UNICE AND UEAPME SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT.

The Presidents of UNICE, the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe, and UEAPME, the European Union of Crafts and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Messrs Jacobs and Kamminga, signed a Cooperation Agreement on December 4 in the context of the social dialogue. The two unions believe the EU Treaty gives the social partners an important role in the development of social policy at the EU level and have, in this context, recognised the advantages of joining forces to "defend business interests" and contribute to the establishment of a environment fostering competitivity, growth and employment.

The Agreement grants the two employers'...