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European Parliament Rue Wiertz 60 B-1047 Bruxelles T +32 2 284 2111 F +32 2 230 6664 www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu |
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Preface
In March 2000, at a meeting in Lisbon of European Heads of State & Government, the European Union adopted an ambitious 10-year economic and social strategy, with the objective:
"to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-driven economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion"
This strategy, which became known as the Lisbon Strategy, reaches its full term at the end of this year. Over the next few months, the European Union will adopt a strategy for the next 10 years. Commission President Barroso, whose job it is to bring forward proposals for this new strategy, calls it EU 2020.
It is already clear that, like the Lisbon Strategy, EU 2020 will deal not only with the actions and programmes of the EU itself, but with the ways in which all levels of governance -European, national, regional, local- will cooperate together on issues on which they each have responsibilities, in order to make their work more effective. Through cooperation with each other and with the Commission on research and innovation policies, for example, or on lifelong learning, cross-border infrastructure, or measures to improve access to the labour market, EU Member States have learned that more far-reaching results can be achieved for their citizens. It is already clear that EU 2020 will follow this model.
What is not clear is the political direction in which EU 2020 will take us. Much has changed since the Lisbon Strategy was launched in March 2000. The world has learned a great deal, for example, about the urgency of climate change and about the fragility of the deregulated economic model which had for so long dominated the political landscape. New social and political tensions have arisen in Europe, some of them aggravated by the faltering in the last decade of the EU's social mission.
A changed political landscape calls for a radical response from Europe. The Socialist & Democrat Group in the European Parliament calls for the Union to adopt a new economic, social and environmental strategy whose over-riding goal is the creation of a greener, more inclusive Europe, with the emphasis on creating high quality jobs for all, many of them in new, high-tech and environmentally friendly industries. In the short paper which follows, we spell out our ideas in more detail.
Martin SCHULZ, President
Stephen HUGHES, Vice-President
2020 VISION FOR A EUROPE THAT'S MORE THAN A MARKET
AN S&D GROUP CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBATE ON THE EU's NEXT 10 YEAR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
The EU has to tackle historic difficulties and to create new opportunities for all
The global economic and social crisis has dramatically exposed the fragility of inadequately regulated markets. It has brought mounting unemployment and deepening inequality and poverty. It has put solidarity and social justice within our societies and amongst Member States at risk. This imposes on decision-makers a historic responsibility, but also an unprecedented opportunity to achieve transformational change in our economies, leading the way for truly sustainable and socially long-term development. The crisis is likely to widen social and economic divergence, which a renewed strategy must address. This will need to be done in a very difficult budgetary context, while public debt and deficits must be kept at reasonable level, and the fiscal consolidation must not endanger new growth and the fight against unemployment, nor should it lead to reduced social protection and solidarity.
One lesson from this experience is that we cannot afford to separate global and domestic economic strategies from a wider vision of society. That approach has led to a society reshaped in the interests of the economy - increasingly unequal, insecure and, as we now know, fragile. And yet it has delivered less, not more growth than in previous decades. For the next decade, let's start with a clear vision of what kind of society we want and design the policy framework to serve that vision. This vision must reach beyond the immediate concerns of the strategy in the economic, social and environmental fields. It should project a model of society for Europe built on confident openness, tolerance, mutual respect, justice and solidarity between people, communities and countries of the EU, and with the rest of the world.
Europe's strategy for the next decade should focus not only on rates of growth and employment, but also on how growth can help build a better, fairer society, a more sustainable economy and a more secure prosperity for all, at home and globally, less vulnerable to financial sector greed and excess.
At the heart of that vision must be sustainability. The profound dangers of climate change - among multiple environmental challenges - are calling into question today's wasteful and unsustainable production, distribution and consumption patterns. A new, sustainable model of development is needed.
How should Europe look in 10 years' time?
We need a strategy that sets out clearly what we aim to achieve. By rolling many separate objectives into a single highly complex objective ("become by 2010 the most competitive & dynamic knowledge-driven economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth, with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion"), the Lisbon strategy may have lost focus, transparency and balance.
