In memoriam

Sveto Trajkovski

1966-2024

Last August, our dear colleague Sveto Trajkovski passed away, leaving an overwhelming feeling of sadness and loss in the REX Team.

Sveto was a fearless mobiliser and enthusiast, always willing to help and inspire everyone with his extensive talent and compelling energy. We will always remember his incredible generosity and kindness, his immense humanity and integrity, his unfailing friendship, his cheerful smile and witty humour, as well as his true professionalism and commitment in everything he did from translation to impact assessment, from true dedi-cation in the EESC Staff Committee to external relations in REX Unit.

Not having Sveto any longer is a bitter loss for all of us. But the memory of a good and kind person, as he was, is a true blessing. Sveto, there will always be a special place in our hearts carved out for our memories, happy times spent together and that heartfelt laughter of yours.

As we reported in the last issue of this Newsletter, Belarusian journalist, activist and human rights defender Andrei Gnyot (Андрей Гнёт) had been detained in Serbia following an extradition request from Belarus based of false allegations. At the time of writing in July, Mr Gnyot was in prison, waiting for a judicial decision. In response to this situation, the EESC had joined international efforts to release him and had made an official statement calling on Serbia not to extradite him to Belarus.

Meanwhile, the actions of our Ad hoc group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law were crowned by success: the Serbian Appellate body came to the decision that the conditions to extradite Mr Gnyot to Belarus were not fulfilled and sent the case back for a new decision. Consequently, his detention was terminated when the legal term of one year expired on 31 October 2024.

Since then, with the process  still ongoing, Mr Gnyot left Serbia and publicly thanked the EESC for its efforts from Berlin, where he held a press conference. Recently, EESC Info published his testimony.

On 13 December, the EESC, together with the European Endowment for Democracy and the Belarus Press Club, held a seminar on The Role of the Belarusian Independent Media in Fostering a Resilient and Democratising Society, followed by the screening of Mara Tamkovich’s film ‘Under the Grey Sky’.

Despite the growing isolation in which dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko has plunged his country, the EESC is still in touch with Belarusian civil society, and has been organising a series of cultural initiatives on Belarus, such as the photo exhibition Heroes of Dark Times. It also adopted opinion REX/545 on ‘Supporting the independent media sector in Belarus’ (see previous issues of this Newsletter).

In 2022, the EESC launched a series of events to raise citizens’ awareness on the problem of disinformation. The main concept was that, because disinformation spreads horizontally, it is necessary to involve civil society and its horizontal way of functioning to counter fake lies and the activity of malicious actors, often sponsored by foreign interference efforts.

Every event consisted of a conference with the participation of local civil society actors, EESC members, academics and students, journalists, influencers, local authorities and EU institutions, and a one-week social media campaign pointing to a dedicated page on the Committee’s website.

The first event took place in Sofia in 2023, the second one in Chișinău and the third in Athens in 2024. On each occasion, the EESC was able to interact with local civil society, and the events were covered by the press and television, as well as by influencers on social networks.

With the closure of the first three-event series, a milestone has been set, but the EESC will continue working on the topic of disinformation, which is becoming increasingly relevant for the health of democracy in the world.

Where democracy began (photo: Shutterstock).

István Komoróczki, Co-Chair of the EEA Consultative Committee, during the EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting held in Oslo on 21-22 November (photo: Peter Mydske / Stortinget).

The European Economic Area Consultative Committee (EEA CC) convened its 34th meeting in Brussels on 26 November. On the issue of how to better improve European competitiveness, Mr Stefano Mallia, President of the EESC Employers’ Group, stressed the importance of putting words into action and moving towards implementation of the recommendations in the Report by former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, including on reducing the red tape burden on SMEs. EESC member Ariane Rodert gave a preliminary presentation of her upcoming exploratory opinion on ‘Crises and crisis phenomena in modern Europe and civil society’. The EEA CC members also received an update from Deputy Head of Swiss Mission in Brussels Minister Alexander Renggli concerning EU-Switzerland relations. Finally, Ms Line Eldring, Director of the Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions, presented findings of the report on Norway’s experience of cooperation under the EEA Agreement since 2012.

On 24 October, the EESC held its Enlargement High-level Forum, as the key event of the Enlargement Candidate Members initiative. Enlargement Candidate Members (ECMs) are representatives of civil society from the candidate countries for EU accession who contribute to the drafting process of EESC opinions. This initiative made the EESC the first EU institution to offer candidate countries a specific opportunity for involvement and participation. The Forum, entitled ‘Towards successful EU Enlargement’, and co-organised with the European Commission, welcomed some 100 ECMs to discuss the role of social dialogue and civil society in progressing on the accession path, including the importance of upholding the EU’s fundamental values. It was also an occasion to take stock of what the EESC has have achieved so far and what direction the project will take in the next months.

Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, were also present in the Forum, alongside Naida Nišić, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro, Olta Manjani, Deputy Minister for Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania, Niki Kerameus, Minister of Labour and Social Security of Greece, and Rolf Schmachtenberg, German State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs.

On 29 November, the EU-Serbia Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) met in Belgrade. EESC President Oliver Röpke, Serbian Minister of European Integration Tanja Miščević and EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret, emphasised the need for robust reforms and the importance of civil society in their implementation. The meeting was preceded by a two-day mission of the EESC’s Ad hoc group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law, the first findings of which were presented by Group’s Vice-President Ozlem Yildirim. Discussions highlighted issues such as the rule of law, civic freedoms, youth challenges and education reforms, as well as media independence, anti-corruption measures and social dialogue.

Furthermore, the JCC expressed its condolences for the recent tragedy in Novi Sad, calling on the authorities to thoroughly investigate its causes. Finally, it adopted a Joint Declaration expressing concern over stalled negotiations and urged stronger reforms. Immigration issues, the protection of cultural heritage and greater public understanding of EU integration benefits were among the topics highlighted. The next JCC meeting is scheduled for early 2025 in Brussels.

This years’ external meeting of the Western Balkans Follow-up Committee was held on 15 October in the Europe House in Sarajevo (BiH). It included a conference with local social partners and civil society organisations (CSOs). The goal of the conference was to listen to the views of the organised civil society of Bosnia and Herzegovina on their role in the country and the future negotiations with the EU, and to convey important messages to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the EU institutions.

A report on the conference highlighted that BiH citizens should feel they are gradually benefiting from EU membership even before the formal accession and the authorities in the country, at all levels, must act responsibly and do their part. The President and two vice-presidents of the Western Balkans Follow-up Committee held bilateral meetings as part of the fact-finding mission to BiH. EESC President Oliver Röpke, who had come to BiH to open the conference, met with the local Enlargement Candidate Members (ECMs), as well as with national and international authorities present in the country, such as Amer Kapetanović, Secretary-General Designate of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Dubravka Bošnjak, Minister of Civil Affairs in the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Louis Crishock, Principal Deputy High Representative at the Office of the High Representative.

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On 29 and 30 September, EESC President Oliver Röpke attended the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platforms on Education and Training, Research and Innovation, and Culture in Skopje. This marks the first time the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its President participated in this pivotal event, signalling an important step in enhancing cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkans. In addition, President Röpke held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. The discussions focused on the EU accession process, the role of civil society and the importance of maintaining momentum in North Macedonia’s integration path. President Röpke met also with the Enlargement Candidate Members (ECMs) from North Macedonia in a town hall meeting.

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On 10 and 11 September, EESC President Oliver Röpke led a delegation to Albania to participate in the Tirana Connectivity Forum 2024 and engage in high-level meetings with Albanian stakeholders, from Prime Minister Edi Rama to Albania’s chief negotiator Majlinda Dhuka. He also met with social partners and civil society organisations, namely those participating in the EESC’s Enlargement Candidate Members initiative.

On 19 September, President Röpke and Prime Minister Rama met again, this time at the European Parliament, where they held a joint press point to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Albania and the EU. They also expressed their determination to complete the establishment of the EU-Albania Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), which is expected to play a key role in ensuring civil society’s involvement in the EU accession negotiations. Its inaugural meeting is expected to take place in the first months of 2025.

