§ Mr. DavidTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how she intends to pursue the Lisbon agenda of economic reform after the Barcelona Summit. [47975]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government view the Barcelona Summit as a significant success. The conclusions registered solid progress on economic reform and, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister 535W stressed in his post-Summit Press Conference, it "symbolised an important change of gear for Europe's economy and its economic policy".
The Lisbon agenda is a 10 year programme and there is still much to be done. We wait to ensure that individual Councils make a practical reality of the Barcelona conclusions on the liberalisation of energy markets, the availability of Broadband, final agreement on a Community Patent and the adoption of an EU R&D Framework. Member states will also need to work closely with the European Commission in its work on an Entrepreneurship Green Paper, reform of state aids policy and exploiting biotechnology.
In taking this work forward, both Ministers and officials will continue to be constructively engaged with the Commission, our opposite numbers in other member states and the European Parliament, as well as ensuring that the voice of UK and European business is listened to by all key EU players.