CORDIS Archive
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Decision time
Earlier this year, a new phase in operations of the European Trend Chart on Innovation was launched, building on four years of developing a strong foundation. As the monitoring of progress towards the Lisbon goal becomes more and more detailed, the Trend Chart is taking on a greater role in evaluating our innovation performance. With a new Action Plan on Innovation due out later this year, we can expect to see the Trend Chart taking up a stronger place at the heart of Europe’s innovation landscape. In our dossier, we look at Ireland which holds the Presidency of the Council until the end of June. Ireland has achieved growth rates the envy of Europe in recent years, but as it has caught up with other Member States it has become clear that a new strategy is needed to maintain momentum. Consequently, Ireland is now embarked on a drive to develop and entrench the innovative capacity of native companies, to secure future economic performance.
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his month, the Spring European Council marks the fourth anniversary of the Lisbon strategy but, as we approach the halfway point, the Commission’s analysis of progress is bleak. The diagnosis is clear: supportive words at European level are not being followed up with the corresponding resolve at national level. The Irish Presidency – which will chair the Spring meeting – is keen to see progress on reviving the Lisbon strategy, but whether their fellow governments will heed the call to arms remains an open question.