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Press Release
"The Competitiveness Council intends to play an important role in the adoption of the integrated guidelines (IG) for growth and development”

Date of release : 18-04-2005

Policy area : Competitiveness (Internal market, Industry and Research) Competitiveness (Internal market, Industry and Research)

Event : Competitiveness Council


Jeannot Krecké, Minister for the Economy and Foreign Trade, chaired the first part of the "Competitiveness" Council in Luxembourg on Monday, 18 April.

The "Competitiveness" Council had an initial exchange of views on the "Integrated Guidelines (IG) for Growth and Employment," proposed by the European Commission (Communication of 12 April 2005 from the Commission), in accordance with the conclusions of the European Council of 22 and 23 March 2005, dedicated to the re-launch of the Lisbon Strategy.

According to the European Council’s conclusions, the IG consist of two components: the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPG) and the Employment Guidelines (EG). As general instruments for economic coordination, these EG aim to ensure the general economic consistency of the three dimensions of the Lisbon Strategy: economic, social and environmental . They should make it possible for the Member States to prepare their National Action Plans (NAP). Outlining national responsibilities in the preparation and implementation of these NAPs, Minister Krecké stressed that "The Member States have to do their homework." The Minister added: "with regard to implications for the national level, it is essential for us to be just as precise as in what is currently being asked from the Commission."

Although the BEPG and EG will be adopted by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) respectively, Jeannot Krecké noted that "he Competitiveness Council has indicated its strong determination to play an important role in the adoption of the IG." The Competitiveness Council will meet on 10 May "during an additional session to discuss the micro-economic components of the IG."

To prepare for this meeting, President Krecké pointed out that "the Council had asked the high-level "Competitiveness and Growth" working group to cooperate informally with the Economic Policy Committee to submit amendments and proposals on 10 May." The Minister underscored that this is one of the greatest challenges and that it is very important to devote ourselves intensely to this task.


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