Annual Growth Survey 2013, by Xavier Verboven

The Commission's 2013 Annual Growth Survey (AGS) communication, which opens the European Semester, sets out what the Commission believes should be the overall budgetary, economic and social priorities for 2013.

The Commission considers that the five priorities for 2012 remain valid for 2013. While there are doubts about the EU's ability to reach the Europe 2020 goals on time, the EESC regrets that the 2013 AGS fails to provide analysis of the causes of the lack of progress towards these goals.

Given that Europe does not seem to be on the right track to reach the Europe 2020 objectives, the EESC's report raises the issue of the choice of fiscal austerity policy and its consequences for the economy, jobs and social cohesion.

The opinion considers that priority should now be given to the real economy, to growth and to employment measures. It calls upon European policy makers, in particular in view of the March 2013 European Council, to shift their policy approach and re-centre policies on a Europe-driven investment approach, focusing on a relaunch of the economy, jobs and sustainable development. Finally, the opinion reiterates the importance of the involvement of organised civil society and social partners in both EU- and national-level policy making.