Motion for a resolution - B7-0153/2010Motion for a resolution
B7-0153/2010

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the EU 2020 Strategy in view of the preparation of the European Spring Council

3.3.2010

further to Question for Oral Answer B7‑0000/2010
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure

Corien Wortmann-Kool, Peter Liese, Richard Seeber, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Andreas Schwab, Jean-Paul Gauzès, Csaba Őry, Mathieu Grosch, Lambert van Nistelrooij, Albert Deß, Othmar Karas, Marian-Jean Marinescu on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0151/2010

Procedure : 2010/2543(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0153/2010
Texts tabled :
B7-0153/2010
Debates :
Texts adopted :

B7‑0153/2010

European Parliament resolution on the EU 2020 Strategy in view of the preparation of the European Spring Council

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Informal European Council of 11 February 2010,

–   having regard to the Presidency conclusions following the meetings of the European Council in March 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and December 2009,

–   having regard to the public consultation launched by the Commission on EU 2020 and its outcome (SEC(2010)116),

–   having regard to the Lisbon strategy evaluation by the Commission (SEC(2010)114),

–   having regard to Article 3 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–   having regard to the question of 23 February 2010 to the Commission on Agriculture and the future ‘EU 2020’ Strategy (O-0023/2010 – B7‑0000/2010),

–   having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas any long-term strategy must be combined with concrete action to respond to the immediate concerns and fears of European citizens, and whereas the EU 2020 Strategy should serve our main goal which is economic growth and jobs,

B.  whereas the Lisbon strategy has only partly been successful due to weak governance structure and lack of accountability of the Member States,

C. whereas the Commission’s efforts to achieve a sustainable social market economy – i.e. an inclusive, smarter and sustainable economy – are to be welcomed,

D. whereas it is regrettable that the Commission has not concentrated its strategy on the promotion and support of small and medium-sized enterprises; whereas most jobs are created in this sector and practical measures are needed to reduce red tape and to promote and implement innovative ideas in these industries; whereas funding should not be focused solely on the creation of ‘green’ jobs,

E.  whereas major innovations such as e-mobility, solar technology and many more will not be able to be produced in Europe if we do not set up a framework for securing the supply of raw materials,

F.  whereas the Commission’s Consultation on the future EU 2020 Strategy makes no mention whatsoever of agriculture and the agri-food business, and whereas this omission needs to be rectified immediately, given that the combined agricultural and food sector represents a key part of the EU economy accounting for 19.2 million jobs (9% of total employment) and for 4.3% of GDP in the EU-27,

G.  whereas the EU 2020 Strategy is being launched during the European Year against poverty, and attention has to be paid to the eradication of poverty and the social aspect of the Lisbon Agenda,

H.  whereas cohesion policy is covered by the new Lisbon Treaty, is an instrument to achieve the goals defined there and must be an integral part of the 2020 Strategy if the Member States want this new policy for Growth and Jobs to work; whereas the 2020 Strategy should value the relevance of this policy, both in general and exceptional conditions and should take into consideration the fact that a well-financed post-2013 regional development policy is indispensable for all EU Member States, if they aim for a sustainable social market economy and growth,

I.   whereas, in the light of the shortcomings of the Lisbon Strategy, the Commission should propose a clear and target-based strategy in one single document, which should incorporate and link the conclusions of Mario Monti’s report on the re-launch of the Single Market, and all relevant EU strategies, in order to be considered as the key document for the next 10 years,

1.  Asks the Commission and the Council – recalling that the Commission and its President Barroso have underlined the crucial role of the European Parliament in the EU 2020 Strategy – to fully respect Parliament’s prerogatives in the elaboration and implementation of the strategy in order to enhance its democratic legitimacy in the eyes of civil society;

1. Strong European governance for a successful 2020 Strategy.

2.  Urges the Commission, in the light of the shortcomings of the Lisbon Strategy, to propose a clear strategy in one single text, which must be built on a target-based approach;

3.  Emphasises that coordinated and concrete European legislation must take into account the diversity that exists across the EU, and therefore incorporate a strong and transparent governance structure that fully respects the subsidiarity principle as laid down in the Lisbon Treaty;

4.  Emphasises the need for strong implementation and follow-up mechanisms; calls on the Commission to draw up a precise scoreboard of obstacles and to propose targeted action on key impediments; considers it a key issue for Europe that any future strategy must deliver effective mechanisms to yield the intended results;

5.  Points out that a more sustainable social market economy can be achieved only if the objectives and strategies are supported by targeted government action and are properly coordinated;

6.  Considers that civil society should be involved and should share ownership in order to achieve a successful 2020 Strategy, and that therefore social partners should be invited to contribute to defining the strategy and to its implementation both at European and at national level;

