”If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn.”
I can’t help mentioning this Irish proverb when I think of the upcoming Irish Presidency marking next spring. What does Europe need at the time of the Irish Presidency, and what could Ireland bring to the table and cultivate for the EU? In times of significant economic challenges, Ireland will need to display effective management of the EU agenda. Holding the Presidency offers Ireland a valuable opportunity to seek ways of advancing legislation and policy that will positively improve the lives of all EU citizens."
Staffan Nilsson, président du CESE
Perhaps the financial and economic crisis, which has now emerged as a fundamental crisis of the EU’s role in European society, can be seen as an opportunity to rejuvenate civil society to different, and potentially more productive and co-operative roles in decision-making processes.
Today, Greece is at breaking point. Greek citizens have suffered an unprecedented decline in income. Additional sacrifices are not possible. This difficulty is intensified because there is no clear prospect of exit from the crisis.
On 1st February 2012, Professor Lalko Dulevski was elected for the third time in a row by the Bulgarian Parliament as President of the Bulgarian ESC. Professor Dulevski is also member of the EESC since 2010.
The event was an occasion to discuss how locally produced vegetable oils can be used for decentralised energy production and consumption yielding higher incomes in rural areas. Potential opportunities for innovative, low cost technology transfer to developing countries will be explored. Presentations of a purely vegetable-oil powered tractor and different vegetable oil technologies.
