SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE RESPONSE TO THE EUROPEAN AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT EU/S2/07/R1 ON THE EUROPEAN UNION'S STRATEGY FOR GROWTH AND JOBS
Introduction
The Scottish Executive recognises the significant work the European and External Relations Committee has undertaken during its inquiry into the Lisbon Strategy and welcomes this report as an important contribution to the debate on economic development in Scotland and the challenges facing the EU as a whole.
Growing the economy is the Scottish Executive's top priority and it is recognised that economic reform is key to improving the competitiveness of all European economies. The Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs is central to this process of economic reform with a founding commitment to make Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion by 2010.
The re-launch of the Lisbon Strategy in 2005 focused efforts around two principal tasks - delivering stronger lasting growth, and creating more and better jobs. Meeting the challenges in these areas is acknowledged as being key to unlocking the resources required to meet Europe's wider economic, social and environmental ambitions. In line with the UK Government, the Scottish Executive fully endorses this renewed focus with its increased emphasis on skills, productivity and participation in the labour market. Moreover, the Executive is committed to working towards the employment and research and development targets contained in the Lisbon Strategy, together with creating the right economic conditions to further strengthen the competitiveness of the Scottish economy.
In the sections that follow, the Committee's recommendations and requests for clarification are quoted from the Conclusions section of the report and presented in bold. The Executive's responses follow. We hope the Committee will regard this response as helpful and an appropriate acknowledgement of the thoroughness of the Committee's investigations and findings.