Press Release: EU leaders and social partners discuss how the Reform Treaty and Lisbon Strategy can boost labour markets

Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates – current President of the European Council – have discussed with high-level employers' and workers' representatives reform of the EU Treaties and the future of the EU's Growth and Jobs Strategy. They were joined by Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, as well as representatives of the future Slovenian and French Presidencies. The European social partners used the opportunity of the Tripartite Social Summit – held alongside the informal meeting of Heads of State and Government in Lisbon - to present their joint analysis of the key challenges facing Europe's labour markets and in particular of the way forward towards flexicurity.