Press releases

The European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans thanked the EESC members for their contribution to the Commission's 2018 work programme, which was presented in July 2017. He stressed that the EESC's contribution had had an impact on the programme he would be presenting next week. "We are pleased that you have involved us in the decision-making process but we will be even happier if you involve us even more", commented Georges Dassis, President of the EESC.

The European Economic and Social Committee and the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation held their seventh joint seminar in Brussels on 27 September 2017. Both sides highlighted that civil society has an instrumental role to play in contributing to sustainable economic, social and cultural development, democracy and human rights, and fostering people-to-people contacts – one of the guiding principles underpinning the EU's engagement with Russia.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was warmly welcomed at the September EESC Plenary by Georges Dassis, President of the EESC: "The fact that you are taking part in our debate shows that civil society and social dialogue are of great importance to you" (see debate on EbS).

EESC calls on the Commission to better promote EU's sugar industry

When beet sugar production quotas end in October this year the European sugar industry will find itself in a completely new situation. Whether this new challenge will turn into a success story with the sugar industry profiting from unlimited sugar production for export and food use is largely dependent on how the EU supports Europe's beet sugar processors and sugar beet farmers.