Europe 2020 Strategy - the Successor to Lisbon Strategy and a New Reference Framework of the European Economic Policy - Part I

The aim of the European Commission was for Europe to have a leading role by year 2020, supporting competition and thriving thanks to a knowledge-based, connected, more sustainable and more inclusive economy, characterized by strong and sustainable growth and which ensures both a high level of employment as well as social progress. The general framework of Europe 2020 Strategy, as defined by the European Council, involves smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, which will ensure high levels of employment and productivity, as well as economic, social and territorial cohesion. Starting from this aim, the first part of the paper aims to present the reference framework of the European politics in terms of Europe 2020 Strategy, which was developed in March 2010, when the failure of the Lisbon Strategy was already visible. The priorities and objectives of Europe 2020 Strategy will be approached in terms of the way they are reflected in the policies of the EU Member States, in the second part of the paper.