As European integration makes further strides, European social insurance systems are also taking on a wider economic, legal and strategic frame of reference. It is vital that these systems keep a close watch on the processes at work in Brussels in order to play an active role in formulating and achieving common objectives. In Germany, the important tasks of reporting on EU-wide social policies as well as analysing and guiding their development are taken on by the European Representation of the German Social Insurance System and the Federal Employment Agency.
The German Social Insurance System has maintained an agency for joint European representation in Brussels since 1993, which is active on behalf of the statutory pension, health and accident insurance sectors. The agency keeps the national insurance organisations informed of all relevant developments in the European integration process, while maintaining and striving to intensify contacts with the European institutions. Another important mission of the agency is to effectively bring the guiding principles anchored in the German insurance system, such as solidarity and distance from the state, to bear in community political education.
European Representation of the German Social Insurance System
Maison Européenne de la Protection Sociale
Rue d'Arlon 50
B-1000 Brussels
Telephone: +32 (2) 282 05 50
Telefax: +32 (2) 282 04 79
E-mail:
dsv@esip.org
The Federal Employment Agency has maintained independent representation in Brussels since 2003. This agency serves as a connecting link between the EU institutions and the objectives and interests of German employment policy. This role is especially significant in view of the fact that the European Commission has assigned the national public employment offices an independent and decisive role in implementing European employment strategy. The major duties of the European Representation are to intensify contacts with the Directorates-General for Employment and Social Affairs and for Education and Culture, as well as with the EU Parliament committees responsible for employment and social issues. More >>
European Representation of the Federal Employment Agency
Maison Européenne de la Protection Sociale
Rue d'Arlon 50
B-1000 Brussels
Telephone: +32 (2) 282 05 68
Telefax: +32 (2) 282 05 69
E-mail:
zentrale.europa-vertretung@arbeitsagentur.de