ABSTRACT
The social dimension of the European Union (EU) has been an integral part of European integration. It represents a natural complement to the completion of the internal market, due to the fact that the creation of a vast economic area, which is based on the market and business cooperation, requires the establishment of a European social area as well. The completion of the internal market is associated with the full operation of the four basic economic freedoms which define economic integration. These are the free movement of goods, of capital, of services, and of persons. The social-economic dimension of education is a function of economic integration, whereas the cultural-political dimension of education becomes a function of political integration. This means that the advancement of the process of economic integration necessitates EU measures on education designed to respond to the demands and to improve the qualities of the labour market.
