Brussels, 17/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 13 September, the advisors of the Economic and Social Committee debated Europe's future in plenary with the Chairs of the national economic and social councils, and unanimously adopted a resolution on the subject. "This resolution has as strong point the request of the Committee to be involved in the work of the Convention, which is to prepare the next IGC, in an advisory capacity", stressed Thomas Jansen, Chef de Cabinet of the Committee's President Goke Frerichs. "There are two reasons for this: - the first is that the Committee is the only body, within the EU system, which has a mandate, through the Treaties, as well as in practice, to listen, gather and channel points of views and then express the consensus and interests of organised civil society: - the second, is that the Committee has the instruments to listen, gather and make a synthesis, and to try to find a consensus of European transnational civil society", Mr. Jansen explained. He then recalled that the "Committee also expresses itself through NGOs, platforms, fora and networks", and "we also have a structured dialogue with national civil societies through the economic and social councils of Member States, and we have a series of meetings on precise topics".
Thomas Jensen announced that, from the debate in plenary and contributions provided by the chairs of the national economic and social councils, the Committee was to draw up a document that will be discussed with representatives of national councils. Then, a joint text will be published expressing the "message and desiderata of institutions representing organised civil society at European and national levels", Jansen concluded, adding that "pressure will be placed on national governments through economic and social councils for us to be heard".
Attacks in the United States: Statement by Mr. Frerichs
In statement at the opening of the Committee's plenary session, Goke Frerichs condemned "the incomprehensible terrorist acts, for which there is no justification, neither political, nor social, nor ideological", committed on 11 September in the United States. The Committee's President stressed that the fight against terrorism "also means that we shall constantly try to eradicate the causes that nourish it. We will also firmly commit ourselves in future to a consequential peace policy, in favour of democracy and social justice.". On behalf of the Committee, President Frerichs urges "European organisations and associations of civil society to demonstrate their friendship towards the American people, and their opposition to terrorism".