Comité Económico e Social Europeu
In an opinion debated and adopted in plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee renewed its request for reform of the European Semester. The opinion, which draws on a recent consultation undertaken in 23 different Member States, calls for an EU regulation to make civil society involvement in the cycle mandatory.
On 23 March, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted two opinions on the Commission's latest proposals to further develop the EU's Capital Markets Union. Regarding the Listing Act, the Committee recommends that the full listing documentation be published in the national languages to empower local retail investors and help the development of a national retail investment base.
At its plenary session on 24 February, the EESC adopted an opinion on the Commission's Communication outlining orientations for a reform of the economic governance framework. While the EESC agrees on the need for a swift agreement ahead of the Member States' budgetary processes for 2024, it also stresses that many details are yet to be finalised.
In an opinion adopted on 23 February, the EESC commented on the Commission's Communication on the 2023 Annual Sustainable Growth Survey, which outlines the economic and employment policy priorities for the EU for the coming 12 to 18 months.
In an opinion adopted at its January plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) states that nobody should be left behind and that it is essential to step up the coordination of national fiscal policies with the monetary policy of the European Central Bank.
The European Economic and Social Committee held a plenary debate on the role of finance and public recovery policies in promoting gender equality and the economic empowerment of women in the EU. The discussion was linked to the adoption of two opinions: one on a gender-based approach to budgeting and investing and the other on how Member States can improve the way in which the direct and indirect measures proposed in their Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs) affect gender equality.
The EESC held a debate on gender-based investments in the Member States' national Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs). Following on from the European Gender Equality Week, the event gathered policy-makers, experts from organised civil society and academia to discuss, among other things, how EU countries can improve the impact of the measures proposed in their RRPs on gender equality during implementation and monitoring.
In two newly adopted opinions, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) gives updated views on the Commission's Annual Sustainable Growth Survey 2022, which outlines the upcoming economic and employment policy priorities for the EU, as well as on the Recommendations on euro area economic policy for 2022. The EESC calls for a balanced approach that does not jeopardise the EU's social and environmental goals.
In an own-initiative opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) recommends promoting the use of hybrid debt to fund SMEs. This would diversify funding sources and reduce reliance on bank loans, while encouraging investment and supporting the Capital Markets Union.
In this own-initiative opinion approved during its October plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) supports the European Central Bank (ECB) in its assessment of the risks and benefits of introducing a digital euro. The EESC believes the adoption of a digital euro will benefit everyone in the euro area by making payment transactions quicker and more efficient, but financial and digital inclusiveness will be crucial for its potential roll-out. The EESC will continue to follow the work of the ECB as it considers the design of a possible digital euro.
