18 March 2026 14:20 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission reports Tripartite Social Summit messages

Key points

Investment for a vibrant European economy and quality jobs
Reducing strategic dependencies and protecting vulnerable consumers and businesses

TL;DR

Ursula von der Leyen said the social market economy protects Europe's social fabric; focus on protecting vulnerable consumers and businesses amid rising energy prices and on phasing out unstable fossil fuel imports
António Costa said a more integrated and harmonised EU single market and investment in education, skills and affordable housing are vital to tackle strategic dependencies and create high-quality jobs
Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus' social dialogue and reforms contributed to an 81.3% employment rate (2025), 4.4% unemployment (2025), 4% growth (2026 estimate), a 13.2% average wage increase and nearly 6% pensions rise (2025)
Fredrik Persson said the wars in the Middle East and against Ukraine increase the need to strengthen competitiveness, lower energy costs, reduce regulatory burden and agree an ambitious roadmap with concrete measures
Esther Lynch said Europe must increase public investment including through eurobonds, pursue a robust industrial policy and a Made in Europe approach, and introduce a European Quality Jobs Act and crisis management tools building on SURE
The European social partners said they are deeply concerned about economic deterioration and employment impacts, urged urgent concrete measures to attract investment, and underlined the role of the European Social Fund and the European Competitiveness Fund

Original text

European Commission - Press release Main messages from the Tripartite Social Summit Brussels, 18 March 2026 EU leaders and social partners met in Brussels for the Tripartite Social Summit, a twice-yearly forum for dialogue that brings together the leaders of the EU institutions and the European social partners . Today's discussion focused on ‘Investment for a vibrant European economy and quality jobs' . In particular, the following topics were addressed: Closing the investment gaps; Reducing strategic dependencies. The President of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen , said: “Our social market economy is what protects Europe's social fabric in these volatile times. And we must strengthen it even further. As the war in the Gulf drives energy prices up again, our immediate focus has to be on protecting our most vulnerable consumers and businesses. With short-term relief for those who urgently need it. And by strengthening our independence thanks to the phase-out of unstable fossil fuel imports. As we design solutions, it is vital to engage closely with the social partners and I'm thankful for our cooperation. ” The President of the European Council , António Costa, said: “ A more integrated and harmonised EU single market is vital to building a competitive social market economy. By investing in areas such as education, skills and affordable housing, we can successfully tackle the EU's strategic dependencies, create high-quality jobs, ensure prosperity and protect our citizens in an increasingly challenging geopolitical environment .” On behalf of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the President of the Republic of Cyprus , Nikos Christodoulides, said: “In Cyprus there is a long tradition of social dialogue. By working side by side with social partners, our government ensures that employment policies are not simply imposed, but constructed together. The effective tripartite cooperation at national level – hand in hand with bold reforms - has contributed to the highest employment rate in Cyprus' history, reaching 81.3% in 2025, while unemployment has dropped to 4.4% (2025) - the lowest level since 2008. At the same time, Cyprus has sustained one of the fastest economic growth rates in the EU estimated at 4% for 2026, while the average wage increased by 13.2% – the largest rise since 1993 – and pensions in 2025 rose by nearly 6%.” The President of BusinessEurope , Fredrik Persson, representing employers (BusinessEurope, SGI Europe, SMEunited), said: “The war in the Middle East, which comes on top of the Russian aggression war against Ukraine, makes it even more important to strengthen Europe's competitiveness. To create a vibrant economy with quality jobs in Europe, enterprises require a more integrated Single Market and less volatile and lower energy costs. They also call for less regulatory burden, putting the Think Small First principle into practice, as well as quality services of general interest and a skilled workforce. Employers count on the European Council to agree an ambitious roadmap with concrete measures and timelines. The need to act without delay is greater than ever .” The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) , Esther Lynch, said: “ Europe must increase investment to match its ambitions to deliver for workers. Meeting today's economic, social and geopolitical challenges requires a major leap in public investment at European level, including through common instruments such as eurobonds. This must go hand in hand with a robust European industrial policy and a Made in Europe approach that creates quality jobs based on fair wages, strong workers' rights, collective bargaining and high social and environmental standards. Europe's workers are already paying the price of successive shocks, with cost-of-living crises and job losses mounting across the economy. The EU must urgently bring in crisis management tools to protect jobs and production in strategic sectors, building on the success of SURE, and stronger internal demand through higher wages and bargaining coverage. A European Quality Jobs Act is essential to tackle precarious work and abuse and ensure fair working conditions instead.” The European cross-industry social partners also conveyed the following joint message during the meeting of the Tripartite Social Summit and in view of the upcoming European Council discussions on 19-20 March: “ The European social partners expressed deep concerns about the deterioration of the economic situation and its negative impact on employment in Europe. The urgency to act in order to deliver concrete measures that will attract the investment that is necessary for a vibrant economy with quality jobs is greater than ever. Enhancing investment and employment requires improving overall investment conditions as well as a Multiannual Financial Framework that is commensurate with the EU policy objectives including employment, skills and social cohesion. In this context, the EU social partners underlined the crucial role of the European Social Fund and the European Competitiveness Fund.” The views cited in this text are those of the individual / organisation concerned and do not collectively constitute the point of view of the European Commission. Visit the meeting page IP/26/647 Press contacts: Eva HRNCIROVA (+32 2 29 88433) Eirini ZARKADOULA (+32 2 29 57065) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email

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