European Economic
and Social Committee
NEWS ON OUR ACTIVITIES: The EESC ECO section’s achievements and upcoming challenges
The world has been going through fundamental changes and major geopolitical shifts and has experienced an unprecedented level of uncertainty that has challenged Europe’s identity and its role in the world, exposing vulnerabilities and exacerbating economic and social disparities across regions and income groups.
In the face of these challenges, the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO) has continued to advocate a resilient and sustainable EU economy as a key base for the EU’s responses and many shared ambitions, such as the green and digital transitions. We have argued that resilient and inclusive growth is the key to reducing inequalities in opportunities and outcomes and ensuring shared prosperity across the EU, stressing the need for fundamental changes – not just incremental steps.
This term of office (2022-2025) saw the mid-term review of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, while making crucial recommendations for the future. The ECO section also adopted important opinions and a resolution placing cohesion policy at the heart of EU priorities as a vital tool for reducing regional disparities and promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion. We continued our work on critical issues in taxation and the integration of Europe’s financial markets and presented key recommendations for macroeconomic stability. We also explored ways to boost public and private investment in strategic European interests and held difficult but important discussions on defence financing in the EU.
Crucially, we led the EESC’s cross-cutting package of own-initiative opinions on the cost-of-living crisis. This package calls for structural reforms and offers EU institutions, national governments, social partners and civil society clear, actionable guidance on how to build resilience against future crises and move toward a more inclusive, sustainable Union.
Despite the unprecedented challenges, I am proud that the ECO section has remained true to its core mission: ensuring EU economic policies reflect the real needs of citizens, leaving no one behind.
The above-mentioned objectives must be pursued further in the coming term of office, as global challenges persist and have in some cases even intensified, for example, with the increase in US tariffs on EU imports.
Ioannis VARDAKASTANIS (Greece)
President, ECO section, EESC
President, Greek National Confederation of Disabled People (ESAMEA)
President, European Disability Forum (EDF)
President, International Disability Alliance (IDA)
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