Brussels, 13/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 7 September, the Economic and Social Committee (EESC) asked for the European Parliament's support in creating a new consultative body for the Euro-Mediterranean region. This would involve an assembly of economic and social councils and similar institutions which would work within the structures of the Union for the Mediterranean.
The project was presented by the president of the EESC, Staffan Nilsson, to his counterpart at the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, during a meeting on Friday 7 September. The EESC is currently preparing for the next Euro-Mediterranean summit of economic and social councils and similar institutions, which will take place in Amman (Jordan) on 17-19 October. The main issues to be tackled are “the role of women, social dialogue, freedom of the media, corruption and sustainable development”, an EESC press release states. The European Parliament, on its side, will next April organise - with the Anna Lindh Foundation - the Mediterranean Forum of the Civil Society. The EESC has been invited to participate.
In order to maintain the winds of democracy that started during the Arab Spring uprisings, the Parliament and EESC are undertaking similar actions - support to SMEs, free trade agreements, visa access for students and business people, as well as strengthening the social dialogue and cooperation with trade unions on these matters. (JK/transl.fl)