EUROPEAN REGION OF ICA

COMMUNIQUÉ
7 October 2009

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE ADOPTS

AN OPINION THAT CONFIRMS THE KEY CONTRIBUTION
OF CO-OPERATIVE ENTERPRISES
TO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMY AND ITS SOCIAL MODEL
COOPERATIVES EUROPE has welcomed the adoption by the European Economic and Social Committee (1
October 09) of an own initiative opinion: ‘Diverse forms of enterprise’. The opinion describes the
diversity of forms of enterprise that are found in the European Union and endorses the often stated view
of COOPERATIVES EUROPE that there is a need for a legal framework, along with a competition policy, that is
instrumental in creating a level playing field for all the different forms of enterprise whilst taking into
consideration the characteristics of each form.

The opinion’s consideration of Competition Policy is of special interest to COOPERATIVES EUROPE for it is our
view that the EU competition laws are not required to ensure uniformity but is required to provide a
balanced legal framework according to the social and economic characteristics of the enterprise. We
reiterate our willingness to engage in discussions with the European Commission to this end.

We share the view that the existence of the different forms of enterprise helps to maintain the European
social model and we support the call for the Social Dialogue partners to reflect this diversity of form.

With specific regard to the co-operative form of enterprise, the opinion’s conclusions identify the need for
the European Cooperative Statutes (SCE) to be simplified and also recognize the need for the introduction
of economic statistics for co-operatives and mutuals along with the establishment of support services and
networks that are adapted to the plurality of all forms of doing business.

ENDS

Notes
1. The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption was responsible for preparing the EESC work on
the Diverse forms of enterprise (INT/447 – CESE 584/2009 fin). Rapporteur: Mr. Cabra de Luna and co-
rapporteur: Ms Marie Zvolska (DACR – Cz) and her expert Agnès Mathis (COOPERATIVES EUROPE - EUR).
2. The opinion was adopted by the committee with a vote of 133 for, 0 against with 4 abstentions.
3. The need for an own initiative opinion stemmed from the EESC Co-operatives Contact Group set up in 2007 in
the wake of certain legal actions against co-operatives.
4. Today, 263000 co-operative enterprises are serving their 160 million members (1 in 3 EU citizens). They actively
contribute to the economic and social objectives of the European Union.

For further information contact: a.mathis@coopseurope.coop

COOPERATIVES EUROPE ASBL ◊ EUROPEAN HOUSE OF CO-OPERATIVES ◊ AVENUE MILCAMPS 105 ◊ BE - 1000 BRUSSELS
TÉL. (32/2) 743 10 33 ◊ FAX (32/2) 743 10 39 ◊ OFFICE@COOPSEUROPE.COOP