Press Release
The executive committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) met on 16 March 2005, with the participation of Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, current President of the European Council

Date of release : 17-03-2005

Policy area : Economic and Financial Affairs Economic and Financial Affairs

As regards the review of the Lisbon Process, the Prime Minister stated that the summit will confirm the three dimensions of growth and employment, social cohesion and the environmental dimension. Coordination, and implementation, of the strategy needs to be improved, especially by bringing together the parties concerned both at national and Community level, emphasised the speaker.

On the "services" directive proposal, the Prime Minister spoke in favour of liberalisation, which creates jobs, while emphasising that he will under no circumstances accept social dumping. The current text that has been submitted is strictly unacceptable, and we must ensure that all aspects of social, tax and regulatory dumping are withdrawn. Most of the Member States share this analysis.

The reform of the Stability and Growth Pact, the directive proposal on the reform of working hours, sustainable development and climate change were also among the subjects discussed.