Tomorrow, the European Parliament will adopt a resolution to wind up today's debate on the Europe 2020 strategy for growth over the next 10 years. Liberals and Democrats, who have been at the forefront in calling for a more robust approach to the economic growth strategy, fear that the current Europe 2020 strategy is doomed to fail.

Bendt Bendtsen MEP and Paul Rübig, Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively of the SME Circle in the EPP Group, welcome today's adoption in the Parliament of a series of recommendations intended to give new impetus to growth and job creation in Europe's SMEs.

"Europe must focus on creating the best possible business climate for its SMEs. SMEs are Europe's most important growth driver. Making sure that our SMEs get better access to financing is a prerequisite to renewed growth, job creation and stronger competitiveness in Europe", said Bendt Bendtsen MEP after today's vote.

The European 2020 Strategy, designed to turn the EU into a smart, sustainable social market economy, must complement a reinforced Stability and Growth Pact and be part of the economic governance package. "We should focus on sound public finances. Fiscal stability is essential for growth and employment. Member States with the most prudent fiscal policies are now performing best.

"The European Parliament today voted on the Swoboda Report on Croatia, in which it supports this June 2011 as the target date to conclude accession negotiations. This wording was based on amendments tabled by EPP Group Spokesman on Croatia, Bernd Posselt MEP, in the Foreign Affairs Committee, and defended by a majority of the European Parliament against efforts of the Green Group to delete this date.

After today's European Parliament vote on a report on European pension systems, GUE/NGL MEP Ilda Figueiredo set out the left's opposition to increases in retirement ages and the notion of European integration built on the basis of anti-social policies.