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This Position Paper has been adopted by the S&D Group on 3 March 2010
For most Europeans, the priorities for the next decade would surely include:
1. A new deal for sustainability
2. High quality full employment with decent work and social inclusion for women and men
3. The fight against poverty, inequality and insecurity
4. A high-productivity knowledge economy
5. Social and territorial cohesion
6. Shaping a fair globalization that benefits all
We call for these to be the core objectives of the 2020 strategy.
One strategy, not three
The combination of strong, integrated and coherent economic, social and environmental policies is the way forward. The first challenge for the forthcoming review is therefore to propose an effective integration of the 3 overlapping strategies which Europe is currently supposed to follow: the Lisbon Strategy, the Sustainable Development Strategy and the Stability & Growth Pact, while retaining the essential elements of the Lisbon strategy: growth, employment, social inclusion and sustainability. Europe needs one strategy, not three. Moreover, as Global Europe is the external dimension of the Lisbon strategy, it should be revised together with the EU 2020 Vision in order to meet the same objectives.
In its first stages, the new strategy will have to complete the task of ensuring a full recovery from the economic crisis by means of a sustained, reinforced and coordinated European response. Over the course of the decade, the bigger challenge will to be to give birth to a new, sustainable European economic and social model, directed towards the six compelling economic, social and environmental objectives set out above. These changes will not happen by accident. Achieving them - in the face of an ageing society, and public budgets heavily burdened by the financial sector meltdown - must be the central focus of the EU 2020 strategy.
1. NEW VISION - NEW GOALS
A New Deal for sustainability and solidarity
Ø 10 million new jobs
Ø Sustainable production, distribution and consumption patterns
Ø More reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
Ø Better trade for more and better jobs
Europe's response to climate change and economic crisis must be to build sustainable modes of production, trade, transport, distribution and consumption to provide the basis for a new sustainable prosperity - green growth based on new green jobs.
The S&D Group calls for a New Deal based on the following goals:
Ø Transforming our economies from polluting economies to eco-efficient economies. In December 2008, the EU agreed a groundbreaking package of laws to deliver by 2020 a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 20% increase in energy consumption supplied from renewable energy sources, and 20% reduction in energy consumption thanks to energy efficiency. As a centrepiece of its EU 2020 strategy, the Commission must spell out how this achievement will be complemented with a new generation of policies and laws to ensure a profound change in production, distribution and consumption towards true sustainability, without endangering prosperity and jobs The investment in appropriate infrastructures, sustainable transport solutions and supporting policies to SMEs, not least with regard to their essential role in the fight against high unemployment would be also a centrepiece of these new policies.
Ø Encouraging smart green jobs as a source of growth. In meeting our climate and energy goals for 2020, the EU will create new green jobs in areas such as renewable energies, transport, and energy efficiency. The Commission's strategy paper should spell out the financial support and incentives for related research, innovation, education and training that will be needed to seize this opportunity and unleash new sources of global competitiveness for the EU.
Ø Green economy for all. Everyone should benefit from and have the chance to contribute to a low-carbon and sustainable economy. The New Deal we call for should combine a radical shift in industrial production, distribution and consumption patterns, as well as in agricultural modes of production, with ambitious social transitional policies to help all citizens to participate in such a change in their work and daily life. The Commission's strategy document must set out a long-term transitional strategy based on substantial investment, solidarity and strengthened social dialogue.
Ø Shaping a new trade policy, consistent with a strong job-creating industrial policy. Consistency between the internal and external aspects of EU policies is indispensable. Trade policy must be coordinated with internal policies in order to ensure economic growth and in turn create new high-skilled jobs and promote decent work.
