Issue No 7
September-December 2023
www.eesc.europa.eu/rex
Dear Reader,
For the REX section, the year coming to an end has been marked by a wide range of activities and results. On the other hand, we end 2023 with the war in Ukraine still ongoing and not yet nearing a peaceful solution, while a second war is raging again in the Middle East.
These tragic events are matters of deep concern for the European Union: not only are these tragedies happening in our back yard, they also entail heavy human losses, hatred, destruction, humanitarian crises, ecological catastrophes and far-reaching destabilisation of entire regions of the world. In the face of these events, we must finally show assertiveness and take resolute action to change things. Humanitarian aid is highly important, but it is not enough: the EU must speak with a single voice and take the initiative in matters of defence and security.
As pointed out in the ongoing opinion REX/571 "Strengthening Multilateralism and core international principles for a rules-based order in a rapidly changing world – The importance of Civil Society contribution to the UN system", the EU as an important international actor has a responsibility to work to promote and reinforce multilateralism and a rules-based world order with the United Nations at its centre. In particular, the UN should give the Global South a stronger say and change the rules; the reform of the UN must be pursued by the EU together with the African Union; the EU needs to speak and act as one in the United Nations; the UN must involve civil society more in this process.
It will not be easy to reform the UN in the current highly tense geopolitical situation, where so many global actors fight for predominance, but making the decisions of the UN more effective is the only way to re-establish order in the international arena. The European Union pursues goals such as peace and international cooperation, democracy, fundamental rights, the rule of law, and environmental protection: all these values cannot just be the common wealth of Europeans and a few other countries: they must thrive everywhere if we want humanity to get back on track and to revert to a more sensible way of inhabiting this planet.
For what is in European hands, it is crucial to continue with EU integration, both internally and externally, for example accelerating the enlargement to candidate countries, and also to start thinking about a reform of our institutional framework that can streamline European action in order to make it able to face all the challenges ahead.
The EESC's External Relations Section will continue working on all these topics, with a special focus on peace-making, enlargement, fundamental rights, climate protection, a just transition, and fair and open trade agreements. We will keep channelling the ideas and innovative potential of civil society into meaningful and effective opinions that can make a valuable contribution to the European decision-making process.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.