MEPs call for action in meeting Europe's competitiveness goals
Members of the European Parliament have adopted a joint resolution on the outcome of the Spring European Council which demands direct measures be taken in pursuit of the Lisbon goals on competitiveness. The resolution, supported by five of the Parliament's political groups, reaffirms MEPs' support for the Lisbon process, but warns that there remains a long way to go and that there is a strong risk of missing many of the target dates. '[...] Parliament wants to see clear signs of concrete action, especially from the larger Member States with a renewed bid to achieve the priority objectives,' the resolution says. The resolution goes on to state that: 'MEPs also want to see more evidence of the EU earmarking three per cent of GDP to R&D [research and development] and a strong commitment to sustainable development with clear environmental targets.' The candidate countries should also be more involved in the Lisbon strategy, states the position, and MEPs call on the Commission to produce a roadmap to enable progress to be monitored. The document also questions the need for the new Task Force on employment, set up at the Council meeting under the leadership of former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok. MEPs request that the Task Force's remit be limited to identifying practical reform measures and reporting back to the Parliament.