PRESS RELEASE No 52/2011 / 6May 2011

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EESC and French ESEC embark on

restoring confidence in the European project

The European Economic and Social Committee and its French counterpart agreed to join forces to actas laboratories for innovative solutions to the challenges brought about by the current crisis in Europe. This was the joint message launched by Mr Jean-Paul Delevoye, President of the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC), and Mr Staffan Nilsson, Presidentof the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) at the EESC plenary session on 5 May 2011.

A large delegation from the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of France, headed by Mr Jean-Paul Delevoyeattended the EESC May plenary session to discuss the cooperation between the two institutions and the key role of civil society in reviving theEuropean project.

In his welcoming remarks,EESC President Staffan Nilsson underlined the historical weight of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of France and the fruitful results that cooperation between the two bodies has yielded over years. Both Committees, aided by other economic and social councils in the EU, submitted a joint report to the heads of states and governments gathered at the EU summit in March this year. The quality of the report led the European Council to task the EESC with monitoring the progress of the new Europe 2020 strategy. "This acknowledgement is a clear success for civil society organisations", said EESC President Staffan Nilsson.

Mr Jean-Paul Delevoye stressed that the role of organised civil society is crucial in making sure that traditional politics will adopt a long term vision and actions."Our Councils are the laboratories of the future. By building joint projects together, they will enableEurope to conquer the future and not only to pay for its negative aspects". The meeting between the two bodies has taken place at a timeof crisis, and whennew forms of political participation are emerging. Referring to the EU's current malaise,Mr. Delevoyeadvocated for "putting national interests aside and building a real European interest". This can only be achieved "if we are not distracted from our long-term vision". He added that we should never forget that EUwas built up from several past crises, and that there is no other alternative than going ahead.

Both Presidents agreed that European institutions and their national counterparts have to remain optimistic, and believe in their deep hopes for a strong EU.

In the following debate, Mr George Dassis (President of the Group of Employees, Greece) welcomed the will for a stronger cooperation, declaring that Europe needs to be increasingly orientated towards solidarity and equity if citizens are to put faith in Europe again.Ms Evelyne Pichenot (Various Interests Group, France), member of both institutions, recalled the key role that the two bodies will have to play in empowering citizens. MrHenri Malosse(Employers' Group president, France) said that Delevoye made a "founding speech" for a deeper cooperation between the two institutions. "We need to invest in projects capable of mobilizing citizens, who are increasingly impatient and disillusioned with progress on major European projects", he added.

The Plenary has been followed by a working lunch between the delegations of the two bodies, during which the discussions continued on the modalities of cooperation and on the next steps to make together.

For more information, please contact:

Barbara Gessler, EESC Press Unit,

Tel.:+32 2 546 8066;

Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 – 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel – BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Tel. +32 25469396 – Fax +32 25469764

Email: – Internet: