'The Commission understands competitiveness issues,' believes UNICE
In preparation for its third Competitiveness Day on 20 October, the European industry grouping UNICE published a brochure on 13 October calling on EU governments to modernise social systems, reform labour markets and create the right framework for innovation and investment. While the document warns that growth in the EU is too low and that emerging economies are catching up fast, it stresses the fact that there are many favourable aspects to Europe's economy. 'Let's be more optimistic about the future,' urge UNICE's Secretary General, Philippe de Buck, and President, Ernest-Antoine Seillière, in a joint introduction to the brochure. According to 'the voice of business in Europe', given the current uncertainty surrounding the EU's governance, budget, social model and future direction, businesses fear that the vision of Europe, with its single market and currency, is in danger of unravelling. A response is needed from EU governments, believes UNICE, who must show that they understand the gravity of the situation and are prepared to take the necessary steps to resolve it. Presenting the brochure to journalists in Brussels, Mr Seillière suggested that the answer to Europe's competitiveness challenge is quite simple: 'We know what needs to be done - the Lisbon agenda. It just hasn't been properly implemented till now,' he said, reiterating that modernisation of Europe's social systems is also called for. 'The 25 EU governments must take the problem seriously. This message from business is far more urgent than with the previous two Competitiveness Days, given the current situation in Europe,' Mr Seillière went on. 'We are not pessimistic, but we are furious at those governments who won't take the necessary decisions. We don't want to hear about internal political problems, we just want good governance.' The UNICE President pointed to a number of the EU's founding Member States - among them France, Germany and Italy - as countries that have failed to implement the necessary reforms, and pointed out that together they make up nearly 50 per cent of total EU GDP. Mr de Buck, meanwhile, highlighted the National Reform Programmes being drawn up by Member States as part of the relaunched Lisbon agenda as an opportunity to assess whether or not Europe's governments were addressing the issues seriously. Asked whether or not the Commission should 'name and shame' those countries that do not, he replied: 'We're in favour of judging countries on the contents of their national action plans. If the Commission plays its role, then in the end something will have to be said about whether the content is satisfactory.' Given that UNICE's most urgent messages are directed at national governments, CORDIS News asked whether this indicates a satisfaction with the role currently being played by the Commission. 'We believe that the Commission understands competitiveness issues [...] and is familiar with the problems that businesses face in Europe. The Commission is in a good position to lead the [Lisbon] process, and the business community believes in its ability to do so,' said Mr Seillière. Turning back to UNICE's Competitiveness Day, which this year takes the theme 'crossing frontiers', Mr Seillière concluded: 'I would be happy if we didn't have to organise such an event, as it would mean that Europe is competitive enough. But the fact that competitiveness is not at the top of the agenda for every European government is a big concern to European business.'