The Ambassador of the Republic of France H.E. Mrs. Florence Robin presented the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU to the ESC members
At the Plenary session of the Economic and Social Council, the Ambassador of France H.E. Mrs. Florence Robin presented the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Ambassador Robin emphasized on the programme of the French Presidency that had three main ambitions, defined by the motto for recovery, strength and sense of belonging. These priorities were presented by President Macron – for a more sovereign Europe, a new European growth model and a more “human” Europe.
A more sovereign Europe
• Work will be done on strengthening the Schengen area in view of the migration challenges; establishment an emergency border support mechanism in the event of a crisis, which will be an intergovernmental mechanism.
• Commitment to a stronger Europe in the field of security and defense.
• Work will be done on the prosperity and stability of the neighbours with ambitions to renew the relations with Africa and this issue will be discussed during the the EU-African Union Summit in February in Paris.
• Work will be done on the implementation of an European strategy in the Indo-Pacific region at the ministerial forum.
A new European growth model
• The European Union should propose its own economic and social model.
• Progress is expected in terms of the “Fit for 55” Package and in particular on the carbon adjustment mechanism at the Union’s border.
• It will be ensured that climate and biodiversity objectives are better taken into account in the trade policy.
• Transforming Europe into an international digital power by creating a European model for the regulation of digital markets and content. There are two legislative texts that are very important: the Digital Service Act (DSA) and the Digital Market Act (DMA).
• Efforts will be focused on supporting innovation and growth of emerging players in Europe by creating a digital single market and attracting public and private funding.
• The social model will be promoted by providing quality, qualified and better paid jobs.
• The French Presidency will also work on several other topics: finalizing the minimum wage directive, equality between men and women, the salary transparency directive and etc.
Belonging
• This means a Europe that listens to the concerns of its citizens and this is the case with the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will be finalized in May 2022.
• It also means addressing the issues of values and the rule of law.
• New tools for guaranteeing the freedom of European media and the creation of a European media space will be discussed.
• The European Year of Youth 2022 will be also on focus during the Presidency, which will be an opportunity for launching the six-month European Civil Service, which will be open for all young people under 25.
• A new impetus will be given to the mobility of young people with the celebration on the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus + launch.
• European universities will be encouraged, while some of the most famous Bulgarian universities are already linked to others in Europe in order to form a European network of universities.
The President of the Economic and Social Council Zornitsa Roussinova stressed on the importance of the organized civil society role in all the processes outlined by the Presidency and highlighted the importance of deepening the cooperation between the councils in Europe.
The ESC Vice-President Mr. Plamen Dimitrov emphasized on the real chances for the finalization of the directive on adequate and fair minimum wages and promotion of collective bargaining, and on the importance of this directive for Eastern Europe. The a second question raised by Mr. Dimitrov was about the directive on the pay transparency and the expectations of the French Presidency on this topic.
A comment was also made by Mrs. Mariya Mincheva, who shared the views of the business and the challenges in the conditions of the Covid-19 measures combined with an ambitious industrial policy which could boost the economic development.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/bg/council-eu/presidency-council-eu/
