Job creation Europe’s first priority

RIGA - European Union policy has not concentrated on matters that are important for the bloc’s citizens - the creation of jobs and growth, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) said during the Economic Ideas Forum in Helsinki on June 7, reports LETA.

Even though one of the main priorities of the EU at the moment is to look after economic growth and competitiveness, one issue which has been put aside is the attitude residents have towards the EU, as too little attention has been paid to residents’ main worries - jobs and economic prosperity.

“People want to see new jobs and growth. We must concentrate on economic growth and show people that there is a bright light at the end of the crisis,” the Latvian prime minister said. Meanwhile, if the economic crisis continues in some EU countries, or they remain in stagnation, residents will become more and more frustrated. He said that reforming European economies is a long-term matter, but one that is current already, so that the results are finally felt in five to ten years.

Dombrovskis said that either the EU returns to competitiveness and growth, or no one will want to think about the EU anymore. Thus, he urges for the creation of new jobs, as well as stabilizing economies, which will help put EU residents in a more positive mood.

“Member states must understand that we are all part of the EU, and we must divide responsibility amongst ourselves. The EU economy will be sustainable when we finally understand we are all in the same boat,” the prime minister said.
This year, the Economic Ideas Forum was attended by top-level economic experts, several economy ministers, European commissioners, the prime ministers of Finland, Latvia, Ireland and Greece, as well as company executives from various world regions to discuss new ideas and solutions to European countries’ economic problems.
The previous Economic Ideas Forums were held in Madrid, London and Dublin.