EESC info. July 2017/6.
Date: 2019-02-05
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: European Economic and Social Committee, information, serial publication

European Economic and Social Committee

ISSN 2363-2615

EESC info

European Economic and Social Committee
A bridge between Europe and organised civil society
July 2017 | EN

Artificial Intelligence: Europe needs to take 
a human-in-command approach
The  EU  must  adopt  policies  to 
develop and deploy AI in Europe 
in  such  a  way  that  it  works  for, 
rather than against, society and 
social  well-being,  the  EESC  has 
said in an own-initiative opinion 
on the societal impact of AI.

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“We  need  a  human-in-command 
approach to AI, where machines remain 
machines and people retain control over 
those machines at all times,” said rap-
porteur Catelijne Muller (NL – Work-
ers’ Group).

The AI market amounts to approxi-
mately USD 664 million and is expected 
to grow to USD 38.8 billion by 2025. It 
is largely undisputed that AI can have 
significant benefits for society: it can 
be used to make farming more sustain-
able and production processes more 
environmentally  friendly,  improve 
the safety of transport, work and the 
financial system, provide better medi-
cal treatment, etc.

But the benefits can only be achieved 
if the challenges surrounding AI are 
also addressed. The EESC has identi-
fied 11 areas where AI raises societal 
concerns, ranging from ethics, safety, 

transparency, privacy and standards 
to labour, education, access, rules and 
regulations, governance, democracy, 
warfare and superintelligence.

These  challenges  cannot  be  left  to 
businesses alone: governments, the 
social partners and scientists should 
also be involved. The EESC believes 
it is time for the EU to take pole posi-
tion globally in this area by defining 
European norms and standards, 
a  European  ethical  code  and 

labour strategies to retain or cre-
ate jobs.

The opinion also calls for a European 
AI infrastructure with open-source 
learning environments that respect 
privacy,  real-life  test  environments 
and high-quality data sets for develop-
ing and training AI systems. Coupled 
with a European AI certification or 
label, this could have the additional 
benefit of giving the EU a competitive 
l
advantage (dm).

EESC urges Commissioner Navracsics to  
adopt Action Plan on cultural diplomacy

Plenary debate with Commissioner Navracsics (centre) and rapporteur Luca Jahier (first from right)

The EU needs a concrete plan 
to champion culture as a vital ele-
ment in open, tolerant societies. 
The EESC held a debate with Com-
missioner Navracsics and voted 
through its opinion on the EU’s 

strategy for international cultural 
relations.

“At a time when extremism is increasing, 
when our citizens are questioning their 
common identity more than ever - now 

is  the  moment  to  firmly  place  culture 
and cultural policies at the heart of the 
European  political  agenda”  said  rap-
porteur Luca Jahier, President of the 
EESC’s Various Interest Group. “The EU 
should grasp the momentum and create 
a concrete strategy and action plan for 
international cultural relations”, taking 
advantage of the impetus created by 
the  2018  European  Year  of  Cultural 
Heritage.

While  welcoming  the  recent  Joint 
Communication, the EESC also urged 
the Commission and EEAS to recog-
nise culture as a pillar of sustainable 
development, make use of culture in 
peace building and conflict resolution 
strategies and include interreligious 
dialogue.

Commissioner Navracsics praised 
the EESC’s opinion and agreed on the 
importance of all stakeholders, espe-
cially civil society, in the implementa-
l
tion strategy. (mm/mq)

EDITORIAL
Dear readers,

Keep believing

As the President of the Commission was promised, the Committee has started 
its work on the future of Europe. To this end, it has invested. A number of us 
took on the task of consulting civil society locally, in our own countries – not just 
because it is worth providing the Committee with the best possible information 
about everyone’s expectations, but also because the Committee has resolved to 
put the Commission’s wishes into practice: that citizens should take ownership 
of the debate. Indeed, this is the very essence of the mission conferred on the 
Committee by the treaties.

We have modest means. For cost reasons, we are unable to organise “decen-
tralised” debates on all the issues that are referred to us – even with the help 
of economic and social councils and other national institutions, local represen-
tations of European institutions, or the large organisations that our members 
represent directly. But we have to be courageous, take action and invest at the 
right time and where there are good grounds for doing so.

