The Slovenian Presidency of the EU runs from January to June 2008.

European Social NGOs welcome the Slovenian Presidency’s leading objective to launch a new three-year cycle of the long-term vision for the future of Europe, the so-called Lisbon strategy, and launch seven tests upon which they will assess the Presidency at the end of its mandate in June 2008.

Among the seven tests, the Social Platform stressed also the support for enhanced EU anti-discrimination legislation based on Article 13, start a process empowering users to develop European quality principles for social services. The tests also highlight the need for a strengthened EU legislation for the conciliation of private and working life for women and men (in relation to care services, maternity, paternity and parental leave). A greater transparency of Council’s work and deliberation (through a renewed Council’s website, improved accessibility of documents, communication strategy for a broader public) is also one of the key tests.

Click here to read more.


The Informal meeting of Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs
The Informal meeting of Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs takes place on 31 January - 1 February in Brdo. Social Platform has been invited to send a delegation to participate in the 'Troika' meeting and the beginning of the Informal council taking place on 1 February. In this context, the Social Platform has produced a contribution to the meeting. This paper is the response of European Social NGOs to the questions raised in the background paper prepared by the Slovenian Presidency for the meeting. It is submitted as a contribution to the debate among Ministers.

Click here to read the Social Platform contribution.

Programme of the meeting.