Dear readers,

As we head towards the end of 2023, I would like to take a moment to pause and reflect on important milestones achieved by our Committee this year. 

When I took up office in April, I committed to making the EESC a more inclusive and open platform, where Europeans, especially young people, can express their concerns and opinions. I am proud to say that the EESC has taken great strides and is now the first EU institution to introduce the EU Youth Test. This means that young people will be joining our opinion-making process to share their views on key topics for their future – virtual worlds, the economy and democracy. The EESC Youth Group will closely monitor these activities and spearhead youth initiatives in our house.

We have launched a call for an EU Blue Deal – a comprehensive water strategy for Europe. This is an issue that this house has collectively been pushing for to become a political priority for the next European Commission. I believe we have created momentum and we need to keep it going. With increasing droughts, floods and heatwaves, the EU Blue Deal comes at a crucial moment. Europe urgently requires a standalone and cross-cutting approach on how to manage water, as there is no time to spare.

Europe is facing a new geopolitical context and, as President von der Leyen said, we need to answer the call of history. I strongly believe that EU candidate countries require concrete actions. The EESC is doing its part by leading the way and progressively integrating the EU candidate countries. We adopted an initiative on "Enlargement Candidate Members (ECMs)". This means that civil society representatives from the EU candidate countries will join our advisory work as of 2024. I had the opportunity to speak to civil society from the Western Balkans region during our Civil Society Forum in Thessaloniki, and from Ukraine, during my latest visit to Kiev. My message was clear: the EESC is a credible partner that delivers on its commitments. I am convinced this is the right way forward. 

These are just some of the key highlights of 2023, but let me reiterate that these milestones could not have been achieved without the collective effort of this house, our members and our staff. I would like to thank you for your determination and commitment to being the voice of civil society.

As we look forward to welcoming the New Year, we will also be welcoming the start of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. I would like to firstly thank our Spanish colleagues for their hard work and dedication throughout their presidency. I look forward to working together with the Belgian Presidency.

Wishing you a very festive period and looking forward to continuing this great work next year. 

Oliver Röpke

EESC President