The last 12 months have seen remarkable development in this area. At Amsterdam we got agreement on a new Employment Title and on a Resolution which put its provisions into immediate effect. At the Luxembourg Jobs Summit, the Heads of State and Government put in place a new strategy based on priorities, objectives and commitments. Over the last two months, the Member States have submitted their new national action plans and the Commission has presented its analysis of these plans in preparation for the Cardiff Summit. This last year has seen a breakthrough in European employment policy.
Employment is now a matter of common concern.
Tools for the co-ordination of Member State employment policies are in place. We have clear targets and clear commitments. We have a convergence process for employment equivalent to that established to pave the way for full economic and monetary union. This is a common European strategy in which responsibility for employment policy continues to rest with the Member States. But strong support from the local and regional level is crucial to the successful implementation of the strategy.