C 226/12 EN 8.8.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the ‘Communication from the Commission “A
concerted strategy for modernising social protection”’
(2000/C 226/05)
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,
having regard to the Communication from the Commission ‘A concerted strategy for modernising social
protection’ (COM(1999)347 final);
having regard to the decision by the Commission on 19 July 1999, acting under the first paragraph of
Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to consult the Committee of the Regions
on the matter;
having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 2 June 1999 to direct Commission 5 (Social policy,
public health, consumer protection, research and tourism) to prepare the opinion on this subject;
having regard to its opinion (CdR 277/98 fin) (1) on the Communication from the Commission on the
Social Action Programme 1998-2000;
having regard to the conclusions of the Council meeting on 17 December on the strengthening of
cooperation for modernising and improving social protection (2);
having regard to the Commission’s Work Programme 2000 (COM(2000)155 final);having regard to the Portuguese Presidency’s Work Programme;having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 481/99 rev. 2) adopted by its Commission 5 on 6 March 2000
(rapporteur: Mrs Buron (F/PSE);
whereas the European Union must ensure that economic development and social development go hand-
in-hand and hence a comprehensive, coordinated approach to economic policy, employment policy and
social development is a key prerequisite;
whereas the European social model has to face up to many challenges and will have to be modernised,
without undermining the level of social protection but, on the contrary, striving for an inclusive society,
adopted the following opinion at its 33rd plenary session, held on 12 and 13 April 2000 (meeting of
12 April).
The Committee of the Regions 4. Agrees with the Commission in stressing that the manage-
ment and financing of social protection systems, including
welfare schemes, must clearly remain the responsibility of1. Stresses the importance of the process set in motion bythe individual Member States but that the Union canthe Council Recommendation on the Convergence ofcontribute added value by framing common objectives onSocial Protection Objectives and Policies (1992) and drawsthe basis of exchanges of experiences and the identificationattention to its active participation at various stages in thisof good practice, in the light of a wide-ranging publicprocess, in particular the European social policy forums;debate;
2. Accordingly welcomes the Commission’s Communication,
which is a milestone in this process;
5. Recognises the relevance of the four broad objectives
proposed by the Commission and endorsed by the Council: 3. Appreciates the Council’s commitment to such cooper-
ation by regarding it as ‘a coherent action, parallel to andinteractive with the European employment strategy as well
as to macroeconomic dialogue’;
— to make work pay and provide secure income,
(1) OJ C 93, 6.4.1999, p. 56.
(2) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 7. — to make pensions safe and pension systems sustainable,
8.8.2000 EN C 226/13 Official Journal of the European Communities
— to promote social integration,
9. Calls for the remit of the Working Group of high level — to ensure high quality and sustainability of health care;
officials to take account of the regional and local dimension
and to draw on the territorial authorities’ experiences and 6. Nonetheless insists on the key role played by the regional
good practice in the sphere of social protection. In this and local authorities in implementing the policies designed
connection, it points to the success of the Territorial Pacts to attain these objectives, in their capacity as
in implementing the Employment Strategy;
— funders of social benefits,
10. With this in mind, urges the Member States to ensure that — managers of welfare services, care for the elderly and
the contribution of their respective representatives on the vulnerable people, and measures to combat exclusion,
high level Group is based on wide-ranging consultation at
— catalysts of economic activity and employment, and national level (social partners, social security institutions
themselves acting as employers, and managers of welfare services, along with organisations
representing the territorial authorities and interested
— responsible for democratic debate among the general NGOs);
public,
11. In its turn, will set up a working group to follow the
— administrators and coordinators of the actions or cooperation process proposed by the Commission and the
services of various bodies, Council. This working group will be able to liaise with the
high level Group and allow the Committee to play an
— champions of subsidiarity, active part on future bodies set up to coordinate social
protection and in the high-level forum in June planned by— champions of the role of civil society;the Portuguese Presidency;
7. Therefore appreciates the wish expressed by the Com- 12. Further requests the Commission, when preparing the new
mission and the Council to involve the Committee of the Social Action Programme announced for 2000, to take
Regions in the process of cooperation for modernising and account of the role of the territorial authorities;
improving social protection, but calls for this principle to
13. Lastly, views the European model as guarantee of a high be translated into practice;
level of social protection and hence part of the acquis
communautaire; it therefore calls for the applicant 8. Reiterates its request to participate in the setting up of a
regional and local data base covering the main aspects of countries to be involved in the process of cooperation set
in motion, to enable them to assess their country’s status social policy with a view to identifying the role of the
territorial authorities and the share of the financial costs with regard to the acquis communautaire which they will
have to take on board. they shoulder;
Brussels, 12 April 2000.
The President
of the Committee of the Regions
Jos CHABERT