By Bruno Waterfield - 26th January 2005
José Manuel Barroso has unveiled a 13 page document setting out a five-year programme for “European renewal”.
The European Commission president presented his administration’s delayed “strategic objectives” to MEPs on Wednesday.
His five year agenda is dominated by a push for economic growth and moves to boost Europe’s appeal to unenthusiastic EU citizens.
“Why renewal?,” Barroso asked the European Parliament.
“If one looks at the direction in which the European project is heading, the challenges ahead may be familiar, but they need new ideas, renewed energy, fresh determination, a sense of optimism.”
“We need to translate words into action. That is the purpose of our proposals.”
Barroso told MEPs that “Europe is at a crossroads” and placed the five-year economic pledges – made at an EU summit in Lisbon in spring 2000 - at the top of his political agenda.
“The most urgent issue facing Europe today is clear: growth and jobs,” states the commission document.
“The top priority today is to restore sustainable dynamic growth in Europe in accordance with the Lisbon strategy.”
The former Portuguese leader is hoping his EU executive can turn around a record that, so far, has fallen short of declarations.
“In the last decade, Europe’s growth and productivity has failed to match its major economic partners,” he said.
“Progress towards [Lisbon] goals has fallen well short so far, calling for a decisive impulse which may put it back on the right track.”
The 6000 word document must be approved by the parliament in a vote set to take place in Strasbourg in three weeks.
Centre-left Socialist MEPs are watching Barroso amid concerns that he heads an economically free-market commission.
President of the European Socialists Poul Nyrup Rasmussen claimed that Barroso “has borrowed our words, with talk of ‘solidarity and security’”.
“But he has shown no sign of borrowing our policies,” he said.
“The Barroso Commission's five-year work programme amounts to little more than a thinly-disguised neo-conservative agenda.”
“This is not the European way.”
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.