Brussels, 11/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - On the initiative of Commissioners Anna Diamantopoulou (social affairs) and Viviane Reding (Education), the European Commission has approved a communication on the implementation of the Commission's action plan on mobility (February 2002), which seeks to help in the setting up of an environment that puts greater emphasis on the need for more open labour markets with easier access up to 2005. This communication consists of a mid-term review on the progress achieved in the implementation of the plan and will be submitted to the European Spring Summit 25-26 March. The Commission's main objectives are: 1) describing the progress accomplished in the implementation of specific components in the action plan; 2) analysing the contribution of the European employment strategy and the 2010 education and training programme; 3) identifying the areas in which progress has been achieved or where it has been slow and for which new actions could have a positive effect. The report also stresses the institutional and political context and demonstrates how employment problems linked to mobility are taken into account by the different institutions and processes, mainly in the areas of employment, education and training. In the area of vocational training, progress has been accomplished in the adoption of a series of Council references that have to be attained by 2010: early school leavers; certificates in maths, science and technology; levels for completing secondary higher education; youngsters aged 15 with low reading skills and life long education. On the other and, progress has been less rapid in the development of new skills and qualifications in the information communication technology sector (ICT) and in the promotion of permanent vocational training and education and training for life.
On the issue of geographical mobility, satisfactory progress has been made with the introduction of the European sickness insurance card, the simplification and modernisation of coordinating social security rights, improving the freedom of movement for third country nationals, the increased transferability of pension rights, the launch of a "languages action plan" and the strengthening of mobility for action and training. On the other hand, no progress was registered on the draft directive for harmonising the recognition of qualifications, immigration for professional reasons within the framework on immigration.
Other positive measures: the Commission notes efforts to improve information and transparency of job offers, the opening of the European portal on employment mobility and the modernisation of EURES (European Employment Services).