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European Economic and Social Committee

PRESS RELEASE No. 91/2003 Brussels, 11th December 2003

DECEMBER PLENARY SESSION

EESC DELIVERS STRONG MESSAGE

TO BARNIER ON EVE OF IGC – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

EESC ADOPTS CRITICAL RESOLUTION ON LISBON STRATEGY

In a resolution adopted by the plenary on the eve of Mr Barnier's speech, the EESC adopted a hard-hitting resolution on the Lisbon Strategy (Voting 160; in favour 116; against 37; abstentions 7).

The Resolution's key points:

The Lisbon strategy will not achieve its objectives of international competitiveness, economic, social and environmental progress and sustainable development without a comprehensive review of the method, the institutional and political arrangements and the cooperation instruments tasked with their delivery.

There is a need to involve to a greater extent economic and social actors more in the process through more effective dialogue. Without this the process risks going badly off the tracks.

There is a need for better division of responsibility in implementing the reforms between, on the one hand the European, national and regional level and, on the other, the public, private and associative sector.

The Strategy needs to be properly understood by the public, which means raising its profile and improving its credibility and involving socio-occupational players in participatory democracy.

Click herefor the full text.

Click here for more information on the EESC's activities within the Lisbon process.

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Other highlights

Adoption of EESC Members' Statute

Members’ Statute adopted (voted: 126; in favour 101; against 18; abstentions 7). The final adopted text outlines the rights, duties and responsibilities of Members appointed to serve at the EESC.

Official Opening of Art Exhibition "Folligeniali"

The December plenary session also saw the official opening of the Folligeniali art exhibition at the EESC's headquarters in Brussels. The event has been organized within the framework of the European Year of People with Disabilities. From now until 10 February visitors to the Committee will be able to view a selection of art work by the students of the Bergognone Art School in Lodi (Italy).

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Adoption of key Opinions:

New European neighbours of the European Union

Rapporteur: Mrs Karin Alleweldt (Group II, Employees, Germany).

Adopted unanimously

The EESC recommends the establishment of a proactive strategy to assist Belarus, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine including measures to assist civil society. The EESC also recommends the establishment of structural dialogues along the lines of the work carried out with partner associations in the acceding states.

Own-initiative Opinion on taxation within the EU

Rapporteur: Mr Lars Nyberg (Group II, Employees, Sweden)

(78 in favour; 23 against; 15 abstentions)

Harmonising rules governing taxation and use of qualified majority voting.

Opinion on the Commission's Green Paper of Services of General Interest

Rapporteur: Mr Bernardo Hernandez Bataller (Group III, Various interests, Spain); Co-Rapporteur: Mr Raymond Hencks (Group II, Employees, Luxembourg)

(in favour 72; against 7; abstentions 6)

Committee asks Commission to put forward a proposal for a framework Directive on Services of General Interest.

Opinion on Immigration, integration and employment - Immigration, integration and employment

Rapporteur: Mr Pariza Castanos (Group 2, Employees, Spain)

(in favour 117; against 0; abstentions 6)

The need to place integration at the core of the EU's immigration policy.

Opinion on the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia

Rapporteur: Mr Sukhdev Sharma (Group III, various interests, United Kingdom)

(in favour 119; against 0; abstentions 1)

Monitoring Centre should play a more proactive role in shaping political recommendations for the EU institutions and the Member States.

Own-initiative Opinion on the future financing of transport infrastructure: Sustainable development and climate change

Rapporteurs: Mrs Karin Alleweldt (Group II, employees, Germany); Mr Philippe Levaux (Group I, Employers, France); Mr Lutz Ribbe (Group III, Employees, Germany).

Vote deferred to the January plenary session

Integrated product policy

Rapporteur: Mr Richard Adams (Group III, Various interests, United Kingdom).

(in favour 81; against 1; abstentions 3)

Social Policy Agenda

Rapporteur: Mr Luca Jahier (Group III, Various interests, Italy).

(in favour 104; against 5; abstentions 9)

Prevention and integrated reduction of pollution

Rapporteur: Mr Paolo Braghin (Group I, Employers, Italy).

(in favour 110; against 0; abstentions 1)

Broad economic policy guidelines

Rapporteur: Mr Thomas Delapina (Group II, Employees, Austria).

(in favour 50; against 5; abstentions 2)

Role of civil society in the framework of the new European strategy for the Western Balkans Rapporteur: Mr Roberto Confalonieri (Group III, Various interests, Italy).

(in favour 110; against 0; abstentions 1)

For more details, please contact:

Vasco de Oliveira or Tristan Macdonaldat the EESC Press Office.

Rue Ravenstein, 2, Brussels, B-1000

Tel: 02 546 9396/9586; Mobile: 0475 753 202;

e-mail:

Website:

The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organized civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has 222 members. Its members are appointed by the Council of Ministers.