Moreover, the Committee has often called on the decision-making EU institutions 
to do likewise: to dare to invest funds and resources for our citizens and for our 
economy. This is not only morally justified; it is also economically beneficial.

Investment is also politically beneficial. I believe that we have gone a very long 
way down the road of dismantling solidarity and the European project, and 
I very much hope that an increasing number of our countries’ current or future 
leaders will finally grasp that the strategy of blaming the EU for everything is 
not beneficial – not even for them personally. It is in their interest (including at 
the ballot box) to do the opposite: to be able to point to EU successes that they 
have played a significant role in achieving. In reality, a substantial majority of 
citizens do not want to embark on some kind of reckless endeavour; there are 
probably even decent numbers of people who have been won over by populism 
who could be convinced to support the European project if it was explained to 
them correctly, it worked properly and they did not feel marginalised.

Initially, the Committee will aim to send the Commission a key message on 
the views of organised civil society, so that the Commission can make use of it 
immediately after the summer break. Of course, the process does not end there. 
I cannot predict the content of this message, but I do hope that, one way or 
another, it will show a willingness to roll back the extremist and populist surge 
by once again spurring on the development of the EU, with a new attitude and 
restoring its original aim: peace, our values, and our citizens’ well-being.

Georges Dassis
EESC President

DIARY DATES
7 September, Brussels 
European Energy Dialogue: 
Progress, Governance, and Civil 
Society Participation

12-13 September, Talinn 
(Estonia) 
Smart solutions for a sustainable 
and inclusive society

20-21 September, Brussels 
EESC’s plenary session

IN THIS ISSUE
2 Do not forget that the Energy 
3 Georges Dassis: “President 

Union was meant to benefit 
citizens and businesses

Trump’s decision means 
we need more civil society 
involvement in the climate 
transition”

4 EESC celebrates 30 years of 

Erasmus

www.eesc.europa.eu

 
Do not forget that the Energy 
Union was meant to benefit 
citizens and businesses

the  remaining  95%,” 
said  the  rapporteur. 
“Europe  should  strive 
to export its low-carbon 
systems and products 
to the rest of the world. 
This  will  allow  us  to 
fight  climate  change 
not just in Europe, but 
across the globe.”

The EC’s new rules to 
make  the  electric-
ity  market  in  the 
EU  compatible  with 
renewable  energy 
were  the  focus  of 
a n o t h e r   o p i n i o n 
adopted at the EESC’s 
May  plenary.  While 
welcoming the package, the EESC stressed that 
more needed to be done: “The EESC supports the 
right  of  all  consumers  –  industry,  business  and 
private households – to generate, store and trade 
energy themselves. Local communities should also 
be given the right to set up, develop or rent local net-
works. But more specific rules are needed to make 
it possible to assert these rights,” said rapporteur 
Alfred Gajdosik (AT – Various Interests Group).

Decarbonisation was also a concern, with the 
need to factor the external costs of conventional 
energy, such as climate change and damage to 
health, into prices. Failure to “internalise” these 
costs puts renewable energy at a competitive 
disadvantage.  A  tax  regime  would  help  steer 
investments towards green electricity, said the 
l
rapporteur. (dm)

Rapporteurs Alfred Gajdosik and Tellervo Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala

Assessing the 2nd annual report on pro-
gress towards the Energy Union, the EESC 
urged the European Commission to “go back to 
basics”: “We must remember why we are doing all 
this. We are doing it for citizens, for businesses and for 
the benefit of the whole of society,” said rapporteur 
Tellervo Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala (FI – Employ-
ers’ Group). Progress monitoring should focus on 
practical indicators – energy prices, industrial pro-
duction figures, jobs created, emission cuts, said 
the EESC.

The EESC also encouraged the EC to take measures 
to strengthen the EU’s carbon handprint – an indi-
cator that refers to all the total positive impacts 
of one’s action on the environment. EU emissions 
are expected to shrink to about 5% of global emis-
sions in the coming decade. “So we are still left with 

EESC asks Commission to consider 
broadening Carcinogens Directive
Introduction of new exposure limits to prevent work-related cancer is 
welcome, but could be extended to reprotoxic substances and formaldehyde
argued in its opinion Protection of workers 
from carcinogens or mutagens at work.

