Brussels, 24/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 23 January, the Eurochambres network informed the press of the results of the survey among Chambers of Commerce in the 25 Member States, asking them to assess their respective National Reform Programmes (NRP) from a business point of view. NRPs were presented by Member States at the end of last year in the context of the revised Lisbon Strategy. Generally speaking, the European business world deplores the lack of government involvement and considers these programmes inadequate. In a press release, Pierre Simon, Eurochambres President, described the programmes as “disappointing” (see EUROPE 9115 on the presentation of the European Commission's assessment report, on Wednesday). According to Eurochambres, the Member States were able to identify the main obstacles and challenges facing them in the future but their programmes will bring only limited improvement, without radical qualitative change. In particular, 80% of Chambers of Commerce believe that the NRPs will have only a weak impact on economic growth. When it comes to employment, 17 Chambers of Commerce expect moderate improvement, whereas six consider NRPs wll have no impact whatsoever, or could even entail job losses.
Arnaldo Abruzzini, General Secretary of Eurochambres, believes what is lacking is “true commitment on the part of Member States” to implement reforms. He therefore calls on them to assume their responsibilities while stressing that European institutions must play a role of arbiter and take the necessary sanctions when they consider that reforms have not been correctly implemented. In his view, Member States must feel pressure being put on them.