About: lisbon process

Positive outlook for economic reform and ‘Lisbon II’

Ian Begg, Associate Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), assesses the progress of the Partnership for Growth and Jobs (PGJ, the name of the relaunched ‘Lisbon’ strategy) during the 2006-07 cycle.

French and Germans up in arms over labour reforms

Strikes in two of the EU's biggest economies are directly linked to core measures planned by the French and German governments to meet Lisbon targets. They put a question mark on their ability to implement painful socio-economic reforms.

Barroso: National Lisbon plans a good effort but more needed

Having received national reform programmes on growth and jobs from all member states, the Commission has presented its first annual progress report on the Lisbon strategy. The report is mildly optimistic.

Barroso: National Lisbon plans “a good effort”, but more needed

Having received national reform programmes on growth and jobs from all member states, the Commission has presented its first annual progress report on the Lisbon strategy. The report is mildly optimistic.

Germany and France move closer on economy and taxes

During visits to Berlin, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and Finance Minister Thierry Breton have welcomed German efforts to put an end to the socio-economic depression that the country has been going through.

Lisbon is a simple puzzle for Austrians

With employment and deficit figures that already meet the Lisbon goals and the Growth and Stability Pact criteria respectively, Austria can afford to have an unambitious-sounding Lisbon Action Plan.

Commission has received all but two Lisbon national action plans

Having received, six weeks after the October 2005 deadline, 23 out of 25 national action plans for growth and jobs, the Commission has praised member states for their co-operation in implementing the Lisbon strategy. 

Always think of consequences, Barroso tells EU officials

New guidelines published by the Commission on impact assessment say officials should look in particular at economic and competitiveness concerns when drafting new legislation.

The Czech Republic and the Lisbon process

The Czech Republic has prioritised the areas of competitiveness, employment and sustainability of public finance. It scores highly in areas such as new technology and education, but less well in labour productivity.

Parliament set to improve co-ordination of Lisbon follow-up

The Parliament wants to present a strong and coherent position on the Lisbon mid-term review. It has decided to involve national parliaments in an ad hoc body to co-ordinate the work on the Lisbon process.

EcoFin backs Kok Report: Focus on growth and employment

During discussions on the Lisbon mid-term review in Brussels on 16 November, ministers of economic and financial affairs will agree that the Lisbon agenda "has become too broad" and needs more focus.

Put the social pillar back into Lisbon, urge NGOs

Social NGOs have carried out their own review of the Lisbon strategy, criticising the lack of progress made in creating 'more and better jobs' and fostering 'social cohesion'. 

Figel fully behind efforts to reach Lisbon Target

During his hearing in the Parliament, Jan Figel, Commssioner designate for education said more investment in education, professional training, higher mobility and simpler acknowledgment of diplomas and skills were the prerequisites for a true European labour market.

Interview: Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the PES

Poul Rasmussen, President of the Party of the European Socialists (PES), advocates a strong focus on education, research and innovation to keep Europe competitive and avoid delocalisation.

Lisbon Agenda

In March 2000, the EU Heads of States and Governments agreed to make the EU "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-driven economy by 2010". Although some progress was made on innovating Europe's economy, there is growing concern that the reform process is not going fast enough and that the ambitious targets will not be reached.

Education ministers call for more investment in education at EU and national level

The Education Council has adopted a strongly-worded report calling the Spring European Council to recognise the importance of reforms in education and training systems to reach the objectives set out in the Lisbon strategy.

Reform of education: the Commission sees the bottle half empty, the Council half full

While the Commission aims to highlight the shortcomings in the reforms towards making education and training systems more efficient, the Council wants to emphasise the progress made so far in the report they will jointly present to the Spring European Council.

Commission criticises Member States for lagging behind Lisbon agenda

The Commission hopes that its annual Spring Report on the progress towards the Lisbon goals will act as a wake up call to governments and generate the political will to improve the EU's competitiveness.

Commission: urgent reforms of education systems needed to meet Lisbon goals

On 11 November, the Commission adopted a Communication highlighting shortcomings in the reform of European training and education systems in the context of the Lisbon strategy.

Europe needs to invest more money in education

A new Eurostat survey shows large variations among countries in investment in education and training in the EU 25.