Ø High quality full employment
Ø Social inclusion
Ø The fight against poverty, inequality and insecurity
Europe's finance-induced recession is causing high and growing unemployment, especially among young people and persons with disabilities, growing inequalities between workers and widespread poverty. Without a strong policy response, the European social model will be under threat. The following goals must be key priorities in the EU's 2020 strategy:
Ø A labour market entry strategy based on inclusiveness: High quality full employment must be at the heart of our strategy. We continue to believe that full and high quality employment can and must be achieved. EU 2020 should coordinate and galvanise EU-wide measures to achieve decent work, using targets and financial incentives to ensure that all Member States pay their part, and the existing European Employment Guidelines should be revised accordingly. EU 2020 should also propose an ambitious job policy specifically for young women and men: every young person must be offered a training possibility or a job in short time after leaving education. Equally, the EU needs an effective policy for older workers to remain on the labour market and not to discriminate against them on age grounds, No one should be left behind. This must also apply to immigrant workers, notably with regard to discrimination against immigrants and their proper integration into the labour market.
Ø More rights for workers to improve quality of jobs: Europe must turn its back on those who argue that the price of full employment is erosion of social standards, economic security and labour rights, that we must sacrifice quality of life to the pursuit of growth. Europe's most successful businesses and national economies are those which have created high-quality workplaces, which treat employees with dignity and partnership. We stand for a Europe of excellence, more jobs and more quality in jobs. EU 2020 guidelines must be used to fight precariousness at work, to promote social partnership, to help employees to combine work and family life and to promote life long learning.
Ø Long-term strategy against poverty: Nearly 80 million people in the EU are living in poverty, many of them being women and children, and child labour is again on the rise. Poverty also affects people, particularly women and disabled people, in jobs or receiving pensions when the revenue doesn't allow for a decent life. More employment opportunities must be generated for the most vulnerable groups and they must be socially protected. People belonging to vulnerable groups are forced to survive from allowances which are very low especially during the financial crisis. We want to see guidelines on eradicating poverty and homelessness as essential elements in a new EU 2020 strategy. This strategy needs to be supported by a CAP reform, as transformed agricultural policy and food supply must ensure adequate and quality access to food for all.
Social and territorial cohesion
Ø Harmonious EU-wide development based on Solidarity
Ø A transparent, simplified and smart cohesion policy coherent with other policies
Ø Universal access to public services
Economic, social and territorial cohesion is an important European responsibility, as strengthened by the Lisbon Treaty. Globalisation, consecutive enlargements and recently the economic crisis are challenging EU cohesion. The new EU 2020 strategy will be decisive: either we strengthen our policies to maintain social and territorial cohesion, or we let global challenges and the actual economic downturn endanger our cohesion policies and undermine a cornerstone of the European project. Our choice is clear: if we want to overcome the multilevel problems facing our societies, we need to reinforce our efforts for European cohesion. As a result of this, cohesion policy will have a leverage effect on the 2020 strategy by supporting research and development, innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, especially "green" jobs and those related to social and health services, education and training, climate change, and renewable energies. To that end, EU 2020 priorities should include the following:
Ø A "solidarity" driven EU level cohesion objective: the European character of cohesion policy with its multiple opportunities for all stakeholders at regional, national and European level must be preserved against any attempt at re-nationalisation.
Ø An EU-wide Cohesion policy: All EU regions must have the possibility to access to resources, exchange of best practice and technical assistance in the framework of a single and flexible Community policy, capable to intervene at the most appropriate scale.
Ø A transparent, simplified and smart cohesion policy: The methods must be transparent, accountable, effective, innovative and adapted to actual and future needs. Past experiences must be used to select the ideas which have been proven to work and to discard those which have not.
Ø Integrated synergies with other EU policies: Regional policy should be coordinated with all EU policies in pursuing its economic, social and territorial objectives without being overloaded with other goals. The goals must be those of solidarity, cohesion and sustainability.
Ø Enhanced multi-level governance: Local, regional authorities and civil society play a decisive role in achieving cohesion among all territories in the European Union. It is essential to maintain coherent and coordinated action between the European Union and all other levels of governance, bringing the EU closer to its citizens and ensuring long term harmonious development and stability.
