The EESC supports the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive, recognizing the need to adapt the excise framework to market developments, new products and public health objectives. The Committee stresses that actions taken should be in line with the principle of ‘less harm, less tax’ and the objectives of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
The debate on new own resources should evolve beyond technical adjustments and become a strategic reflection on how to strengthen the EU’s financial autonomy, cohesion and competitiveness. The EESC encourages the European Commission to further refine the overall design of the proposed own-resources package to make it ambitious, balanced and future-oriented.
The EESC warns that a weak long-term EU budget would undermine competitiveness, cohesion, agriculture and democracy. The Committee calls for a stronger, fairer and future-proof multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2028 to 2034.
Download — EMSK arvamus: Establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund
In this opinion, the EESC fully supports the priorities identified by the Commission and reiterates the need for a cohesive European response. The EESC also stresses that removing barriers is key and that regulatory simplification must take place with full respect for social and workers’ rights. Finally, it calls on the Commission to put forward legislative proposals to address regional supply constraints.
The EESC supports the objectives of the Commission's package on securitisation, and recommends to ensure that the freed-up capital is used to fund the real economy, introduce safeguards for consumers and investors, guarantee financial stability, and avoid weakening, to the extent possible, international standards.
Among the measures to make it possible, the EESC recommends a two-years reporting period, the introduction of a fast-track mechanism, taking additional measures to preserve the long-term relationship between lenders and borrowers, and introducing social, environmental and governance information in the revised reporting templates.
The EESC emphasises that peace must remain a core EU priority and cautions against focusing solely on military threats while overlooking other serious risks to human life. It stresses the importance of diplomacy for conflict resolution and crisis prevention wherever possible.The EESC supports a comprehensive, inclusive European defence strategy that supplements military readiness with civil preparedness. It endorses the European Commission’s Joint white Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 and calls for a coordinated EU approach that treats defence, peace and security as shared public goods, underpinned by strong legal, institutional and financial frameworks with democratic oversight.