EP President Tajani and EESC president 
Dassis commit to improving cooperation, 
helping people regain trust in Europe

unemployment), migration and terrorism,” said 
Mr Tajani.

EESC  President  Georges  Dassis  said  that 
every single action and effort of the Committee 
made it clear that the EESC stood for European 
democracy and was “truly engaged in making 
the slogan – for a united, democratic, solidarity-
based, peaceful and prosperous Europe, close to 
its people – a reality”.

Mr Tajani and Georges Dassis pledged to improve 
dialogue between the EP and the EESC both 
formally  and  informally  and  to  hold  regular 
exchanges, discuss ideas, engage, and deepen 
cooperation so as to ensure a robust response to 
what is happening on the ground. This should, 
in turn, improve the effectiveness of EU policies, 
with a clear impact on the lives of ordinary citi-
l
zens. (mr)

EP President Antonio Tajani with EESC President 
Georges Dassis

EP President Antonio Tajani joined the EESC 
plenary session, on Thursday 1 June, to discuss the 
EP’s priorities and the strengthening of coopera-
tion between the two institutions.

“The three main challenges we need to work on 
together  are  unemployment  (especially  youth 

“We need a quantum leap in European 
Defence Cooperation”
It is essential for the EU to continue pursuing 
preventive and multilateral diplomacy, but at the 
same time Europe needs to strengthen its military 
defence capabilities to guarantee freedom and 
peace, says the EESC.

Group). As a first step, the EESC calls for common 
strategic objectives to be set and welcomes the 
planned coordination committee.

In its opinion on a European Defence Action 
Plan adopted in May, the EESC supports the 
European Defence Union (EDU) and calls for close 
European defence cooperation.

“NATO remains the foundation of European col-
lective defence. But the EU must also take on more 
responsibility for the security of the Union and its 
citizens.  We  need  closer  cooperation  between 
Member  States,  which  can  best  be  achieved 
within a European Defence Union,” said rappor-
teur Christian Moos (DE – Various Interests 

“This fragmented defence market is in contradic-
tion with the strengthening of EU security”, said 
co-rapporteur Jan Pie (CCMI delegate – SE). 
Fragmentation causes the inefficient allocation 
of resources, overlapping remits, lack of inter-
operability and technological gaps.

The EESC, however, advises against using cur-
rent investment funds to finance the defence 
industry and backs the EC’s proposal of creating 
a European Defence Fund restricted to defence 
research and the development and acquisition 
l
of military capabilities. (sma)

The opinion looked at the Commission’s second 
proposal for a CMD revision, which introduced 
new binding occupational exposure limit values 
(BOELs) for five substances considered to be carci-
nogenic. The first proposal for 13 new BOELs was 
made in May 2016 and another update is due in 
2018.

The EESC called upon the Commission to pay more 
attention  to  carcinogenic  exposures  primarily 
affecting women employed as, for example, hair-
dressers, cleaners or health workers. It also recom-
mended that a BOEL be adopted for formaldehyde.

The EESC asked for improvement of the common 
methodology used to determine the BOELs, due 
to  differing  standards  between  the  Member 
States. Some countries have defined BOELs for 
more than a hundred different substances and 
others for fewer than ten.

Work-related cancer kills more than 100,000 peo-
l
ple in the EU every year. (ll)

EESC launches its 2017 Civil Society Prize
It will reward “Innovative projects 
to promote quality employment and 
entrepreneurship for the future of 
work”

The EESC Civil Society Prize, now in its ninth year, 
rewards initiatives by civil society organisations 
and/or individuals that have made a significant 
contribution to promoting European identity and 
integration.

The EESC has launched its 2017 Civil Society 
Prize, worth EUR 50 000. This year, awards will go 
to innovative projects that aim to help newcom-
ers, and other people who require specific sup-
port, to enter the labour market.

Applications must be submitted by 8 Septem-
ber 2017. Winners will receive their award on 7 
December 2017.

