Európsky hospodársky a sociálny výbor
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the proposed EU Action Plan on Synergies between the civil, defence and space industries. The Action plan can enhance Europe's strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty, improve the security of citizens and boost competitiveness, economic growth and employment. Therefore, the EESC calls for rapid, forceful and ambitious implementation of the 11 actions set out in the Plan.
The new trade strategy launched by the Commission in February brings engaging principles to the table that will support the EU in achieving its domestic and external policy objectives. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes this trade strategy as a way of improving market access and levelling the playing field. Alongside this, the modernisation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be the key to delivering for future generations.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) points out that efficient and sustainable multimodal transport and logistics can become a reality only by dealing with the problems that make them more expensive, slower and less reliable than unimodal road transport. Merely introducing a new regulatory framework on the subject or injecting additional funding will not help.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) opinion on structured youth engagement on climate and sustainability in the EU decision-making process is gaining momentum. When adopted in September 2020, it proposed, among other recommendations, the establishment of a Youth Climate and Sustainability Round Table, to be hosted by the EESC in conjunction with the European Commission, European Parliament and youth organisations.
According to the EESC, the Commission's Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights is both timely and necessary to thwart the threat of inequalities deepening across Europe in the aftermath of the pandemic.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hails the new EU Disability Rights Strategy as a step forward in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Strategy has taken on board many of the suggestions proposed by the EESC, the European disability movement and civil society. The proposals include full harmonisation of the new agenda and strengthened EU-level supervision of its application. The EESC is, however, concerned about the watering down of the binding measures and hard law implementing the Strategy.
People should enjoy the local rate when using their mobile phones wherever they are in the EU, said the European Economic and Social Committee in a recently adopted opinion on a proposed overhaul of the EU roaming rules.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) says that effective funding and solid risk management are essential when raising funds on capital markets, highlighting that the Commission has to manage the borrowing strategy directly and recommending an advisory board where civil society organisations are also represented.
Highlights of the July plenary • 7 July : Tim Jackson, Fabrice Murtin, Sandrine Dixson and James Watson : A post-Covid economy that works for all - Towards a well-being economy? • 7 July : Jayant Narayan, World Economic Forum's Global AI Action Alliance • 8 July : Anže Logar : Priorities of the incoming Slovenian presidency of the EU.
At the expert round table organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), participants point out that Europeans will see a real benefit from combining different means of air, sea and land transport only if they are reliable, flexible and not expensive.
