Evropski ekonomsko-socialni odbor
Mednarodno trgovino ureja kompleksna mešanica globalnih pravil, dogovorjenih v okviru Svetovne trgovinske organizacije ter dvostranskih in večstranskih sporazumov. Sporazumi o prosti trgovini vse bolj vplivajo na pravice državljanov. V skladu z Lizbonsko pogodbo je treba trgovinsko politiko EU izvajati v skladu z načeli in cilji zunanjega delovanja Unije, ki vključujejo spodbujanje pravne države, človekovih pravic in trajnostnega razvoja.
Po našem mnenju bi moral biti ta trend vodilno načelo trgovinskih pogajanj in odnosov EU. Člani EESO z usklajevanjem stališč in mnenj podjetij, delavcev, strokovnjakov, kmetov, potrošnikov in drugih pomembnih deležnikov prispevamo dejansko dodano vrednost. Tako lahko med pogajanji o trgovinskih sporazumih in pri njihovem izvajanju mednarodnim oblikovalce politike učinkovito seznanjamo s stališči civilne družbe in interesnih skupin. Ustanovili smo spremljevalni odbor za mednarodno trgovino, ki bo zagotavljal sodelovanje civilne družbe pri oblikovanju trgovinske politike EU. Upravljamo tudi notranje svetovalne skupine, ustanovljene v skladu s poglavjem o trgovini in trajnostnem razvoju v novi generaciji trgovinskih sporazumov EU. Te skupine, sestavljene iz predstavnikov civilne družbe (iz EESO in zunaj njega), so odgovorne za opredeljevanje težav, povezanih s trgovino in trajnostnim razvojem, pri izvajanju trgovinskega sporazuma.
"An open economy and open society are key enablers of European prosperity, wellbeing and way of life" states the Helsinki Declaration on Open Europe. The declaration was signed by the EESC Employers' Group, the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK and Finland Chamber of Commerce during the conference "An open Europe – How does it benefit us all?" on 9 October in Helsinki, Finland.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted at its March plenary session an opinion on the Joint Communication "Connecting Europe and Asia – Building blocks for an EU Strategy", issued by the European Commission and the EU High Representative in September 2018. The EESC considers it to be a seriously missed opportunity, with many significant strategic gaps, little ambition and no real depth of vision offered as to the development of EU's relationship and connectivity with Asia.
An effective solution for taxation of businesses in the digitalised economy should be found at the global level, to prevent further unilateral action and to ensure sustainable growth, investment, tax certainty and fairness, international tax experts and civil society representatives stated at a hearing held by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 29 January.
One year after the provisional entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), most small and medium-sized enterprises are doing well out of it. At a round table at the EESC on 4 October 2018, on the opportunities CETA gives small and medium-sized enterprises – "Opportunities arising from CETA for SMEs" – participants identified a number of initiatives companies could still take advantage of to ensure that all SMEs can benefit from the CETA. Although the agreement has been successful overall, there are some concerns about its implementation in certain sectors – such as dairy – and its ratification.
The Committee calls for a fair, consensus-based international solution at the OECD level which contributes to achieving fair taxation principles and fair revenues for small and large countries alike
The Section for External Relations of the European Economic and Social Committee discuss how to involve civil society with the EU Member States when ratifying trade agreements
Particular attention should be given to investment in sensitive areas such as infrastructure and key facilities, says the EESC
Brexit, the next EU budget and the future of the single market are the core interests of the European employers' organisations. On 14 March 2018, representatives of BusinessEurope, EuroChambres and CEEP presented the priorities of their organisations for 2018 and discussed the issues with the members of the employers' group.
The condition of the European economy, completing the Single Market, trade and Brexit – these are the top issues for European employers' organisations in the forthcoming months. On 29 March 2017, the Directors-General and Secretaries-General of BusinessEurope, EuroCommerce and Copa-Cogega presented their priorities and debated with the members of the EESC Employers' Group.
