Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. I am delighted to have been invited to take part in the official opening of the Brussels office of Kvinno Forum. As Director General of the European Commission for employment, social affairs and industrial relations, I am responsible for equal opportunities.
Equal opportunities is now a leading theme of European political thinking.
Social policy issues are almost without exception discussed with some reference to their gender analysis and impact. Perhaps the key measure for how seriously the equality issue is now taken at European level is the extent of the commitment made at the highest level, the European Council. In November 1997 we saw finally the emergence of a fully-formed European employment strategy agreed by Heads of State and Government in Luxembourg. It is one which is intended to lead to sharply increased opportunities for women in Europe's workplaces. From now on, Member State performance on equal opportunities in the labour market will be scrutinised at the December European Council this and every year.