2014 is a year of specific opportunities – we must not miss them

„Crucially there is an urgent need for more ambitious policies – highlighted by the European Commission’s “Stock Taking of the Europe 2020 Strategy” report. It reveals that the EU 2020 goals for employment, R&D expenditures, poverty reduction and energy efficiency will stay out of reach if member countries do not strive beyond incremental improvements only. Furthermore investment is sluggish and unemployment has reached unsustainable levels. Young people face the danger of becoming part of a lost generation

We propose that National Reform Programmes specify how to reduce the current gaps between actual and target values by at least one quarter in 2014 and 2015, in the four areas of R&D, employment, poverty reduction and energy efficiency. Only in these circumstances can the final gap actually be bridged in the remaining five years.

We propose adding a specific priority area addressing environmental targets. Increasing energy efficiency more ambitiously is necessary to neutralize higher energy prices and clean technologies can boost exports.“