Resultaten bijeenkomst Raad Werkgelegenheid, Sociaal beleid, Volksgezondheid en Consumentenzaken 5-6 juli 2007 (en)

Informal Meeting of Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs

Guimaraes, 5-6 July 2007

12 key points to face the challenges ahead Chair's conclusions, together with Germany and Slovenia, members of the Trio of Presidencies

• 1. 

  The coordination of policies is one of the most important tools for European progress in employment and social issues.

It enhances the improvement of policies and fosters advances towards common goals while safeguarding the flexibility, at the national level, to design strategies that are adequate to the specific contexts and policy options of Member-states.

• 2. 

  Taking stock of the first ten years of the European Employment Strategy and having in mind all developments of the Open Method of Coordination,within the context of the Lisbon Strategy, is an important point of departure for our capacity to improve these instruments. The expression of the view points of Member-States, EU institutions, Social Partners and NGO's representatives has enabled us to identify core messages for the future.

• 3. 

  First of all, and in the light of the challenges Europe faces today, it is important to strengthen and further improve policy coordination dynamics. It should be done through both the clear mapping of strategic priorities, and, on the other hand, by increasing the efficiency of our methods to deliver positive outcomes. Results are, therefore, a key word.

• 4. 

  Concerning key policy areas for strategies at the European level, a number of issues have emerged from the discussions as crosscutting elements for future developments. The need to improve the integration and visibility of social priorities within the broader strategic framework of the reform of European economic and social models, and namely in the Integrated Guidelines of the Lisbon Strategy, has been stressed as a horizontal factor for the success of such an endeavour.

• 5. 

  Active ageing, in the context of demographic changes, is a decisive element to foster the sustainability of social protection systems. It has strong links to pensions and retirement arrangements, labour markets policies and issues like lifelong learning. Such a topic also provides useful bridges between the adequacy of responses to social needs and the economic and financial perspectives on sustainability.

• 6. 

  Social inclusion is a fundamental dimension of sustainable development strategies for Europe. It provides tools to create opportunities for all and to maximize the potential of European societies and economies. More than a matter of citizenship, it also has positive effects on employment, economy, skills and human development. The integration of migrants and unfavoured groups, and the fight against poverty, especially among children and youngsters, when life chances are generated, were mentioned as specific topics that should be a matter of more active concern. Future steps in " active inclusion ", based on promoting labour market integration, adequate minimum income schemes and access to quality social services, may help build a solid and balanced framework in the field of inclusion.

• 7. 

  Concerning flexicurity, it is essential to strike a comprehensive and balanced approach, with adequate mixes of flexibility and security as well as a balance between the different dimensions of the debate was stressed. Also, it was clear that European developments should incorporate the diversity of situations and reform strategies in Member- States. The overall challenge will be to design reform strategies that incorporate both adaptability and security through change, in order to meet the needs of companies and workers in the context of changing economies and transitional labour markets.

Ministério do Trabalho e da Solidariedade Social

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