Brussels, 25/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Council has come to no decision about the social dimension of the economic and monetary union (EMU) but it has made the commitment to do so in December. The matter will therefore be tackled once again “so that, from next year, in the European Semester, we shall review priorities also based on employment and social indicators and on more social dialogue, both in member states and at the level of the Union”, said European Council President Herman Van Rompuy after the first day of the summit in Brussels, during the night of Thursday 24 October and Friday 25 October.
The Council conclusions underwent slight last minute changes. The heads of state and government thus pledged to reach decisions on the social dimension of EMU in December, on the basis of the European Commission's proposals, which above all include the use of a social and employment scoreboard within the European Semester process.
At the same time, the European Council also stated its wish to improve coordination of economic, employment and social policies, in line with existing procedures but in full respect of national competencies. This should be done by strengthening the role played by the EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), given the prerogatives of the Council of Finance Ministers (ECOFIN). A new paragraph was inserted in the conclusions to underline that the EMU social policy and the changes provided for in the coordination of policies are “voluntary for those outside the single currency and will be fully compatible with the single market in all aspects”.
Finally, the Council hopes to integrate social partners more in the decision-making processes “in particular in the context of the European Semester” with the objective of enhancing the ownership of its conclusions and recommendations across the EU. (JK/transl.jl)