Brussels, 23/06/2007
We welcome the statement that the Charter of Fundamental Rights will be legally binding. That is the critical test we had set to judge the success or failure of the talks.
However the UK's denial of European-based social rights for British workers is to be deplored. We hope that this will be rectified as soon as possible.
We also welcome the recognition that the EU is a Social Market Economy aiming at full employment and social progress.
Our Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday to consider in more detail the results of the European Council.
The devil is always in the details and the ETUC will monitor carefully the work of the IGC. We call on the incoming Presidency, the Commission and the European Parliament to involve the social partners closely in these negotiations.