EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL : MINISTERS DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF 2020 OBJECTIVES.

Although the objectives of the new Europe 2020' strategy are in line with their priorities, European ministers are concerned about how they will be achieved and with what tools. This is what emerged from the 28 comments by ministers and advisory committees on the new EU strategy for growth and jobs for the coming decade at the Employment and Social Affairs Council, on 8 March. Ministers focused in particular on two of the strategy's objectives: bringing the employment rate of the population aged 20 to 64 years from 69% at present to at least 75%, and reducing by 25% the number of Europeans living below national poverty thresholds so as to bring 20 million people out of poverty. This debate was meant to lay the foundation for the position the ministers will present at the...