Two resolutions were adopted at the meeting. The first resolution underlines the potential of green jobs in helping to complete both the environmental and social/employment agenda. However, this requires greater efforts to close existing skills gaps, to develop skills for future green jobs, and to train, retrain and educate people for the transition into green jobs. The resolution also urges the relevant authorities to strengthen their dialogue with social partners and civil society and to make this a priority when developing and implementing new policies.

The second resolution highlights the vital role of civil society organisations and social partners in implementing the EU's Baltic Sea Strategy. The external relations dimension of the Strategy should be linked to cooperation within the EEA and the EU's Northern Dimension policy. Implementation of the Strategy would require the establishment of a separate budget; otherwise the strategy would be no more than a political statement and would not achieve its aims.

Mr Matthias Brinkmann, European Commission, representing the President-in-Office of the EEA Joint Committee, and H.E. Stefán Haukur Johannesson, Ambassador of Iceland to the EU, representing the Icelandic Presidency of the EEA EFTA States, briefed the meeting on the state of play with the EEA Agreement and exchanged views with Committee members. Mr Per Sanderud, President of the EFTA Surveillance Authority, and Ms Stine Andresen, Director of the Financial Mechanism Office, took part in the debate.

The EEA CC noted that in the coming days the Icelandic parliament will start procedures with a view to grant the Icelandic government a mandate to apply for EU membership. The aim of the Icelandic government was to submit a formal application to the Swedish EU Presidency in early July. The Committee appreciated greatly the Icelandic Ambassador's openness and will closely monitor developments in Iceland.

In addition, the EEA CC discussed the global economic and financial crisis, with speeches by the following participants: Mr Anthony Whelan, Head of Private Office for Commissioner Neelie Kroes, DG Competition, EESC member Mr Thomas Delapina and Ms Cinzia Alcidi, Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

The adopted resolutions and reports are are available here:

- Green jobs; the importance of ambitious energy and climate policies for economic recovery and renewed growth

- Baltic Sea region: the role of civil society organisations and social partners in improving regional cooperation and identifying regional strategy