A New Phase of European Social Policy: The EMU and Beyond

Abstract

From the Treaty of Rome in 1957 the European institutions made a significant step forward towards shaping the common policy and set of rules but they still have to overcome national traditions. The Acte Unique and Maastricht Treaty contributed greatly in the EU policy harmonization. In the light of the EU enlargement the author considers that the EMU will have profound consequences on the economies and on the social systems of the Member States but such an enlargement imposes at its turn innovations not only in social practices but in political decision making as well. The possibility of candidate countries to take full advantage of the economic and social opportunities of the enlargement requires specific innovation in the IR practices in the very techniques of the policy coordination and greatest responsibility of European institutions. Although in most areas the basic policy guidelines have been determined by the European Council and Commission, much remains to be done in order to attain the ambitious goals set by the European Summit at Nice and Stockholm: higher and better employment, common welfare standards, equal opportunities for all the components of the European society. Of course, it requires a better finalization of European economic policies and demands policy priorities consistent with the proclaimed social goals.