European Economic and Social Committee

Stability and Growth

Blogs

• When the EU 2020 meets with the real world

  23 Feb 2012

  By: Staffan Nilsson

  

  There is no denying that some of the procedures and mechanisms that come from Brussels are technocratic and out of touch with reality. But it does seem that the most important strategy we have come up with to tackle our gravest ever crisis is indeed a good one, and this gives me cause for optimism.

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  Economy

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Documents

• 1 Feb 2013 Final Conclusions
• 31 Jan 2013
  
  11th Meeting of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee - 6 February 2013 This one day meeting was mainly dedicated to the 2013 Annual Growth Survey and to the draft EESC opinion related to it.
  
  Other topics on the agenda were education and the sustainability aspect of Europe 2020 strategy.
  
  The meeting took place in presence of representatives from ESCs and similar institutions from Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg and Spain.
• 7 Nov 2012
  
  10th meeting of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee - 7th November 2012 This meeting was held in presence of representatives of national European and Social Councils / similar institutions.
  
  It was an excellent occasion to discuss their latest contributions on the involvement of social partners and civil society in the 2012 European Semester.
  
  Delegates from 8 national ESCs (Belgium, France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Romania, Finland, the Netherlands) and Ms Liina Carr, Estonian member of the Steering Committee gave a presentation on the situation of their country.
• 15 Jun 2012 Statement on cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region The top priorities of the EU Strategy on the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) and programme for 2014-2020 are “Connect the Region”, “Increase Prosperity” and “Save the Sea”. Two additional issues to focus on: Efforts to strengthen cooperation on innovation, research and development between the countries, and to credibly position the BSR as a green region and a global frontrunner in the 'green' sectors, facilitating investment in 'cleantech' and renewable energies.
• 6 Jun 2012
  
  9th meeting of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee - 6th June 2012 This meeting of the Steering Committee was a timely occasion to receive a presentation on the 'Country Specific Recommendations' issued on the 30th May by the European Commission.
  
  A lively debate took place. Members expressed their precise views on the content of these recommendations, touching also upon the issue of the consultation process in the drafting – at national level - of National Reform Programmes.
  
  Other points on the agenda related to the external aspect of Europe 2020 and the contribution of trade to growth and jobs. The meeting was also an occasion to hear EESC rapporteurs presenting their work in sections ECO, SOC and REX.
• 23 Mar 2012
  
  8th meeting of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee - 23 March 2012 This meeting took place in presence of representatives from Economic and Social Councils from Portugal, Belgium, Finland, Malta, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, who updated the Steering Committee on their implication in the drafting of National Reform programmes and on the preparation, by the Commission, of Country specific policy recommendations.
  
  A lively debate took place between representatives of national ESCs about their respective implication in the European Semester. Overall, stakeholders consultation seems to progress and national Councils seem to be more intensively involved at national level.
  
  The meeting was also an occasion to hear presentations from the European Council, the European Commission and from EESC rapporteurs on their ongoing work.
• 27 Jan 2012
  
  7th meeting of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee - 27 January 2012 This meeting has been dedicated to the Annual Growth Survey (AGS) 2012 (communication from the Commission COM (2011) 815).
  
  The EESC received a referral from the European Commission in order to deliver an opinion on the AGS 2012. Given the horizontal nature of the AGS, the EESC opinion was prepared by the Europe 2020 Steering Committee. Mr David Croughan was appointed rapporteur-general.
  
  His draft opinion has been presented at the meeting of the 27 January. This meeting has also been an occasion for Members to comment on the draft opinion, in view of its adoption by the February EESC plenary, ahead of the Spring European Council.
• 26 Jan 2012 Statement on the draft conclusion of an international treaty This new treaty will weaken Europe instead of redressing it and it will further undermine the public confidence in European integration.
• 7 Dec 2011 Group II Resolution: No minor procedure for major Treaty changes The Workers' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee believes this is an urgent need to deliver a clear message to EU institutions and Member States' leaders: the Group is firmly against Merkel-Sarkozy's proposals related only to a strengthening of the Stability and Growth Pact in the Lisbon Treaty. The resolution mentions the orientations that should be adopted and the measures that should be taken.