Editing Lisbon Strategy (section)

==Midterm review==
Between April and November 2004, the Dutch politician [[Wim Kok]] headed up a review of the program and presented a report on the Lisbon strategy concluding that even if some progress was made, most of the goals were not achieved:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/future-eu/lisbon-agenda/article-117510|title=EurActiv, Lisbon Agenda, 2004}}</ref>

{{Quote|European Union and its Member States have clearly themselves contributed to slow progress by failing to act on much of the Lisbon strategy with sufficient urgency. This disappointing delivery is due to an overloaded agenda, poor coordination and conflicting priorities. Still, a key issue has been the lack of determined political action.<ref>European Union, [http://ec.europa.eu/research/evaluations/pdf/archive/fp6-evidence-base/evaluation_studies_and_reports/evaluation_studies_and_reports_2004/the_lisbon_strategy_for_growth_and_employment__report_from_the_high_level_group.pdf ''Facing The Challenge. The Lisbon strategy for growth and employment. Report from the High Level Group chaired by Wim Kok''] (the "Kok Report"), November 2004, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, {{ISBN|92-894-7054-2}}</ref>}}

The European Commission used this report as a basis for its proposal in February 2005 to refocus the Lisbon Agenda on actions that promote growth and jobs in a manner that is fully consistent with the objective of [[sustainable development]]. The important contribution made by [[small and medium-sized enterprises]] to economic growth and innovation was stressed.<ref>Commission of the European Communities, [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52008DC0394 "Think Small First: A "Small Business Act for Europe"], COM(2008)394 final, page 2, published on 25 June 2008, accessed on 16 April 2025</ref> The Commission's communication stated that{{quote|Making growth and jobs the immediate target goes hand in hand with promoting social or environmental objectives.<ref>European Union, [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52005DC0024:EN:NOT Communication to the Spring European Council - Working together for growth and jobs - A new start for the Lisbon Strategy - Communication from President Barroso in agreement with Vice-President Verheugen {SEC(2005) 192} {SEC(2005) 193}], published on 2 February 2005, accessed on 16 April 2025</ref>}}

In its resolution on the midterm review of the Lisbon strategy in March 2005, the European Parliament expressed its belief that "[[sustainable growth]] and employment are Europe's most pressing goals and underpin social and environmental progress" and "that well-designed social and environmental policies are themselves key elements in strengthening Europe's economic performance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2005-0069+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN|title=Texts adopted - Wednesday, 9 March 2005 - Mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy - P6_TA(2005)0069|website=www.europarl.europa.eu}}</ref>

These declarations were classed as unrealistic by some, and the failure of the "relaunch" initiative was predicted if the existing approach was not changed.<ref name="w1">{{cite web|url=https://voxeu.org/article/failure-lisbon-strategy|title=The failure of the Lisbon strategy|first=Charles|last=Wyplosz|date=12 January 2010}}</ref><ref>Guido Tabellini, Charles Wyplosz, [http://www.cae.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/051.pdf "Réformes structurelles et coordination en Europe"], Report to the Prime Minister of France, 2004</ref><ref>Guido Tabellini, Charles Wyplosz, [http://www.eui.eu/Documents/RSCAS/Research/EFN/Reports/Annex2004Autumn/Annex5autumn2004.pdf "Annex 5 - Supply-side reforms in Europe: Can the Lisbon Strategy be repaired?"], Swedish Economic Policy Review, 2006</ref>