advises the ECB to keep adapting its policies to reach a stable 2% inflation target without overtightening.The EESC also suggests using measures other than changing interest rates to lower inflation and stresses the importance of lowering interest rates as soon as possible;
backs aligning Member States' fiscal policies with ECB's to manage inflation coherently, highlighting the need for tailored fiscal policy measures due to varying public finances. The EESC emphasizes the importance of targeted fiscal aid for vulnerable groups and firms, alongside supporting research, development, and innovation to boost productivity and maintain competitiveness;
estimates that the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries are not moving towards decarbonization at the same speed as the EU; the EU Green Deal could serve as inspiration;
indicates that energy interconnections are crucial for developing an integrated energy system in the Euro-Mediterranean to the benefit of both shores of the Mediterranean;
reminds of the geopolitical, economic and social consequences of energy transition and calls on the European Union to mitigate the effects for “transition losers;
welcomes the proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. However, it warns of ongoing political instability and high inflation and interest rates as these issues could make it difficult to implement the guidelines and achieve the targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights by 2030;
believes it is necessary to strengthen the role of both trade unions and employers' organisations in designing and implementing employment, social and economic reforms and policies, including by building their capacity;
advocates making it easier for people to find employment, especially women, young people, persons with disabilities, low-skilled citizens and other vulnerable groups.
welcomes the ambitious goals for rail transport, which is the backbone of a sustainable transport system. More efficiently allocating infrastructure capacity can create much-needed additional capacity in the short term and improve planning for long-term needs.
supports the initiative for a harmonised European framework to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for transport services and the need for clear and reliable information to allow consumers to make sustainable decisions regarding transportation;
endorses the proposal to allow a maximum additional weight of 4 tonnes for zero-emission (ZE) lorries only, but calls for a rigorous monitoring policy post-adoption, including immediate policy change should the desired impact not be achieved. However, the EESC is concerned that implementing this Directive may lead to a reverse modal shift. Only by enabling fair framework for all modes of transport, sufficient transport capacity can be guaranteed. The long-term goal of greening the commercial road transport can however be further incentivised;
underlines that the green transition of the shipping sector must take into account country-specific, sector-specific and job-specific characteristics in order to maintain Europe's competitive advantages and reduce transition gaps, inequality and the depopulation of some regions;
considers that local and regional authorities need to favour "extended collective" self-consumption projects;
believes that it would be useful to make it possible for everyone to use electricity produced outside the immediate vicinity of the individual or collective self-generation installation;
asks to further investigate the plan to create a centralised system for Standard Essential Patents with the help of experts and competent authorities;
stresses that the proposal for a Compulsory Licensing system as it stands does not meet the criteria of transparency and fairness to all stakeholders and respect of fundamental rights;
recommends that Compulsory Licensing for crisis management for European and unitary patents be managed by a technically competent court like the Unified Patent Court.
attract experts in fields like environmental protection, communication, customer support and social security to work in customs;
adopt a clear strategy to incorporate AI into customs systems while prioritising ethical considerations throughout the process;
drop the proposal to consider an application to be denied if a customs authority fails to communicate its decision within the set deadlines;
provide EU companies with unrestricted access to all laws, regulations, guidelines and advice that are linked to customs operations. It also proposes a dedicated role for the EU Customs Authority in supporting SMEs.
