The European’s Economic and Social Committee (EESC) contribution to the European debate.

Context European Parliament (EP) elections, renewal of the European Commission. The changing political structure of the EP. First elections after the financial crisis. Key moment in the history of the EU. Sense of urgency to find ways forward.

The structure of the document I. The first part of the document - the declaration - is primarily addressed to citizens. II. The second part sets out the grounds for rethinking European governance arrangements in order to fully mobilise the potential of organised European society while building on the original Community method. III. The third part is primarily addressed to the new European Parliament and the new Commission and puts forward a set of concrete measures, based on previous EESC activities and opinions.

EESC Declaration Citizen voice for a competitive social and fair European Union. Five years to save and rebuild the Union by learning from the financial crisis that has led to a social and a political crisis. The answer is not nationalism and populism but a European response: economy and society to be resource-efficient, efficient, sustainable, innovative inclusive and responsive to the needs of an ageing European society. The 2014 European elections can help the European Union to recast itself by consolidating Economic Union, Social Union and Democratic and Civic Union and rebuild trust among citizens.

A Community of values Europe has been capable of bold and far-reaching democratic and institutional innovation. A reinvention of the Community method envisaged by Jean Monnet, a Community method plus. A vision of real dialogue with major social and economic players, a dialogue with direct impact on Union policies. The year 2015 – organization of a European Convention on of Participatory Democracy and Active Citizenship.

A Community of values Build up a true citizen agenda to be addressed by the Union and it member states. December 2013 Eurobarometer : EU citizens’ trust in the EU - a historical low of 31%; two-thirds of Europeans - their voice does not count in the EU; unemployment (51%) and the economic situation (33%) – biggest concerns. EESC can work to: protect fundamental rights; foster democratic resilience - the capacity of political institutions and social organisations to promote fundamental rights, democratic values, pluralism and tolerance; strengthen the institutions involved in civil dialogue at all levels; promote solidarity.

AP: Building a prosperous Europe by consolidating Economic Union. Problems: Rising unemployment rates, resulting, inter alia, from austerity and the crisis management policies, growing poverty and social exclusion. Results: undermining the EU's economic potential and social cohesion and undermining public support for the European Union. The crisis – emphasized economic and social costs of fragmentation and divergence and the added value of European- level economic policy The EESC welcomed the common approach of the four presidents of the Council, the Commission, the Eurogroup and the ECB to move, towards a stronger EMU architecture, based on integrated frameworks for the financial sector. EESC urges the European institutions to make up for the delay now amounting to some 15 years and move towards Economic and Fiscal Union.

AP: Economic Union – key proposals 1. European Investment Plan within an integrated financial framework to ensure enough investment for the future. 2. Common debt management of the euro area, including a debt redemption fund; the creation of Eurobonds and of more short-term eurobills. 3. Better coordination of fiscal policies on the revenue side in better coordinated tax policies to stop tax dodging. 4. Rapid completion as early as possible of a European Banking Union. 5. The implementation of ex-ante economic policy coordination. 6. Progress towards genuine fiscal union through a gradual establishment of a common budget for the euro area. 7. Further work on establishing a system of European unemployment insurance 8. Encourage the entrepreneurial spirit and facilitate the creation and maintenance of businesses 9. Put the principle of sustainable development at the heart of the Union’s policies for the environment, the economy and, in particular, energy.

AP: Building a fair Europe by recasting the Social Union A Social Union is the glue that holds Europe together. A more integrated Economic and Monetary Union has to be connected with a Social Union. ‘European social model’ - values that include democracy and individual rights, free collective bargaining, the market economy, equal opportunities for all, and social protection and solidarity (The Commission’s 1994 White Paper on social policy). The Lisbon Treaty offers new possibilities for strengthening the social aspects of Europe.

AP: Social Union – key proposals 1. A new European Social Action Programme/a new Social Agenda. 2. A strong social fundamental rights agenda and better monitoring. 3. A social progress protocol in the Treaties.. 4. Initiative to reinforce social cohesion between and in countries. 5. Social indicators in the European Semester on equal footing with economic indicators. 6. European standards for a minimum income. 7. A future for young people: quick and efficient implementation of the youth (employment) guarantee - sufficient ressources. 8. A guarantee for the autonomy of collective bargaining in the treaties. 9. Strong workers' rights and health and safety provisions in the EU for a competetive and fair economy. 10. Good anti-discrimination and equal opportunities legislation in Europe

AP: Building a democratic and civic Europe through the emergence of a public European space The economic crisis has shown how interconnected European society is. The decision-making process at European level cannot be legitimate and effective if it is not supported by proper governance arrangements. A democratic political organisation rests on two pillars, a civic one and a political one. They are both linked by the concept of active citizenship. The EU cannot survive the economic and institutional crisis if it does not take bold steps towards becoming a democratic political community.

AP: Democratic and Civic Union – key proposals. 1. Organization in 2015 a European Convention on of Participatory Democracy and Active Citizenship. 2. The mechanisms of representative and participatory democracy should be strengthened (EESC, European Citizens' Initiative, and Treaty Article 11) 3. Courses on European education, culture and history should be introduced in all Member States. 4. Build a protection and promotion-oriented fundamental rights culture at all government levels and across all policy and legislative domains 5. The EESC supports both the creation of a single European statute for European political parties and foundations

AP: AP: Democratic and Civic Union – key proposals. Continuation 6. Gender equality beyond the EU should be promoted in line with the European Pact for Gender Equality. 7. The inclusion of better standards of participation for civil society in the European decision-making process. 8. Adoption of a Green Paper - a permanent and stable framework for vertical, transversal and horizontal civil dialogue. 9. Third country nationals who are long term residents in the EU should enjoy the same right as the EU citizens. 10. Projects that are visible to the public should be promoted, such as the European Company Statute, the European Youth Card, the European University Institute, the European Public Domain. 11. Innovation should be encouraged in social development in Europe and international cooperation around the world.