Brussels, 19/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - Late morning Thursday, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted, with considerable amendments and after a heated discussion in plenary, a resolution addressed to the European Convention. This is the first position taken on the subjects on the Convention's agenda in which the Committee stresses its role as an institution that is representative of the organised civil society, the fact that it is the natural place for organising civil dialogue and that it is strongly determined not to give content to the concept of the European model of society, said Thomas Jansen, chef de cabinet for President Göke Frerichs.
In its resolution, the Committee considers it appropriate to make a clear distinction between dialogue with the civil society organisations, on one hand, and social dialogue organisations on the other. The European social dialogue is a mechanism with almost legislative powers. It is clearly defined in terms of participants, powers and procedures. The participation and the specific responsibilities of management and labour must be developed in the context of consolidated European social and economic dialogue. Also, the Committee believes, both social dialogue and the practice of joint regulation or self-regulation, which are reflected in the sharing of responsibilities between the interested parties and institutions, take part in this good European governance. Finally, the Committee considers that the granting of institutional status would reinforce it, especially in its future activities, as spokesperson for the organised civil society. This resolution will now be sent to the Convention as an official contribution from the Committee.