European Economic and Social Committee
REX/439
Agriculture, Rural Areas
and Sustainable
Development in the
Eastern Partnership
Countries
Brussels, 13 February 2015
Information Memo
(own-initiative opinion)
Subject: Agriculture, Rural Areas and Sustainable Development in the Eastern Partnership
Countries
1.
Procedure
Legal basis:
Rule 29(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Plenary Assembly decision:
21–22 January 2015
Section responsible:
External Relations
Section president:
Mr Zufiaur Narvaiza
Organisation of section work:
11 June 2015
Study Group on
President:
Agriculture, Rural Areas and
Sustainable Development in the Rapporteur:
Eastern Partnership Countries
Members:
Mr Mário Soares (PT–II)
Ms Dilyana Slavova (BG–III)
Ms Ariadna Ābeltiņa (LV–II)
Mr Brendan Burns (UK–I)
Mr Dumitru Fornea (RO–II)
Ms Dorota Gardias (PL–II)
Mr Igor Hrovatič (SI–III)
Mr Sorin Ioniță (RO–III)
Mr Alfredas Jonuška (LT–I)
Mr Jonathan Peel (UK–I)
Mr Yves Somville (BE–III)
Mr Cveto Stantič (SI–I)
To the members of the
European Economic and Social Committee
REX/439 – EESC-2015-00414-00-01-NIAI-TRA (EN) 1/2
Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 — 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel — BELGIQUE/BELGIË
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EN
Expert
2.
Background
The Committee has produced opinions on many Eastern Partnership issues but never considered the
problems of rural areas, agriculture and sustainable development in these countries.
Many of the Eastern Partnership countries have large rural populations relying for their livelihoods on
small and fragmented land plots and use of communal or state owned pasturelands. These smalllandholders have very limited resources with little growth potential. The current global crisis, with
rising food prices among other consequences, has demonstrated the need for the Eastern Partnership
countries to develop agriculture and rural development policies. On one hand, to modernise
agriculture and increase production on a sustainable basis; on the other hand, to develop rural areas,
infrastructure, and to increase income opportunities providing a better quality of life and prospects for
families. The opinion will therefore focus on the possibilities for better development of rural areas and
for achieving sustainability in the Eastern Partnership countries.
Expected impact and potential added value of the opinion in the context of EU decision and policymaking:
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3.
Further deepening of relations and cooperation between the EU and partners
Strengthening the business dimension of the Eastern Partnership, including through improving the
business environment in partner countries for the benefit of local, regional and European SMEs
and businesses
Further strengthening of the multilateral dimension of the Eastern Partnership
Intensified relationship between the EU and its Eastern European partners, in particular in the
field of economic integration (agriculture, rural areas), can make a significant contribution to
strengthening Europe's international competitiveness and to creating sustainable, inclusive, smart
growth and jobs thereby enhancing stability.
Draft timetable
DATE
23 March 2015
7 May 2015
16 July 2015
16 September 2015
MEETING
1st study group
2nd study group + hearing
Section
Plenary session
_____________
REX/439 – EESC-2015-00414-00-01-NIAI-TRA (EN) 2/2
DOCUMENT
Working document
Preliminary draft opinion
Draft opinion
Section opinion