Brussels, 19/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) issued on 18 October in Brussels its report entitled: "Time for a Fresh Start - Recommendations for the 2005 Lisbon Review". Arnaldo Abruzzini, Eurochambres Secretary General, told the press that, after four years of lethargy, it is necessary to "give a fresh start to the Lisbon process" so that, in 2010, Europe becomes competitive on the global scene. "That is our goal", he said, adding: "The message of European business is clear: political decision-makers must provide a stable and sound economic climate by putting the economy first over the next five years. The three pillars of European sustainable development - economy, social model and environment - should be in balance. But they are not". He launched a vibrant appeal: "The three pillars need to be rebalanced in favour of the economy. This is also the guarantee that our social systems and environmental well-being remain sustainable in the longer run". Just a few days from Wim Kok's presentation of his Group's report on mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy (3 November at the European Commission and 4 November before European social partners), Eurochambres hopes the Kok report will emphasise the need for economic focus and "sincerely hopes that the political vision of 'Lisbon' is turned into practical, tangible benefits for European businesses and citizens".
Eurochambres has called on its member organisations to rank the six chapters of the Lisbon agenda (general economic background; employment; innovation, research and knowledge society; economic reform; social cohesion and environment) in order of importance according to their own national priorities, and to identify the reforms that it considers the most urgent. Responses contained in the report show that the business world requests focus be placed on the following priorities within each chapter: 1) reduction of overall tax burden (chapter: general economic background); 2) reform of tax and benefit systems to make work pay, to get into or remain in employment (priority for Belgium: employment chapter); 3) improve conditions for public and private investment in knowledge and research (priorities for Austria and Italy - innovation chapter); 4) reform health care and pension systems (priority for Sweden - economic reform chapter); 5) adapt education, schools and training to the knowledge economy (priority for Slovakia - social cohesion chapter); and 6) facilitate/promote investment in clean technologies and energy efficiency (priority for Portugal - environment chapter).
Commenting on these results, Arnaldo Abruzzini insisted on the fact that "indicating a top priority does not imply at all that the others are regarded as unimportant". The report shows that it is necessary to improve decision-making of Member States and that they must accept accountability for the success or failure of the process, Mr Abruzzini insisted. He went on to add: "We need structural reforms which modernise our educational systems, a more flexible and adaptive labour market and a much more entrepreneurial environment with less and better regulation in which entrepreneurial risks are rewarded and are not overloaded with regulations".
The Prime Ministers of the EU25 will each receive letters from the representatives of their national Chambers shedding light on areas where rapid action is required at national level to improve European competitiveness. Leaders in the business world will thus send European political decision-makers the following messages: - there is a lack of political leadership when it comes to the European economic agenda; - no-one - not Member States or the Institutions - has taken the responsibility of making the agenda move forward; - Member States made a commitment in this process as a matter of form, but have not implemented the necessary reforms to make it mean anything; - procedures for putting Lisbon back on track (such as the open coordination method and the deliberations of the Competitiveness Council) have been inadequate.