27/01/2021 28/01/2021
For the first time after the signature of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement Michel Barnier, Head of the European Commission Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, expressed publicly his views on the text during a debate at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) January plenary session. "This agreement starts a new era of our relationship with the UK, but we will have to face together a number of issues in the future", said Barnier.
28/01/2021
Portugal's Prime Minister, António Costa, participated in the European Economic and Social Committee's plenary session on 27 January to present the priorities of the Portuguese presidency of the EU. Portugal has pushed the social agenda up to the top of its presidency's programme and asked the EESC to provide its expertise on seven key opinions for the EU's future.
28/01/2021
More clarity, greater financial transparency, strict rules on harassment and stronger sanctions for non-compliance. On 28 January 2021, the members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) voted for major changes to their Code of Conduct. This is the first milestone in the reform of the Committee that the new EESC leadership is undertaking.
28/01/2021
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) backs the European Commission's 2021 work programme and points out that the driving force to make Europe healthier, fairer and more prosperous must be a coordinated approach with all interinstitutional actors, capitalising on the prominent role played by organised civil society.
28/01/2021
During their meeting on 27 January 2021 EESC President Christa Schweng and Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa stated that, at a time when everything was becoming a matter of urgency – vaccination, economic recovery, the climate and digital transitions, and the relaunch of the European Pillar of Social Rights – it was especially important to focus on quality delivery.
27/01/2021
557th Plenary session, with the following guests: António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affair, Michel Barnier , Head of the European Commission's Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom and Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. You will be able to follow the debates by web streaming.
27/01/2021 28/01/2021
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Opinions in the spotlight
Reference:
SOC/649-EESC-2020In this opinion, the EESC stresses that the EU needs to strike the right balance between effective and realistic migration management that is humane and sustainable, while ensuring security and control of its external borders. It must send a clear message that migration can be better managed collectively. It notes that the proposals accompanying the PMA are important but insufficient for the development of the common European framework for migration management, which would be both effective and in line with the EU's values and objectives.
Reference:
NAT/803-EESC-2020The Commission aims for more ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets, both in the EU and internationally. President von der Leyen wants the EU to lead international negotiations to raise the ambition of other major emitters by 2021, and has pledged to put forward a comprehensive, responsible plan to increase the European Union's emissions reduction target for 2030, from 40 % towards 55 %.
Reference:
ECO/538-EESC-2020-05237Reference:
TEN/717-EESC-2020The European Economic and social Committee (EESC) supports the Commission's intention as set out in its Communication: integration of the electricity system with the heat and transport system is vital to reach the goals of climate neutrality, security of energy supply, including reduction of energy imports, and the goal of affordable prices for Europe's consumers and the European economy.
Reference:
TEN/718-EESC-2020The EESC considers that the European Union must overcome the COVID-19 crisis by building a new model for society, one which will make our economies more green, just and resistant to future shocks. European recovery funds must enable businesses, innovators, workers and investors to affirm their role as world leaders in the expanding clean energy markets.
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