EESC President

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  • Statement on the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico

    Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
    Organisation
    European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    I am deeply shocked and appalled by the brutal attack on Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, following the government's meeting in the town of Handlova. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. Violence is unacceptable and has no place in the EU. An attack on an elected politician is an attack on our democratic values.

  • Transparency, ethics, and integrity are non-negotiable for EU institutions, stated EESC President Oliver Röpke at the signature ceremony of the Ethics Body

    On 15 May, EESC President Oliver Röpke participated in the official signature ceremony for the creation of the new Ethics Body, alongside the representative from seven other EU institutions and bodies. During the ceremony, President Röpke recalled that transparency, ethics, and integrity are non-negotiable for EU institutions. When taking office in April last year, he committed to boosting the transparency of the EESC’s work, including by supporting the EU Ethics Body. 

  • Presidential statement on the Georgian law on "Transparency of Foreign Influence"

    Statement by
    Oliver Röpke, President of the EESC, Dimitris Dimitriadis, Section President for External Relations, Paul Soete, President of the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group
    Organisation
    European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    The EESC is deeply concerned about the reintroduction of the law on "Transparency of Foreign Influence" in Georgia.  This initiative targets in a discriminatory manner civil society organisations (CSOs), including employers' associations, trade unions and media. Hundreds of thousands are taking to the streets to protest against this law which they see as a means to silence NGOs and independent media. 

  • Social dialogue is a cornerstone of our European democratic values, said President Röpke at Europe Day celebrations in Madrid

    On 9 May, President Röpke celebrated Europe Day in Madrid at an event on "The future of the EU social agenda". Organised by the Spanish Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, the event gathered many prominent speakers. In his intervention, President Röpke underlined that social dialogue is a cornerstone of our European social model and democratic values. 

  • Georgia: Transparency of foreign influence law incompatible with the EU path

    Statement by
    Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee and Dimitris Dimitriadis, President of the EESC's Section for External Relations
    Organisation
    European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    On 17 April 2024, Georgia's Parliament passed the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence" in its first reading, reintroducing a previous text that was suspended a year ago. We are deeply concerned by this discriminatory initiative targeting civil society organisations, including employers' associations, trade unions and media. 

  • One Year in Office of President Röpke: Civil Society is a force for change in EU and beyond

    Reference number
    23/2024

    Today, EESC marks the first year in office of President Oliver Röpke, who was elected in April 2023, alongside Vice-Presidents Laurenţiu Plosceanu and Krzysztof Pater. Since then, the EESC has launched several landmark initiatives, including progressively integrating EU candidate countries, empowering youth, and advocating for gender equality. Committed to transforming the EESC into a unique gateway between citizens, civil society and the EU institutions, President Röpke will continue to work together with EESC Members to advance the reform agenda towards a more inclusive, transparent and equal EESC.

  • Continuing the success story of EU enlargement – Bringing benefits to the Western Balkans in advance of accession

    GRAND PLAZA HOTEL & CONGRESS CENTER
    Slovenska cesta 60
    Ljubljana
    Slovenia

    The Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference will bring together EESC members, organised civil society representatives from the Western Balkan countries, and members of organised civil society and officials from Slovenia. It will mark 20 years of the biggest EU enlargement thus far, and 20 years since Slovenia joined the Union. The conference will be organised in close cooperation with and support from our partners and will complement the EESC’s work, such as the Western Balkans Civil Society Forum, which the EESC has organised every two years since 2006. The event will provide an opportunity for participants to exchange views on the needed reforms in the Western Balkans and in the EU to maintain enlargement policy as one of the most important EU success stories. It will also be an opportunity to discuss the current situation of civil society in the region and the need for its better inclusion in the accession process. The participants will adopt conclusions addressed to national authorities and European institutions.

  • President Röpke in Moldova: Disinformation is a weapon for foreign powers to harm our societies

    The EESC President Röpke discussed the fight against disinformation with the Moldovan government, civil society, and local activist in Gagauzia, a region particularly affected by Russian disinformation. He also officially presented the EESC initiative to integrate the representatives of the EU candidate countries, including from Moldova, in the work of the Committee. 

  • EESC President Oliver Röpke signs the La Hulpe Declaration: European Pillar of Social Rights must remain a top priority for the EU and its candidate countries

    During today's signing ceremony, President Röpke stressed the importance of promoting social rights and inclusive policies in the EU and candidate countries through the European Pillar of Social Rights. A fair and equitable society requires commitment and investment, he said.

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Oliver Röpke European Economic and Social Committee rue Belliard/Belliardstraat
99-101 1040 Brussels Belgium
 

Tel (secretariat): +32 (0)2 546 99 32
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