CURRENT EU ISSUES AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE
The European Union is looking toward the future. This is reflected in the issues that are currently being given priority at EU level - issues that require cross border co-operation and the cohesion of national policies in order to successfully rise to the challenges on the horizon.
The EU Reform Treaty (or Lisbon Treaty) which incorporates reforms necessary to allow the EU to operate with greater flexibility; the Lisbon Agenda which sets out the framework for stimulating EU economic growth and, finally, climate change and energy policy are the three over-arching issues in the EU today. Each of these issues will only gain importance in the coming years as matters that must be addressed on national and EU levels.
In each of the three areas a coherent European Union policy which provides a framework for national policies to ensure that all Member States are working toward the same goals in the most effective manner will achieve a stronger position on the global stage than countries working alone. It is vital for EU nations, including Scotland, to be aware of these priorities in order to take advantage of the opportunities and support that working with the EU will bring.