The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) approved on Friday 7 February a compromise agreed provisionally with the European Parliament on a decision on enhanced co-operation between public employment services (PES).

The aim of the decision is to formalise the current heads of PES (HoPES) informal advisory expert group and turn it into a fully-fledged network.

The creation of the PES network is a positive contribution to wider ongoing efforts to make existing structures more effective in tackling the unemployment crisis. The network constitutes another important effort towards the EU aim to restore well-functioning labour markets that provide for the necessary employment opportunities. Strengthening PES cooperation is all the more important at a time when unemployment has reached high levels in most member states.

The Parliament is expected to vote in its plenary session in April. Subsequently, the Council will formally adopt the decision without further discussion.