Speaking during the Internal Market committee meeting, Mr Muscat said that EU must work harder to create more job opportunities, rather than postpone measures that could lead to more employment.

Mr Muscat asked the Dutch Foreign Minister, Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, whether he agrees that the Lisbon Agenda aims for competitiveness and job creation should be postponed, as is being proposed by right-wing politicians, or whether they should be introduced by 2010, as is being proposed by the socialist group.

Mr Brinkhorst said he thought the Agenda should be given the utmost importance, although he believed it would be difficult for the targets to be reached, as was originally intended.

Speaking during the Economic committee meeting, the Dutch Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm said that an emphasis will be placed on the financial sustainability of governments of member states.

In the next meeting for finance ministers, the convergence plans of new member states will be up for discussion.