This opinion sets out an argument that an effective way of strengthening civil society partnerships in delivering the Baltic Sea Region Strategy is through the implementation of the Partnership Principle as set out in the Commission's Code of Conduct Partnership. The EESC recommends that the Baltic Sea Region Strategy could informally embrace the process outlined in the Code of Conduct and apply it to the ongoing evolution and implementation of the Baltic Sea Region Strategy.
Download — Civil society partnership Baltic Sea Region
The EESC positively welcomes the timely amendments to the Nuclear Safety Directive. How this issue is perceived by the public has a significant impact on national policy. Citizens rightly expect verifiable high standards and consistency.
Download — EESC opinion: Revision of the nuclear safety directive
EU energy and climate policy must recognise and be responsive to global markets and international agreements. It also must develop answers when the markets fails to respond to social priorities and deal with the lack of political coherence. The debate on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) exemplifies the tensions represented in such a policy initiative.
Download — EESC opinion: Future of Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe
The aim of this recast is to allow the EU to attract talented non-EU students and researchers, while taking into consideration a certain risk of exploitation, to which trainees and au-pairs are particularly exposed. The proposal amends two existing directives: 1/ the “Students’ Directive” (Council Directive 2004/114/EC on the conditions of admission of third country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service): extending its scope to remunerated trainees and au-pairs and making mandatory provisions on unremunerated trainees; 2/ the “Researchers’ Directive” (Council Directive 2005/71/EC on a specific procedure for admitting third-country nationals for the purposes of scientific research).
Download — EESC opinion: Entry and residence of third country nationals (recast)
To address the issue of energy poverty, the EESC calls for a European energy security and solidarity commitment within the framework of a European energy community which would drive forward a truly European policy and aim to: protect individuals and prevent their social exclusion; take action to reduce the factors of structural vulnerability; and encourage everyone to assume responsibility for using sustainable and renewable energy resources.
Download — EESC opinion: For coordinated European measures to prevent and combat energy poverty
