Lobbying for a social side to Berlin Declaration

Nine EU governments have called for a stronger emphasis to be placed on the social aspects of Europe amid deep divisions over the Berlin Declaration to mark the 50th anniversary of the Union.

Labour ministers from Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg and Hungary have signed a letter saying that the European social model, "based on common principles and values - social justice, equality, solidarity", should be strengthened. The letter is a lobbying effort to ensure that both the Berlin Declaration and the subsequent negotiations on a new treaty include a strong endorsement of the importance of social protection in the EU.

The German presidency is keen to include wording on social Europe in the declaration to send a signal that the EU is not simply about creating a single market at the expense of citizens’ social rights and protection.

There is also support for adding a social protocol to a revised treaty which member states could opt to sign up to, in order to head off opposition from strongly free-market member states such as the UK and the Czech Republic which are wary of opening the door to new labour rights.

The negotiations on the declaration are proving difficult, with the UK opposed to including a reference to the euro and the Schengen area in the text as achievements of the EU. Belgium and Luxembourg are arguing for their inclusion but the German presidency is not pushing hard for a reference to the two issues because of public dislike of the single currency. France wants a reference to the Common Agricultural Policy in the declaration while Germany is keen to make a commitment to reduce bureaucracy in the text.

The text will be in four parts covering the history and past achievements of the EU, a statement on the Union’s values, a list of future challenges and the need for common policies to tackle them and an the need for institutional changes to enable the EU to act. This last part, a thinly disguised reference to the constitution, is proving contentious, with the UK, Poland and the Czech Republic reluctant to agree that further reforms are essential.

Nine EU governments have called for a stronger emphasis to be placed on the social aspects of Europe amid deep divisions over the Berlin Declaration to mark the 50th anniversary of the Union.