Events

  • @DiversEESC

    On 6 March 2018, the Various Interests Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), organised a conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, entitled 'Supporting Vulnerable Regions and Citizens: boosting sustainable growth and cohesion'. The event took place at the Boyana conference centre, which had been kindly made available to the EESC by the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

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    The conference follows up the work already carried out by the EESC on the future of Europe and the resolution adopted by the Committee in July. Taking place in Athens on 1 and 2 March 2018, the conference will gather high-ranking figures from European political, institutional and cultural life, with young people playing a key role as real protagonists in the debates. The event will feature three sessions devoted to the future of democracy in Europe. You can follow the webstreaming here

  • Hearing in the framework of the opinion REX/498

    With a view to gather expert input during the preparatory process for this opinion from a wide range of stakeholders - civil society organisations, think tanks, and EU institutions included - a hearing was organised at the EESC premises on the legislative proposal of the European Commission on the establishment of a framework for screening of foreign direct investments into the European Union. The proposal aims to enable the EU Member States and the Commission to screen foreign direct investment on the grounds of security or public order. Investments will be screened if they are related to critical technologies, critical infrastructure, security of supply of critical products , or if they give access of the investor to control of sensitive information or if the investor is controlled by the Government of another country.  The screening is done by the Member state receiving the investment in cooperation with the Commission and other members states except for investments that  affect projects or programmes of Union interest in the area of research (Horizon 2020), space (Galileo), and transport, energy and telecommunication networks (Trans-European Networks – TEN), which will be screened by the Commission.

  • Public Hearing: How effective is EU legislation for SMEs in Sweden?

    22 February 2018, Europahuset, Regeringsgatan 65, Stockholm, 9:30-13:00.

    The hearing is part of the EESC follow-up work related to its opinion on Improving the effectiveness of EU policies for SMEs, adopted in July 2017.

    The main objective of the hearing was to debate the effectiveness and efficiency of EU policies for SMEs and gather valuable input and feedback from Swedish stakeholders on the matter with a view to finding ways in which they can be improved. Particular emphasis was put on the recommendations that have been outlined in the EESC opinion with the aim of implementing them at national level.

    Issues such as access to finance, improving access to markets and internationalisation, promoting entrepreneurship, reducing the administrative burden, simplification, supporting SMEs' competitiveness and innovation were at the forefront. The stakeholders were also invited to express their views on the current definition of SMEs and on its potential need for revision.

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    Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference

    The 2nd annual conference of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform took place on 20 and 21 February 2018. The first day was hosted by the Commission (DG GROW and DG ENV) in the Charlemagne building, the second day by the European Economic and Social Committee.

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    The EU-Turkey Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee was established in 1995, based on the mandate given by the Ankara Agreement. This body is composed of members from the EESC and members representing organised civil society in Turkey. Its objective is to contribute to the dialogue among civil society organisations in Turkey and the EU and to issue reports and recommendations to the Turkish authorities and the EU institutions.

    Among the many topics to be discussed at this JCC meeting: The EU-Turkey relations, the rôle of Turkey in the refugee crisis, the Enhancement of EU-Turkey bilateral trade relations and modernisation of the Customs Union, the Blue Economy in the Western Mediterranean.

     

  • Hearing in the framework of the EESC opinion

    As the world’s largest exporter and importer of foreign direct investment, it is of paramount importance for the EU to ensure that the resolution of investment disputes operates effectively on an international level. Many countries are currently engaged in internal reflections regarding their policies on investment protection and investment dispute settlement. The EESC aims therefore to make a timely contribution to this ongoing and highly interesting debate.

    At the request of the European Commission, the EESC is currently drafting an own-initiative opinion on a possible future multilateral court for the settlement of investment disputes. The European Commission proposes for this court to become a permanent body to decide investment disputes, under the auspices of the United Nations Commission on International Trade law (UNCITRAL).

  • @DiversEESC
    Extraordinary Group III meeting

    On 15 February 2018 afternoon Group III held an extraordinary meeting for the presentation of a study promoted in cooperation with the Liaison Group on The future evolution of civil society in the European Union by 2030.

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    532nd Plenary Session of the EESC, with a debate in the future of Europe with Nathalie LOISEAU, French Minister for European Affairs.

  • The EESC Permanent Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on "Women with disabilities in the EU: situation and way forward". The aim of the event is to look into the situation of women with disabilities in the EU and propose some recommendations to improve it. In the first part we will set the scene and background while in the second part we will listen to some inspiring testimonies and good practices.
    Your presence and input are most welcome!