The EEB, the ETUC and the Social Platform have reached a shared and critical analysis of the new direction the European Commission is proposing for the Lisbon process. The three organisations are putting forward to the forthcoming EU Spring Summit their own proposals to correct the excessively narrow scope of the Commission’s Communication of 2 February:

Our organisations are deeply disappointed to see that the Commission’s proposal for the ‘new Lisbon strategy’ does not respect the broad focus the Lisbon process was given in 2000 and 2001 and instead suggests the ‘temporary abandonment’ of the environment and social pillars. We disagree with the outdated philosophy of ‘growth first, other worries later’. A society which addresses these major issues separately is wasting resources, undermines European growth potential and stands no chance of achieving the economic goals of Lisbon in a sustainable way.

With regards to the environment, we are particularly concerned that a narrow focus will fail to address the threats of climate change, ever increasing transport movements and erosion of biodiversity, in a way that also contributes to economic modernisation and better public health.

Europe should not aim to compete with emerging economies on the basis of ‘a low road strategy’ because this approach can only fail. There will always be countries with even lower wages, even longer working hours and worse working conditions. Instead, Europe should invest in Social Europe and sustainable development as a source of excellence, innovation and a basis for the knowledge society.

Greater social cohesion does not automatically result from increased economic activity alone. For growth to have a maximal positive impact on social cohesion and poverty reduction, effective employment, social protection and social inclusion policies are required.

We are also concerned about European external policy shifting from the promotion of responsible economic global governance towards a simple free trade agenda, in which the rest of the world is only seen as a competitor.

The three organisations make the following demands to the Council:

 Ensure that the short-term actions promoted by the Lisbon process contribute concretely to, and do not contradict, the environmental and social commitments the EU has agreed.
 Guarantee that the Spring Summit will focus not only on growth and jobs but also include strong social and environmental dimensions, to ensure an integrated view of these three policy areas.

 Resist any attempt to impose a standstill on further improvement of the EU’s environmental and social policies, with reference to the current economic situation.

 Agree to promote policies for public investments in sustainable housing and transport in all Member States, along the lines of proposals from the EEB, ETUC and the Social Platform, and to exchange experiences around the Spring Council in 2006.

 Make the strongest possible commitment to green and social public procurement.

 Undertake a thorough analysis of the impact of liberalising energy markets on sustainable development, including access to services, CO2 emissions, and employment.

 Decide on environmental tax reform, taking into account the social and employment impacts, using these revenues for the reduction of labour costs and for social services.

 Pledge to make the Doha round trade negotiations a true ‘development round’.

For more information: ETUC: Patricia Grillo. Tel. + 32 (0) 224 04 30. GSM + 32 (0) 477 77 01 64. E-mail: Pgrillo@etuc.org

Social Platform: Daniela Mitchener. Tel. + 32 (0) 508 1632. E-mail: Daniela.mitchener@socialplatform.org

EEB: John Hontelez. Tel. + 32 (0) 289 1090. E-mail: hontelez@eeb.org