Enhanced cooperation between Public Employment Services (PES)

The Council reached a general approach on a decision on enhanced cooperation between public employment services (PES). The present agreement will allow for the trilogue negotiations to begin early 2014.

A broad agreement was found on the main objectives of the proposal and on all the elements, except one: the voluntary or mandatory nature of the participation in the PES Network.

The Presidency concluded that the solution to this open issue would be the expression of the political will of the Member States. A written procedure was initiated to reach an agreement on this outstanding issue.

Taking into account the result of the written procedure, the Presidency proposed a new compromise text for Coreper. Coreper, confirming an agreement on this compromise text, agreed to forward it to the Council with a view to reaching a general approach.

In terms of the general approach, this Decision should aim to encourage cooperation between Member States within the areas of PES responsibility. Member States are competent to decide whether to participate in the Network.