1) the need to recognize the current political crisis with the failure of the EU to reach agreement to solve the refugee humanitarian crisis,
2) Closer EMU wasn’t possible without putting social objectives at the heart of European Governance and democratizing the European Semester,
3) The Europe 2020 Strategy, inclusive and sustainable growth with the poverty and social targets needed to be a priority in the Country-Specific Recommendations and new Annual Growth Survey;
4) A social dimension had to go beyond social and economic indicators, to concrete actions to support access to quality jobs, services and social protection.
5) If there was real commitment to creating more democratic engagement, social NGOs needed to be included with social partners, as key stakeholders and a meaningful process developed based on guidelines.
Commissioner Dombrovskis responded by underlining that the ‘social dimension was indeed a key priority’ and it would be strengthened by ‘using social indicators in the macroeconomic assessment’ and the development of social benchmarks for minimum social protection.
For more information see EPC https://twitter.com/epc_eu; www.epc.com
See also the 5 President’s Report.