Ø Ensure universal access to public services: public services are key elements in ensuring equitable prosperity in Europe. In the economic crisis context, their role is decisive. We consider that developing a long-term strategy to ensure universal access to public services in the EU and to uphold social services of general interest as a condition for growth, prosperity and solidarity in the next decade.
Recovery and transformation
Ø financial stability
Ø macro-economic balance
Ø an innovative, high-productivity, knowledge economy
The economic crisis has shown the need for far-reaching reform both to stimulate recovery and to pave the way for long-term economic growth. This is especially true of financial markets. Our development strategy should aim for full European recovery as rapidly as possible followed by sustainable and sustained growth up to 2020. It should manage the transition from urgent crisis management to long-term sustainable economic recovery, based on the following priorities:
Ø Ensure European recovery: Europe's development strategy should first of all provide a coherent and effective response to the economic and financial crisis, which will be the first test of its credibility. EU 2020 must therefore give new life, new ambition and a much greater European coherence to the EU recovery process, mobilising and coordinating all national and European instruments for recovery with adequate funding. It must make clear that the central medium-term objective is a recovery in employment, including investment in training and education. Well-coordinated national budget consolidations must be conducted in such a way as to support higher growth and new job creation, and cannot be achieved at the expense of our social systems and public services.
Ø Build a stronger and more resilient post-crisis economy: the crisis should be the opportunity to build a stronger strategy for sustainable growth based on social justice and eco-efficiency. The EU should make sure that the distribution of wealth is made more just instead of unjust as a result of the crisis. A restoration of the share of wages in national income and a reduction in the gap between rich and poor must become an explicit objective of Europe's 2020 strategy. Achieving economically more effective and socially fairer income distribution will be essential in order to act against the structural weakness of Europe's internal demand. The crisis has clearly pointed out the inadequacy of deregulation policies conducted in the past years. A new European economy should be at the service of social and environmental objectives and prepared to tackle the demographic challenge in a sense of justice between generations. Investing in people, innovation, social cohesion and environment as it is clearly stated in the Lisbon Treaty must become a reality.
Ø More financial stability: A malfunctioning financial sector must never again be allowed to jeopardize years of economic and social progress, wreck economies, destroy families and impose massive burdens on Europe's taxpayers. The new strategy should ensure that by 2020, the EU has in place a regulatory and supervisory framework which guards against new financial failures, avoids speculative bubbles, and restores the financial sector to its historic purpose of providing finance to the real economy in order to support investment and job creation.
2. IF WE WILL THE ENDS, WE MUST WILL THE MEANS
The EU 2020 strategy can be credible only if it is adequately funded. One of the Lisbon Strategy's failures has been the gap between its declared ambitions and the resources made available. The EU budget, even if its size will remain modest compared to national budgets, can play a key role in terms of solidarity and leverage effects. . This is why we consider that the credibility of EU 2020 depends critically on the following:
- An ambitious Mid-term review of the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), 2007-2013, the current MFF has shown its shortfalls (lack of financing for key EU programmes such as Galileo or the European economic recovery plan). Adequate financing of the new EU competences under the Lisbon Treaty as well as some urgent political priorities such as energy and climate change are not sufficiently addressed by the current MFF. We call to restore the amount requested by the EP for expenditures under the heading "Competitiveness Growth and Employment" when the current MFF was negotiated (in 2005/6), which was drastically reduced by the Council.
- A new financial framework post-2013: the EU future budget must focus on key policy priorities as should be part of a new EU 2020 strategy. Money should be well used both in qualitative and quantitative terms. We should aim at increasing the level of EU expenditures to the agreed ceiling of 1.24% of gross national income and to introduce a new system of resources for the EU budget.
