Documents

The SER believes there are no grounds for concern about economic prosperity in Dutch rural areas. While it is true that rural economies are growing at a slightly slower pace than urban ones, and unemployment is slightly higher there, from the broader perspective of the three Ps (people, planet, profit), these problems appear to be outweighed by a better quality of environment and a better social climate than in urban areas. There may be problems at local level, such as job shortages or the gradual loss of facilities in small villages. However, these local problems are not signs of a fundamental problem, but instead of an ongoing search for specific local opportunities and possibilities.

The Draft Law of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance regulates matters concerning the property arrangements of State Enterprises and Organisations, their administration and personnel matters.

The Draft Law of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance changes the form of real estate taxation. It also imposes for the first time Value Added Tax (V.A.T.) on new buildings.

The Draft Law of the Ministry of Development establishes a General Commercial Registry and introduces new rules and procedures. It also amends and complements existing provisions with a view to modernising legislation concerning chambers.

The Finnish National Reform Programme identifies 11 priorities. The main macro-economic objective is economic stability and the sustainability of public finances. Key measures in this area are those related to preparing for population ageing, including implementation of the pensionreform that was launched in 2005. The two other macro-economic priorities are to curb public expenditure and to secure welfare services and increase public sector productivity.

Developing and modernizing the vocational education and training system (VET) is the basis of prosperity of Bulgaria and its successful integration to United Europe. In a long-term plan, these reforms should provide conditions for complete utilisation of existing human capital in every society. This is of great importance for the economy of Bulgaria and also for meeting the needs of competitiveness improvement, creating more flexible labour market, promoting professional and territorial mobility and promoting entrepreneurship.<br>The Economic and Social Council considers that the practical implementation of the recommendations in his opinion shall lead to the realization of a strategic approach for development and updating of Bulgarian education system in compliance with the requirements of the information society and common concepts and practices in the EU Member-States. The vocational education and training deserve a special attention within this approach.

The Draft Law of the Ministry of Development harmonises Greek legislation with Community legislation on the subject of introducing bio-fuels and other renewable fuels on the Greek market.

The Draft Law of the Ministry of Development harmonises Greek legislation with Community legislation on the subject of accelerating the procedure for opening up a single electricity market.

The proposed Draft Law of the Ministry of Development is intended to strengthen competition, attract private investment on a large scale and increase the percentage share of natural gas in the Greek energy balance.

At the suggestion of the Chairman of the National Assembly the Economic and Social Council prepared and approve an Opinion on “Draft for amendment and supplement of the Social Insurance Code” (No 554-01-47), proposed by a group of Members of Parliament. The Economic and Social Council informed the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria that it does not support the Draft for amendment and supplement to the Social Insurance Code. The Draft does not offer a balanced solution when reducing the social insurance contributions, the motives do not offer sound arguments and examples to confirm the reasoning and the concrete regulatory texts, proposed alongside the draft bill, are incomplete or inapplicable.

After the shock increase of the state regulated energy prices the Economic and Social Council became seriously concerned about the chaotic information and actions at the beginning of the winter period regarding the energy prices, the poor social dialogue on issues directly concerning the living standard of the population and the business conditions and the absence of a timely reaction for discussing concrete measures in order to compensate the new blow on the incomes of the population and the competitiveness of economy. Because of these concerns the ESC decided to draft an opinion aimed at drawing the attention of the public and the governmental bodies to the problems and finding potential solutions.

The opinion evaluates the draft "National Programme of Reforms 2005-2008, in the context of Lisbon Strategy". The text sets out the priorities of the Programme by sector and includes a comparative assessment of the Programme in relation to the common positions of the social partners.