Brussels, 22.12.2005
COM(2005) 706 final
As part of the Lisbon process, the EU has in recent years worked on the basis of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) to promote cooperation and learning among Member States. This is a flexible method, where Member States agree on common objectives and indicators in order to measure progress, without calling into question the distinct roles of the EU and its Member States.
Today, there are three separate processes on social inclusion, pensions and health and long-term care. The Commission proposal is to streamline the work into one overall process. The aim is to make the OMC more effective and give it a higher profile. Streamlining will bring together the three strands of work, but allow the specific features which are important to each policy area to develop further. New integrated common objectives will continue to allow an in-depth focus in each policy field. The proposal comprises overarching objectives plus three groups of objectives specific to each policy area.