Today, the Minister of Labour and Social Justice, Marius-Constantin Budăi, opened the proceedings of the Informal Meeting of the Social Protection Committee (SPC), an event organised on the 4th and 5th of March in Bucharest in the context of Romania holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event was also attended by Rait Kuuse, SPC Chair, MoLSJ Secretary of State Elena Solomonesc and relevant experts from the EU Member States.
On the first day of the meeting, the European officials discussed about providing an adequate assistance for the most vulnerable persons, the minimum incomes for ensuring a decent life in order to allow the access to social services and integration on the labour market and about combating inequalities and promoting active inclusion.
In the speech delivered on this occasion, the Romanian Minister of Labour told those present that the motto of the European Union – United in diversity – expresses very well the most important common objective, that of maintaining and further strengthening the European unity.
Marius-Constantin Budăi added that the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union also wants to contribute to ensuring convergence and cohesion in Europe, under the motto COHESION, A COMMON EUROPEAN VALUE.
“The Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, under the motto COHESION, A COMMON EUROPEAN VALUE, aims to bring a contribution to ensuring convergence and cohesion in Europe, in order to achieve sustainable and equal development opportunities for all citizens and Member States, by increasing the competitiveness and reducing the disparities of development, digitalising, stimulating the entrepreneurship and strengthening the European industrial policy”, he stated.
Minister Marius-Constantin Budăi also noted that one of the priorities of the Romanian Presidency is the development of the social dimension of the EU, through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Tomorrow, on the second day of the meeting, there will be discussed, among others, the results of the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the OECD Report on the financial incentives and the savings plans for retirement.
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The Social Protection Committee (SPC) has an advisory role, aimed at promoting cooperation in the field of social protection between the EU Member States and the European Commission.
The Committee has as a mission:
— to monitor the social situation and the development of the social protection policies in the Member States and in the Union;
— to facilitate the exchange of information, experience and good practices between the Member States and the European Commission;
- to draft reports, to formulate opinions or to undertake other tasks within its area of competence, both at the request of the Council of the EU or of the European Commission, and on its own initiative.
In order to fulfill its mandate, the Committee establishes adequate contacts with the social partners.
Each Member State and the European Commission appoint two members of the Committee.