Brussels, 29/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - In its work programme for 1 July to 31 December 2009, the Swedish Presidency of the EU wants to continue the work begun by the Czech Presidency and calls for everything possible to be done to lift the European Union out of crisis. For the EU to be able to deal with the crisis effectively, it will have to show that it can work collectively in the economic and financial sector and in the labour market, too.
In general terms, the Swedish Presidency will give priority to labour market measures which reduce unemployment, reduce exclusion and bring people back into the labour market, while laying the foundations for sustainable, high employment levels in the long term. The Presidency believes that individuals' employability and position in the labour market have to be strengthened. An active employment policy for better adjustment and mobility on the EU labour market, more effective matching and improved skills development, and more entrepreneurs are important factors in dealing with the jobs crisis, both in the short term and the long. With regard to the business sector, the Presidency believes that, in addition to financial stability and easier access to capital, it is important to work on simplifying the rules and on providing better conditions for small businesses. Efficient labour markets in cooperation with modern social insurance systems will make the adjustment easier for companies and individuals. The ageing population will become a major challenge over the next ten years. The Swedish Presidency will seek to lay the foundations for the next long-term strategy for growth and jobs, which will take over from the Lisbon Strategy, the Presidency writes in its programme. Professor Maria Joao Rodrigues, Special Adviser to the European Commission and the Presidency of the EU, explained the ins and outs of the strategy to EUROPE (see EUROPE 9894). The aim is to reach agreement under Swedish Presidency, on the overarching challenges and the general lines to be taken. The decision on the Lisbon Strategy after 2010 will be taken during the Spanish Presidency of the EU, as Rodrigues said.
More precisely, within the Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumers Council (EPSCO), the Swedish Presidency will work towards:
full employment and reduced exclusion: the Presidency wants to create a stable base to protect labour markets and social security systems in Europe and will work to ensure that the EU acts in a coordinated and responsible way to safeguard Europe's employment and welfare systems in the long term. Its aim will be full employment and more inclusive labour markets. Its goal will be to have conclusions adopted ahead of the European Council on the new European growth and jobs strategy over the next ten years (post-2010 Lisbon Strategy);
healthier and more dignified ageing. For this the Presidency says that it is important that those working with health and social issues cooperate better and place the focus on older people;
gender equality and better protection against discrimination. The focus of the work of gender equality ministers will be the importance of gender equality for economic growth and jobs. Progress in gender equality will help bring about a society characterised by social cohesion, high employment rates and sustainable economic growth, the Presidency says, and it will seek to have decisions adopted on two draft directives, one to help better balance work and family life, and the other to provide better health and safety protection: equal treatment of self-employed women and men, and measures to improve health and safety in the workplace for workers who are pregnant, have recently given birth or are breastfeeding. Work to counter all forms of discrimination is a priority. The Presidency will work for the adoption of the directive on the equal treatment of persons irrespective of religion or belief, handicap, age or sexual orientation.
Among the important conferences are the 8th European Round Table on Poverty and Social Exclusion (Stockholm, 15-16 October) and the Equality Summit (Stockholm, 16-17 November). (G.B./transl.rt)