Brussels, 27/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 28 January, the European Commission will examine progress made by member states in the implementation of priorities they themselves defined for the Lisbon strategy.
In December, the Commission adopted several elements from the “Lisbon package” (EUROPE 9805) but postponed this examination in an effort to gauge the updated stability and convergence plans containing measures implemented at a national level (most were sent in at the end of last year). This is one way of avoiding any overload of member states with recommendations immediately after approval by the European Council of the European recovery plan. Assessment will be made by the Commission on Wednesday, but will ultimately not include a detailed analysis of the stability and convergence programmes. As already indicated by the commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, Joaquin Almunia, in his presentation of the most recent economic forecasts, these programmes, will not be approved by the College until 18 February (EUROPE 9821).
By publishing its recommendations now, the Commission, nonetheless, wants to remind member states of the importance of pursuing reforms, despite the economic and financial crisis. Certain structural reforms are necessary in the long term and could prove, according to the Commission, profitable in the short term. It is therefore hoping that governments will be attentive to its message once they put the different elements in their economic rescue plans into place. The Commission's draft recommendations will be discussed by ministers before being ratified by the Spring European Council (19-20 March 2009) and will also highlight the durability of public funding and flexicurity. (A.B./transl.rh)