Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A single market for 21st century Europe COM(2007) 724 final
Date: 2008-09-18
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: ESC opinion, competitiveness, economic policy, environmental policy, globalisation, single market, small and medium-sized enterprises, social policy

31.3.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 77/15

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Communication from the
the European Economic and Social
Commission to the European Parliament,

the Council,

Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A single market for 21st century Europe’

COM(2007) 724 final

(2009/C 77/03)

On 20 November 2007 the European Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social
Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A single market for 21st century Europe.

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 15 July 2008. The rapporteur was Mr Cassidy and
co-rapporteurs were Mr Hencks and Mr Cappellini.

At its 447th plenary session, held on 17 and 18 September (meeting of 18 September), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 51 votes to two with four abstentions.

1. Executive summary — conclusions and recommenda-

tions

The EESC underlines the importance of

1.1
the Lisbon
Strategy as an aid to maintaining the benefits of the Single
Market and its development and consolidation.

1.2
A well functioning, competitive and innovation-friendly
Single Market is essential for Europe to make the most of globa-
lisation while safeguarding its welfare standards. In this connec-
tion the EESC is concerned by recent decisions of the Court of
Justice concerning the posting of workers, and it
is in the
process of analysing the repercussions of these for the Commu-
nity's social policy ‘acquis’ (1).

in promoting at European level

In order to develop the Single Market, the EESC under-
1.3
lines the importance of promoting and capitalising on scientific
research and innovation results, assisting national technology
suppliers
the innovative
products and technologies, promoting dissemination and trans-
national exploitation of research results. The Single Market is a
key tool for realising the Lisbon Agenda. Its aim is to benefit
consumers, economic growth and employment by progressively
dismantling barriers to the free circulation of people, goods,
services and capital, even though many remain. The benefits
from closer integration are undeniable.

Correct and uniform enforcement of existing legislation
1.5
and standards is one of the most important challenges. Impact
Assessments, the reduction of administrative burdens and the
cost of legislative compliance which stem from the tax fragmen-
tation of the internal market, better consultation of the social
partners and stakeholders, in particular SMEs, are essential both
to improve understanding of regulatory goals and to identify
non-regulatory solutions.

1.6
Small and medium sized firms make a vital contribution
to the effective operation of the Single Market. SMEs in their
various forms play a particularly important role in the service
sector and are central to the social compromises that support
the EU's economy. The Small Business Act and the SME Charter
all acknowledge the importance of SMEs in the policy processes
and institutions of the EU and member states. However, the
EESC believes that greater attention should be paid to the role
of SMEs in the implementation of policy, specifically with refer-
ence to their contribution to achieving economic, environmental
and social policy objectives.

The EESC underlines that

the European Globalisation
1.7
Fund is an important instrument of solidarity that will provide
specific help to workers made redundant as a result of changing
global trade patterns to find another job. While it is welcomed
that the scheme applies to employees in SMEs the Committee
regrets that it is not available to the self employed who will be
vulnerable to the same changes.

The Commission's

1.4
Single Market Review Package
provides a good basis for reinvigoration of the Single Market,
but its success will depend greatly on the ability and the ambi-
tion of national governments and their social partners to take
up their responsibilities and put in place the necessary resources
to turn this rhetoric into reality.

(1) INT/416, R/CESE 1120/2008.

1.8
The EESC calls upon the Commission and Member States
to ensure sufficient allocation of resources to improve enforce-
ment of Single Market rules. Initiatives should also be developed
to ensure synergies between Single Market policy, competition
policy and social and environmental policy, which are important
for a well functioning Single Market.

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1.9
The Commission and Member States have to ensure that
new regulatory initiatives, which should contribute to the
smooth functioning of the Single Market, take into account
both the impact on the competitiveness of European companies
and the social and environmental effects. In order to ensure
coherence and legal certainty for business and consumers, and
to avoid new initiatives contradicting each other, there should
be a ‘Single Market Compatibility Test’ (2) for new proposals at
both EU and national levels, to assess their social and environ-
mental impact.

1.10
Easy and affordable access to justice for citizens and
businesses should be provided including adequate means for
redress and dispute resolution mechanisms. In this regard, devel-
opment of out-of-court dispute resolution tools should be
improved.

