Brussels, 14/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - “The EU should strive to enhance job prospects and working conditions across the whole population to counter many of the difficulties we are currently experiencing”. This was the message from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which met in plenary on Thursday 14 July in Brussels (see EUROPE 10416). Opinions were adopted by: (1) Wolfgang Greif of Austria (Employees Group of the EESC), who not only analyses the risks and consequences of an ageing population but also the opportunities that can be seized through effective labour market policies; and (2) Vladimira Drbalova of the Czech Republic (Employers Group, EESC) and José Maria Zufiaur Narvaiza of Spain (Employees Group, EESC). This opinion scrutinises the European Commission's agenda for new skills and job initiatives, and the EESC calls on member states to make good use of social and civil dialogue to spur efforts to improve the current situation. (G.B./transl.jl)