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The ongoing efforts for growth and jobs and the path towards a deeper integrated economic and monetary union was at the heart of the discussion.
President Barroso said: "While we are pulling all the stops to move Europe out of the crisis, our most important task is to give hope to people. We need to continue directing all efforts towards creating sustainable growth and jobs in Europe, implementing the measures we have decided to take. And we need to show that the action is making a difference for our unemployed young people and our cash-strapped small and medium sized enterprises."
The bilateral meeting between the two Presidents was followed by a working lunch hosted by President Barroso with seven major Local and Regional Associations.
President Barroso stressed that cooperation at all levels is needed to overcome the crisis, adding that "the role of regions and cities is key to achieve our common goals".
Both meetings take place in the framework of the "structural dialogue" between the European Commission, the Committee of Regions and European Associations of Local and Regional Authorities.