“EU employment policy is going through an important phase”, stated EU Council President and Minister for Economics and Labour Martin Bartenstein during a speech delivered at the meeting of the EU Employment Committee in Bad Ischl today. He added that the successful re-launch of the Lisbon Process and the focus on growth and employment were causes for optimism.
“In view of the global challenges, it is more important than ever to develop integrated and agreed reform strategies”, said the Minister. “The Flexicurity model - flexibility through security – is the Austrian Presidency’s central approach. The model provides a unified framework with which to promote European competitiveness and maintain the European Social Model. The Austrian Presidency will seek to anchor Flexicurity in the conclusions of the next European Council in March. Measures to implement Flexicurity should be determined gradually and, in addition to the reform steps being taken in the Member States, be incorporated into the current legislative procedures at European level, such as the Services Directive, the Working Time Directive and the Temporary Workers Directive”, continued the Minister.
“Inclusion of the European social partners also plays a key role”, he said. “They should become involved in the corresponding decision-making processes at the right time at European level. The Austrian Presidency will aim to pass on a good slice of Austrian tradition to its fellow Europeans”, stated the Minister.
“Managing demographic change is one of the major challenges facing EU employment policy”, continued Minister Bartenstein. “Above all, there is an urgent need for action to promote the integration of young people into the job market and to combat youth unemployment. In its annual progress report, the Commission has proposed specific goals for the integration of school leavers in particular. These goals represent a key initiative and should be pursued further”, he said.
“The Committee is making a significant contribution and supports the Council as an important link between the individual Member States and Europe overall”, stated Minister Bartenstein. The meeting, in which leading experts from the Member States as well as Romania and Bulgaria are participating, is being held at the Austrian Presidency’s invitation and provides an opportunity to prepare for the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in March.
Against this background, the competent Director from the European Commission, Antonis Kastrissianakis, confirmed the successful re-launch of the Lisbon Strategy. “The Commission supports the Austrian Presidency in its aim to increase growth and employment in Europe”, said Mr Kastrissianakis.
Further information:
Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour
Minister’s Office: Holger Fürst, tel.: (01) 711 00-5193
Press Office: Harald Hoyer, tel.: (01) 711 00-5130
mailto: presseabteilung@bmwa.gv.at
Internet: http://www.bmwa.gv.at
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