Brussels, 19/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Commission is to hold a conference on 19 and 20 March in Brussels, on the subject of the mid-term review of the Social Policy Agenda, focussing on the cost of non-social policy. This analysis will start in May on the basis of a European Commission communication. The Social Affairs Commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou, opened the work on Wednesday morning in the presence of Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, and of the Greek Minister for Employment and Social Security, Dimitrios Reppas. Maria Rodrigues, who initiated the Lisbon strategy, gave the opening speech. The work is divided up into four sessions on: (1) full employment, quality in work and mobility; (2) modernising social protection and promoting social inclusion; (3) managing change and quality in industrial relations; (4) equal opportunities and non-discrimination. Odile Quintin, Director General of Employment at the Commission, will be presenting the future "pathways". The President of the European Council, Costas Simitis, will conclude the work together with Anna Diamantopoulou.
Notably taking part in the conference: Italian Employment Minister Roberto Maroni, his Belgium, Dutch and Swedish counterparts Laurette Onkelinx, A.J. de Geus and Margareta Winberg, as well as representatives from the European Parliament, including the President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, Theodorus Bouwman, from the European employers (Unice), the European Trades Union (ETUC), and the Platform of European Social NGOs.