05/01/24 (Agence Europe) – The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) launched, on Thursday 4 January, a call for expressions of interest from civil society organisations in the EU candidate countries to become ‘enlargement candidate members’ (ECM) and contribute to the EESC’s advisory work in 2024. In December 2023, European leaders opened accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and granted Georgia the status of candidate country, subject to conditions (see EUROPE 13314/1). In September 2023, the EESC decided to involve civil society representatives from the EU candidate countries in its advisory work. The enlargement candidate members will work alongside EESC members, contributing to the drafting of EESC opinions and taking part in plenary sessions. The call for expressions of interest is open until 25 January: https://aeur.eu/f/aa9 (CG)