In response to increasing public concern on climate change, ageing population and social exclusion, EU heads of state and government said they had agreed to shift the Lisbon Agenda away from its purely "growth and jobs" focus of the past three years and to put the environment and citizens more "in the foreground".
The move marks a turnaround from the last revision of the strategy, in 2005, when the social and environment pillars were broadly set-aside to nurture the bloc’s stagnating economy. But following two years of solid economic growth and job creation, EU leaders say it is time to pay more attention to the other challenges facing the bloc.
"The new emphases of the strategy are, in essence, heightened concern for citizens and social issues, the response to climate change, and a more modern view of innovation and creativity," read a statement from the Slovenian EU Presidency after the meeting.
Key missions for the member states include solving the bloc’s skills shortage, notably by drawing up national action plans to reduce the number of early school leavers and improve basic reading skills, as well as through a common EU policy on migration.
The European Council also called on the Commission to "present a comprehensive assessment of the future skills requirements in Europe up to 2020, taking account of the impacts of technological change and ageing populations". The aim is to better anticipate future needs of industry – notably in the area of climate and energy-efficient technologies – seen as a key business opportunity in the future.
However, the Summit also stressed that, "given the increasing uncertainty about the international economic environment, we need to proceed resolutely with reforms". These include the pursuit of innovation and research objectives, with the removal of barriers to the free movement of knowledge by creating a "fifth freedom" (EurActiv 17/3/08), as well as the implementation of the "flexicurity" principle when reforming labour markets (see our LinksDossier on Flexicurity).
Leaders also agreed to continue in their drive to reduce administrative burdens placed on businesses and to cut red tape hindering them from operating across the entire EU market. They said the approval of a "Small Business Act" aimed specifically at helping SMEs access new markets, through improved financing and support measures, would be a top priority.
