| European Leaders Discuss Lisbon Agenda and Composition of New Commission |
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On 4 and 5 November 2004, the European Council, consisting of heads of
government of EU member states (MS), discussed a report by ex-Prime
Minister Wim Kok on progress toward achieving the Lisbon Agenda.
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In
March 2000, European leaders committed the EU to become “the most
dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world capable of
sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater
social cohesion, and respect for the environment” by 2010. The report
of a high-level working group under the chairmanship of Wim Kok
criticizes the limited achievements by member states and asks for more
focus. Urgent action across five areas of policy is needed, including
the creation of a knowledge society (increasing Europe’s attractiveness
to researchers and scientists, making R&D a top priority and
promoting the use of ICT), the completion of the “Internal Market” for
free movement of goods, the creation of a better business climate
(e.g., reducing the total administrative burden for start-ups), the
”Labor Market” (e.g., developing strategies for lifelong learning and
active aging) and environmental sustainability through spreading
eco-innovations and building leadership in eco-industry.
