Brussels, 11/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - The employment ministers of the 27 European Union countries and 16 Mediterranean partner states met for the first time in Marrakech (Morocco) on 9-10 November under the joint Franco-Egyptian presidency of the “Barcelona Process - Union for the Mediterranean”. The joint presidency was represented by Xavier Bertrand, French Minister of Labour, Social Relations, Family and Solidarity, Ms Aisha Abd-el Hady, Egyptian Minister for Labour, and Jamal Rhmani, Moroccan Minister for Employment and Vocational Training. The European commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, took part in the work as well as the executive director of the International Labour Office (ILO), Assan Diop, and representatives of the European and Mediterranean social partners.
On this occasion, the ministers: (1) highlighted the prospects and challenges resulting from globalisation, climate change, technological developments and also social and demographic changes; (2) took stock of the region's socio-economic situation, especially in the context of the present financial crisis and its impact on employment; (3) examined concrete proposals aimed at promoting job creation, labour market modernisation to improve the ability to react to change, and the development of human resources; (4) stressed the importance of an integrated approach combining employment policy with economic, fiscal, social and environmental policies, as well as education and training. In short, they discussed employment, employability and decent work. They also adopted a framework for action aimed at strengthening dialogue and joint measures at regional level. A follow-up mechanism will now be set in place to ensure exchange of information and data on national trends and on how policies develop.
The next Euro-Mediterranean conference of employment and labour ministers will be held in 2010. (G.B./transl.jl)