The EESC has organised a public hearing in the framework of its opinion on "Establishing a new Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration" in the morning of the 12th of January. These hearings are the opportunity for the Member of the study group working on the opinion to hear the input from stakeholders on the topic before finalising the EESC opinion.

Much has been achieved since the adoption of the European Agenda on Migration, not least beyond the EU's borders. Based on the Valetta Summit and the different process linked with migration and third countries, the EU looks to create new coherent and tailored partnerships on migration with countries of origin and transit.

This hearing has focused on the status and challenges of these partnerships as well as the Civil society perspective on them.

During the meeting, the EU Domestic Advisory Group (EU DAG) and civil society representatives from Colombia and Peru will discuss implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development Title of the Trade Agreement, with a particular focus on respect for international labour and environmental standards. They will also discuss economic, social, environmental and human rights impacts resulting from the implementation of the Agreement. The participants will reflect moreover on how the civil society from the EU, Colombia and Peru can cooperate to promote sustainable development in the context of trade relations and prepare for the next joint meeting. The participants may adopt a joint declaration summarising outcomes of their discussion and present it to the Parties during the open session planned for 8 December.

The EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee (JCC)  brings together representatives of organised civil society from the EU and Turkey. It complements the other bodies set up within the framework of the Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey and enables civil society organisations from both sides to monitor the accession negotiations and initiate debates on issues of common interest. Its members come from various economic and social interest groups. This is the 35th meeting and it took place in Ankara.

The EESC and the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum are organising their 3rd joint seminar, on 23 November 2016, in Versailles. The objective of the seminar is to discuss topics of common interest for European and Russian civil society. On the agenda this year will be questions such as the current situation in which civil society in Russia and in the EU are operating, and questions relating to migration, specifically focusing on good practices and experiences in integrating newcomers into host societies.