Translation of "directrice des services aux élèves " (French → English) :

In particular, Ile de France receives a premium over the national average -- arguably because of higher service delivery costs -- while in Lorraine, spending per head is well below average.

1. Welcomes the presentation of integrated broad economic policy and employment guidelines which concentrate on growth and employment while remaining committed to a balance between the three pillars of the Lisbon Strategy in line with the conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 22 and 23 March 2005, that integrated presentation being a sign of the complementary nature of economic and social policy and of commitment to further progress towards making the macro-economic framework established for the Union simpler and easier to understand; supports the determination of the Commission and the Council to concentrate to a greater extent on growth and employment; recalls that environmental requirements will help to establish a forward-lo ...[+++]oking, dynamic and efficient economy which offers citizens a high quality of life; supports the determination of the Commission and the Council to concentrate to a greater extent on growth and employment by increasing competitiveness, extending the internal market to the services sector, improving the efficiency of public services and consequently boosting domestic demand;

The efficiencies associated with these quantitative selective distribution systems are low: the product is not very complex and does not justify a particularly high service.

The European Union must now accept the challenge and proceed in a similar fashion by proposing guidelines for the policy on employment and social inclusion.

Moreover, the fear expressed by some participants in the consultation process that the principles and guidelines could remain a dead letter because of their non-legally binding nature is due to a misunderstanding. It goes without saying that, when the Commission decides to apply the principles and guidelines, its departments have to act accordingly.

It is the public interest to maintain the highest possible standards of service that can be afforded, within the context of safeguarding the environment, employment levels and global competitiveness.