The European Commission announced the holding of a Tripartite Social Summit in Brussels — a regular forum that brings together twice a year the leaders of European Union institutions and representatives of European social partners. The format of the meeting is designed to ensure direct dialogue between EU authorities, employers and trade unions on current issues of social and economic policy. The summit is traditionally viewed as a platform for aligning positions on issues of employment, working conditions, social protection and the competitiveness of the European economy. It is attended by high-ranking representatives of the European Commission, the European Council, as well as key employer and trade union associations from EU member states. Such meetings are held on a regular basis and precede or accompany sessions of the European Council, allowing social partners to convey their position to EU leadership ahead of important decisions. The format of tripartite dialogue — of EU institutions, employers and workers — is considered one of the key elements of the European social model. The European Commission press release does not provide details on the specific topics discussed at the summit in Brussels, but emphasizes the importance of the very fact of conducting regular dialogue between key actors in European socio-economic policy.