European structural policies must be geared mainly to creating jobs and new activities, whilst respecting the general principles governing the Structural Funds' reform. The Community financial instruments targeting SMEs should in particular be deployed to this end. The political go-ahead must be given for the process of selecting pilot regions or towns prepared to take part in a territorial employment pact. The aim would be to initiate and develop political impetus at local level to pursue economic goals and to create employment without setting up any new structures. Public opinion, and the world of economics and finance, have increasing confidence in EMU and now acknowledge the importance of a stable macroeconomic framework for combating unemployment.
Politicians are more determined than ever to impose budget discipline.
However, the improvement in the employment situation will be slight. Efforts must continue, especially towards using the Dublin European Council as an opportunity to reach agreement on the legal framework for the Euro, the relations between the ins and the outs, and the Stability Pact. There should also be an information campaign about the Euro. While the prospects for some decisions concerning the internal market are still uncertain, the SME multiannual programme should be adopted. The Commission will present a report to the Dublin European Council on the obstacles to the market for services, carry out an in-depth examination of closer coordination of fiscal policy in Europe and draw up a second action plan for creating the information society.