Europeiska ekonomiska och sociala kommittén
"EMU, which is substantially more than what is being discussed on the table now, is indispensable to re-create confidence in the European project. Only its completion and full implementation will encourage investments and boost growth and jobs."
Joost van Iersel, co-rapporteur on ‘Completing EMU – The next European legislature’
Although the role of SMEs in the EU economy is crucial and their well-being should be a priority for European policy-makers, they struggle with access to finance especially in the countries severely hit by the crisis. The Greek experience might and should be taken as a case study and lead to conclusions on how to improve the system for the future.
The European Economic and Social Committee is staking its claim to be a committed partner for the Italian presidency of the European Union, thus giving a voice to civil society organisations throughout the next six-month period. It has been asked by the presidency to carry out a mid-term evaluation of the Europe 2020 strategy, which it will present at a high-level conference in Rome in December 2014. This partnership will form a strategic platform for promoting the role of citizens as a driving force for change in Europe…
The 2014 edition of the Your Europe, Your Say event by the European Economic and Social Committee brought groups of 16 and 17 year-olds from all 28 Member States to Brussels. Their main objective was to set five priorities for what Europe should do to become a better place and be more relevant to its citizens.
Throughout a substantial number of opinions, the Strasbourg event, and the Social Entrepreneurship project, the EESC is actively involved in the Social Entrepreneurship field. As a result of this project currently undertaken by the EESC, policy directions and concrete actions will be forwarded to the new Commission and Parliament at the fall of 2014.
At its 498th plenary session, the EESC adopted its "Action Plan for Europe" (142 votes in favour, 96 against and 12 abstentions). The tangible steps and proposals contained in the action plan are based on three pillars which address the shortcomings of the European Union as it currently operates: an economic Union, a social Union, and a democratic and civic Union.
The European Economic and Social Committee will be welcoming four European writers from Greece, Belgium and Bulgaria with two points in common: their passion for travelling and a strong interest in culture, arts and social change.
After each reading the writers will be glad to answer all your questions and, weather permitting, the literary lunches will take place from 12.30 until 2 p.m. on the terrace of the Jacques Delors building, where you are invited to enjoy a lunch.
The pilot study on "The workings of the Services Directive in the construction sector" carried out by the Single Market Observatory (SMO) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) was presented at the EESC Plenary on 30 April 2014.
The report in all languages, a short video presentation by Mr Siecker, president of the Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption (INT), the preliminary evaluation of the replies to the questionnaire and the staff working paper are available on our website:
On 28 May, the EPTA project team will hold its final conference entitled “Public Transport Authority – a key factor leading to transport sustainability. Lessons learnt, impacts, and commitments“. The conference will be co-organized with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The programme includes a morning session focusing on experience and lessons from the work during the EPTA project and from participating EPTA cities.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is extremely honoured to be celebrating the centenary of the birth of the renowned Bulgarian opera singer, Boris Christoff, in association with Bulgaria’s Minister of Culture, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union and UNESCO.
