On Europe Day, 9 May, the EU celebrates its achievements of unity and long-term peace, commemorating the signing of the Schuman Declaration in 1950. A month ahead of the European elections (from 6 to 9 June), citizens will have the opportunity to visit the EU institutions in Brussels and beyond, learning more about what Europe does for and with them. Citizens will be invited to participate in debates, live performances, gamesand other activities.
In an opinion adopted at its April plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) sounds the alarm on the EU's strategic autonomy, urging the EU to invest heavily in critical sectors such as energy, space and defence, or risk falling behind global competitors like the US and China.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) responds to the Commission proposal to develop a harmonised EU approach to company taxation, recommending improvements to minimise the burden on businesses and ensure global alignment.
The EESC President Röpke discussed the fight against disinformation with the Moldovan government, civil society, and local activist in Gagauzia, a region particularly affected by Russian disinformation. He also officially presented the EESC initiative to integrate the representatives of the EU candidate countries, including from Moldova, in the work of the Committee.
During today's signing ceremony, President Röpke stressed the importance of promoting social rights and inclusive policies in the EU and candidate countries through the European Pillar of Social Rights. A fair and equitable society requires commitment and investment, he said.
Employment in agriculture has been steadily declining over the last 15 years. The agri-food industry relies heavily on the contributions of seasonal and migrant workers to meet the demands of planting, harvesting, and processing crops. The current situation, best practices, opportunities, and the state of play of European policies on seasonal and migrant workers were discussed at a seminar organised by SafeHabitus and hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
In an opinion adopted at its March plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) underlines that wind power is a key component of the green transition, pointing out the need for expanded and modernised energy grids, socio-environmental criteria in auctions and comprehensive public participation.
In response to the European Commission's proposals for a comprehensive forest monitoring framework, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has issued an opinion which includes cautious welcomes, recommendations, and calls for further review. The EESC emphasizes the need for sustainability, inclusivity, and respect for property rights in the proposed forest data system, while also urging attention to technical limitations and judicial considerations.
The European Economic and Social Commitee (EESC) organized a parallel session on Food Democracy during the Open Food Conference held in Leuven from the 11th to the 13th of March 2024, in the context of Belgium's presidency of the Council of the EU.
