The conditions must be created to generate jobs as the European economy recovers from the global downturn, it has been claimed.

Addressing the Institute of International and European Affairs, European Commissioner for employment social affairs and inclusion Laszlo Andor stressed the need for national debts to be addressed, while also providing new positions and ensuring individuals have the skills required to fill them.

According to Mr Andor, "the European Union (EU) is emerging slowly from the crisis" and more needs to be done to generate jobs in the region in order to make sure 2020 goals are met.

In a speech entitled Unemployment, Job Creation and the EU, Mr Andor highlighted the problem of high youth joblessness in the region, along with shrinking numbers of low-skilled positions.

The commissioner, who was speaking in Dublin, stated: "The challenge is to consolidate public finances, while creating the right conditions for a return to jobs and growth."

Data from Eurostat has indicated youth unemployment fell back during April 2011, but remains high, at 20.3 per cent across the 27 EU member states.

Posted by Alex Donnell