Summit agrees 'strategic agenda' for EU 2019-24

Commenting on EU Prime Ministers agreeing today a six page ‘Strategic Agenda’ 2019-2024, Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said

“I am encouraged that the Prime Ministers agreed a text on ‘Building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe’ which specifically mentions implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights.  If this is done over the next four years Europe will be a much better place.

“This agenda has a greater chance of being implemented if the main democratic parties in the European Parliament agree a programme that is stronger and more precise on achieving social and environmental justice in all areas including economic and external policies.

“There are many things which are not mentioned in the strategic agenda and which should be, including investment in quality jobs and public services, tackling tax avoidance by multi-national companies, upward convergence of wages, and reinforcing social dialogue and collective bargaining in every member state.

“What is vital for our future is to concentrate on agreeing actions to build a genuinely climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe.”