European Economic and Social Committee
Brussels, 16 September 2015
Revised version
SUMMARY
of the main decisions taken
by the Bureau of the European Economic and Social Committee
at its meeting
on 15 September 2015
_____________
This document is not the official
minutes and is not binding.
EESC-2015-03736-00-02-TCD-TRA (FR) 1/12
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EN
1.
ORGANISATION OF PLENARY SESSION PROCEEDINGS AND CHANGES TO
THE MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEE BODIES
1.1
Draft agenda for the September 2015 plenary session
The draft agenda (EESC-2015-03530-00-01-CONV-POJ-TRA) had been sent to all Committee
members in good time.
Having received a draft EESC resolution regarding the situation of the refugees currently hosted in
various EU Member States, the Bureau decided to instruct a drafting group, made up of one member
per group and supported by the secretariat, to prepare a compromise text, to be put to the vote by the
Assembly.
1.2
Deadlines for tabling amendments
October plenary session
Under current rules (Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure), amendments must be tabled by 5 p.m. on
Monday 5 October, with the exception of amendments for discussion by the groups, where the
deadline would be 12 noon on Wednesday 7 October.
December plenary session
Under current rules (Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure), amendments must be tabled by 5 p.m. on
Monday 7 December, with the exception of amendments for discussion by the groups, where the
deadline would be 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday 9 December (if amendments were tabled in a language
other than one of the three pivot languages, the opinion in question would be placed on the agenda of
the second sitting of the plenary session, on Thursday 10 December).
1.3
Preliminary draft agenda for the working session of the October 2015 plenary session in
conjunction with the five-yearly renewal (EESC-2015-03736-42-00-NB-TRA –
Item_B.2.a)1
ECO/382
EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (communication)
NAT/650
Continuing education and training (CVET) in rural areas (own-initiative opinion)
REX/440
Energy – a factor for development and a deeper accession process in the Western Balkans (owninitiative opinion)
1
As the five-yearly renewal takes place in October 2015, the members' term of office would expire on 20 September. Opinions for
the October session, before a newly formed Assembly, would be presented by a rapporteur-general.
EESC-2015-03736-00-02-TCD-TRA (FR) 2/12
REX/442
The role of the EIDHR in democratic transition – Tunisia, a case study (information report)
REX/448
Situation of women in the Euro-Mediterranean region (information report)
1.4
Preliminary draft agenda for the working session of the December 2015 plenary session
(EESC-2015-03637-43-00-NB-TRA – Item_B.2.b)
INT/771
Report on Competition Policy 2014
ECO/383
Action plan on fairer corporate taxation
SOC/524
Engaged universities shaping Europe (own-initiative opinion)
SOC/525
A European Agenda on Migration (communication)
CCMI/138
Contribution of indigenous coal and lignite resources to the EU's energy security (own-initiative
opinion)
CCMI/139
The role of engineers in reindustrialising Europe (own-initiative opinion)
CCMI/140
Strengthening the European chemical industry's innovative capacity and competitiveness through
nanotechnology (own-initiative opinion)
NAT/672
CAP simplification (exploratory opinion)
NAT/675
Revision of the legislative framework for emissions trading (ETS)
TEN/563
Communication on e-freight (rolling programme)
TEN/574
Digital single market strategy (communication)
REX/449
Review of EU trade policy (own-initiative opinion)
REX/452
EU Action plan against migrant smuggling (2015-2020) (communication)
1.5
Legislative programme
The Bureau took note of memo EESC-2015-03736-22-02-NB-TRA – Item_B.3.a) rev. It took the
following decisions:
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Referrals received
The Bureau was asked to allocate the referrals to a section and a category (A, B, B+, C) and to
decide on a provisional date for discussion by the Plenary Assembly.
1.
Arrangements for products originating in certain states which are part of the ACP Group of
States provided for in agreements establishing, or leading to the establishment of, Economic
Partnership Agreements (recast)
COM(2015) 282 final – 2015/0128 COD
(C) (REX-OCT.)
2.
Launching the public consultation process on a new energy market design (communication)
COM(2015) 340 final
(A-9) (TEN-JAN. 2016)
3.
