The importance of strengthening the social dimension of Europe in the context of a genuine Economic and Monetary Union, the urgency to tackle youth unemployment and to create a better link between education paths and business needs were among the key issues discussed between MEPs, Italian Ministers and civil society organisations during a delegation to Rome to prepare the upcoming Italian EU Presidency.

« During our meetings with representatives of the Italian government, the social dimension of the EMU was repeatedly raised as one of the priorities of the upcoming Italian Presidency, as well as the need for the EU to find a new balance between economic and social policies and thus economic and social governance. The relation between economic and social rights is enshrined in the Treaties and the fact that the EU is as much a Social Union as an Economic Union needs to be recognised » – said Pervenche Berès (S&D, FR) who led the delegation of MEPs to Rome.

MEPs also discussed the implementation of the European Youth Guarantee to tackle youth unemployment, the need to address skills mismatches, workers’ mobility and the social rights of mobile workers within the EU, as well as the challenge of social innovation to boost growth and create jobs.

Parliamentary delegation

The delegation led by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee Chair, Pervenche Berès (S&D, FR) is composed of Csaba Öry (HU), EPP coordinator, Alejandro Cercas (ES), S&D coordinator as well as Roberta Angelilli (EPP, IT), Minodora Clivetti (S&D, IT) and Thomas Händel (GUE/NGL, DE).

The delegation was in Rome on 24-26 March in the framework of the forthcoming Italian Presidency. They met Giuliano Poletti, Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Pietro Carlo Padoan, Minister of Economy and Finance, Sandro Gozi, Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Members of the Italian Parliament, employees’ and employers’ organisations as well as NGOs and youth organisations.