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ISSN 1725-1923

EESC
INFO
March 2006 / THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE — A BRIDGE BETWEEN EUROPE AND ORGANISED CIVIL SOCIETY WWW.ESC.EU.INT

Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission with responsibility for


EDITORIAL communication, and prime author of the recent White Paper, is interviewed by EESC Info
Dear readers,
On 1 February 2006, with
Put communication at the service of democracy
the adoption of its White In a 16 February 2006 to change the focus from “Brussels” to Brno,’ said
Paper on a European com- interview, Karel Govaert Ms Wallström. ‘In other words, we have to move from
munication policy, the and Agata Berdys of the discussing what happens in Brussels to concentrating
European Commission EESC’s Press Unit inter- on what happens in the regions, on the ground, by
completed a trilogy of
viewed Margot Wallström going local. We have to change from institutions to
instruments — the White
Paper now stands along- about the basic philo- citizens: what do our citizens think? We must listen
side the Commission’s sophy underlining the better to what they have to say. We need to switch
July 2005 action plan and recently adopted White from an informational monologue to dialogue. We
its October 2005 ‘Plan D’ communication. The Paper on a European com- need to listen more carefully, to be more interactive.
White Paper has launched a six-month con- munication policy. In short, we have to put communication at the service
sultation period. Margot Wallström explains of democracy. Even if our policies are not always sim-
the logic underlying the White Paper and the So what, asked EESC Info,
ple to explain, we have to make the effort to take the
envisaged follow-up to that in an interview in Margot Wallström during the is the basic philosophy of
this newspaper. interview with EESC Info. the White Paper? ‘We have (Continued on page 2)
The European Economic and Social Committee
naturally welcomes the broad thrust of the
White Paper. The February plenary session
of the Committee agreed to the creation of a
Strengthening economic governance
sub-committee to prepare the EESC’s opinion The European Economic and
on the White Paper, provisionally scheduled Social Committee is greatly
for adoption in July. I have no doubt that the
Committee’s opinion will be supportive and
concerned at the current lack
constructive, as its opinions have been on the of momentum in European
reflection period and on ‘Plan D’. economic governance. In
their opinion, rapporteurs Ms
But an element of urgency is creeping into the
picture now; it is time to start delivering on Florio and Mr Burani include
everything that we collectively — and I mean guidelines on strengthening
not only the EU institutions but also Member European economic govern-
State governments — have said that we would Strengthening econo- ance. The changes proposed
do. We must also think actively about how mic governance in by members of the EESC are
we are going to process the views that will Europe by turning the focused on that very need to The opinion’s rapporteurs at the plenary session
be expressed during the various consulta- Stability Pact into a
pact for stability and strengthen European econom- One initial area where enhanced cooperation could
tion and reflection processes under way (the
reflection period itself, the ongoing ‘Plan D’ growth. ic governance. be applied is economic and monetary union. What
dialogue and the White Paper’s six-month necessitates recourse to enhanced cooperation in the
Since its inception, the Stability and Growth Pact has
consultation). context of EMU is the fact that the countries which
played a key role, but regrettably its reform has been
I know that the Committee’s Communication are currently involved in the single currency have an
accompanied by a lack of coordination of European
Group is closely monitoring the implementa- undoubted need to bring their own economic policies
economic governance.
tion of the EESC’s own commitments in these into line with each other, unlike other countries which
contexts. An interinstitutional coordination The reform process is unfinished since it has not pro- are not currently involved.
group has recently been established with a vided a guarantee that the process of coordinating The coordination of EMU Member States’ economic
view in particular to the implementation of
European economic policy will genuinely be stepped policies must involve creating a set of economic
‘Plan D’. A key element in all of these process-
es is decentralisation — going local. Another up — a process which would enable us to make the policy priorities as well as instruments for achieving
is synergies — ‘doing the job together’, in the most of the opportunities provided by economic and those objectives.
words of the White Paper. As Margot Wallström monetary union for economic growth and jobs. The debate arising from the reform of the Stability and
makes clear in the interview, the Commission
The European Council has, in essence, annulled the Growth Pact has brought to light contradictions at the
sees us as a valuable partner. I hope that our
two institutions can now meet the common Commission’s power of surveillance and given it to heart of the EU’s institutional framework. How can we
communications challenge by going local a Council composed of the potential subjects of that overcome the current stalled situation resulting from
together. surveillance. If one poses the question ‘Who super- the need to take unanimous intergovernmental deci-
vises the supervisors?’ the rather embarrassed answer sions in a European Union of 25 Member States?
Anne-Marie Sigmund,
President of the European Economic would have to be ‘The supervised!’ The reform of the Implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact must
and Social Committee Stability and Growth Pact seems not to have elimi- involve efforts to clarify how we see the future institu-
nated the democratic deficit in the original pact. tional framework of the EU.

