Tripartite social summit
V.Špidla, J. M. Barroso, F. Fillon
© Le Conseil de l'Union européenne
- On: 15.10.2008
- In: Brussels
This tripartite social summit is an opportunity to get the opinions of the social partners on two of the subjects that are going to dominate the next European Council.
Organised jointly by the French Presidency and the European Commission, the tripartite social summit preceding the autumn European Council is held in Brussels on Wednesday 15 October from 10:30 to 12:30. This summit is presided over by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the French Prime Minister, François Fillon, and brings together the Czech Prime Minister, Mirek Topolánek, members of the Swedish government, and the social partners, representing the European Confederation of Unions and Business Europe in particular.
This tripartite social summit is an opportunity to get the opinions of the social partners on two of the subjects that are going to dominate the next European Council.
- the financial crisis and the economic slowdown:
Europe is going through a period of marked economic slowdown, aggravated by an unprecedented financial crisis. This situation is weighing heavily on companies and on workers. In these difficult times, the European Union is ready to take the collective responses required to strengthen the stability of the financial system, to help companies - SMEs in particular - to find the funding they need, and to facilitate the social measures needed to accompany these restructurings.
- energy and climate change and, in particular, their implications for employment:
The European Union has formulated an ambitious policy to confront climate change and ensure the transition of the European economy to an economy that is as low-carbon as possible. The European energy-climate package should allow the realisation and effective implementation of the commitments made by the Member States at the March 2007 European Council. The increase in energy prices has also shown the need for Europe to reinforce and diversify its energy supply and to reduce its imports of energy products.
These objectives are more valid than ever. However, given the difficult economic and financial situation, there are certain fears from employees and from European industry which must be taken into account so that credible responses can be taken without undermining the ambition of the Commission's proposals. Also on the agenda for debate are measures to ensure, in companies' interests, new growth that is lower in carbon and more self-sufficient in terms of energy, and measures to guarantee transitions to new jobs for employees.
The European institutions, the Member States and the social partners should work together to respond to these challenges, notably in the context of the renewal of the European social agenda.
The principle of the tripartite social summit was established by the Council on 6 March 2003. Its aim is to enable the European social partners to contribute to the different components of the integrated economic and social strategy, including the sustainable development aspect, as part of the social dialogue.
During the summit, the representatives of the social partners are divided into two equal delegations comprising ten employee representatives and ten employer representatives.
- Updated: 27.10.2008
