Euroopan talous- ja sosiaalikomitea
EESC president Christa Schweng welcomes the result of the vote in the European Parliament to grant the European Economic and Social Committee budgetary discharge for 2019. The Committee takes all the recommendations very seriously and is committed to continuing the reforms.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted at its April plenary session a resolution on the Conference on the Future of Europe in which it calls on "a new narrative grounded on the realities of everyday life" to reconnect and engage with European citizens. For this, according to the resolution, it is essential to ensure that organised civil society is involved and plays a major role.
With billions of euros in the pipeline for recovery plans and little time to submit and review them, holding the authorities accountable for the management of funds will be pivotal in securing a recovery based on fundamental rights and the rule of law
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a Resolution on its contribution to the European Commission's 2021 work programme at its July plenary session. The document welcomes the proposals made by the European Commission to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and sees the next year as an opportunity to restructure and improve the EU’s economy and society.
At its June plenary session the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a debate with Michel Barnier, Head of the EU Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom. Barnier informed of the state of play of Brexit negotiations and expressed his disappointment over the attitude of the British government which, in his opinion, was not respecting the Political Declaration signed in October 2019: "We expect the UK to respect its engagements", said Barnier.
A few days after the European Commission presented its proposal for a major recovery plan to face the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, on 2 June the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a webinar to assess its suitability. All participants agreed on the importance of this ambitious initiative, an example of the solidarity and the political will of all EU Member States in times of uncertainty.
EU Council summit on February 20 was a double disappointment: no progress in defining a position to start negotiations with the parliament, and severe cuts proposed to the EU Budget, without any mention to EU's own resources.
Looking back to their past experiences as organisers of European Citizens' Initiatives, activists attending the ECI Day 2020 at the EESC on 25 February warned against asking people what Europe they want and then ignoring their input.
[FR bientôt disponible] The European Economic and Social Committee has forcefully reiterated its call for a Multiannual Financial Framework of 1.3% of EU-27 gross national income (GNI) for the period of 2021-2027. The Committee called on the European Parliament to insist on a strong budget in its negotiations with the Council. This call comes at a crucial moment on the way towards an agreement on the next EU long-term budget, with the European Council addressing the issue again on 20 February.
EESC is ready to give a helping hand to Croatian endeavours to strengthen the Union and promote a credible and merit-based EU enlargement policy.
