The Lisbon Strategy in the Wider European Context have been dropped, while initiatives at the European Community level have not been developed enough. The Lisbon Strategy is the first programme of action based mainly on national measures. However, there is a discrepancy between the big ambitions and the limited means of implementation, and this should not be underestimated. These contradictions open a resources problem of instruments and processes, as well as a communication problem, since citizens want to see clear social and environmental perspectives as the outcome of reforms. As a final outcome of limited resources and incentives, results remained weak, and it seems that the EU has delivered results while the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in member states has still been poor ( Zgajewski). There is an opinion that, following the mid-term review, the reforms will, hopefully, bring better results because of enhanced ownership, greater coherence, clearer and more focused objectives with growth and jobs defined as top priorities, and key areas of action, three-year plans and improved implementation instruments. The evaluation in autumn 2006 will reflect the reform capacities and performance of member states. However, increased ownership of the Lisbon Agenda is not addressed by the European institutions and the governments of member states- through participation of national parliaments, social partners and civil society in order to secure effective implementation and credibility( Randzio-Plath). To cope with the challenges of the renewed Lisbon Agenda, Europe will need a lot of new products, new services and new capabilities, the latter being the most crucial element in the new approach. What is the outcome of the revised strategy? How are the reforms seen by the Commission? How are reactions from the Commission perceived by EU member states, particularly the new members? What experiences should be learned by the present and potential candidates for EU membership? Where is Croatia in this new environment? These are the main questions that were discussed at the conference and in the papers of presenters. After the fifth EU enlargement the Lisbon goals became even more difficult to reach. The new member states have higher growth rates, but lower employment and productivity rates, while reaching the goal of 3% investment into R&D is more difficult, given the worse starting positions of new member states. The problems of cohesion are becoming more accentuated. The EU population is 20% larger, but GDP has increased by only 5%, and the per capita output has decreased by 12.5%, with strong regional disparities. 1 3