welcomes the European Commission’s ambition to establish a ‘fifth freedom’, which must include mechanisms to counter disinformation and pseudoscience, build trust in scientific institutions, and promote ‘knowledge literacy’;
calls on the Commission to pursue measures and incentives addressing the challenges linked to scale-ups of firms, of cross-border mobility of people and accessibility of funds and investments;
underlines the importance of a 3% GDP national spending target for research & innovation (R&I), asking for an additional 1% for preparedness and dual-use research. To initiate a breakthrough, the EESC calls for national R&I investments to be decoupled from deficit rules until the 3% spending target is met. In addition, other funds (e.g. cohesion) should be increasingly used and aligned with R&I activities.
Calls for a coordinated EU strategy on the cost-of-living crisis, combining long-term reforms and immediate support for vulnerable groups. This includes fairer taxation, better social protection, green and digital transitions, and greater access to affordable housing.
Stresses the need for strong, inclusive economic structures, including quality public services, a robust industrial base, and fair labour markets. It supports affordable SGIs, SME support, quality jobs, and the role of education, training, and dialogue in boosting resilience.
Urges action to ease structural cost pressures, with reforms to energy markets and taxation, reduced fossil fuel subsidies, lighter administrative burdens, and stronger investment in infrastructure and essential services, backed by sustainable public finances.
Urges the EU to make affordable housing a strategic priority in cohesion policy beyond 2027, stressing its importance for economic competitiveness, labour mobility and regional cohesion.
Calls for a comprehensive EU framework on affordable housing, backed by greater investment, innovative financial instruments, and coordinated action involving local authorities, civil society and the EIB.
Recommends adapting EU rules, including State aid and SGEI definitions, and exempting housing investments from debt calculations under the Stability and Growth Pact, while linking housing policy to climate goals, labour market needs and social rights.
underscores the strategic importance of a high-quality, inclusive education and a skilled workforce for Europe’s competitiveness, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Addressing current challenges requires bold, systemic reforms and investment in inclusive, high-quality education and training systems;
stresses that the success of the Union of skills depends on effective and cooperative governance, adequate financing, and inclusive representation of social partners, national authorities and other stakeholders, including civil society organisations, teachers and learners
Believes the APS should be intersectional and gender-responsive, based on a multidimensional definition of poverty
Recommends setting ambitious, measurable targets, including the eradication of extreme poverty, and framing poverty as a violation of fundamental rights
believes that institutionalising civil and social dialogue accelerates the integration of candidate countries into the European social model, based on the representativeness and diversity of the social partners and civil society organisations, and their involvement in public decision-making;
notes that National Economic and Social Councils and other forms of institutionalised civil and social dialogue contribute significantly to strengthening the model of governance and participatory democracy. Hence, in states where they do not exist, the establishment of Economic and Social Councils will strengthen the role and place of social partners and civil society organisations in the consultation and partnership relationship with the governments of candidate and partner countries.
believes that the EU must strengthen its diplomatic and institutional responses to address the impacts of climate on peace and stability, especially in the new geopolitical order;
recommends that EU should invest in multilateralism and continue to lead globally in the call for climate action, especially considering the withdrawal of the United States from any reasonable responsibility on this issue;
believes that a renewed diplomatic strategy must be rooted in three key principles: integrating climate considerations into conflict prevention, strengthening multilateral cooperation and Investing in Green Development as a Peace Mechanism.
believes the EU must work towards a common defence policy within the broader framework of its foreign and security policy and establish a strong European Defence Pillar. To this end, the necessary legislative and financial measures must be taken urgently;
Calls for greater support for SMEs and closer collaboration with research institutions to meet defence needs and safeguard strategic autonomy;
stresses the importance of expanding international defence cooperation, particularly with key global partners, to enhance Europe’s security stance.
provides guidance for an ambitious TCA review, recommending integral roles for EU and UK DAGs due to their practical insights and experience of the agreement's impacts;
calls for an enhanced regulatory cooperation on non-tariff barriers which will provide the biggest opportunity to improve the bilateral trade relations – closer alignment of regulatory systems reduces frictions and yields considerable benefits;
calls for mutual recognition of standards and improved mobility for services to reduce border friction, lower trading costs, and boost fair market access, growth and job creation on both sides;
insists on a ‘future-proof TCA’ by incorporating the youth perspective, progressively removing barriers to seizing new opportunities.
