EU Jobs and Growth Strategy – Assembly Member to play key role.

Cynon Valley AM, Christine Chapman will be at the heart of the debate on the European Unions’ strategy to create jobs and economic growth over the next decade, commonly known as the Lisbon Strategy.

She has been chosen as a ‘rapporteur’, for the European Committee of the Regions, on the future direction of the EU’s economic strategy.

She will write a paper setting out what she believes should be the main goals of the strategy, aimed at influencing the European Commission’s proposals due in early 2010.

“Clearly there are challenges that must be faced in terms of reconciling economic ambitions with wider concerns regarding climate change and sustainable development,’’ said Mrs Chapman.

“But of course the biggest challenge is perhaps dealing with the impact that this economic downturn will have on society as a whole.

“Rising unemployment will have consequences in terms of social exclusion, poverty and even civil unrest.

“That’s why we need concerted action at a European Level -  as well as effort on the ground, something that is recognised in Wales where four economic summits have already taken place since October – to bring together business and workers in a bid to find solutions.”

The AM for Cynon Valley met European Commission President,  EU President Jose Manuel Borroso , in Prague, earlier this month, at the launch of a Committee of the Region’s consultation, which will feed into her report:

President Barroso said:

“Our immediate focus is naturally on economic recovery. But we also need to think about the medium term, beyond the crisis. That is where the Lisbon strategy comes in. It remains the cornerstone of economic coordination in the EU.

“And I think that one priority for the post-2010 period will certainly be to increase the involvement of local and regional authorities in policy-making.”

Mrs Chapman is aiming to have her paper agreed at the plenary meeting of the Committee of the Regions at the beginning of December.

That’s timed to fit in with the publication of the  European Commission’s proposals for the future of the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs which is expected early in 2010.

This is the first time an Assembly Member has been asked to take on such a prestigious role since  2003 when Rosemary Butler, AM for Newport West, was selected as the Rapporteur on the future of the EU’s Culture Programme.

Christine Chapman, the AM for Cynon Valley, met European Commission President, Jose Manuel Borroso, in Prague earlier this month.