The EESC endorses the Commission proposal and agrees that action must be taken to bolster the instruments safeguarding the EU market and its businesses. This will entail plugging a gap in the legislative framework as regards competition, trade and public procurement with a view to guaranteeing fair competition which is not distorted by foreign subsidies. Some aspects of the intrinsically complex and far-reaching legislative mechanism need to be further refined.
Download — ETSK:n lausunto: Foreign subsidies distorting the internal market
In this opinion, the EESC recalls that media freedom, including the safety and security of journalists, and media pluralism are cornerstones of liberal democracy. It therefore notes with regrets that the developments within the EU are alarming and calls for urgent steps by Member States and the EU, including through the use of the new general regime of budget conditionality. The EESC welcomes the broad range of reports and initiatives by the European Parliament and the Commission, including the Commission's plan for a "European Media Freedom Act". It also supports measures to increase the safety of journalists and underlines the necessity of a legal ban on Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). The EESC supports the idea of a European Agency to bolster media skills of EU citizens through educational programmes. It also proposes the creation of a fully independent European public service broadcaster.
Download — Tiedote: Securing media freedom and diversity in Europe (own-initiative opinion)
The objective of the evaluation is to gather evidence on the implementation and performance of e-Cohesion systems for the operational programs funded by ERDF and Cohesion Fund during the programming period 2014-2020. Performance of e-Cohesion systems is understood primarily as: simplification, reduced administrative burden, and streamlined reporting and verification procedures for the four main types of users of such systems: i) beneficiaries, ii) managing authorities and intermediate bodies, iii) certifying authorities, iv) and audit authorities.
Download — Information report: Evaluation of the implementation of e-Cohesion in Programmes financed by ERDF and Cohesion Fund 2014-2020
