89. Is concerned that the supply of science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills (STEM) will not match the increasing demand from businesses in the coming years, thereby reducing the capacity of the EU labour force to adapt and progress; calls on the Member States to invest in the modernisation of education and training systems, including lifelong learning, and in particular in dual learning schemes, and to facilitate the transition from school to work;

35. Is concerned that the supply of science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills (STEM) will not match the increasing demand from businesses in the coming years, thereby reducing the capacity of the EU labour force to adapt and progress; calls on the Member States to invest in the modernisation of education and training systems, including lifelong learning, and in particular in dual learning schemes, and to facilitate the transition from school to work;

From this viewpoint, then, I think that we ought to continue to work in the area to which my report relates to find mechanisms whose scope can be extended in ways that nobody can reject, and to find gradual methods of implementation over a reasonable period that will allow everyone to adapt over time, without demanding that things should happen overnight.

Calls on the EU Member States and the US to work together on fresh ideas for launching a redefined and stronger EU-NATO partnership, going beyond Berlin-Plus, given the need for greater cooperation in Afghanistan; takes the view that the efforts to adjust and refine the European Security Strategy should be linked to the early phase of discussions on a new NATO Strategic Concept; underlines the importance of NATO, which remains the essential forum for security consultations between Europe and the United States, as well as the importance of the EU's common foreign and security policy in strengthening the EU's ability to confront existing and emerging 21st-century s ...[+++]ecurity threats; welcomes the US recognition at the Bucharest Summit that building a strong NATO alliance requires strong European defence effectiveness; recommends developing the existing relationship between NATO and the EU regarding security matters, while respecting the independent nature of both organisations;

4. Emphasises that transition periods are necessary but that it is very important to keep them as short and limited as possible in order not to endanger the cohesion of the EU and the proper functioning of the single market; these transition periods should be tailored to the needs of individual candidate countries, enabling them to adjust at a controlled and measured pace to the rigours of a competitive market economy;

Showing the distance from development goals at intervals would show progress over the period and highlight differences in the rate of progress in closing these gaps on each of the five dimensions included.