UNICE casts doubt on Lisbon strategy

THE EU’s strategy for making Europe the most competitive economy in the world by 2010 is in trouble according to the Union’s largest business organisation.

All reports show that the harsh truth is that member states are a long way from reaching goals they set four years ago, according to the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE).

They issued their own assessment yesterday ahead of Thursday's Competitiveness Council meeting of what needs to be done to try to catch up with the so-called Lisbon Strategy to increase jobs and wealth in the EU.