2. Main elements of the Commission Communications

2.1
The Commission package under consideration proposes
a range of initiatives underpinned by five working papers and
two communications concerning services of general interest and
the social dimension of the single market (3).

these
The EESC has produced opinions on all of
2.2
topics (4). It has recently adopted an own-initiative opinion on
the external dimension of the Single Market and is currently
preparing one on its social and environmental dimension (5).

The EESC can only welcome the objective of

the
1.11
communication of 20 November 2007 on SGIs, aimed at
‘consolidating the EU framework applicable to services of
general
social and health services,
providing concrete solutions for concrete problems where they
exist’ and ‘a mix of sector-specific and issue-specific actions’.

including for

interest,

Because EU primary law or the treaties recognise that
1.12
SGEIs as a whole form part of the EU's ‘common values’ and
contribute to its ‘social and territorial cohesion’, sector-specific
actions (taking account of the specific characteristics of each
sector) must be combined with issue-specific approaches.

1.13
By incorporating the distinction between economic and
non-economic services into primary legislation, as well as the
need to ensure respect for SGEIs' common operating principles,
the SGI protocol shows how the process of clarifying the
concepts and schemes under consideration is now more impor-
tant than ever to ensure that such services no longer depend on
an exclusive legislative or judicial case-by-case approach.

1.14
Despite repeated demands by the European Parliament
for genuine legal certainty for social services of general interest,
the proposals set out in the SGI communication are confined to
a set of answers to ‘frequently asked questions’, which will
certainly be useful, but have no binding legal value.

The EESC,

1.15
therefore, proposes a multi-faceted and
gradual approach, combining the sector-specific and issue-
specific aspects, which would lead to the adoption of legislative
initiatives where required and/or to these principles and condi-
tions being adapted to the different sectors concerned (the
cross-cutting, issue-specific approach).

(2) As requested by the European Parliament

in its resolution of
4 September 2007 on the Single Market Review: tackling barriers and
inefficiencies
implementation and enforcement
[2007/2024(INI)].

through better

3. General comments — More effective enforcement

the

The

emphasis

welcomes

Committee

3.1
in
COM(2007) 724 final on empowering consumers and SMEs in
order to help them benefit from the Single Market and respond
therefore
better
welcome that the Single Market policy pays special attention to
consumer-related areas, such as energy,
telecommunications,
retail financial services and the wholesale and retail trades.

to their expectations and concerns.

is

It

3.2
The success of future Single Market policy depends on
the combined capacity of Member States and of the Commis-
sion to improve its functioning. The Single Market is ‘work in
progress’ and is a shared responsibility. Member States have to
take greater ownership of it. Often national authorities fail to
live up to their responsibilities for the management of
the
Single Market resulting in new obstacles which undermine the
trust which the Single Market should inspire. The important role
that social partners have in supporting the Single Market should
be more recognised.

(3) The Commission ‘package’ of 20 November 2007 consists of a Communi-
cation ‘A single market for 21st century Europe’ [COM(2007) 724 final],
establishing a set of
initiatives to reposition the Single Market. This
Communication is supported by five staff working papers on:
— ‘The single market: review of achievements’ [SEC(2007) 1521]
— ‘Instruments for a modernised single market policy’ [SEC(2007) 1518]
— ‘Implementing the new methodology for product, market and sector
monitoring: Results of a first sector screening’ [SEC(2007) 1517]
of

single market

dimension

— ‘The

external

review’

the

[SEC(2007) 1519]

— ‘Initiatives in the area of retail financial services’ [SEC(2007) 1520].
There are two further communications:
— A Communication on ‘Services of general

interest,

of

general

interest:

services
[COM(2007) 725 final] and several
[Commission
staff
SEC(2007) 1515, SEC(2007) 1516]

working

a

documents:

new European

including social
commitment’
staff working documents
1514,

SEC(2007)

— A Communication on ‘Opportunities, access and solidarity: towards a
new social vision for 21st century Europe’ [COM(2007) 726 final].
(4) CESE 267/2008, OJ C 162 of 25.6.2008, CESE 1262/2007, OJ C 10 of

15.2.2008, CESE 62/2008, OJ C 151 of 17.6.2008.

(5) CESE 481/2008, OJ C 204 of 9.8.2008 and

INT/416,

R/CESE 1120/2008.