- A long-term strategy for investment: investments - public and private - are the crucial agent of the ambitious agenda set out above for 2020. To meet the goals of the EU 2020 strategy, one indispensable component will be a European investment strategy based on the following elements:
o More coordination between European and national budgetary efforts.
o Stronger role of the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support investments in infrastructure, green technologies, innovation and SMEs, provided that the EIB and the ERBD polices are consistent with the policy of the EU and their actions democratically accountable to the EP.
o An appropriate European framework for Public-Private partnerships.
o An appropriate implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact: the situation of national public finances and of public investments need to be seen in the light of the achievement of the EU strategy for 2020.
o New financing instruments such as Eurobonds to finance projects of common interest. This Eurobonds would be an instrument to convert current national bonds into Eurobonds through the creation of a European mechanism which could organise such system. We should also develop new financing system for EU budget, including a financial transaction tax and green taxes.
3. TOWARDS NEW GOVERNANCE FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY, DEMOCRACY AND EFFICIENCY
The Lisbon Strategy has been hampered by low levels of democratic and political ownership at national and local levels. EU 2020 must put this right. We call for a new governance system, based on:
More political ownership through
- Better co-ordination and cooperation between the different political institutions concerned with a successful implementation of an EU 2020 strategy. Linking the future conduct and review of the new strategy to the mandates of future incoming European Commission and European Parliament is necessary, in order to join up the (re-)formulation of the strategy over time with the European political calendar.
- A reinforced role for the European Parliament which could be better involved with a new process more compatible with the parliamentary calendar. This may include a yearly debate within Parliament on Europe's development strategy, which could be articulated with national parliaments for mutual benefit, beyond current practice. An inter-institutional agreement on the EU 2020 strategy process would be the best way to set down and formalise a democratic and effective way forward, which should include a commitment of the Council not to agree on changes to the strategy in coming years without having formally consulted Parliament.
- More active scrutiny by national parliaments during the formulation of the annual national government policy programmes and budgets related to EU 2020, and subsequent scrutiny in implementation, has already been suggested as a way forward and must be reinforced.
- More use of legally binding measures such as regulations and directives and possible sanctions for member states in case of insufficient progress in the implementation of the EU 2020 strategy
- A stronger ownership by each formation of the Council regarding its responsibilities of implementation.
- More involvement of regional and local governments, the social partners and other social actors need to support the objectives of the strategy and to contribute to their fulfilment.
More transparency and more efficiency
To improve political ownership and to secure actual implementation, more transparency must be developed and a stronger role must be granted to the European Commission in ensuring the implementation of the strategy, in combination with the new implementing roles to be taken up by respective Council formations. To that end, we call for a new approach in monitoring the strategy based on new tools more in line with new targets.
Then, GDP is not the only indicator to monitor the overall efficiency of the strategy. A new set of indicators should be developed to measure prosperity and well-being within a new horizontal concept of "quality of life" across various policy fields such as environment, social, education, health, and quality at work in the EU and member states, as we set them as our key targets for 2020. Based on this new approach, we ask the Commission to develop a new scoreboard of measurable indicators integrating the notion of 'quality of life' for citizens.
4. EU VISION TO SHAPE GLOBALISATION
The EU is the largest trading bloc in the world and a major economic power. With its large integrated market and its 500 million consumers, an unequalled trading power and a strong currency. All these elements should be regarded as a basis for developing the external dimension of our EU 2020 strategy whose central task must be to turn globalisation from a source of downward pressure on environmental and social standards to a global instrument for their advancement. This will demand:
- A broader and more comprehensive approach in the Union's external action, bringing together the Common Foreign and Security Policy, trade, development and cooperation policies. The new provision of Lisbon Treaty concerning coordination of the EU external policy (new post of high representative for Foreign policy and the European diplomatic service) will help to contribute to this new comprehensive strategy, and should be used as a means to favour policy coherence for development
- A thorough revision of the Global Europe strategy in order to turn international trade into a tool for job creation, poverty eradication and sustainable development worldwide. EU trade policy should give priority to multilateralism, contrary to the current multiplication of bilateral free trade agreements, and articulate commercial objectives with social and environmental progress and the promotion of human rights.
