External relations

Enlargement / EU neighbours

The EESC plays a vital role in the network of links between civil society in the EU and its partners in the candidate countries as well as across the neighbouring countries. We support civil society’s active participation in the enlargement process and in the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy with the EU’s neighbouring countries to the east and in the Southern Mediterranean.

With our partners from Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, we ensure regular monitoring of the functioning of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA).

Our external action in Europe and in the Mediterranean Basin falls into four main fields:

The rest of the world

EU relations with Latin America, Asia and the ACP countries (Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific) have strengthened over the years. They cover various fields such as political dialogue, trade, development cooperation and research.

Representing organised civil society in the European Union, we are actively involved – through our Section for External Relations (REX) – in fostering economic, political and social links with these three regions.