Closing the Lisbon gap with a forward-looking industrial policy

4.09.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Oct 2005

Responding to the Commission's launch today of several initiatives to develop a more integrated industrial policy for the Union, Graham Watson MEP (leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats) said:

"Industrial policy is coming back into fashion, but a modern, forward-looking one that rises to global challenges rather than avoiding them. It is imperative that the Union and its Member States rise to meet these challenges instead of relying on quotas, tariffs and subsidies. "

"We live in an era of great change. We need to adapt rather than entrench our working methods and skills base. Growth and jobs are two sides of the same coin."

"The initiative launched by Commissioner Verheugen today is a good first step to addressing the huge implementation gap in the Lisbon Process. The specific sectoral initiatives in areas such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, defence, space, Information technologies and mechanical engineering will target those areas where the EU25 has great expertise and can exploit its competitive advantage. The Commission is right to use its role to lay out policy frameworks in these areas. It is up to the Member States to effect the necessary policy changes and industrial adaptation."