Brussels, 29/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - Anna Diamantopoulou and Longin Komolowski signed, as expected (see EUROPE of 27 January, p.9), a joint declaration encouraging reform of the employment systems in Poland in preparation for Union enlargement. On this occasion, the Commissioner stressed the link with the Lisbon Process, and above all the aim declared at the summit of March 2000 to reach full employment in the EU by 2010. She noted that the Commission was already working to achieve this. "We are all in the same boat. The process of economic and social transition is not limited to the candidate countries", said Anna Diamantopoulou, who added that the key to successful transition is reform of the labour market. In this respect, the Commissioner noted that Poland should act in the following sectors as a matter of priority: education and training, reform of social security systems, and strengthening of public employment services.
In answer to journalists who put questions to her on the transitional period for free movement (that cannot yet be defined, commented her spokesperson), Anna Diamantopoulou stressed that a transitional period is not a solution in itself, particularly in regions where there are risks or low added value. Regarding Chancellor Schröder's idea of foreseeing a transitional seven-year period to which Austria has rallied in the meantime, Ms Diamantopoulou announced that "in coming months, the Commission will seek to define a proposal that is acceptable to all parties regarding free movement of workers". This Commission proposal is foreseen for end April, specified the spokesman's service.