Last week on 26 and 27 June, the European Council adopted several key decisions such as the very mediatised nomination of Jean-Claude Junker (to be finalised by a European Parliament vote on 16th July), the adoption of the Country Specific recommendations 2014, the closing of this European Semester cycle and of the Greek presidency of the European Union – followed by the Italian Presidency).

Another significant decision that will impact strongly the future of the European Union is the adoption of the “strategic agenda for the Union in times of change”. This document is setting the direction for the European Union’s legislative work for the next five years. It emphasizes the European Union’s priorities for action through five objectives:

  1. A Union of jobs, growth and competitiveness
  2. A Union that empowers and protects all citizens
  3. Towards an Energy Union with a forward-looking climate policy
  4. A Union of freedom, security and justice
  5. The Union as a strong global actor.

The document clearly state that these priorities are to guide the planning of the EU institutions in the years ahead, and it is important that all institutions organise their work accordingly.

Eurodiaconia issued a press release (available here) to comment on these new strategic priorities and question the future role of Europe 2020 quantified target, and particularly the poverty reduction objective. Eurodiaconia welcomes the text’s recognition of rising inequalities, its direct reference to the empowerment and protection of citizens (objective 2) and in particular its commitment to “help ensure all our societies have their safety nets (…) to accompany change and reverse inequalities. But such a declaration should go hand in hand with a direct renewed commitment to prioritise poverty reduction as a European Union objective, and that European policies will support Member States in their efforts to address inequalities and rising levels of poverty.