28-29 February Economic & Social Committee

Date: 07/03/1996

THE Economic and Social Committee (ESC) received assurances from the European Commission that it would be consulted earlier and more intensely in future over pending legislation. Presenting the Commission's programme for 1996, Social Affairs Commissioner Pádraig Flynn told the committee that it would be consulted on the preparation of White and Green Papers and other documents. Flynn said the Commission would support a revision of the consultation procedure at the Intergovernmental Conference.

COMMITTEE members voted unanimously to endorse an own-initiative opinion in favour of a global agreement on direct investment. They expressed their disappointment that negotiations for a multilateral agreement on investment were not being carried out within the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The definition of investment, they said, should be wider than the standard 'foreign direct investment' and include other forms of capital movement. Dispute settlement in this area should be brought into line with the WTO rules on trade infringements.

THE committee voted by a majority, with three against and ten abstentions, in favour of the Commission proposal to eliminate obstacles to free movement of third country nationals in the EU by applying the same criteria at both internal and external borders. These criteria, set out in the Visa Regulation and the External Borders Convention, determine which foreign nationals should have a visa. These documents specify equivalence between residence permits and visas and mutual recognition of the visa.

THE ESC adopted by a majority, with seven abstentions, an own-initiative opinion on the long-term implications of the EU's structural funds. The committee felt it was essential that any revision of structural policy takes account of the future accession of Eastern European countries, bearing in mind the existing principles of policy. Eastern countries should have special aid programmes before and after accession, and continuing 'cohesion' support for the poorer existing members of the Union.

MEMBERS voted almost unanimously, with just one vote against, to adopt an opinion on the European cultural policy for children. The opinion called, amongst other things, for an extension of literary prizes to cover children's books and the establishment of a European children's library and music academy. Members called for existing EU directives protecting the physical, intellectual and moral development of young people to be better applied to counteract violence on television.

THE committee issued a declaration condemning the resumption of the IRA's bombing campaign and urged the Commission to press ahead with its special 300-million-ecu support programme for Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic's border regions.