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Brussels, 10.07.2003

European Social Policy:
Convention sets Standards

Further reinforcement of European ability to act is necessary

The Convention has set standards. Especially for the EU - Social Policy: With the establishment of the social market economy as well as of the goals of social justice and the reinforcement of the competitiveness it has been clearly defined that the European Union is more than an internal market. Economy and Social Affairs shall be complementary for the well-being of the citizens:

"The Union shall work for a Europe of sustainable development based on balanced economic growth, a social market economy, highly competitive and aiming at full employment and social progress, and with a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. It shall promote scientific and technological advance.

It shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of children's rights."

The approach defined here is being reinforced by integrating the Charter of Fundamental Rights, of which the social fundamental rights especially underline the idea of an European social space.

With this background the progress that has been achieved in part III is a logical realization of the once determined guideline. This becomes obvious e.g. with the stronger collaboration of the European Parliament concerning the Anti- Discrimination Policy. This "Basic Law of Social Policy" determines the right of equal opportunities for every citizen to participate in all aspects of society.

But we can not stop here. The discrepancy between the determined goals and the associated expectations on the one side and the scope of action especially within Social Policy on the other side is still too obvious.

The Convention has determined the directive of the way to go. Now, further action has to be taken by the Intergovernmental Conference. Otherwise a future revision which should have been actually avoided could be imminent.

The European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) consists of 23 workers' organisations from 15 countries and is an association of the European People's Party (EPP).

responsible: Elmar Brok MEP, President.

EUCDW
European Union of Christian Democratic Workers
c/o EPP, Rue du Commerce / Handelsstraat 10
B-1000 Brussels
E-mail: EUCDW

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