IN THIS ISSUE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY


• Europe must connect with its people — the ‘Sound of Europe’ conference in Salzburg page 2 • 27 and 28 March 2006: Civil Society Forum for the
Western Balkans, at the EESC in Brussels
• Broad economic policy guidelines (2005–08) — opinion by Mr Metzler page 2 • 5 to 7 April 2006: Fourth meeting of EU–Latin America/
Caribbean organised civil society. The Committee
organises biannual meetings for the representatives
• Interview with Mr Czajkowski on the European Charter for Mobility page 3
of organised civil society in the EU, Latin America and
the Caribbean. The fourth meeting will take place in
• Aiming for more involvement of civil society — EESC conference in Kiev page 4 Vienna.
EESC INFO / March 2006 /

Europe must connect with its people


Anne-Marie Sigmund believes that it is absolutely In four high-level panels, representatives of politics, the key to achieving this was culture, which she
essential to bring Europe closer to its citizens. This culture, science and organised civil society discussed defined as a ‘commitment to shared values’. ‘As well
was the objective of the ‘Sound of Europe’ confer- the emergence of a European identity. Under the as preserving our shared heritage and art, culture
ence, which was jointly organised by the Austrian heading ‘What next — a new sound?’, Ms Sigmund, includes education, sport and recreation, and also
Presidency, the European Commission and the EESC together with Javier Solana, the Secretary-General science and research,’ the President explained. Culture
and held on 27 and 28 January in Salzburg. of the Council, Ursula Plassnik, the Austrian Foreign was therefore an especially cohesive force and had
Minister, and Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the an important social dimension, making it possible to
Commission, discussed Europe’s future. see European identity not as exclusive but rather as
something positive, which emphasised what people
Anne-Marie Sigmund described European organised had in common.
civil society as the ‘essential sounding board’ for a har-
monious European concert. That said, civil society was President Sigmund called upon politicians to com-
still developing the necessary structures to enable it municate the positive aspects of European policy
to act at a European level. Ms Sigmund emphasised more clearly to the public. She gave the example
the special role here of the EESC as a ‘bridge between of the Lisbon strategy, which was barely known to
Europe and organised civil society’. the public, but which could serve as a blueprint for
the European social model. Ms Sigmund warned,
Anne-Marie Sigmund at the debate on the emergence of a Europe must connect with its people in order to however, that without active public involvement, the
European identity. become closer to them. Ms Sigmund believed that strategy could not be implemented.

