The European Employment Strategy : Assessing the Status Quo

The European Employment Strategy (EES) is the European Union's main instrument to co-ordinate Member States' reform efforts in the area of labour market and social policies. Launched in 1997, it has undergone various changes, both in its governance and its policy orientation. This paper offers an overview of the EES's origins, main functions and evolution. It also critically reflects on its development and closes with a succinct presentation and assessment of the EES in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy that has replaced the expired Lisbon Strategy