7.  Considers that, in order to achieve the ambitious objective of the Strategy, it is fundamental to create transparent multi-level governance, and that EU 2020 objectives, tasks and responsibilities must be shared in a well-orchestrated way between the European Union, the Member States and local and regional authorities, acting swiftly, decisively and with a high degree of urgency; considers that multi-level governance and partnership should be the core of governance and delivery of the Strategy;

8.  Considers that the creation of a single market for retail financial service products must be an important element of the 2020 Strategy;

9.  Considers that the agreement reached by the Council on the new architecture for financial supervision is not consistent with the goals of the 2020 Strategy; therefore asks the Spanish Presidency to submit more ambitious proposals that reinforce the powers of the authorities to be created;

10. Notes that one of the key aspects of European economic governance should be the coordination of national policies relevant to SMEs in order to avoid the creation of new obstacles or burdens in the Member States, while trying to remove existing ones; considers that the integration of a new European ‘SME test’ in national laws could be one of the tasks of an SME branch of European economic governance;

11. Underlines that a strong, reformed and flexible cohesion policy, adapted to current needs, should represent a key element of the EU 2020 Strategy; considers that this EU policy, with its horizontal approach, plays a significant role in responding to the central challenges the Union is facing, namely: reducing structural differences between countries and regions, improving competitiveness of EU regions in a globalised world, counterbalancing the effects of the global economic crisis by bringing confidence and dynamism into the European economy, and limiting the effects of demographic change and climate change;

12. Considers that structural policy measures and financial means should be focused on, and be in accordance with, EU priorities such as competiveness, resource efficiency and sustainability;

2. Sustainable public budgets

13. Underlines that the discussion and decision on the future EU budgetary allocation will take place in the context of the mid-term review of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2007-2013 and the preparations and decision-making procedure for the following multiannual financial framework (MFF);

14. Underlines that sustainable public budgets will be the basis for financing the EU 2020 Strategy; considers that compliance with the stability pact, and principles for coordinated exit strategies to overcome the impacts of the economic and financial crisis on the public budgets, should therefore be key issues for future fiscal policies;

15. Stresses that anti-inflation policies and sound budgetary rules have the long-term effect of promoting growth and increasing the employment prospects of our young people; considers that, by doing so, the state will fulfil its role as good caretaker whereby it ensures that adequate public services are available for future generations;

16. Considers that recent developments demonstrate that the institutional framework governing the EMU has not been successful in keeping public deficits under control; asks the Commission to propose initiatives to tackle this weakness in the EMU; warns of the danger of a two-speed Europe;

3. Promoting SMEs and Jobs

17. Underlines that SMEs are the motor of our current economy and a creator of jobs playing a crucial role in reinvigorating economic growth, and that they will strengthen a sustainable social market economy and foster the creativity and innovation which underpin economic strength and technological progress; considers that the political line taken by the introduction of the Small Business Act must be pursued more ambitiously; believes that priority should therefore be given to further efforts in the area of deregulation such as the further implementation of deregulation targets and SME-friendly legislation, creating a vibrant environment for start-ups, encouraging entrepreneurship and improving access to finance;

18. Underlines that a successful 2020 Strategy should not only focus on encouraging SMEs and jobs in trade and services but also in industry, in the agricultural sector and in the health sector, as these are vital for our future economy;

19. Reiterates its demands for a more inclusive and competitive labour market; considers that restructuring of social security systems is needed so as to ensure that a change of occupation does not entail a reduction in social protection, that temporary retraining for a different job does not result in a drop in income and that the flexicurity approach is not unilaterally focused on labour market flexibility;

20. Takes the view that the ageing of Europe’s population requires lifelong learning policies whereby training opportunities should be encouraged and should accompany individuals throughout their professional life; considers that it will be necessary to maintain the number of active people on the labour market and to strengthen social inclusion; regrets that it is specifically the employment potential of older as well as disabled workers that has been neglected; expects, therefore, the submission of proposals designed to enhance this potential and encourage flexible retirement, even beyond the current retirement age;

21. Advocates the promotion of self-employment, as guaranteed, for example, by the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF);

22. Asks the Commission to present proposals for a Common Corporate Consolidate Tax Base (CCCTB); considers that a definitive VAT system based on the ‘country of origin’ principle would foster the efficiency of the Single Market and would produce extra revenues for the public budgets without modifying VAT rates;

4. Towards a sustainable social market economy

23. Asks – given that the European Commission has to strengthen the internal market and ensure compliance with competition rules – for the single market to be included as a general welfare principle in the EU 2020 Strategy on the basis of the upcoming Monti report on the re-launch of the Single Market; considers that, for the completion of the Internal Market in goods, labour and services it will be important to have sound regulation and to ensure better transposition of European rules into national legislation, better implementation, and European supervision of financial markets;

