15.11.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 315/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 1672/2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 24 October 2006 establishing a Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity — Progress THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Articles 13(2), 129 and 137(2)(a) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1)  The Lisbon European Council of 23 and 24 March 2000 incorporated the promotion of employment and social inclusion as an integral part of the overall strategy of the Union in order to achieve its strategic goal for the next decade of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth, with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. It set ambitious objectives and targets for the Union aiming to recreate the conditions for full employment, improve quality and productivity at work, and promote social cohesion and an inclusive labour market. Furthermore, the strategy was focused upon again by the Brussels European Council of 22 and 23 March 2005. (20 In line with the Commission’s express intention of consolidating and rationalising Community funding instru- ments, this Decision should establish a single and () O] C 255, 14.10.2005, p. 67. () O] C 164, 5.7.2005, p. 48. (®) Opinion of the European Parliament of 6 September 2005 (O] C 193 E, 17.8.2006, p. 99), Council Common Position of 18 July 2006 (OJ C 238 E, 3.10.2006, p. 31) and Position of the European Parliament of 27 September 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). streamlined programme providing for the continuation and development of the activities launched on the basis of Council Decision 2000/750/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001 to 2006) (*), Council Decision 2001/ S1/EC of 20 December 2000 establishing a Programme relating to the Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005) (°) and European Parliament and Council Decisions No 50/2002/EC (°) of 7 December 2001 establishing a programme of Community action to encourage cooperation between Member States to combat social exclusion, No 1145/2002/EC (’) of 10 June 2002 on Community incentive measures in the field of employment and No 848/2004/EC (%) of 29 April 2004 establishing a Community action programme to promote organisations active at European level in the field of equality between men and women, as well as those activities undertaken at Community level in relation to working conditions. The Extraordinary European Council on Employment in Luxembourg of 20 and 21 November 1997 launched the European Employment Strategy to coordinate Mem- ber States’ employment policies on the basis of commonly agreed employment guidelines and recommendations. The European Employment Strategy is now the most important instrument at European level for implementation of the employment and labour market objectives of the Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon European Council concluded that the number of people living below the poverty line and in social exclusion in the Union was unacceptable and therefore deemed it necessary to take steps to make decisive progress in the eradication of poverty by setting adequate objectives. OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p. 23. OJ L 17, 19.1.2001, p. 22. Decision as amended by Decision No 1554/2005/EC (O] L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 9). OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Decision No 786/2004[EC (O] L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 7). O] L 170, 29.6.2002, p. 1. Decision as amended by Decision No 786/2004]EC. O] L 157, 30.4.2004, p. 18. Decision as amended by Decision No 1554/2005/EC.