Up till now, the approach to implementing the Lisbon Strategy has had limited success. The Commission's proposal is simple, focussed, pragmatic and concrete. A new partnership between the European Commission and the Member States will be established. It shall make the EU more competitive by raising its productivity and by employing more people. Responsibilities for implementing these actions will be clearly assigned between the EU level and national level. To make things simpler and more coherent, there shall be just one national growth programme and one EU growth plan.

The Kok report concluded in November 2004 that little progress had been made over the first five years and recommended to refocus the agenda on growth and employment. It also underlined the need for real ownership by the member states of the reforms needed.

Up till now, the approach to implementing the Lisbon Strategy has had limited success. The Lisbon package consists of 28 main objectives and 120 sub-objectives, with 117 different indicators. The reporting system for 25 Member States adds up to 300 annual reports which clearly no-one reads. Therefore urgent action is now needed to turn this strategy around and concentrate on achieving the central aims of growth and employment.

European Commission, Growth and Jobs
http://europa.eu.int/growthandjobs/index_en.htm

02/02/2005

Commission President Barroso

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Economy knowledge & employment