Ralf Resch, General Secretary of CEEP, presented this key message at today’s informal high level meeting organised by President Barroso with the European social partners. The debate focused on the recently published “Youth Opportunities Initiative” and the involvement of social partners in its implementation.

Mr Resch continued by emphasizing that the Youth Opportunities Initiative highlights some important aspects for public services employers. One example is the increased skills mismatches in Europe. CEEP members, including education providers, have a key role in providing the current and future skills needs. Mr Resch stated: “In times of fiscal consolidation being implemented in many Members states, priority should be given to growth-friendly expenditure such as education, which is an investment for future growth”.

In his closing remarks, Mr Resch also took the opportunity to highlight some key messages ahead of the informal European Council meeting on 30 January 2012. He emphasised the urgent need of a convincing response to the crisis in the Euro area, adding that the focus needs to be simultaneously on reform measures having a short term growth effect and on the right growth model in the medium term. In this respect, he mentioned the key role of Public Services such as health and education in contributing to the overall competitiveness of our economies. This should be taken into account when discussing both short and medium term reforms to restore growth in Europe.

For further information, please contact:

Valeria RONZITTI, Director of CEEP - tel. +32 (0) 2 219 27 98

CEEP gathers enterprises and organisations from across Europe, both public and private, at national, regional and local level, which are public employers or providers of services of general interest. CEEP members employ a quarter of the EU workforce; CEEP is one of the three European Social Partners.