03/06/2004 (Agence Europe) In Budapest on 1-2 June the European Confederation of Trade Unions (ETUC) and the European Centre of Public Enterprise (CEEP) provided a synthesis of the five conferences that have already been held in Bucharest, Budapest, Gdansk, Istanbul and Prague on the theme of services of general interest and enlargement of the EU. According to a press statement, reform of public administrations was particularly highlighted, as well as the role of citizens and consumers for stimulating demand, improving quality and maintaining affordable prices. Joseph Niemiec speaking on behalf of the ETUC underlined the importance of the debate between social partners on the future of general services in the new Member States which are now confronting the challenges of modernisation and implementation of Community rules on competition. Rainer Plassmann, for the CEEP also spoke of the role of social dialogue at all levels, admitting that the quality of services depended to a large extent on human capital.