Global Europe

The Lisbon Strategy

Due to the challenges and opportunities from globalization, the EU in 2000 decided that the union in 2010 should be the worlds most dynamic, competitive, knowledge-based economy capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion while respecting the environment.

"Global Europe"

In the communication "Global Europe - Competing in the World" the Commission outlines the future work on external trade, as a means to contribute to the fulfilling of the goals of the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs. The communication, presented in 2006, describes i.a. the work with trade, investments, public procurement, intellectual property rights, market access issues and a strategy for trade with China in order to enhance the competitiveness of the EU. The commitment to WTO and the multilateral trade system is a central part of "Global Europe".

Sweden and "Global Europe"

When "Global Europe" was launched in 2006 by the European Commission Sweden was among the countries that welcomed the communication. Trade policy towards third countries is key in reaching enhanced growth and in creating more jobs in Europe. Sweden has vigorously argued for the importance of EU's own openness to third countries and that the EU's external trade relations should be an integral part of the Lisbon Strategy. Decisively Sweden has argued that the EU has a special responsibility for the Doha negotiations to be concluded and that the strategies that are proposed in "Global Europe" should be followed up and evaluated within the context of the Lisbon Strategy.