The Communication on 8th Report presents the main changes in territorial disparities over the past decade and how policies have affected these disparities. It highlights the potential of the green and digital transitions as new drivers of EU growth, but argues that without appropriate policy action new economic, social and territorial disparities may appear. It also launches a reflection on how cohesion policy should evolve to respond to these challenges and in particular how to ensure that place-based, multilevel and partnership led approaches continue to improve cohesion, while building on synergies and mainstreaming cohesion objectives into other policies and instruments.
EESC will present its views on this report stressing the important role that civil society plays and that local policies need local strategies, drawn up with local partners.
Download — Γνωμοδότηση της ΕΟΚΕ: 8th Cohesion Report
The EESC welcomes the European Commission's decision to prolong the State aid Temporary Framework stemming from the pandemic. However, these measures are too exceptional for them to be extended to the general framework and therefore become permanent.
Download — Γνωμοδότηση της ΕΟΚΕ: A competition policy fit for new challenges
European Union statistics clearly show the enormous amounts of packaging materials currently used for the safety, hygiene, transportation, conservation, presentation and application of all kinds of goods – be they for industrial purposes, construction work, communication systems or individual consumption. Most of them are of carbonic or metallic origin, which are limited resources. A largely predominant part of the waste of these packaging materials can, and mostly do, have a negative environmental impact and may seriously endanger human health as well as animal and plant well-being. Material transformation and recycling for the reuse of the basic substances can only very partially reduce the many problems connected.
Download — Γνωμοδότηση της ΕΟΚΕ: Making packaging a safe, affordable and eco-friendly industry
The future French presidency of the EU has included this file among its main priorities in this area.
At the heart of European cooperation in the field of civil security is the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (MPCU), a mutual aid and solidarity instrument created in 2001 which has been adapted and strengthened over the years in reaction to crises.
Download — Γνωμοδότηση της ΕΟΚΕ: Consolidating the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in order to improve the EU's capacity to react in the face of extreme events, including those occurring outside its territory
The purpose of the opinion is to contribute to the further development of the foresight in the EU policy-making so to strengthen the EU's capacity and freedom to act. The opinion should ensure that EESC views are integrated in the new EU policymaking cycle which introduced foresight as a new compass as well as in the next European Commission's Annual Foresight Report.
Download — Γνωμοδότηση της ΕΟΚΕ: 2021 Annual Foresight Report
