Vienna, 1-3 November 2006 To be checked against delivery I am honoured to bring the very best wishes of the European TUC to our new International Trade Union Confederation. As many speakers have already pointed out, this is an historic occasion. I am glad and proud that the European trade union Movement has played a part, both as a template and as a midwife - if I may mix the images - in its achievement.

Brussels, 30 October 2006 To be checked against delivery

Brussels, 23/10/2006

Brussels, 24/10/2006 As a result, IMCO has not fully respected the agreement made in the European Parliament at the first reading. The European People's Party (EPP) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) members rejected, among others, amendments for clearer exclusion of labour law and social services, and clearer respect for fundamental rights.

Brussels, 23/10/2006 Now is the time for the European Union (EU) to set long-term objectives for its climate change policy, in order to guarantee investment in new technologies and low-carbon energy sources and to make a significant impact on individual behaviour. The ETUC calls on the European Commission and the Member States to agree binding targets for the reduction of emissions in the EU, of around 25% by 2020 and 75% by 2050, compared with 1990 levels, without waiting for the outcome of international negotiations on the follow-up to Kyoto.

Brussels, 20/10/2006 The European Council of March 2006 invited the European Commission to examine in greater depth the concept of flexicurity. At the tripartite social summit, the ETUC reaffirmed its willingness to take part in a discussion on flexicurity. But the crucial question relates to what exactly this concept covers and how it is applied in practice.

Brussels, 19/10/2006 The ETUC opposes attempts to remove the Charter of Fundamental Rights. For the European trade union movement, it is absolutely essential to have a strong social Europe and to retain the whole Charter as a key element of the Constitution. The ETUC continues to support the Constitution, and in particular the core elements:

Brussels, 17/10/2006 Trade union leaders will examine, among other items, proposals for safeguarding vital public services in Europe, following the European Parliament's call in September for a legal framework for services of general (economic) interest (SGIs and SGEIs).

Brussels, 12/10/2006 It is now six years since the European social partners were first consulted on the need to review systems of labour law to make sure that they are relevant to a modern organisation of work. Yet the Commission still fails to publish a Green Paper, despite announcing it several times. In the meantime, several Member States have made reforms to their labour law that, far from creating better jobs, are leading to a two-tier labour market with growing insecurity for the most vulnerable groups of workers.

Brussels, 11/10/2006

Oslo, 10/10/2006 To be checked against delivery Thank you for the opportunity to attend and address this YS conference. Europe is not always top of a list of the people of Norway's favourite ideas. So an opportunity to talk about its significance and importance to working people in our continent and in Norway is welcome.

Brussels, 10/10/2006 Environment Committee MEPs today endorsed by a large majority Parliament's first reading position on the application of the substitution principle in REACH. The ETUC welcomes this vote, because the rule is wholly in line with European Carcinogens Directive 2004/37/EC which requires employers to replace these dangerous substances where a safer alternative is available.

Brussels, 05/10/2006 Following the suspension of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations and the crisis within the international institutions, European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has failed to resist the temptation to enter into bilateral accords, which give growing power to the strongest parties. The ETUC believes that the EU is in danger of missing a historic opportunity to use its capacity to promote development and fair international exchange, to create the basis for a new approach to external relations.