How to better involve workers' and employers' representatives in the governance of the EU and in particular, the Economic Monetary Union (EMU), was at the centre of the debate held with the occasion of the Tripartite Social Summit celebrated ahead of the European Council meeting.

The Tripartite Social Summit celebrated on 14 March, and that brought together the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy and Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny– for the Presidency of the EU's Council of Ministers–, and workers' and employers' representatives from the European and national level, focused on this occasion on collective efforts to ensure a sustainable recovery to restore jobs and growth and possible initiatives to strengthen the social dimension of Economic and Monetary Union. Active involvement of social partners needed to implement national reform plans and EU governance was the conclusion reached at the last Tripartite Social Summit held in October 2012.

At the meeting, the European workers' and employers' representatives presented their progress in implementing their joint work programme for 2012-2014 including joint work on youth employment, lifelong learning and the economic and social governance of the EU. Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor underlined after the meeting that deepening Economic and Monetary Union also means building up its social dimension. Ensuring that workers' and employers' representatives are fully involved and participate in policy processes is key for ownership of policy, and for good policy coordination.

The Tripartite Social Summit meets twice a year, ahead of the spring and autumn European Councils. According to the Commission, it is an important opportunity for an exchange of views between workers' and employers' representatives, the Commission, the President of the European Council and the heads of government and employment ministers of the current and subsequent two Council Presidencies.