Begrüßungsworte Botschafter Längle zur Konferenz "Europäisches Sozialmodell - Mythos oder Herausforderung", Warschau, 24.11.2005
(Die Konferenz wurde vom polnischen Arbeitgeberverband KPP in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Europäischen Zentrum für Unternehmen mit öffentlichem Anteil und Unternehmen von allgemeinem wirtschaftlichem Interesse (CEEP) organisiert)
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Dear Minister,
Dear President Malinowski,
Dear President Einem,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank you for the occasion to say a few words at the opening of the conference “European Social Model – Myth or Challenge”.
Employment and social policies will be one of the main priorities during the Austrian EU presidency, especially at the meeting of the Spring European Council taking place in March 2006. A meeting with the European social partners is foreseen before the European Council as it is important to include them in this process. The very successful Austrian “social partnership” has underlined for decades a leading role of the social partners in developing social and economic progress.
The whole Europe – the European Union and the countries outside the Union – are confronting the same challenges like globalization, unemployment (especially among the youth), dramatic demographic changes and social exclusion of parts of the population.
We can only tackle these problems together. The future Austrian EU presidency wants to push forward the Lisbon Strategy and will make every effort to achieve concrete progress in key areas. The Lisbon Strategy, however, sets just a certain framework – the main responsibility lies with the member states, their governments and social partners.
Europe must renew its competitiveness, growth potential and productivity to be able to cope with global competition. Thereby, Europe cannot and must not forget the strengthening of social cohesion and the need for an adequate pension, health and long-term care system. This is in my opinion – despite national differences – the common basis of the European social model.
