Strengthening SMEs' competitiveness in the EU, especially vis-à-vis companies from outside Europe, is not possible without reducing excessive regulatory burdens, including the reduction of reporting obligations. The problem of overregulation of EU law, especially in comparison with other parts of the world, has been repeatedly pointed out by organisations representing European entrepreneurs. The opinion aims at identifying the reasons for introducing excessive regulatory burdens in EU law and the areas that restrain SMEs' competitiveness the most. The opinion analyses the impact of the new sustainability reporting obligations (both those already introduced and those planned) on the SMEs' competitiveness, by indicating the actual benefits of this process.
Download — Parecer do CESE: The competitiveness of the EU’s small and medium-sized enterprises in light of new administrative burdens/obligations
In view of Europe's current security challenges, in particular with the armed conflict caused by Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, defence funding places a significant burden on the budgets of many EU Member States, worsening their fiscal position.
At the same time, the resources that Member States are currently able to allocate to the development of defence capabilities still seem to be insufficient.
As Europe needs to develop defence capabilities in a more integrated way, there is a need to significantly increase investment in European defence infrastructure and technological innovation to improve preparedness to respond to threats.
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The EESC welcomes the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC9) and points out that legal certainty and clarity for multinational corporations and tax administrations can only be ensured by creating a single set of uniform rules applicable to all Member States. The Committee deems it crucial that information collected under DAC9 be used only and exclusively as intended by the Commission proposal and not for other purposes.
Download — Parecer do CESE: Administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC9)
A comprehensive approach is needed to revive EU competitiveness, requiring a reconsideration of the regulatory framework. Competition policy, particularly market definition, is sometimes criticized for hindering European companies' growth.
Download — Parecer do CESE: A competition policy at the heart of EU’s competitiveness
This subject of this own-initiative opinion is multidimensional, requiring from the opinion to address a wide spectrum of subtopics, while having a clear and logical thread.
Download — Parecer do CESE: Water Politics: Empowering Youth, Women, and Indigenous and Local Communities
Securitisation is the process of transforming a batch of debts into a marketable security, that is backed by the original debts. This process can increase the availability of credit, increasing investment and supporting economic growth in a way that increases competitiveness and improves labour market.
This own-initiative opinion will present a thorough description of the challenges and opportunities that come with securitisation, and provide concrete policy proposals for a possible future revision of the securitisation regulation.
Download — Parecer do CESE: Review of the legal framework for securitisation in the EU
