Reconnecting EU Citizens with the Single Market

As part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the FPS Economy invites you to the conference-debate “Reconnecting EU Citizens with the Single Market” that will take place on 8 February 2024 at the BluePoint in Liège.

Who is the event for?

This event is aimed at Belgian and European experts who are interested in the subject.

What can you expect from this event?

In a world in transition struck by great crises, the European Union has no choice but to strengthen its strategic autonomy while reinforcing social ties.

By promoting economic integration between the member states of the European Union, the single market has helped stimulate economic growth, create jobs and increase competitiveness within the framework of a social market economy. However, it has also provoked concerns and criticism, notably regarding the quality and the accessibility of some public services (social housing, healthcare...), which brings up the question of its social acceptance.

In order to promote economic integration that is beneficial to all, services of general interest (social housing, healthcare...) play a particular part in the strengthening of social ties between the citizens and the institutions, and thus the trust in the European single market project. The ability of the European Union and its member states to promote and finance services of general (economic) interest, as vectors of economic, social and territorial cohesion, must come as a priority, in accordance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Pillar of Social Rights.

This conference-debate aims to contribute to the work of former Italian prime Minister Enrico Letta, who was entrusted with the mission of writing an independent report on the future of the single market in view of the coming legislature.

The Belgian Presidency has gathered the main European stakeholders (Commission, Parliament, EESC, Committee of the Regions, Civil Society...) to discuss this subject in the presence of Enrico Letta.

Programme