18 October 2012

President Barroso remarks at Social Tripartite Summit: "We are perfectly aware of the very difficult situation"

Barroso empathised with those hardest hit by the crisis and urged the European Council to accelerate growth-enhancing measures under the Growth and Jobs Compact. (Includes link to press release from Cyprus Presidency.)

"Let me address a message to those in Europe that are hit hardest by the current crisis. We are perfectly aware of the very difficult situation in which many of our fellow citizens face themselves. And I want to say to all those who are experiencing hardship from the current crisis that the European Commission is making every effort, together with our Member States and social partners, to move Europe back on the path to growth and jobs", said President Barroso at the beginning of his remarks at the press conference after the summit.

This will require increased efforts from Member States to take decisive and immediate action, he said. "Just yesterday I sent out my report to the 27 Heads of State and Government explaining where we stand in terms of implementing the Compact for Growth and Jobs."

"Very frankly, I am not happy with the progress made so far. That's why I call on the European Council to accelerate the adoption and implementation of many important growth-enhancing measures included in the Growth and Jobs Compact … We need to balance the important efforts made in terms of sound public finances with the right measures to have growth enhancing policies", said the President.

Press release

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Cyprus Presidency press release: The Tripartite Social Summit, held in Brussels today, October 18, provided an opportunity for European Union Institutions and the social partners to discuss the importance of promoting growth, employment and social inclusion as well as the significant role the social partners can play in an improved EU governance.

© European Commission