EESC President

Exchange on shaping a ‘Just Transition’ with Climate Action Minister Leonore Gewessler and Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee

From the 10 to 11 September, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) President Oliver Röpke led a delegation to Albania to participate in the Tirana Connectivity Forum 2024 (TCF) and engage in high-level meetings with Albanian stakeholders. The visit is part of the EESC’s ongoing efforts to support Albania’s EU integration process, particularly through preparations for the EU-Albania Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC).

Five years after its creation, the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report has become a cornerstone of the EU’s response to the serious challenges Member States face in the area of justice, media pluralism and freedom, anti-corruption, and checks and balances. The EESC president and the Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group presidency reiterate the EESC’s full backing for this tool, but also highlight potential improvements that could make it more inclusive and efficient.

On 18 July, President Oliver Röpke, delivered a keynote speech at the African Union ECOSOCC Citizens Forum. The event focused on democracy and institutional resilience. In his address, President Röpke highlighted the pressing challenges that democracies in both Africa and Europe face.