Brussels,25/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - At last week's plenary session in Brussels of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), EESC President, Roger Briesch, made an assessment of the European Convention's work. Convinced that the draft Constitution is not the smallest common denominator but the largest common multiplier, Briesch shared some criticism over greater QMV, the EU's finances, economic and social governance and European citizenship, “despite considerable progress”. On the third part of the Constitution (dealing with the EU's policies and operations), he was delighted that a new measures has been introduced on the importance of utilities to stimulate social and territorial cohesion in the EU. Likewise for the open coordination method, which will be applied in all but name to new areas, like social policy, research, public health and industrial competitiveness, he explained.
Briesch regretted the lukewarm reaction to two EESC requests, for a new measure to be added clearly setting out the EESC's mission, and extending areas where the EESC must be consulted to non-discrimination, BEPGs, culture and the common asylum and immigration policy. To better anchor itself in the future institutional set-up and ensure greater visibility, the EESC will be focussing in the next few months on two the above two areas and lobbying to ensure the EESC is granted the right of appeal to the Court of Justice to protect its powers. This rights is vital, said Briesch, to ensure parity with the Committee of the Regions and guarantee the two EU consultative bodies are treated equally. At the EESC's June session, Briesch called for an articles clearly setting out the EESC's mission in the EU legislative process and in dialogue with civil society (see EUROPE of 5 July, p.17).