Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs

In March 2000 the Heads of State or Government of the Member States agreed on the following objective within the framework of the EU Summit in Lisbon: "By 2010 the European Union must become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion." In 2001 the aspects of environment and sustainable development were added by the European Council in Göteborg.

At the Lisbon Summit the Heads of State or Government also agreed to assess the progress made on the path towards their objectives at the regular meetings of the Heads of State or Government in spring. Since then the European Council within the framework of its annual Spring Summit has discussed matters relating to the Lisbon process, has evaluated the progress made by the Union and the Member States and has decided upon further measures to reach the objectives. The analysis and setting of priorities are based on reports submitted by the European Commission.

Upon the recommendation of the Spring Summit of March 2004 a high-level group of independent experts chaired by the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Wim Kok, was set up to review the implementation of the Lisbon strategy. On the basis of the suggestions contained in the report submitted by this group and the recommendations of the spring report of the European Commission it was decided at the 2005 Spring Summit within the framework of the mid-term review to relaunch the Lisbon strategy by refocusing on growth and employment. Furthermore, the Heads of State or Government agreed on a better coordination of measures to implement the strategy: As a consequence, Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs were for the first time in July 2005 elaborated for the period 2005 - 2008.

Taking account of the Integrated Guidelines, the Member States against the background of the schedule proposed by the Commission by autumn 2005 drew up national reform programmes, which take the specific situations of the Member States into consideration. In 2005 the European Commission also submitted a Community Lisbon Programme, which comprises all measures to be taken at the Community level. Apart from a clearer focusing, the new Lisbon strategy is characterised by a better assignment of competences and responsibilities in accordance with the partnership principle.

At the 2006 Spring Summit the refocusing of the Lisbon strategy on growth and employment was confirmed and measures were adopted especially in four fields of action: the exploitation of the business potential, the improvement of  employment opportunities for special groups of the population, European energy policy as well as knowledge and innovation.

Just like other Member States, the German Federal Government elaborated its implementation report as announced in its national reform programme and submitted it to the Commission on 16 October 2006. It was discussed with associations and in both the Bundestag and Bundesrat.

On 12 December 2006 the Commission submitted its Annual Progress Report, which evaluates the implementation progress made in all Member States and proposes new measures to be taken by the Community and the Member States. The annual progress reports are the basis for the further preparation of the consultations of the Heads of State or Government in March.

This year's Spring Summit will take place on 8 and 9 March 2007 in Brussels; according to the present plans it will focus on better regulation, energy and climate protection.

Links:

Further information: www.eu2007-wirtschaft.de and www.bmwi.de.
The Commission's Annual Progress Report:  http://ec.europa.eu/growthandjobs/index_de.htm.