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 European Commission President Romano Prodi"I know what we have to deliver"  real 28k  The BBC's Jonathan Charles"Britain is a role model"  real 28kKeith Vaz MP"Need to create a dynamic economy" real 28kThe BBC's Peter Biles reports"EU leaders have set themselves ambitious targets" real 28k |
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said talks so far at the special European summit in Portugal had been "the most significant point of change for many years".
The package taken together is probably the most significant point of economic change and reform in Europe for many years  |
Tony Blair
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He said the 15 leaders, in addition to being on the verge of embracing plans to boost the dot.com revolution, were close to agreeing other social and welfare reforms.
He said: "It's a very strong body of action going along with the words.
Global marketplace
"This summit is not just about the internet and electronic commerce - it's about completing the internal market, structural reform and welfare reform.
"The package taken together is probably the most significant point of economic change and reform in Europe for many years.
"We have got to address the fact that there's a totally different type of economy today where new technology is revolutionising the workplace and industry and there is a global marketplace."
EU leaders are expected to formally approve a plan setting target dates on improved education and training in new technology, achieving full employment and opening up areas of the telecommunications market to free competition.
Growth through reforms
European leaders hope their plans will bring the European economy up to speed with the US in terms of creating new businesses and jobs in the information age.
Economic growth in the US has been fuelled by the development of new technology, and there are hopes among some leaders that the EU can achieve three per cent growth through economic reforms.
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The European Commission also wants leaders get all schools connected to the internet by 2001.
A note of discord has come, however, from French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin has warned that he does not want to commit France to other proposals which would further open up the energy and aviation markets.
He is concerned about protests in France and the danger of a trade union backlash.
 Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, top left, with Tony Blair, top right, at the summit
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Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel wants a lifting of the sanctions imposed by the other 14 EU countries, but has been warned that it is extremely unlikely.
Austria's EU partners froze bilateral political contacts with Vienna in February in protest at the involvement of the far-right Freedom Party in the Austrian government.
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