Speaking at EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels today (Monday, 1 March 2010), the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms. Mary Coughlan, T.D., said that in its new strategy for jobs and growth, EUROPE 2020, the Union must learn from the failings and flaws of its predecessor, the Lisbon Agenda.
The Tánaiste said that rather than a diverse range of targets, the strategy must focus on a limited number of core challenges. “The Lisbon Agenda attempted to be too many things to too many people. At a time of dramatically changed economic circumstances therefore, EUROPE 2020 must focus on depth rather than breadth. In our view, the new strategy must put EU competitiveness at its core; it must deliver continued investment in enterprise and innovation; it must deliver on the promise of the single market, in particular for the consumer; and it must increase the Union’s openness to international trade and investment. Above all else, it must deliver jobs and a sustainable employment environment for EU citizens.”
The Tánaiste said that in implementing EUROPE 2020, Member States should decide on the detailed measures and targets appropriate to their particular circumstances. She said that this was particularly important as individual Member States adjust to new economic realities. She also said that targets set in the new strategy must be outcome-focused, with real measurable impacts on both citizens and businesses. “Ultimately, the success of the new European strategy will depend on whether the Member States and citizens support and enjoy real ownership of the ongoing reforms. The strategy must therefore be more transparent and clearly defined, with a monitoring and reporting system that provides clear results with positive outcomes for society and the economy, and in particular sustainable employment.”
The Tánaiste also said that adoption of EUROPE 2020 necessitates reform and strengthening of the role of Competitiveness Council. She said that the Competitiveness Council must be charged with a clear mandate to drive implementation of core elements of EUROPE 2020 and should play a much greater role in addressing crosscutting issues in conjunction with other Council formations.
In addition to attending Competitiveness Council in Brussels today, the Tánaiste is meeting with newly appointed Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner, Ms. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.