This exploratory opinion for the Cyprus Presidency examines the possibility for the European Union to develop a so-called macro-regional strategy for the Mediterranean; these integrated strategies seek to coordinate the various EU policies for a given functional & territorially defined region. The Mediterranean region is geographically very large and has varying economic, social, political and cultural features, and countries with different systems and infrastructures (EU countries, non-EU countries with EU candidate status, and non-EU countries taking part in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation). For this reason the EESC proposes that two subregional policies (for the eastern and western Mediterranean) should be set up, which would be complementary, coordinating their work with each other and with that of the macro-regional Adriatic-Ionian strategy.
Download — Macro-regional strategy in the Mediterranean
This own initiative opinion has been drafted in response to the Commission staff working document adopted on 24 April 2012 and which sets out its current thinking of what a European Code of Conduct on Partnership (ECCP) should look like during the forthcoming cohesion policy programming period. The EESC has strongly defended the need for an ECCP; in the meantime the Council has indicated that it wishes to delete all reference to an ECCP upon which the EESC President has written to the Council, Parliament and Commission arguing the need to maintain the Commission's proposals as is.
The EESC is deeply worried about the increasing concern felt among organised civil society with regard to the implementation of the partnership principle. Reports from some Member States show an on-going trend towards a dilution of this partnership principle and a decrease of participation by organised civil society.
Letter by President Staffan Nilsson to the Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy in the European Union on the importance of the Partnership principle in the Common Provisions Regulation
The EESC has looked very carefully at the proposed Common Strategic Framework (CSF) which is now fully integrated in the draft Common Provisions Regulation and seeks to translate the objectives of the Union's Cohesion Policy into practice through better coordination between the several EU Structural Funds. The EESC has also listened carefully to the various points of view expressed by the representatives of organised civil society during a successful and well-attended hearing. The EESC supports the creation of a Common Strategic Framework; an effective CSF will also remove the unnecessary and inefficient separation that currently exists between the key funds. The EESC cautions, however, against additional bureaucracy or administrative complexity arising from the CSF and argues for a strong and genuine implementation of the partnership principle.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC clarifying provisions on the timing of auctions of greenhouse gas allowances
Download — EESC Opinion: Timing of auctions of greenhouse gas allowances (category C)
The EESC welcomes a banking union to place the banking sector on a more sound footing and restore confidence in the euro as part of a longer-term vision for economic and fiscal integration. Shifting the supervision of banks to the European level is a key part of this process, which must subsequently be combined with other steps such as a common system for deposit protection, and integrated bank crisis management. A banking union would represent a step towards the euro zone and the EU as a whole embarking on a virtuous cycle overcoming its design flaws and enabling the single market to regain competitiveness.
The Commission has published a Green Paper to discuss ways to regulate the shadow banking sector, an essential source of liquidity outside the regular banking system.
The EESC believes the players in the sector that include hedge funds, money market funds and structured investment vehicles should be subject to the very same regulatory and prudential requirements as the financial system as a whole.
The Committee insists the entire financial sector must assume social responsibility by moving beyond mere speculation and by serving economic growth.
The Committee considers it vital to develop practical proposals for action to ensure that the various EU institutions act, within their respective remits, to frame suitable measures for implementing Article 11(1) and (2) TEU.To this end, the EESC put forward a set or recommendation which, on the basis of a monitoring and rationalisation of existing processes, could facilitate a bigger structured implication of civil society organisations. The EESC should help to organise, along with all other relevant stakeholders and the EU institutions in particular, a large-scale annual event that would offer shared input to the agenda of EU priorities.
Download — EESC opinion: Articles 11(1) and 11(2) of the Lisbon Treaty
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Amendment to the Commission proposal COM(2011) 628 final/2 for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy
Download — EESC Opinion: Common agricultural policy / Financing, management and monitoring (category C)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey
Download — EESC Opinion: Honey (amending Directive 2001/110/EC) (category C)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain technical and control measures in the Skagerrak and amending Regulation (EC) No 850/98 and Regulation (EC) No 1342/2008
COM(2012) 471 final - 2012/0232 (COD)
Download — EESC Opinion: Technical and control measures in the Skagerrak (category C)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel
Download — EESC Opinion: Measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel (category C)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 concerning the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms
Download — EESC Opinion: Conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (category C)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating the trade therein (recast)
Download — EESC Opinion: Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating the trade therein (category C)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 812/2004 laying down measures concerning incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries and amending Regulation (EC) No 88/98
Download — EESC Opinion: Incidental catches of cetaceans in Fisheries (category C)
State aid modernisation is of strategic importance for the EU in a highly competitive globalised economy. The EESC shares in its opinion the Commission's vision but considers that this ambitious reform needs clarification in certain respects. The importance of this reform and of the EESC's opinion is illustrated by the fact that the rapporteur was invited to meet personally with the Commissioner Almunia.
Digital agenda in general is one of the tools to address the current crisis. E-procurement specifically brings modernisation, innovation and less market fragmentation. The EESC opinion gives in-depth analysis of the current state in the MS, puts forward concrete solutions and gives an objective judgement of the EC strategy for e-procurement.
The opinion is interesting to national and local public administrations and to the private sector as well.
