Broad guidelines of the economic policies BGEP of the member States and the Community for 2003-2005

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the report by Jose Manuel GARCIA (EPP-ED, Spain) on the Commission recommendation on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines. (Please see the summary dated 29/04/03.) Parliament felt that the main causes of the failure of previous BEPGs and the delay in delivering the results of the Lisbon strategy were the lack of implementation by Member States. The fact that the Commission's enforcement powers are non-existent should not be used as an excuse by Member States to avoid fulfilling their obligations. The current timetable and agreed measures upon which the Lisbon strategy is based are totally insufficient to achieve real and effective coordination. The Commission is asked to propose an action plan to improve the implementation of the Lisbon strategy. Parliament expressed its surprise that no serious proposals had been put on the table at a time when a European constitutional treaty is being drafted. As well as the recommendations mentioned in the previous summary, Parliament added the following principal recommendations: - ensure better coordination within the eurozone of supplies of raw material, particularly oil, with long-term contracts and stable prices; - better working conditions taking into account innovative and sustainable forms of work organisation; - on the job-training, particularly language skills; - the elimination of tax obstacles which impede the smooth functioning of the single market and the establishment of a consolidated corporate tax base for those companies incorporated under the European Company Statute, or alternatively for companies operating in several Member States; - reach the 3% objective of total R and D investment by 2010; - support new and cleaner technologies; - take steps to increase pressure on Member States which are failing to transpose fully important single market directives; - select a single representative for the euro area, with a strong mandate to speak on behalf of the euro area.