Brussels, 24/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - In its EPC Dialogue series, the European Policy Forum (EPC) organised a seminar on 22 April on "The Lisbon Strategy - Now and After Barcelona", chaired by Hywel Ceri Jones.
One of the main artisans of this strategy, Prof. Maria Joaoao Rodrigues (currently - and among other European functions - Special Advisor to President Romano Prodi), considered that "the outlines of this strategy are now fairly clear and cover the economic, social and environmental dimensions", while insisting on the need to "retain this balance". In addition, "the different policies that comprise the Lisbon Strategy are now taking detailed form at national level. That's why the boat is sailing in the right direction and we have guarantees that that will continue. Of course, a strategy is always subject to interpretation and different political readings", declared Ms. Rodrigues in substance. Regarding the guarantees for the future, she notes that "there are clear landmarks; we must also avoid adding too many additional elements as the policies are already sufficiently detailed. We must therefore grant priority to the local and national guidelines, and clearly demonstrate to citizens that this strategy is gradually changing their living and working conditions". She explained, for example, that "that's the case when one observes the different applications of information technologies in schools, companies, public services, as well as increased co-operation between European researchers, emulation between Member States to facilitate entrepreneurship and the workings of SMEs, the package on financial markets, national action plans to combat social exclusion and poverty in the EU, close co-operation between governments and social partners to assure and disseminate lifelong learning". She did, however, add that citizens must be better informed so that they understand "the real effects of European integration and the Lisbon Strategy". Ms. Rodrigues recalled that the Lisbon Strategy was inspired by the example of Jacques Delors and his White Paper on competitiveness and employment, and considered that "an economic and social strategy of European values needed updating in the future".
The Commissioner responsible for company policy and the information society, Erkki Liikanen, for his part, stressed the need, in future, "to have better regulation to protect citizens and their environment". The next stage will be made up of an action plan, to be presented to the Seville summit and which comprises four priorities: 1) improving the preparation of new legislation; 2) simplification and improvements of existing texts; 3) better transposition and implementation of European legislation in Member States; 4) the setting up of a new culture of regulation.
As for the tax aspect of the Lisbon Strategy, Graham Bishop (financial advisor) presented the Action Plan of the European Commission's financial services for which the Barcelona Summit allowed for new advances. Hans Martens (Martens International Consulting) turned to the problem of entrepreneurship (tax, Internet connection, etc.), as did Nick Clegg MEP (British, Liberal), whereas Klaus Wienke (Director of the "Taxes" department of the Aventis group) announced the holding of a European conference on company taxation, organised by the European Commission on 29 and 30 April.