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Abstract: 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.
Keywords: smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, digital agenda, integrated guidelines
Introduction
Starting with year 2008, both the European Union and the world had to face the worst global economic crisis since the 1930s to the present. Due to this crisis, much of the progress made by the EU since 2000 under the Lisbon Strategy was cancelled. The EU has faced and is still facing excessive levels of sovereign debt of the countries characterized by slow structural growth and high unemployment. Even though the economic situation has improved, especially in 2010, the economic recovery is still fragile and continuing the rehabilitation of the macroeconomic stability and redirecting the public finances towards a sustainable path is crucial for economic growth and employment. EU needed a new strategy, based on the enhanced coordination of the economic policies, in order to generate increased growth and employment.
The failure of the Lisbon Strategy and the economic crisis in 2008 led to a rethinking of the reference framework of the European politics; therefore, in March 26, 2010 the European Council discussed the new strategy for jobs and growth of the European Union, based on the enhanced coordination of the economic policies, which would focus on the key areas where action is needed in order to...