Brussels, 09/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The French Presidency's first task in the social sphere will be the renewal of the social agenda. The agenda, adopted last week by the European Commission will be at the heart of discussions in the informal meeting of EU ministers for labour and social policy, in Chantilly on 10-11 July. The meeting will be chaired by Xavier Bertrand, and the European Commission will be represented by Vladimir Spidla. Also taking part in the meeting will be representatives of the European Social Platform and European social partners. The aim is to produce common guidelines for concerted action to build a more tangible Europe that is closer to its citizens, offers more protection and has a real social programme.
The meeting will focus on three main topics for debate, the Presidency says on its website:
(1) Globalisation and climate change: flexicurity will be one of the means that will enable Europe to guarantee the worker flexibility, security and mobility that are essential for businesses to be able to develop in ever more competitive markets. Mobility and security, however, require a more integrated job market to be able to respond to people's developing needs and aspirations. The debate, then, will be an opportunity to discuss strengthening cooperation within the European Union so that the EU can become a more effective player in the employment market in its own right, both within and beyond its borders.
(2) The new demographic challenges and the development of activity throughout people's lives: it is necessary to look beyond national borders to examine the issue of solidarity between the generations and what specific responses can be taken at European level. Family cohesion and achieving a good work-family life balance will be major topics for debate in this informal meeting. Discussion will provide an opportunity to exchange best practice and define joint commitments in these areas.
(3) Social cohesion and non-discrimination: active inclusion is of major importance in determining future social cohesion in Europe. This subject will deal with the EU's commitments in the coming decade in the fight against poverty, and the resources it intends to devote to achieving them, and also the place active inclusion will occupy in the renewed social agenda. (G.B./transl.rt)