1. The enlargement of the European Union has taken a new turn since the opening of negotiations with six applicant countries. The ETUC would like to see the negotiations progress rapidly so that these countries can have a more focused outlook on future EU membership.

2. European Union member states must, without delay, undertake a series of reforms in order to determine the financial and institutional framework for enlargement. This is vital in order to avoid a slowing-down of the enlargement process. The ETUC is also convinced that the EU must implement Agenda 2000 to ensure a successful and mutually beneficial enlargement process. It is important to remember that, unlike previous enlargements, profound political, economic and social changes have had to be made in Central and Eastern European countries.

3. The ETUC believes that those countries, which have not yet begun negotiations, should not be relegated to the margins of the process and left without any credible prospects, as this would inevitably create new divisions within Europe and threaten the reform process in these countries. The ETUC calls therefore for additional support to be given to these countries to assist in the reform process and in the adaptation to European Union rules. In this respect, the ETUC would like to commend the positive changes that have taken place in Slovakia. The ETUC reiterates its call for the creation of an appropriate strategy for Turkey, also an applicant country.

4. The ETUC believes that the social aspects of the European Union (social legislation, social dialogue, equal treatment, employment, social security, health and safety in the workplace) are now being dealt with. However, it is regrettable that the vast majority of applicant country governments have failed to involve the social partners, and notably the trade unions, in the preparatory negotiations and in consultations with the European Commission. The ETUC expects the European Commission to give a clear sign to applicant country governments that consultation with social partners is a vital element of the European social model and must be reflected in the negotiations in order to guarantee a consensus on the enlargement process.

5. Aside from the pre-accession and accession negotiations, the development of social dialogue and genuine social and industrial relations is a key element in all democratic societies and a pillar of the European social model. A vital role of the enlargement process is to promote such development, which must also be encouraged through Community programmes. The ETUC also opposes all moves by accession country governments to weaken the structures of social dialogue.

6. The ETUC welcomes the Commission’s decision to take on board the ETUC proposal to hold a conference in Warsaw (18 and 19 March), organised by the European social partners, with the participation of national and European social partners. This conference must be followed up to allow social partners to make clear their views and specific concerns vis-à-vis the enlargement process.

7. Citizens of the European Union and the applicant countries will only be in favour of enlargement and accession if the principles of a welfare state, which promotes solidarity, are guaranteed. In other words, these principles must form the basis of the reconstruction of society. The ETUC has published a White Paper on social protection, in co-operation with member organisations from applicant countries, together with their national committees for European integration. Even though, as the document makes clear, social systems are still under construction, it is worrying to note that in a number of cases, the objectives of social cohesion and solidarity have been largely ignored. Such tendencies are contrary to the systems in place in European Union member states and run the risk of undermining the very substance of the European social model. The ETUC and its member organisations will do their utmost to prevent such negative developments from occurring. In addition, political decision-makers at a national and European level must also defend the European social model in the framework of the enlargement process.