Prodi urges EU leaders to unite in pursuit of Lisbon goals
Commission President Romano Prodi has called on EU Heads of State and Government to put aside their differences and focus on the Lisbon process at the upcoming meeting of the European Council. In a letter to Europe's leaders ahead of the meeting in Brussels on 20 March, President Prodi admitted that the situation looked 'grim', but argued that Europeans are looking to them for a show of unity. 'Our unity is basically what Europe's citizens are demanding in these tense days,' he said. '[...] we must not give up on a process we have taken such pains to develop. The message must be clear: we must press ahead resolutely with the economic reform process set in motion at Lisbon.' Mr Prodi described the European Council meeting as an opportunity to actively pursue growth. Europe's leaders, he said, must agree on measures to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge in order to foster competitiveness. In his letter, Mr Prodi also called for agreement on a timetable for the implementation of key remaining Lisbon reforms, such as energy markets, the information society, bio-fuels, and liability for environmental damage and climate change. With the Council meeting taking place against the backdrop of war in Iraq, the Commission President highlighted the need to assess any potential impacts on European competitiveness, and to consider whether 'urgent measures' may prove necessary.