Recital (6)

The European Semester combines various instruments in an overarching framework for integrated multilateral coordination and surveillance of economic and employment policies within the Union. The European Semester is a key tool for delivering on the priorities defined in the Competitiveness Compass, which provides a framework to boost competitiveness by closing the innovation gap, decarbonising the Union’s economy, reducing excessive dependencies and increasing security, and which sets out horizontal enablers that include skills, quality jobs and social fairness. The European Semester integrates the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission in November 2017 (the European Pillar of Social Rights), and its monitoring tool, the Social Scoreboard, also making it possible to analyse risks and challenges to upward social convergence in the Union, and provides for strong engagement with social partners, civil society and other stakeholders. The European Semester also supports the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. The economic, social and employment policies of the Union and of the Member States should go hand in hand with the Union’s fair transition to a climate-neutral, environmentally sustainable and digital economy, improve competitiveness and productivity, ensure adequate working conditions, foster innovation, promote democracy at work, social dialogue, social justice, equal opportunities and upward socioeconomic convergence, tackle inequalities and regional disparities, and fight poverty and social exclusion.