EU and social partners hope for successful job summit in Prague

A social summit for growth and employment, between the EU presidency, Sweden, Spain, the Commission and the social partners, was held on Thursday in Brussels, before the commencement of the European Council, during which the participants expressed hope and commitment for a successful Employment Summit on May 7 in Prague.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Czech Prime Minister and President of the European Council Mirek Topolanek expressed satisfaction with Thursday's summit and said there is a shared will to deal with the situation that has emerged from the economic recession, adding that nobody is taking the matter lightly.

He noted that the partners have agreed to a coordinated and common approach to deal with the situation and that they discussed matters concerning competition, the creation of new jobs, improvement of education and skills of the workforce, structural reforms and the Lisbon Strategy.

Topolanek pointed out that the social dialogue was and is very intense and assured that the EU will continue to deal with this issue.

President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said he was very satisfied with the outcome of Thursday's summit, noting that there was a clear convergence of views.

He said Europe must get out stronger from the current financial crisis and noted that the aim is to build concrete consensus for concrete results.

Barroso spoke of remarkable commitment during the summit, adding that now is the time for action.

The representatives of the social partners also expressed satisfaction with Thursday's summit and expressed their commitment to make sure that the May Employment Summit would be successful.