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Europe's organized civil society examines EU migration and development policies at EESC Plenary (27-28 May 2015)

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facade_free--3On Thursday 28 May, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will welcome International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimica and  Home Affairs, Migration and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos to examine and discuss the situation at the EU's external border in the areas of development and migration.

  • At 9h Commissioner Neven Mimica will take part in a debate with EESC Members about a Post-2015 Development Programme for the European Union in the presence of Tanya Cox, President of the European task force Beyond 2015. More about the EESC and EU Development policy in this video.
  • At 10h EESC President Henri Malosse will welcome Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, who will present and discuss the European Agenda on Migration with EESC Members.

See EESC statement on the situation in the Mediterranean, published on 23 April 2015.

Other opinions to be put to the vote during the plenary session:

  • Completing the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU): The political pillar (Rapporteurs: Carmelo Cedrone and Joost van Iersel) More

Heads of state and government will discuss EMU and economic policy coordination at the 25-26 June 2015 European Council. Ahead of this meeting, this EESC opinion concentrates on the need to strengthen the political pillar of EMU. A review of the EP and Council roles and voting system, the sharing of sovereignty and the creation of a common budget for the euro area with the appropriate governing institutions are needed as a basis for more trust, better economic governance, increased competitiveness with more growth and jobs, and to guarantee Europe's status as a big player in the world economy.

  • Tax transparency package (Rapporteur: Petru Sorin Dandea) More

Having been consulted by the Council of the European Union, the EESC has prepared an opinion which examines solutions to fight tax fraud and tax evasion - which harm both the internal market and the economy. Tax avoidance, fraud and evasion have a major cross-border dimension, as globalisation and increased mobility of taxpayers are conducive to these phenomena. The opinion foresees a number of measures that should be implemented as swiftly as possible, including: making the exchange of information for cross-border tax rulings and advance pricing arrangements mandatory, preventing businesses that resort to tax avoidance and use tax heavens from accessing to public and European funds. The corpus of EU rules on taxation should be made more simple and transparent to allow for easier implementation into national systems.

  • Employment guidelines (Rapporteur: Carlos Manuel Trindade, Co-rapporteur: Vladimíra Drbalová) More

The Employment Guidelines adopted in 2010 have failed to deliver "growth and jobs" for Europeans, in line with the aims of the Europe 2020 Strategy. In this opinion, the EESC calls on the European Commission and member states to implement changes to economic, financial and social policies, on the model of the successful structural reforms. The Employment Guidelines cover job creation, skills supply, well-functioning labour markets, social protection and fighting poverty. They should set quantified objectives for employment and poverty reduction, and support entrepreneurship and the social economy. Public investment should not be considered as expenditure. Workers' mobility should be promoted while safeguarding the transferability of their social rights.

  • Food and Drinks Sector (Rapporteur: Ludvík Jírovec, Co-rapporteur: Edwin Calleja)  More

The food and drinks industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the EU economy, employing 4.25 million workers directly in the EU. It should be an important contributor to reach the target, set as part of the Europe 2020 Strategy, in achieving the necessary expansion of the manufacturing sector that will make it a contributor of 20% of European GDP. This EESC opinion targets key policy areas that need to be addressed in order to create a more business-friendly environment. This should enable the food and drinks industry to achieve sustainable growth, to innovate and to create jobs whilst also continuing to provide consumers with safe, nutritious, high quality and affordable food.

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  • Additive manufacturing (rapporteur Dumitru Fornea, co-rapporteur: Hilde van Laere) More

3D manufacturing – better known as 3D printing – is a process that uses digital "blueprints" to produce three-dimensional products and parts. It is also referred to as "additive manufacturing". In combination with the internet, robotics and open-source software, 3D will result in a new industrial revolution which will have profound implications over the coming years for national economies, business models and education. The EESC believes that investment in ICT infrastructure should be given priority. This will ensure that all businesses and members of the public have access to high speed internet networks at the highest available standards of quality and security

EESC plenary session – 27-28 May 2015

Charlemagne building (European Commission), De Gasperi room (3rd floor), Brussels

Watch the plenary session here - the full agenda is available here.

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