International

On 7th January we return to work in Brussels, but this does not of course mean that in the meantime, though free of meetings, there's nothing at all to do. This afternoon I'm here in Rotterdam at the commemoration of the victims of the Gaza war, which happened just a year ago. In addition there's a backlog of correspondence to be dealt with, and much to read on what will be the important issues in 2010. And in relation to social affairs we expect a great deal, though it isn't yet clear whether this will take the form of a further deterioration of social rights, or if it remains possible that after all something good for the rights of working people and the unemployed might come out of Brussels. A great deal will depend on the question of whether we will be sharp enough to take action when it is necessary to do so.