Barroso ranks environment lower than jobs and growth

摘要

Protecting the environment is a "key" element, but still ranks lower than the top priorities of creating growth and jobs, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told the European Parliament on 26 January while outlining the EU executive's goals for the next five years. Apart from releasing a text on 'Strategic objectives' for his 2005-2009 mandate, Barroso gave a foretaste of the Commission's to-do list for this year, the 2005 work programme. The 14-page outline of the objectives notably says the EU must deliver on it sustainable development promises for future generations, speaks of fighting climate change, boosting eco-efficiency and using the bloc's "competitive edge" when it comes to environmental technologies.