Low growth, falling competitiveness and high unemployment as Europe approaches the 21st century

Abstract

The European Council, at its meeting in Copenhagen in June 1993, reaffirmed the growth initiatives endorsed in Edinburgh the previous December and at the ECOFIN meeting in April 1993. The conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen included a memorandum by the Commission's President entitled 'Entering the Twenty-first Century - Orientations for Economic Renewal in Europe?' In this connection, the European Council asked the Commission to prepare a white paper on a medium-term strategy for growth, competitiveness and employment. Member states were asked to submit to the Commission, before 1 September 1993, proposals for elements that this strategy might include.