EU 2020 Strategy

GRTU representatives, Joseph Zerafa, Stephen Galea and Joe Attard, as members of the MEUSAC Sectoral Committee meetings have participated in a Joint Committee meeting on the Europe 2020 Strategy.

The EU 2020 Strategy stems from Europe's critical evaluation of the Lisbon Strategy and a follow up to its shortcomings. From this evaluation it transpired that there was progress in growth and employment but central targets were still missing.  There was also more awareness of the need of reforms in the Member States were difference in speed and extent of implementation reigned. It also brought to light the shortcomings in the fight against poverty and identification of early signs of crises.

The European Commission therefore launched The New Strategy for Growth and Jobs: Europe 2020. The strategy should enable the EU to make a full recovery from the crises, while speeding up the move towards a smart, green and inclusive economy delivering high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion. The tree Growth priorities at the heart of Europe 2020 strategy are:

Smart -developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation

Green -promoting a sustainable and competitive economy,

Inclusive – fostering a high-employment economy delivering social cohesion.

Headline Targets:

Aiming to bring to 75% the employment rate for women and men aged 20-64

Bringing the combined public and private investment levels in R&D to 3% of GDP

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% compared to 1990 levels; increasing the share of renewables in final energy consumption to 20%; and moving towards a 20% increase in energy efficiency.

To reduce school drop-out rates and increase the share of the population having completed tertiary or equivalent education

Promoting social inclusion, in particular through the reduction of poverty.

Governance

The European Council will have full ownership and be the focal point of the new strategy

The Commission will monitor progress towards the targets, facilitate policy exchange and make the necessary proposals to steer action and advance the EU flagship initiatives.

The European Parliament will be a driving force to mobilise citizens and act as co-legislator on key initiatives

The partnership approach should extend to EU committees, to national parliaments and national, local and regional authorities, to social partners and to stakeholders and civil society so that everyone is involved in delivering in the vision.