The entry of 10 new countries in the European Union has increased interest in their situation, especially in relation to policies pursued by the member countries and regarding above all the European strategy for employment and the «modernisation» of social protection systems. Great differences between the various national systems still persist which are based on very different economic, social and cultural situations. The extension of the «Open Co-operation Method» procedures to the candidate countries appears to be a natural consequence of the processes initiated among the member countries to define the necessary objectives for the construction of the «social model» which will characterise the future of Europe. only subscribers can see the full article