23/11/2017 (Agence Europe) – In a reply to EUROPE, on Wednesday 22 November, the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs said he “liked” the proposal from French President Emmanuel Macron, to introduce conditions for structural and investment funds, as part of the next multiannual financial framework, as a means of strengthening social convergence. The Commissioner stated, “I like the idea proposed by the French President because we have to strengthen the link between what we are asking member states to do, the reforms we demand from them and which have been the subject of an agreement with member states and within the European Semester, and the use of European funds”. Questioned by EUROPE at the Gothenborg Social Summit, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, appeared to suggest that the European Semester would be enough to support this convergence (see EUROPE 11907). (PH & EL)