The European Commission published its “Fifth annual Report on the social situation in Europe” in early October. It is for the first time extended to the ten new member states. The main conclusion apart from the statistical data of the lowering of living standards in the 25-member Union due to the low GDP of the countries of enlargement is that the new EU partners will not only adapt themselves rapidly to the current standards of the “European social model”, but will also help generate economic growth and social progress thanks to high manpower potential, the social cohesion policies already in operation and the high general educational level of the populations involved. The Report underlines that the main social concerns of the Union have remained substantially unchanged after the entry of the ten new countries last May: demographic ageing, decline in the working population, and need for reform of the pensions and healthcare sectors. For further information, consult the website of the Commission http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2004/oct/socsit_report_it.html
