The "Europe 2020" Strategy for growth and employment in the EU establishes a new framework for member countries' economic policies. Key elements are the national targets in five policy areas (employment, research and development, education, poverty, environment), the Stability and Growth Pact,...

The economic crisis has had a negative effect on the state of the public budgets. Consolidation measures and the slow recovery of the economy will continue to influence the budget until 2014. However, an increase in public spending on innovation and education is possible in principle, despite...