European Union - ILO Cooperation: Factsheet, November 2017

As a long-standing priority with roots in European integration efforts, development cooperation has continually occupied an important place at the top of the European Union’s (EU) policy agenda. The EU signed its first cooperation agreement with the ILO in 1958, reflecting common values, principles and strategic objectives. Since then the EU has had a significant impact on employment and social affairs-related issues through its development work carried out jointly with the ILO. With activities in more than 160 countries, the EU, through its partnership with the ILO benefits from a broad geographical scope, experience and credibility established over time.