The current geopolitical context is shining a harsh spotlight on the price that Europe is paying for its dependency on third countries, as European Council President António Costa said at a plenary debate with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EU must boost its competitiveness to be able to deliver tangible results in terms of jobs, income and affordable housing.

The European Council President described 2026 as a decisive year for Europe’s economic agenda. He argued that strengthening competitiveness is necessary to reduce Europe’s dependence on external developments and safeguard Europe’s social model, economic security and ability to act in a more hostile global environment.

He pointed in particular to the recent agreement by the European Council on the One Europe, One Market roadmap. This initiative aims to remove remaining barriers within the single market, improve conditions for businesses across the EU and deliver on three closely interconnected agendas: competitiveness, sovereignty and trade.

The EESC President Séamus Boland stressed that ‘Europe’s competitiveness and global role cannot be separated from its core democratic values. Respect for the rule of law, fundamental rights, social dialogue and an inclusive social market economy are not constraints: they are our comparative advantage.’

Mr Costa stated that the EESC plays a key role in bringing citizens’ and businesses’ concerns into the EU decision-making process. ‘The EESC is personifying the roots of the European model, of the European institutional architecture.’

Diverse views from EESC members on Europe’s competitiveness path

The debate reflected a broad range of views among EESC members on how Europe should move forward while balancing competitiveness, social rights and inclusiveness. 

Sandra Parthie, president of the EESC Employers’ Group said that ‘while Europe speaks of sovereignty and innovation, the market buys elsewhere and EU companies scale elsewhere. If Europe is to remain an economic power, it needs to move from ambition to action as a matter of urgency. It must fully enforce the single market, mobilise capital and design regulation for growth, not for compliance.’

Lucie Studničná, president of the EESC Workers’ Group, said that ‘competitiveness cannot be built by lowering labour standards, environmental protections or consumer rights. Quality jobs, fair wages and strong social dialogue are part of Europe’s economic strength, not a cost to be reduced.’ 

Cillian Lohan, president of the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group, said that ‘it is essential that the EU remains firmly committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. They constitute the compass for the EU’s future and for future generations.’ (ll)

The EESC’s annual gathering of civil society communicators, the Connecting EU seminar, will take place in Sofia on 6 and 7 July. This year’s edition will ask how Europe can uphold its core values as economic priorities shift, democratic trust weakens and civic spaces come under pressure – and what civil society can do to defend them.

Entitled ‘In defence of European values: The power of civil society’, the seminar will include two panels and an interactive programme with two breakout sessions and a workshop.

•             Europe’s new economic compass: Balancing competitiveness, social rights and sustainability

As the old global order frays, Europe is doubling down on security, defence and competitiveness, while adjusting its social and environmental ambitions. Can Europe build an economic model that delivers both competitiveness and social fairness? How can the EU secure long-term growth, strengthen its global position and protect what makes Europe distinctive: quality jobs, a resilient social model and democratic stability?

•            Europe’s democratic compass: Can trust and resilience be restored? 

Democracy is taking hits from all sides: civil society is being squeezed, confidence in institutions and independent media is eroding and populist narratives, often boosted by foreign influences, are making it harder for citizens to know whom to trust. Can tools like the EU Democracy Shield fight back fast enough against disinformation and malign influence to restore trust in Europe’s democratic model? Or does the EU have to rethink its social contract to remind people that democracy is not a given, but must be actively defended?

•            AI as a friend, not a foe

Two breakout sessions will look at how AI can help communicators spot fake news, sharpen their message and work faster. The event will wrap up with a LinkedIn crash course for professional communicators on how to sharpen their voices, build visibility and reach the right audiences.

The keynote speech will be delivered by Dave Keating, European affairs journalist and author of the book The Owned Continent.

The programme and information about all speakers can be found on the 2026 Connecting EU website.

The event will take place at the Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’ and is organised in partnership with the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council and with the support of the European Parliament Liaison Office and the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria.

The seminar is part of the ‘Connecting EU’ series, now in its 18th year. Every year, this event brings together civil society press and communication professionals, EESC members, EU representatives, partner organisations, journalists and researchers to network and discuss key issues affecting Europe. (ll)