Council Conclusions of 17 December 1999 on the strengthening of cooperation for modernising and improving social protection
Date: 1999-12-17
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: company modernisation, cooperation policy, production improvement, social security

12.1.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 8/7

INDICATIVE THEMES TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ROLLING AGENDA

ANNEX

Within the overall context of
instance, be established in particular in the following fields:

lifelong learning the abovementioned framework for cooperation could,

in the first

(cid:151) role of education and training in employment policies,

(cid:151) develompent of quality education and training at all levels,

(cid:151) promotion of mobility, including recognition of qualifications and periods of study.

Other areas for cooperation will be explored on a regular basis taking into account relevant political developments in
future years.

COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS

of 17 December 1999

on the strengthening of cooperation for modernising and improving social protection

(2000/C 8/05)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

(1) NOTES with satisfaction the views expressed by the
Commission in its communication (cid:145)A concerted strategy
for modernising social protection(cid:146) and regards it as a good
basis for further discussion on European social protection;

(2) EMPHASISES that the aim of the European Union should be
to ensure a link between economic and social devel-
opment, RECALLS the competence of the Member States
for the organisation and financing of social protection,
that decisions in matters covered by the
and STRESSES
Community competence should complement and not
weaken the conditions under which national
social
policy is conducted;

of

and

exchange

follow-up

(3) UNDERLINES the need for cooperation in modernising
social protection, based on a structured and permanent
dialogue,
information,
experience and good practice between the Member
States, concerning social protection, since they are faced
with the same type of challenges in its development;
ACKNOWLEDGES the need to discuss the future of social
in the new context as
protection at a European level
outlined in the Commission’s communication. This kind
of cooperation should cover all forms of social protection
and should help the Member States, where necessary, to
improve and strengthen their social protection systems in
accordance with their national priorities;

(4) CONSIDERS it particularly important that this new coop-
eration towards
social
protection should be a coherent action, parallel to and
interactive with the European employment strategy as
well as to the macroeconomic dialogue;

and modernising

improving

(5) UNDERLINES the role of the social partners in the modern-

isation of the social protection process;

(6) ENDORSES the four broad objectives as identified by the

Commission as follows:

(cid:151) to make work pay and to provide secure income,

(cid:151) to make pensions

safe

and pensions

systems

sustainable,

(cid:151) to promote social inclusion,

(cid:151) to ensure high quality and sustainable health care,

and WELCOMES the Commission’s analysis of each of them
as a basis for further work by a new high-level group.
Public health issues should be handled separately in the
appropriate bodies of the Council;

C 8/8

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

12.1.2000

(7) STRESSES that

social protection which guarantees an
adequate safety net for all citizens is also an investment
in balanced economic development and a significant
competitive
economy;
relating to finance are
RECOGNISES that
social protection
common to all
mentioned in point 6;

the aspects
the objectives of

globalising

advantage

in

a

In addition to the broad four objectives for the development of
social protection arrangements set out by the Commission,

(8) also EMPHASISES that equality between women and men
must be mainstreamed in all activities aiming at the four
objectives. This means assessing the consequences for
women and men at all stages of planning, decision
making and follow-up relating to such activities;

Furthermore,

(9) EMPHASISES that the Community should pay particular
attention to a balanced economic and social development
in the applicant countries in the process towards an
enlargement of the European Union;

and the social participation of all sectors of the popu-
lation;

In order to achieve the goals of this cooperation for improving
and modernising social protection,

(11) SUPPORTS the Commission’s suggestion to establish a
mechanism for enhanced cooperation brought about by
the work of a group of high-level officials
the
this action. Without prejudice to
implementation of
Article 207 of
the Treaty establishing the European
Community, a group of high-level officials will examine
the issues raised in the Commission’s communication and
in particular prepare a
in these conclusions, and will
report to be submitted to the Council;

for

(12) UNDERLINES the necessity to create this group as soon as
possible, and in the meantime asks the Member States and
the Commission to designate, as soon as possible, for an
interim period, high-level officials to launch the above-
mentioned debate. Work should begin immediately and
a progress report should be prepared in the context of
the European Council in June 2000;

Finally,

(10) STRESSES that full advantage should be taken of new tech-
nology and in particular of new information technology
in the development of social welfare. At Community level,
special attention should be given to activities which
promote the utilisation of advanced information tech-
nology in the attainment of welfare goals. This technology
must benefit the development of health and social services

(13) SUPPORTS the Commission’s intention to associate the
European Parliament with this process; also SUPPORTS
the Commission’s wish to involve the Economic and
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions in
this cooperation and WELCOMES the contribution of the
social partners and social security institutions to this
process.

COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS

of 17 December 1999

on the protection of minors in the light of the development of digital audiovisual services

(2000/C 8/06)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Community action plan on promoting safer use of the
Internet by combating illegal and harmful content on
global networks (2);

(1) RECALLING Council Recommendation 98/560/EC of 24
the competi-
September 1998 on the development of
the European audiovisual and information
tiveness of
services
frameworks
aimed at achieving a comparable and effective level of
and
protection of minors
Decision No 276/1999/EC of the Parliament and of the
Council of 25 Januay 1999 adopting a multiannual

industry by promoting national

and human dignity (1)

(2) RECALLING also the Council Conclusions of 27 September
1999 concerning the results of the public consultation on
the Convergence Green Paper (in particular the aspects
relating to the media and the audiovisual sector) (3);

(1) OJ L 270, 7.10.1998, p. 48.

(2) OJ L 33, 6.2.1999, p. 1.
(3) OJ C 283, 6.10.1999, p. 1.