54. Regrets that, with only one year left on the time
scale of the Lisbon strategy, clearly defined goals have not been met and progress in programme areas has been insufficient; takes the view that Member States’ efforts have been lacking in implementing measures to bring the goals of the Lisbon strategy closer; believes that
the Lisbon Strategy must be seen as an important guideline for future-shaping policies, aimed at a strong, competitive and growth-fostering EU; considers, therefore, that it deserves to be taken more seriously
...[+++] by Member States and should not be seen merely as a set of distant goals, but as an action plan for the further development of Europe; proposes that further reflection on a 'Lisbon Plus-Agenda' (which must start in 2010) should be based on the general architecture of the present Lisbon Strategy (competitiveness and greening of European industries, more and better jobs, social inclusion, sustainability), but stresses the need to present a more homogenous and mutually supportive approach capable of decisively enlarging the European Lisbon governance capacity; asks the Commission for a thorough evaluation of the past nine years of the Lisbon Strategy and of the achievement of and commitment to the goals of the Lisbon strategy by the Member States to be presented before the end of 2009; asks the Commission to analyse the usefulness of a post-Lisbon strategy with new aims and goals, and especially to assess the readiness of Member States to implement such a new programme, and its viability; stresses the need to refocus the IPGs against the background of the economic downturn and urges the Council to agree on short-term measures to safeguard the 2008 employment rate, to invest in the fight against climate change and to ensure sufficient incomes, especially with regard to the most vulnerable groups of society; expects the Commission to launch initiatives and present proposals with respect to these goals in good time for the forthcoming S ...