The 12th meeting of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform took place in Chisinau, Moldova, on 1 September 2023. During the meeting, a debate focused on assessing the progresses of Moldova in the implementation of the Association Agreement and the European Commission's recommendations regarding its accession to the EU.
The Platform looked at progresses and challenges in reforming the justice sector, implementing human rights commitments, enhancing gender equality, and fighting violence against women, as well as in implementing commitments in economic, social and public administration reforms, including work motivation and negotiation of the minimum wage increase.
Furthermore, the participants discussed the role of Moldovan civil society organisations in human development capital and proposals for enhancing the dialogue with civil society.
A joint declaration, prepared by both sides, was discussed and adopted.
The 9th meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and the first meeting of the new 2023-25 term, took place on 19 July, 2023.
The EU Side Event hosted jointly by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee will allow for a conversation with civil society on how to boost the implementation of the SDGs. The event takes place in the context of the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The European Economic and Social Committee is organising the 3rd edition of its conference on energy poverty on 18-19 July 2023 in Brussels. This follows on from the EESC's conferences in 2021 and 2022 on this important issue.
As in previous years, the European Economic and Social Committee, as the body representing organised civil society in the EU, will be following the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which will take place in New York from Monday 10 July to Wednesday 19 July 2023.
The sustainable economy we need - With Executive Vice-President Timmermans
Location
10:30 - 11:30 CEST - Webstreamed
Brussels
Belgium
Following the success of the previous Youth Climate and Sustainability Round Tables, the EESC will host the fourth EU Youth Round Table on Tuesday 18 July, 10:30-11:30 CEST. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, will participate in the event and will engage with the youth representatives on the topic: the sustainable economy we need for a successful implementation of the European Green and Social Deal.
The focus of current informal discussions in the Council is on how cohesion policy can adjust to the new circumstances following the unforeseen shocks that Europe has faced in the last years without losing its long-term development goals. The Spanish Presidency refers to "Cohesion policy 2.0" in this context, which particularly means that cohesion policy needs to be transformed and become more modern and flexible. Also, it will need to take into account the RRF which will come to an end at some time.
580th plenary session LIVE streaming - With the following guests: Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of Moldova, Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Majlinda Bregu, SG of the Regional Cooperation Council, Dubravka Šuica, VP for Democracy and Demography, and Dr Heidrun Mollenkopf, Pres. of the AGE Platform Europe
Room JDE 70 (& Interactio), EESC building, Rue Belliard 99, 1040
Brussels
Belgium
In the context of the European Year of Skills, the EESC's Permanent Group on disability Rights is organising a hybrid public hearing on "Skills for employment for persons with disabilities in the context of the green and digital transition" on 10 July 2023 am ( 9:30 am to 12:30 pm).
The hearing will look at what could be done to improve and adapt skills of persons with disabilities to the requirements of the labour market in the context of the green and digital transition and to ensure they have access to quality jobs.
During the meeting, the EU DAG elected its presidency for the 2023-2025 term and had a tour de table to introduce the respective members and the organisations they represent.
It was likewise an opportunity for members to receive an update from the European Commission on the implementation of the TSD Chapter and information on the preparations of the meeting of the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development. The members also discussed EU-Korea relations with a special focus on the outcome of the 10th EU-Republic of Korea summit, held on 22 May in Seoul.
Other items on the agenda were the Rules of Procedure of the DAG and the preparation of the upcoming Civil Society Forum and the workshop with the Korean counterparts to take place this autumn.