Job creation, employment and the quality of work 
for all social groups have been a constant focus of 
EESC activities (see e.g. http://www.eesc.europa.
eu/?i=portal.en.social-affairs).

Further  details  about  the  Civil  Society  Prize 
and  the  application  form  are  available  online 
at  http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.
l
en.civilsocietyprize. (ac)

The European Commission should consider 
broadening  the  scope  of  its  Carcinogens  and 
Mutagens Directive (CMD) to substances which 
are toxic for reproduction, after carrying out an 
impact assessment for this purpose, the EESC 

A stronger, reshaped CAP to better serve farmers and the environment

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is an 
essential EU policy and any changes to it must 
provide strong support for the European model 
of agriculture and family farming. The EESC has 
made specific proposals in its opinion on A pos-
sible reshaping of the CAP.

The EESC is very much in favour of maintaining the 
CAP’s two-pillar model. In the words of rapporteur 
John Bryan (IE – Various Interests Group): “Direct 

payments are an essential support to farm incomes, 
play a key role in the financing of market manage-
ment measures and the delivery of public goods... 
Rural development payments are critically important 
and should focus on economic, environmental and 
social programmes based on the objectives of the 
Cork 2.0 declaration to support vulnerable regions 
and sectors”. The future CAP must also deliver on 
Europe’s international commitments with respect 
to the Sustainable Development Goals and COP 21.

Other key points of the opinion include:

l addressing the critical challenges of climate 
change mitigation, environmental and biodi-
versity protection;

l ensuring that the post-2020 budget addresses 
the financial needs resulting from Brexit, farm 
income pressure and the increase in demand 
for public goods;

l creating  strong  targeted  programmes  to 
encourage employment of young farmers 
and women;

l simplification through greater use of technol-
ogy and moving away from the audit/inspec-
tion approach, an extension of the yellow card 
system, etc.

l maintenance and protection of EU standards 
on traceability, food safety, and animal and 
l
plant health controls. (sma)

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President Trump’s decision means we need more 
civil society involvement in the climate transition
Statement by EESC President 
Georges Dassis

countryside,  in  industry,  and  within  public  and 
private organisations. It is a groundswell, and the 
decision of the United States will not stand in its way.

The  decision  of  US  president  Donald  Trump 
to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement is 
a disastrous one and sends the wrong signal to the 
whole world. This decision is on the wrong side of 
history, and it is the United States and its citizens 
that will suffer most. The transition to a low-carbon 
world is taking place everywhere: in cities and the 

The EESC has for many years been encouraging 
civil society initiatives involving grassroots groups 
of individuals, SMEs, workers and various associa-
tions. These often voluntary initiatives must be sup-
ported if they are to make a more substantial and 
extensive contribution to efforts under the Paris 

Estonian Presidency of the Council of the 
European Union: united and decisive Europe

Agreement. The EESC is determined to work with 
these initiatives started at local and regional level 
so as to better understand what is needed to put 
sustainable and effective measures into practice. 
The Committee has joined forces with a number 
of like-minded stakeholders, such as the European 
Committee of the Regions, the OECD and Comité 
21 (a French network of sustainable development 
stakeholders). At the next Conference of the Par-
ties (COP 23), which will take place in November 

In the second half of 2017, Estonia will take 
up the presidency of the EU Council for the first 
time. While Europe is facing complex internal 
and external challenges, including the start of 
the negotiations regarding the UK’s exit from the 
EU, migration and stagnant economic growth, 
the overarching aim of the Estonian Presidency 
is  to  ensure  that  the  EU  remains  united  and 
decisive.

The four priorities of the Estonian Presidency are:

l an open and innovative European economy,
l a safe and secure Europe,
l a digital Europe and the free flow of data,
l an inclusive and sustainable Europe.

As  the  holder  of  the  presidency,  Estonia  also 
believes that it is important to listen to the views 
of relevant interest groups as part of the European 
Union’s work, and to strike a balance between the 
different opinions, traditions, and interests within 
Europe. Every initiative should be designed to 
facilitate the lives of businesses and citizens, and 
to reduce bureaucracy, using as many e-solutions 
as possible.

