According to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) this Committe must fully play a link between the EU and civil society. This was one of the conclusions drawn by Mr. Andor, Commissioner with responsibility for employment, social affairs, at the EESC plenary session. He also added this is to ensure that the voice of the most vulnerable is not drowned out.

Commissioner Andor briefly presented the methods and challenges of the Europe 2020 strategy at the plenary session. EESC President Staffan Nilsson replied to Mr Andor that the Committee has the task of closely monitoring the implementation of Europe 2020 Strategy. This will help to reduce the risk of the strategy's legitimacy deficit. In fact, the EESC has recently adopted an opinion on the Annual Growth Survey, one of the economic tools of the strategy, in which it questioned some of the Commission's recommendations for growth.

Many countries in the EU do not make full use of social partnership potential. This statement made by Mr Andor at the plenary, highlighted the utility of social dialogue in striking a balance for reforms required by fiscal consolidation. He also quoted a recent Commission report that showed how agreements between workers and employers in the first phase of the crisis enabled workers to keep their jobs and employers to manage their businesses successfully, making the most of the recovery.

With regard to the Roma inclusion, poverty is still a major problem in Europe, and it is clear that the European social model, although it has proved its worth in cushioning the recession, still is not inclusive enough. In this context, Commissioner Andor underscored the pressing need for effective Roma inclusion strategies. He reiterated that the Commission has asked Member States to draw up such strategies by the end of 2011. EESC President Staffan Nilsson made it clear that the Committee as a relentless advocate of Roma inclusion will play its part in ensuring that Roma communities attain their due place in society.