Brussels, 05/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - In conclusions to be adopted on Tuesday 9 October, the ECOFIN Council will welcome the Commission Communication 'Towards Common Principles of Flexicurity' (see EUROPE 9455). The draft conclusions document to be submitted for the EU finance ministers' approval comments that 'the flexicurity approach provides a good platform to develop comprehensive strategies that enhance overall labour market flexibility and support workers' mobility.' Arguing that it is possible to increase employment levels and improve opportunities, the Council notes that 'an appropriate degree of flexibility can contribute to employment creation,' although 'some measures associated with flexicurity have substantial budgetary costs. However, high flexicurity-related expenditure does not in itself automatically lead to more effective outcomes. Flexicurity can and should go hand in hand with sound public finances.' The Commission's report quotes the examples of Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, and the ECOFIN Council conclusions stress 'there is no single model of flexicurity that can be exported to all member states.' A flexicurity strategy, based on input from the ECOFIN Council and the Employment and Social Affairs Council, will be adopted by the European Council on 13-14 December 2007. (ab)