#EESC February plenary zooms in on role of Turkey in refugee crisis and citizen consultation on the future of Europe

Highlights of the European Economic and Social Committee's January plenary:

• On 14 February at 15h EST the EESC will host Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos to discuss an EESC report on The role of Turkey in the refugee crisis (REX 476, rapporteur: Dimitris DIMITRIADIS – Employers, EL). Apart from urging the Council and the Commission to work more resolutely on developing a more credible and effective common European immigration policy, the EESC in its report calls for setting up an independent surveillance mechanism to monitor if both Turkey and the EU comply with their joint Statement on refugees from 2016, which established legal channels for resettling refugees in the EU.
• On 15 February at 11h EST the give the floor to French European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau, who will present President Emmanuel Macron's proposals on citizen consultation on the future of Europe.

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

Watch the plenary session here - The agenda is available here

Key opinions to be put to the vote

Economic

• Lessons learned for avoiding the severity of austerity policies in the EU (ECO/401, rapporteur: José Custódio LEIRIÃO –Various Interests, PT)

Austerity policies in the EU have affected the poorest people the most, with dramatic socio-economic consequences. This own-initiative opinion is based on fact-finding missions to Portugal, Greece and Ireland which gathered in-depth, first-hand information about local experiences in crisis management and adjustment programmes and their impact. It consolidates lessons learned and suggests possible preventative measures and alternative public policies for the future.

• Reforms of the European System of Financial Supervision (ECO/441, rapporteur: Daniel MAREELS – Employers, BE)

A smoothly operating Capital Markets Union (CMU) can make an important contribution to private, cross-border risk-sharing. The EESC therefore welcomes the Commission's proposals aimed at strengthening its supervision and considers the proposals an important step towards greater integration and convergence. It urges the need to tackle shortcomings in supervision impeding the realisation of CMU and to continue pursuing the creation of a single European capital markets supervisor.

• Annual Growth Survey 2018 (SC/050, rapporteur: Dimitris DIMITRIADIS – Employers, EL)

Looking at the Commission's Annual Growth Survey for 2018, the EESC recognizes that progress has been made on the social side with the new Social Scoreboard, but is of the view that the European semester can be expanded to ensure that EU macroeconomic policies are sustainable not only economically and socially, but also environmentally. Quality of employment is another key indicator to consider.

Industry

• Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable industry (CCMI/157, rapporteur: Bojidar DANEV – Employers, BG/)/co-rapporteur: Monika SITAROVÁ HRUŠECKÁ – CCMI delegate, SK)

Europe's industry is at a turning point. The paradigm shift of the digital era will be both an opportunity and a challenge. In order to seize the chances this paradigm shift will bring, a longer-term strategy and better cooperation between member states, with coordinated and coherent actions, are necessary. In a stronger European industry, people's welfare need to be at the core of the change.

• Industrial change in the health sector (CCMI/153) (CCMI/153, rapporteur: Joost VAN IERSEL – Employers, NL/co-rapporteur: Enrico GIBELLIERI – Workers, IT)

The European medical technology industry is suffering from too much fragmentation and growing, sometimes unfair competition. Differences between member states are significant. The EESC believes that the European institutions should play a greater role in fostering economic performance, innovation, digitalization and effective public procurement and thus helping the sector realize its excellent future prospects.

Technology

• Cybersecurity Act (TEN/646, rapporteur: Alberto MAZZOLA – Employers, IT/co-rapporteur: Antonio LONGO (Various Interests-IT))

The EESC urges the EU to allocate more resources to cybersecurity, strengthen the mandate of the European cybersecurity agency (ENISA), and establish an effective European certification scheme for online services and products.

• Free flow of non-personal data in the EU (TEN/645, rapporteur: Jorge PEGADO LIZ – Various interests, PT)

The Committee considers that a legislative initiative to address the free flow of non-personal data in the EU and is essential in order to reach the objectives of the Digital Agenda and the Digital Single Market. However, the EESC believes that the Commission proposal is overdue, over and above the fact that it lacks ambition and consistency.

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

Watch the plenary session here - The agenda is available here

Share this article: