Brussels, 28/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The first concrete proposals are gradually beginning to emerge for defining the social dimension of the future European economic and monetary union (EMU). Before starting the formal Council meeting on Thursday 28 February, European ministers for employment and social affairs met President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. Three questions were asked about how to support increased convergence between economic and social policies through revising the European semester budgetary process with, at the end of it all, new institutional arrangements and political tools. No one knows where the discussions will lead, said the French minister Michel Sapin - but we do at least know the next stages. The Irish Presidency of the EU Council of Ministerswill prepare a document by the end of March and Van Rompuy will present his roadmap on strengthening EMU to the heads of state and government at the European Council in June 2013.
This meeting - which Van Rompuy described as “historic” due to its format - took place over a “modest” breakfast. Austerity made it so - there was only coffee and bread, the Irish minister for social protection, Joan Burton, joked. The ministers expressed many and sometimes divergent views on EMU's social dimension. The sharing of responsibilities between the national and Community levels constitutes a bone of contention.
Nevertheless, “very strong overall support” emerged for “the idea of cohesion and convergence between the economic and social side that are both necessary for the functioning of the Union as it was envisioned”, said Burton. “The smooth running of EMU requires real reflection on the social dimension”, said Olivier Bailly, a spokesperson for the Commission, who commented on the specific discussions that took place at the College of Commissioners' meeting on Wednesday.
The three questions - which have not been made public and were asked of ministers by Van Rompuy in advance - reveal certain areas for reflection, which are today being considered by Van Rompuy and the Commission. Some of these areas for reflection are related to the European semester, which would mean they could be included in the existing framework for cooperation. They propose giving greater attention to social policies at EU level - policies such as the attractiveness and quality of education and training, the effectiveness of active labour market policies (ALMPs), the Youth Guarantee (see other article), the issue of minimum salaries/income, and the convergence of pension and health systems.
Other areas for reflection propose “institutional arrangements and policy tools” and raise the possibility of creating a “scoreboard for social and employment issues” so as to fuel the coordination of policies through economic policy recommendations established by each country. This latter point seems to have garnered wide support, Sapin implied.
The ministers were also asked to propose new ways to ensure ex ante coordination of major reforms affecting employment or social issues. Defining “common social standards” is one example among others, said the minister for employment from Luxembourg, Nicolas Schmit.
Van Rompuy also wanted to know if “contractual arrangements” can be envisaged to integrate certain policies and improve social cohesion within EMU. The possibility of organising parallel meetings of ministers for labour and social affairs and finance ministers was suggested by some delegations.
The social partners were not forgotten in all this either. The form of participation that should be put in place for them within EMU was discussed. What is more, the next tripartite summit, the day before the European Council on 14-15 March, could be the occasion for this issue to be raised. (JK/transl.fl)