Brussels, 28/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - "With the Declaration of Laeken and the investiture of the Convention (…) we are embarking on a new, constructive phase of European unification policy, prompting high hopes", declared the President of the European Economic and Social committee, Goke Frerichs. Stressing the active role the Committee will play (represented in the Convention by three observers), bringing to bear the expectation, views and suggestions of civil society, Mr. Frerichs noted that the Committee "would undertake to work in closely with national economic and social councils established in most Member states, as well as with European transnational networks of organisations, unions and associations". The Committee "has the necessary experience and tools to assist the Convention in setting up dialogue with the general civil society organisations represented in the Forum", he said.