Annex: The Government's summary
of the Commission's recommendations and assessments for each Member
State and for the eurozone Member States collectively.
"Belgium: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Belgium should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
the tax burden on labour; competition in gas and electricity markets;
and, flexicurity. In its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the following
challenges also remain important for Belgium: long-term sustainability
of public finances, R&D performance, and Belgium's wage development
in relation to its neighbours.
"Bulgaria: in the Recommendation for
a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Bulgaria
should pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the
areas of the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration;
fiscal policy; cutting red tape; and, flexicurity. In its more
detailed overview of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside
the Recommendation, the following challenges also remain important
for Bulgaria: long-term sustainability of public finances, effective
powers of the competition and other regulatory authorities, R&D
performance, undeclared work; adult participation in training,
and energy efficiency.
"Czech Republic: in the Recommendation
for a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that the
Czech Republic should pursue the implementation of structural
reforms in the areas of the long-term sustainability of public
finances, pension & healthcare reforms; R&D performance;
and, flexicurity. In its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the following
challenges also remain important for the Czech Republic: the protection
and enforcement of intellectual property rights, ICT, access to
finance for innovative companies, implementation and application
of EU legislation; position of disadvantaged groups on the labour
market, gender pay gap, and regional labour market mobility.
"Denmark: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission makes no suggestions for
Denmark. However, in its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that the following challenges remain important
for Denmark: labour market participation and hours worked, incentives
to work, maintain older workers in employment and improve the
integration of people with a migrant background into the labour
market; primary and secondary education, competition, and the
Kyoto target for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
"Germany: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Germany should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
competition in services; and, the efficiency and effectiveness
of job placement services and integration of low-skilled and long-term
unemployed into labour market. In its more detailed overview of
progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation,
the following challenges also remain important for Germany: the
long-term fiscal sustainability of public finances, competition
in the gas and electricity networks, one-stop-shops, and the outcome
of the education system, especially those with a migrant background.
"Estonia: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Estonia should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
labour law and the efficiency of public employment services. In
its more detailed overview of progress, the Commission suggests
that, alongside the Recommendation, the following challenges also
remain important for Estonia: macro-economic stability and inflation,
through adequate structural reforms and determined fiscal policy;
external competitiveness; translation of R&D results into
innovative services or products; launching the new immunity and
leniency programme and strengthening competition enforcement;
active labour market policies and the supply of skilled labour.
"Ireland: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Ireland should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
fiscal sustainability and medium-term growth. In its more detailed
overview of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside
the Recommendation, the following challenges also remain important
for Ireland: pension arrangements, investment in energy and transport
infrastructure, foster competition in the retailing sector, childcare
infrastructure, labour market integration of disadvantaged groups,
and training support to older and low-skilled workers.
"Greece: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Greece should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
fiscal consolidation; competition in professional services; the
reform of public administration; and, flexicurity. In its more
detailed overview of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside
the Recommendation, the following challenges also remain important
for Greece: one-stop-shops and start-up times, competition in
professional services, solid and water waste management, female
participation in employment, and a coherent active ageing strategy.
"Spain: in the Recommendation for a Council
Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Spain should pursue
the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of employment
and skills; the implementation of education reforms; and, competition
in services and electricity. In its more detailed overview of
progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation,
the following challenges also remain important for Spain: pension
and healthcare reforms, greenhouse gas emissions, attractiveness
of part-time work, and integrate immigrants into the labour market.
"France: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that France should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
budgetary consolidation and debt reduction; competition in network
industries, professions & services; and, flexicurity. In its
more detailed overview of progress, the Commission suggests that,
alongside the Recommendation, the following challenges also remain
important for France: better regulation policies, participation
of older workers, and making work pay.
"Italy: in the Recommendation for a Council
Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Italy should pursue
the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of fiscal
consolidation; competition in product and services markets; productivity
through education; and, flexicurity. In its more detailed overview
of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation,
the following challenges also remain important for Italy: R&D
efficiency and spending, greenhouse gas emissions, quality of
regulation, the effectiveness and efficiency of public administration,
infrastructure, labour market participation of women, employment
of older workers, and alignment of wage and productivity developments.
"Cyprus: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Cyprus should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the area of
lifelong learning. In its more detailed overview of progress,
the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the
following challenges also remain important for Cyprus: health
care reform, current account developments, gender pay gap; competition
in professional services; private sector R&D, and broadband.
"Latvia: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Latvia should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
fiscal policy; wage moderation; flexicurity; and R&D&I
policy integration. In its more detailed overview of progress,
the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the
following challenges also remain important for Latvia: the regulatory
environment, financial incentives to work, and take-up of ICT.
"Lithuania: in the Recommendation for
a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Lithuania
should pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the
areas of fiscal policy; external competitiveness and wage developments;
reform of the R&D&I system; and, reform of education and
training systems. In its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the following
challenges also remain important for Lithuania: better regulation,
regional labour mobility, availability of childcare, and occupational
health and safety.
"Luxembourg: in the Recommendation for
a Council Recommendation, the Commission makes no suggestions
for Luxembourg. However, in its more detailed overview of progress,
the Commission suggests that the following challenges remain important
for Luxembourg: pension system reform, early school leaving, unemployment
amongst the young, strengthening competitive markets, transposition
of EU legislation, and greenhouse gas emissions.
