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To provide a certain continuity in the work of the EU, Belgium set up a common work programme with the previous Presidency (Spain) and the following Presidency (Hungary), in accordance with the legislative provisions of the EU Treaties. This programme therefore covers a period of eighteen months, between January 2010 and June 2011.
These are the main objectives set up as part of this common work programme:
• review the Lisbon Strategy so that the EU is better prepared to overcome the economic crisis, restore sustainable growth, a higher rate of employment and better competitiveness
• better monitoring of the financial markets
• broaden the social agenda and focus it on young people, on combating gender discrimination and fighting poverty
• press forward on energy and climate change
• make the EU a space for ever greater freedom, safety and justice (Stockholm programme)
• set up a global European policy for immigration and asylum
• set up a more consistent, effective external EU representation
• place the emphasis on the defence of human rights and fundamental freedoms