No time to waste

Coordinating economic policies, investing in innovation and research, monitoring public budget and urgently addressing the problem of job losses. The Commission confides in the revival of the single market and of Europe’s competitiveness, and even in the possibility for social progress. But the message launched in Brussels is loud and clear: “there is no time to waste”.The three “key drivers”. “No Member State can address global challenges effectively by acting in isolation. We are stronger when we work together”, said Commission President José Manuel Barroso on March 3, upon the presentation of “Europe 2020”; the new economic strategy in Europe. 27 EU heads of Government and State will examine the document during the next end-of-March summit in Brussels. The Commission identified “three key drivers for growth, to be implemented through concrete actions at EU and national levels”: the first is “smart growth”, (fostering knowledge, innovation, education and digital society), the second is “sustainable growth” (making our production more resource-efficient while boosting our competitiveness) and inclusive growth (raising participation in the labour market, the acquisition of skills and the fight against poverty). “Europe 2020” basically consists in the review of the Lisbon Strategy, drawn up by the EU in the year 2000, which according to Community leadership failed to bring expected results in terms of competitiveness, learning and employment. Five targets. The economic strategy proposed by the Commission envisages five “targets” that “the EU should meet by 2020”. These are: 75 % of the population aged 20-64 should be employed; 3% of the EU’s GDP should be invested in research and development; the “20/20/20” climate/energy targets should be met (decreased polluting emissions, energy supply and use of renewable sources); the share of early school leavers should be “under 10% and at least 40% of the younger generation should have a degree or diploma”. Finally, as underlined by Barroso, “20 million less people should be at risk of poverty”. Flagship initiatives. In order to meet the targets, the Commission proposes a “Europe 2020” agenda consisting of a series of flagship initiatives such as “Innovative Union”, re-focussing research, development and innovation policy on major challenges, “while closing the gap between science and market to turn inventions into products”. Barroso and the college wish to “enhance the quality and international attractiveness of Europe’s higher education system by promoting student and young professional mobility” – “Youth on the move” -. “As a concrete action, vacancies in all Member States should be more accessible through out Europe and professional qualifications and experience properly recognised”, Barroso explained. Other bullet points refer to a digital agenda for Europe, supporting the shift towards a resource efficient and low-carbon economy and promoting entrepreneurship. The proposal addresses social issues such as the “platform against poverty” – ensuring economic, social and territorial “cohesion” “by helping the poor and socially excluded and enabling them to play an active part in society”. Leadership and governance. To grant concreteness to the proposals, Barroso pointed out that EU “leadership and accountability must be taken to a new level” and that “governance methods” must be reinforced. No mention was made of the funds which need to be set aside. MEPs commented on “Europe 2020”. Sharon Bowles, British, president of the EP Commission for Economy said she agrees “on the fact that we must work together on the themes” highlighted by Barroso. However, she adds, “we must not mistake ourselves into believing that these targets can be met simply by announcing them”. “We need to focus on stepping up economic governance and public finances, on coordinating fiscal policies and the financial system reform”. French MEP Pervenche Berès, chairwoman of the crisis commission, is even more perplexed, and views the document “as the result of theoretical exercise, disconnected from the reality of the ongoing recession”.