Macroeconomic policies for growth and employment


must go hand in hand with microeconomic reforms
At its February plenary session, the EESC adopted an In his opinion, Mr Metzler ensure their sustainability. In order to reduce unem-
own-initiative opinion on the broad economic policy stresses that, faced with con- ployment, the flexibility of the labour markets must
guidelines (2005–08) so as to provide those involved tinuing weak economic growth also be increased. What is important here is to ensure
in formulating EU economic policy with proposals, in in the euro area, indeed in the that social security, on which many people quite right-
anticipation of the 2006 spring summit, for the way EU as a whole, and the chal- ly rely, is maintained. At the same time, it is important
forward based on consensus among the various inter- lenges of globalisation and to mobilise the potential of available workers. In this
ests that make up civil society. demographic change, the area, the social partners and Member State govern-
EESC believes that — as an ments have a role to play in creating an innovation-
integral part of the Lisbon friendly balance between flexibility and security.
Mr Metzler, rapporteur
strategy — a macroeconomic for the opinion on the Appropriate measures to strengthen competition and
policy that actively promotes broad economic policy cut red tape should complement further develop-
growth and employment is guidelines (2005–08). ment of the EU internal market.
needed to overcome the cur-
rent economic and employment problems in the Correct decisions in the areas of lifelong learning,
© European Commission

EU. The crisis of confidence that prevails in the large equality of opportunity, support for families, educa-
euro-area economies can similarly only be overcome tion, research and innovation are key to the knowl-
by adhering to the fundamental principles of sustain- edge-based society. The framework and the incentives
ability in finance and social policy. for creating an innovation-friendly environment must
therefore be improved further. In general terms, the
The Committee also supports the Commission’s call Committee also emphasises that promoting entrepre-
Growth and jobs — working together for Europe’s future. for social security systems to be modernised so as to neurship deserves particular attention.

(Continued from page 1 — Interview with Ms Margot Wallström) used, I mean in particular the ‘open space’ method and
political discussion beyond the European level and the stakeholders’ forum format.’
ensure that we genuinely involve the different stake- The Commission has been at pains to insist that, in
holders and the citizens.’ the communication domain, the role of the European
Acknowledging the EESC’s consistent calls for orga- Union’s institutions can only be complementary to
nised civil society to be much more fully involved in that of the Member States. So what, asked EESC Info,
the EU’s legislative and policy-making processes, Ms should the institutions do if the Member States did
Wallström expressed ‘absolute conviction’ that the not play their role? ‘We nevertheless have to mobilise
White Paper would help in that regard. Consultation civil society and the different stakeholders,’ replied Ms
with civil society organisations was, for example, one Wallström. ‘We must still play our part. We must en-
of the starting points in the Commission’s insistence gage across the board with those whose interests are
on minimum standards for consultation. It was not, affected by what we do — for example, on passenger
she insisted, simply a matter of better consultation, rights, on environmental and trade issues. Organised
The outcomes of the EESC’s Stakeholders’ Forum influenced the
but also demonstrating that the views expressed have White Paper on a European communication policy. civil society is naturally important in this context.’
been taken into account. This emphasis on connecti- A common theme in the EESC’s extraordinary plenary
The White Paper places heavy emphasis on coopera-
vity, on improving the dialogue with civil society, was debates on ‘bridging the gap’ had been the need to
tion and partnership between the EU’s institutions.
a major plank of the White Paper. take a longer-term view, in particular by introducing
The EESC’s recent opinions on the reflection period
Ms Wallström described the envisaged follow-up to and on ‘Plan D’ delivered the same message. Here, notions of governance and enhancing civic educa-
the White Paper consultation process. ‘Once the six- Ms Wallström applauded the ‘excellent cooperation’ tion in our schools, so that tomorrow’s European
month consultation period is over, we will orga- between the EESC and the Commission. ‘We’ve had citizens would be better equipped to understand
nise working groups on the five themes set out in the very good exchanges of views on important propo- what the European Union was doing for them and
White Paper, and the intention is for them to come up sals. In our new framework agreement, in our protocol why. However, the White Paper acknowledged that
with very concrete proposals. I don’t know yet what for cooperation, we have said that it is important that the Member States alone were responsible for the
nature these will take, but I don’t anticipate that there we identify and maybe focus more on what is really content of teaching. So what, asked EESC Info, could
will be a lot of purely legislative proposals,’ she conti- important for the EESC and for the Commission and realistically be done? ‘Of course,’ replied Ms Wallström,
nued. It was a matter of ‘putting flesh on the bones’. thus make sure that we concentrate on the most ‘the Member States are absolutely free to do as they
These proposals would then be put to the Parliament important issues. I also think that we can get a lot of wish but can they seriously decide not to talk about
and the Council, and also to the stakeholders. help from some of the working methods the EESC has (Continued on page 3)
EESC INFO / March 2006 /

