Brussels, 20/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - In their letters to their colleagues before the Spring Summit of 20 and 21 March, the presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission urge the Fifteen to keep the Lisbon strategy on track despite the current economic difficulties and the war in Iraq (see previous pages).
Costas Simitis thus affirms that, in this "exceptionally difficult and changing international economic and political environment", it is "imperative that we confirm and strengthen our policies for economic and social reform and for a Europe of sustainable development, which creates wealth, prosperity and jobs". Mr Simitis "would like us, during our meeting, to look back over our three years of experience, noting our difficulties, but also our successes: the opening-up and the integration of European markets, the boosting of entrepreneurship and innovation, the promotion of employment and the strengthening of social cohesion and our policies on the environment and sustainable development".
Romano Prodi also stresses the context in which the European Council is taking place: military operations in Iraq (which "will not spell the end of the fight against international terrorism"), the situation in the Middle East, and the "dramatic spectacle of poverty and exclusion across the world" which is still before our eyes, and the "mix is growing more explosive by the day". He considers that, in these days of tension, "our unity is basically what Europe's citizens are demanding". He said he deliberately uses the term "Europe's citizens" as the opinions that they are currently expressing are "clearer proof of a European identity than complicated political and institutional blueprints. They are showing a united front and we must show we are united too". Regarding the Lisbon process, Mr Prodi recognises that "clearly all this will now be more difficult" but he says one must not renounce a "process we have taken such pains to develop". He insisted on employment, innovation, the entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge, a timetable to "reach final agreement ahead of the 2004 Spring European Council on key remaining Lisbon reforms" (railways, energy markets, a Single European sky, financial markets, procurement markets, the information society, temporary agency workers, crossborder social security rules, bio-fuels, energy taxation, liability for environmental damage and climate change), and support strengthening coordination of budgetary policies.
The Summit strictly speaking is expected to end on Friday at about 13h00, followed by separate lunches with the Heads of State, Foreign Ministers and the Finance Ministers of the ten accession countries and three candidate countries.
On Friday afternoon, the Commission will hold a special meeting, devoted to the summit and to Iraq.