Commissioner Believes EU States Responsible for Lisbon Strategy

Ljubljana, 07 April

The European Commission cannot shift the EU into a higher gear by itself, said European Science&Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik as he addressed a public debate on the Lisbon Strategy in the National Assembly in Ljubljana on Friday.

EU nations largely agree on the basic priorities of the strategy, namely employment, a rise in R&D investments, promoting SMEs and a common energy policy, Slovenia's commissioner added at the debate hosted by the EU and economic affairs committees.
Potocnik was especially pleased with the concrete goals set by EU states for increasing R&D spending, an area where he sees two priorities: increasing the share of cohesion funds earmarked for R&D, and a raise in funding for higher education, which should reach at least 2% of the EU's GDP.
Prime Minister Janez Jansa meanwhile said that only higher employment and growth rates as well as increased competitiveness can help restore the faith in the EU, thereby allowing its institutional upgrade and enlargement. Indeed, the majority of activities for reaching Lisbon Strategy goals would have to be done at home, Jansa pointed out.
Janez Sustersic, the national coordinator for implementing the Lisbon Strategy, also stressed the need for reforms, adding that Slovenia has to decide whether it wants to be a forward-looking state or a developed state in decline.
Sustersic, the director of the Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (IMAD), stressed the need for an efficient financial sector and for reducing the role of the state in companies.
He claims that besides a labour market reform, people must change their attitude towards jobs and see them as career opportunities. They must act in a responsible manner in adjusting to the global changes and the state should help in their efforts.

Commissioner Believes EU States Responsible for Lisbon Strategy

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