Bijeenkomst over prioriteiten van Deens voorzitterschap (en)
At the 477th plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee, on January 19, 9.30 am, the Danish Minister for European affairs, Nicolai Wammen, will detail Denmark's priorities for the EU presidency (available at Ebs live: ec.europa.eu/ebs). EESC Members, gathered for a two-day plenary session, will point out areas where ambitious action by the Presidency is most urgently needed and where civil society could contribute.
His visit is also expected to prompt a lively debate on the way out of Europe's economic crisis. In his recent declaration on the issue, EESC President Staffan Nilsson argued adamantly that there is only one path to drive the EU out of the financial, sovereign debt, economic, and social crisis: a deeper European integration. Minister Wammen is expected to comment on the ideas set out in the paper.
The debate will be preceded by a press corner with President Nilsson and Minister Wammen (as of 8.30 am).
Venue: József Antall building, European Parliament, Room JAN 2Q2, Brussels.
Start: Wednesday, 18 January 2012, 2.30 pm
The opinions to be voted at the upcoming plenary session include:
Involving civil society in the establishment of a future European Energy Community
Rapporteur: Pierre Jean Coulon (France, Workers' Group)
Despite significant progress in recent years, EU energy policy has failed to fully meet three major challenges: the integration of the internal energy market, energy supply security, and the transition towards a low-carbon society. The EESC opinion seeks to set out ideas to regain lost momentum: increased EU coordination on national energy mix choices and infrastructure development, targeted investment for the reindustrialisation of Europe and job creation, and further integration of markets in order to reduce prices, to name but a few.
The Role of the European Union in peace building in external relations: best practice and perspectives
Rapporteur: Jane Morrice (United Kingdom, Various Interests' Group)
The establishment of the EU’s External Action Service is an ideal opportunity to improve coherence and develop an integrated system for conflict resolution worldwide. Notwithstanding centuries of European wars, the EU is today the world’s most successful model of political integration. This unique experience should be brought to bear by pursuing a holistic approach to peace-building that includes responses in all possible action fields. A new approach should be adopted involving simultaneous implementation of civilian, military, diplomatic, humanitarian, development, trade and investment measures. In this new coordinated approach, civil society organisations would have a crucial role to play in ensuring the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of any peace-building strategy.
Youth employment, technical skills and mobility
Rapporteur: Dorthe Andersen (Denmark, Employers' Group)
The consequences of the economic crisis showed that there are structural problems with the labour markets. Young people suffer the most: it is increasingly difficult to gain a footing in the labour market. This EESC own-initiative opinion indentifies measures to facilitate young people's entry and mobility within the market. The Committee focuses on the importance of closer cooperation between business and the education sector to improve employment opportunities by giving appropriate skills to secondary school students.
Among the opinion's recommendations is a "dual system" for vocational training - using a combination of classroom teaching and on-the-job learning - to be introduced throughout Europe and financed through the Social Fund.
Vocational education and training as a high-quality alternative to higher education
Rapporteur: Vladimíra Drbalová (Czech Republic, Employers' Group)
Forecasts of future skill needs in the EU show increasing demand for a labour force with high-level qualifications through to 2020. The EESC opinion argues that it is time for the Member States to reform their vocational education and training (VET) systems. VET should represent an attractive alternative to academic education, as only a healthy balance between the two can ensure economic growth and social progress. The social partners should help governments to design and implement VET policies, to ensure a match between the training provided and the needs of the labour market.
GMOs in the EU
Rapporteur: Martin Siecker (Netherlands, Workers' Group)
The EU legal framework for GMOs is currently undergoing change and many ambiguities and assumptions would appear to exist.
This opinion aims to provide a roadmap for a balanced and pertinent political discussion of the most important questions surrounding the topic of GMOs.
For further information please contact:
Karin Füssl
Head of the EESC Press Unit
Tel.:+32 2 546 8722