Brussels, 15/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Spanish Presidency believes that the Barcelona Summit in March will provide the occasion for consolidating the objectives of updating the social affairs model as defined in Lisbon, particularly in working towards the objective of full employment by 2010. In such a context, it is necessary to deal with the repercussions of an ageing population and the continuation of the national social security systems. At the Barcelona Summit the Presidency will encourage the mobility of workers throughout Europe and strive towards giving a new boost towards the Luxembourg Process, while attempting to adapt it to the spirit of Lisbon at the same time. The Spanish Presidency is keen that the new phase of the Employment Strategy continues until 2010 and that there is further emphasis on r the structural obstacles to job creation, tax systems, social security and workplace organisations.
Creating new quality jobs, equality of opportunity between men and women, the disabled, permanent training, health and security at work, the opening up of new European labour markets, society's new needs and solidarity between the different generations are amongst the other priorities of the Spanish Presidency in the arena of social affairs.