Press Release: Commission assesses implementation of the 2000 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines

On 7 March 2001 the Commission adopted a report making an overall assessment of the implementation of the 2000 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs). The report makes an important contribution to the Stockholm European Summit which will review progress in economic and social policy and set priorities for 2001. The main conclusions of the report are that the macroeconomic policy mix was free of tensions in 2000, but Member States taken together did not seize the chance offered by strong economic growth to enhance their underlying fiscal position. Advances were made in promoting economic growth potential and employment both through the economic reform process and the progressive transition towards a knowledge-based society. However, as underlined by the Commission in its synthesis report to Stockholm, much remains to be done with a view to achieving the ambitious goals set for the European economy by the Lisbon European Council.