Brussels: Issues like promotion of social security and protection will be the focus of discussion during the two-day India-EU seminar in the Portuguese capital Lisbon beginning from tomorrow, the European Commission has said. The seminar is being organised by the EU's executive branch, the European Commission, in cooperation with Portugal, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

The event will be attended by representatives of governments, employers and workers organisations from India and Europe as well as academics.
"I cannot stress enough the importance of this India-EU policy dialogue on employment and social policy in the context of globalisation and the challenges linked to promoting sustainable socio-economic development," said Vladimir Spidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and equal opportunities, ahead of the event.

Spidla said he was confident that the discussions will lead to a better mutual understanding and help both sides find genuine solutions to challenges such as extending social security to the informal sector and promoting social protection and decent work for all. Following the seminar, a tripartite Indian delegation will visit several European countries to further develop the exchanges of best practices and experiences, as part of the India-EU policy dialogue on employment and social policies, which was launched in 2006.