Evropski ekonomsko-socialni odbor
EU in Združeno kraljestvo sta po dolgih in zapletenih pogajanjih 24. decembra 2020 uspešno sklenila sporazum o trgovini in sodelovanju, ki se je od 1. januarja 2021 uporabljal začasno, dokler nista Svet in Evropski parlament zaključila postopka ratifikacije. Podobno kot v drugih nedavno sprejetih sporazumih o prosti trgovini so tudi v tem sporazumu posebne določbe, ki se nanašajo na dialog s civilno družbo. EESO, ki je ključni akter tega dialoga, je zato sprejel odločitev o institucionalni obliki negovanja odnosov z Združenim kraljestvom in njegovo civilno družbo (podjetji, sindikati in drugimi organizacijami) ter o organu za spremljanje sporazuma o trgovini in sodelovanju.
Ta nova ureditev, prilagojena ne le sklenjenemu sporazumu in novim odnosom med EU in Združenim kraljestvom, temveč tudi nedavnemu institucionalnemu razvoju v Evropski komisiji, vključuje:
Prihodnje odnose med partnerjema zdaj torej ureja pomemben in celovit sporazum o partnerstvu, zato se EESO zavezuje, da bo prispeval k čim boljšemu izkoriščanju potenciala tega sporazuma, zlasti v odnosu do civilne družbe Združenega kraljestva. EESO je odločen, da bo tudi po brexitu vzdrževal tesne stike s civilno družbo Združenega kraljestva, spodbujal dialog in izmenjavo ter organizacije civilne družbe vključil v proces sprejemanja odločitev na socialnem področju. Tako bo zavaroval močne gospodarske, socialne in politične vezi, ki so se razvile v pol stoletja članstva Združenega kraljestva v EU.
The 6th meeting of the EU DAG set up under the EU-UK TCA featured the participation of the UK DAG Chair, Mr. Sean McGuire, to discuss the recent Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland, the situation of both DAGs and future joint steps. A DG TRADE representative presented and discussed with members the technical aspects of Level Playing Field provisions.
Following the adoption of the EESC Information Report on the Implementation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the Committee is now promoting and giving it a reinforced follow-up using various communication channels, considering the relevance and the perfect timing of the subjects covered in the report.
The 5th meeting of the EU DAG set up under the EU-UK TCA was dedicated to the assessment of the first year of DAG work -including the recent EU-UK Civil Society Forum, to an update on the Trade Specialised Committees and to a structured discussion of selected issues and recommendations with a DG TRADE representative.
The upcoming meeting of the Section for External Relations, which will take place on 20 December 2022, will be dedicated to EU-UK relations. The EU-UK Follow-up Committee was set up in March 2021 primarily to maintain and strengthen relations between UK and EU civil society organisations, and to monitor implementation of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement.
At this 4th meeting of the EU DAG set up under the TCA, the discussion focused on practical aspects as well as the preparations for the 1st DAG-to-DAG meeting (joint meeting of the EU and UK DAGs) and the 1st Civil Society Forum, that took place on October 3rd and 4th respectively.
