EU unveils new post-Lisbon strategy

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a new growth strategy for the European Union during the next decade, hoping to lead the 27 member states towards a green, knowledge-based economy by 2020.

The new strategy, called EU 2020 Strategy, aims to deliver greener and socially inclusive growth, and includes three thematic objectives, namely creating value through knowledge, empowering people in inclusive societies and creating a competitive, connected and greener economy, the commission said.

"EU 2020 means the EU working together over the next decade to overcome some of the toughest economic challenges that Europe has ever faced. A smart economy and a wise society based on strong European values go together," Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

The new strategy is aimed at replacing the so-called Lisbon strategy for growth in jobs which was aimed to develop the EU economy into the most dynamic one in the world by 2010. However, the targets included in the Lisbon strategy are far from achieved not only by Malta but by all the other EU member states, with a few exceptions. For example the Lisbon Strategy had aimed to increase the EU employment rate to 70 per cent by next year, but after years of steady progress, the EU employment rate only reached 65.9 per cent in 2008. Malta's rate is even much lower. The Commission said that in order to build a knowledge-based economy, the new strategy attaches great importance to education and innovation.

"Education in Europe must improve, from pre-school to higher education, to increase productivity, support vulnerable groups and help fight inequality and poverty," the commission said.

It called for a European Digital Agenda to deliver a real online single market, so consumers can benefit from competitive prices offered in other member states and small businesses can break into larger markets.

According to the EU executive, the new strategy will build on the achievements of the Lisbon Strategy, while learning its lessons.

"The crisis has 'changed the game.' Many pre-crisis jobs have been destroyed and will not return," the Commission said. "Europe cannot prosper unless workers have the skills to contribute to and benefit from a knowledge-based economy."

The new strategy also put green economy at the core of the EU's future development.

"The future will see high energy prices, carbon constraints and greater competition for resources and markets. All of these are risks but also present opportunities to create a 'new' EU 2020 economy with a strong global competitive advantage," the Commission said. It added new greener technologies can stimulate growth, create new jobs and services and help the EU meet climate change goals.