16/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The EU/Estonia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) held its first meeting in Tallinn on 4 and 5 July, under the joint presidency of Ms Kadi Pärnits (President of the Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions (EAKL) and Filip Hamro-Drotz (member of the European Economic and Social Committee, Employers Group, Finland). The aim of the meeting was to prepare the ground for EU enlargement by promoting dialogue between the representatives of the organised civil society and reflecting on the ways to guarantee participation by the Estonian civil society in the debate on the future of Europe. The next meeting will be held in Brussels in December 2002 and will mainly cover action by the civil society with regard to the management of structural funds and preparations with a view to Estonia's EU membership.