Brussels, 16/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - At its meeting on Tuesday 16 December, the European Commission discussed a number of points on the Lisbon package, delaying to the adoption of country-specific recommendations until next year. With the current financial crisis, this annual evaluation takes on another dimension, articulating more closely with the recent European recovery plan. Country-specific assessments will, then, not now be published until late (probably in January) to take account of updated stability and convergence programmes containing recovery measures put in place by the member states (these will be submitted by the member states by the end of December).
On Tuesday, the Commission adopted several communications related to coordination of its policies (relating to matching professional qualifications to the labour market and on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training), and also a report on the implementation of the Community Lisbon Programme 2008-2010 and a progress report on the internal market (see related articles). It also adopted a communication on the external dimension of the Lisbon Strategy, identifying the main non-tariff barriers faced by European exporters. To overcome these barriers, it recommends enhancing regulatory cooperation on the economic, social and environmental levels with the countries involved (and especially those which are part of the European Neighbourhood Policy). The Commission also adopted a communication which articulates directly with the European recovery plan, setting out the role of cohesion policy in supporting the real economy (see EUROPE 9792). In it, it provides recommendations on measures to speed up investment, facilitating aid for those affected by the crisis and increasing the availability of finance for SMEs. Lastly, it decided to amend the way the European Globalisation Fund works to ensure it maximises its potential for helping people back into work. As part of the European recovery plan (where one of the 10 priorities relates to employment support - see EUROPE 9791), it, inter alia, extends the length of time aid can be provided, increases the EU's financial contribution and, above all, temporarily widens the scope to include workers who lose their jobs as a result of the economic crisis. (A.B./transl.rt)