This was clear most recently at the Amsterdam IGC in 1997, where the Heads of State and Government agreed to the inclusion of a new Employment Title to sit alongside the existing Title on Economic and Monetary Union. Their decision was taken in the light of high unemployment in Europe and our need to increase employment. Economic integration has raised the performance of the European economy. But it has also raised the stakes and challenges for policy makers. Policy actions by individual Member States affect others more and more.
Employment is a matter of common concern.
One is their political commitment to doing something about unemployment. The other is their recognition that employment and social policy has to be modernised in light of new economic and technological realities. I am aware that in these meetings you have been hearing quite a bit about how we are setting about implementing a European employment strategy. You have been hearing about how we intend to begin to work on integrating prospective Member States into this process through, initially, joint employment reviews with each of you. Can I say how much we are looking forward to working with you and to sharing our experience with you.