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"Streamlining of social policy processes"

Neformalni EPSCO, 20.1.2006 - POPOLDAN

Dear Minister Haubner, Dear Colleagues,

I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Austrian Presidency for putting this important issue of streamliningof the social policy processes on the agenda of today's informal meeting.

Slovenia strongly supports the streamlining process; and the reasons are as follows:

The process of streamlining should and could bring more integration, transparency and effectiveness to the fields of social protection and social inclusion, pensions, and health care and long-term care.

More or less we all put the economic growth and employment on the first spot of our agendas of reforms. Yes, we always speak about social security and protection in connection with more flexible working environment. But we should definitely put more stress on this very important area of social cohesion at its widest scale. And merging all three areas of social protection into one coordinated and coherent process will definitely help with recognizing its importance.

But we should not forget also the importance of proper and effective coordination between the national reforms and the streamlining process.

Dear colleagues,

As you may already know, Slovenia has systematically approached the necessary reforms in both economic and social area, by establishing a special Government Office responsible for coordinating all different aspects of reforms. The working framework of the reforms has been already adopted by the Government and presented to the social partners and to the widest public. It is necessary for the final success of the reforms to get the widest public support, not forgetting the importance of the social dialog.

From the social point of view, the basic goal of those reforms is to preserve social justice. They should result in a more transparent and efficient system for individuals. But they should also make every individual co-responsible for his or her well-being.

Slovenia has always had a strong social protection system. Today this system is according to many analyses complicated, not effective and not transparent enough, there are certain gaps and overlapping. It has to be changed and modernized.

We realised that the reforms are necessary some time ago. In certain areasthe reforms have already been implemented, at least to a certain extent. The rest of them can be introduced gradually.

To wrap up, I would like to express my personal support to the streamlining process again. I am sure this will contribute to the positive development of social protection and social inclusion.

My biggest expectations are focused on the area of long-term care. This particular area is still developing in Slovenia, but it is considered as very important especially taking into account the negative demographic trends and ageing of our society. Slovenia would like to be an active player in the open method of coordination in this area. We are very much keen to learn from others, and perhaps share our own findings.

I am sure, dear colleagues, that the streamlining process by itself will make the social dimension of the revised Lisbon Strategy stronger and bring it closer to every one of our citizens.

Thank you.