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 emphasises that the designing of proposals for new sources of own revenues should be done in context of the budgetary pressures faced by Member States following the pandemic and the ongoing international tensions. This has become all the more important in the current higher interest rate environment. The EESC also emphasises that the second set of own resources measures should be in line with the proportionality and social fairness principles. An EU-wide tax on digital transactions could be potentially considered to increase own resources in case the agreed rules of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework are not respected by other major trading partners.
Download — Udvalgets udtalelse: Second set of new own resources
The EESC underlines that increased equity funding for European companies is key and therefore strongly welcomes the Listing Act proposed by the Commission. Bringing family-owned companies to capital markets would open up untapped potential to attract capital for growth. In this context, a multiple-voting rights regime helps families to retain control, making listing more attractive to them, and streamlining the contents of a prospectus would significantly reduce costs and burden for issuers.
Download — Udvalgets udtalelse: Listing rules for public markets (Listing act)
This year’s Annual Sustainable Growth Survey (ASGS) outlines the policy priorities in the coming year and provides guiding principles for implementing them in the 2023 European Semester cycle. This survey takes into account the systemic shocks facing the EU, which are undermining the first signs of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and sets out strategic guidance. These pursue the EU policy objectives of the green and digital transition and are structured around the four dimensions of competitive sustainability, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The ASGS 2023 also continues to guide Member States in the implementation of the national Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs).
