Dear Readers,
A number of events have taken place at the start of this year that will influence the future of the European Union.
BREXIT
On 22 January, our British colleagues took part in their final plenary session before their departure. It was clear from the work they have carried out within the Committee and the ceremony held that day just how painful and difficult that departure was. But one remark made that day has stayed with us: "It's not goodbye, it's au revoir."
I would like to think that we will maintain close ties because civil society knows no borders.
We shook hands with all the members of the delegation – a very emotional moment, with tears shed and recollections shared of our time together. For many of the EESC's British members, this was the end of a journey. From 1 February, they will have to learn to live without us and we without them. I'm sure that our memories won't let us down and that we will never forget working with our British colleagues over the years.
It's now up to us to build a good solid bridge and strengthen ties with the British people.
This separation shows how important it is to find another kind of relationship and way of living together after 31 January. So there are a number of tasks awaiting us in the EESC: stepping up communications, building closer synergies and launching more joint projects.
Conference on the Future of Europe
It was partly in response to Brexit that the idea of a Conference on the Future of Europe – to be launched on 9 May 2020 – came into being. The conference will run for two years and will coordinate the debate on how the EU works.
On 15 January, the European Parliament adopted a resolution outlining a framework for the project and on 22 January, the European Commission published a communication on the subject.
I believe that the Conference on the Future of Europe should be used to address the main policy areas where the EU can take action, by discussing these issues with the public and all other stakeholders, such as national parliaments, the EESC, other civil society organisations and so on. As members of the EESC, we are aware of the challenges posed by this very complex undertaking. However, we firmly believe that it can only succeed if the voice of organised civil society is heard.
Furthermore, data from the Commission's standard Eurobarometer survey from November 2019 show that 83% of respondents wanted the public's views to be taken into account more at all levels (national, regional and local) in decisions affecting the future of Europe.
Robert Schuman Declaration
The conference will be launched on the anniversary of the Robert Schuman Declaration. It will mark 70 years of peace in Europe, of building up closer integration, of joint projects, European values and fundamental rights. We will advocate the need for an open, inclusive and fair Europe. We are aware that the EU is not perfect. It has reached a turning point and is looking at itself critically. In this regard, it is again focusing its attention increasingly on civil society and the key role it can play in strengthening ties with the public.
The EU needs us, and civil society organisations, more than ever, as we have on-the-ground knowledge of areas outside Brussels, of their concerns and their day-to-day life. It will be a real challenge to pool all our forces and create a partnership between all the institutions so that we can successfully conclude the Conference during the French Presidency of the Council of the EU in two years' time.
So this is our task for 2020: to get going, alongside all the other institutions, and head towards the future. Because this the moment where the hard work really begins for the EU.
Isabel Caño Aguilar
Vice-President for Communication
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