The Council adopted a partial general approach on the texts of Title III, Chapters II and III, and Title V of the proposal for a Regulation implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/20041 on the coordination of social security systems.
In accordance with the approach already taken for the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, it has been decided to seek the Council's agreement on a chapter-by-chapter basis.
The Council noted that the progress which had thereby been achieved offered the prospect of the adoption of a common position in December. Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 was the first step of a process aimed at modernising and simplifying European rules on the coordination of the 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 an implementing regulation, the proposal for which is now under examination. The regulation will replace Regulation (EEC) No 574/723, with provisions designed to strengthen cooperation between national institutions and improve the methods of data exchange.