Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 – 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel – BELGIQUE/BELGIË
Tel. +32 25469396 – Fax +32 25469764
E-mail: – Internet: www.eesc.europa.eu
EESC and the European Parliament: ready to work together to defend Europe's social model
On 29 March,the president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Staffan Nilsson, welcomed the president of the European Parliament (EP), Martin Schulz, to the Committee's 479th plenary session. Mr Nilsson and Mr Schulz held a debate with EESC members to address the action needed not only to exit the current crisis but, of equal importance, to regenerate citizens' trust and confidence in the EU institutions. They agreed that both institutions should work hand in hand to defend the European economic and social model, which has brought enormous benefits to Europe's citizens.
Staffan Nilsson opened the debate, introducing the EESC's work on behalf of the members, representatives of European civil society. Mr Nilsson offered the Committee's advice and sought to secure even closer cooperation with the European Parliament, in particular by encouraging citizens' participation in European politics. "I think the European Parliament plays a decisive role representing European citizens, and, on behalf of our Committee, as we approach 2014, our aim is to encourage citizens to actively participate in the next European elections", said Mr Nilsson.
In his address, Mr Schulz highlighted the situation of unemployed European citizens, especially among young people. He noted two points: first, that this situation is not only "an individual tragedy for the people affected", but secondly, that "it is also poison for our societies as youth unemployment damages the social fabric of our European society". This issue clearly demonstrates the damage that continues to infiltrate our societal model, as evidenced by that fact that investment funds can be more powerful than democratic institutions. "People are protesting against a system in which credit rating agencies are more powerful than democratically elected politicians", he added. He further asserted that "the social model is the heart of the EU identity" and a primal factor that propelled EU's economic success. Hence, Mr Schulz argued that the European social model is the solution to the crisis, not the problem. However, concrete proposals to generate growth, employment and speculation control should continue to form part of the daily work of the EESC and the EP. He concluded by referring to this first exchange of views as the renewed starting point of the necessary dialogue between the two institutions.
During the debate, Henri Malosse, president of the EESC's Employers' Group, noted that he and Mr Schulz were from the samegeneration that had benefited fromEurope's achievements. As regards the reasons for the lack of enthusiasm for Europe, he referred to the findings of a recent Eurobarometer study, which highlights the "loss of trust and perspective among younger generations".He stressed the need to give visionto the younger generations andto provide "reasons to believe inEurope again!Europe needs people with vision, but, above all, peoplewho are able to make that vision a realityl."
LucaJahier, president of the Various Interests' Group, highlighted the "ever stronger link between the crisis, democratic legitimacy and participation". He noted that the declining democratic legitimacy, at national and European level, is a result of the current crisis. "We have witnessed the emergence of a dangerous feeling of disappointment that has more recently taken the form of racism and xenophobia, as evidenced by the Dutch internet site on which we adopted a resolution this morning. Consequently, as the European Year of Citizens draws closer, we should like to take this opportunity to call upon the president of the European Parliament to convene in 2013 an extraordinary assembly to set the agenda for the future of Europe, with the participation of all national parliaments. In parallel, the EESC could organise a similar event for civil society and, working together, we could forge a bridge between our citizens, the electorate and elected representatives."
Georges Dassis, representing the EESC's Workers' Group, thanked Mr Schulz for his message of hope and assured him that the EESC would remain the EP's ally in its ongoing battle against the democratic deficit, recommending in particular the two topical opinions adopted at the plenary on the financial transaction tax (FTT) and the EU's own resources as well as a related one on sovereign debt. "If the EU does not stop speculation we risk a general uprising!" stated Mr Dassis.
To view the full text version of the Resolution against discrimination adopted by the EESC's plenary assembly, please see: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.home
The EESC's opinions are available at: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.events-and-activities-479th-plenary-session-opinions
For further information please contact:
Karin Füssl
Head of the EESC Press Unit
Tel.:+32 2 546 8722
Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 – 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel – BELGIQUE/BELGIË
Tel. +32 25469396 – Fax +32 25469764
E-mail: – Internet: www.eesc.europa.eu