A trio of European Union (EU) policy leaders has agreed to focus on employment as one of their key objectives.

Talks between Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, Spanish employment minister Celestino Corbacho and his counterparts from Belgiun and Hungary resulted in a new resolve to introduce both short and long-term measures aimed at boosting jobs within the trading bloc.

At the meeting, the three employment ministers presented Mr Van Rompuy with conclusions reached at informal discussions on jobs, social policy and the 2020 Strategy in Barcelona.

The Belgian Minister of Employment, Joelle Milquet suggested "in a few months it may be useful to hold a special council meeting devoted to employment", adding initiatives such as investment in human capital and vocational training should be a priority.

Spanish economy and finance minister Elena Salgado recently declared that sustainable growth and job creation are the main goals of the 2020 Strategy for Europe.