In advance of speaking to the EU Council Bernadette Ségol will meet the Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta "Tackling youth unemployment must be at the top of the European Summit Agenda"

Brussels, 26/06/2013

At the meeting with the Italian Prime Minister, the ETUC General Secretary will reiterate her call to turn economic policies away from austerity, as well as the need to foster a strong social dimension for the EU. The ETUC urges European leaders to establish a plan to stimulate growth and employment amounting to 1% - 2% of the EU GDP as well as adequate financial resources to support it.

More than 5.6 million young people are currently unemployed in Europe. In some countries, the situation is extremely serious. This is an emergency situation and we press European leaders to take concrete actions to tackle it. There are 5.6 million reasons to do it. Any inaction, any procrastination will be unacceptable. Political leaders must accept their responsibility. Europe cannot afford a lost generation!” said Bernadette Ségol.