Reflecting the importance of these priorities, the 
Estonian Presidency has asked the EESC to issue 
exploratory opinions on the following subjects:

l Provision and development of skills, includ-
ing digital skills, in the context of new forms 
of work: new policies and changing roles and 
responsibilities.

l The role and opportunities of social partners 
and other civil society organisations in the 
context of new forms of work

l Land use for sustainable food production and 

ecosystem services

l Taxation of the sharing economy (mra) l

In conjunction with the Estonian Presidency, the EESC is hosting an 
exhibition of work by photographers Aivar Pihelgas, Jaanus Ree, Ilmārs 
Znotiņš, Jelena Rudi, Sven Začek and Rene Mitt featuring scenes from 
one of the largest amateur choral events in the world, involving thou-
sands of singers and dancers dressed in colourful national costume.

The exhibition will open during the July plenary session (5 July 2017) 
and can be visited until 31 July in Foyer 6 of the JDE building. (jp)l

ACP-EU: 28th meeting of Economic and Social Interest Groups

Delegates  discussed  lessons  learned 
from EPAs and called for greater involve-
ment of economic and social actors in post-
Cotonou development policies

The EESC held the 28th triennial meeting of Eco-
nomic and Social Interest Groups from the African, 
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states and 
EU countries in Brussels in May. Five main themes 

were outlined in a jointly accepted declaration: 
trade relations, the new European consensus on 
development, the prevention and reduction of 
food loss and waste, industrialisation as a devel-
opment driver, and the future of EU relations with 
the ACP countries.

Opening the debate, Yves Somville (BE – Vari-
ous  Interests  Group),  President  of  the  EESC’s 

ACP-EU  follow-up  committee,  explained  that 
the meeting was to focus on: “striving to achieve 
a modern, equitable and genuine future partnership 
with ACP countries”. EESC President Georges 
Dassis added: “We need to build a strong relation-
ship between the EU and the ACP countries in which 
everyone wins. We will fight for a framework that 
ensures the participation of non-state actors and 
l
civil society organizations”. (mm)

Bernd Dittmann (DE – Employers’ Group), rap-
porteur on Better Regulation, talks to EESC Info 
about his experience as EESC representative in the 
European Commission’s Refit Platform

How the EESC helped change the face of EC stakeholder consultations
Vice-President  Timmer-
mans.  This  opinion  will 
compel the Commission to 
review the way it conducts 
public consultations – an 
issue that has been subject 
to public debate for a long 
time.

EESC Info: Mr Dittmann, what purpose does 
the REFIT Platform serve?

Bernd Dittmann: The Platform was announced 
in the Commission’s 2015 Better Regulation Agenda 
and  started  its  work  in  January  2016.  It  brings 
together representatives from Member States and 
stakeholders who evaluate proposals for regulatory 
simplification made via “Lighten the Load”. I share 
the mandate with Denis Meynent (FR - Workers’ 
Group) and Ronny Lannoo (BE - Various Interests 
Group), all jointly representing the interests of the 
EESC. The Platform’s opinions are presented directly 
to First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and feed 
into the Commission’s annual work programme 
(CWP).

What priorities did you focus on during your 
term?

The  priorities  were  set  based  on  the  input  of  the 
sections and focused on a number of simplification 

After completing your 
term,  what  are  your 
conclusions  on  the 
Platform?

I think that our participa-
tion in the Platform is an 
example of a best practice 
in terms of successful col-
laboration between the three Groups in the Commit-
tee. Additionally, it increases our standing vis-à-vis 
Member States and offers a real opportunity to con-
tribute to more efficient legislation. Last but not least, 
it gives us the opportunity to help shape EU policy 
agendas by feeding into the CWP. This means that 
the Platform has quite substantial added value for 
l
the EESC – and vice versa.

