13. Recalls that cohesion policy is a fundamental principle of the treaties and a tool for achieving the Lisbon Strategy objectives for growth and jobs, up to 75 % of cohesion policy funds being earmarked for innovation and Lisbon Strategy objectives; considers that the leverage of cohesion policy in general, and the structural and cohesion funds in particular, must be used for the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy at regional level and that the results of this process need to be monitored closely at the regional and local levels; considers that the current favourable economic development should spur further reforms; stresses the ...[+++]need to examine the effect of the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy at regional level, 2008 being the first year when the preliminary results of the cohesion policy's earmarking exercise can be evaluated;

RECALLING that the Commission Communication to the Spring European Council "Working together for Growth and Jobs – a new start for the Lisbon strategy" , the Integrated Guidelines (2005-2008) for the re-launch of the Lisbon Strategy, and the Community Lisbon Programme submitted in May 2005, underline the key importance of SMEs in the context of the Lisbon mid-term review; RECALLING the important policy messages with regard to small enterprises contained in the Council conclusions on "stimulating entrepreneurship ...[+++]- European Charter for small enterprises" of 7 March 2005 , "research and innovation, growth and employment" of 28 November 2005 , as well as in the contributions from the "Competitiveness" Council to the Spring European Council in 2004 and 2005 ; RECALLING the key importance of SMEs in the diffusion of more sustainable production and consumption patterns and the resulting need for more investment in knowledge-based skill and competitiveness; NOTES that evidence shows that SMEs, and in particular micro-enterprises, are disproportionately affected by administrative burdens and recalls the conclusions of the Competitiveness Council meeting of 28 and 29 November 2005 on better regulation; WELCOMES the proposed approach to SME policy contained in the Commission's communication "Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme - Modern SME policy for growth and employment" .

Worker mobility, modernisation of the customs system, instruments other than legislation and the Lisbon Strategy all took centre stage at the public hearing held in Bratislava on 25 April by the EESC’s Single Market Observatory (SMO).

Complimenting the EU's Single Market, by creating a "European Knowledge Area"; Use our biggest asset, the EU's Single Market, which is the biggest in the world; Need to significantly increase funding for research and development; Implementation of the Lisbon Strategy must take place at national, regional and local level, and be coordinated at European level; Avoid further delay in implementation: public authorities as well as civil society must take real ownership of the strategy "We must not kill the patient while trying to cure him": Competitiveness, yes but within an agreed international ...[+++] framework or there is the risk of destructive cost cutting; The Lisbon Strategy must inspire and motivate European citizens and not make them fearful.

The seat of the Centre shall remain in Lisbon.

Whereas the Stockholm European Council has decided that the European Council will review, at its Spring meeting in 2002, inter alia, progress in integrating the sustainable development aims into the Lisbon strategy; whereas the Göteborg European Council has agreed a Strategy for Sustainable Development which adds a third, environmental dimension to the Lisbon strategy and has requested the Council to develop the arrangements for implementing this strategy;