The Committee of the Regions adopted today a resolution on its priorities for the European Commission Work Programme 2017, due to be presented by the Commission in autumn, taking on board a series of key PES requests.
In the field of social policy, the resolution takes up the support for a legislative proposal for the European Pillar of Social Rights (draft CoR opinion by Heijo Höfer, PES, Germany). It also reiterates its calls for a legislative proposal for the revision of the Maternity leave directive.
The CoR also demands that the Commission put forward, on the basis of the mid-term review of Europe 2020, a new long-term strategy for the EU's sustainable development until 2030.
Moreover, the CoR urges the Commission to take further steps in ensuring complementarity and additionality between the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) and the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). It also announces its involvement in the 2017 review of the "Almunia package" in relation to the financing of Services of General Interest (SGEI) through the draft opinion currently carried by PES-Group 1st Vice-President Markus Töns (Germany).
Likewise, the CoR also encourages the Commission to re-launch the debate on "GDP and Beyond" as a follow-up to the opinion by PES Group leader Catiuscia Marini (Italy), examining the need for and feasibility of developing complementary indicators for economic performance, well-being and sustainable development, and assessing the impact of the new accountancy rules which impede local and regional authorities from investing.
Other PES priorities anchored in the resolution are the implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan and the review of the EU climate targets and the necessary means for their implementation in accordance with the global objectives adopted in Paris during the COP21, the latter being the focus of a draft opinion by Francesco Pigliaru (PES, Italy).
Finally, the CoR expects further concrete proposals to build a comprehensive EU migration and asylum policy founded on respect of fundamental rights and international obligations, and on the principle of solidarity.
