COUNCIL OF MINISTERS: MINISTERS REACH CONSENSUS ON 'FLEXICURITY' AND THE SOCIAL DIMENSION.

Following the meeting, Ursula Haubner emphasised the importance, alongside promoting employment, of applying a policy that takes account of the least privileged groups, also involving interest groups at local and regional level. "We should administer less, but do more in areas apparent to people. We consequently need to improve the partnership among the member states of the European Union", the minister explained.

Demographic change was another issue addressed at the meeting: "We do not just regard this development as negative, but also recognise the opportunities of active old age", said the minister, whilst adding that it is also important to take measures in the area of long-term care. Ministers also agreed that appropriate family support is necessary in this context, notably through greater collaboration between the member states.

Martin Bartenstein meanwhile emphasised that in order to achieve the objective of a social Union, "Europe needs a paradigm change". Commissioner Vladimir Spidla took a similar line declaring that protection of the individual's employability takes precedence over job protection. Mr Bartenstein believes an important step has been taken in this direction through the concept of "flexicurity - flexibility through security". He welcomed the fact that the concept has been endorsed by workers and employers' representatives alike. Mr Bartenstein argued that in future every policy measure should be examined to see whether it could contribute greater flexibility, greater security and greater protection for people in their employability.

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The Austrian Presidency believes that Europe has become aware of a European social model, characterised by: a deep commitment to social cohesion and solidarity as well as the fight against social poverty and discrimination; guaranteed access to health systems and training; guaranteed social protection; the importance of the public sectors role in ensuring the availability of the necessary infrastructure. The concept of flexicurity was derived in response to the challenges facing the European employment systems: it should be regarded as a combination of flexible...