24. Takes the view that the EU should take advantage of its leading role in sustainable economy and green mobility technologies and extend its competitive margin in this field, and exploit the export potential of this technological advance; notes that sustainable production processes and the efficient use of resources and a further development of renewable energy sources will enable a strong manufacturing base to be maintained in Europe, increasing competitiveness through a reduced resource dependency and achieving ambitious climate change targets; underlines the potential of leading European industries to contribute innovative solutions in this field; emphasises the need for the EU economy to be endowed with sufficient high-tech raw materials to this end;

25. Considers that the transport sector is an important actor in achieving the ‘green growth’ foreseen in the 2020 Strategy and that the sector contributes to a remarkable extent to the economic growth required for the implementation of EU 2020; considers that a mixture of different measures such as energy mix, price formation measures and internalisation of external costs are important in this context, and that these measures should be accompanied by clearer and more realistic targets that should regularly be reviewed;

26. Underlines the already legally binding EU commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20% until 2020 and considers that the EU should communicate better its willingness to move to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, provided that the other countries are ready to commit themselves to taking adequate action too; considers that there must be clear and objective indicators to measure progress towards a sustainable and energy-efficient social market economy and that, in this context, the targets set should be realistic and achievable;

27. Considers that the rapid completion of a fully integrated and interconnected internal energy market is an essential element in ensuring economic growth, in the integration of renewable energy sources and in reducing the Union's vulnerability to supply disruptions; stresses that efforts should be made to increase the share of autochthonous low-carbon energy sources in the EU's energy mix;

28. Notes that, by strengthening its leading role, the EU should exploit the export potential of technological advance;

29. Underlines the need to ensure proper transposition of EU legislation in general, and of the Directives on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications and on Services in particular, in order to fully benefit from the potential offered by the services market, which is the largest area of economic activity in the EU; considers that, to this end, the strategy should aim at removing all remaining barriers in the field of services by 2020 at the latest;

30. Stresses the need to promote an approach to the single market which incites consumers to make cross-border purchases of goods and services, in particular online, and SMEs to make full use of the opportunities offered by the single market;

5. Sustainable knowledge-based growth

31. Underlines that knowledge-based growth requires efficient basic and applied research activities; considers that innovation must be the engine of Europe’s growth and prosperity, that basic research must be carried out at EU level in a coordinated manner and that the results must lead to benefits for all EU citizens; considers especially that research on safety and decarbonisation within the transport sector will contribute to the strengthening of the EU as a location for research;

32. Urges the Commission to preserve the ‘3% of GDP for R&D’ target of the Lisbon Strategy in the new strategy for both the EU and national budgets; considers that research and development programmes and financial means should be focused on, and be in accordance with, the EU 2020 Strategy; calls on the Member States to make better use of the synergy potential of the funds of the Cohesion Policy and the funds for R&D;

33. Stresses that, to make European applied research more efficient, it is crucial to improve the streamlining of existing structures and to create a more research- and innovation-friendly investment climate both in the public and private sector; calls on the Commission to put forward practical measures to improve access to financing, in particular with a view to better availability of risk capital and to catch-up in the area of pre-commercial public procurements;

34. Notes that innovation starts with investing in education, and that creating employability through lifelong learning policies will strengthen social inclusion; calls on the Commission to stimulate and encourage new partnerships between business, science and university research;

35. Calls for a broad approach to future EU innovation policy; considers that adequate public and private funding should be focused on areas where Europe is or can become a global leader, and that particular attention should be paid to the development of key enabling technologies;

36. Welcomes the Commission proposal that considers industrial policy for the globalisation era as one of the thematic priorities; underlines that existing industrial structures will continue to contribute significantly to economic growth in the EU and should therefore be supported;

37. Considers that, particularly in transport, the development of technology and the simplification of multimodal transport chains for persons and goods play an important role; believes, therefore, that transport should be based on an effective co-modality that is measured by criteria of economic aspects, environmental protection, social and employment conditions and safety;

38. Considers that Europe should promote effective protection of intellectual property by promoting an effective EU patent regime, focussing specially on the digital economy so as to enable Europe to play its leading role in the world; believes that the proper functioning of the digital economy is imperative for the proper functioning of the entire EU economy; considers, however, that the free movement of digital services is today severely hindered by fragmented rules at national level; takes the view that, in order to achieve this single market digital environment, firstly the new regulatory framework must be effectively implemented, secondly the digital services market must be boosted, and thirdly the free circulation of content and knowledge – the ‘Fifth freedom’ – must be developed;

39. Is convinced that, with the right policy framework and adequate budgetary resources, agriculture and forestry can play an important role in an overall European strategy designed to secure economic recovery, while at the same time contributing to EU and global food security, preserving the rural landscape which accounts for 90% of the EU's territory, securing environmental benefits and making an important contribution to the search for alternative energy sources;

40. Notes that infrastructural deficiencies vary across Europe and still remain high, thus blocking our growth potential and the smooth functioning of the Internal Market; calls, therefore, for the creation of a true level playing field through relevant public and private investments in transport, energy, telecommunication and IT infrastructure;

41. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission.