7 EU policies until 2020
| (31210)
16016/09
COM(09) 647
| Commission Working Document: Consultation on the Future "EU 2020" Strategy
|
| Legal base | — |
| Document originated | 24 November 2009
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| Deposited in Parliament | 11 December 2009
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| Department | HM Treasury |
| Basis of consideration | EM of 6 January 2010
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| Previous Committee Report | None
|
| Discussed in Council | European Council 10-11 December 2009
|
| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | Cleared
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Background
7.1 In 2000 an action plan, known as the Lisbon Agenda or
Lisbon Strategy, was launched to "make Europe, by 2010, the
most competitive and the most dynamic knowledge-based economy
in the world". In 2005 the action plan was relaunched for
the remainder of the decade as the Lisbon Strategy for Jobs and
Growth.
7.2 From time to time, particularly at the start
of a new term of office, the Commission sets out its ideas for
future EU policies generally or for particular areas.
The document
7.3 This Commission Working Document has been
published to seek the views of citizens, organisations and public
authorities on the future "EU 2020" Strategy as a successor
to the current Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs. It sets out
broad proposals for policies over the next ten years intended
to enable the EU to make a full recovery from the economic crisis,
while speeding up the move towards "a smarter, greener economy".
It describes the need for structural reform in the Union, proposes
some policy priorities and highlights possible delivery mechanisms.
7.4 The need for structural reform is attributed
to:
- the threat of unemployment
rising to double digit figures in 2010 — a level not seen
for a decade;
- the need "to shape the next generation of
public policies in a very different set of circumstances";
- a call for "a new sustainable social market
economy, a smarter, greener economy, where our prosperity will
come from innovation and from using resources better, and where
the key input will be knowledge"; and
- the challenge of an ageing society.
The policy priorities proposed are:
- creating value by basing growth
on knowledge;
- empowering people in inclusive societies; and
- creating a competitive, connected and greener
economy.
And the delivery mechanisms highlighted are:
- fully exploiting the single
market;
- setting "EU 2020" in a global context,
for example working with the G20 and the World Trade Organisation;
- supporting growth through full use of the Stability
and Growth Pact;
- reflecting political priorities in public budgets,
including the EU budget; and
- establishing clear governance to make the new
strategy effective.
7.5 The document was sent to the relevant sectoral
Councils on 7 December 2009 and discussed at the European Council
on 10-11 December 2009. The European Council's Conclusions recorded
that it "takes note of the consultation launched by the Commission
on the future strategy and looks forward to discussing an ambitious
proposal as early as possible in 2010 with a view to full discussion
in the European Council, including at its 2010 Spring meeting".[32]
The public consultation is to close on 15 January 2010 and the
Commission intends to present a formal proposal for a strategy
early this year, possibly following an informal European Council
on 11 February 2010, with a view to adoption of the strategy at
the Spring European Council.
The Government's view
7.6 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Ian
Pearson) says that the Government welcomes the Commission's launching
of a public debate on the policies needed to enable the Union
to make a full recovery from the economic crisis and speed up
the move towards "a smarter, greener economy". He notes
that the Working Document:
- "picks up on a number
of the themes that the Prime Minister has been pressing with European
colleagues"; and
- is in line with the call of the December 2010
European Council for an "ambitious and revamped new strategy"
focused on the reforms needed to boost Europe's sustainable growth
potential.
He comments that this focus includes "sustainable
public finances … preserving investment and social welfare,
… inclusive and efficient labour markets", a strengthened
internal market, and external trade and openness, as well as "the
benefits offered by a greener economy, the improvement of the
business climate … and the enhancement of the knowledge base".
He adds that the European Council agreed that further reflection
was needed "on how to improve coordination of economic policies
and … enhance national ownership" and that the Government
will continue to work with EU partners on the details of such
a strategy. Finally the Minister notes that there are no financial
implications at this stage but draws attention to the statement
in the document that "these new priorities need to be reflected
in budgetary policies. The Commission intends to take them up
in the [EU] budget review it will publish next year and in its
proposals for the next multi-annual financial framework".
Conclusion
7.7 Whatever plan is adopted to follow on
from the Lisbon Strategy for Jobs and Growth will be an important
determinant for a range of EU policies in the years up to 2020.
Thus, while we are content to clear this present consultative
document, we are clear that we will wish to recommend the Commission's
formal proposal, once published and deposited, for debate before
the Spring 2010 European Council. Meanwhile, if the Government
decides to respond to the call for comments on the Commission
Working document, we should wish to see the response as soon as
possible.
32 See http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/111877.pdf.
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