Interview with Mr Czajkowski


The European Charter for Mobility
teaching of foreign languages within the Community.
As the EESC noted in its opinion, these programmes
are very important as they involve young people and,
through such initiatives, enable individuals to develop
socially and culturally and help prepare them for an
active professional life, as well as help them to share
experiences, learn about new cultures and situations,

© European Commission
overcome barriers and increase tolerance. One of the
most important comments taken up by the European
Parliament and the Council, and backed by the EESC,
was the voluntary nature of the adoption of the
European Charter for Mobility, which will not result
in any financial commitments for the Member States.
Mr Czajkowski, rapporteur for the opinion on transnational mobi- Establishing a date for the introduction of the prin- Access to apprenticeship systems for young people across the EU.
lity in the EU. ciples of the charter was one of the important areas in our opinion. We suggested, for example, that par-
You are the rapporteur for the opinion on transnation- focused on by the EESC. In our opinion, this should ticipants fill in a questionnaire, to provide information
al mobility for education and training purposes, which promote greater awareness of the issues raised in at national level about the results achieved by those
was adopted at the February plenary session. Could the charter so that they can be introduced as soon as taking part.
you explain why the EESC tackled this opinion? possible.
The EESC’s opinion on transnational mobility for edu- The European Charter for Mobility is currently applied
What recommendations in the area of transnational by only some of the Member States. What is the
cation and training purposes was drawn up follow-
mobility are included in the EESC’s opinion? Committee’s opinion regarding its adoption by all
ing a referral from the European Parliament and the
Council. It was drafted in a relatively short space The first, and certainly the most important recom- Member States?
of time, which complicated matters as, in my opin- mendation is the removal of barriers for young peo- Naturally, the EESC supports this initiative and encour-
ion, some basic research among the beneficiaries of ple; this does not mean legal barriers but linguistic ages all Member States to sign the charter. Obviously,
international exchange programmes ought to have and cultural barriers, which should be tackled at this involves taking responsibility for its implemen-
been carried out first. Given the increase in the pro- national level. Young people who have taken part in tation; however, bearing in mind the need for the
gramme’s budget, the Commission wanted to be mobility programmes for educational purposes are sustainable development and competitiveness of the
certain that the funds would be used appropriately generally very pleased with their results, although European economy in the global context, the remain-
and bring mutual benefits to all recipients, from the worrying situations do also occur, which is why we ing countries should waste no more time thinking
acquisition of work and life experience to the effective have tried to take all the various aspects into account about whether to sign it.

EESC Info available in all official EU languages (Continued from page 2 — Interview with Ms Margot Wallström)
something that actually affects all of their citizens? Is it
Since November 2005, EESC Info has been available in 20 languages (in PDF format) on the EESC’s website realistic that nothing should be said about the United
(http://www.esc.eu.int/press/eescinfo/index_en.asp). It is published nine times a year. Nations or the European Union in the hope that they’ll
go away? This is of course silly. I think citizens all over
Europe have the right to know and in particular have
the right, through their education, to knowledge
about the European Union and its institutions.’
The White Paper argued that Europe should be given
a human face. But, asked EESC Info, given the com-
plexity and technocratic nature of the EU, was that
possible? Might organised civil society have a particu-
lar role to play in that context?
‘We have to provide a human face,’ argued Ms
Wallström. ‘We need it. But it requires leadership, at
all levels. It requires, of course, that we who work
with and for the European institutions — including
the EESC — should be accessible, should be there,
should be able to take the debate to the people, to
both listen and explain.’ That, she concluded, was the
fundamental challenge of communication facing us
all.

