It is nearly a month ago that Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković presented his country’s presidency priorities under the title “A strong Europe in a world of changes”.
The Croatian presidency comes at a crucial time with a changing European Union and long-lasting decisions to be taken i.a. with the ongoing multiannual financial framework negotiations.
In that context, Ceemet’s Director General Uwe Combüchen, the Chair of the EU affairs committee Hilde Thys and Ceemet’s legal advisor Margue Remans met with the Minister Counsellor in charge of Employment and Social Policy issues at the Croatian Permanent Representation, Monika Pozderac.
Connecting the dots
The exchange with Mrs Pozderac covered various topics. As the Croatian Presidency acknowledges herself, the priorities are interwoven. For example, the key priority ‘New job markets, the importance of knowledge, education, innovation and lifelong learning’ clearly links economic growth to education and agile labour markets.
As Ceemet has done a similar exercise identifying similar priorities and bundling them into a 10 Point Plan exchanging positions with Mrs Pozderac was a straight forward affair.
Both parties agreed that, if addressed well, the EU will become a more internationally competitive industry, resulting in strengthening the social model.
And stakeholders agreeing on the priorities is the best starting position a Presidency could dream of.