The EESC supports the digital euro project, while underlining the importance of a clear European legal framework able to establish the exceptional possibility of temporary exemptions for certain payees, and to harmonise practices and standards that vary from one Member State to another. It is essential to ensure that the digital euro does not negatively impact financial stability or the lending potential of credit institutions. The EESC encourages a broad public debate on the reasons for possible issuance of a digital euro, its merits and drawbacks, in order to make informed decisions and ensure public understanding of the project.
Download — Udvalgets udtalelse: A digital euro and the scope and effects of the legal tender status of banknotes and coins
In this opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. At the same time, the EESC warns of persisting political instability, high levels of inflation and high interest rates, which reduce citizens' purchasing power and businesses' competitiveness and affect investment decisions. These difficulties could jeopardise the implementation of employment policy guidelines in the Member States, the achievement of the European Pillar of Social Rights and 2030 targets. The Committee believes that it is all the more necessary to strengthen both the role of the social partners and their involvement in designing and implementing employment, social and economic reforms and policies, including by building their capacity.
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.
Download — Udvalgets udtalelse: The Recovery and Resilience Facility and cohesion policy: towards cohesion policy 2.0
The EESC welcomes the Integrated Border Management Strategy of the European Union as a management tool that seeks to improve coordination and Member States' shared objectives in relation to external borders. The Committee stresses the importance of having a shared strategy for the better management of external borders, ensuring the internal security of the European Union and the safety of its residents, as well as the protection of fundamental rights and guarantees for the free movement of people within the EU.
Download — Udvalgets udtalelse: Multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management
The opinion intends to contribute to the design of the EU regulation on critical raw materials and to its follow-up, and could influence the political and economic decisions to be taken at EU level in the new geopolitical context.
Download — Udvalgets udtalelse: For a resilient, sustainable and responsible European Union supply chain of critical raw materials
The objective of this evaluation report is to assess the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) atmid-term. The RRF is the EU’s main instrument to mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the EESC will examine, from the point of view of the organised civil society, the effectiveness and relevance of this instrument, as well as aim to determine the added value of civil society involvement in achieving the RRF Regulation’s objectives. The evaluation will also cover later developments, such as the REPowerEU initiative. The results of the EESC's evaluation will feed into the Commission's evaluation, the completion of which is scheduled for Q1 2024.
Evaluation on the implementation of the recovery and resilience facility - Technical annex
