Standpunt van Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité over Communicatiebeleid (en)

CES/06/71

Brussels, 7 July 2006

EESC July plenary adopts its opinion in response to the White Paper on Communication Policy:

no to a charter, yes to a proper legal basis!

go local but do the job together!

On 6 July 2006, the European Economic and Social Committee i debated and adopted its opinion (Rapporteur: Jillian van Turnhout, Group III, Ireland) in response to the European Commission's White Paper on a Communication Policy. The opinion, which was adopted by a very large majority (just four abstentions), addresses and provides clear stances on each of the five issues raised in the White Paper. The opinion advises strongly against a charter or code of conduct but argues equally strongly in favour of a proper legal basis. The opinion stresses the need for closer cooperation between the Commission and the Committee's members at decentralised level and urges the member states to place greater emphasis on a common vision and positive messages, particularly through civic education.

The debate was introduced by EESC President Anne-Marie Sigmund, who has made `communicating Europe' a major policy priority of her presidency. Margot Wallström i, European Commission Vice President responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, then presented the White Paper, acknowledging the EESC's role and its innovatory activities in the communication field. She declared the EESC to be:

`a key stakeholder with a prominent role to play when it comes to putting

the ideas contained in the White paper into practice. Its members are decentralized communicators par excellence. As representatives of trade

unions, employers and employees as well as organized civil society, you

have the perfect profile to help the Commission implement its new

approach on "going local".'

Jillian van Turnhout recalled E.M. Forster's famous phrase; `only connect!' She continued: `Our various debates and discussions over the past two years have all been about that simple challenge; how to connect? Throughout, we have repeatedly declared our willingness to do what we can and to act as a bridge between the European Union and organised civil society.' Acknowledging the growing cooperation between the two institutions, she invited the Commission to `cross the bridge with us.' Ms. Wallström acknowledged that the Commission should work more closely with the EESC's members in the member states. In closing, the rapporteur again stressed the growing convergence and cooperation between the EU institutions; `much has been achieved over the past two years,' she declared. To see the opinion, please go to http://eesc.europa.eu/documents/opinions/avis_en.asp?type=en

Highlights of the EESC Plenary session

The EESC plenary session also hosted the Finnish minister for Foreign Trade, Development and European Affairs, Ms Paula LEHTOMÄKI, representing the incoming Finnish Presidency, and Ambassador Ali HACHANI, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Committee adopted a number of important opinions. For more information, please consult press release n° 72/2006.

For more details, please contact:

Karel Govaert or Christian Weger at the EESC Press Office.

99 Rue Belliard, B-1040, Brussels

Tel.: 02 546 9396/9586; Mobile: 0475 753 202

e-mail : press@esc.eu.int

Website: http://www.esc.eu.int/press/index_en.asp