I. Economic facts of EU countries in 2007
| Country | Population in million | GDP growth in % | Labour force in million | Unemployment (%) | Public debt (% of GDP) |
| AUSTRIA | 8.2 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 64.5 |
| BELGIUM | 10.4 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 8.1 | 90.3 |
| BULGARIA | 7.3 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 13.4 | 25.6 |
| CYPRUS | 0.7 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 5.1 | 75.6 |
| CZECH REPUBLIC | 10.2 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 8.1 | 35.4 |
| DENMARK | 5.4 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 6.0 | 41.8 |
| ESTONIA | 1.3 | 6.9 | 0.7 | 7.9 | 6.0 |
| FINLAND | 5.2 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 8.7 | 37.4 |
| FRANCE | 60.6 | 1.8 | 27.9 | 9.8 | 62.2 |
| GERMANY | 82.5 | 2.5 | 43.7 | 9.6 | 66.8 |
| GREECE | 10.7 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 8.5 | 112.0 |
| HUNGARY | 10.0 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.3 | 59.4 |
| IRELAND | 4.1 | 5.1 | 2.0 | 4.2 | 28.9 |
| ITALY | 58.1 | -0.2 | 24.5 | 7.9 | 104.3 |
| LATVIA | 2.3 | 7.4 | 1.2 | 9.1 | 13.2 |
| LITHUANIA | 3.4 | 5.6 | 1.6 | 8.1 | 24.5 |
| LUXEMBOURG | 0.5 | 3.6 | 0.2 | 4.7 |
n.a. |
| MALTA | 0.4 | -0.1 | 0.1 | 6.8 | 9.7 |
| NETHERLANDS | 16.4 | -0.5 | 7.6 | 5.0 | 57.1 |
| POLAND | 38.1 |
3.8 | 17.1 | 17.8 | 50.9 |
| PORTUGAL | 10.4 | 0.1 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 61.3 |
| ROMANIA | 22.3 | 6.4 | 9.3 | 6.1 | 21.4 |
| SLOVAKIA | 5.4 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 15.5 | 32.6 |
| SLOVENIA | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 5.9 | 32.5 |
| SPAIN | 41.3 | 3.3 | 19.3 | 9.9 | 48.3 |
| SWEDEN | 9.1 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 50.9 |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 60.0 | 2.1 | 30.0 |
5.1 | 40.0 |
| EU15 | 3.82 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 8.0 | 64.1 |
| EU25 | 4.56 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 8.8 | 63.1 |
Sources: Eurostat, CIA The World Factbook
II. Issues on the EU Agenda
Germany is holding the EU Presidency since 1st January 2007. For the first time an 18-month programme for the three successive German, Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies was elaborated for the period January 2007 to June 2008. It is the Council's official work programme for that period and was drawn up in close coordination with the Commission. The General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted the 18-month programme during its meeting on 11 December 2006.
This "team programme" is designed to increase continuity in the Council's work. The main themes of the programme are: the continuation of the EU reform and constitutional process, the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, and the further completion of the common area of freedom, security and justice. The Presidencies regard the EU's sustainability strategy, renewed in 2006, as having a key function in shaping the various policy areas. Last but not least, the task is to intensify cooperation in the EU's joint foreign-policy activities. These include foreign and security policy, international trade relations and worldwide economic and development cooperation.
The Constitution
On 21st/22nd June 2007, the Council will hold a meeting on the future of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe. German Presidency was given the task of holding in-depth consultations with the EU member states in the first half of 2007 and then to submit a report to the Council. The report should explore possible future developments and serve as a basis for the decisions on how to continue the EU reform process.
Enlargement
The German Presidency will continue the enlargement process, taking into consideration the EU’s capacity to absorb new members. Germany will support the ongoing accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia in line with the candidates’ progress in fulfilling their obligations.
The EU would consider the Western Balkan states for membership, but only if they reached EU standards (so-called “conditionality”). Further enlargement is dependent upon institutional reform of the EU, which has become tied to the Constitution. This could cause significant delays because there is still no agreement on how to proceed with the Constitution. In the coming months the final status of Kosovo may be decided and new leaders will take control in France and the UK. Each of these issues could influence the membership prospects of the Western Balkans.