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3.2.1
The Commission aims at giving higher priority to
correct enforcement. There is a need to establish instruments to
ensure that
legislation works better in practice. Timely and
correct transposition of Community legislation and administra-
tive simplification are crucial to facilitate enforcement. Correct
transposition of the services directive is particularly important
for achieving its goals of creating jobs and growth.

3.3
Provision of easy and quick solutions to problems that
citizens and business face in the Single Market should remain a
priority. SOLVIT is a particularly helpful but unfortunately
‘underused’ tool due to a lack of knowledge about the system
and its usefulness and adequate resources especially at national
level. Any initiative to remedy this situation, including actions
to ensure sufficient resources in the SOLVIT centres, both
human and financial, are highly recommended, as are initiatives
to widen their scope.

the Commission's

The EESC supports

3.4
to
streamline and expedite infringement processes by giving
priority to infringement cases which present the greatest risk
and are economically important without compromising the
effectiveness of existing deterrents.

intentions

3.5 Much remains to be done in market surveillance of
locally produced and imported products. This imposes a duty
on Member States' authorities as well as on the European
Commission.

The EESC would like the Commission to place more
3.6
emphasis on assistance to SMEs by linking SME policy to the
social and environmental objectives of the European Union, and
finally to abolish all national non-tariff barriers
including
barriers to the free movement of capital and workers (6).

In a more general way,

3.7
the
Commission continues playing a strong role as guardian of the
Treaty and exercises its right of initiative in order to make the
Single Market function well.

remains crucial

that

it

4. Better regulation

The EESC welcomes the objective of ensuring ‘more
4.1
inclusive policy-shaping’ and the desire to ‘broaden stakeholder
involvement’. Systematic impact assessments are of key impor-
tance.

Consultation of

4.2
representative stakeholders when an
impact assessment is being prepared is essential. Impact Assess-
ments should be scrutinised by an independent and external
body of experts including end user groups of the legislation.

Reduction of the administrative burdens on companies
social
also be

guaranteed without

compromising

4.3
must
outcomes.

4.4
In order to ensure coherence and legal certainty for busi-
ness and consumers, and to avoid new initiatives generating
new barriers, there should be a ‘Single Market Compatibility
Test’ with an evaluation of the social and environmental conse-
quences (7) for new proposals at both EU and national levels.
Unclear legal texts, often implemented and interpreted differ-
ently, cause contradictions in Community legislation.

Improved information and data about

4.5
the practical
implementation of Single Market rules is of paramount impor-
tance. The Commission should be more open in disclosing
information about those Member States which do not fulfil their
responsibilities and in assisting the role of national social part-
ners by making national
consistent and
transparent.

reporting more

5. External dimension of the Single Market (8)

5.1
The EESC agrees with the Commission that globalisation
is a formidable source of dynamism and competitiveness and
that the Single Market is an asset which should be used as a
springboard to meet the challenges of globalisation.

5.2
Trade liberalisation is correctly identified as the first pillar
of the EU's strategy in this area. An ambitious conclusion of the
Doha Round and completion of
the far-reaching free-trade
agreement negotiations launched under Global Europe will be
the measure of the EU's success.

3.8
The EESC supports the importance of continuous efforts
to be made for further reducing costs resulting from fiscal frag-
mentation of the Single Market through promotion of com-
the development of
munity regulations which will support
trans-border activities and provide for consolidation of
the
Single Market.

5.3
Regulatory and standards issues are increasingly determi-
nants of companies' ability to engage internationally. European
Standardisation Organisations such as CEN, CENELEC and ETSI
as
advisory
in
NORMAPME (9), should ensure that such standards are acces-
sible to all businesses particularly small businesses, across the
EU and developing countries.

cooperation with

organisations,

such

(6) Small and medium-sized enterprises — Key for delivering more growth and
jobs. A midterm review of Modern SME policy, COM(2007) 592 final
available from:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CE-
LEX:52007DC0592:EN:NOT.

(7) See opinion CESE 794/2007.
(8) CESE 481/2008, OJ C 204 of 9.8.2008.
(9) The European Office of Crafts, Trades and Small and Medium-Sized

Enterprises for Standardisation.

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5.4
The Commission rightly emphasises the need to achieve
improved regulatory cooperation, equivalence and convergence
internationally.
‘One test, one standard, accepted everywhere’
should be the long-term goal.

the Commission's plan for ‘opportunities, access and solidarity’.
The Commission must work with social partners to ensure that
this applies especially to vulnerable,
immigrant and minority
groups.

