The European Employment Strategy and the ESF in 1998

Summary:

1998 was a watershed year for the European Union in its bid to get more people into work.

The European Employment Strategy agreed by Europe's leaders at Amsterdam and Luxembourg in 1997 was put into action. EU Member States launched national plans for employment, to pursue goals and targets agreed at European level and, working with the European Commission, began to systematically review their progress in meeting these objectives.

Meanwhile, the European Social Fund, the key financial instrument at EU level to help implement the European Employment Strategy, continued to help develop people's skills and potential for work across the European Union. With the current programming period coming to an end,the European Commission tabled proposals for a new European Social Fund post­1999. This will strengthen the link between the activities and financial potential of the ESF and the aims of the Employment Strategy.

This annual review presents some of the key achievements made in 1998 and provides an insight to future developments in 1999 and beyond.