EurActiv provides a handy an overview of the main EU policy debates that will dominate the agenda in 2005.

Lisbon strategy:

The mid-term review to be presented at the Spring summit will use the input from the Kok report to try and refocus the ambitious, but so far relatively unsuccesful attempt to simultaneously boost competitiveness, sustainable development and social cohesion.

Sustainable development strategy:

The mid-term review of the strategy will also be on the agenda at the Spring summit. The sustainability agenda has been somewhat in the shadow of the competitiveness drive in recent years.

REACH:

The heated debate on the EU chemicals policy review between the Commission and industry is expected to continue. The European Parliament will deliver its first reading in the second half of 2005.

Climate change:

The UK, which holds the G8 and EU presidencies in 2005, has already declared that climate change will be a top priority. Furthermore the EU‘‘s trump-card on its Koyto commitments, the CO2 emissions trading scheme, will meet its first reality-check. The Commission will also present a report of the costs of action and non-action on climate change