EU regulations must maintain competitiveness. Excessive
5.5
burdens on EU companies will not be compensated for by inter-
national acceptance of EU norms. Regulatory cooperation with
partner countries will not be successful without a spirit of open-
ness and innovation to other approaches.

To respond to the challenges of globalisation: technolo-
6.3
gical change and evolving social and environmental realities,
policy efforts must be geared towards securing social goals
through increasing employment rates and creating the frame-
work conditions for high productivity growth.

5.6
The EESC is encouraged by the commitment to bench-
marking of EU regulation against international best practice
particularly with that of EU's main trading partners. This bench-
marking should be systematically included in EU impact assess-
ments and the EU should be open to regulatory cooperation
with important trading partners. The EU should accept officially
recognised international standards for conformity assessment.

The importance of integrating ‘flexicurity’ (11) in all EU
6.4
policies has been highlighted by the EESC in its opinion (12).
SMEs, and especially the self employed, are central to the effec-
tive operation of flexible labour markets. To this end a greater
understanding of the role of SMEs in relation to social policy
provision is needed.

EU initiatives to take a lead on a global scale in rule-
5.7
setting and the development of high quality, science-based inter-
national standards for industrial and food products should be
encouraged. Common standards should be accompanied by
common regulatory objectives. Therefore the Committee would
recommend more focus on bilateral agreements and networks
among international regulators.

The EU should remain supportive of free trade, while at
5.8
the same time providing an adequate level of market surveil-
lance to guard against
the import of unsafe products. The
Commission however should make sure that these measures and
emerging systems of private standards are not misused in a
protectionist manner (10).

6. The social dimension of the Single Market

6.1
The Committee supports the view that a social dimen-
sion will help to improve the functioning of the Single Market,
along the lines of the ‘growth and jobs’ strategy and through its
strong emphasis on a healthy SME economy.

7. Innovation-driven Single Market

in promoting at European level

7.1
In order to develop the Single Market, the EESC under-
lines the importance of promoting and capitalising on scientific
research and innovation results, assisting national technology
suppliers
the innovative
products and technologies, promoting dissemination and trans-
national exploitation of research results. Europe's innovative
capacity can be greatly influenced by the quality of the Single
Market. Coordination of efforts is required at the European level
on R&D between ‘clusters’ of SMEs, large firms, research insti-
tutes, universities and the new European Institute of Innovation
and Technology.

7.2
Progress towards a more competitive patent system in
terms of costs of legal certainty is key for Europe's innovation
capacity. This includes progress on a common patent jurisdic-
tion system for Europe that should deliver the highest quality,
cost-effectiveness and reliability for all companies and a Com-
munity Patent also meeting those benchmarks to benefit in par-
ticular SMEs. Strong protection of intellectual property rights
with effective measures at European and international
level
against the growing scourge of counterfeiting and piracy is also
needed.

6.2
Since labour market integration is the best safeguard
against social exclusion, better use of Europe's labour force
potential in rapidly changing societies must be at the core of

Innovation in social policy

administration should
7.3
embrace the variety of social economy organisations (such as
cooperatives) that can bring service provision closer to user
communities under appropriate regulatory supervision.

(10) WTO World Trade Report 2005 ‘Exploring the links between trade,

standards and the WTO’ from
http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/anrep_e/world_trade_re-
port05_e.pdf.

(11) CESE 767/2008 (SOC/283), COM(2007) 359 final: Flexicurity can be
defined as an integrated strategy to enhance, at the same time, flex-
ibility and security in the labour market.
(12) CESE 999/2007, OJ C 256 of 27.10.2007.

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The new Single Market Policy must play a central role in

7.4
the creation of an environmentally sustainable global economy.

8. Consumer protection policy

8.1
A balanced consumer policy is important for a well-func-
tioning Single Market. The EESC sees consumers as central to
the Commission's new vision for a truly inclusive Single Market.
More attention should be paid to the experience of consumers
in the market, for instance through impact assessments or incor-
porating consumer interests into the Lisbon Agenda.

8.2
The focus should be on one common market that is
beneficial to consumers and business and on the role that the
service sector can play in the economy, raising quality and
consumer
trust. Consumers should have effective access to
goods and services offered throughout the EU and businesses
should be able to offer their goods and services anywhere in the
EU as easily as they do on their domestic market. Harmonisa-
tion coupled with mutual recognition provides the right basis
for this ‘win-win’ situation (13).

