10/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - Following the meeting between the CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council) and the EMCEF (European Mines, Chemical and Energy Workers Federation) a new group was created as part of CEFIC at the European social partners' conference of the chemical sector in Berlin on 5 December. The ECEG aims to promote open dialogue between the chemical unions and the chemical industry on a European level. This dialogue, however, will not lead to any contractual arrangements or collective agreements. Eggert Voschereau, CEFIC Vice President, announced that, 'For many reasons, the future of the European chemical industry is at stake. It is time for us to move a step further to strengthen our co-operation with our social partners".