Maros Sefcovic, vice voorzitter van de Europese Commissie: Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité is belangrijke brug tussen de maatschappij en de Europese instituten

Maroš ŠEF?OVI?

Vice-President of the European Commission

Responsible for Interinstitutional Relations and Administration

"The European Economic and Social Committee: a vital bridge between civil society and the EU institutions."

Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED

Plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee

Brussels, 18 March 2010

Mister President, Dear Mr Sepi,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased to be here with you and to have this first opportunity of addressing you, in my new capacity as Vice-president of the European Commission responsible for Inter-institutional relations.

In a modern and democratic society, it is vital to have the support of active and committed citizens. In this regard, the EESC has a key role to play, as the pre-eminent intermediary between civil society and the decision-making bodies of the EU. Firstly, you have a great deal of knowledge, expertise and grassroots experience (and by the way this is something that I should like to tap into). Secondly, by liaising with the different networks of which you are a part you can actively contribute to the promotion of European values, to a European agenda, and to the dynamism of the European Institutions.

Let me offer a few words of appreciation concerning the solidity of the political and institutional relations between EESC and the Commission. Our relations are founded on two things - the Treaty and the Protocol for Cooperation. They constitute an excellent basis for obtaining the results we wish to achieve. In this regard, the opinions drafted by the EESC (something that stems from the Treaty) are a highly valuable source of accumulated knowledge, derived from a whole range of social partners. The Protocol for Cooperation greatly enhances the role of the EESC in particular, by providing for even better-targeted consultations, to pursue systematic and precise follow-up of the opinions, as well as by involving the EESC in real political inter-institutional debates.

The Lisbon Treaty offers new perspectives for the EESC. In this regard, the EESC will be able to assume a reinforced role in the functioning of the EU, particularly in relation to the strengthening of participatory democracy - a new dimension added by the Lisbon treaty. The new treaty reinforces the EESC's role as a bridge between civil society and the EU Institutions. Lastly, the Treaty opens up new prospects for an increased involvement of the EESC in a number of key policy areas, such as energy and research policies. Bearing in mind your significantly strengthened role, I would also like to signal the Commission's willingness to collaborate more actively, by intensifying the exchange of information and technical expertise. In this context, it is crucial to continue and enhance our interdependency in an ever wider context, covering larger policy areas and by enlarging the scope for the involvement of the social partners.

Significant prospects for the development of participatory democracy have been opened up through Article 11 of the Lisbon treaty. In this context, the EESC has a particular responsibility for bringing participatory democracy to life, by means of sustained dialogue with the civil society. The public consultation on the Citizen's Initiative demonstrated that there is considerable interest across Europe for this new right. I can assure you that we all will work closely and intensively with the EESC so as to arrive at a satisfactory legislative proposal, one that can be adopted as soon as possible. The European Commission will also be proactive in its cooperation with you, in order to use the new possibilities offered by the Treaty concerning the composition of he EESC.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I want to stress that my new mandate will be marked by this co-operative approach. I wish to see ever more strengthened partnership with the social partners and civil society. I believe that we have a great deal in common and I sincerely hope that we can now open a new era of ever closer collaboration.

In his political guidelines, President Barroso emphasised the importance of partnership with social partners at regional and local level. The Europe 2020 strategy explicitly stresses the need for forging close ties with the EESC, and calls for the active exchange of good practices, benchmarking and networking, something that has proven to be an extremely useful set of tools in fostering a culture of ownership and dynamism. I would like to take this opportunity now to talk to you about the Europe 2020 strategy adopted by the Commission, and discussed by the European Council last month.

This is not a theoretical strategy for discussion by economists. Nor is it a European-level initiative of marginal relevance to the communities, the people and the businesses you represent. On the contrary: it is critical to all of them.

Before the crisis, the European economy was making progress. We saw 18 million new jobs, a more dynamic business environment. But these gains have been wiped out by the crisis. And at the same time, just trying to get back on the “business as usual” track is not enough. We have an ageing population, a growing productivity gap with our competitors, and failings in education and research.

We need a true transformation, to use the strengths represented by the people here today and to release the true potential of Europe. To secure a Europe of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

We need a healthy, prosperous, secure society where everyone feels they can play their part. That means giving people jobs and skills, and it means tackling the scourge of poverty head on. The core driver of growth must be knowledge. Knowledge that produces tomorrow's ideas, tomorrow's skills, and tomorrow's technologies. And we must direct our economy to the future, building a resource-efficient and competitive economy that can hold its own.

The strategy sets out five headline targets at EU level. Between now and June, we will have a debate about how to translate these into national targets, realistic targets which recognise the starting points of all but which push every member State to make an extra effort. This should be an important national debate in all of our Member States, and I ask all of you to engage fully to make this debate happen. Employment, education, poverty - these are the issues that will determine our progress in the years to come.

It is important to be clear that this is not about the EU taking over the levers of national economic policy. This is about learning the lessons of the crisis, where we all found that national objectives were easier to achieve if national policies were working in the same direction. The internal market is one of our greatest assets - we must use it to the full.

This strategy must engage all parts of our society. We will not succeed in putting European society on the right track in 2020 if this comes at the cost of social disharmony. Nor if we set up artificial barriers at a time when a sense of direction and consensus is essential.

A proactive approach is essential: in the localities, at national level, at European level. That is why the strategy included seven flagship EU initiatives, which I hope will enjoy your support.

It is also why the backing of the European Economic and Social Committee for this strategy is particularly important. We need your commitment to build understanding of what the strategy means in your associations, your members, and your workplaces. I hope that you will agree to act ambassadors of a strategy whose success rests heavily on the work you can do to spread the message of change.

Mister President, Ladies and Gentlemen

The crisis poses huge challenges. However, all of you know the notion expressed by Albert Einstein that "in the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity". While most of the challenges require urgent and decisive action, the opportunities may take longer to harvest.

Our first priority must be to hasten the exit from the crisis but the EU strategy must also provide the building blocks for growth that will be sustainable in the future. Europe is recognised the world over for its quality of life underpinned by a unique social model. The Union strategy should ensure that these benefits are sustained and even further enhanced while employment, productivity and social cohesion are optimised

Partnership between the Commission, the Member States, and all the stakeholders: civil society, regional and local authorities is the only one way to produce the decisive action required to turn the crisis around. We must now look to the longer term, towards sustainable and fair growth as a motor for full employment. This is EU 2020 vision, and I look forward to working with you to achieve it.