European Parliament
Gay Mitchell (PPE-DE ). –
I thank the Presidency for that reply.
I understand that economic growth is projected to be 2.3% in the European Union and 2.1% in the euro area in 2006, up from 1.6% and 1.3% respectively in 2005. But would the President-in-Office share my concerns that growth rates do not appear to be converting into forecasted increases in employment rates?
Whereas I understand that one million jobs are expected to be created over the next 12 months, the unemployment rate would still remain stubbornly high, at about 8.4%. Do you share my concerns that economic growth is not converting to jobs? What steps are being taken to deal with that issue?

