Improvement of economic policy co-ordination for full employment and social cohesion in Europe - POLICY CO-ORDINATION

The Thematic Network will develop proposals for improvements of European economic policy coordination, which shall contribute, to the achievement of full employment and stronger social cohesion in an enlarged European Union. The proposed improvements relate to the formulation of objectives, institutional arrangements and the instrumental and technical side of policy co-ordination. Special attention and account will be given in the analysis and formulation of proposals to the problems of the coming enlargement. The work will cover the fields of macroeconomic, social and structural policies and proceed in five steps. In each phase there will be interdisciplinary contacts and discussions with scientists as well as extensive exchange and communication with policymakers and other groups of civil society. Overall objective: To propose improvements of European economic policy co-ordination, which contribute to the achievement of full employment and stronger social cohesion in an enlarged Union. Three sub-objectives: 1. clarification and comparative analysis of the historical development, current pattern and problems of economic policy co-ordination on the member state, union, and accession country level; 2. elaboration of improved mechanisms for economic policy co-ordination within the "old" EU15 and the enlarged union; 3. establishment of continuous contacts and dialogue between the network and the scientific community and a broad spectre of policymakers and social groups on all levels.