9. Communication on Services of

including social services of general
European commitment (14)

general
interest,
interest: a new

The EESC has stated its concerns in a number of
legal uncertainty concerning

9.1
opinions (15) at the situation of
SIG.

The communication highlights the role of the specific
9.2
protocol on social services of general interest appended to the
Lisbon Treaty (the SIG protocol) which is intended, according to
the Commission, to establish a consistent framework that will
guide EU action, whilst providing a solid basis for defining
services of general interest (16).

9.3
The Communication on SGIs, on the other hand, makes
only a passing reference to the new Article 16 of the Lisbon
Treaty, without elaborating on its implications, whereas this
introduces a new legal base for Services of General Economic
Interest (SGEI), giving the Council and the Parliament the task of
establishing, by means of regulations, in line with the ordinary
the principles and conditions enabling
legislative procedure,
SGEIs to fulfil their missions.

(13) As stated in the European Council conclusions of 13-14 March 2008.
(14) COM(2007) 725 final.
(15) CESE 427/2007, OJ C 161 of 13.7.2007, CESE 976/2006, OJ C 309
of 16.12.2006, CESE 121/2005, OJ C 221 of 8.9.2005 and CESE
1125/2003, OJ C 80 of 30.3.2004.

(16) COM(2007) 725 final of 20.11.2007, point 3, page 9.

The effective implementation of

9.4
the principle that
missions of general interest take precedence, which is now made
possible by the new Article 16 of the Lisbon Treaty, will help
reducing the frequent recourse to the arbitration of the Court of
Justice.

9.5
The Lisbon Treaty involves a number of innovations, not
least the new Article 16 referred to above, and a general refer-
ence to SGIs and services of non-economic general
interest
(SNEGI).
It helps to refocus the issue of services of general
interest in the field of Community action in line with the prin-
ciple of subsidiarity.

In

the

view,

EESC's

Treaty
9.6
(Article 16 TFEU and the SGI protocol) is therefore merely the
start of a new approach to achieve greater legal security and
more consistent regulation of national and Community SGI
schemes.

new Lisbon

the

9.7
The SGI protocol forms a handbook to the rules on
SGIs, both economic (SGEI) and non-economic (SNEGI), but
makes no attempt
to solve the problem of distinguishing
between these two categories.

9.8
By incorporating the distinction between economic and
non-economic services into primary legislation, as well as the
need to ensure respect for SGEIs' common operating principles,
the SGI protocol shows how the process of clarifying the
concepts and schemes under consideration is now more impor-
tant than ever to provide legal security for the companies and
bodies responsible for managing these services and their main
beneficiaries.

9.9
The SGI communication proposes to ‘consolidate the EU
framework applicable to services of general interest, including
for social and health services, providing concrete solutions for
concrete problems where they exist’ and ‘a mix of sector-specific
and issue-specific actions’.

Such action should, of course,
each sector
characteristics of

take account of
the
9.10
specific
concerned. Because
primary law has recognised, however, that SGEIs as a whole
form part of the EU's ‘common values’ and contribute to its
‘social and territorial cohesion’
there is a need to combine
sector-specific actions (taking account of the specific characteris-
tics of each sector) and issue-specific approaches.

9.11
The EESC therefore proposes a multi-faceted and
gradual approach, combining the sector-specific and issue-
specific aspects, which would lead to the adoption of legislative
initiatives where required and/or to these principles and condi-
tions being adapted to the different sectors concerned (the
cross-cutting, issue-specific approach).

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10. The specific situation of Social Services of General

Interest

The EESC underlines the importance of

10.1
the Lisbon
strategy as an aid to maintaining the benefits of the Single
Market and its development and consolidation.

10.7
In order to meet the calls for legal certainty, inter alia
under Article 16 TFEU which opens up new prospects with
regard to the place and role of SGEIs in the European Union,
including SSGIs, the process of clarifying the concepts and also
the Community frameworks applicable to public-spirited activ-
ities must be pursued.

10.2
The Commission has introduced the concept of social
services of general interest (SSGI) and has detailed it in its White
Paper on SGI and in two communications (17) and in a ‘staff
working document’ (18).