EESC member Bernd Dittmann

proposals concerning (among others) the Construc-
tion Products Regulation, the Late Payment Direc-
tive, and stakeholder consultation mechanisms. This 
last example is particularly noteworthy: drawing on 
the 2015 EESC opinion on Commission stakeholder 
consultations by Ronny Lannoo, representatives of 
the unions, consumers and industry jointly drafted 
recommendations which were adopted unanimously 
by all stakeholders and received the full support of 

in Bonn, these stakeholders plan to articulate spe-
cific proposals to strengthen the role of civil society 
and local authorities under the Paris Agreement. 
Mr Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement has 
made it even more important for civil society to play 
a strong role. The world’s citizens need to take their 
fate into their own hands and endeavour through 
their everyday activities to work towards a sustain-
able future.

In this new context, European climate leadership is 
even more essential than before and will have to 
be further stepped up in multilateral climate talks, 
l
including the crucial COP 23 meeting.

Key EESC events in connection with 
the Estonian presidency
l 5 July 2017: Opening of the photo exhi-
bition Estonian Colours by Aivar Pihelgas 
(Brussels)

l 6 July 2017: Presentation of the priori-
ties of the Estonian Presidency of the EU 
by Matti Maasikas, Deputy Minister for EU 
Affairs, EESC plenary (Brussels)

l 12 September 2017: Extraordinary meet-
ing of the EESC’s Various Interests Group 
(Tallinn)

l 13-14 September 2017: High-level con-
ference  Future of Work: Making it e-Easy 
(Tallinn) 

l 6 October 2017: Extraordinary meeting of 

the EESC Workers’ Group (Tallinn)

l 24-25 October 2017: Manufuture confer-
ence and EESC Employers’ Group seminar 
on Advantages of Digital Society (Tallinn)
l 7 November 2017: Opening of the photo 
exhibition  on  Estonian  nature  by  Remo 
Savisaar (Brussels)

l 9-10 November 2017: Digital transport 

conference (Tallinn)

l 6  December    2017:  Estonian  cultural 

evening (Brussels) (mra)

Jane Morrice 
suggests EU 
honorary citizenship 
for Northern Ireland

EESC member Jane Morrice has suggested 
that Northern Ireland should be made an honor-
ary EU member while remaining part of the UK. 
The proposal came in response to the Heads of 
EU States and Governments’ call for “flexible and 
imaginative solutions” to Ireland’s unique circum-
stances in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.

Honorary EU membership would protect the peace 
process in Northern Ireland and prevent a hard bor-
der with the Republic of Ireland, in keeping with 
the Good Friday agreement, wrote Jane Morrice in 
an article recently published by Euronews. It could 
also “promote peace worldwide by making Northern 
Ireland the launchpad of a new EU-led, global peace-
building initiative”, according to Ms Morrice, who 
in 2008 was rapporteur for an EESC opinion on The 
role of the EU in the Northern Ireland peace 
process. For more information on Jane Morrice’s 
l
proposal see: http://bit.ly/2rdmlvN (dm)

3

Time is running out for Europe

by the EESC’s Workers’ Group

The opinion that the EESC is prepar-
ing as a reaction to the Commission’s 
White Paper on the future of Europe is 
of particular significance to the Work-
ers’ Group. The members of this group 
wish  to  send  a  clear  message  that 
Europe must change, that it cannot 
tolerate inequality any more.

To do this, Europe needs to recover that 
common sense of purpose that guided 
its founding fathers, if its achievements 
and values are to be preserved and if it 
is to have a future.

This  is  why  the  EESC  is  calling  for 
deeper and more cohesive integration 
in many fields, ranging from energy 
and climate policy, the Digital Single 
Market and EMU governance to a com-
mon industrial policy. However, what 
workers need is an immediate promo-
tion of upward social convergence, in 
terms of employment and social out-
comes, more and better quality jobs 
and fair wages.

