Separate eEurope action plan launched for candidate countries
The eEurope Plus action plan, which mirrors the eEurope 2002 action plan but is aimed specifically at the EU candidate countries, was launched in Gothenburg on 16 June. The eEurope+ action plan aims to assist in accelerating reform and modernisation of the economies in the candidate countries through the use of Information society technologies (IST) and tools. It is similar to the action plan covering the EU Member States, but with additions and changes of objectives, actions and timetables to reflect the economic and social situation in the candidate countries. 'This is a good example of how the candidate countries can become part of the Lisbon Strategy,' said Commission President Romano Prodi, welcoming the action plan. 'In addition to the accession negotiation track, this provides for a constructive and important element of cooperation in the relationship between the European Union and its candidate countries'. Information society and Enterprise Commissioner Erkki Liikanen added that 'the objective agreed in Lisbon, for Europe to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world is now becoming a political priority for the whole continent. eEurope+ is an important step forward for both the candidate countries and the EU,' he said.