", stated Luca Jahier, President of the EESC Various Interests Group.
• 25 Sep 2012
  Ref: 058 2012
  A clear message for the October summit: Step up for Europe The European Economic and Social Committee President, Staffan Nilsson, gave a clear message today to the next European Council: step up for Europe! Step up to restore trust in the economy and its financial structures. Step up to promote confidence in a comprehensive and dynamic European growth model. Step up to ensure legitimacy in the EU decision-making process. Step up to reach out to citizens and offer hope in the European project.
  
  These were the EESC President's summary conclusions at the end of a packed and high-level EESC conference today on Europe 2020 and how the strategy must step up and meet the needs of today and tomorrow's Europe. "More Europe makes economic sense. More Europe and Europe 2020 go together, they are mutually reinforcing" stressed Staffan Nilsson, and together with civil society representatives from throughout Europe called for decisive steps towards an Economic, Social and Political Union. This is meant to effectively pool resources, mutualise risks and leverage up job-intensive growth and the alleviation of poverty.
• 16 Mar 2011
  Ref: 32/2011
  EESC supports Barroso in reinforcing Europe 2020 strategy A comprehensive solution to the current crisis cannot be found without dialogue with social partners and civil society, European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso said yesterday, at the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Members of the EESC reiterated their readiness to help bring about the success of Europe 2020 Strategy.
• 18 Feb 2011
  Ref: 21/2011
  Organised civil society and regions for a common commitment to contribute to the success of the EU2020 strategy Wednesday 16 February: at the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee, Mercedes Bresso, president of the Committee of the Regions, outlined her ideas on the future of cooperation between the EESC and the CoR.
• 1 Feb 2011
  Ref: 15/2011
  Partnership with civil society to make cohesion policy a reality for Europeans The EESC calls on the European Commission and the other EU decision makers to introduce a simplified, results-oriented, future cohesion policy for the period 2013-2020. Genuine, flexible partnership with local authorities, social partners and other civil society organisations can only engage citizens and make cohesion policy more efficient and geared to citizens' needs.
• 1 Oct 2010
  Ref: 103/2010
  Social partners and civil society hold the key to the success of the Europe 2020 strategy Economic governance must be accompanied by social governance if the Europe 2020 strategy, which is designed to foster sustainable and inclusive growth, is to succeed where the Lisbon Strategy failed, said participants in a conference on the role of civil society in the strategy, held on 17 September in the Egmont Palace in Brussels. The conference, organised by the Belgian authorities and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), was preceded by a yearly meeting of representatives of economic and social councils from across the continent.