European Parliament
O-000025/2012
(B7-0037/2012)
Petru Constantin Luhan  (PPE ),
in writing
. –
(RO)
The decision to redirect the unused Structural Funds to help SMEs and combat youth unemployment is totally inspired, as SMEs are the backbone of the European economy and young people a precious resource, while also being one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The younger generation is a dwindling resource, with estimates that the proportion they currently represent of 20% will drop to 15% by 2050. This means that we have a duty to create more opportunities for young people in the areas of education and employment. In fact, a basic tool for achieving the objectives proposed on this is the cohesion policy. If, at the moment, reprogramming funds for 2012 and 2013 is not such a simple task and may have more negative than positive effects, I strongly recommend Member States to focus much more attention in the forthcoming programming period on young people and to include in the national programmes’ structure well-financed axes, specially aimed at youth employment.

