The present opinion reiterates the recommendations and conclusions presented in the previous EESC opinion "Rio+20: towards the green economy and better governance COM(2011) 363 final - The contribution of European organised civil society" and endorses fully the message of the EESC conference "Go sustainable, be responsible! European civil society on the road to Rio+20" organised by the EESC on 7 and 8 February 2012.
As stated in the action plan of the previous EESC opinion on Rio+20, the EESC has organised a broad dialogue process on the topics of the Rio+20 Conference, including first reactions on the zero-draft of the outcome document released on 10 January.
EESC Opinion: The EESC position on the preparation of the United Nations Conference (additional opinion)
The Committee's opinion, prepared in view of the Spring European Council, comments on the Commission’s ‘Annual growth survey’ (AGS) 2012.
In the first part, it deals with general issues related to the AGS such as: its focus on growth, on fiscal consolidation and on the implementation of reforms agreed in the framework of the European semester as well as the implication of organised civil society and social partners in the AGS process.
The second part brings together specific contributions from various EESC opinions that were adopted in 2011 in relation to the five AGS priorities: pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; restoring normal lending to the economy; promoting growth and competitiveness; tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis; and modernising public administration. These comments update the EESC’s position on the AGS 2011 that was adopted in March 2011.
