The Conference confirms that the policies described in Article III-213 fall essentially
within the competence of the Member States. Measures to provide encouragement and
promote coordination to be taken at Union level in accordance with this Article shall be of
a complementary nature. They shall serve to strengthen cooperation between Member
States and not to harmonise national systems. The guarantees and practices existing in
each Member State as regards the responsibility of the social partners will not be
affected.
This Declaration is without prejudice to the provisions of
the Constitution conferring
competence on the Union, including in social matters.
