Commission issues member states recommendations to boost growth

The European Commission has published a series of country-specific economic policy recommendations to EU member states in order to strengthen the Union’s economic recovery.

The recommendations follow an analysis of each country’s situation and suggest ways growth can be boosted, competitiveness increased and jobs created in 2014-2015. This year, the emphasis has moved towards strengthening the conditions for sustainable growth and employment in a post-crisis economy. As part of the package, the Commission has also adopted several decisions on member states’ public finances under the Stability and Growth Pact.

José Manuel Barroso, European Commission President, said: “This is about helping member states firmly out of the crisis and back to growth, with the country-specific recommendations acting as a compass showing the direction. The efforts and sacrifices made across Europe have started to pay off. Growth is picking up and – while still too modest – we will see a rise in employment from this year onwards.”

He added: “The fundamental challenge for the EU now is political: how do we keep up support for reform as the pressure of the crisis recedes? If politicians show leadership and summon the political will to see reform through – even if it is unpopular – we can deliver a stronger recovery and a better standard of living for everyone.”

The Commission has said its analysis shows that sustained policy efforts in recent years have made the EU’s economy more stable. However, it admits that growth will remain uneven and fragile over 2014-2015, warning that the momentum for reform must be maintained.

Over the longer term, the Commission says the EU’s growth potential is still relatively low: high unemployment levels and the difficult social situation will only improve slowly and the large investment gap will take time to be filled.