Brussels, 19/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - Flexicurity was brought to the fore by the Austrian Presidency at the informal “Employment/Social” Council in Villach in January (see EUROPE 9114). Denmark is the typical example of this system which combines a high level of employment and competitiveness in a sustainable social context. “In other words, it's Lisbon in real life,” said Anita Vium (various interests group, Denmark), rapporteur on the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) own-initiative opinion “Danish Flexicurity: which lessons to draw for Europe? This opinion, which was adopted at the plenary session on Wednesday seeks to describe how the “golden triangle - flexibility, security, active labour market policy - which cannot work one without the other and which have to be constantly in balance” works in Denmark. Ms Vium noted that, from the financial point of view, this model is expensive, but people in Denmark were prepared to meet the costs. The Danish model, which had its own development in its own particular conditions, was not to be copied and simply applied in other countries, she said, pointing out that the labour market was part of a societal whole. Danish flexicurity involves emphasising the role of the social partners in decision making, high quality training and skills of the workforce and the correct policy mix. Viliam Palenik (various interests group, Slovakia) called on the EU to study this concept and the social partners to devote some of their time to it. He added that the best part of this system was its balance and that it was necessary not to push one side of the triangle rather than another. Johannes Kleeman (employers group, Austria) thought the system was the ideal way to calm and remove fears of job losses.