Building a more resilient and secure Europe

This month, our section adopted eight opinions with one common goal: to strengthen Europe’s resilience, security and competitiveness, while improving citizens’ daily lives.

In our recommendations on the Action Plan on Drone and Counter-Drone Security, we highlight the urgent need for Europe to strengthen preparedness, detection and response capacities to address the growing threat of malicious drone use. At the same time, any measures must remain proportionate and fully consistent with fundamental rights, including privacy and data protection, while ensuring legal certainty and democratic accountability.

At the TEN Section, we underline the need to adapt to an increasingly complex drone and counter-drone threat environment, shaped by rapid technological advances and lessons from recent conflicts and hybrid operations. We stress the importance of the management, operational and human dimensions of drone and counter-drone capabilities.

Furthermore, further efforts are welcome to strengthen Europe’s industrial and technological base in this sector, supporting innovation, competitiveness, economic growth and export potential.

Marcin NOWACKI 

President of the TEN Section of the European  Economic and Social Committee

In May 2026, in Brussels, the TEN Permanent Group on Energy brought together experts and stakeholders to debate how the EU can better withstand ongoing energy crises and anticipate future pressures. Discussions focused on protecting households and industry from price shocks, with calls for more targeted support and stronger consumer participation in energy markets. Participants stressed that Europe now needs to turn plans into action. Looking ahead, key priorities included addressing structural price challenges, speeding up the shift to home-grown clean energy and electrification, and boosting infrastructure, investment and industrial capacity. The debate also highlighted the importance of stronger supply chains, sufficient skilled workers, urgent scaled-up investments, closer regulatory cooperation for more coherent energy market rules and greater demand-side participation through more flexible consumption and active engagement in the market.

Rare diseases were high on the agenda at two major European events attended by TEN President Marcin Nowacki and EESC rapporteur Milena Angelova. Speaking at the European Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products in June in Prague, Mr Nowacki underlined that the challenge is not only the number of patients, but also the fragmentation of systems, data and resources. With patient data still scattered and financing difficult, he stressed that no Member State can tackle these issues alone.

At the ESNO Congress on Rare Diseases in Rome in June and the Rare Diseases Conference in Cyprus, in May, Ms Angelova echoed the need for a stronger European response, calling for a comprehensive, goal-driven European Action Plan with clear and measurable objectives to reduce diagnostic delays, tackle inequalities between Member States and improve access to innovation and treatment. Both discussions highlighted the importance of joint research and technology infrastructures, better use of health data, stronger European Reference Networks and a more supportive framework for advanced therapies to ensure fairer and faster access for patients across the EU.

Towards a competitive and resilient EU freight system

EESC rapporteur for the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, Dumitru Fornea, took part in an ACEA Lab Workshop in June in Brussels on the future of EU freight transport in the era of zero-emission trucks. Bringing together representatives from EU institutions, industry, research and civil society, the discussion delivered a clear message: Europe’s freight future must be multimodal, evidence-based and resilient.

While zero-emission trucks are reshaping the debate, rail remains indispensable. Success will not come from choosing between road and rail, but from building an efficient, sustainable, competitive and strategically autonomous transport system.

The exchange also highlighted the need to align climate ambition with competitiveness, social fairness and resilience.

Services of general interest key to strengthen intergenerational solidarity

The conference on Delivering intergenerational solidarity – the role of services of general interest, co-organised in June in Brussels by the EESC’s TEN Section and the Basque Government, brought together organisations representing young people and older persons, alongside representatives of the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions. The event highlighted the political and social importance of services of general interest in turning intergenerational solidarity into a reality across Europe and helping to build a more inclusive society. Participants stressed that services of general interest, including housing, water and energy supply, and health and social care, can play a key role in strengthening solidarity between generations and improving the well-being of society as a whole.

Digital inclusion is essential for full participation in society

Digitalisation is no longer just a convenience. It is increasingly becoming a condition for full participation in society. As citizens are expected to use digital tools to access healthcare, education, administration, labour markets and public communication, digital exclusion is no longer only a technical or economic issue, but also a social and constitutional one. These were among the key messages from a discussion held by the TEN Permanent Group on Services of General Interest with representatives of industry, trade unions and academia on connectivity and digital inclusion. Participants stressed the need to ensure fair access to technology and information, while also safeguarding citizens’ right to disconnect.

Speaking at the 20th of European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), Corina Murafa Benga, rapporteur for the EESC opinion on the Citizens Energy Package, highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities in strengthening EU action on energy poverty, consumer empowerment and trust, and the development of energy communities across Europe. She stressed that citizens must be placed at the centre of the EU energy system. To make this a reality, it is essential to remove the legal ambiguity still holding back the development of energy communities, step up systematic monitoring and promote greater energy literacy.

Alena Mastantuono, EESC Vice-President and co-rapporteur of the EESC opinion on the Nuclear Illustrative Programme, took part in two events on the future of nuclear energy in Europe. At a Clean Air Task Force high-level roundtable, she opened discussions on advancing nuclear deployment in the EU through reliance-based licensing. The exchange focused on the concept and practical applications of this approach, its compatibility with EU legal frameworks and national regulatory systems, and how it preserves regulatory independence and accountability. At the Committee of the Regions conference “Energy Transition Goes Local: Driving the energy transition in EU cities and regions”, Ms Mastantuono spoke about new technologies and innovation, with particular focus on small modular reactors and their role in the EU’s decarbonisation, industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

At a European Housing Alliance inaugural meeting in June in Brussels, Mr Comer, rapporteur for the EESC opinion For a European Affordable Housing Plan, opened the session dedicated to identifying the Alliance’s future priorities. In his remarks, he highlighted key EESC recommendations on fair access to housing, sustainability, investment and simplification. The EESC has strongly supported the establishment of a European Housing Alliance and backed the European Commission’s efforts from the outset. It will continue working with Member States, EU institutions and organised civil society to help ensure that the Alliance delivers on affordability, quality and social cohesion.

At its June plenary, the EESC adopted its Resolution on the Commission’s 2027 work programme, coordinated this year by the TEN Section. Against growing geopolitical, social and climate pressures, the Committee highlights competitiveness, resilience and sustainability as top priorities. Drafted by Marcin Nowacki, Carlos Manuel Trindade and Corina Andrea Murafa Benga, the resolution sets out six pillars covering prosperity, security, social rights, quality of life, democratic values and global partnerships. The rapporteurs stressed the need for a clear and predictable regulatory environment, a stronger Single Market, fair green and digital transitions, quality jobs, and an agenda centred on wellbeing, affordability, equality and civic freedoms. The EESC also calls for policymakers to keep people at the heart of change and ensure sustainable growth across Europe.

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