20/09/2018
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EESC President
19/09/2018
Today, the EESC has adopted, with an overwhelming majority (140 votes for, 3 votes against and 7 abstentions) its opinion on the Multiannual Financial Framework, proposed by the Commission on 2 May. With less than 8 months to go before the European elections, this file is a crucial one as it measures the scale of our ambition for the future of our European Union.
12/09/2018
I salute President Jean-Claude Juncker for today's State of the Union in the European Parliament. At the start of a difficult period, culminating with Brexit and the European elections of 23-26 May, the European Commission President has shown that it is essential for pro-Europeans to speak out, loudly and strongly, shouting that Europe is worth fighting for. His speech was not a farewell, despite being his last State of the Union address, but a comprehensive programme for the year ahead. There is no time to waste.
25/07/2018
On behalf of the Members of the European Economic and Social Committee we would like to assure the people of Greece of our full solidarity.
Our deep thoughts go to the victims and the families who are mourning their losses in that tragedy.
We strongly call on the European Union to implement all possible mechanisms to support the Greek government in responding to this natural disaster.
16/07/2018
The European Union has already seen the dire consequences of those policies in the past, and has learned its lessons. We ought to be careful not to respond to aggressive behaviour with aggressive behaviour. That is what I told reporter Lee Jeong-ho from the South China Morning Post in an interview ahead of the 20th EU-China Summit in Beijing.
29/06/2018
Today’s early-morning agreement of the European Council on migration is a step forward to build a stronger future of Europe. We have avoided the worse, now it’s time to walk the walk.
Despite a very tense debate on migration, EU leaders put on the same level not only the effective control of EU’s external borders, but also an "increased external action and the internal aspects, in line with our principles and values.”
27/06/2018
Last week will remain engraved in our memories. TV channels around the world broadcast images of children separated from their parents at Texas borders and here in Europe the conflict over migrants and refugees has reached the highest possible level of confrontation. Have we lost our humanity? Have we forgotten our values?
20/06/2018
Millions are fleeing war or persecution worldwide. As we commemorate their strength and courage on World Refugee Day, we try to be calm quoting the record high number of 68.5 million displaced people - 3 million higher than the total population of the UK - 25.4 million refugees, 40 million internally displaced and 3.1 million asylum seekers.
19/06/2018
"It is not an easy task to deal with digitalisation in a way that all the layers of the society reap an equal benefit," underlined in his opening speech the President of the European Economic and Social Committee Luca Jahier. "Precisely therefore we, at the European Economic and Social Committee, promote the idea of ‘digital justice’ - we want that no-one is left behind from the digital revolution."
11/06/2018
We are here today in Krakow, to try to talk freely about our history, our cultures and our expectations for the future of the European Union. I hope these exchanges, along with other points on our rich agenda in Poland, will inspire us for the discussions on the EESC role in the Future of Europe debate which we will have in the afternoon. We have planned our stay in Krakow in a way to be able to gain a different perspective on the European debate, to enrich it with a Central European flavour.
06/06/2018
Congratulations to Vice-President Jyrki Katainen for the new Commission's proposal on the InvestEU Programme adopted today. This much-needed instrument builds on the Juncker Plan, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and efficiently addresses the issue of social investments.
24/05/2018
The responses to the multiple crises that the European Union has been confronted with have increasingly led European citizens to become disenchanted not only with the European Union itself but also with democratic institutions in general – both at the European and national level. There is a serious risk of EU citizens no longer seeing the added value of the EU for their living and working conditions as well as for their future perspectives and those of their children and for losing a common sense of belonging.
24/05/2018
Anniversaries are a time for celebration. For togetherness and joy. A moment to pause, to look back and take stock of achievements which will drive our future. We are here to dare the future of Europe.
17/05/2018
The subject of Culture is close to my heart– it is one of the four priorities of my presidency alongside peace, sustainable development and youth. These are the pillars of the new European Renaissance we must urgently strive for.
Culture is not only a driver of economic growth and social cohesion, it has been one of the drivers of European identity for many centuries.
15/05/2018
The EESC is hosting today its first high-level conference to discuss the proposal for the next “Multiannual Financial Framework” (MFF), covering the period 2021-2027, on the basis of the European Commission's proposal of 2 May. We are only at the beginning of a process, with the ball now being with the Council and the European Parliament that will, hopefully, in early 2019, adopt an MFF that will allow the EU to move forward. The EESC will thoroughly analyse the Commission´s proposals and will draw up an opinion on this important package by September.
14/05/2018
The European Union and the Western Balkans have a shared interest in working more closely together to guarantee all our citizens economic and social development, as well as security. The future of the region is a European future. The EU and the Western Balkans economies have benefited from closer integration as trade doubled in the last 10 years. The EU is today the first trading partner of the region, the biggest investor and the most credible and reliable political and geostrategic partner.
05/05/2018
It is clear that our Union, this unique model of democratic exchange, collaboration and compromise, allowing for the longest period of peace in the history of Europe, is facing numerous challenges. We must get to work now, before it is too late. Our democratic system, our Europe is worth the fight. It may be challenging, sometimes frustrating - as we human beings are - but I am convinced that it is the best that we can imagine.
18/04/2018
In an inspiring speech, delivered on 18 April at the EESC plenary, which marked the end of the presidency of Georges Dassis and welcomed the new presidency of Mr Jahier, the new president set out the four priorities of his programme: sustainable development, promotion of peace, strengthening the role of culture and giving a voice to Europe’s young people.
Vídeos
Dare to dream the Europe of tomorrow
16/04/2018
4:05 min
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