Brussels, 09/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a communication to the "Social Europe" working group of the European Convention, the European Social Protection Institute (IPSE) stresses the importance of including the Charter of Fundamental Rights into the Treaty. It calls for the European social model to also be included in the treaty (as an "inevitable characteristic" of the EU) as well as the permanent search for convergence with regards social protection. IPSE states that social protection is the main expression of the European social model, adding that, if subsidiarity allows the States, and even the regions, to play their role fully and to assume their social responsibilities, the open method of coordination allows the role of the European Union in this field to be enhanced. According to the Institute, the social model and social protection "linked to cooperation in the taxation field, meet the needs (…) of a Europe with a stronger political identity".
This communication is the result of work by the XXVIth meeting organised by the Institute in Copenhagen, on 13 and 14 December 2002, on the theme: "A social contract for tomorrow's Europe. In support of a commitment from the European Convention".