Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) played a central role in bringing the consensual views of organised civil society in the EU to the attention of policy-makers and contributing to the rapidly evolving economic policy response at European level.
In this regard, we believe that now is the time for the EU institutions to make decisive steps in approving swiftly the new Facility and putting in place the necessary implementation mechanisms at European and national level, so that the hardest hit Member States, citizens and businesses can benefit from the relevant EU funding when they need it most.
Against this background, and on the occasion of the first meeting of the EESC's Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) in our new term-of-office (2020-2025), we are organising a thematic debate on this issue between European policy-makers and civil society representatives.
The debate will take place on Thursday, 19 November 2020 from 14.30 to 16.40 as an online event, webstreamed live on the EESC website.
In the coming months, the Hungarian Presidency will have a crucial role to play at Europe’s helm. At a moment of political renewal, the EESC intends to be a responsible partner for the Hungarian Presidency, and play a pivotal role in shaping some of the political priorities that will be developed throughout the next European cycle.
In the coming months, the Belgian Presidency will have a crucial role to play at Europe’s helm. The European Economic and Social Committee will work closely with the Belgian Presidency to build a stronger, more resilient, and more democratic Europe.
In the coming months, the Spanish Presidency will have a crucial role to play at Europe’s helm. The European Economic and Social Committee will work closely with the Presidency in building a more resilient, inclusive and safer Europe, one that delivers for its citizens and effectively tackles the challenges ahead.
As Sweden takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the ongoing crises of the war in Europe, the accelerating energy crisis and economic stagnation continue to be among the main political focus points. Our shared aims are to safeguard sustainable growth and competitiveness, while executing the green and digital transition and define our standing in the world and the well-being of our citizens.
The EESC is committed to contributing to the Swedish presidency and to working together to restore much needed balance and stability in Europe.
The Czech presidency of the Council of the EU will have to cope not only with the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine but also with the lingering economic consequences of this war. The fact that Europe has not yet fully recovered from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic only makes the challenge greater.
The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union comes at a vital moment, while the European Union is facing many challenges – health, social, economic and environmental.
The European Economic and Social Committee is committed to collaborating closely with the French presidency and is looking forward to working together for a strong European Union, close to its citizens.
In the second half of 2021, Slovenia will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU. One of the Slovenian presidency’s key priorities focuses on the EU’s preparedness for and resilience to crises – particularly in the areas of pandemics and health, but also of cybersecurity. The EESC is looking forward to working closely with the Slovenian Presidency, especially since our priorities are closely aligned: the EESC is also focusing on recovery, on fair, green and digital transitions, and on defending the rule of law.
"The EESC is looking forward to cooperating closely with the Portuguese Presidency, especially since our own priorities are very much in line with theirs: we are advocating for an EU that prospers economically, and that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable."
The German Presidency should pave the way to a European recovery that invests in a care strategy
In the second half of 2020, Germany will assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The German Presidency comes at a time when the European Union is facing unprecedented challenges. While its programme and organisational possibilities are heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, there is widespread demand and political energy to depart from business-as-usual modus operandi and embrace change.