- A leading position of the EU in WTO negotiations, in particular by concluding as soon as possible the Doha Development round. Bilateral and regional deals are not a substitute for the multilateral trading system. Only a multilateral deal can ensure that trading rules are fair, free and predictable. This is key to integrating developing countries in the world economy and delivering on the development goals set out at the beginning of this round. Open and fair trading systems should be instruments for growth and job creation, leading to better governance and the improvement of social and economic rights.
- European Development policies fully integrated within our EU 2020 strategy.
- Protection from unfair trade practices. Trade Defense Instruments (TDIs) are necessary to ensure that trading rules are respected and that all actors are on a level-playing field.
- Regulatory dialogues with our major trading partners to tackle Non Tariff Barriers and promote high social and environmental standards.
- A consistent strategy for trade and climate change policies by supporting trade facilitation for green technologies without excluding tax border measures.
- A common European strategy in all international institutions and fora to shape better rules in favour of fair trade, decent work and regulated financial markets.
- A regulatory dialogue with all major partners to promote high standards in industrial, environmental and social fields, especially to promote decent work, sustainable development, intellectual property rights, labour and social standards.
- Promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility and social standards for EU companies doing business in third countries, notably developing countries, and social requirements to be included in agreements with these countries.
ANNEX : SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
A New Deal for sustainability and solidarity
Ø 10 million new jobs
Ø Sustainable production, distribution and consumption patterns
Ø More reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
Ø Better trade for more and better jobs
- Ensure the implementation of climate change legislation, in particular the Emissions Trading Scheme and effort sharing, to meet our current commitment and targets.
- Push future EU climate change legislation towards further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Allocate at least 50% of the measures taken at EU and member states' level for the recovery process to the New Deal for sustainability
- Invest in research for less polluting transport (green car programmes, intelligent transport systems and traffic management) and promote sustainability in transports with specific targets and concrete measures through the internalisation of external costs, application of the "polluter-pays" principle, inclusion of all transport modes in the reduction of CO2 and other emissions and sustainable Urban mobility plans for European cities.
- Develop a coordinated strategy to create 10 million new jobs for women and men (including at least 3 million new green jobs).
- Develop a sustainable, coordinated energy policy based on European solidarity. The new provisions of the Lisbon Treaty will help develop this new policy aiming to economise on energy, developing the renewable sources of energy, and reduce our energy dependence.
- Develop a sustainable industrial policy: the EU must revitalise its industrial capacity, promote innovation to develop ecological modes of production and develop comprehensive programmes to support SMEs. This European industrial policy will need a comprehensive strategy regarding state aids.
- Review the Global Europe strategy so that trade becomes a tool for increased competitiveness of European industries worldwide at service of more jobs and of better quality for workers in Europe.
- Develop policies to help the transition to the Green economy, especially for the re-skilling of workers in green jobs and temporary compensation for greening European industry in the context of global markets.
- Renew the EU consumer strategy to empower consumers for sustainable consumption, including better consumer education on energy efficiency, green products and recycling.
Ø High quality full employment
Ø Social inclusion
Ø The fight against poverty, inequality and insecurity
- Enforce the social acquis: the European social acquis could deliver much more to employees - if it were fully implemented by member states. Improve coordination at EU level through a permanent platform for cross-border cooperation among government agencies, together with trade unions. Enforce EU employment legislation and fight against abusive employment practices, especially regarding legislation on new forms of contracts and work.
- Legislate to strengthen workers' rights, improve working conditions and promote equal treatment through an enhanced framework of individual rights: this should include a revision of the posting of workers directive and new or revised directives on minimum income schemes, working time, abusive individual dismissals, information and consultation, union recognition, cross-border collective agreements, equal treatment of a-typical workers, equal pay, and labour inspection.
- Legislate on Corporate Social Responsibility: social policies must not relieve employers of their social responsibility. Businesses should act in socially responsible manner by improving the quality of jobs and assuming their responsibility in the economic downturn. Companies should also be accountable for the welfare of their workers in subcontracting companies.
