Knowledge-based economy to be key part of Commission's 2003 legislative and work programme
A communication from the Commission has highlighted the need for a knowledge-based economy. The work programme lists three main priorities, with plans for enlargement dominating proceedings and stability and security a second priority. The third priority is that of consolidating progress towards its strategic goal of developing a sustainable and inclusive, knowledge-based economy, meeting the ambitious targets which it has set itself and working to achieve the goals set by the international community, notably at Johannesburg, Monterrey and Doha. 'The main challenge will be to facilitate progress towards a knowledge-based economy. In addition, the EU will have to ensure that the internal market for services - financial, energy, transport, telecommunications etc. - is fully operational, and maximise the effect of introducing the euro for consumers and businesses.' This will be facilitated through a Green Paper on entrepreneurship to stimulate discussion of Europe's competitiveness. This will include a proposal for a Directive on fair trade, measures to ensure coordination of national fiscal systems and legislative and non-legislative measures that will adapt the value added tax system to the modern economy, in particular to e-commerce. Initiatives to promote the knowledge-based society also include 'the development and implementation of an integrated strategy for a European knowledge area and eEurope.' This will include implementation of the joint Commission/Council work programme on objectives for education and training systems in Europe, implementation of the 'Information society for all' notably through eEurope 2005, measures to develop good practices in lifelong learning and e-learning, and proposals for focused action to increase research investment in Europe to reach the objective of 3 per cent of GDP set by the Barcelona Summit.