05/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 5 December, Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou attended the official signing of the agreement concluded by the European social partners of the agricultural sector: Copa-Cogeca (employers) and Effat (trade unions). According to the signatories, this agreement is "an important step in implementing the Lisbon strategy for a more competitive, job-rich Europe in the sector, and in providing farm workers with the possibility of gaining better vocational qualifications, especially through recognition of formal and on-formal education throughout the EU". For Ms. Diamantopoulou, "this move tackles head-on mobility and the recognition of non-formal learning, both of which are crucial in helping Europe to adapt to structural change and address the lack of skilled workers in farming".