Does the Lisbon Strategy Matter: the Czech Experience apparent piecemeal progress on a majority of its issues:  The establishment of the above-mentioned cross-party task force for pension reform.  The new Labour Code was prepared and approved by Parliament in 2006.  The tripartite body has matured, gained legitimacy, and due to its relatively smooth functioning there have been minimal strikes and other forms of open protest.  The issue of gender equality has been discussed and new approaches were taken to close the gender gap in job opportunities, wages and other living conditions.  The promotion of families(especially those with children), and young people(potential parents) became the core issue of a new Conception of Family Policy(Ministerstvo práce a sociální politiky, 2005).  There were other partial agendas(such as the broad issue of social inclusion, etc.) considered and realised as mentioned through this paper. European economic and monetary union The Czech authorities(government, Ministry of Finance and the Czech National Bank) have officially declared their intent to join the euro zone by 2010. In view of positive economic developments, this plan seems to be realistic. Nevertheless, debate(namely among social scientists) is still on whether this move will be productive as some nationally sensitive and effective economic and social policy instruments will be lost on a country which has not yet fully recovered from the legacy of its Communist past. Enlargement- free movement of labour and goods, socio-political chapters The Czech authorities are generally well aware of the positive impact of implementation of the core European Union principles and goals on the future socio-economic development of the country, a country extremely dependent on foreign trade and foreign investment, technology and experience, and neighboured exclusively by EU member states. Thus the Czech government often encounters delays in the full application of these principles by some old member states, typically in the free movement of labour. This is a paradoxical situation as the Czech Republic has for several years been a net importer of labour from the other member states. Even Czech politicians who are genuine 143