Press Release: The 2000 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines

The European Commission adopted 11 April 2000 a Recommendation on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) for the Member States and the European Union. The BEPGs are at the centre of the economic policy co-ordination process and provide the framework for the definition of the overall policy objectives and orientations of the Member States and the Union. Pedro Solbes, EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, stressed that 'the 2000 BEPGs provide an operational content to the conclusions of the Lisbon Special European Council. They set out a comprehensive strategy to deal with the four key challenges of the EU economy: the return to full employment, the transition to a knowledge-based economy, the impact of a rapidly ageing population and the improvement of social cohesion.' The Commission recommends to press ahead with (i) growth and stability-oriented macroeconomic policies, (ii) the promotion of the development of knowledge-based economic activity, (iii) the implementation of deep, comprehensive economic reforms and (iv) the modernisation of social protection systems. Member States are 'urged to seize the opportunity of an auspicious economic outlook to implement with resolve the strategy."

• Primary Source