P. whereas men and women in many cases do not have the same opportunities to run and develop companies and whereas promoting women's entrepreneurship is a long-term process that requires time to change structures and attitudes in society; whereas women have always been entrepreneurial, but rules and the traditional division of roles have meant that entrepreneurship has not always been an option for women,

41. Reaffirms that Europe cannot afford the present high unemployment figures; notes that the European social model will not remain untouched by the upheavals that are happening worldwide; takes the view that, in order to face demographic challenge and secure sustainable public finances, Europe must pursue reforms of the labour markets and welfare systems so as to strengthen the incentives to work and provide people with the opportunities and skills to cope with change and facilitate their return to paid work; points out that, in o ...[+++]rder to maintain its competitiveness on the world scene, the European Union must undertake numerous reforms; believes that the level of trust between enterprises and workers that is needed for this course of action will increase as the social dialogue intensifies; underlines the importance of implementing the agreed common principles of flexicurity in a comprehensive and balanced way for both employees and employers;

41. Reaffirms that Europe cannot afford the present high unemployment figures; notes that the European social model will not remain untouched by the upheavals that are happening worldwide; takes the view that, in order to face demographic challenge and secure sustainable public finances, Europe must pursue reforms of the labour markets and welfare systems so as to strengthen the incentives to work and provide people with the opportunities and skills to cope with change and facilitate their return to paid work; points out that, in o ...[+++]rder to maintain its competitiveness on the world scene, the European Union must undertake numerous reforms; believes that the level of trust between enterprises and workers that is needed for this course of action will increase as the social dialogue intensifies; underlines the importance of implementing the agreed common principles of flexicurity in a comprehensive and balanced way for both employees and employers;

The economic upswing, with economic growth at a 6 year high and 7 million new jobs being created between 2005 and 2008, is an opportunity for the Union and the Member States: now is the time to redouble efforts and undertake the reforms needed to fulfil the Union's commitments to growth and jobs, and to economic and social cohesion.

The Contracting Parties hereby recommend that the Governments concerned should inform their nationals wishing to take up and pursue activities in an employed capacity in the construction sector in Iceland in accordance with the provisions of Directive 64/427/EEC, as adapted for EEA purposes, of the advisability of undertaking a specific training to familiarize themselves with the special skills demanded to deal with the geological and meteorological conditions prevailing in Iceland and the building regulations applicable there.

Whereas, moreover, the Council in its resolution of 9 February 1976 (1) concerning an action programme in favour of migrant workers and members of their families and in its resolution of 27 June 1980 (2) concerning orientation towards a Community labour market policy, underlined the importance of undertaking appropriate consultation on migration policies in relation to non-member countries, and whereas integration of the Community labour market should be favoured in the framework of free movement of the labour force within the Community, in particular by appropriate consultation on these policies, in accordance with the conclusions which ...[+++] the Council adopted on 22 November 1979 on this subject; whereas its resolution of 16 July 1985 (3) on guidelines for a Community policy on migration reaffirmed the need for such consultation;