A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS

: It is vital for the Union's credibility that implementation of the Lisbon strategy be monitored at the highest level, point by point - Political barriers to the Community Patent and public procurement

Romano Prod's warning is justified. It was at a very appropriate time that the Commission president drew the attention of Council President Louis Michel, European Parliament President Nicole Fontaine and of all the Heads of Government individually on the delays that have come about in implementing the "Lisbon strategy", specified exactly one year later with the "Stockholm priorities" and completed in Gothenburg by the sustainable development strategy. Who had not given enthusiastic applause...