Brussels, 14/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Employment and Equal Opportunities Vladimir Spidla met representatives of the European social partners in Brussels (Unice/UEAPME for the employers, CEEP for Enterprises with public participation, ETUC for the Unions). During this meeting, Mr Barroso stressed that social dialogue remains an essential instrument for achieving the objectives of the revised Lisbon Strategy. “Today, we know that there is no alternative in the EU that to play to our strengths and committee to reforms which will put us back on the right tracks”, said President Barroso. Mr Spidla said that “an efficient dialogue between the social partners is essential to reach the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy. The employers and the workers must act in harmony to make what the citizens want into a reality: more and better jobs”. The President and the Commissioner warmly welcomed the support of the social partners for the Lisbon Strategy ahead of the tripartite Social Summit in Brussels on 22 March.