Beyond Lisbon: A European Strategy for Globalisation is the product of six months' work and
extensive Europewide consultations within the framework of a mission entrusted to Laurent
Cohen-Tanugi by the French government ahead of France's presidency of the European Union. It
provides the first assessment of the Lisbon strategy - generally presented as the European
response to globalisation - established at the initiative of a Member State since its 2005
relaunch as well as an analysis of the new challenges and opportunities facing the EU in the
years to come. Against that background the Cohen-Tanugi report demonstrates that in spite of
its merits the Lisbon strategy no longer represents a sufficient European response to
globalisation not only because of its intrinsic shortcomings but also because it constitutes
solely an internal reform agenda designed to adapt the European economies and societies to
globalisation without attempting to influence it. The report advocates a more ambitious
strategy beyond 2010 that includes along with a more effective innovation-based
competitiveness agenda (Lisbon Plus) an external dimension based on common policies to help
Europe shape globalisation and stay in the race in the 21 st century's global economy.
Following the mission's interim recommendation the European Council of March 2008 has
officially launched the reflection on a post-Lisbon globalisation strategy. As a pioneer
substantive contribution to this exercise the Cohen-Tanugi report has been met with
significant interest throughout the EU since its delivery to the French government and is
likely to influence future EU policy in this critical area.
