European Anti-Poverty Network: Delay in the Europe 2020 strategy mid-term review shows European Commission’s low priority on the fighting poverty commitment – EAPN’s letter to President Juncker

The European Commission’s mid-term review of the Europe 2020 strategy publicised and agreed by all parties has been delayed until the end of this year. The European Anti-Poverty Network Europe (EAPN) considers this shows the lack of serious commitment and low priority the Commission gives to the process and the fight against poverty. Europe 2020 aims at reducing poverty by at least 20 million by 2020 and was set as a key priority for the new Commission in order to set a smart, sustainable and inclusive recovery from the financial crisis. The number of people experiencing direct poverty has increased by six million after the Europe 2020 strategy was put in place.

EAPN questions the Commission’s commitment to the goals established by Europe 2020 together with the promises of increasing participation and ownership of civil society in the European Semester process. Those actions confirm the lack of visibility of Europe 2020 and its social targets in the main new Commission plans such as the Investment Plan or documents such as the Annual Growth Survey 2015.

EAPN urges the new European Commission to:

  • Confirm the European Union’s commitment to the Europe 2020 strategy for inclusive and sustainable growth and the continuation of the poverty and other social targets.
  • Make a commitment to “listen more” and “do better”.
  • Mainstream Europe 2020 into the Investment Plan priorities and ensure that the Europe 2020 social goals and targets are prioritised in the European Semester.
  • Set out a firm timeline for delivery of the mid-term review.

Read EAPN’s complete letter here.

Full article.