Brussels, 21/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - In a joint letter to the President of the European Council, Aznar, the Secretaries General of Unice, Philippe de Buck, Eurochambers, Arnaldo Abruzzini, Eurocommerce, Xavier Durieu and UEAPME, Hans-Werner Muller (which represent European business circles) call on all Member States "to implement the targets they set themselves in Lisbon and to deliver the policies that are urgently needed to make Barcelona a success", notably by delivering structural reforms to key markets (including the labour market) and supporting strong economic growth. They say they are concerned about the general orientation of the European debates on sustainability, corporate social responsibility and new governance, as well as by the loss of ground by European economies compared to the United States. According to them, Barcelona offers Member states "the opportunity to make clear their commitment to really making the EU the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, while embracing a successful enlargement to candidate countries".
At a joint press conference, Philippe de Buck regretted the lack of progress in innovation (notably, adoption of a competitive European patent) and in economic and structural reforms, allowing for completion of the internal market, essentially in the fields of transport, social services, energy and telecommunications. Aldo Abruzzini placed emphasis on the importance of training and catching up the delay in growth and competitiveness in relation to the United States, and Xavier Durieu on an adequate environment for companies as precondition for sustainable European economic and social model. Finally, Hans-Werner Muller called for the confidence of the world of business and consumers to be re-established by achieving the necessary economic reforms and creating a more bearable macroeconomic environment.
In addition, in Brussels on Wednesday, Antonio D'Amato, President of Confindustria (Italy) presented Commissioners Mario Monti, Erkii Liikanen and Loyola de Palacio with proposals of the Italian employers in view of Barcelona. He stressed that flexibility was the key to European competitiveness, and pleaded in favour of "a real opening of the energy and labour markets"