Regulation setting a framework for energy efficiency labelling
COM(2015) 341 final – 2015/0149 COD
(A-9) (TEN-JAN. 2016)
Expected referrals
Subject to the corresponding letter of referral being received, the Bureau was asked to allocate the
referrals to a section and a category (A, B, B+, C) and to decide on a provisional date for discussion
by the Plenary Assembly.
4.
Enlargement strategy and main challenges 2015-2016 (rolling programme)
(B+) (REX-DEC.)
5.
Future of the EU's relations with the ACP countries (green paper) (rolling programme)
(A-12) (REX-DEC.)
6.
Action Plan on Capital Markets Union (rolling programme)
(A-9) (ECO-FEB. 2016)2
7.
Legal framework on securitisation (rolling programme)
(A-9) (ECO-JAN. 2016)2
8.
Regulation amending the regulation on the Structural Funds - specific measures for Greece
COM(2015) 365 final - 2015/0160 COD
(B) (ECO-OCT.)
9.
Green paper on retail financial services and insurance (rolling programme)
(A-9) (INT-MARCH 2016)
2
It was proposed that the two study groups be made up of the same members.
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10.
Internal market strategy for goods and services (rolling programme)
(A-9) (INT-FEB. 2016)
11.
Delivering a new deal for energy consumers (communication)
COM(2015) 339 final
(A-9) (TEN-JAN. 2016)3
12.
Accelerating energy system transformation – an integrated SET Plan (rolling programme)
(A-9) (TEN-JAN. 2016)
13.
European Agenda on Migration: Second implementation provision - Permanent relocation
mechanism in the event of crisis under the Dublin system
COM(2015) 450 final – 2015/208 (COD)
(A-15) (SOC/REX-TO BE CONFIRMED)4
14.
European Agenda on Migration: Second implementation provision - Common EU list of safe
countries of origin
COM(2015) 452 final – 2015/211 (COD)
(A-15) (SOC/REX-TO BE CONFIRMED)4
Exploratory opinions
The Bureau authorised the following exploratory opinion:

Future of the EU Urban Agenda (exploratory opinion requested by the future Dutch
presidency)
(A-9) (ECO-FEB. 2016)
Change of title
The Bureau authorised changes to the titles of the following own-initiative opinions:

3
4
CCMI/140
Initial title: Strengthening the European chemical industry's innovative capacity and
competitiveness through nanotechnology
New title: Nanotechnology for a competitive chemical industry
It was proposed that the study group formed for this referral be made up of the same members as for the file referred to in point 2
(COM(2015) 340).
Based on the model of the SOC/525 study group, made up of SOC and REX members, currently working on the first
implementation provision of the European Agenda on Migration, the Bureau decided to set up a single study group. The groups
would ensure that there was a proper balance between the two sections when appointing members, rapporteurs and corapporteurs.
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
1.6
SOC/523
Initial title: Improving the performance of national work-based learning systems
New title: Improving the performance of national dual training systems
Own-initiative work
The three proposals submitted by the CCMI were withdrawn during the meeting.
1.7
Work in progress and future work
The Bureau was briefed on the programme of work in progress.
1.8
Changes in study group membership
The Bureau authorised the change in size of the following study groups:
INT/771
Report on Competition Policy 2014
NAT/672
CAP simplification
NAT/675
REX/452
1.9
from B+ to A-9
from A-12 to A18
Revision of the legislative framework for emissions trading from A-9 to A-15
(ETS)
EU action plan against migrant smuggling (2015-2020)
from A-9 to A-15
Change in the membership of Committee bodies
Appointment
On 20 July 2015, the Council of the European Union had appointed the following new member:

Gustav Norkārklis, replacing Armands Krauze (Gr. III – LV) who had resigned.
2.
GENERAL MATTERS
2.1
Review of the activity of the sections (REX, TEN, ECO, NAT, SOC and INT) and CCMI
activity report 2013-2015
The Bureau took note of the activity reports for the 2013-2015 period presented by the presidents of
the CCMI and the sections (REX, TEN, ECO, NAT, SOC and INT).