Economic governance also means managing challenges


Mr Joaquín Almunia, Commissioner for Economic and economy has to progress with integration in order to
Monetary Affairs, presented the main challenges of cope with globalisation. It cannot stop halfway!
economic governance to the February plenary ses-
sion of the Committee. The Commissioner thanked the Committee for its pre-
paratory work, in particular for its own-initiative opin-
Mr Almunia stressed that the prospects for economic ion on strengthening economic governance — the
growth in the EU were improving. Nevertheless, reform of the Stability and Growth Pact, drafted by
even in a recovery phase, the European economy Mrs Florio and Mr Burani, the own-initiative opinion
was struggling to translate more positive prospects on the broad economic policy guidelines (2005–08),
into growth. The difficulties could not be put down drafted by Mr Metzler, and the exploratory opinion
to interest rates or to the euro’s exchange rate, but The Commissioner, Mr Joaquin Almunia, thanks the Committee
for its proposals. on the creation of a common consolidated corpo-
rather to structural problems and lower productivity rate tax base in the EU, for which the rapporteur was
in EU economies. ‘The EU is not paralysed: it continues to provide Mr Nyberg (Group II, Sweden). In that opinion, the
Two concrete reforms were beginning to bear fruit: specific responses to current challenges, while safe- Committee supported a common consolidated cor-
the reform of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) guarding its original values of cohesion and solidarity,’ porate tax base. It also welcomed the Commission’s
and the renewed Lisbon strategy. Both should help affirmed the Commissioner. European leaders must efforts, and saw them as a move towards the creation
reduce economic uncertainty. now face up to the necessary reforms. The European of a common tax base.
EESC INFO / March 2006 /

EESC conference in Kiev


IN BRIEF
Aiming for more involvement of civil society
www.eesc.europa.eu Deepening the involvement
of civil society in implement-
ing the EU–Ukraine action
plan, promoting civil dia-
logue in Ukraine and fur-
ther developing relations
between the EESC and its
Ukrainian partners were
the key messages of the
‘Connecting EU–Ukraine civil
A new sub-domain: a single, clear point of entry to all EU-
related information. society: facing challenges and finding opportuni-
ties in the framework of the EU–Ukraine action plan’
New Internet domain conference organised by the European Economic
Starting from 9 May 2006, all website and e-mail and Social Committee (EESC) on 6 and 7 February
2006 in Kiev, Ukraine. Participants stress their need for information and consultation.
addresses of European institutions will share a new
sub-domain ‘europa.eu’. As a result, the address of More than 100 participants attended the con- After the Orange Revolution:
the EESC website will move from www.esc.eu.int ference, including the EESC President, 24 EESC towards greater integration with the EU
to www.eesc.europa.eu, and e-mail addresses will members, and EU and Ukrainian officials, in addi-
take the format forename.surname@eesc.europa. The conference’s key objective is to strengthen the
tion to 60 representatives of civil society organisa-
eu. The changeover will be supported by a joint participation of Ukrainian civil society organisa-
information campaign across the EU institutions.
tions (CSOs) from all over Ukraine. The delegates
took part in three working sessions, discussing a tions in EU value-based reforms as mandated by
However, the change of e-mail addresses should
also be communicated by all users of institutional wide range of subjects, including the structure of the partnership and cooperation agreement. The
e-mails within their contact list. EU–Ukraine relations, the involvement of civil soci- conference also seeks to support the successful
ety and connecting European and Ukrainian civil implementation of the EU–Ukraine action plan as
If you do not manage to inform your contacts society organisations — and thus participating in part of the European neighbourhood policy.
before 9 May, there is no need to worry; both
Ukraine’s transformation.
addresses (the old and the new one) will work in The discussion focused on the progress made in
parallel during a 12-month transitional period. ‘We, EESC members, hope to promote dialogue democratising Ukrainian society. Mr Ian Boag, Head
and cooperation between our respective economic of the Delegation of the European Commission to
and social interest groups, to familiarise you with Ukraine, noted that after just one year there had
‘Bertha von Suttner:
the consultation process established within the already been significant progress in the implemen-
a life for peace’ exhibition EU and to familiarise both of us with your social tation of the action plan, especially with regard
On 8 March 2006, the structures and the economic and social impact of to strengthening democracy and freedom of the
EESC marked International the reforms you are currently undertaking’, declared media.
Women’s Day by renam- Ms Anne-Marie Sigmund, President of the EESC.
ing its Montoyer building According to the President, it is vitally important to Ukrainian representatives underlined the need for
after Bertha von Suttner, an strengthen the principle of participatory democ- information and consultation and for funding to
Austrian and the first female racy and, therefore, to involve civil society organi- help build their capacity to act and develop. One
Nobel Peace Prize laureate. sations fully in this process. ‘Involving social forces of the main goals set out in the final statement is
A supporter of a united opening up EU programmes, in particular in the
in monitoring public policies leads to initiatives,
Europe as a way to maintain
creativity, dialogue and debate that forge the col- areas of education, training, youth and culture, to
peace, Bertha von Suttner
lective consciousness, create solidarity and develop Ukrainian organisations; this is an example of a
(1843–1914) certainly deserves credit for contribut-
ing to the development of the European Union. citizenship’, Ms Sigmund explained. concrete step that could be taken. The increasing
independence of the media should be encouraged
The Austrian Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
and supported through enhanced cooperation and
gave a speech at the opening ceremony, which
was also attended by Mr Franz Cede, the Austrian exchanges with the EU.
Ambassador to Belgium.
The inaugural ceremony was followed by the open- Deeper cooperation with
ing of an exhibition entitled ‘Bertha von Suttner: a Ukrainian CSOs
life for peace’, a lecture by the well-known historian
Brigitte Hamann and a concert performed by Italian The conference participants called for deeper coop-
pianists Sandro and Fabio Gemmiti. eration between the EESC and the Ukrainian CSOs.
This peace activist was, in this way, given her right- Dialogue between EU and Ukrainian representa-
ful place in the history of the early days of the tives of organised civil society is a key instru-
European project. Promoting civil dialogue and cooperation between European and ment for a more transparent public debate, which
Ukrainian representatives — the aim of the Kiev conference. brings added value, as well as for the integration of
European social norms.

