On 26 January 2004, the European Commission announced its strategic objectives for 2005-2009 period and its work programme for 2005.
Strategic Objectives 2005-2009
Strategic objectives are listed under four main headings:
Prosperity (economic growth, competitiveness, higher productivity, more jobs),
Solidarity (social justice, environmental protection, cohesion),
Security (Hague programme, fighting crime and terrorism, managing immigration, environmental and health risks),
Europe as a world partner (new enlargements, neighbourhood policy, trade liberalisation, Millennium Development Goals for 2015).
In the Parliament, the Commission’s priorities have been welcomed by centre-right EPP. Socialists and the Greens on the other hand criticised them for putting too much emphasis on economic growth at the expense of social and environmental concerns.
Work Programme for 2005
The Commisson has also adopted a work programme for 2005 with concrete initatives to turn the strategic objectives into action. The proposed health-related measures include:
Prosperity
Proposal for a review of medical devices Directives (June)
Proposal for a Regulation on human tissue engineered products (July)
Proposal for the 7th Framework Research Programme for the period 2007-2013 (April)
Solidarity
Communication establishing a new Social Agenda for the period 2006-2010 (February)
Green Paper on population ageing (March)
Communication on Youth policy (May)
Thematic Strategy on air pollution (May)
Thematic Strategy on the protection of marine environment (July)
Thematic Strategy on pesticides (September)
Security
Action Plan on Drugs for the period 2005-2008 (February)
Communication on Obesity (June)
White Paper on training in the area of food safety controls (December)
Communication on new programme for Consumer Policy and Health (April)
Proposal for a Regulation on food additives (December)
External Responsibility
Communication on Strategy for Africa (November)
Communication on progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (March)
Related links:
Commission press release
Speech by Mr Barroso
Parliament’s summary of the debate