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On 27 November, the EU-Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) held its 19nd meeting in Brussels to discuss bilateral relations, with topics such as the 2024 Enlargement Package and Montenegro Report, an overview of the developments within the Berlin process, the Reform Agenda for Montenegro, the implementation of the New growth plan for the Western Balkans and the Montenegrin roadmap for fulfilment of the negotiation chapters’ closing benchmarks after the IBAR gave an overview of the civil society situation in the country including social dialogue. In their joint declaration, JCC members expressed satisfaction concerning the statement by new Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos that Montenegro could close the remaining negotiations chapters by the end of 2026, and therefore become the 28th EU member state by 2028. They stressed that the country needs political maturity, consensus and cross-party and broader social dialogue on matters of national interest such as EU-related reforms, and should avoid the political tension and polarisation that have delayed progress in the past. In this context, JCC members welcomed the recent political platform Barometar 26 and asked to include organised civil society in it. The meeting, which was inaugurated by EESC President Oliver Röpke and Montenegro’s Minister for European Affairs Maida Gočević, was widely reported in the Montenegrin media.

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On 10-11 October, the EU-Türkiye Joint Consultative Committee held its 42nd meeting in Nevşehir, Cappadocia. The meeting was meaningful and balanced: social issues, migration, entrepreneurship of disabled people, civil protection, digital skills and agriculture were on the agenda. Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, who only a few weeks earlier had started in his position as the Head of the EU Delegation in Türkiye, participated in the opening session. This time, the joint declaration was already adopted at the end of the meeting, which has not always been possible in previous meetings. Still, there were challenges in finding a common ground on some complex issues, in particular on minimum wages and the Cyprus question. In the end, close negotiations yielded results and the Co-chairs Mr Veselin Mitov and Mr Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu were able to announce the adoption of the joint declaration. The next meeting of the JCC is planned to be held in Brussels before the end of the current term.

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On 14-15 October, a delegation of three EESC members participated in an exploratory mission to Morocco, in the margins of the EU-Morocco Joint Advisory Group meeting organised on 16 October. The mission was held at a critical moment for relations between the EU and Morocco, just days after the Court of Justice of the EU had confirmed an earlier ruling cancelling the EU-Morocco agreements on trade in agricultural products and fisheries. On the same day (4 October), the Court of Justice had ruled that melons and tomatoes harvested in the Western Sahara and imported into the EU must mention their country of origin and not the name of Morocco.

The mission served to evaluate trade and investment relations between the EU and Morocco and to reaffirm the excellent collaboration with the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of Morocco. In line with the European Commission and the EEAS, the participating EESC members were able to reiterate the high value attached to the strategic partnership with Morocco and to support the continued strengthening of close relations with Morocco in all areas of the Morocco-EU Partnership.

On 20 September, the EESC and the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) presented a Joint Declaration at the UN Summit of the Future in New York, emphasising the crucial role of civil society in addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development. The Joint Declaration puts an emphasis on accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a fair transition for climate neutrality, global finance reform and gender-responsive policies. The EESC and ECOSOCC also underline that civil society must play a central role in reforming global governance and the importance of engaging youth. The partnership between the EESC and the African ECOSOCC aims to inspire new alliances and initiatives. More info.

On 4-5 November, the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) met with representatives from the homologous DAGs of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador in a comprehensive virtual meeting. On the first day, the DAGs animated an online workshop on Corporative Sustainability Due Diligence, EU Deforestation Regulation, Single Entry Point, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. On the second day, the DAGs held a joint meeting to discuss their role and functioning and to exchange good practices. A substantial part of the work revolved around the monitoring of the implementation of the Trade Agreement with the three Andean countries and the impact they have on trade and sustainable development. The debate focused on the labour situation in the contracting countries (compliance with fundamental rights, labour inspection systems and the inclusive and just transition), the relationship between the Trade Agreement and environmental protection (climate crisis, the energy transition), and supply chain issues (the relationship between the Trade Agreement and economic development, job creation, MSMEs, and the balance of challenges and opportunities).

Later, on 28 November, DAGs members took part in the Public Session of the Sub-Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development, which served as an opportunity to discuss relevant labour and environmental issues with the representatives of the European Commission and of the Andean governments. Read more

At the G20 Social Summit held on 15-16 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, EESC President Oliver Röpke and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva advocated for urgent reforms in global governance, expanded social protections, and inclusive economic policies. Representing European civil society, Mr Röpke stressed the importance of updating old governance systems to address interconnected global challenges, including climate action, rising inequality, and digital transformation. He also identified critical areas where the G20 could drive impactful change, such as promoting social protection policies to secure fair wages, establish safety nets, and invest in sustainable local economies to combat poverty and prevent forced migration. Drawing on the EU’s successes with the European Pillar of Social Rights, he proposed using Europe’s models for workers’ rights protections, social inclusion, and accessible healthcare as frameworks for G20 countries. He also emphasised the need for equitable representation in global governance bodies, particularly to amplify the voices of emerging economies and vulnerable regions. On climate change, he called for a just transition to climate neutrality, focusing on creating green jobs and sustainable practices while addressing inequality and systemic poverty.

The Summit concluded with a declaration endorsed by civil society leaders, including Röpke, which was presented to Brazilian President Lula and his cabinet. The declaration, emphasising equity, inclusion and participatory governance, was handed to South Africa’s Ambassador in anticipation of their G20 presidency.

On 18-22 November, an EESC delegation visited Ottawa and Vancouver as part of a mission to deepen ties with Canada, one of the EU’s key trade partners and allies in promoting a rules-based international order. The members of the EESC’s Transatlantic Relations Follow-up Committee engaged with representatives from government authorities and civil society. All parties expressed a strong desire to advance mutual goals, enhance cooperation, and solidify partnerships in the future, especially in light of the results of the recent US elections. 

In Ottawa, the delegation met with senior officials from Global Affairs Canada (GAC). These high-level meetings provided an overview of Canadian policies and strategic priorities, and allowed our members to connect with experts from various sectors, such as Dan Costello, former Canadian Ambassador to the EU, Claire Citeau, Director of EUCCAN, and Heather Scoffield, Senior VP of Strategy at the Business Council. Academic and policy experts, including Patrick Leblond, an authority on economic governance, and Wolfgang Alschner, Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, shared their insights. Interesting exchanges involved Jennifer Irish and Gerry Normand from the Information Integrity Lab, and Elizabeth Kwan representing the Canadian Labour Congress. Her Excellency Geneviève Tuts, Head of the EU Delegation in Canada, also hosted the EESC delegation, underscoring the importance of ongoing collaboration between the EU and Canada on shared priorities.

In Vancouver, EESC members engaged with stakeholders from academia, industry and civil society. The visit showcased Vancouver’s vibrant ecosystem of innovation, research, and policy engagement. With the British Columbia Labour Relations Board, discussions centred on labour policies and collaborative opportunities. During the visit to the campus of the Simon Fraser University, the delegation exchanged with experts and professors on research on communication networks and data analysis, and learnt about advancements in data science and its applications in addressing societal issues. The visit continued with the EU Chamber of Commerce Canada, where Celso Boscariol, President, and Alex Martyniak, Executive Director, emphasised the importance of fostering business ties between the EU and British Columbia.

The delegation also met with representatives from TECK Resources, one of the top Canadian mining and resource companies with high labour and environmental standards. They also met with Kasari Govender, BC’s Commissioner for Human Rights, focusing on human rights advocacy and social justice. Conversations with Niels Veldhuis, President of the influential Fraser Institute, provided valuable insights into economic policy and governance. The Vancouver visit underscored the EESC’s commitment to strengthening EU-Canada relations through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and a joint commitment to tackling global challenges.

On 19-20 September, the Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) set up under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and tasked with advising on its implementation, held their third joint meeting at the EESC premises. The UK and EU DAGs discussed areas for future collaboration in view of the upcoming EU-UK TCA review, scheduled for 2026, and agreed on a Joint Statement expressing their shared position over key issues like EU-UK regulatory cooperation, mobility challenges and border management, and greater collaboration on energy and climate. The second day was dedicated to the third Civil Society Forum (CSF) organised by the European Commission at EESC HQ. Open to civil society organisations representing business and employers, trade unions and other workers’ representatives, NGOs and academics, this year’s edition of the CSF discussed trade in goods, regulatory cooperation and the level playing field, energy and climate change, and trade in services.

