Prof. Lalko DULEVSKI President of the ESC of Bulgaria Ad hoc group Europe 2020 Steering Committee, , Brussels

Two key aspects of the dialogue within the Europe 2020 Strategy: social dialogue and civil dialogue 1. Social dialogue : Consultations and bargaining of concrete measures and legislative initiatives mostly in the field of living standards, labour and industrial relations and labour market. Main levels of social dialogue :  national level – National Council for Tripartite Cooperation /government, employers, trade unions/  branch/sectoral level – sectoral/ branch councils for tripartite or bipartite cooperation /employers and trade unions/  local level – municipality councils for tripartite cooperation /local authority, employers and trade unions/

Two key aspects of the dialogue within the Europe 2020 Strategy: social dialogue and civil dialogue 2. Civil Dialogue  The Economic and Social Council /ESC/ is a permanent legally regulated form of the organised civil society dialogue in Bulgaria.  ESC adopts opinions, analyses and resolutions as well as holds public consultations on key strategic issues and policies upon a proposal of the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers or on its own initiative.  ESC is а main partner of the government and the National Assembly in the consultative process regarding the Europe 2020 Strategy.

ESC basic principles of work  Independence: ESC consists of three groups which are representatives of the organised civil society – employers, trade unions and various civil organisations with common interest The government or other state institution are not represented in the ESC.  Equality: Each of the three groups is consisted of equal number of members.  Consensus: The acts of the ESC are adopted by majority at least 75% of the votes received by the members. The President Board decisions are adopted unanimously. Two key aspects of the dialogue within the Europe 2020 Strategy: social dialogue and civil dialogue

Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy 1.In 2010 the ESC adopted basic opinions on strategic issues and priorities of the Bulgarian economy, labour market, social security and protection, health care system and others. 2.A number of anti-crisis measures and recommendations for socio and economic development of the country were proposed by the council to the Bulgarian government and National Assembly. Outcomes:  Main ESC recommendations were included in the anti-crisis measures negotiated between the government, trade unions and employers.  ESC has been determined by the government as a main institution for consultations on the National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020.

3.In September 2010, the ESC developed and adopted upon a proposal of the President of the Republic a special opinion on the “Strategic priorities for the Bulgarian economy within the Europe 2020 Strategy”. Outcomes:  In October 2010, a broad public consultation was held on an opinion of the ESC with the participation of the President of the Republic, government, Bulgarian National Bank, civil and scientist organisations, experts.  The Bulgarian government has included the main recommendation of the ESC opinion in the National Reform Programme: Reaching GDP at purchasing power parity per capita of 60 percent of the average European Union until Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy

Outcomes:  A consultation has taken place between the government representatives and the ESC on the recommendations from the resolution. Marinela Petrova, Head of the NRP Working Group, and Mariy Kosev, Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, at the ESC Plenary session Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy 4.In March 2011, the ESC adopted a resolution on the Draft National Reform Programme. The resolution was sent to the national and European institutions.

Outcomes:  The Bulgarian government has taken into consideration the main ESC recommendations in the final adoption of the National Reform Programme.  A letter has been received to the ESC from the Ministry of Finance, which has informed for concrete recommendations of the ESC resolution incorporated in the final document adopted by the government. Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy

Outcomes:  ESC received a reply on behalf of the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso with regard to the council resolution. Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy

Outcomes:  A letter to the ESC has been received by the EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva. Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy

Outcomes:  ESC appreciates the received letter from the President of the EESC, Staffan Nilsson and the President of the Europe 2020 Steering Committee, Joost van IERSEL as a sign of fruitful cooperation between the ESC and the EESC. Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy

5.In April 2011, the ESC adopted a resolution “Demographic challenges to Bulgaria within the Europe 2020 Strategy”. Outcomes:  The Action Plan with measures, set out in the NRP / /, is provided for updating the National Strategy for Demographic Development of the Republic of Bulgaria  The resolution has received very broad public and media response /over 120 print and electronic publications/ Main ESC activities within the Europe 2020 Strategy

Future Activities of the ESC in 2011 regarding the Implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy  Elaboration and adoption of opinions and resolutions on major topics directions of the Europe 2020 Strategy  Achieving an agreement for mutual activities between the ESC and the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria in the monitoring process of the implementation of the National Reform Programme.

Future Activities of the ESC in 2011 regarding the Implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy  Organisation of a public discussion in cooperation with the Bulgarian government and the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria on the recommendations of the European Commission on the National Reform Programme / / and the Convergence Programme / /.  Organisation of an international conference on the issues of demographic development and labour market in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

 Participation in the consultations on the development of the National Development Programme: Bulgaria  Organisation of regional consultative meetings with representatives of the civil society organisations, local authorities, social partners and others on issues of the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy.  Organisation of consultative meetings with the standing committees of the National Assembly committed to the implementation of key objectives in the Europe 2020 Strategy. Future Activities of the ESC in 2011 regarding the Implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Ad hoc group Europe 2020 Steering Committee, , Brussels