He referred to the level of unemployment in the EU and argued that "the situation shows that the policy so far has failed" and that "a new approach has to be found at the spring summit" which will focus on the quality of jobs, environmental conditions, better conditions in the work place, etc.
Eiropas Nāciju grupas deputāts Guntars KRASTS norādīja, ka vairākām Austrumeiropas valstīm šobrīd vienīgais reālais instruments ekonomikas stimulēšanai un Lisabonas stratēģijas ieviešanai ir ES fondu finansējums, taču fondu apguvei var pietrūkt līdzfinansējuma.