Press Release: European Semester 2014: strengthening the recovery

The European Commission on 13 November 2013 adopted the 2014 Annual Growth Survey (AGS). The survey's main message is that the biggest challenge now facing Europe's economy is how to sustain the recovery that is now underway.

Its adoption kicks off the fourth European Semester of economic policy coordination in an environment where growth is beginning to return and Member States are making progress on correcting the imbalances that developed before the crisis.

The EC's focus on growth and jobs centres on five main priorities:
- Pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation;
- Restoring bank lending to the economy;
- Promoting growth and competitiveness for today and tomorrow;
- Tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis;
- Modernising public administration.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The EU's economic governance explained http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-the-eus-economic-governance-explained/

European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/970: Third Alert Mechanism Report on macroeconomic imbalances in EU Member States http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-970_en.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/976: Draft Joint Employment Report – frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-976_en.pdf

ESO: Background information: Moving Europe beyond the crisis: country-specific recommendations 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-moving-europe-beyond-the-crisis-country-specific-recommendations-2013/

ESO: Background information: Commission concludes in-depth reviews of macroeconomic imbalances in 13 Member States http://www.europeansources.info/record/commission-concludes-in-depth-reviews-of-macroeconomic-imbalances-in-13-member-states/

European Commission: RAPID: Speech, SPEECH/13/912: Statement by President Barroso on the European Semester 2014 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-912_en.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: Speech, SPEECH/13/915: European Semester 2014 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-915_en.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: Speech, SPEECH/13/916: Joint European Report confirms growing divergence http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-916_en.pdf

EUObserver, 13.11.13: Germany to face EU trade surplus probe http://euobserver.com/news/122093

BBC News, 13.11.13: Germany under review over economic role in EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24922975

European Commission: Europe 2020: Making it happen: Priorities at EU level: Annual Growth Survey http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/making-it-happen/annual-growth-surveys/index_en.htm

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