Category Archives: EU Institutions News

EESC | “Migration needs both – humanity and clear rules”. EESC calls for a common European asylum and migration policy

10/12/2015 – Europe needs a truly common European asylum system with harmonised procedures throughout Europe. In the current complex situation, Europe needs to secure its borders in a European rather than a national effort while at the same time assisting asylum seekers outside the EU. Moreover, it has to put in place an effective immigration policy which is transparent, clearly outlining who will have a chance to immigrate and welcoming those newcomers by supporting their start in the respective EU Member State.

EP | Julie Ward: Terrorist attacks were the result of exclusion, not multiculturalism

08/12/2015 – Recent events in Europe have brought the issues of marginalisation and extremism to the forefront of public debate. On 7 December Parliament’s culture committee adopted a report on the role of intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and education in promoting EU fundamental values. Ahead of the vote, we spoke to report author Julie Ward, a UK member of the S&D: “We have one world and we have to find some way of being mutually respectful and tolerant of each other.”

EC | Public consultation on work-life balance

18/11/2015 – Today the Commission has launched a public consultation on how to improve work-life balance and reduce obstacles to women’s participation in the labour market. This consultation follows the recent withdrawal of the Commission’s 2008 proposal to amend the Maternity Leave Directive. The Commission has committed to replacing the withdrawn proposal with a ‘new start’ initiative in its Work Programme for 2016.

Britain’s EU reform talks stumble on social benefits

23/11/2015, Euractiv – Member states have firmly rejected British demands to limit EU citizens’ rights to social benefits when working in the UK, saying this would be discriminatory.

EU 2016 budget approved by the Council

24/11/2015 – the Council by unanimity approved the 2016 EU budget deal agreed by the Conciliation Committee on 14 November. If the agreement is also confirmed by the European Parliament on 25 November the EU budget for 2016 is adopted. 

EESC should go back to basics and promote European integration, says its President Georges Dassis

13/11/2015 (Agence Europe) – The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) should go back to its primary role, namely expressing the views of civil society and advising the other European institutions on the best ways of encouraging European integration, which could include drawing up a plinth of European social rights, as desired by the European Commission.

Thyssen: New business-led initiative will help young people into jobs

Euractiv, 16/11/2015 – Though the implementation of the Youth Guarantee in member states is on track, the Commission is launching a new initiative with businesses to help more young people into jobs, says Marianne Thyssen in an interview.

Joint statement of the EU Heads of State or Government and the leaders of the EU institutions on the terrorist attacks in Paris

14/11/2015 – The European Union is deeply shocked and in mourning after the terrorist attacks in Paris. It is an attack against us all. We will face this threat together with all necessary means and ruthless determination.

EU Council | Deal reached on 2016 EU budget

14/11/2015 – On 14 November 2015, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the EU budget for 2016. Meeting in the Conciliation Committee they agreed to set the total level of commitments at €155.00 billion and of payments at €143.89 billion. 

Poverty in Europe is getting worse, not better

Euractiv, 30/10/2015 – Member states have committed to lifting 20 million people out of poverty by 2020. But this has been hard to do in a time of economic recession, writes Georges Dassis, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).The record number of entries for the 2015 Civil Society Prize of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the theme of “Combating poverty” shows the problem is getting worse, not better. Nearly one in four EU citizen (about 120 million people) faces the risk of poverty. The European Union member states are committed to lifting 20 million people out of poverty by 2020.