With this in mind, the Workers’ Group 
stresses the importance of social and 
economic cohesion, an area where the 
creation of the Single Market and the 
common currency set expectations 

which have not yet materialized. For 
this reason, it strongly supports the 
introduction  of  a  Social  Pillar,  to 
add a strong social dimension to the 
Single Market and make sure that the 
benefits  of  the  ongoing  economic 
recovery serve the whole of society, 
including the most vulnerable popu-
l
lations. (mg)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: 
a new frontier of rights and progress for the EU
Conclusions of the Conference organised by the Various Interests Group in Brussels, 22-23 May 2017

by the EESC’s Various  
Interests Group

Thirty years after the definition of 
the concept of sustainable develop-
ment, our common future is very much 
under threat. At a time when others 
are turning their backs on their com-
mitments, it is imperative that the EU 
maintain the momentum, accel-
erating,  investing  in  and  embrac-
ing  change.  Now  is  the  time  for 
long-time engagement, to make the 
transition to an inclusive, equitable, 
resilient, low-carbon, circular and col-
laborative economy. Now is the time 
for political leadership, to rethink 
our growth models and improve well-
being. To balance economic prosper-
ity with innovation, social inclusion, 
democratic  participation  and 
environmental sustainability, all within 

partnership with the greatest possible 
number of social and economic actors 
from a wide spectrum of civil society 
organisations. It is civil society that will 
drive change, with bottom-up ini-
tiatives that respect the opinions and 
rights of local people. Moreover, we can 
only embark on this new world by mak-
ing sustainable development financially 
accessible to all citizens, by transforming 
perceptions, attitudes, developing an 
attractive new narrative and, ultimately, 
by creating a culture of sustainability 
among Europeans. This will be the basis 
for inspiring new hope and trust in 
our democratic systems. The UN 2030 
Agenda for Sustainable Development 
will  become  our  European  Social 
Contract of the 21st Century.

Read the final recommendations here. 
l
(cl)

Luca Jahier, President of the Various 
Interests Group

our global borders. We must have the 
conviction and boldness to defend the 
universal, indivisible and mutually rein-
forcing dimensions of the UN Agenda 
2030 for Sustainable Development.

It is therefore crucial that we build on 
our European values and safeguard 
the exercise of human, economic, social 
and  cultural  rights.  However,  we  can 
only  design  and  deliver  this  new 
world by working transparently and in 

IN SHORT

EESC celebrates 30 years of 
Erasmus - A milestone for 
European identity

Since 1987, the Erasmus exchange 
programme has had a major impact on 
the lives of more than 9 million Europe-
ans. Last month, the EESC and the Uni-
versité Libre de Bruxelles held an event 
to  celebrate  the  programme’s  30th 
anniversary and adopted an opinion 
on the Erasmus+ mid-term evaluation.

Q
E
-
A
A
-
1
7
-
0
0
6
-
E
N
N

-

While Erasmus was recognised as a mile-
stone in the creation of a European iden-
tity, both civil society and students called 
for more funding and opportunities for 
the disadvantaged and pointed out the 
need to improve civil society’s participa-
tion in governance of the programme as 
well as cross-sectoral cooperation.

“Erasmus is a fantastic European achieve-
ment benefiting young people. It must be 
extended to secondary school students 
and to workers, especially young appren-
tices”, stated EESC President, Georges 
l
Dassis. (mq)

EESC Vice-President Gonçalo Lobo Xavier @ the Eurovision for Startups

On  7  June,  EESC  Vice-President 
Gonçalo Lobo Xavier participated 
in the StartUp Europe Awards cer-
emony at the European Parliament, 
where he delivered two of the 10 prizes 
on offer. The initiative, which has been 
dubbed as a “Eurovision for startups”, 
recognised the 10 most outstanding 
startups  across  Europe  in  2016,  in 
the categories: Creative, Energy, Fin-
tech, Green, Health, ICTs, Smart Cities, 
Social, Tourism and Water. EP President 
Antonio Tajani, who strongly champi-
oned this initiative, played host to the 
ceremony  while  R&I  Commissioner 
Carlos Moedas addressed the winners 
and handed out prizes. Awards were 
presented to Robocamp (PL), Tespack 

(FI), INZMO (ET), Windcity (IT), Neu-
ronGuard (IT), VyzVoice (LU), CityCrop 
(EL), TempBuddy (IE), Waynabox (ES) 
and APSU (ES).

