Moreover, such policies will support employment creation, reduce inflation persistence and keep upward price pressures contained, thereby improving the adjustment capacity of countries. It is undeniable that, over the past two decades, significant progress has already been made under the Single Market Programme. This has already yielded major benefits for European economies.
And the success of such efforts will bear significantly on how well prepared our society is to meet the challenges of an increasingly knowledge-based economy. In closing, let us remember that education is the primary means for creating new economic and financial opportunity for everyone.