Brussels, 17/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - Slovenian Labour, Family and Social Affairs Minister Marjeta Cotman opened the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels on Wednesday 16 January. She said that one of the Slovenian Presidency's priorities was the labour market. “At the spring summit, we want to discuss the general economic thrust,” she said. Although the EESC was called into question by some 50 MEPs in December, Cotman said that the assembly had her full confidence. “I will follow your discussions with interest,” she stated. The major part of her speech was given to setting out the list of priorities in those areas for which she is responsible. She stressed the position of young people in the labour market.
In response to a question from Wolfgang Greif of Austria from the employment and social affairs section, Cotman said that the implementation of Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth guidelines should be one of the EU's major objectives. “These guidelines are the spearhead of national reform programmes for the period from 2005-2008,” she said.
Metka Roksandic of Slovenia said she thought that the internal market was not moving in the right direction. “Our social dimension is becoming weaker and weaker,” she noted, going on to say that the Slovenian Presidency could shift the emphasis of the debate, by proposing a fresh agenda. (L.B.S.)