The Official Journal of the European Union publishes in its issue on 23 July, the Council Recommendation of 13 July 2010 on broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and of the Union. With these guidelines Council follows Lisbon Treaty mandate for the adoption of both employment guidelines as well as broad economic policy guidelines to guide Member States’ policies.

These new integrated guidelines are in line with the conclusions of the European Council, and provide precise guidance to the Member States on defining their national reform programmes and implementing reforms, reflecting interdependence and are in line with the Stability and Growth Pact. The guidelines will form the basis for any country-specific recommendations that the Council may address to the Member States, or, in the case of the broad guidelines on economic policies, for policy warnings that the Commission may issue in cases of insufficient follow-up to the respective country-specific recommendations.

Council considers that the crisis has demonstrated that economic policy coordination at the level of the Union can deliver significant results if it is strengthened and rendered effective, and has also highlighted the close interdependence of the Member States’ economies and labour markets. The measures put in place through the European Economic Recovery Plan has nevertheless helped Member States to deal with the crisis, partly through a coordinated fiscal stimulus, with the euro providing an anchor for macroeconomic stability.

These guidelines express the general objectives which have to inspire the implementation of national policies in order to coordinate efforts between states. The Europe 2020 strategy has to be underpinned by an integrated set of European and national policies, which Member States and the Union should implement fully and at a similar pace, in order to achieve the positive spill-over effects of coordinated structural reforms, and more consistent contribution from European policies to the Strategy’s objectives, taking into account national starting positions.

Broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and of the Union

1. Ensuring the quality and the sustainability of public finances
2. Addressing macroeconomic imbalances
3. Reducing imbalances within the euro area
4. Optimising support for R & D and innovation, strengthening the knowledge triangle and unleashing the potential of the digital economy
5. Improving resource efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases
6. improving the business and consumer environment, and modernising and developing the industrial base in order to ensure the full functioning of the internal market

Member States as well as the European Union, where relevant, should take into account in their economic policies these guidelines, and design national reform programmes consistent with the objectives set out in the “Europe 2020 integrated guidelines”.

Once adopted. these guidelines should remain stable until 2014 to ensure a focus on implementation.