Spring 2001 European Council: the Lisbon process and the path to be followed

The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Hans Udo BULLMANN (PES, D) expressing support for measures to be put in place to transform the EU into ·the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world· over the next decade, as agreed at last year·s Lisbon Summit. In view of the Union·s commitment to look at the environmental aspects of policy making, the committee would like to add environmental indicators for measuring the environmental aspects of economic policy making in addition to the figures covering employment, innovation, economic reform and social cohesion. The report supported the goal of full employment, but wanted this to be achieved according to the different circumstances in the Member States. The committee also wanted to see evidence of progress made following the coordination of policy making and wanted the large Member States to follow successful economic reforms already introduced by smaller countries. It felt there was also a need to consider the role of public spending in investment and that stepping up research was another useful way to improve business competitiveness. The committee believed that more attention should be paid to developing the service sector and reducing taxes on labour, as well as creating employment for special categories such as women and young people. It also supported measures to ensure equal opportunities and to create a favourable environment for SMEs. Finally, it called for an inter-institutional agreement to enable Parliament to participate in the decision-making process. �