05/06/2019 31/10/2019
19/06/2019 20/06/2019
543rd Plenary Session, with Maroš Šefčovič vice-president of the European Commission. Web streaming of the session.
17/06/2019
Also in this issue:
- The fight against antisemitism is also a fight for a democratic, value-based Europe
- EESC puts forward proposal to enhance SMEs' contribution to the bioeconomy
- Artificial intelligence in Europe: no one must be left behind
- Europe's civil society calls for political commitment to achieving equal treatment of men and women
17/06/2019
On the eve of key decisions which will shape the Union's new leadership and strategic agenda for the next five years, the national Economic and Social Councils and the European Economic and Social Council met in Rome on 13-14 June ...read more
15/06/2019
The European Semester should be based on the principles of partnership and multilevel governance modelled on the partnership agreements existing in cohesion policy, as this bottom-up approach will contribute to more clarity, legitimacy and ownership at implementing level. This was one of the main messages of a hearing held by the European Economic and Social Committee on 11 June.
14/06/2019
European citizens should be both vigilant and engaged
At a crucial time in Europe and in the world, Sustainable Democracy in Europe was this year's topic at the Civil Society Days, organised by the Liaison Group at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 12 and 13 June 2019.
14/06/2019
The President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) speaking before Europe's Social and Economic Councils in Rome on 13 June called on the new European Parliament and the future Commission to exert a firm and decisive political leadership to enable Europe to become world champion of sustainable development.
The EESC President
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Discover Your Europe, Your Say! (YEYS) – Your voice matters, our digital publication enhanced with animation and multimedia content (videos, photos galleries). Clic here for the digital publication
Applications for 2019 are now open
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has launched its Civil Society Prize for 2019. This year's theme is More women in Europe's society and economy, and the prize will honour innovative initiatives and projects which aim to fight for equal opportunities for women and men and their equal treatment in all spheres of economic and social life.
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18/06/2019 19/06/2019
19/06/2019 20/06/2019
Opinions in the spotlight
Reference:
TEN/692-EESC-2019The EESC welcomes the fact that principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights reaffirms the right to access essential services/SGEIs. These are a vital component of social justice and are underpinned by the principle of equal treatment of users, prohibiting any kind of discrimination or exclusion whatsoever, and by the principle of universal access to services of a high level of affordability and quality.
Reference:
ECO/479-EESC-2018The aim of this proposal is to better explore how project-oriented policies and smart specialization strategies can be directed towards development of transnational networks involving local authorities, SME's and research institutions. These partnerships are essential for the realization of transantional projects, with the EU funding, eventually under the umbrella of the EU macro-regional strategies.
Reference:
ECO/489-EESC-2019-2019-00073-00-00The EESC notes that the international role of the euro has not yet recovered to the pre-financial crisis level. Whereas the European Commission's proposed measures are welcome and deemed necessary by the EESC, they may not go far enough given the extent of the euro area's social and economic challenges. Social cohesion, economic upward convergence and the promotion of competitiveness and innovation should be the basis on which the euro area's economy gathers pace and supports a stronger international role for the euro.
Reference:
SOC/627-EESC-2019The EESC welcomes the Commission's Communication on Further Strengthening the Rule of Law within the Union. It regrets that the short reflection period has not allowed for deeper consultation. The EESC recalls the essential watchdog role played by the civil society, which should be further supported. It reiterates its support for an EU mechanism to monitor rule of law and fundamental rights and proposes to establish an EU stakeholders Forum to debate solutions.
Reference:
SC/51-EESC-2018-SC/051- Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductionJust a few days ahead of last December's climate summit COP24 in Poland, the European Commission published its long-term strategy "A clean planet for all" presenting its vision for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through a socially-fair transition in a cost-efficient manner.
Work in progress