On October 24, representatives of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (CMKOS), Josef Středula and Lucie Studničná, participated in the High-Level Forum on EU Enlargement titled “Towards a Successful EU Enlargement.” This event was jointly organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission. Held immediately after the EESC’s plenary session, the forum welcomed over one hundred representatives from candidate and potential candidate countries, EU member states, and members of the European Commission. The forum emphasized the importance of social dialogue and the role of civil society in the EU accession process, as well as the necessity of adhering to fundamental European values.
The opening panel, which included top-level policymakers—Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, EESC President Oliver Röpke, and ministers and state secretaries from both current and candidate countries—focused primarily on the overarching importance of social dialogue within the EU.
The second panel, titled “A Dynamic Civil Society as a Prerequisite for Successful Enlargement,” explored the irreplaceable and specific role of civil society organizations in both the operation of the EU and the enlargement process.
The third discussion block, “Social Dialogue: Exchange of Good Practices and Lessons for the Future,” was moderated by Lucie Studničná. Representatives from various countries took the floor to share experiences and provide inspiration for future steps. Speakers included Kinga Grafa, Deputy Director of the Polish Confederation Lewiatan; Suzana Radulović, Secretary-General of the Montenegrin Employers’ Federation; Igor Zubcu, President of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova; and Josef Středula, President of ČMKOS.
The final panel, “The Role of Social Partners in Supporting Competitive, Green, and Digital Transformation,” addressed approaches and perspectives from various stakeholders regarding the necessary transformations in response to the major challenges the EU systematically tackles in these areas.
The forum was part of an EESC project aimed at gradually involving representatives from candidate countries in the preparation of opinions on upcoming European legislation. This project is set to continue in the coming years.
