AGENDA

 Debates

• Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 15:00

  New Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights

  with Roxana Mînzatu, European Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Korinna Schumann, Federal Minister for Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection of Republic of Austria and Katarzyna Nowakowska, Polish Deputy Minister for Family, Labour and Social Policy

  Linked to SOC/822 – New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

• Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 16:30

  Democratic Future of Belarus and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the EESC and the Belarusian democratic forces with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian democratic forces

• Thursday 19 June 2025 at 9:30

  Resolution on EESC contribution to the 2026 European Commission’s work programme

• Thursday 19 June 2025 at 10:00

  EESC resolution Supporting the Declaration of Principles for a Gender-Equal Society

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Opinions in the spotlight

SUSTAINABILITY

Regenerative agriculture as a target towards sustainable agriculture and food production, supporting climate and biodiversity objectives (NAT/948, rapporteur: Stoyan Tchoukanov (BG-III))

In this opinion, the Committee recognises the growing movement of European farmers adopting regenerative agriculture, which supports climate goals, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods. It urges the EU to expand support through aligned funding, advisory services, innovation, regulatory simplification, and fairer market conditions, believing this will help renew the agricultural sector and attract new generations of farmers. More

SOCIAL AFFAIRS

New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (SOC/822, rapporteur: Sophia Reisecker (AT-II))

This opinion aims to support the creation of a forward-looking social action plan by evaluating the progress and challenges of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). It focuses on aiding those most impacted by demographic and labour market changes, strengthening employment standards, and enhancing social safety nets. More

A Roadmap for Women’s Rights (SOC/839, rapporteur: Sif Holst (SE-III))

In this opinion the EESC endorses the Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society, which aligns closely with the values and priorities repeatedly expressed in EESC opinions, and stands ready to contribute actively to the realisation of the EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights and to work with the European institutions and Member States, to transform these principles into practice. More

The Future of the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities post-2025 (SOC/830, Ioannis VARDAKASTANIS (GR-III))

In this exploratory opinion, requested by the European Commission, the EESC outlines priority actions and flagship initiatives for the 2025–2030 period. It urges the Commission to quickly develop its next action plan and calls for stronger, more binding measures than those from 2021–2025. More

COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS

How to address the loss of purchasing power and the risk of rising inequalities, exclusion and marginalization (SOC/823, rapporteur: Maria del Carmen Barrera Chamorro (ES-II))

This opinion considers, among others, that investment in people and the economy, fair taxation, quality and affordable public services, and targeted support for the most vulnerable are essential to mitigating the cost-of-living crisis and protecting against future shocks: it also argues that the EU must enhance its capacity to prevent and respond to future crises. More

Reindustrialisation of Europe – opportunity for businesses, employees and citizens in the context of the cost-of-living crisis (CCMI/239, rapporteur Andrés Barceló Delgado (ES-I), co-rapporteur Monika Sitárová (SK-II))

This opinion calls for a socially fair and sustainable reindustrialisation of Europe, backed by strong public-private investment and innovation. It urges EU action to improve competitiveness, secure strategic autonomy, and support circular economy models. Key priorities include streamlining permitting, promoting youth entrepreneurship and apprenticeships, and recognising skills across borders. More.

Fragmentation of supply chains and impact of cost of living (REX/596, rapporteur: Dimitris Dimitriadis (EL-I), co-rapporteur: Anastasis Yiapanis (CY-III))

The opinion is addressing the fragmentation of supply chains and its impact on the cost of living. It emphasises the need for strategic responses to strengthen economic resilience and mitigate the effects of supply chain disruptions. The EU must balance economic resilience with national security to reduce protectionism risks. More

ENERGY

Towards a balanced European energy system (TEN/847, rapporteur: Zsolt Kükedi (HU-III), co-rapporteur: Philippe Charry (FR-II))

The EESC considers energy affordability, carbon neutrality and energy security to be the core objectives of a balanced energy system, and emphasises the need to maintain baseload generation and a diverse clean energy mix to balance supply and demand, including intermittent and constant production, controllable and non-controllable sources and regional energy differences. More

HEALTH

Critical Medicines Act (CCMI/240, rapporteur Veselin Mitov (BG-II), co-rapporteur Elżbieta Szadzińska (PL-II))
The EESC supports the Critical Medicines Act to reduce EU dependence and prevent medicine shortages. It calls for stronger funding, a dedicated EU fund for key ingredients, real-time tracking, coordinated stockpiling, and harmonised standards. The opinion urges investment in skills, support for innovation, affordability safeguards, and civil society involvement. Resilient pharmaceutical supply is key to EU strategic autonomy. More.

European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers (CCMI/244, rapporteur Alain Coheur (BE-III), co-rapporteur Hervé Jeannin (FR))
With hospitals increasingly targeted by ransomware and cyberattacks, the EESC supports the EU action plan to strengthen cybersecurity in the health sector. It calls for urgent, coordinated measures to safeguard patient data, ensure uninterrupted care, and protect lives. The opinion recommends stronger EU coordination, increased funding, and mandatory cybersecurity standards for healthcare providers. More.

TAX POLICY

Assessing tax reporting obligations in the EU (ECO/664, rapporteur: Krister Andersson (SV-I))

The EESC supports the European Commission’s push to simplify tax rules and ease burdens, especially for SMEs and cross-border workers. Simplification, it argues, should enhance clarity and efficiency without undermining fairness or enabling tax avoidance. Key recommendations include clearer guidance, EU-level advance tax rulings, a new Joint Transfer Pricing Forum, and harmonised reporting. The EESC also urges standardised impact assessments and action on cross-border issues like telework and dividend taxation. A simpler, more coherent system will boost compliance, competitiveness and trust across the EU. More

 

EESC plenary session

European Commission – Charlemagne building (Alcide De Gasperi room)

18 June, 2.30 p.m. | 19 June, 9.00 a.m.

Watch the plenary session – Agenda

 

To attend please register here. 

 

For more information, please contact:

EESC Press Unit

E-mail: press@eesc.europa.eu

Tel: + 32 2 546 9793

@EESC_PRESS