Brussels, 07/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 1 February, the president of the European Federation of Managers in the Steel Industry (FEDEM), Norbert Müller (Germany), and the vice-president, Jean-Pierre Chaffin (France), signed, the “Worldwide Agreement on the Principles of Arcelor's Corporate Responsibility” in Luxembourg, at the company headquarters. The agreement, coming just at a time when Arcelor was the subject of a hostile takeover bid from Mittal Steel (see other article and EUROPE 9120), is a sign that Arcelor is one of the most active European companies in the field of sustainable development and social responsibility. The agreement was signed by the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) and by the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF). In a press release, FEDEM confirms the need for Arcelor's management and staff to mobilise. “It is absolutely necessary to protect Arcelor's social model and industrial dynamic, whose effective performance is much higher than the one of its declared predator, Mittal Steel”, the press release reads. The Federation also recalls that “in the difficult situation that Arcelor is facing, the role of the management will be fundamental to make the solidarity of the men and women of the enterprise contribute to a positive issue for the company, its staff and its shareholders”. FEDEM, moreover, denounces Member States' lack of resolve to implement solutions that would really make it possible to safeguard and develop industrial assets. Affiliated to the European Confederation of Executives and Managerial Staff (CEC), the FEDEM represents management and senior management at Arcelor in most countries where the company has a foothold.