Opinions

  • Igangværende (updated on 28/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 12/12/2023
    Reference
    CCMI/224-EESC
    Workers - GR II
    Romania
    (Ireland
    Plenary session number
    588
    -

    The European Commission has requested from the EESC an exploratory opinion on industrial and technological approaches and best practices supporting a water resilient society. Building on EESC's previous work on the EU Blue Deal, this exploratory opinion aims to make concrete recommendations on how to boost the development and uptake of new water technologies and best practices in the EU and support notably industries in the transformation towards a water-resilient society, taking into account sectoral constraints.

  • Igangværende (updated on 28/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 18/01/2024
    Reference
    REX/585-EESC
    Employers - GR I
    Bulgaria
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Greece
    Plenary session number
    591
    -

    Practical information

    1. Composition of the Study Group
    2. Administrator / Assistant in charge: Sveto TRAJKOVSKI / Elisabete DIAS

    Background

  • Igangværende (updated on 27/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 12/12/2023
    Reference
    ECO/639-EESC-2024-00535
    Workers - GR II
    Spain
    Plenary session number
    588
    -

    The European Council of December 2023 discussed the EU enlargement policy, including the stabilisation and association process and next steps in this respect. The enlargement policy will be one of the top priorities for the next coming years. One of the most important aspects of the enlargement process will be the cohesion policy and the structural funds.

    The need for a structural policy to be applied following enlargement is justified both by the external necessity of reducing the gap between the applicant countries and the EU average and by the internal necessity of combating increasing disparities amongst and within accession countries.

  • Igangværende (updated on 27/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 15/02/2024
    Reference
    SOC/803-EESC
    Workers - GR II
    France
    Plenary session number
    592
    -
  • Igangværende (updated on 27/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 12/12/2023
    Reference
    SOC/790-EESC
    Workers - GR II
    Italy
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Italy
    Plenary session number
    590
    -
  • Igangværende (updated on 27/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 18/01/2024
    Reference
    ECO/643-EESC-2024-00571
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Romania
    Plenary session number
    591
    -

    The need for open and transparent budgetary processes has never been more critical. The multiannual financial framework (MFF) emerges as a crucial tool for aligning financial resources with the Union's long-term priorities. The EESC has highlighted significant gaps in the current MFF, including its limited scope in addressing contemporary challenges such as Europe's aging population and strained budgets due to inflation.

    The EESC therefore explores a paradigm shift towards Open budgets in the EU –a framework that encompasses not only participatory budgeting but a broader spectrum of fiscal transparency and citizen engagement across all stages of the budget cycle. This approach is aimed at enhancing the responsiveness and effectiveness of EU budget allocations, thereby fostering a more resilient, inclusive, and democratic European economy.

  • Igangværende (updated on 27/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 19/03/2024
    Reference
    NAT/932-EESC
    Plenary session number
    587
    -
  • Igangværende (updated on 26/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 13/02/2024
    Reference
    INT/1060-EESC-2024-00746-00-00-AC-TRA
    Plenary session number
    586
    -
    EESC opinion: Eudamed and in-vitro diagnostic medical devices
    EESC opinion on Eudamed and in-vitro diagnostic medical devices
    Avis CESE sur EUDAMED et dispositifs médicaux
  • Igangværende (updated on 26/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 18/01/2024
    Reference
    ECO/641-EESC-2024-00699
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Italy
    Plenary session number
    589
    -

    On 13 June 2023 the EC proposed a Council Recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions and noted that taxation policies can have "a significant role in fostering the social economy and ensuring that social economy entities can afford to operate alongside mainstream businesses, creating a more equitable business environment while contributing to social inclusion and improved access to employment". Given the wide and general approach of EC proposal – including inter alia references to the role of State aid, public procurement, and European funds – the above-mentioned taxation aspects need to be analysed and considered by the EESC.

  • Igangværende (updated on 26/03/2024) - Bureau decision date: 13/02/2024
    Reference
    TEN/840-EESC
    Workers - GR II
    Poland
    Plenary session number
    587
    -