The award, now in its first year, is pro-
moted by the European Commission and 
implemented by Finnova Foundation in 
cooperation with Startup Europe. It aims 
to identify inspirational examples which 
can help develop entrepreneurship in 
Europe. Like much of the EESC’s work, 
it  focuses  on  identifying  sustainable 
growth models and investment strate-
gies to create jobs as well as means to 
turn the EU into a resource-efficient and 
l
competitive economy. (mre)

EESC Vice-President Lobo Xavier and Commissioner Malmström 
wish the EU Green Bikers’ 5th tour a safe journey

Employers call for specific measures 
to facilitate private investment
by the EESC’s Employers’ Group

Removing obstacles to investment 
and improving promotion of private 
investment  are  the  measures  that 
employers think are crucial so as to 
encourage private sector investment 
in  Europe.  In  a  joint  declaration,  all 
major Maltese employers’ organisa-
tions, together with the government of 
Malta and the Employers’ Group of the 
EESC, set out the most urgent issues 
for policy-makers in terms of making 
investment easier.

EU and national policies must provide 
stability and make it easier to do busi-
ness. The single market is an impor-
tant asset for attracting investment, 

Editor:
Füssl Karin (editor-in-chief)
Daniela Marangoni (dm)

Contributors to this issue:
Anna Comi (ac)
Chloé Lahousse (cl)
Daniela Marangoni (dm)
Jonna Pedersen (jp)
Katerina Serifi (ks)
Laura Lui (ll)
Leszek Jarosz (lj)
Margarita Gavanas (mg)
Margarida Reis (mre)
Milen Minchev (mm)
Mireia Quingles (mq)
Monika Raide (mra)
Silvia M. Aumair (sma)

but greater flexibility and pragmatism 
is required. More private and public 
investment is needed in areas such as 
technology and innovation, according 
to the declaration.

“Businesses need freedom to operate, 
and  we  call  for  legal,  regulatory  and 
political stability to attract long-term 
investment,”  said  Jacek  P.  Krawc-
zyk, President of the EESC Employers’ 
Group. “Our economies are crying out for 
breathing space. We need to responsi-
bly liberate and liberalise our investment 
strategies,” added Joseph Muscat, 
the Prime Minister of Malta.

The  declaration  was  signed  during 
the conference entitled Does the EU 

Coordination:
Daniela Marangoni (dm)
Katerina Serifi (ks)

Edition closed on 9 June 2017

Address:
European Economic and Social Committee
Jacques Delors Building, 99 Rue Belliard, B-1040 
Brussels, Belgium
Tel. (+32 2) 546.94.76
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Email: eescinfo@eesc.europa.eu
Internet: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/

Commissioner Malmström and EESC Vice-President Lobo Xavier with the EU Green Bikers 
outside the Berlaymont building

Maltese Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, 
and Mr Krawczyk, Employers’ Group 
President, right after the signing ceremony

On  31  May,  EESC  Vice  President 
Gonçalo  Lobo  Xavier  and  Euro-
pean Commissioner for Trade Cecilia 
Malmström  accompanied  the  EU 
Green  Bikers  by  cycling  with  them 
for the first kilometre of their annual 
cycle ride, which this year takes them 
to Essen, Germany.

encourage  private  investment?, 
which  took  place  on  11  May  2017 
during the Maltese Presidency of the 
Council of the European Union. The 
conference was jointly organised by 
the Employers’ Group and all Maltese 
l
employers’ organisations. (lj)

Departing from the Berlaymont build-
ing, they escorted the 8 cyclists to the 
Cinquantenaire Arch and wished them 
success on their fifth annual bike tour to 
an EU green capital. The group visits EU 
capitals that carry out special initiatives 
to  address  environmental  challenges 

such as green infrastructure, showing 
that this is one of the EU’s main priori-
ties. They promote each capital’s efforts 
by reaching it via the most sustainable 
and environmentally friendly means of 
transport – the bicycle.

This EU Green Bikers ride aim to reach 
Essen by 2 June and return to Brussels 
on 4 June – an almost 600-km journey in 
total. This year, the EU Green Bikers come 
from 7 nationalities and include 5 men 
and 3 women. Their previous tours have 
taken them to Nantes (2013), Copenha-
gen (2014), Bristol (2015) and Ljubljana 
l
(2016). (mm)

EESC info in 23 languages: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/activities/press/eescinfo/index_en.asp

July 2017 / 6  

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