Brussels, 24/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Youth Pact was the central point in discussions between the Youth Ministers of the EU, meeting on Thursday afternoon under the Presidency of Austrian Minister Ursula Haubner. "Today, everything is extremely clear: youth is the priority of priorities for the Member States, both in terms of employment and of participation in active citizenship", said Ms Haubner. First of all, the Commission, represented by Jan Figel, reported back on its contribution to the Spring Summit as relates to the youth policy, by such means as the implementation of the European Youth Pact, which was adopted last year in order to contribute to the relaunch of the Lisbon strategy. The ministers then went on to adopt their recommendations on how best to implement the Pact. These recommendations will constitute the Member States' contribution to the Spring Summit. "Youth, with its potential for Europe's future, is a key factor in the new partnership for growth and employment", said the Austrian Presidency, describing it as extremely promising for the future that, for the first time, the implementation of the Pact has been referred to as part of national reform programmes. The role of youth must be reinforced within the new and improved Lisbon Strategy, youth organisations must become more closely involved in making the Pact a reality, more must be done to ensure the social and socio-cultural integration of the least-favoured young people and the mobility of young people must be promoted, the Austrian Presidency stressed, adding that it must be made easier for young parents to find work, by dint of initiatives in favour of reconciling family and professional life throughout Europe.
In their recommendations, the ministers call upon the European Council to: - promote further progress in provisions pertaining to young people, via the inclusion of the Youth Pact in the Lisbon Strategy; - obliging the Member States to strengthen the links between policies concerning young people, in order to develop non-sectorial strategies for youth; -call upon the Member States and the Commission always and visibly to refer to the Youth Pact in national reform programmes and/or in annual progress reports.
"We must offer young people more opportunities, integrate them into society and, above all, into Europe. Youth must be able to see Europe and to draw benefit from Europe", stressed Ms Haubner. In the view of Commissioner Figel, "we must make a contribution towards improving the conditions for young people, because the future- and the present- is linked to youth, but they are faced with many problems". In particular, the Commissioner pointed out that the average unemployment rate for young people in Europe stands at 19%, which is twice the overall rate. "There is no miracle solution, just well-established principles, such as better social cohesion and social integration in order to prepare young people for their access to the working world, and also the promotion of mobility", he stressed. The President of the Council also referred to the importance of learning outside school, voluntary work and improved preparation for the transition from the world of school to the world of work. As to the problem of the somewhat slender European budget earmarked for youth issues, the Commission and the Minister did not appear discouraged. "We must clearly articulate the priorities", said Ms Haubner, who voiced all of her determination to ensure that the once defined, the priorities are given adequate means. "I agree, we must do more", acknowledged Commissioner Figel, "but as well as (European) financial resources, there are other resources, such as the voluntary sector and NGOs, and we must also get national resources working".