Brussels, 08/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - Trade unions have issued a warning: greater economic integration of the EU cannot be achieved without progress being made on the social front and by keeping within the austerity measures underpinned by the spectre of sanctions. Such progress, which should take the form of a “protocol on social progress”, calls for active participation on the part of the unions in order to ensure the democratic and social nature of the treaty changes envisaged by the European Council at its meeting in Brussels on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 December. Such was the message that was delivered by the executive committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) in the form of an “urgent message” addressed to European leaders, on Wednesday 7 December. Another plea, which bears witness to the concern felt today not only because of the crisis but also because of measures adopted by the European leaders, can be found in a column published on Thursday 8 December, and signed by the presidents and general secretaries of the trade unions of Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Belgium. Although both appeals envisage the same solutions, that is, strengthened economic governance, especially through the issue of eurobonds and the harmonisation of fiscal policy, the trade union leaders are particularly critical towards the European institutions as the later are said to be encouraging “erosion of the social model”. The importance of social dialogue, of the active role played by the civil society, and the equivalence between fundamental social rights and economic freedom, were also defended by the president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Staffan Nilsson, at an EESC plenary session on Thursday 8 December. He went on to add that a “European social agenda is needed. The message delivered by the ETUC contains this direct appeal: “It is the future of citizens, and not the opinion of rating agencies, to which your concerns must be directed. Your common political leadership is essential to prevent a collapse of our economies, recession, mass unemployment and social unrest. Don't stifle growth and jobs. Don't imprison EU countries in an economic straitjacket. This is not the right solution towards returning to sound budgets”. (JK/transl.jl)