The Response to the Challenges in Social and Economic Development in SEE: The Ljubljana Agenda Vlado Dimovski Ljubljana Agenda for the New Phase of Stabilization and Association Process International Conference Beograd, May 31, 2008

Agenda Employment Characteristics Employment Characteristics Social Reforms: Labour Issues Social Reforms: Labour Issues Social Reforms: Social Dialogue Social Reforms: Social Dialogue Main Challenges Main Challenges Regional Cooperation Regional Cooperation Social Pact for SEE Social Pact for SEE Ljubljana Agenda: Just Another Process? Ljubljana Agenda: Just Another Process?

Social Reforms in the SEE Countries: Employment Characteristics Differences within the region Differences within the region High level of persistent unemployment High level of persistent unemployment Distorted structure Distorted structure Dual labor market (public, private) Dual labor market (public, private) Low level of Enterpreneurship Low level of Enterpreneurship Underdeveloped LM institutions Underdeveloped LM institutions

Social Reforms in the SEE Countries: Labour Issues Trasformation of the system Trasformation of the system Labor legislation Labor legislation Labour rights “restructuring” Labour rights “restructuring” Labour rights protection Labour rights protection Social and “social”: what is it anyway? Social and “social”: what is it anyway? Education level Education level

Social Reforms in the SEE Countries: Social Dialogue Social stability Social stability “Unionization” still high “Unionization” still high Wage setting / Social Agreement Wage setting / Social Agreement Social partners respresentation Social partners respresentation Two/Three partite dialogue Two/Three partite dialogue The future of social partnership The future of social partnership

Main Challenges for the Development of Social Policy in SEE EU accession still the strategy EU accession still the strategy Adoption of the "social" aquis (European social model) Adoption of the "social" aquis (European social model) Reforming the Labor market (Flexicurity) Reforming the Labor market (Flexicurity) Reforming the Social system (Social transfers) Reforming the Social system (Social transfers) Health Care Reform (Privatization?) Health Care Reform (Privatization?) Social Partnership Development Social Partnership Development

Regional Cooperation for Different or Similar Future? Region of differences or a region of similarities? Region of differences or a region of similarities? A region of an ongoing problems never ending story A region of an ongoing problems never ending story “Balkans to Europe and Europe to Balkans” (Milošoski, 4/2/2008 in Paris) “Balkans to Europe and Europe to Balkans” (Milošoski, 4/2/2008 in Paris) The concept/idea of interdependence The concept/idea of interdependence “It is the economy, stupid” but it is really not only the economy “It is the economy, stupid” but it is really not only the economy Is there a possible comprehensive approach to socio-economic development in SEE? Is there a possible comprehensive approach to socio-economic development in SEE?

Social Pact for SEE: Who to Who and What to What? Europe and countries in SEE Europe and countries in SEE Among SEE Among SEE Within SEE States Within SEE States Among Social Partners Among Social Partners Issues Issues

Ljubljana Agenda – Just Another Agenda? Develop the Long-Term Agenda for Balkans/SEE proposed on the PSE meeting in Ljubljana in February Develop the Long-Term Agenda for Balkans/SEE proposed on the PSE meeting in Ljubljana in February Link to Lisbon Strategy but with enhanced micro- level instruments Link to Lisbon Strategy but with enhanced micro- level instruments Promote the European Social Model Promote the European Social Model Respect the differences and promote intercultural dialogue Respect the differences and promote intercultural dialogue Establish strong institutions (Capacity Building) Establish strong institutions (Capacity Building) Rule of law (Anti-corruption) Rule of law (Anti-corruption) HR Development HR Development Potential framework for the future regional development Potential framework for the future regional development