Brussels, 02/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the European Economic and Social Committee' (EESC) opinion "Improving Implementation of the Lisbon Strategy" during the October plenary in Brussels, the committee is effectively calling on Heads of State and governments of the EU to respect the commitments taken in Lisbon in March 2000 and is criticising the shortcomings in the implementation by Member States of the objectives in this strategy. Bruno Vever, Medef director (French employers) to the EU is the rapporteur for the opinion, together with Erik Ehnmark (leader of the Swedish SACO unions) and John Simpson (British consultant in economic affairs). Bruno Vever explained that the EESC's opinion states that the revision of the Lisbon strategy has to conform with four demands: 1) this strategy can not be put off, international competition increases daily and it is therefore necessary to react quickly; 2) the Lisbon strategy can only exist if there are minimum international rules; 3) implementation of this strategy should not go against the European social model; 4 the success of this strategy depends on a closer relationship between European, national and regional partners, as well as between countries, social-professional representatives and partners. The EESC is therefor proposing a list of specific actions, which will be submitted to the Spring Summit 2005 for improving implementation of the Lisbon Strategy, namely: 1) helping Member States use the strategy more often; 2) strengthen growth and cohesion; 3) more effective implementation of the internal market; 4) promotion of quality and innovation; 5) reorganisation of social policy; 6) promotion of public-private partnerships for research; 7) more pro-active environmental protection; 8) winning the support of citizens.
Erik Ehnmark explained the need to attach the same importance to social, economic and industrial aspects but added that 1) the Lisbon objectives are always up to date but their implementation on a national level is experiencing delays; 2) this situation is linked to lack of involvement; 3) social policy must be recognised as a prerequisite for competitiveness and productivity; 4) European must develop more macro-economic policies supporting demand; 5) more attention should be given to cultivating the spirit of enterprise and helping SMEs.
The committee is seeking to act as a European forum to help civil society pursue the dialogue on the implementation of this strategy and has stated that it will collaborate even more closely with other similar nation bodies to promote the application of necessary measures.
This opinion will be followed by a declaration to all the presidents of the economic and social councils on a national level, which will be adopted at their meeting on 25-26 November in Luxembourg. On 26-27 January 2005, the committee is organising in Luxembourg (the country will be acting presidency of the EU at the time) a conference with civil society and the presidents of the national economic and social councils. Prime minister Jean-Claud Juncker will chair this conference, announced Italian trade unionist Mario Sepi (who chaired the pilot group set up after the March Summit of 2004 and consisting of Messrs Vever, Ehnmark and Simpson). Sepi added that all these activities were within the scope of the EESC and would involve the mobilisation of civil society in the Lisbon strategy, as well as the constitution.