EU employment summit

Commenting on today’s meeting of EU leaders in Milan on the issues of growth and unemployment, Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts stated:

“The only employment this summit has created is for EU diplomats, journalists and hoteliers in Milan. It is purely a public relations exercise aimed at enhancing Italian prime minister Renzi’s image as someone fighting against unemployment.

"EU leaders already decided earlier this year on a European Youth Guarantee Scheme, amounting to €6 billion, to tackle youth unemployment, but nothing has happened since. Instead of trying to raise their media profile, EU leaders should come up with actual concrete proposals to combat unemployment, and not only youth unemployment.

"The Greens have long been advocating an EU investment strategy for sustainable growth. The investment plan announced by Jean-Claude Juncker should not be an empty shell but should propose definitive projects such as on increasing energy efficiency of social housing."

• Libération - Initiative pour l’emploi des jeunes : circulez, y a rien à voir (Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts)