In the run-up to the EU-Western Balkans Summit, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) met with Montenegrin civil society on 7 December 2023 to take stock of the country's accession progress, and in particular its public administration reform. The participants raised concerns about the weakening capacity of the country's public administration to respond to the growing demands of the EU agenda. However, with the new government, there is a window of opportunity for the necessary reforms to move forward in the accession negotiations.
Sektionen för yttre förbindelser (REX) - Related News
Pages
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held the 9th edition of the Western Balkans Civil Society Forum on 19-20 October 2023, just a few weeks ahead of the European Commission's Enlargement Package and the New Growth Plan. The Forum signalled a renewed momentum for the region to join the EU, in view of the current geopolitical situation and a clear commitment of EU leaders to the enlargement policy.
On 17 October the EESC'S External Relations Section (REX) held a debate on the impact of the climate crisis on gender equality. Gender inequality linked to the climate crisis is one of today's greatest challenges. The European Union and United Nations Women, the biggest players in international community, should continue to work together on this issue.
Statement by the members of the EESC Euromed Follow-up Committee participating in the EESC-Spanish ESC conference on "Climate change and migration in the Mediterranean" in Alicante on 11 October 2023.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) calls for more joint actions on EU Maritime Security Strategy and its Action Plan which aim at preserving EU sovereignty, security and competitiveness. The Committee supports the EU-NATO cooperation on maritime security and signals the importance of firm engagement with international partners to collectively tackle people smuggling and human trafficking.
Members of the EU-Armenia Civil Society Platform (CSP), established under the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, condemn in the strongest possible terms, the heavy artillery shelling along the line of contact of Nagorno Karabagh launched by Azerbaijani armed forces on 19 September 2023.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a public hearing to deliver suggestions on how to make EU climate diplomacy more effective. The participants discussed whether the EU should reconsider its approach towards climate diplomacy and identified ways to facilitate climate action and better coordination of related policies at all levels (European, national, regional and local).
On 12 June, the EESC launched its first event on fighting disinformation, kick-starting an awareness-raising campaign ahead of the European Parliament elections in 2024. The event, which gathered prominent figures from the civil society, media and youth organisations, highlighted the need for a more bottom-up approach with a strong civil society network countering disinformation on the ground.
We are deeply concerned about the recent developments in Serbia where Mr Savković, the Co-chair of the EU-Serbia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), was detained by the Serbian authorities following peaceful protests in Belgrade....
At its March plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva, president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Ambassador Stoeva strongly supported the key role civil society must play in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 177