"Hungary: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Hungary should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
deficit and debt reduction; the reform of public administration,
healthcare, pension and education systems to ensure long-term
sustainability; active labour market policies; and, skills. In
its more detailed overview of progress, the Commission suggests
that, alongside the Recommendation, the following challenges also
remain important for Hungary: R&D performance, state aids,
the regulatory environment, incentives to work and to remain in
the labour market, the employment and social services system,
and undeclared work.
"Malta: in the Recommendation for a Council
Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Malta should pursue
the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of strengthening
competition; and, attracting more people (particularly women and
older workers) into the labour market. In its more detailed overview
of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation,
the following challenges also remain important for Malta: fiscal
consolidation, healthcare reform, regulatory environment, diversify
its energy dependence, educational attainment and early school
leaving, and lifelong learning.
"The Netherlands: in the Recommendation
for a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that the
Netherlands should pursue the implementation of structural reforms
in the area of improving the labour supply of women, older workers
and disadvantaged groups to raise hours worked. In its more detailed
overview of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside
the Recommendation, R&D performance also remains an important
challenge for the Netherlands.
"Austria: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Austria should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the area of
improving incentives for older workers and education outcomes
for disadvantaged youth. In its more detailed overview of progress,
the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the
following challenges also remain important for Austria: fiscal
adjustment; supply of skilled workers at all levels, competition
in services, in particular professional services and the retail
sector; emission reduction policies; and female labour market
participation.
"Poland: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Poland should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
budgetary discipline; reform of public research sector; energy
and transport infrastructure investment; and, flexicurity. In
its more detailed overview of progress, the Commission suggests
that, alongside the Recommendation, the following challenges also
remain important for Poland: competition in network industries,
the business environment, transposition of internal market legislation,
education and training systems, and childcare facilities.
"Portugal: in the Recommendation for
a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Portugal
should pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the
areas of the quality of public finances for growth and competitiveness;
the efficiency of education and training systems relevant to labour
market needs; and, the modernisation of employment protection
legislation. In its more detailed overview of progress, the Commission
suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the following challenges
also remain important for Portugal: unit labour cost developments,
long-term fiscal sustainability, continued implementation of the
technological plan, the liberalisation of the energy sector; regulatory
environment, and social cohesion.
"Romania: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Romania should
pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the areas of
strengthening the efficiency, effectiveness and independence of
public administration; fiscal policy; reducing administrative
procedures and delays; and, education and training systems relevant
to labour market. In its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the following
challenges also remain important for Romania: the long-term sustainability
of public finances, R&D performance, infrastructure, public
employment services, and energy efficiency.
"Slovenia: in the Recommendation for
a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Slovenia
should pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the
areas of the reform of the pension system and promotion of active
ageing; and, countering labour market segmentation and reviewing
employment protection legislation. In its more detailed overview
of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation,
the following challenges also remain important for Slovenia: wage
growth in excess of productivity improvements, competition in
the services sector, the national research and innovation strategy,
energy efficiency, the link between the education system and the
labour market, and the system of social transfers and the tax
wedge on low paid.
"Slovakia: in the Recommendation for
a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that Slovakia
should pursue the implementation of structural reforms in the
areas of fiscal consolidation, including the reallocation of resources
to R&D&I; a comprehensive better regulation strategy;
and, flexicurity. In its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that, alongside the Recommendation, the following
challenges also remain important for Slovakia: broadband infrastructure
and ICT take-up, competition, in particular in the gas and electricity;
and gender pay and employment gaps.
"Finland: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission makes no suggestions for
Finland. However, in its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that the following challenges remain important
for Finland: competition in services, energy efficiency, and the
mismatch between labour supply and demand, with a particular emphasis
on increasing the participation of the young, migrants and the
low skilled.
"Sweden: in the Recommendation for a
Council Recommendation, the Commission makes no suggestions for
Sweden. However, in its more detailed overview of progress, the
Commission suggests that the following challenges remain important
for Sweden: recent reforms to increase work incentives, youth
unemployment, the employment rate of people with a migrant background,
and to reintegration of people on sickness-related schemes.
"United Kingdom: in the Recommendation
for a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that the
United Kingdom should pursue the implementation of structural
reforms in the areas of medium-term fiscal sustainability; and,
the implementation of plans to improve skill levels and establish
an integrated approach to employment and skills. In its more detailed
overview of progress, the Commission suggests that, alongside
the Recommendation, the following challenges also remain important
for the United Kingdom: R&D intensity and increasing housing
supply in order to meet medium- to long-term demand pressures.
"Euro Area Member States: in the Recommendation
for a Council Recommendation, the Commission suggests that the
Euro Area Member States should pursue the implementation of structural
reforms in the areas of the implementation of EU financial services
legislation and crisis prevention cooperation; fiscal sustainability;
improving the quality of public finances; and, flexicurity. In
its more detailed overview of progress, the Commission suggests
that, alongside the Recommendation, the following challenges also
remain important for the Euro Area Member States: sustainability
of public finances and their contribution to growth, competition
in product markets, especially in the energy sector and retail
services in order to curb inflationary pressure, stability and
integration on financial markets, flexicurity on labour markets
in accordance with the agreed common principles and more labour
mobility in order to foster labour market adjustment and adequate
wage developments in line with productivity developments with
a view to price stability, employment and competitiveness."
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