25-26 October Economic and Social Committee

Date: 02/11/1995

THE Economic and Social Committee (ESC) adopted an opinion recommending changes to the Union's LIFE Regulation, which funds environmental projects carried out both within the EU and in neighbouring regions. ESC wants to ensure adequate funding and conformity of the programme with a strategy for sustainable development. It also regretted the Commission's lack of emphasis on the reduction of atmospheric emissions and soil quality protection.

BY a majority vote, ESC adopted an opinion on the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy on jobs and society in the countryside, urging improved rural infrastructure, rewards for environmental protection, emphasis on high-quality foods processing, tourism and skills training.

THE energy charter, signed by 49 countries and pledged to opening up the oil and gas reserves of the former Soviet Union, should be built on by the Union, the committee recommends.

THE PHARE programme for channelling technical assistance into Eastern Europe is working well generally, but needs a range of improvements, the committee said, calling for greater inter-services cooperation in the Commission, more consultation with business and labour in the recipient countries, more transparency in awarding contracts and improved information.

IN a majority opinion, ESC urged an attack on youth unemployment by encouraging work in the caring services and environmental protection as well as a public service schemes for those under 25. To encourage employment, the committee voted to recommend flexible working time in the EU. Members called on employers and unions to draw up agreements to reduce working time and encourage part-time options.

THE Commission's planned accord between the EU and the Mercosur trading bloc in South America should be endorsed, according to an ESC opinion.

THE EU's transition to a single currency should be carried out gradually to avoid market disruption, an ESC report concluded. It also urged the urgent fixing of starting dates and the duration of the phases in the transition.

THE ESC unanimously adopted an opinion on an amendment to a regulation on the supervision and control of shipments of waste to and from the Union. However, the opinion points out that the objective of controlling these shipments could only be achieved by rationalising existing legislation in this field.