Report of the High Level Group on the future of social policy in an enlarged European Union

Summary:

The current social policy agenda of the European Union, outlined in the Commission communication of June 2000 and approved by the Nice European Council in December 2000, covers the period until 2005. The next social agenda will cover the period 2006–10 and will be implemented within the framework of an unprecedented and continuing enlargement.

The High-Level Group was established by the Commission to identify the main challenges, opportunities and pathways for action for the European Union over the period 2006–10 in the field of employment and social policy.

The purpose of this report is not to present a comprehensive review of the social agenda but rather the policy orientations in need of development. We hope this report can make a useful contribution to the debate which will involve the various stakeholders in order to prepare the next social agenda.