Thursday

28th Mar 2024

Kok: Lisbon goals 'a bridge too far'

  • Catching up with the US - a bridge too far (Photo: EUobserver)

Former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok, who wrote a key report on Europe's competitiveness, has admitted that the EU's Lisbon goal to become the most competitive, knowledge-based economy in the World by 2010 is "a bridge too far".

Speaking on Tuesday (1 February) at a conference arranged by the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA) in Brussels, Mr Kok asked whether the EU can still live up to its ambitious goals and concluded, "that is one bridge too far, I fear", adding that hitting the 2010 targets "will prove to be extremely difficult, if not impossible".

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Get the EU news that really matters

Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

Furthermore, Mr Kok noted, "even if every target were to be hit on time, which is highly improbable, we would still not be on safe ground", referring to competition from fast-growing economies such as India and China.

To rise to the challenges Europe faces, both from these external competitors and from internal problems, such as a rapidly ageing problem, Mr Kok called for more political will at both the European and national level.

Europeans also need to become more entrepreneurial and innovative if the EU is to catch up with the US, he added, echoing a recent report from the European Commission that showed twice as many Americans are thinking of setting up their own business than Europeans.

Off-target

Mr Kok's comments come the day before Commission President José Manual Durao Barroso is due to unveil Brussels' proposal to "refocus" the Lisbon Strategy.

A draft copy of the document, obtained two weeks ago by the EUobserver, makes no mention of the 2010 goal, although the text is subject to change.

The proposal aims to redirect the Lisbon Strategy towards boosting growth and employment. The original plan - agreed in 2000 - was based around three pillars; economic, environmental and social.

The draft also suggests that a "Mr Lisbon / Mr Jobs and Growth" should be appointed in each member state to give individual countries more "ownership" of the process.

The Commission's work will be based on the Kok report and will contribute to a discussion at Head of State and Government level at a summit in March.

Part of the solution, not part of the problem

But the Socialist Group in the European Parliament emphasised that the social and environmental aspects of the Lisbon Strategy should not be lost in the bid for stronger economic growth.

Unveiling an "analysis of the failure to implement the EU's Lisbon Strategy" and "more than 30 new ideas to revitalise it", the Socialist Group said, "We all agree that economic performance must be improved. But the Socialist Group insists that social and environmental progress are part of the solution, not part of the problem".

The President of the Socialist party, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, said in a statement that he was "very worried about rumours on the Barroso plan for more and better jobs".

"Europe's socialists will not stand for a blinkered economic vision that leaves the people and their environment out", he added.

Commission prepares to relaunch Lisbon agenda

Ten new policy areas and a "Mr Lisbon" in every member state. These are some of the proposals in a draft document aimed to relaunch the Lisbon Process - the EU's ambitious aim to become the World's most competitive economy by 2010.

'Swiftly dial back' interest rates, ECB told

Italian central banker Piero Cipollone in his first monetary policy speech since joining the ECB's board in November, said that the bank should be ready to "swiftly dial back our restrictive monetary policy stance."

Opinion

EU Modernisation Fund: an open door for fossil gas in Romania

Among the largest sources of financing for energy transition of central and eastern European countries, the €60bn Modernisation Fund remains far from the public eye. And perhaps that's one reason it is often used for financing fossil gas projects.

Latest News

  1. Orban's Fidesz faces low-polling jitters ahead of EU election
  2. German bank freezes account of Jewish peace group
  3. EU Modernisation Fund: an open door for fossil gas in Romania
  4. 'Swiftly dial back' interest rates, ECB told
  5. Moscow's terror attack, security and Gaza
  6. Why UK-EU defence and security deal may be difficult
  7. EU unveils plan to create a European cross-border degree
  8. How migrants risk becoming drug addicts along Balkan route

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersJoin the Nordic Food Systems Takeover at COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersHow women and men are affected differently by climate policy
  3. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  5. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  6. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?

Join EUobserver

EU news that matters

Join us