The new 10-point programme of the European Union aimed at promoting innovation as fundamental pillar of the economy of the Union is based on the concept of “market driver”. It will form the basis of the discussion of the informal summit due to be held in Finland on 20 October. The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso called the future strategy of Brussels “ambitious” since “Europe no longer has a need for further pledges by its member states. What it needs instead is a demonstration by the political authorities and decisive actions”. Barroso declared that “more can be done to promote innovation as motor of growth of the European economy, provided that coherent action be taken at the European level”. The programme underlines the need for suitable public policies to support innovation in industry and services to re-launch the Lisbon Strategy (economic growth and growth of employment): in this regard, the concept of “market driver” means facilitating innovation through laws and policies that enable the market to make innovative products, technologies and services according to the precise objective of responding to the needs of society in such key sectors as health, transport, security or the environment.
