2006, in Zagreb, Croatia, there could not have been a better time chosen to discuss the entire framework of developments since the mid-term review in 2005 and the current situation regarding the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy, particularly in Croatia, most likely the 28th member state of the EU. The EESM is still a new area of discussion in Croatia and there exist only a few relevant papers and abstracts on the issue that specialise in the Croatian case. As a result of the conference we decided to produce this publication to provide a useful contribution to public debate in Croatia and within the countries of the European Union. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who contri­buted to this project, in particular Višnja Samardžija from the Institute for Inter­national Relations in Zagreb, the editor of the book, for her contributions and the good cooperation with the IMO, the reviewers Ana Maria Boromisa from the Institute for International Relations in Zagreb and Paul Stubbs from the Economic Institute in Zagreb for their valuable advice, Charlotte Huntly for outstanding assistance in language editing of the contributions, Vesna Ibrišimović for an excellent layout and Blanka Smoljan from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung for all the assistance in tackling the unavoidable administration duties during the conference and in preparation for this publication. Mirko Hempel Director Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Office for Croatia and Slovenia 4