The communication does not put forward a definition
10.3
of these SSGIs and prefers to make a distinction between two
broad groups of SSGIs: firstly legal and complementary social
protection schemes; and secondly,
services
provided directly to the person’.

‘other essential

10.4
The Commission's tentative approach shows how diffi-
cult it is to classify SSGIs, as they reflect specific and extremely
varied tasks that are deeply rooted in national and even local
collective preferences.

During consultation on the 2003 Green Paper,

the
10.5
majority of stakeholders in this sector (local authorities, opera-
tors, users' representatives) stated that
there to be
increased legal uncertainty regarding the body of Community
law that applied to them, given their specific characteristics, in
particular concerning authorisation to provide the service. They
made it clear that they fell into a ‘grey area’, which hampered
their work. This led to:

they felt

— the Commission launching a specific discussion process

(involving a communication, studies, etc.),

— the legislator largely excluding them from the scope of the

Directive on services (19), and

— the European Parliament calling twice for greater

legal

certainty (20).

10.6
The Commission has not, however, adhered to this
approach, which clearly contradicts the sector-specific approach
that it favours, and today intends to limit its proposals to a set
of answers to ‘frequently asked questions’ and an interactive
information service, which will certainly be useful, but have no
binding legal value.

(17) COM(2006) 177 of 26.4.2006 entitled ‘Implementing the Com-
munity Lisbon programme: Social services of general interest in the
European Union’ and COM(2007) 725 of 20 November entitled
‘Services of general
including social services of general
interest: a new European commitment’.

interest,

(18) SEC (2007) 1514 of 20.11.2007 entitled ‘Frequently asked questions
concerning the application of public procurement rules to social
services of general interest’.

(19) See Article 2(1) and (2)(j) of the Services Directive.
(20) Rapkay Report of 14.9.2006 and Hasse Ferreira Report of 2007.

11. Communication on ‘Opportunities, access and soli-
darity: towards a new social vision for 21st century
Europe’

The Committee welcomes the objectives stated in the
11.1
Communication on ‘Opportunities,
and solidarity:
towards a new social vision for 21st century Europe’ (21), which
including
addresses EU citizens, civil society and businesses,
SMEs, and is based on Europe's key instruments such as the
Single Market, the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs and the
Sustainable Development Strategy.

access

11.2
The current changes in European societies (EU 27 with
500 million citizens, demographic change, globalisation, techno-
logical progress and economic development among others)
might represent new work opportunities and skills, but adapta-
tion to change still entails a risk of unemployment and
exclusion.

11.3
The EESC supports a more prominent role for the EU
in facilitating, anticipating and fostering such structural changes
while promoting European values at global level. The Communi-
social vision for
cation sketches out a new ‘life chance’
21st century Europe and attempts to complete the consultation
expired on 15 February 2008. The Bureau of European Policy
Advisers (BEPA) among others, as well as Member States and EU
institutions, have been involved in the debate on social changes
and on the concept of a European Social Reality. The EESC
welcomes the objective of ensuring that the final analysis of
these discussions will contribute to the preparation of
the
renewed Social Agenda to be submitted in 2008 and take into
account the new institutional framework provided by the Lisbon
Treaty.

11.4 General assumptions and comments

11.4.1 Changing social realities

All Member States are experiencing rapid and profound changes
and in particular Europeans express anxiety and concern for the
and
future generation (see also previous EESC opinions

(21) COM(2007) 726 final.

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initiatives,
the BEPA document with a detailed overview of
on-going social trends and the Commission's 2007 Social Situa-
tion Report).

economic opportunities in terms of new services, goods and
technologies. The EU should promote new social policies to
take advantage of these opportunities and to remedy the
failure of current protection systems;

11.4.2 ‘Life

chances ’

Europe:
advancing well-being through oppor tunities,
access and solidar ity

vision

social

for

— Opportunities — to start well

in life, realise one's own
potential and make the most of the chances offered by an
innovative, open and modern Europe.

— Access — new and more effective ways to get an education,
progress in the job market, obtain quality healthcare and
social protection and participate in culture and society.

— Solidarity — to foster social cohesion and social sustain-

ability, and make sure that no one is left behind.

11.4.2.1
The EESC agrees with the Commission that there is
no ‘one size fits all’ recipe for Europe and that common chal-
lenges require joint action supported by active citizenship.

