Minister for European Affairs presents Presidency priorities to EESC

Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD, today presented the Irish Presidency priorities to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) plenary meeting in Brussels.

15-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — In her remarks, Minister Creighton highlighted the Irish Presidency’s focus on Stability, Jobs and Growth, which closely reflect the main objectives of the EESC.  The Minister stressed the importance of putting European citizens at the centre of EU policy-making.  She also outlined the Presidency’s priority of tackling youth unemployment following the informal meeting of European Ministers for Social Protection and Employment held in Dublin last week which was focused on ‘Getting people into Work’.

Following the decision reached at the European Council last Friday on the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Minister called on the EU institutions to work closely together with the Presidency to ensure that agreement can be reached and programmes can be implemented which will underpin sustainable economic growth and job creation in communities across the EU.

“There is now an overwhelming desire to move beyond simply reactively fighting the effects of the crisis, towards creating the conditions for economic stability, recovery and employment creation in Europe.  Our citizens want change, and we must respond decisively.”

The importance attached by the Presidency to making strong progress on issues including modernising the Single Market, supporting research and innovation, promoting environmental protection and boosting international trade were also discussed by Minister Creighton.

Read the full text of Minister Creighton’s speech.

Background Note
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) brings together 344 members drawn from economic and social interest groups in Member States.  Ireland has 9 representatives.

In addressing the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Minister Creighton completes the series of introductions of the Irish Presidency programme to the European institutions.

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