Pending the European Parliament's opinion at first reading, the Council reached a partial general approach on a draft Regulation aimed at implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems. The agreed text covers Chapter I of Title III (sickness, maternity and equivalent paternity benefits) and Chapter I of Title IV (financial provisions) of the Commission proposal.
Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 was the first step of a process aimed at modernising and simplifying EU 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 with the adoption of an implementing Regulation, for which a proposal 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.
In accordance with the approach already taken for the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, it has been decided to aim for the Council's agreement on a chapter-by-chapter basis. On 1 June 2006, the Council reached a partial general approach on Titles I and II of the proposal. On 1 December 2006, the Council reached a partial general approach on Chapter 4 of Title III. The examination of the Commission proposal will continue under the forthcoming Portuguese Presidency.