Brussels, 20/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 September in Brussels, the meeting of the Lisbon Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the theme “Renewed Lisbon Strategy: Spring 2006-Spring 2008” highlighted the contribution of the EESC and national economic and social councils to the conception and implementation of the Lisbon Strategy. Their work, in which the civil society was involved, underlined the need for a “greener” Lisbon strategy, better communication with the citizens of Europe in general, and global markets for all businesses and especially SMEs, so that they might benefit from the dynamic environment and improve consistency between the EU's internal and external agendas.
Maria Joao Rodrigues, the special advisor for the Portuguese prime minister in the context of the EU Council presidency, pointed out that the EU presidency firmly intended to reach an agreement on the treaty during the informal October summit in Lisbon and that it would probably add a second theme to the points to be discussed for the new Lisbon agenda, including the international dimension. Conclusions on this new round will be adopted at the European summit in December. The Portuguese EU presidency takes the view that the main architecture of the strategy (integrated economy and employment guidelines) should be maintained because “it is clear”. These guidelines must be included in the national reform programmes. As far as future prospects are concerned, Ms Rodrigues said they were faced with three challenges: 1) climate change which has now become a threat. The Lisbon strategy must become “greener” and place emphasis on environmental and energy issues; (2) employment and demographic problems; and (3) markets that are to become global. Such markets are an “opportunity for Europe, for example because of the investment that they bring”. She went on to say that a new priority for the work in progress was to improve environmental and social standards at global level. She went on to point out that, with this in mind, the presidency would prepare summits with China, India and Brazil. “If we have a Treaty, Europe will have more means to act internationally”, she said.
Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Mr de Graaf gave the Commission's assessment: (1) the Lisbon strategy was beginning to bear fruit: there were paradigm changes at local and regional levels in terms of growth; (2) the most difficult reforms (the labour market, the single market, social issues) had been started; (3) all the instruments needed to improve the situation were in place: integrated guidelines and national reform programmes, structural funds. What was needed now was consensus on the objectives to be sought: “What should we do? Where should Europe be in 2010?” These were the questions asked by the document being prepared by the Commission to be published on 3 October. The Commission, in its document, believes that there should be no more than four priorities: (1) research and innovation; (2) a dynamic environment on the world scene for businesses, particularly SMEs; (3) employability; (4) energy and climate change. “What is needed is a greener Lisbon strategy and investment in social areas: education, qualifications, demographics, emigration, business environment,” de Graaf added, indicating that this document would be on the table at the European summit on 15-16 March 208, under the Slovenian presidency of the EU. He said that there had to be better communication to involve citizens in European policies. “The role of the EESC is key,” he said.
In response to various speakers, Maria Joao Rodrigues said: (1) “we are lagging behind” on citizen involvement and communication; the Committee is likely to send “a strong message to the European Council to give it the means needed to communicate better”; (2) there was delay, too, on skills: “We have to concentrate on the qualifications needed for innovation and organise action at sectoral level linking civil society, research institutes, universities etc. There has to be a strong link between research, competitiveness and innovation”; (3) social inclusion: “The Council of Ministers and stakeholders must develop an active approach to social inclusion, that is, involvement in the labour market, access to public services and basic income”; (4) how can one have a budget that takes greater account of the future of the Lisbon strategy?. “… by working more with the EIB and the Stability and Growth Pact”. (gb)