Theme of the day of 15 March 2005

Reinforcement of the Lisbon Strategy

This week, the European Parliament in Brussels organised an important hearing on the reinforcement of the Lisbon Strategy. Council President Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso attended together with Wim Kok and high ranking Members of the national Parliaments. The meeting was chaired by Joseph Daul MEP, President of the EP coordination group on Lisbon. The meeting took place on Wednesday 16 March and Thursday 17 March in the Plenary Chamber of the European Parliament.

The Lisbon Strategy is a commitment to bring about economic, social and environmental renewal in the EU. In March 2000, the European Council in Lisbon set out a ten-year strategy to make the EU the world's most competitive and dynamic economy. Under the strategy, a stronger economy will drive job creation alongside social and environmental policies that ensure sustainable development and social inclusion.

Now, five years into the Lisbon Strategy plan, the mid-term review has revealed a huge gap between aspirations and deeds. The debate on the implementation of the commitments, taken by the Heads of State and Government in the European Council, has demonstrated the need for the Lisbon Strategy to be revitalised.

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European Parliament and national parliaments

MEPs and national MPs met in Brussels to discuss the Lisbon strategy. If the Lisbon goals of economic, social and environmental renewal are to be met, national parliaments must be more closely involved, as they have a key role in implementing the reforms.

Reinforcing the parliamentary dimension of the Lisbon Strategy

Wednesday, 16 March 2005, 3pm-6.30pm and Thursday 17 March, 9am-12.45pm
Plenary Chamber, PHS building, European Parliament, Brussels

Wednesday 16 March, 3-6.30pm
3pm - Welcoming addresses by EP President, Josep BORRELL and Lucien WEILER, Speaker of Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies
3.20pm - Mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy. Speech by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President-in-Office of the Council of the EU
3.40pm - Speech by Joseph DAUL (EPP-ED, FR), chair of EP coordination group on Lisbon
3.45pm - Speech by national parliamentary members and EP political groups - open debate

Thursday 17 March, 9am-12.30pm
9am - Speech by José Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission
9.30am - Speech by Wim KOK, chair of the High Level Group on the Lisbon Strategy
9.40pm - Debate
12.15pm - Winding-up of the debate

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Press releases:

17/03/2005: Reinforcing the Parliamentary dimension of the Lisbon Strategy. Marianne Thyssen MEP and Klaus-Heiner Lehne MEP
17/03/2005: More influence for national parliaments in the Lisbon Strategy. Marianne Thyssen MEP
09/03/2005: Barroso's Lisbon Strategy backed by the European Parliament - new impetus for growth and jobs

Links to:

Background Information: The European Parliament and the Lisbon Strategy
Cultura e estratégia de Lisboa por Vasco Graça Moura

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