(Madrid, February 6, 2015) .- The Spanish Business Confederation of Social Economy (CEPES) through its president Juan Antonio Pedreño attended the inaugural meeting of the Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament, held last January 27, which will consist of five co-chairs, two of them Spanish.
Juan Antonio Pedreño who also holds the vice presidency of Social Economy Europe, stressed that "the new Intergroup facilitate the social economy which is a priority in the European institutions, who value this sector, which has 2 million businesses and over 14.5 million jobs in the EU shows that another economy is possible that other employment is possible and that are companiessustainable, efficient and competitive where people are at the epicenter of business. Ultimately companies contributing to democratize the economy "
At a meeting last week, the Intergroup has announced it will appeal to the European Commission to include the development of the social economy among its priorities for the next five years due to the contribution of this sector in creating and maintaining employment, and in promoting social cohesion in the European Union.
The Executive Committee Intergroup Social Economy shall be composed of five chairs of five different political groups, which include the Spanish Ramón Luis Valcárcel (People's Party) and Beatriz Becerra (UPyD / Alde), France's Marie-Christine Vergiat (European United Left) and German Sven Giegold (Greens / EFA), and Swede Jens Nilsson (Social Group), who will coordinate the other members of the Commission Executive. In addition, the Intergroup will have two vice presidents: the Portuguese Sofia Ribeiro (Popular) and the Italian Elena Gentile (social democratic).
"We believe the Social Economy organizations provide opportunities for people to contribute and play an active role in the development of a sustainable society. It is for this reason that the social economy is so important in strengthening European democracy, and that's why we got strong supportfive different political groups in Parliament. Now we hope to continue the dialogue with the industry"said Nilsson.
Meanwhile, Alain Coheur President of 'Social Economy Europe', stated that "in this current context in the EU economic and social crisis, the social economy has significant potential for growth and job creation, so should be promoted by the Community institutions ". Social Economy Europe, a body representing the Social Economy Europe, will be responsible forSecretarial Intergroup Social Economy.
The Executive Committee of the Intergroup will organize this spring two public meetings on the inclusion of the Social Economy in the political priorities of the European Commission for this new mandate. In addition, the Intergroup, in order to ensure the development and visibility of Social Economy, hasprovided concrete proposals to the European Commission, in assessing how this sector can contribute to job creation, growth and promoting social cohesion in the EU.