Combating social exclusion and improving living by
11.4.2.2
creating opportunities for individuals is essential
to sustain
economic growth and to reduce risks of shortcomings in the
welfare system. Confidence and trust are essential for progress,
modernisation and openness to change.

4) in gender quality: new economic models induce new social
schemes. For instance, labour policies should consequently
adapt to new requirements of gender equality. Some of the
Commission's proposals address pay gaps, the tax system
and family-friendly practices at the workplace;

5) in active inclusion and non-discrimination:

the recent
enlargements revealed deep economic and social disparities
between Member States and regions. The European Commis-
sion aims at promoting a new cohesion policy based on the
acceptance of diversity, active inclusion, the promotion of
equality and the eradication of discriminations;

6) in mobility and successful integration: The Single Market
has led to an increasing citizens mobility also impacting on
SMEs. This requires new EU-wide approaches based on inte-
gration;

7) in civic participation, culture and dialogue: these aspects
play a important role in social cohesion while also involving
economic resources connected with innovation and techno-
logical development.

11.4.4 The role of the EU

11.4.3 Key areas for action:

In order to achieve the objectives of ‘opportunities, access and
solidarity’, the EU needs to invest:

1) in youth: new social changes and new economy based on
innovation and technology request more attention in terms
investing in youth has a positive
of education and skills;
impact both on economic development and social cohesion.
The Lisbon Agenda has placed education in the centre of the
European social and economic system by turning knowledge
into a competitiveness lever for Europe in the global context;

2) in fulfilling careers: a dynamic economy and labour market
require flexible labour market rules and high social standards
(see ‘flexicurity’);

3) in longer and healthier lives: longer life expectancy puts a
burden on social protection systems but also creates new

11.4.4.1
The EESC stresses the fact that although the main
competence for these policies lie in the Member States, the EU
and Social Partners play an important role in steering and
supporting related actions and reforms. The ‘acquis communau-
taire’ is a major instrument in particular with regards to enlarge-
ment and cohesion policies, the Lisbon Treaty and the Charter
of Fundamental Rights.

11.4.4.2
set out in the Communication:

The EESC agrees with the following five strategies

— setting policy frameworks for action: the EU has already
stated common goals, aiming at harmonisation among
Member States, in terms of Employment Strategy, the Lisbon
Agenda and social policies. Efforts must now be focused on
reaching these objectives and making these common princi-
ples operative;

C 77/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

31.3.2009

— upholding Europe's values and ensuring a level-playing
field: The European legal framework plays a fundamental
role
common
objectives;

in steering national policies

towards

— sharing experiences and good practices: The EESC shares
the Commission's view that best practices, exchange of
experiences,
joint evaluations and peer reviews on social
innovations should be part of the mainstream national and
European policy debate. Institutions at national, regional and
local level, social partners and NGOs should also be actively
involved;

— supporting action at local, regional and national level:
The EU cohesion policies and structural funds have contrib-
uted in reducing disparities in prosperity and living stan-
dards across the EU. In recent years these instruments have
been more closely associated with ‘growth and jobs’ policy
priorities (for the period 2007-2013 over 75 billion euros
from the European Social Fund have been invested in new
skills and innovative companies). The EESC underlines that
the European Globalisation Fund is an important instrument
of solidarity that should provide active measures to alleviate
consequences of globalisation on most vulnerable groups as

Brussels, 18 September 2008.

well as on businesses, including SMEs. It is therefore crucial
to take part in the debate on the EU budget after 2013 so as
to include the findings of social consultation;

such as

the initiatives

— raising awareness and building a strong knowledge
base: The EESC welcomes
the
European Year for Equal Opportunities for All (2007), for
Intercultural Dialogue (2008), for combating poverty and
social exclusion (2010). The existing Foundations and Agen-
cies — the European Foundation for the Improvement of
Living and Working Conditions, The European Agency for
Fundamental Rights and the European Institute for Gender
Equality — will increasingly contribute to decision-making,
to raising awareness and to promoting systematic consulta-
tion (and not only e-consultation). The EESC, independent
expert panels,
representative organisations and research
institutes at EU/national levels should also be associated to
this process. The EESC calls for an increased involvement of
all interest parties in raising awareness and improving the
quality of
findings (provision of reliable data, statistics,
common indicators, monitoring systems, etc.) on social
issues.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS