Bordeaux, 16/11/2005

Brussels,14/11/2005 The trade union organisations taking part recognised that the achievements of the Barcelona process so far have fallen short of the objectives set in 1995. However, the partnership remains the right path to follow in the context of a difficult economic and political situation. The Barcelona process must be strengthened and revitalised. At the same time, they re-emphasised that democracy is the only framework allowing the development of workers' rights, social rights, and social dialogue.

Barcelona, 6-7/11/2005 To be checked against delivery Dear friends, It has been with a great interest that I have followed presentations and debates at this 3rd General Assembly of the Euromed Trade Union Forum. The setting up of this structure has been done in close cooperation and together with the ICFTU in 1999, and associating ICATU and USTMA. Let me recall the main reason for this initiative: it was to give a voice to the world of Labour in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation of the Barcelona process.

Barcelona, 6-7/11/2005

Brussels, 24/10/2005 The proposed directive on the portability of supplementary pensions rights which establishes some common ‘principles' (so these are not rights) seeks to improve the exercise of freedom of movement. This text will go before the European Parliament shortly. Despite its reservations on several points in this proposed directive, ETUC emphasises that it still has the merit of existing, and that these principles apply equally to people moving from one State to another and to those moving within a single country.

Brussels, 29/09/2005 To be checked against delivery I have listened with great attention to the previous speakers and especially to the “founding fathers” of the European Social Dialogue, a feature of the European social model that distinguishes Europe from the rest of the world.

Brussels, 29/09/2005 To be checked against delivery Today we honour and celebrate the past but most importantly, I hope, use it as an inspiration for the future. We may no longer be, to use a phrase, in the heroic age of Jacques Delors. But as the French votes, in particular, reminded us, many Europeans do not want a Europe in which social considerations are relegated in importance to the single market. Europe's leaders forget that lesson at Europe's peril.

Brussels, 20/09/2005 In particular, the ETUC has asked its affiliates to:

Brussels, 08/09/2005 The original proposal aimed to oblige employers to take action relating both to information and protection. The main change concerns the removal of reference to 'solar radiation' - the principal source of a growing number of skin cancers. Employers' responsibility is now transferred to the discretion of Member States.

Brussels, 27/06/05 The ETUC regrets that once again the European Union is making liberalisation proposals of services markets to the WTO without the involvement of social partners and without a serious assessment of all the implications for Europe and for the developing countries having been made previously.

Brussels, 20/06/2005

Brussels, 03/06/2005 All eyes are on Brussels, following France and the Netherlands' rejection of the Constitution, to see what EU decision-makers can do to restore citizens' confidence. The first step must be to show they are listening to demands for a stronger Social Europe.

Madrid, 01/06/2005 To be checked against delivery President, It is a special pleasure for me to be present with you at the Congress of the UGT, and to be with my friend and colleague, the President of the ETUC, Candido Mendez. In the two years, we have been working together, I have developed tremendous respect and affection for Candido - feelings which, by the way, are general within the European trade union world. He is a credit to the ETUC and to the UGT and to Spain.