Download — Opinia EKES-u: Financial aid for Member States and countries still negotiating the terms of their accession to the EU which are seriously affected by a major public health emergency
This additional opinion complements and updates the proposals made in the yearly EESC AGS opinion. The EESC welcomes country-specific recommendations focus on investment and underlines that special attention must be paid to productive investments and investment in social infrastructure to prioritise sustainable growth. Next year's cycle should contain more CSRs to combat the existential threat of climate change. Investment would also be needed to enable the implementation of the social pillar to prevent an increase of social, economic, and environmental inequality. Taxation should favour this type of investment.
The absence of economic and social convergence among Member States and regions is a threat to the political sustainability of the European project and all the benefits it has brought to European citizens. Developing economic and labour market resilience with economic, social, environmental and institutional sustainability should be the principle guiding policies. This will foster upwards convergence and fairness in the transition towards a climate-neutral economy while managing the challenges posed by digitalisation and demographic change.
Civil Society Days 2019 - Workshop 6 Economy and democracy labour market resilient and sustainable pathway
Although considerable progress has already been made towards completing EMU, there is still a need to significantly reinforce all four of its pillars, taking care to maintain the balance between them, as neglecting one or more of these pillars could result in dangerous disparities. Resilience to crises is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for completing EMU: it also requires a positive vision, as set out in Article 3 of the EU Treaty. The EESC generally calls on the European institutions and national governments to take much more ambitious action in the context of EMU reform in order to achieve a more integrated, more democratic and socially better developed Union.
Download — Opinia EKES-u: A new vision for completing the Economic and Monetary Union (own initiative opinion)
Addressing immediate and long-term challenges, properly implementing existing EU policies and strengthening EU values are some of the priorities proposed by civil society organisations for the new mandate, along with structured civil dialogue and a strong social agenda.
As part of the preparation of the EESC opinion on an EU Strategy for Islands, the European Economic and Social Committee, in cooperation with INSULEUR, will hold a public hearing in Syros, at the heart of the Cyclades. The hearing aims to bring together local and regional authorities, organised civil society, businesses, academia and citizens to exchange views on both the challenges and the untapped opportunities facing Europe's islands. Beyond discussing issues such as connectivity, demographic change, access to services and climate resilience, the event will highlight the unique assets of islands like Syros, including their strategic location, cultural heritage, blue economy potential, innovation capacity, renewable energy opportunities and sustainable tourism. The insights gathered will contribute directly to the EESC opinion by ensuring that the voices, experiences and aspirations of island communities are reflected in future EU policies and in the implementation of the first European Strategy for Islands which was adopted in June 2026.
As Europe seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in an increasingly fragmented global economy, the challenge is not only to boost productivity and innovation, but also to preserve the foundations of its social market economy. This high-level conference will examine how the EU can mobilise savings and investment, maintain sustainable public finances, and deepen Economic and Monetary Union to support long-term growth, resilience and convergence.
rue Belliard 101, Jacques Delors building, room JDE 63, 9:30-11:00
Brussels
Belgium
EESC, room JDE 63, 9:30-11:00
The policy debate brings together stakeholders to assess how National and Regional and Partnership Plans will work in practice. In a workshop setting connected to the European Economic and Social Committee, participants from civil society, social partners and institutions will exchange perspectives on transparency, inclusiveness and impact. The discussion aims to highlight gaps, share best practices and strengthen the role of organised civil society in shaping and monitoring the implementation of NRPPs in the EU.
