Slovenia makes Lisbon recommendations
The Slovene government has outlined what it believes to be the four actions that are key to achieving the Lisbon goal of making Europe the most competitive economy in the world by 2010. The government also emphasised the positive role that the new EU Member States can play with regard to Lisbon. In order for the Lisbon Strategy to succeed, Slovenia believes that it is necessary for the relevant actors to: - clearly define the priorities and focus on issues of key importance for the development of the EU, and to set clear goals accordingly; - improve the management of the Lisbon Strategy and encourage stronger commitment on the part of all Member States to the implementation of actions necessary to meet the goals. Also encourage commitment to an appropriate budget in the form of the financial perspectives; - monitor the implementation of the Lisbon process more effectively, while pursuing the use of the 'open method of coordination', which 'represents the best solution for more efficient coordination at the trans-national level,' according to the Slovene government; - identify the key reforms that are vital for the achievement of the Lisbon goals. Key reforms must be implemented in order to promote investment in improved productivity, increase investment in research, development and education and increase spending on transport and communication infrastructure, claims the government. Slovenia emphasises that both the old and new EU Member States must commit to Lisbon if the goals are to be achieved by 2010. While the new Member States may struggle initially because of slower economic development, 'these countries may, with the appropriate set of measures, represent a potential area of rapid growth in Europe,' reads a statement. 'The implementation of the Lisbon Strategy may thus, with carefully selected measures, accelerate economic convergence and cohesion between the old and new Member States,' it concludes.
Kraje
Slovenia