Comité Económico e Social Europeu
The Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference will bring together EESC members, civil society representatives from the countries of the Western Balkans, as well as Czech officials and members of organised civil society. The conference will complement the work the EESC has already been undertaking by organising the Western Balkans Civil Society Forum every two years since 2006.
The main topics on the agenda:
The Section for External Relations of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising the Conference on relief and reconstruction of Ukraine and its European perspectiveon 19 July (9:30 to 17:30) in Kraków.
The 2nd meeting of the All DAGs (Domestic Advisory Groups) takes place on 12 July 10 a.m. in a Hybrid format at the EESC premises (room JDE52). This is very timely following the recent adoption of the European Commission Communication on the Trade and Sustainable Development Review (TSD). This meeting will look at the state of play and future of the Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) under the EU Free Trade Agreements, as well as the important role of trade and sustainability in promoting fair and inclusive growth worldwide and resilient supply chains.
DAG-to-DAG meetings allow civil society organisations – members of DAGs that are regularly involved in monitoring exercises under the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter of an agreement – to come together and exchange views on implementation issues. In this DAG-to-DAG meeting under the EU-Japan EPA, participants from both sides will discuss industry prospects for delivering inclusive economic growth, the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, and the ratification and implementation of the ILO Conventions. They will also discuss prospects for future cooperation.
The 9th meeting of the EU-Georgia Civil Society Platform (CSP) was convened on 28 June 2022 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
During the meeting, an exchange with Georgian and EU authorities was held to assess the European perspective of Georgia and the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement/DCFTA. Furthermore, the participants discussed the economic and social impact of the war in Ukraine on Georgia and the EU, the role of civil society in the post-war recovery and human rights in the face of war and crisis. A joint declaration, prepared by both sides, was discussed and adopted.
Being the first in-person meeting since the irruption of COVID-19 pandemic, Delegates from Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific and EESC Members are gathering in the context of the pending signature of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
The EU DAG received an update from DG Trade on the implementation of the TSD Chapter and the follow-up of the recommendations of the Panel of Experts. The EU DAG members also discussed the elaboration of a desk study as well as the preparation of the upcoming joint meetings with the Korean counterparts to take place this autumn. Other items on the agenda were the update of the Rules of Procedure of the DAG and the preparation of the next All DAGs' meeting.
The European Union (EU) and Morocco are bound by an association agreement signed in 1996, which entered into force in 2000. In October 2008, Morocco was granted an "Advanced Status" by the EU.
The Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions aims at promoting greater understanding of the main issues affecting organised civil society in the Mediterranean region and discussing the common challenges they face.
The 9th meeting of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform took place on 24 May 2022. During the meeting, a debate focused on assessing the state of play of the implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. The Platform also discussed the application of Moldova for the status of EU membership candidate.
