EU stresses investment, reform in annual growth survey

The European Commission on Friday published its annual growth survey, recommending economic and social policy be based on pillars of investment, structure reforms and fiscal responsibility.
The survey set out general economic and social priorities for the EU for 2015, as part of the Commission's overall approach to support job creation and get Europe growing again.
Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, responsible for the euro and social dialogue, said the EU was facing a risk of prolonged low economic growth, which would aggravate the already serious social problems in parts of the Union.
"This is why today we propose a strategic policy mix based on investment, structural reforms and fiscal responsibility. We call for urgent action involving governments, parliaments and social partners at EU level and in each member state," he said.
The survey was part of the Commission's autumn economic governance package, which also included an alert mechanism report, a review of various pieces of legislation, a draft joint employment report, and opinions on eurozone countries' draft budgetary plans for 2015.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker unveiled an investment plan on Wednesday. The plan, which includes the creation of a new European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), guaranteed with public money, aims to mobilize at least 315 billion euros (393 billion U.S. dollars) of additional investment over the next three years.