Brussels, 23/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - Like the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has made the European Commission's communication strategy its key issue (see EUROPE 9090). This was confirmed by EESC President Anne-Marie Sigmund during the annual report on the Committee's working programme presented to the EESC plenary on 14 December. She said: “We have crossed significant stages in raising a challenge that is raised to all European institutions: awakening or reawakening interest for Europe”. In this context, the EESC “deliberately chose to draw up a brief and operational document” entitled “Reflection and Beyond: Plan D like Democracy, Dialogue and Debate”, Rapporteur Jillian van Turnhout (Ireland,, Various Interests) commented. In its opinion, the Committee sets out concrete proposals aimed at allowing it to play its role in the Plan D more fully, through its function as a bridge between Europe and the organised civil society. The Committee also calls on the Commission to develop concrete proposal for reactivating its plan, Ms van Turnhout explained. Her two main messages are that: - the provisions of the Constitution that affect the democratic life of the EU should be applied early, so that participatory democracy becomes a reality from now on; - and there must be a guarantee that the voice of the organised civil society and of its representatives will be heard in the debate on the future of Europe.