Brussels, 07/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Juan Somavia will carry out an exchange of letters to update the framework for cooperation between the Commission and the ILO, to be solemnly signed in Brussels, on 14 May. The last exchange of letters of this kind (legal base: Article 302 of the EC Treaty) dates back to 1989. This time, following the considerable changes that have come about in the powers and political priorities of the EU and the ILO, it was appropriate to update the content of this exchange of letters. The exchange also underlines the considerably strengthened role of social and employment policy in the EU and the growing attention granted in Europe and elsewhere to the social impact of globalisation. It defines the priority areas of cooperation and in particular: the promotion of working standards, promotion of employment and social dialogue, social policy and employment questions linked to EU enlargement, social protection, and development cooperation.
From a formal point of view, the Commission's letter - the text of which was approved on 7 May by the College - will receive a written response from Mr Somavai, who will approve the terms of the letter.