THE inclusion of a special section on the citizen in the Amsterdam Treaty is a new departure for the EU.
The section has only received attention following the entry of the Swedes, Finns and Austrians to the EU. These countries insisted that their policies on issues such as transparency and environmental protection must be enshrined in European law. The Danish "no" vote on the treaty added impetus to the procedure.
The section makes specific commitments on a wide range of areas from the environment through social policy and employment to the transparency of the EU itself.
The chapter on employment was first mooted by the Swedish government, which was backed by the other Nordic countries and by Ireland. The new French Socialist government also found the chapter useful in its negotiation to place employment more firmly on the single currency agenda.
Other new paragraphs were inserted by the new British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown. At his insistence a paragraph has been inserted committing the EU to co-ordinating the employment strategies of the member-states, particularly "promoting a skilled and adaptable workforce and labour markets responsive to economic change".
The formula, basically a legal enshrining of the Essen jobs summit strategy, leaves the main responsibility for job creation at national level while allowing the EU to provide monitoring and best practice advice. An annual report will be produced and the EU will create an Employment Committee of ministers to bring greater emphasis to the work.
The Council will also be asked to make recommendations to countries on specific measures to boost employment within the tax and welfare systems.
The text of the chapter on social policy is largely that of the Social Protocol of Maastricht, which the British have agreed to incorporate in the treaty within two years.
It mandates the EU to support and complement the activities of member-states in the fields of health and safety, working conditions, information and consultation of workers, helping those excluded from the labour market, and equality between men and women at work.
The chapter also stresses the importance of the social partners: the Commission will now be asked to promote the consultation of management and labour at an EU level.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, won a significant victory in getting proposals on social exclusion written into the treaty. It now explicitly allows spending on information exchanges and promoting innovative approaches to fighting social exclusion and poverty.
A strengthening of the principle of equal pay was achieved through the inclusion of a reference to equal work "or work of equal value". The text also copper fastens member-states' programmes of positive action to assist women in the labour force, although not positive discrimination.
The chapter on the environment was achieved in the face of stiff opposition from the Danes and other Nordic countries. This is the chapter which caused the most difficulty at the negotiation of the Single European Act in 1985. The policy has been given priority after the BSE crisis, when it became clear that public health procedures had not been implemented and had been ignored. The treaty now incorporates the principle of "balanced and sustainable development" as part of the fundamental objectives of the EU.
There is also a requirement to undertake environmental assessment studies when projects may have a significant environmental impact.
In the wake of the BSE and blood scandals and concern over drugs, the powers of the EU are significantly enhanced in complementing action in the member- states. The EU will be allowed to set standards of quality and safety for blood and human organs and its veterinary and phytosanitary work will have as its primary objective the protection of human health. Ireland pressed successfully for the inclusion of right to action on reducing drugs-related health damage, including health and prevention information.
. The summit yesterday, contrary to expectation and yesterday's report, approved a Belgian amendment to a treaty declaration confirming that the treaty is not to be seen as undermining the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities.