EESC President

On Europe Day, we celebrate not simply a political union or an economic project, but a democratic vision founded on peace, participation and solidarity among peoples.

At the heart of that vision lies an essential principle: democracy is not sustained by institutions alone. It survives because people believe they still have a voice.

Today, across Europe and beyond, that principle is under growing pressure.

It is with immense pleasure that I welcome the European Commission's (EC) ambitious social package and in particular, the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. I very much look forward to the European Economic and Social Committee's (EESC) concrete role in its implementation, through the cooperation agreement to be signed with the European Commission (EC).

I welcome the decision by European Union Ambassadors to establish a Council Working Party tasked with drafting the Accession Treaty with Montenegro and congratulate Montenegro for this important milestone. This represents both a recognition of progress and an incentive to accelerate reforms.