In a new report presented on 1 February 2005, the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (PSE) is calling for a "more sophisticated understanding of competitiveness, which recognises the interdependence of economy, society and environment". The report, entitled 'A Europe of excellence', was prepared by a team of policy experts led by PSE vice-presidents Harlem Désir and Robert Goebbels. It sets out 33 'new' ideas to revitalise the Lisbon Strategy.
The report starts from the observation that "the essence of the Lisbon Strategy is the interdependence of economic, social and environmental progress". It points to the 'Nordic Route to excellence" with countries like Finland, Sweden and Denmark reaching top scores in the annual "Global Competitiveness Report" of the World Economic Forum. The Socialists in the EP see "two models" for answering the challenges of the 21st century. Europe should base "its competitive strategy on excellence, on the high quality of its infrastructure, its public services, its environment, its welfare systems, its workforce, its labour markets, its companies and much more", states the report.
Here are just some of the concrete 'new' proposals offered as alternatives to the Commission's plans:
- new and better use of financial resources;
- more investment in education, training and research (member states to quantify budget increases for education spending and national plans for raising R&D to 3% of national income, national strategies for lifelong learning);
- fast adoption of Community Patent;
- rapid establishment of European Research Council and European Innovation Area;
- more funding for research into environmental technologies;
- reform of the Stability and Growth Pact, with a common definition of 'intelligent investment';
- leaner and simpler reporting;
- naming and shaming of laggards in implementing Lisbon reforms;
- new action plan for gender equality;
- a European approach for managing migration;
- national timetables for implementation of the Environmental Technology Action Plan;
- timetable for Integrated Product Policy;
- by end of 2005 ambitious proposals for sustainable energy policies;
- smooth adoption of REACH;
- joint action for sustainable transport;
- member states' plans for greening public procurement;
- fundamental reconsideration of liberalisation of services;
- new Internal Market Strategy 2007-2010;
- timetable for implementation of action plan on enterprise and charter for small business.
