The importance of institutionalising civil and social dialogue in EU candidate and partner countries

Background

The EESC underlines the clear distinction between social dialogue (as enshrined in Articles 151 – 155 in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU) and involving social partners (employers’ organisations and trade unions), and civil dialogue (as framed under Article 11 in the Treaty of the EU, which includes broader organised civil society actors). These two forms of dialogue are complementary but distinct in purpose, actors and institutional frameworks.

The opinion underlines the need to strengthen civil and social dialogue in the candidate and partner countries, as part of the integration and cooperation processes. However, in many candidate and partner countries, civil and social dialogue remains fragmented and lacks institutional regulation, which affects their capacity to develop coherent and inclusive public policies.

Key points

In the opinion the EESC:

• believes that institutionalising civil and social dialogue accelerates the integration of candidate countries into the European social model, based on the representativeness and diversity of the social partners and civil society organisations, and their involvement in public decision-making;
• notes that National Economic and Social Councils and other forms of institutionalised civil and social dialogue contribute significantly to strengthening the model of governance and participatory democracy. Hence, in states where they do not exist, the establishment of Economic and Social Councils will strengthen the role and place of social partners and civil society organisations in the consultation and partnership relationship with the governments of candidate and partner countries.

Additional Information

EESC section: External Relations (REX)

Opinion number: REX/598-EESC-2025

Opinion type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteur: Dumitru FORNEA (Workers - GR II/Romania), Decebal-Ștefăniță PADURE (Employers - GR I/Romania), Ionuţ SIBIAN (Civil Society Organisations - GR III/Romania)

Date of adoption by the section: 12/06/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 16-17 July 2025

Result of the vote in plenary: ……. in favour/……. against/…… abstentions

Contact

Millie Tsoumani

Press Officer, Tel.: +32 (0) 2 546 9088, Email: amalia.tsoumani@eesc.europa.eu

Katarina Albrechtova

Policy Officer, Tel.:+32 (2) 546 9460, Email: Katarina.Albrechtova@eesc.europa.eu