The Italian presidency is to make the promotion of growth and employment central to its agenda in the knowledge that its sixth-month period will mark the beginning of the European parliament's new legislature and will coincide with the start of a new European commission.
Employment and social policy will thus be given a high profile. Youth employment, the social dimension of the economic and monetary union (EMU), fighting poverty and social exclusion, social economics, green growth and equal opportunities, are some of the topics the Italian presidency will focus its attention on.
In addressing these issues, one will, on the one hand, need to draw the right conclusions from the economic crisis that has hit certain European countries very hard, and the serious repercussions arising from it in terms of a decline in employment, an increase in poverty and a real risk to maintaining social cohesion in our countries. While on the other, one will need to assess the best policies to be adopted in the near future, bearing in mind that social and employment issues cannot be limited to responses in the labour market, but rather require industrial and macroeconomic policies that make these issues central to their aims.
"A priority issue we will focus on will be that of strengthening the social dimension of the European economic and monetary union"
The midterm review process for the Europe 2020 strategy thus represents an important opportunity, and the Italian presidency is to devote a great deal of attention to it by focusing on three key aspects: goals, tools (flagship initiatives, methodology, financial instruments) and governance.
Youth employment, one of the main challenges facing Europe, is to be the theme of the third intergovernmental summit, after Berlin and Paris, which is to take place at the end of Italy's presidency. The focus will be on the macroeconomic policies that generate employment and the importance of ensuring the quality and financial sustainability of the youth guarantee, transforming it into a structural tool for tackling European issues. The employment ministers in Europe tackling this will need to bear in mind issues of transition from school to work and twin-track vocational and professional training. The Italian presidency has thus planned for the first time for December to put in place a council for work, following the establishment of the education and youth council.
The focus on the youth issue must, however, be dealt with along with other priorities, such as long-term unemployment and employment for women. As regards the latter, I should point out that one of the directives, on which there is still stalemate in the council, concerns the participation of women on boards of directors of listed companies (the so-called 'pink quotas') which, although not representing a real instrument for increasing the proportion of women on the employment market, is an important step in reinforcing their role in the economy and in society. The Italian presidency will attempt to make progress on this issue, and will call for an agreement in the council.
Another priority issue we will focus on will be that of strengthening the social dimension of the EMU. The economic and financial crisis has led to serious consequences in terms of unemployment and poverty. The Italian presidency, among other things, intends to delve into the political debate on automatic stabilisers, and to explore the possibility of setting up a European unemployment subsidy scheme in Europe.
We shall, in addition, look more deeply into the issue of fighting poverty and social exclusion in connection with the EU2020 strategy review, and call into question the set of indicators selected for goal quantification.
On the issue of social economics, Italy wants to take the debate to a European level, thus assisting in finding ways of identifying its characteristic aspects, problematic issues and, in particular, potential in terms of job creation and welfare support.
Also, we will be tackling the issue of green growth along with our colleagues, the other European states' ministers for the environment, at a conference in Milan in July. We propose, on the one hand, considering fully exploring the potential of the green sector in terms of job creation, and, on the other, reflecting on the risks associated with a transition to a greener economy. This is further confirmation of Italy's commitment to tackling the problem of employment from a cross-sector perspective.
As regards equal opportunities, we will propose adopting the conclusions reached by the council regarding the overall assessment of the implementation status of the Beijing platform 20 years after its establishment.
"The midterm review process for the Europe 2020 strategy… represents an important opportunity, and the Italian presidency is to devote a great deal of attention to it"
Finally, the Italian presidency will pursue those legislative issues that are outstanding, starting with the excellent results achieved by the Greek presidency, such as the European employment service or Europe's guidelines, mindful of their potential to facilitate the mobility of workers; the proposal for
a decision on undeclared work, which came close to its aim during the Greek presidency of adopting a general approach towards it; an anti-discrimination directive, on which we intend to proceed, despite our awareness of its complexity. We shall also delve into the issue of health and safety in the workplace, in respect of which we shall give consideration to the recent communication from the commission, and aim to reach concrete decisions during the period of our presidency.
I am honoured to have the opportunity to preside over the council of European ministers of employment and social policy during this period of presidency and will work with the determination of achieving the goal of inclusive and sustainable growth, to strengthen those fundamental principles that inspire us in the work we do each day, and rebuild the confidence of our European citizens.