The Council reached a unanimous partial general approach regarding part of a regulation aimed at implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/20041 on the coordination of social security systems and covering chapter III of title IV (financial provisions - recovery of benefits provided but not due, recovery of provisional payments and contributions, offsetting and assistance with recovery) (see Council doc. 9988/08 + ADD1).
Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 was the first step in a process aimed at modernising and simplifying EU rules on the coordination of national social security systems. Such rules are intended to allow EU citizens to move freely within Europe, while maintaining their social rights and expectations (health, pensions, unemployment protection, etc.).
The process must be completed by adoption of the implementing regulation, the proposal for which is now under examination. The regulation will replace Regulation (EEC) No 574/72, with provisions designed to strengthen cooperation between national institutions and improve the methods of data exchange.