Competitiveness
Europe will only be able to make the most of its influence if it is economically strong and dynamic. Germany advocates an economic order which is competitive while also upholding social and environmental responsibility. The German Presidency will appeal for the adoption of a balanced package of measures to promote competitiveness, growth and employment as well as social cohesion and a clean environment.
European Social Model
The European Social Agenda underlines the fact that social, employment and economic policy do not have to compete with each other but are mutually complementary. The Agenda is designed to generate confidence in the face of change. Its goal is to combine the flexibility required for the labour market with social protection and social security (“flexicurity”). One focus of the exchange of experiences between the member states should be on equal opportunities in the labour market.
Demographic change
Over the coming decades demographic change will pose complex challenges to the societies of the EU members states. On the one hand, growing life expectancy among the population harbours potential for the state, society and families. On the other hand, the proportion of working people in the population as a whole will fall. Fewer children and young people could reduce prosperity, decrease momentum, detract from innovation and lower the quality of life. Against this backdrop, the management of demographic change is a key issue for all societies. At EU level ideas on how to make more effective use of the potential and experience of the older generation to benefit the economy and society and how to increase the involvement of older workers in the workforce in the long term should be shared more actively. Germany intends to continue the discussion on the economic potential of older people at European level.
Cooperation in education
Climate protection must be intensified worldwide to prevent economic, social and environmental upheavals. The EU must play a pioneering role at global level in combating climate change. The German Presidency will therefore press for a common EU position on international climate protection after 2012. The development of a negotiation package with proposals for emission reduction goals and ways to involve further major greenhouse gas emitters is particularly important in this context. This will enable the Union to convince other states of the necessity of cutting climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental issues are also a major subject at the G8 summit taking place in Germany alongside Germany’s EU Presidency. The Potsdam meeting mid March 2007 was designed primarily to prepare the ground for decisions that will be taken at the G8 summit in Heiligendamm and at the Climate Change Conference to be held in December 2007 in Bali.
In Heiligendamm, Chancellor Angela Merkel aims to get the G8 to adopt an ambitious climate-protection agreement. This is seen as a precondition for further international negotiations on a post-2012 climate regime.
External relations
In the field of external relations the primary goal is to extend the European area of security and stability. As well as stabilizing the Western Balkans and drawing the region closer to the EU, the Presidency will focus on strengthening and developing the European Neighbourhood Policy and extending relations with Russia and Central Asia. It will also intensify cooperation with the countries in the Middle East.
III. EAPM news and dates
The EAPM Secretariat received two applications for EAPM membership: From the “Association of HR Professionals” in Serbia and the “HR Management Club” in Romania. Both Associations will be contacted by members of the EAPM Executive Committee to see if they are mature enough to present their Association before the EAPM Delegates Assembly in June 2007. The Executive Committee is also discussing corresponding membership of the HR Section of the EU Commission.
The 23rd EAPM congress will take place in Vienna from 20-22 June 2007. “A United Europe – A United Labour Market?” is the motto of the congress. Speakers from more than 17 different European countries are addressing important issues of three main areas: “Labour market”, “Administration and Economy” and “Employment at 50+”. The EAPM is hoping for a high number of participants from all over Europe.
In October 2006 the EAPM launched a project on “Professionalisation of HRM in Europe”. EAPM and the Boston Consulting Group partnered for this project and BCG interviewed more than 100 HR and non-HR VP’s and senior HR managers. A web survey was conducted in 27 countries which delivered more than 1.350 answers. The study will be presented at the national conferences of most of the EAPM’s member associations and of course at the EAPM congress in Vienna. The project is the first of its kind and the EAPM hopes to strengthen its reputation as “the HR professional body in Europe” substantially.
Another EAPM project is the book on “HR management in Europe”. There were 13 EAPM countries participating after all and the book will be published worldwide mid 2007.
Dates for the next meetings
19th June 2007: Executive Committee and Delegates Assembly meeting in Vienna
18th January 2008: Executive Committee meeting in Malta
