As development shows close links between economic and social policy developments, a basic future challenge is to ensure the continuation of good interaction between economic, employment and social policies and to reinforce social inclusion measures to foster balanced social and economic development.

It also asks the Commission to bring funding together within a specific policy and social framework in the beneficiary countries which would promote democratic principles, political and trade union freedoms, development of education and lifelong learning, protection of the environment and broadening and deepening of political cooperation with the EU Mediterranean countries.

- In order to strike the right balance between labour market needs, economic impacts, social outcomes, integration policies and external policy objectives, there will be stronger coordination between the EU and the national, regional and local level , especially in the areas of statistics and economic, social and development policies;

The Social Policy Agenda should help Europe reach its full potential by strengthening social policy as a productive factor and addressing the cost of non-social policy.

Such a systematic, cost-benefit, approach to employment and social policies will help focus the policy debate in these areas more clearly by better measuring the costs and consequences of different policy challenges - for example to addressing the problems of low pay and inclusion, or to ensuring gender equality in a rapidly changing economic, social and demographic environment - and by identifying better ways of strengthening policy co-operation between various departments of government at all levels, and between governments and other interested parties.

Promoting quality in employment and social policy is a key element in reaching the goals of building more and better jobs, creating a competitive and cohesive knowledge-based economy, and ensuring a positive mutual interaction between economic, employment and social policies.