Speech by Commissioner Šefčovič at the European Economic and Social Committee End of Mandate Ceremony

Thank you, President Röpke, dear Oliver, and good afternoon to you all.

Europe indeed finds itself at a time of great upheaval. Societal changes are sweeping across our continent, while we continue to see growing geopolitical uncertainty around the world.

This affects all Europeans – each and every one of us.

For example, global trade has been disrupted – which could potentially have an impact on the more than 30 million jobs in the European Union, around 14% of the total number, that are supported by exports to third countries.

I am working hard with counterparts around the world – including, Im sure you will have seen, in the United States – to ensure Europes trade continues to flourish, and to boost our economic security.

This is essential to provide our businesses with stability and predictability, avoiding a trade war that would benefit no one in Europe.

Most importantly, it is crucial for protecting jobs.

But at the same time, it is imperative that here at home, all voices are heard, and taken into account, when planning our joint action to overcome challenges.

Civil society is a key player in this, helping to magnify those voices.

And as we come to the end of the current mandate of the European Economic and Social Committee, I think we can clearly see the impact it is having, and the contribution it is making, to European policymaking.

Your intensive collaboration with the European Commission is framed by the Protocol on Cooperation, which we revised together in 2022.

The Protocol sees this Committee as the ‘House of European Civil Society. And, in two and a half years under Olivers presidency, your committee has made great progress.

For example, you have followed up on your promise to involve potential future EU Member States in your daily work, with the Enlargement Candidate Members initiative already contributing to 21 opinions.

You have also delivered on your commitment to involve youth, through the EU Youth Test and the Youth Advisory Council.

You continue to organise the annual Civil Society Week event, which includes a day focused on the European Citizens Initiative.

With President von der Leyen making a ‘pitch for unity in her recent State of the Union address, this Committees ability to build consensus on contentious issues is commendable.

You advocate for a competitive Europe based on the EUs social model, and supported by the green transition, as seen in your resolution contributing to the Commission Work Programme 2026.

Because these elements do all come together, for example with the competitiveness of European businesses relying on a robust social structure.

So we have welcomed your input into recent and future initiatives, with the EU investing heavily in digital and clean technology, including through the Industrial Accelerator Act, the forthcoming Competitiveness Fund, and Horizon Europe, the EUs research and innovation programme.

Furthermore, in the wake of your longstanding advocacy for completing the Single Market – including through your opinions on the Letta Report – the Commission will present a Single Market Roadmap to 2028 to this end.

On the social front, the Commission will introduce initiatives like the Quality Jobs Act, aligning with your advocacy for a strong social Europe.

We also recognise your role in putting issues such as housing and anti-poverty on the agenda, which we will seek to address with our Affordable Housing Plan and the European Anti-Poverty Strategy respectively.

Reflecting your calls to the cost-of-living crisis, President von der Leyen announced measures on the affordability of energy, housing, and food, as well as small cars.

Finally, as we step up preparations for the Commission Work Programme 2026, I want to thank you for your contributions over the years in the form of forward-looking opinions.

As President Röpke has said, organised civil society needs “a real voice in Europes decisions, not after the fact but from the very start”.

I think that your work in this mandate has helped push this forward, and I am delighted that we will be able to continue our collaboration with the many of you who are staying on into the next mandate.

Dear Oliver, Honourable Members – I want to thank you all for your hard work and congratulate you for all you have achieved.

Thank you.