Brussels, 08/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of the informal meeting of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers, on 10 and 11 July in Varese (see p.7), the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) that combats poverty and social exclusion takes a stand on the document concerning strengthening of the social dimension of the Lisbon strategy. EAPN stresses how important it is to maintain the strategy's visibility on social inclusion and recommends above all that: - social inclusion should be the main element of the whole rationalisation process, concerning retirement, blood and long-term care policies; - a clear strategy on social inclusion with all the elements adopted in Lisbon should be maintained; - a role for the NGOs and other key players in the context of the rationalisation process should be defined, including the participation of persons in a situation of poverty or social exclusion; - the aims should be defined and indicators given for each area targeted, both quantitatively and qualitatively; - and the report evoked in the Commission's communication must be complementary to the social inclusion strategy and entitled "Joint Report on Inclusion and Social Protection".