May’s Core Group discussed the Commission’s Work Program for 2010. The Work Programme, entitled “Time to take action”, is based on the Commission’s belief that this year “marks the beginning of a new era for the European Union”. The Work Programme addresses the following challenges:

• The setting up of the Europe 2020 Strategy, with the main intention of exiting the economic crisis and the creation of more sustainable jobs;
• Building a citizens’ agenda which puts people at the heart of European action;
• Developing an ambitious and coherent external agenda with global outreach;
• The modernisation of EU instruments and working methods.

The Work Programme was presented by Mr. Joseph Fenech, Director for EU Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister. Mr. Fenech explained that the Commission has earmarked a number of concrete actions to address each challenge.  Some of these actions include further governance of the Euro zone, the modernisation of EU instruments, a new agenda on job creation, better use of resources, a digital agenda for Europe and a solid industrial policy that is sustainable in a globalised world.

Core Group members raised a number of issues in relation to the Work Programme such as the importance that actions are implemented at the right time; and the need to address the problem of bureaucracy so as to ensure better coordination between different parties involved in the same process.  Members also argued that there should be better control of excess funds spent by Members States to avoid a repetion of the situation which arose in Greece.