The challenges that the EU currently face are manifold: the emergence of new markets and new technologies, a transition towards more sustainable consumption and investment, an ageing workforce, changes in labour markets and the ongoing economic and financial crisis. Companies and employees should anticipate these challenges. The Committee underlines that companies – especially SMEs – constitute the key players in restructuring processes.
Practical and effective action should be taken. The social partners, organized civil society, consumers, local leaders and knowledge and skills networks should be involved in this process. The EU's structural and cohesion policies as well as its innovation and research policies should be geared to proactive support to anticipate and accompany restructuring. Key tools are EU education, training and lifelong learning programmes. Investment and industrial policies should support the transition to a low-carbon European economy.
Download — Restructuring and anticipation of change: what lessons from recent experience? (Green Paper)
The world is subject to rapid geopolitical change. The dominant position of the Western world is being challenged both economically and politically. While defence budgets across the European Union are being cut, defence spending in China, India, Brazil, Russia and others is going up. Therefore the EESC calls on the Council and the Commission to make an overall evaluation of determining aspects of the EU's position and role in the world, to result in a convincing update of European foreign, security and defence policies.
Download — Defence industry : industrial, innovative and social aspects
The Committee reiterates that the ambitious challenges facing the EU make it not only desirable but also necessary to increase the size of the EU budget so as to revitalise economic growth and employment. Furthermore, it welcomes the moves to improve and simplify the structure of the EU budget, so as to substantially deflate the issues of fair return and horizontal fairness between the Member States, focusing instead on effectively achieving Europe's strategic objectives. The EU budget should be exemplary, efficient, effective and transparent, so that it gains credibility in the eyes of the European public.
