The Lisbon scorecard IV: The status of economic reform in the enlarging EU

With cynicism, even derision – this is how many Europeans look at the EU's key economic target, namely to become the "most competitive and dynamic, knowledge-based economy in the world" by 2010. The 'Lisbon' reform process, launched by EU leaders in 2000, has not lived up to expectations. The EU is not catching up with the US. Rather, it is falling further behind. As the Lisbon agenda approaches its half-term review, key reform targets, such as creating jobs or improving Europe's science and technology performance, look out of reach.
Aladair Murray was deputy director of the CER (2000-2005).