Est. 2min 28-01-2005 (updated: 05-06-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The Commission’s second implementation report on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) for 2003-2005 shows little progress towards the Lisbon goals. The Commission’s second implementation report on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) for 2003-2005 shows encouraging progress on some areas in Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK. In rest of the member states the progress towards reaching the Lisbon objectives has been rather limited. In 2004, respecting the policy guidelines seem to have been particularly difficult: one third of the member states have deficits exceeding 3 per cent of the GDP, increasing the average nominal deficit in the EU25 to nearly 3 per cent of GDP. long-term sustainability of public finances is not secured in the majority of the member states the progress is clearly insufficient to reach all employment targets set for 2005/2010 only few member states took measures to enhance the flexibility of the labour markets productivity growth has slowed down the pace of internal market integration has slowed down only gradual progress towards the ‘knowledge-based economy’ the target of investing 3% of GDP in research by 2010 will not be reached (except in Sweden and Finland where it is already the case) progress towards social sustainability limited However, progress has been made on the following points: successful progress towards labour market reforms in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland and Austria progress in liberalisation of network industries more efficient competition policies progress in financial market integration climate for doing business improved actions towards improving environmental sustainability taken A Joint Employment Report for 2004-2005, also adopted on 27 January 2005, shows little progress towards the three objectives of the European employment strategy: full employment, improving quality and productivity at work, and strengthening social cohesion and inclusion. The current employment rate in the EU is 63%, falling short of the Lisbon target of 70% in 2010. Read more with Euractiv Dutch Presidency disappoints social NGOsThe Dutch "failed to anchor issues such as the fight against poverty, non-discrimination and social inclusion to a clear human rights agenda", claim NGOs. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters BackgroundIn 2003 the Council adopted Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) for 2003-2005. BEPGs set out the EU’s medium term economic policy strategy to make Europe more competitive. The second implementation report on the BEPGs, published on 27 January 2005, concentrates on policy measures taken in the field since 2003 and includes, for the first time, the new member states in 2004. This report on BEPGs is part of the 'implementation package' measuring the progress towards the Lisbon targets. The implementation package includes also a Joint Employment Report (JER) and the Implementation report on the Internal Market Strategy. This package of three reports provides essential background information for the Commission's 2005 Spring Report and the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy. TimelineThe Spring European Council will take place in 22-23 March 2005. Further ReadingEU official documents Kommission:Implementation Reports on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines Kommission:Broad Economic Policy Guidelines Kommission:Gemeinsamer Beschäftigungsbericht: Kommission, Pressemitteilung:Joint Employment Report (JER) – Frequently Asked Questions(27. Januar 2005) Kommission:Europäische Beschäftigungsstrategie Time-saving Overviews Die Strategie von Lissabon [DE] Wachstum und Beschäftigung: Neubelebung der Lissabon-Strategie [DE]
