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The role and contribution of civil society organisations in the building of Europe

CES 851/99 D/GW, Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, Brussels, 22 September 1999

(excerpts)

4.3 The difficulties currently besetting both western and eastern European countries are not purely economic, social and financial. They are mostly related to internal changes in the way civil society is organised, and to the limits of state action in a complex society.

4.4 The countries of central and eastern Europe had not succeeded, and in certain cases have still not completely succeeded, either in building confidence in the new institutions or in creating the necessary structures for the existence of a strong civil society. This situation is particularly relevant for the European Union in the context of enlargement. The ESC, too, has launched a large number of initiatives to support this reconstruction process in the CEEC, and these activities have a high priority in its current work programme.