La crise dans l’Union européenne

The European Union is in the midst of its worst recession since the second world war. Recent data show that EU labour markets are continuing to decline, job reductions are still being announced and more are expected in the future. The European Commission estimates that unemployment in the EU could reach almost 11 percent in 2010, with unemployment rates currently increasing in the vast majority of member states.

Documents clés:

• The European Commission launched the European Economic Recovery Plan in November 2008. This document forms the Commissions’ policy response to the economic and financial crisis. The Spring 2009 European Council also endorsed the EU points for the April 2009 G20 Summit dealing with the crisis. This was followed by other initiatives such as the June 2009 Communication: A Shared Commitment for Employment, and by the mobilisation of EU funds to assist EU member states and to support investments. The European Commission is also monitoring EU Member States’ recovery plans in order to ensure their compatibility with internal market, competition and state aid rules.
• The European Commission has also set up a crisis website.
• EU Social Partners: The EU social partners are responding to the crisis both through bilateral social dialogue as well as through the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment.