Opinions

  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    INT/668-EESC-2012-2282
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Germany
    Plenary session number
    486
    -
    EESC opinion: Better access to scientific information – public investment
    Presentation by the EC
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    TEN/494-EESC-2012-01-01-1701
    Workers - GR II
    France
    Plenary session number
    486
    -

    The EESC shares the Commission's view that the use of cloud computing (CC) in Europe needs to be developed. Nevertheless, the Committee recommends that the European Commission (EC) also promotes the development of European "digital energy" production (i.e. the emergence and strengthening of European suppliers of CC infrastructure). This could be achieved through relevant allocations of the structural funds and by launching appropriate European projects, as well as by informing European users and businesses on the dangers stemming from current international regulation when using the services of non-European CC suppliers.

    Towards an EU Cloud Computing Strategy
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    INT/664-EESC-2012-2081
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Germany
    Plenary session number
    486
    -
    EESC opinion: International cooperation in research and innovation
    Presentation by the EC, 26.09.2012
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    INT/663-EESC-2012-01-01-2118
    Employers - GR I
    Italy
    Plenary session number
    486
    -
    EESC opinion: Security Industrial Policy
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    INT/662-EESC-2012-01-01-2075
    Workers - GR II
    Italy
    Plenary session number
    486
    -
    EESC opinion: Partnership for excellence and growth in the ERA
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    TEN/496-EESC-2012-01-01-1794
    Employers - GR I
    Greece
    Plenary session number
    486
    -

    The seriousness of the maritime piracy plague has not come to the full awareness of European civil society. The EESC wishes to increase the sensitivity of civil society and European public opinion in order to mobilise Member States and the EU institutions for concrete action aiming at eradicating it. The EESC welcomes the decisions of the UN Security Council and the EU to prolong the EU/NAVFOR–ATALANTA operation until December 2014, and to extend the area of operations to East and South in the Indian Ocean and in the Somali shoreline. It believes that EU NAVFOR should be given a more robust mandate with stronger engagement rules. The EESC requests EU Member States and states in accession process or having association agreements with the EU, to enforce legal actions against piracy and prosecution of pirates on the high seas according to Article 105 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982.

    Maritime piracy: strengthening the EU response
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    INT/655-EESC-2012-01-01-2039
    Workers - GR II
    Netherlands
    Plenary session number
    486
    -

    The EESC believes that the Commission has paid too little attention to the unintended negative side-effects of the Single Market. The consequence could be a further undermining of the Single Market rather than a new dynamic. The Commission should demonstrate a more realistic approach by communicating in a well-balanced tone. In addition to key actions the EU and the Member States must step up their efforts to overcome the financial, economic and budgetary crisis and to release the full potential of the Single Market. The EESC would very much welcome the fast application of the measures proposed in the Communication on the Governance of the Single Market to improve the overall implementation of EU rules.

    EESC opinion: Single Market Act II
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    SOC/468-EESC-2012-1820
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Sweden
    Plenary session number
    486
    -
    EESC opinion: European Social Mark
  • Adopted on 16/01/2013
    Reference
    SOC/445-EESC-2012-01-01-963
    Employers - GR I
    Spain
    Plenary session number
    486
    -
    The EESC recommends that the European Commission and the Member States support further studies and research that would tap the potential of gifted children and young people, aiming to facilitate employment and employability within the framework of the EU and, in a context of economic crisis, enhance specialist knowledge and prevent brain drain. It also recommends that greater consideration be given to each Member State's existing models for and experience in working with highly gifted children, and presents various proposals aimed at improving educational care for children and young people with high abilities.
    EESC opinion: Unleashing the potential of children and young people with high intellectual abilities in the European Union
  • Adopted on 09/01/2013
    Reference
    REX/362-EESC-2012-01-01-2054
    Workers - GR II
    Italy
    Plenary session number
    486
    -
    The EESC considers that the EU's underlying objectives for the renewed EU-Pacific development Partnership are ambitious, but believes that the implementing arrangements, which mainly concern environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in the region, are not clear. Synergies are needed with other organisations to address the impact of climate change, which has a cross-cutting impact on national and multilateral policies as well as social and economic repercussions. Issues associated with the impact of climate change should be incorporated in the area's comprehensive environmental policies and ensure coherent behaviour and actions. To this end, the active involvement of all local stakeholders is necessary.
    Towards a renewed EU-Pacific development Partnership