The European Parliament and the EU Council met again unsuccessfully to discuss the Regulation on the coordination of social security systems on Monday afternoon, 18 November.
As expected, the negotiations did not make any decisive progress and the three main policy issues, namely the export of social benefits for frontier workers, the abolition of the notion of working time in the definition of pluriactivity and the exemption from prior notification (see EUROPE 12368/28) remain fully open. There were extensive discussions on exemption cases.
On this basis, the definition governing the derogatory regime linked to business trips could be maintained, but reviewed. The possibilities here too remain wide open. Some mention the combination of the EU Council's proposal on duration (see EUROPE 12364/21) and a definition on the nature of travel to benefit from a derogation. On prior notification, some are said to consider a system similar to the Belgian system (Limosa), which is seen as particularly effective.
"There is no agreement on anything until there is agreement on everything", summarises one source, who emphasises that all points are interdependent. On the European Parliament's side, written proposals are expected and, above all, that the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU will return with more flexibility to continue the negotiations. The Presidency is expected to report to the ambassadors on Wednesday 20 November at the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. According to some observers, it is unlikely that the Finnish Presidency will make a request to renew its negotiating mandate, but it could ask for more flexibility.
No date has been set for the next interinstitutional meeting (trilogue). The Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Marianne Thyssen, has indicated that she is available at any time until the end of her mandate to conclude these negotiations. The Commission is expected to present written proposals on Wednesday 20 November, we are told. On the European Parliament side, it is hoped that a rapid resumption will take place before the new Commission takes office. On the EU Council side, a new trilogue could be envisaged in December. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)