This is the second annual synthesis report by the Commission in the run up to the Spring European Council since the Lisbon strategy was launched in March 2000.
It is supposed to report on progress accomplished in reaching the goals set out in Lisbon of making Europe the most competitive knowledge based economy in the world with greater social cohesion. Since Lisbon, an environmental dimension has been added to the strategy which has now become a strategy of environmentally and socially sustainable development.
In view of the failure so far to integrate the economic, social and environment objectives of the Lisbon strategy, EAPN asks the European Council to give a strong mandate to the Commission to develop mechanisms with which to assess all aspects of the Lisbon strategy as to their social and environmental impact. Furthermore, the Employment and Social Policy ministers as well as the Environment ministers, should take part in the Spring European Council on an equal footing with the Economic and Finance Ministers.