EESC INFO / March 2006 / The participants also stressed the need to promote
the involvement of organised civil society as a gen-
Editor • Mr Karel Govaert EESC Info can be obtained free of charge and in electronic uine partner in the implementation and monitoring
format from the European Economic and Social Committee’s
Assistant editors • Mr Christian Weger of the action plan, in close cooperation with the
press service. It is available in 20 languages. Nine issues are
• Ms Agata Berdys • Ms Agnieszka Nyka published every year during EESC plenary sessions. Commission and the Ukrainian government. They
• Ms Sabine Pierrel • Ms Tessa Delville-Kordy called for binding institutional arrangements for
Address • European Economic and Social Committee EESC Info is not an official record of the EESC’s proceedings; cooperation by creating, for instance, an Economic
Rue Belliard 99, B-1040 Brussels for this, please refer to the Official Journal of the European and Social Monitoring Committee, cooperating
Tel. (32-2) 546 93 96 or 546 95 86 Union or to the EESC’s other publications. with the Joint Parliamentary Committee and mak-
QE-AA-06-003-EN-C

Fax (32-2) 546 97 64 ing recommendations to the Cooperation Council.


Reproduction is permitted if EESC Info is mentioned as the
E-mail: press@esc.eu.int
source and a copy is sent to the editor.
Internet: http://www.esc.eu.int The participants also called for briefing sessions for
A PDF version of this newsletter is available on the Print run: 42 000 copies.
civil society representatives to be held by EU and
EESC’s website: Ukrainian officials before and after each annual
http://www.esc.eu.int/press/eescinfo/index_en.asp Next issue: April 2006. summit or by high-level meetings in order to root
the ENP strategy more deeply in society.

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