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2.2
Review of the activity of the College of Quaestors during the 2013-2015 term of office
Ms Batut and Mr Hernández Bataller, members of the College of Quaestors, presented a report on the
main activities carried out during the 2013-2015 period.
2.3
Review by the Budget Group president for the 2013-2015 period
The Budget Group president, Mr Wilms presented the report on the group's activities between April
2013 and September 2015. The Bureau members congratulated him on his work during the term of
office.
2.4
Review by the Communication Group president for the 2013-2015 period
The Communication Group president, Ms Morrice presented her end-of-term report to the Bureau.
The Bureau members congratulated her on her achievements.
2.5
2014 activity report for the categories
The Bureau took note of the information memo on the 2014 activity report for the categories.
2.6
Evaluation of European Union policies by the EESC
The secretary-general presented a memo on the development of the evaluation of EU policies by the
EESC. After an in-depth discussion, the Bureau agreed on the broad outlines of the project as set out
in paragraphs I and II of the memo, subject to the corrections proposed by the Group II president
being added. The Bureau would receive a further memo, focusing on the procedures for implementing
the evaluation work, before the end of the year.
2.7
2015 studies programme
a)
Analysis document
The Bureau took note of the complete overview of studies under way and funding allocated to each of
them.
b)
Proposal for a new study
The Bureau authorised the CCMI study on a Research project on new attitudes to consumption and
production, in connection with collaborative consumption and the prevention of planned
obsolescence, up to a ceiling of EUR 15 000.
EESC-2015-03736-00-02-TCD-TRA (FR) 7/12
c)
Cancellation of a study
The Bureau authorised the cancellation of the NAT section study on Good practice in balanced
territorial development.
2.8
Request to set up permanent study groups
a)
SOC section
 The inclusion of the Roma
 The rights of disabled people
The Bureau authorised the setting up of permanent study groups on The inclusion of the Roma and
The rights of disabled people (increased to 12 members), and the costs for the first meetings of the
two study groups during the fourth quarter of 2015.
b)
INT section
 Social economy enterprises
The Bureau authorised the setting up of a permanent study group on Social economy enterprises.
2.9
Change to the Smart Islands project
Having taken note of the Budget Group's position, the Bureau approved the proposed changes to the
Smart Islands project, subject to the appointment by the TEN section, in agreement with the groups,
of a new project leader under the new term of office.
2.10
The future membership of the CCMI
The Bureau agreed in principle to an increase in the membership of the CCMI, by adding three
additional EESC members and three delegates.
3.
BUDGETARY MATTERS
3.1
Summary of the Budget Group meeting held on 7 September 2015
Mr Wilms presented the summary of the Budget Group meeting held on 7 September 2015 to the
Bureau.
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3.2
Budgetary requests by the sections and other bodies
The Bureau authorised all of the following requests:
SUBJECT
I.
SECTION
ESTIMATED
RESPONSIBLE COSTS (EUR)
COST INCREASE
(EUR)
New requests
1. Conference "Energy and digital
changes: the impact on employment
and the role of economic and social
actors in Europe"
SOC
30 805
-
2. Conference on the "European Week
for fighting organised crime"
SOC
35 890
-
3. Conference on "Common social
values and principles and social
governance", co-organised with the
Luxembourg ESC during the
Luxembourg presidency
SOC
24 615
-
4. EESC participation in the EU highlevel meeting on the TTIP
REX
45 877
-
5. REX/449 - Review of EU trade
policy - third study group meeting
REX
11 342
-
6. Hearing
on
"Labour
market
integration of refugees in the context
of implementation of the European
Agenda on Migration"
SOC
20 278
-
7. European Consumer Day 2016
INT
39 283
-
8. Participation by a CCMI delegation
in the Manufuture conference in
Luxembourg on 23 and 24 November
2015 (follow-up to CCMI/121 and
CCMI/112)
CCMI
9 423
-
9. SDO and UNEP conference on
SDGs, EESC, 12-13 November 2015
(NAT)
24 209
-
10. Group II meeting
GR. II
129 137
-
11. Second meeting of the EU-Africa
Network of Economic and Social
Actors
REX
28 036
-
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12. Delegation to the European Forum
for new ideas (EFNI) (Sopot)
GR. I
6 727
-
13. Delegation to the SME Congress in
Katowice
GR. I
6 727
-
14. Employers Group
industrial policy
GR. I
27 270
-
15. Mission to Central America - El
Salvador
REX
33 564
-
16. Extraordinary
Employers
(Luxembourg)
GR. I
59 234
-
GR. I
82 688
- 80 816
seminar
meeting
Group
on
of the
bureau
II. Amended requests
1. Thematic
seminar
on
"The
reindustrialisation
of
Europe:
agriculture – food manufacturing,
distribution and commerce"
The Bureau also took note of the following urgent requests:
Urgent request approved by the Budget Group president and the Committee president
SUBJECT
SECTION
ESTIMATED
RESPONSIBLE COSTS (EUR)
COST INCREASE
(EUR)
1. NAT bureau meeting on 3 September
NAT
15 954
-
2. Extraordinary meeting of the REX
bureau
REX
12 089
-
3.3
Reallocation of operational budgets – budget item 1004
The Bureau approved the revised breakdown of operational budgets under item 1004.
