It is vital to foster economic growth; only if Europe has a strong economy, can it better face the political and social challenges that stand before it. This was one of the main messages of the EESC opinions adopted yesterday in Brussels. The EESC calls for more investment– both private and public – directly in the countries that need it most. The EU body representing Civil Society also finds that the Juncker plan is not enough ...
On 7th February, as we mark the 25th anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty, the European Economic and Social Committee turns to political leaders, the European civil society organisations which we represent, and all European citizens, with a call: the call for social and economic solidarity, which is urgently needed across Europe. 25 years ago, Europe was in turmoil: the aftermath of the Cold War; the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany; the path of Eastern European countries to democracy, all shaped the zeitgeist. Yet, on this momentous day in 1992, the 12 nations of the European Communities signed this European Treaty, thus creating the European Union as we know it and its greatest achievement, the single currency. Today, the geo-political landscape ...
There is no viable alternative to a more political Eurozone, focusing more on the big priorities that matter for its citizens than on specific numerical targets and technical issues. Once again, the EESC calls on the European political leaders to accelerate the process of deepening Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in order to ensure more convergence among the Member States and to make the EU as a whole more prosperous, competitive and resilient to external shocks, within a concept of shared sovereignty. These were among the main messages of the high-level debate on What future for the euro ...
Last week the Council of Ministers decided to extend the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI 2.0), with an additional half a trillion euros of investments by 2020. The EESC Plenary today called for its immediate implementation, a geographically balanced coverage across the EU and ensuring the involvement of private capital. According to Alberto Mazzola, EESC rapporteur on EFSI: "We propose, while guaranteeing the proper use, an ever greater involvement of private capital: the bond market ...
"If we are unable to deliver social and economic upward convergence, the future of Europe is at risk” said the President of the EESC’s Workers’ Group, Gabriele Bischoff, opening a two-day meeting in Bratislava on 12-13 October on the theme "A Europe that works for workers - fair mobility and strong labour rights”. The Workers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee held the important debate in Slovakia, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke ...
Transition to a circular economy is a must if we are to protect our planet, but also if we are to increase the competitiveness of European industry. This is a long-term process that will require numerous initiatives at European, national and regional level. Companies see the circular economy as an opportunity. "Going green" is beneficial not only for the environment, but also for businesses, providing real savings in terms of raw materials, water and energy. Apart from its environmental and economic benefits, the circular economy also has social advantages, providing new jobs and new business models. These are some of the conclusions emerging from the conference entitled "Sustainable industry in the Context of Circular Economy", which took place on 13 September in Kosice, Slovakia.
When the international economic and financial crisis struck, it exposed the structural limitations and contradictions in EMU, depriving the euro of its propensity to attract. The crisis proves that it takes much more than a set of "accountancy" rules such as the stability pact and others, because the underlying problems are not technical but economic and political. Some progress has been made in the past few years by putting in place new rules and mechanisms, notably parts of a Banking Union, but the construction works are far from being completed yet, which contributes to the persisting climate of uncertainty among citizens and business, and hinders the growth potential of the European economy ...
The EESC President, Georges Dassis, participated in the 2016 edition of the 'Spotlight on Jobs' conference, dedicated to labour issues. The event addressed various thematic issues, such as the reform of the labour market, the new role of trade unions, immigration, and innovation. He emphasised the ...
EESC conference with the upcoming Slovak Presidency, 14th June in Bratislava
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised a conference in cooperation with the future Slovak Presidency of the EU Council and the active participation of the Slovak EESC Members, in Bratislava on 14th June 2016. The speakers included:
Georges Dassis, EESC President
Ján Richter, Slovak Minister for Labour, Social Affairs and the Family
Ivan Korčok, Ministre délégué for the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the EU
Mikuláš Luptáčik, Dean of the Faculty of national economy at the University of Economics in Bratislava
Denis Meynent, EESC Member, part of the study group "Changing employment relations"
The EESC organised a conference in cooperation with the future Slovak Presidency of the EU Council and the active participation of the Slovak EESC Members, in Bratislava on 14th June 2016. Held in the context of a meeting of the EESC bureau, the conference aimed to launch a close cooperation between the EESC and the Slovak Presidency of the EU Council. The topic "Impact of technological change on the social security system and labour law" was requested by the Presidency, indicating its focus, among others, on the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Slovak Minister, Ján Richter said ...
