Resolution of the European Economic and Social Committee on The implementation of the renewed Lisbon Strategy
Date: 2007-02-15
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EU policy, economic growth, employment policy, macroeconomics, non-profit organisation, voluntary organisation

28.4.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 97/39

Resolution of the European Economic and Social Committee on The implementation of the
renewed Lisbon Strategy

(2007/C 97/13)

On 23-24 March 2006 in its Presidency Conclusions (point 12)
the European Council welcomed the initiative taken up by the
European Economic and Social Committee to increase owner-
ship of the Lisbon Strategy at Community level. It encouraged
the European Economic and Social Committee to continue its
work and asked it to prepare a summary report in support of
the Partnership for growth and employment by early 2008. This
resolution sets out the EESC's position on the renewed Lisbon
Strategy and its work on this issue.

1.3
The EESC fully endorses greater focus on the renewed
strategy. This summer, the EESC will present four information
reports on Investment in knowledge and innovation, Business poten-
tial, especially with regard to SMEs, Employment of priority categories
and An Energy Policy for Europe as a basis for its 2008 Summary
Report to the European Council. These reports will be drafted in
close cooperation with National Economic and Social Councils
and similar bodies representing civil society.

The implementation of the renewed Lisbon Strategy

At its Bureau meeting of 14 February 2007, the European
Economic and Social Committee decided to present a resolution
to the Spring Summit. At
its plenary session on 15 and
16 February 2007 (meeting of 15 February 2007), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted this resolution by
125 votes for with 10 abstentions

The European Economic

1.
and Social Committee
(EESC) welcomes the European Commission's follow-up of
the National Reform Programmes (NRPs) presented by the
Member States. However, the EESC fears that the relaunch
of the Lisbon Strategy in 2005 has still not succeeded in
ensuring popular knowledge of, and support
the
Strategy. The EESC stresses that political ownership by
Member States of commitments jointly agreed in the
Council is key. In addition to the above responsibilities of
Member States, efficient partnerships and new alliances
with social partners and civil society are needed. Effective
multi-level governance, including stakeholder consultation,
which is to be closely monitored by the European Commis-
sion, must be guaranteed.

for,

full

that

implementation of

The EESC stresses

1.4
the
renewed Lisbon Strategy implies a coordinated macroeconomic
policy which actively promotes growth and employment. The
current positive economic outlook should not undermine the
ambitions of the Council regarding the implementation of the
Strategy. Interdependence between national economies means
that structural reforms should be implemented from a European
perspective. The NRPs should, therefore, be incorporated into a
pan-European macroeconomic policy framework to which all
concerned parties should contribute. The global context must
continuously be taken into consideration.

The EESC stresses

1.5
that continued industrial change,
quality of work and quality of life should be ensured in parallel.
The aim should be a symbiosis of competitiveness, social cohe-
sion and sustainable development. In working towards this aim,
Europe and Member States must decode the message of the
renewed Lisbon Strategy in such a way that the grassroots level
can obtain a clear understanding of the objectives. This requires
effective communication, which, so far, has been lacking.

The EESC considers the whole strategy to be a
2.
dynamic process which requires constant
fine-tuning
within the Member States and the Council, and with the
European Commission.
the
In order
following issues need to be addressed:

to achieve this,

1.1
The EESC believes that the current method of assessment
should be complemented by transparent benchmarking of
Member States' performances with regard to implementation of
the Strategy. To this end, tailor-made recommendations for each
Member State should lead to focused discussion and, possibly,
review in the Council, so that key areas for future action can be
identified.

The EESC is of the opinion that in defining and imple-
1.2
menting the NRPs, timely consultations with organised civil
society must be carried out at national level so that all parties
concerned take responsibility for
the process in pursuit of
genuine partnership and involvement. National Economic and
Social Councils, and similar bodies, should have an important
role to play in the countries where they exist.

2.1

At national and regional levels:

— Lisbon-related priorities, including accompanying resources,
should be identified more clearly in the national budgets;

— the whole chain of educational and training systems should
be scrutinised and the contents, in terms of general educa-
tion and scientific and technical training, should be of the
highest possible level so as to enable people to adjust to
changes in the environment and to foster citizens's participa-
tion, higher quality jobs, entrepreneurship and innovation;

— demographic change, and its effects on finances, the labour

market and health care, need to be addressed;

C 97/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

28.4.2007

— innovative labour market reform should be guided by flexi-
curity provisions which promote competitiveness and at the
same time provide adequate social security;

financial tools, such as the Competitiveness and Innovation
Framework Programme, should target the Lisbon Strategy's
priorities;

— the Barcelona targets for R&D investment should be met;

— Member States need to make efficient use of exchanges of
fostering

best practice, which also have the benefit of
convergence of goals across Europe.

2.2

At European level:

— the Council and the Commission should set timetables and

deadlines for agreed priorities;

— a common energy policy is needed;

— addressing climate change is of great importance;

— the European Funds (the Regional Fund, the Social Fund and
the 7th Research Framework Programme) and other EU

2.3

All levels require:

— more specific and concrete cooperation with social partners
and other stakeholders in the formulation of policies and
follow-up related to the Lisbon Strategy;

— a better regulation agenda and a well-functioning internal
social and environmental

market, addressing economic,
development objectives in the context of global changes.

3.
The EESC urges the European Council to give its full
support to the approach outlined above and to involve
organised civil society as a more active player in the imple-
mentation of the renewed Lisbon Strategy.

Brussels, 15 February 2007.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS