1 July 2005 - Europe must meet reform challenge to modernise and boost jobs and pensions
David Blunkett and Commissioner Spidla agree Presidency programme.
David Blunkett today met Vladimir Spidla, the European Union Commissioner for Employment and Social Policy, to discuss the programme of the UK’s Presidency of the EU.
Stressing the Prime Minister’s commitment to a reforming Presidency, Mr Blunkett emphasised that putting employment and self-determination at the forefront of modernising the European Social Model was the very way to sustain the model’s values and success, in the face of new forces of demography and globalisation.
Mr Spidla recognised this modernisation as the core challenge and agreed to work with Mr Blunkett on the central issues of:
- Increasing employment
- Pensions portability
- Health and safety at work
- Corporate social responsibility
- Working Time
- Meeting the challenges of an ageing society.
The first Ministerial meeting of the UK Presidency will be the meeting of Employment and Social Ministers in Belfast on 7-8 July which will identify effective policies for increasing employment across Europe.
Notes to editors:
- The UK took over the Presidency of the European Union today, July 1st 2005.
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