Beyond Notre Europe | 08/03/2007 

Spending on innovation and research remains too low.

Two recently published independent studies agree that the EU is getting closer to its job and growth targets, although productivity and spending on research remain problematic. The two studies also draw attention to the important cross-national differences in the rates of attainment of the Lisbon targets. The first study is the seventh "Lisbon scoreboard"� report, published by the London-based Centre for European Reform. As with the sixth report, the seventh CER report praises the Nordic countries - especially Denmark - for the highest employment rates, the most successful high-tech industries and best social protection. On the other hand, the Mediterranean countries plus the 2004 newcomers are portrayed as the EU's laggards, with Poland and Greece criticised for particularly unimpressive performance.

The second study is published by Allianz, the German financial services group, and the Lisbon Council, a Brussels-based think-tank. The study argues that last year Europe experienced the strongest economic growth levels since the boom year of 2000, as well as a significant rise in labour productivity - explained by both structural reforms carried out in member states and a positive economic cycle. However, it points out that more investment on innovation and research is absolutely essential to move towards a knowledge-based economy.