Európai Gazdasági és Szociális Bizottság
The European Economic Area Consultative Committee held its 31st annual meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, on 14 and 15 March 2023. The EEA CC members discussed resolutions and reports on energy resilience in the EEA in view of the geopolitical landscape and on the future cooperation of the European Political Community (EPC).
A Social Progress Protocol giving priority to workers’, and social rights over economic freedoms was first proposed by the European Trade Union Confederation in 2008.
This proposal was endorsed in the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe calling for an inclusion of such a protocol in the Treaties, and also the European Parliament approved a resolution, in June 2022, calling for the incorporation of social progress in Article 9 TFEU linked to a Social Progress Protocol.
The upcoming Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU has asked the EESC for its position on such a protocol, so come shape the advice the EESC will give on a Social Progress Protocol!
The second meeting of the EU-Armenia Civil Society Platform (CSP) was held on 10 March 2023 in Yerevan.
During the meeting, a debate focused on assessing the state of play of the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. The CSP debated the current challenges in the implementation of the Agreement and in progressing on the reform agenda.
A joint declaration, prepared by both sides, was discussed and adopted.
The EESC is organising a hybrid conference on Skills and talents as key drivers for personal fulfilment, economic growth and competitiveness on 10 March 2023 (9:30 to 16:30) in the context of the European Year of Skills.
The conference will look at the current situation in the EU in relation to skills development, with a focus on work-based learning and apprenticeships. It will discuss the advantages of dual education and in-work training compared to academic training and how they are preparing the future workforce. It will also look at the EU Talent Pool and discuss how the EU can become a more attractive destination for talented professionals looking for job opportunities worldwide.
Your participation and input are most welcome!
The 6th meeting of the EU DAG set up under the EU-UK TCA will feature the participation of the UK DAG Chair, Mr. Sean McGuire, to discuss the recent Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland, the situation of both DAGs and future joint steps. A DG TRADE representative will present and discuss with members the technical aspects of Level Playing Field provisions.
In line with its commitments to the Rural Pact, the EESC will organise a thematic debate on renewable energies in rural areas during the next meeting of its Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT Section) planned on Thursday 9 March (11:00 -12:30).
Following the adoption of the EESC Information Report on the Implementation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the Committee is now promoting and giving it a reinforced follow-up using various communication channels, considering the relevance and the perfect timing of the subjects covered in the report.
Representatives of the two Domestic Advisory Groups (DAG) from the EU and Moldova, established under Chapter 13 on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, held the seventh joint meeting on 7 March 2023. The objective of the meeting was to prepare a set of recommendations for the Civil Society Forum, which will take place on 17 March 2023.
The EESC is organising a hybrid public hearing on "Towards a European Health Union and European Global Health Strategy fully inclusive of Persons with Disabilities " on 7th March 2023 am ( 9:30 am to 1 pm).
Despite being recognized by the UN Convention on the Rights of persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, persons with disabilities (pwd) are still victims of discrimination in access to healthcare both in the EU and at global level. The hearing, organised by the EESC Permanent Group on Disability Rights, will discuss what can be done to advance the rights of pwd in the field of health within the European Health Union and the EU Global Health Strategy.
War on European soil, post-pandemic recovery, democratic values under increasing pressure on both sides of the EU’s borders: these seismic shifts have left no doubt that civil society organisations are more important than ever - for both social cohesion and democracy in Europe. A strong, independent and diverse civil society is a key ingredient in ensuring a resilient democracy, able to safeguard both our fundamental rights and the integrity of our democratic way of life.
