Kumitat Ekonomiku u Socjali Ewropew
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a conference on the prospects for the European economy in times of crisis. The event gathered high-level policy-makers, civil society representatives and economic researchers to see how the EU can tackle new dilemmas posed by low-growth prospects and record-high levels of inflation. All agreed that the war in Ukraine has only aggravated trends that have been going on for years.
In an own-initiative opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) proposes creating a Climate Adjustment Fund (CAF) to ensure a rapid response to new climate and energy crises. The CAF would complement existing EU policies and ensure more effective use of existing funding.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) calls on the European Commission to publish an overdue report to consider extending the EU's sustainability taxonomy's scope to social objectives.
Il-Kumitat Ekonomiku u Soċjali Ewropew jappoġġja żieda fir-regolamentazzjoni tal-kriptoassi, b’regoli robusti u koerenti biex l-investituri fl-UE jiġu protetti aħjar, f’konformità mal-miżuri attwali applikati għas-servizzi finanzjarji tradizzjonali.
The EESC held a debate in plenary on the growing importance of organised civil society and cities in Europe's ability to face asymmetric shocks and unforeseen crises. This was linked to the adoption of two opinions, on Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE) and on the Ljubljana Agreement on the Urban Agenda of the EU. The Committee welcomes both initiatives, but finds they miss the bar in terms of properly empowering and involving organised civil society.
How should wages and company profits be taxed in a way that answers the needs of today's work environment? In an opinion adopted during its July plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee takes up this challenge, while welcoming and encouraging the rise of teleworking.
In an exploratory opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) insists on the importance of coordinated European legislation establishing tax rates for digital service companies. This will ensure a growth-friendly business environment and benefit the internal market, while avoiding the gaps that separate national initiatives would create.
A resilient, sustainable and inclusive Europe is only possible if organised civil society is systematically involved in both national recovery plans and the Commission's new REPowerEU strategy. During its annual conference in June, the European Semester Group (ESG) renewed its call for a regulation or directive to ensure civil society participation, and proposed a permanent and common investment financing mechanism to enhance crisis preparedness and response capacity.
Cohesion policy is key to overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and to reducing disparities in Europe. Its most serious challenge for the foreseeable future, however, is the war in Ukraine, the EESC cautions in a recent opinion. Rapid action is needed to help refugees and ensure the country's European integration.
The European Economic and Social Committee is calling on the European Commission to carry out more targeted impact assessments of its proposals for new EU budget funding sources to repay NextGenerationEU debt. The EESC generally agrees with the proposed EU "own resources" revenues for the budget. However, they need to be stable and fair – and should not burden households or businesses.
