The interinstitutional meeting on the regulation on social security systems coordination did not mark a breakthrough in the negotiations on Tuesday, 26 February, as the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU is awaiting a renewed mandate from the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper I).
The interinstitutional meeting thus ended about thirty minutes before the planned end, according to our information. No progress could be made, according to several sources, and for good reason: the Romanian Presidency of the Council did not have a renewed mandate for the Committee of Permanent Representatives (see EUROPE 12201).
However, agreement on some points are within reach, such as on applicable legislation or the issue of equal treatment, according to several sources, but the negotiations have been taken "hostage" by the package approach, according to another source.
This morning, several proposals were reportedly tabled. On affiliation to a social security before the worker is sent, two options have been examined: Two months for employed and self-employed without derogation or three months for employed and self-employed with derogations.
On the issue of pluriactivity, changes to the criteria proposed by the Council would be considered in order to find a compromise with the European Parliament, including the deletion of the reference to the place of residence of the main directors and the deletion of the place where banking transactions are mainly carried out.
As far as cross-border workers are concerned, discussions are reportedly under way to strengthen cooperation between Member States. As regards to the notification of Form A1 (the certificate concerning the social security legislation applicable to the holder) before the worker is sent, the possibility that it will be made after the sending would be examined.
The Presidency intends to have an exchange with the ambassadors in the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper I) on Wednesday morning, 27 February. The outcome of this exchange will determine the outcome of the negotiations, according to several sources.
The interinstitutional meeting scheduled for 5 March may not be concluded as the Romanian Presidency had hoped, but, according to several sources, political agreement is close on several chapters. A new meeting is said to be already planned for 12 March in Strasbourg. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)