On 5 November, a delegation of the Scottish Advisory Forum on Europe (SAFE) led by the Chair, Irene Oldfather, visited the EESC. The visit marked the first anniversary of the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between SAFE and the EESC, which identifies areas for cooperation and mutual support, including youth mobility, climate change and renewable energy, trade and the post-Brexit impact on living standards and the availability of public services. The SAFE delegation took part in a roundtable with EESC members from both the EU-UK Follow-up Committee and the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the TCA. EESC President Oliver Röpke intervened at the roundtable, expressing the Committee’s desire to build on the MoU to further strengthen the relationship, and to explore future opportunities for collaboration. The parties welcomed the perspective of a bilateral summit in 2025.

After last year’s success, the EU Delegation to the UK organised the EU-UK Youth Dialogue on November 6-7 at the London School of Economics and Political Science. This event was organised with the support of the EESC, the European Parliament Liaison Office, the British Council’s Stronger Together project, LSE European student society, and a number of youth and civil society organisations from the UK, with the objective of facilitating a meaningful policy dialogue with youth in the UK and of hearing participants’ views on how to maintain strong connections between youth in the UK and youth in the EU. The EESC was represented in the discussions by Cillian Lohan, Chair of the EU-UK Follow-up Committee and rapporteur of the EESC opinion on EU-UK Youth Engagement, Tanja Buzek, Vice-Chair of the EU DAG under the TCA and member of the EU-UK Follow-up Committee, and Pierre Bollon, Vice-Chair of the EU-UK Follow-up Committee and member of the EESC Youth Group.

On 11 November, Jack O’Connor, Vice-Chair of the EU-UK Follow-up Committee, during the Common Ground EU Citizens’ Conference in London, shared his views on how the new EU-UK relationship is unfolding. The Conference created the space for civic society to explore what the political reset in the EU-UK relations means and how to strengthen cooperation. The EESC views this reset as a chance to re-engage on critical matters concerning citizens’ rights, and advocates for tangible actions and policy changes that directly benefit EU citizens residing in the UK. On 12 November, the EESC, again represented by Mr O'Connor, participated in the third edition of the EU Citizens Gathering organised by the EU Delegation in London, an event to discuss the contribution of EU citizens to British society and to dive into the people-to people contacts and local initiatives.

The EESC believes that the structured engagement between the EU and the UK devolved nations is of paramount importance to strengthen youth civil society dialogue and cooperation. A small task force with colleagues from REX, NAT and Youth Group organised a roundtable on 20 November, in cooperation with the Welsh Government Brussels Office. This initiative, centred around youth and sustainability and with the participation of Welsh young/future leaders and EESC members, is the result of common efforts to better integrate young Europeans in the decision-making process, especially considering that post-Brexit changes have had a disproportionately significant impact on young people from both sides of the Channel. The discussions focused on sharing best practices, including the EU establishment of a Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness and the experience that Wales had since the introduction of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the creation of the Future Generations Commissioner in 2015.

On 10-13 September, the World Trade Organization (WTO) held its annual Public Forum in Geneva. 4400 participants convened from all over the world to discuss the theme of the forum, ‘Better Trade for a Better World’, focusing on how re-globalization can help make trade more inclusive and ensure that its benefits reach more people. Like every year, the EESC was present with a delegation, including REX Section President Dimitris Dimitriadis. The EESC delegation met representatives of important multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and bilateral meetings were held with the EU Ambassador to the UN, Lotte Knudsen, and Greek Ambassador Alexandros Papaioannou. During these meetings, the EESC delegation discussed several topics of common interest and explored future collaborations. This mission provided important inputs that were useful for the EESC Civil Society Forum on Trade and Sustainable Development of 5 December.

On 5 December, the EESC hosted the 3rd Civil Society Forum on Trade and Sustainable Development with the title: ‘New mandate, new challenge – reaffirming TSD amid economic security ambitions’. With economic security now firmly established as a top priority for the EU and other major global actors, this edition focused on how to reshape it within a sustainable framework. At the dawn of a new EU Commission, the Forum came at the right time to influence policy direction and ensure that TSD remains a cornerstone of EU policy-making, and not just in trade. Civil society representatives from the EU and beyond were joined by high-level speakers from the EU and multilateral institutions. Together, they reviewed our current achievements in terms of labour and environmental standards, and discussed the different aspects of the challenge ahead – from digital innovation to increasingly regulated supply chains.

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