The EU's top priorities for the near future must include putting the European economy back on track to deliver a sustainable transition and bring prosperity to Europe's people and businesses. This is the main thrust of the Resolution on the EESC's contribution to the European Commission's 2022 Work Programme, adopted at the EESC's June plenary session.

The two watchwords after the pandemic should be recovery and reconstruction, says the EESC in the resolution. Both investment and reforms must be rolled out to overcome the economic and social crisis and reinforce Europe's resilience to future shocks, which should be based on inclusive and sustainable growth, decent work and social justice.

The main pillars should be:

• unlocking the full potential of the Single Market;
• achieving the Sustainable Development Goals;
• creating a circular economy and achieving climate neutrality by 2050;
• ensuring good governance and democratic accountability.

Commenting on the adoption of the Resolution, Christa Schweng, EESC president, said "I trust that the EESC's recommendations, which we have delivered well in advance, will provide valuable input into the forthcoming Commission work programme. The Committee remains fully committed to supporting the Commission's six headline ambitions and to fulfilling its role by facilitating dialogue within civil society and with the European institutions in order to turn these ambitions into reality".

Ms Schweng added that the participation of all citizens, through civil society organisations, would put the process of recovery and reshaping the future of Europe on a truly democratic basis: "I count on the Commission to take on board the proposals of European organised civil society when setting next year's priorities." (mp)