In 2023 the EU launched its European Economic Security Strategy, committing to performing a thorough review of the possibilities for strengthening its economic security, driven by the wide-scaled geopolitical and geo-economical changes. Building and deepening political and economic alliances with like-minded states and regions, sharing similar European values, seems to be the only viable strategy. In today’s growingly connected, digital, AI-governed world, the mutual interdependencies neither can be ignored, nor can they be framed within protectionist policies and measures. Therefore, the recent trade agreements with Mercosur, India, Canada, Australia and African Union states are right enough and must be further developed. 

The EESC Opinion on the Circular Economy Act lands at a defining moment. As Europe confronts fragility in supply chains, intensifying competition for raw materials and the hard lessons of geopolitical dependency, circularity has become an industrial strategy. The legislation that should be out before the end of this year is expected to deliver on competitiveness, resilience and environmental goals at the same time. 

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) remains the cornerstone of safeguarding the European Union’s food sovereignty, ensuring stable farm incomes, and supporting rural communities. In a global context deeply shaped by market volatility, the impact of climate change and geopolitical tensions, the European agri-food sector has shown remarkable resilience. However, the mid-term evaluation of the 2023–2027 period requires us to reflect deeply and pragmatically on which elements are working and which demand an urgent strategic shift in the design of the next CAP.

With geopolitical tensions rising and global supply chains under strain, RESourceEU has become a geopolitical necessity. The plan commits €3 billion in funding over the next 12 months, mobilised from EU budgets, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and programs like the Innovation Fund, Battery Booster, and Horizon Europe. Its ambition? To halve the EU’s dependence on single external suppliers by 2029 while boosting domestic recycling, mining, and strategic partnerships.

One of the Resolution’s central recommendations is therefore to strengthen the involvement of social partners and civil society organisations throughout the European Semester cycle. Consultation cannot remain a procedural obligation. It must become a genuine driver of policy success.