In Lisbon in 2000, Heads of State and governments have committed to make the European Union “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion”. The decision on the specific structural reform measures, their design and actual implementation should be left to the Member States.
While getting closer to one another, EU countries still differ in many respects: in their structure, economic development and institutional setting. Leaving it up to the national actors to decide on their reforms is just the natural consequence of such differences. However, these reforms should take the EU consensus on policy priorities and objectives as a clear and common reference point.