The most productive asset of any society is an alert, skilled, educated, healthy, well-motivated labour force. High social standards are an integral part of the European Union's high productivity and competitiveness. This will continue to be so as we modernise European social policy and equip it for the 21st century, with the help of all those with a stake in civil society. This brings me to the question of social policy and enlargement. We want the new Member States to be actively involved in this reform process, and to bring with them new variations and new solutions to today's challenges - and to those of the future.
Enlargement is a great opportunity.
It will bring enhanced political stability and enhanced security. Stability, in turn, will make it possible for new countries to take full advantage of the single market and to attract the foreign investment necessary to ensure sustainable, long-term economic growth at rates above the present EU level. This is part of the catching-up process. But the benefits of EU membership go far beyond trade and investment. Implementation of social policies based on EU values and achievements can also boost your competitiveness.