On Monday 14 June, the European Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs generally supported the suggestion from the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union to develop a roadmap that sets national targets in line with the three major European objectives that were endorsed at the Porto Social Summit in early May.
Most welcomed the three social objectives for 2030 (see EUROPE 12714/3, 12671/2). Certainly, some would have liked to have seen greater ambition, like Luxembourg would have, in respect of the objectives relating to the fight against poverty.
Many ministers stressed the socio-economic disparities between Member States and, in this context, the need to better integrate social partners and civil society. Poland, in particular, emphasised the importance of respecting the principle of subsidiarity. Slovakia stressed the need to be realistic and to ensure there were measurable objectives.
European Semester
All Ministers confirmed the cardinal role of the ‘European Semester’ budget process in monitoring the social policies. The return to normal as soon as possible of this budgetary process, so that it takes into account the social dimension, has been requested by the Swedish, Croatian, Luxembourg and Belgian ministers, among others.
However, Latvia also said that there was no need to revolutionise the process. With regard to Romania, the process cycle should be extended by two years in order to better take into account the structural effects of the reforms that are implemented.
In connection with the new objectives, most ministers asked to strengthen the role of the EPSCO formation in negotiations over the ‘European Semester’. Several ministers called for enhanced coordination with the formation of an ‘Economic and Financial Affairs Council’ (ECOFIN).
See here to consult the framework note from the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council: https://bit.ly/3gyTs8R (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)