Increasing the quality of public services and public financing requires a robust evidence base for budgetary and policy decisions in line with smart regulation principles.

– To assist Member States in the successful implementation of RI reforms, the Commission will draw on the experience gained under the Innovation Union flagship initiative and European Research Area, and fully exploit the Research and Innovation Observatory and the Policy Support Facility foreseen in Horizon 2020 in order to support an integrated and evidence-based approach to policy making and budgetary decisions.

Considers that, given budgetary pressure, efficiency in social spending is of major importance; considers that, in view of the current budgetary pressure, social spending has played a significant economic and social role in softening the effects of the crisis; considers that pay-as-you-go schemes have demonstrated their fundamental role in creating solidarity between generations; also considers that the second and third pillars have a supplementary role to play in reducing pressure; calls on Member States to ensure the best possible mix of forms of pension provision to safeguard pensions in the future; calls upon Member States to im ...[+++]prove citizens’ access to private savings schemes; points out that, because of the financial crisis, several Member States are planning to introduce changes to their pension systems; urges them, however, to ensure that all pension systems remain stable, reliable and sustainable, and that all changes are made after adequate social dialogue and on the basis of the provision of sufficient information; advocates that, if choices can be made by employees, enough time should be provided for them to make informed and well thought-out decisions;

Considers that in order to avoid the risk of structural after-shocks, focusing the exit strategy on long-term sustainable growth should be the leading criterion for policy choices; from this perspective, the content of fiscal packages is essential; policy choices should be made in accordance with medium- to long-term objectives, and public investment must be properly targeted and focus on innovation, research, education and energy efficiency, and new technologies should be considered a priority;

They agree that such rationalisation of instruments, while enhancing the coherence and the responsiveness of European Union action, should not affect the powers of either the legislative authority –notably in its political control of strategic choices — or the budgetary authority.

They agree that such rationalisation of instruments, while enhancing the coherence and the responsiveness of European Union action, should not affect the powers of either the legislative authority –notably in its political control of strategic choices — or the budgetary authority.