This afternoon, our President, Staffan Nilsson, chaired the 20th meeting of the EESC’s Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and networks. A key point on the agenda was a discussion with Libor Roucek, Vice-President of the European Parliament, on the European Parliament’s commitment and contribution to the establishment of an effective civil dialogue between EU institutions and civil society (in line with the provisions of Article 11 of the Lisbon Treaty). It was therefore also a moment to take stock of the very fruitful and positive cooperation that took place between the EP and the EESC on the occasion of the 27-28 January Citizens’ Agora on the theme of ‘Crisis and Poverty.’ It was an occasion, as Libor Roucek acknowledged, where the EESC demonstrated very effectively the role it can play as an important flanking partner to the European Parliament.