The European Commission has today adopted recommendations to EU Member States designed to move Europe beyond the crisis and strengthen the foundations for growth.

These country-specific recommendations (CSRs) are based on detailed analyses of each country's situation and provide guidance to governments on how to boost their growth potential, increase competitiveness and create jobs in 2013-2014.

Key messages

The Commission's analysis shows that rebalancing is underway in the EU. Most Member States are making progress on fiscal consolidation and are implementing reforms to increase competitiveness. However, the pace and impact of these efforts varies. Some Member States need to accelerate reforms or to implement them with greater urgency.

Unemployment

A major challenge is to tackle rising unemployment, especially youth unemployment, by increasing the use of active labour market policies or by reforming education and training systems to make sure jobseekers are equipped with the right skills for the jobs we have.

The Commission has made recommendations to 17 Member States on youth unemployment, emphasising the importance of putting in place a Youth Guarantee along the lines of the Council Recommendation adopted formally in April 2013.

The EU's €6 billion Youth Employment Initiative under the future seven-year budget can play a key role in supporting the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, as can the European Social Fund. 

Poverty

The Commission is very concerned by the rise in poverty, particularly child poverty, and has highlighted this in recommendations to a number of Member States. 

Various recommendations also address the specific inclusion needs of the Roma population.

Next steps

The recommendations will be discussed by the Council of Ministers and endorsed by EU Heads of State or Government at the European Council in June. They will be formally adopted by the Council of Ministers in July.

It will then be up to Member States to implement the recommendations by taking them up when drafting their national budgets and other relevant policies.