CECOP, together with Cooperatives Europe that sent a press release welcoming the Bratislava Declaration, agrees the declaration is particularly positive as it builds upon and encourages Members States to consult and implement the recommendations presented in the recent GECES (Expert Group on Social Entrepreneurship) Report released on 15th of November.

A paragraph of this report refers to cooperatives and mutual societies’ legal framework, calling upon the Commission and Member States to stimulate cross-border operations which would enable cooperatives to use the full potential of the Internal Market to expand their activities. Cooperatives Europe has reminded in its communication that social economy “does not only touch upon social issues – cooperatives, for example, are also active in industry, production and services”.

More information here Bratislava Declaration