Council Conclusions of 17 December 1999 on the strengthening of cooperation for modernising and improving social protection
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 - role of education and training in employment policies, - develompent of quality education and training at all levels, - 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 A concerted strategy for modernising social protectioní 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: - to make work pay and to provide secure income, - to make pensions safe and pensions systems sustainable, - to promote social inclusion, - 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