3.4
Implementation report on budget item 1004 – second quarter of 2015
The Bureau took note of the quarterly report.
3.5
Summary report on the president's expenditure
The Bureau took note of an information memo on expenditure by the EESC president from 1 May to
31 August 2015.
EESC-2015-03736-00-02-TCD-TRA (FR) 10/12
4.
COMMUNICATION MATTERS
4.1
Report by the Communication Group president
The Communication Group president presented her report to the Bureau (EESC-2015-03736-01-00NB-TRA – Item E.1).
5.
INTERNAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
5.1
2015 annual report on the secretariat's human resources and staffing policy
The secretary-general presented the 2015 annual report on the secretariat's human resources and
staffing policy, with particular emphasis on the recent adoption of a new staff chart, the measures
taken in the areas of training and staff mobility and the impact of both the cooperation agreement with
the European Parliament and the entry into force of the new Staff Regulations. He also mentioned the
steps taken to ensure a better balance among staff in terms of age, sex and nationality.
5.2
2014 annual activity report (Article 66(9) of the Financial Regulation)
The secretary-general presented the main thrust of the annual activity report.
5.3
Preparations for the Committee's 2015-2020 renewal
a)
Information on the renewal procedure
Mr Alexopoulos, the deputy secretary-general, presented an information memo on the procedure for
the Committee's renewal.
He also briefed the Bureau on the schedule for the Council's adoption of the final list of Committee
members.
b)
Renewal of structures
Having noted the presentation by the three groups of a list of structures to be set up during the
inaugural session of October 2015, the Bureau agreed to these proposals, subject to the addition of
the Colombia-Peru Internal Consultative Group (three members, one per group) and the replacement
of the phrase EU-Turkey "contact group" by "Joint Consultative Committee".
EESC-2015-03736-00-02-TCD-TRA (FR) 11/12
c)
Committee activities during the transitional period (2nd part)
The Bureau approved the provisions regarding Committee activities during the transitional period,
together with the list of events discussed by the Budget Group – without following up on the oral
request made by the Quaestors (see Item D.1, page 3).
Given that information was still being received regarding the appointment of new members, the
Bureau decided to authorise a number in excess of the ceiling of 200 participants stipulated for the
information sessions for new members on 22 and 23 September 2015.
Subject to confirmation of the appointment of the members concerned, it also authorised the mission
requests made by Mr Gkofas and Ms Sharma and those announced by the Group I president (three
members) and the ECO section (two members) and the TEN section (three members).
5.4
Draft meetings schedule for the EESC and its constituent bodies (2016)
The Bureau took note of the draft meetings schedule for the EESC and its constituent bodies for
2016.
5.5
EU laissez-passer – Inter-service agreement
The Bureau took note of the information memo on the new provisions regarding the laissez-passer.
6.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Committee president Mr Malosse, chairing the Bureau for the last time, thanked his members and all
the members of the secretariat on the excellent work achieved.
7.
DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The 631st Bureau meeting would take place on Wednesday 7 October 2015, beginning at 4 p.m., in
conjunction with the Committee's five-yearly renewal.
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