EESC European Economic and Social Committee
"An open economy and open society are key enablers of European prosperity, wellbeing and way of life" states the Helsinki Declaration on Open Europe. The declaration was signed by the EESC Employers' Group, the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK and Finland Chamber of Commerce during the conference "An open Europe – How does it benefit us all?" on 9 October in Helsinki, Finland.
On 25 September 2019, the European Economic and Social Committee voted on the opinion SOC/614 "The European Pillar of Social Rights – evaluation of the initial implementation and recommendations for the future". The document was adopted with 117 votes for, 44 votes against and 3 abstentions. The majority of the Employers' Group members voted against the opinion as the document does not presents the variety of views within the EESC in a balanced manner. That is also why the Members of the Employers' Group tabled over 40 amendments to the opinion.
Even though the current European Commission managed to remove a number of obstacles to the single market, there is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to services and the digital single market. Further completion of the single market will remain high on the new Commission's agenda. The Green Deal and Artificial Intelligence will have a significant impact on the economy and this is where the Commission will definitely need feedback from industry. These were some of the main outcomes of the discussion with Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. The debate took place at the Employers' Group meeting on 25 September 2019.
Striking the right balance between privacy and the free flow of data, "demystifying" artificial intelligence (AI), fostering cooperation between Member States and focusing on research were some of the answers given by the panellists to the question "What does Europe need to be a frontrunner in AI and digitalisation?" This question was discussed at the seminar on a Smart and Intelligent Europe held by the EESC Employers' Group and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) on 30 August 2019 in Turku, Finland.
Big data, the digital revolution and sustainability, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement, were the topics discussed at the 17th EU-China roundtable held from 10 to 12 July 2019 in Shanghai. High-level representatives of the EESC met with their counterparts from the China Economic and Social Council (CESC).
The list of new work appointments for July 2019 and the most recent list of ongoing EESC work are available for download in the attachments below.
Corporate taxes could the the most harmful form of taxation to economic growth. Contrary to public perception, there has been no reduction in corporate tax revenues in relation to GDP in the last 40 years. Countries that have reduced their corporate tax rates in recent years have seen increases in investment in the following years. There is no race to the bottom, rather to a middle range of some 20% corporate tax rate and revenues are stable or even increasing.
I strongly welcome the political agreement reached for an ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU. In the midst of increasing trade protectionism, this trade agreement, is a strong positive signal in favour of multilateralism as well as open, rule-based and free trade between the EU and its partners.
The list of new work appointments for June 2019 and the most recent list of ongoing EESC work are available for download in the attachments below.
On 19 June 2019, the EESC adopted opinion TEN/692 on essential services in the context of the Social Pillar. Even though the Employers' Group members supported the document, we would like to express our reservations towards the fact, that economic aspect of essential services was insufficiently tackled in the opinion.
