Brussels, 22/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - The plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has been put forward by one day, to be held on Tuesday 22 April, during the afternoon, and Wednesday 23, during the morning. This time, no eminent figures are expected to attend. EESC members are to give their stance on a series of opinions on matters such as competitive regions, the prevention of terrorism, the 3rd legislative package on the electricity and gas markets, flexicurity, and the negotiation of new trade agreements and a communication on a partner Europe.
Among the opinions put to scrutiny, the Committee is called upon to give its approval to three own-initiative opinions presented by (1) Mr Buffetaut (Employers, France) on the theme “towards a common energy policy”; (2) Mr Moreno Preciado (Workers, Spain) on the “freedom of association in the Euromed partner countries”; and (3) Mr Peel (Employers, UK) and Ms Pichenot (Various Interests, France) on “new trade agreements negotiations: the EESC position”. The Committee will also give its opinion on two exploratory opinions, presented by Mr Retureau (Workers, France) and Mr Cabra De Luna (Various Interests, Spain) on “the prevention of terrorism and violent radicalisation”, and the other by Mr Simons (Employers, NL).
Furthermore, the Committee is to examine the opinions of: (1) Mr Pezzini (Employers, Italy) on “competitive European regions through research and innovation”; (2) Mr Cedrone (Workers, Italy) on the “3rd legislative package of the electricity and gas markets”; (3) Ms Bredima (Employers, Greece) and Mr Chagas (Workers, Portugal) on an “integrated maritime policy”; (4) Mr Janson (Workers, Sweden) and Mr Ardhe (Employers, Sweden) on “more and better jobs through flexicurity and security”; and (5) Ms Kössler (Various Interests, Sweden) on the theme “pay gap between women and men”. (G.B.)