By avoiding controversy, EU summit makes some progress towards Lisbon goals

6.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Mar 2006

Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the European Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, reacted to today's summit conclusions:

"EU leaders have managed to come away with some clear tasks for the Commission and Member States to implement over the next 12 months that will move the Lisbon Agenda forward," said Mr. Watson. "But the up-beat note was made possible only by avoiding the more controversial, though necessary, debate on the recent resurgence of economic nationalism".

"The European Council conclusions, if fully implemented, represent a reasonable response to the current challenges to our economy and energy needs; but they gloss over the fact that the very same Member States are their own worst enemies once they leave Brussels and return to their national capitals."

"These 'economic' summits now should be formalised as a full EU summit meeting. National leaders have enough business to do together to justify meeting three times a year, as well as the informal meeting in the autumn," added Watson.

"The EU needs a common response to international developments such as those in Belarus, the Middle East or Africa that is not adequately addressed by twice-yearly meetings. Meeting more regularly will not only improve the sense of collective European solidarity but also help construct the coalition of the coherent that we need for Europe to pull itself up by its boot-straps."