ИПИ Библиотека

The Slovak Republic faces the task to secure conditions for a long-term economic growth. A crucial precondition for an efficient implementation of economic and social measures is the knowledge of the status quo and of the impacts on the economy and the society as a whole, to be expected from the relevant measures and it is important to focus on short-term as well as on long-term goals. For a successful implementation of many economic and social measures citizens´ acceptance is needed. Therefore, the non-governmental, non-profit organisation Institute for Economic and Social Reforms INEKO aims to make the public more familiar with the nature of economic and social processes in the country and abroad, and to eliminate, through economic research and educational activities, hindrances to a long-term positive development of the Slovak economy and society.

The Competitiveness Strategy for Slovakia until 2010 (the so-called Lisbon Strategy for Slovakia, or National Lisbon Strategy) was approved by Cabinet members on 16 February 2005. The document was placed on the agenda by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Ivan Mikloš, with the intention of further progress in the issue of application of the objectives and strategy, as set out at the Lisbon Summits by EU Member States representatives in 2000. The aim of the Lisbon Strategy is to transform the EU, by 2010, into "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable
economic growth". Several European economists and politicians admit today that the Lisbon Strategy has not been very successful so far and suggested its revision.

Dušan Zachar (editor)

Dušan Zachar – economist, Institute for Economic and Social Reforms (INEKO).