Debate: Follow-up of the Porto Social Summit of May
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Ana Paula Zacarias
Language: EN

The 7 and 8 May were key dates for Portugal and for the Union as a whole. As the holder of the Presidency and host of the event, the Porto Social Summit was a central feature of the Semester for Portugal and an integral part of our vision for the future of Europe that puts people first. The Porto Social Summit comprised the high—level conference and an informal meeting of EU leaders. It was historic in two respects. First, the conference agreed on the Porto Social Commitment, enacting the intention to put the social pillar principles into action together. It was co—signed by the President of this Parliament, the President of the European Commission, my Prime Minister (as the host of the conference), and the European social partners – the first time ever that this has happened. Second, the leaders agreed on the Porto Declaration. This was also the first ever statement devoted exclusively to social policy issues.  The social pillar will be a fundamental element of the post—COVID recovery. Its action plan will guide us in developing the Union’s social dimension. Together, they will help us navigate towards a sustainable and fair recovery that leaves no one behind. They will strengthen the Union’s drive towards a digital, green and fair transition and will contribute to achieving upward social and economic convergence. In Porto, we reaffirmed the commitment that the pillar principles will be implemented at EU and national level with due regard for the respective competences, the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, and different national circumstances. Active involvement of the social partners and civil society will be key in this.  These are not empty words. Progress towards the implementation of the pillar principles will be closely monitored as part of the policy coordination framework in the context of the European Semester, including at the highest level. The EU headline targets on jobs, skills and poverty reduction were broadly welcomed. They respond to the repeated call by employment and social ministers for a follow up strategy to Europe 2020.  The Commission’s proposal for a revised social scoreboard also found a positive echo. Both the EU—level headline targets and the revised scoreboard will help monitor progress towards the implementation of the pillar principles in the context of the European Semester. The Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee have, in the meantime, agreed on the headline indicators of the revised social scoreboard, as proposed by the Commission, to be used in the Joint Employment Report. They are currently pursuing their work in relation to the possible integration of secondary indicators. Finally, the idea of an alternative set of indicators to measure economic, social and environmental progress was also welcome, supplementing GDP as a welfare measure for inclusive and sustainable growth.  Building a social Europe will always be a work in progress, not least because challenges evolve over time. It will always rely on a diverse toolbox and will always comprise different architectures. I am deeply grateful that, over the years, the European Parliament has been one of the staunchest defenders of the European social model. Your own—initiative report on a strong social Europe for just transitions of December 2020 proves that social Europe remains high on the list of priorities of this Parliament. The Council is also playing its part in this common pursuit of a fairer, more inclusive and resilient Europe. Important advances are being achieved under the Portuguese Presidency. On 14 June, Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs will adopt by unanimity the long—awaited Council recommendation on a European Child Guarantee, inspired by this House. On other Commission initiatives, for instance on the minimum wage and pay transparency, work will continue in the Council. Our Presidency will not rest in its efforts to achieve as much progress as possible by the end of this term.