suggests that accessible, readable and understandable information should be made available to all people, especially those with disabilities, and when it comes to goods and services from third countries. However, this should not create unnecessary red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises;
considers that the EU consumer rights acquis is perceived as complicated and fragmented, especially difficult for small businesses to comply with. The EU consumer rules should be simplified and streamlined in order to make it easier for businesses to comply with and consumers to be aware of their rights;
believes that efforts to bolster the security of R&I should never run counter to asserting the principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy;
considers that the objective of guaranteeing secure international cooperation for R&I should never give rise to discriminatory and/or unfair practices towards R&I actors, nor should it be in conflict with labour rights and the safeguarding of working conditions for those working in the R&I sector in the EU;
Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
Organisation
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
European Leaders just agreed on the direction the European Union should take in the coming years. The European Council not only adopted a Strategic Agenda to define the political priorities of our institutions, but also took a decision on the leadership that will guide them. I welcome the election of António Costa as President of the European Council, and the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, as well as Kaja Kallas to be the next High Representative.
