ZAGREB ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - A two-day international conference called "Croatia and European Integration - Trade Unions and Political Parties- European Signposts" finished in Zagreb on Sunday. The event was organised by the
Brussels-based European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity and the Zagreb-based "A new Society" association. On its second day, the conference revolved around the topics of the social dimension of the extension of the European Union (EU) and the relations between trade unions and political parties. Renate Langewiesche from the Institute of the European Trade Unions Confederation said that during its "four extensions" the EU received countries with a long tradition of the market economy and dialogue among social partners. According to her, the countries, including Croatia, which are trying to join the EU have just begun to develop these elements. The EU does not want to acc
ZAGREB, Feb 21 (Hina) - A two-day international conference called
"Croatia and European Integration - Trade Unions and Political
Parties- European Signposts" finished in Zagreb on Sunday.
The event was organised by the Brussels-based European Forum for
Democracy and Solidarity and the Zagreb-based "A new Society"
association.
On its second day, the conference revolved around the topics of the
social dimension of the extension of the European Union (EU) and the
relations between trade unions and political parties.
Renate Langewiesche from the Institute of the European Trade Unions
Confederation said that during its "four extensions" the EU
received countries with a long tradition of the market economy and
dialogue among social partners.
According to her, the countries, including Croatia, which are
trying to join the EU have just begun to develop these elements.
The EU does not want to accept new member-States without taking into
consideration possible costs. It would like to admit new countries
preserving the achieved democratic and economic standards which
might otherwise be disturbed by a rush acceptance of new members,
Langewiesche told the conference.
Peter Scherrer from the German Foundation of Hans Bockler spoke
about the links between unions and political parties in Germany.
Until the last year, German political parties did not play a big
role on the trade unions' scene, he said.
In 1998 the DGB trade unions' block supported the election
programme of the SDP, 'Social Democratic Partei', and helped it win
the election.
In the return, tax benefits, family allowances and the full amount
of salary for the period of the sick leave have been ensured, the
German said.
However, the honeymoon is over, and the two sides are now in the
practical marriage, Scherrer said adding that he hoped there would
be no reason for divorce.
The general conclusion of this international conference is that
both sides have demonstrated good will for Croatia's entrance to
the EU. But, chances for the country's approach to the EU would be
considerably improved by the change of the current ruling party.
The co-organisers of the event were the European Trade Unions
Confederation and the Croatian Forum For Social Democracy (FSD)
which includes the Croatian Social Democratic Party (SDP), several
other political parties, as well as a few trade unions and unions'
blocks.
(hina) ms