..."Meanwhile, the financial and economic crisis has changed into a sovereign debt crisis because of the daily speculation against the euro, which has shifted its focus and targeted the debt of a number of European countries. The only reason for this is that the economic and political instruments to protect the euro are piecemeal, totally inadequate and, until a year ago, downright non-existent. These are the paradoxes that come from having a single monetary policy and 17 debt policies, 17 budget policies, 17 (or rather 27) economic and industrial policies, and so many voices, often contradictory, having their say and offering recipes for resolving the crisis. This is why there must be a commitment to redouble and continue the efforts made recently by the EU. It is useful, therefore, to draw up a few proposals, ..."
The EU plans to extend the EGF from 2014-2020. Inclusion of farmers and withdrawal of EGF use to combat social consequences of the economic crisis are among other major changes introduced in the Commission proposal and are opposed by the EESC.
According to the EESC, the renewed EGF will generally accrue to industry and services, whereas agriculture will have to pay the bill. Farmers must be compensated, but that should be done with a tailor-made solution for the sector. Furthermore, the EESC wants to make it absolutely clear that the social dimension is taken into consideration.
The present opinion reiterates the recommendations and conclusions presented in the previous EESC opinion "Rio+20: towards the green economy and better governance COM(2011) 363 final - The contribution of European organised civil society" and endorses fully the message of the EESC conference "Go sustainable, be responsible! European civil society on the road to Rio+20" organised by the EESC on 7 and 8 February 2012.
As stated in the action plan of the previous EESC opinion on Rio+20, the EESC has organised a broad dialogue process on the topics of the Rio+20 Conference, including first reactions on the zero-draft of the outcome document released on 10 January.
Download — EESC Opinion: The EESC position on the preparation of the United Nations Conference (additional opinion)
The Committee's opinion, prepared in view of the Spring European Council, comments on the Commission’s ‘Annual growth survey’ (AGS) 2012. In the first part, it deals with general issues related to the AGS such as: its focus on growth, on fiscal consolidation and on the implementation of reforms agreed in the framework of the European semester as well as the implication of organised civil society and social partners in the AGS process. The second part brings together specific contributions from various EESC opinions that were adopted in 2011 in relation to the five AGS priorities: pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; restoring normal lending to the economy; promoting growth and competitiveness; tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis; and modernising public administration. These comments update the EESC’s position on the AGS 2011 that was adopted in March 2011.
EESC opinion on the AGS / Avis CESE sur l'Examen annuel de croissance
With the EU countries implementing austerity measures concurrently, there is the danger that the mutually reinforced downturn will gather pace and the prospects for economic growth will deteriorate further, in turn negatively affecting domestic demand as the last source of economic stimulus and undermining stabilisation and job creation. In the coming years, Europe will navigate an exceedingly fraught employment situation. Certain groups are hit harder than average, in particular young people and the long-term unemployed. In order to counteract this, what is needed is speedy and targeted European and national investment with high employment impact, which should be implemented in a coordinated manner in order to amplify its employment policy effects. In this opinion the EESC proposes a number of policy recommendations in order to implement the employment guidelines.