- Establish ambitious quantitative European and national targets on poverty eradication, including an end to homelessness by 2015 and ensuring mainstreaming in all anti-poverty EU policies.
- Develop a coordinated strategy on housing in Europe to contribute to the fight against poverty and homelessness. EU housing policy should also help everyone to improve the energy efficiency of their home, hence ensuring our targets for eco-efficient economies.
- Develop an efficient framework for lifelong learning for helping European citizens to acquire new skills, knowledge and qualifications.
- Tackle youth unemployment through structural employment policies for young women and men: encourage Member states to offer every young person training or a job opportunity as well as protect young women and men against abusive employment practises by creating a statute for interns.
- Ensure equal access to education, culture and free media, which needs to be improved and lastingly secured independently from social origin and financial conditions of individuals. This requires active European education and culture policies, the creation of framework conditions to protect diversity in culture and media beyond narrow economic concerns, and policy instruments to foster talents and skills.
- Legislate on gender equality. The pay gap between men and women remains large. Discrimination against women must be tackled and gender segregation on the labour market has to be eradicated. Women's participation and women's career opportunities should be promoted. The reconciliation of work and private life is crucial. In that respect legislation on paternity leave is important. The full participation of women in the labour market would also make a significant contribution to economic growth.
- Agree common targets in social services including for childcare, elderly and disabled people
Social and territorial cohesion
Ø Harmonious EU-wide development based on Solidarity
Ø A transparent, simplified and smart cohesion policy coherent with other policies
Ø Universal access to public services
- a reinforced solidarity principle between all EU Members, based on an understanding of the interconnection of global, European, national and regional challenges and the need for a comprehensive collective response valuing and a balanced development.
- a new set of guidelines and new concepts adapted to the numerous challenges, by establishing a framework with adjusted indicators and criteria for eligibility, implementation and evaluation of cohesion policies.
- A definition of the EU territorial cohesion objective to achieve for EU citizens, wherever they live or work, to have equal opportunities in terms of quality of life, through fair access to basic infrastructure, knowledge and essential services.
- An EU-wide level efficient administrative capacity, supported by EU measures based on best practices.
- A set of measures to address the specific needs of "macro-regions" as well as of regions with natural and geographical handicaps in order to offset these and enable them to convert regional potential into assets and real opportunities.
- simpler application procedures accessible to all beneficiaries and better implementation of regional policy projects with greater flexibility in the sound management of social, cohesion and regional funds.
- a legislative framework for public services to put an end to legal uncertainties deriving from European law. The Lisbon treaty has created a solid basis for such instruments.
- a review of the Common Agriculture Policy by 2013 must support the EU 2020 strategy to produce an environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural policy, to focus on food security, growth and jobs in rural areas and to contribute to territorial cohesion.
- a new strategy for public procurement to fully take into account simplified and flexible rules as well as social and environmental challenges in our public policies.
- free and equitable access to ITC and broadband through more coordination between member states and more investment in that area.
- a long term sustainable financial plan of the Trans-European Networks in the field of Transport (TEN-Ts) and energy networks as a key to achieve an integrated internal market in these areas.
Recovery and transformation
Ø financial stability
Ø macro-economic balance
Ø an innovative, high-productivity, knowledge economy
- Reinforce macro-economic governance through a revision of the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines making demand-side policy a priority.
- Renew the Single Market strategy to deliver more concrete results for citizens, notably by a more consumers-orientated approach to regulation.
- Investment in the knowledge society by more effective research and innovation, global research networks and life-long learning.
- A 2nd financial services action plan aiming to contribute to sustainable growth and more consumer protection by strong objectives for corporate governance and consumer debt reduction.
- Coordinate the fight against tax havens and tax dumping (tackling differences in systems which encourage tax evasion and avoidance, including VAT rates) - with a consistent European approach to green tax measures, to boost the transition to a green economy and create an EU-wide financial transactions tax.