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The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.9% in March 2012, compared with 10.8% in February. Regarding the whole EU, the unemployment rate was unchanged in March 2012 compared with February. In March 2012, the youth unemployment rate was 22.6% in the EU and 22.1% in the euro area, a slight increase compared with the figures released in February 2012.

The European Commission presented a new strategy to give children the digital skills and tools they need to benefit fully and safely from the digital world. According to Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President, this initiative brings every type of player together so that children get more of the quality content, services and protection they need to enjoy a positive experience online.

The European Commission presented through its Joint Research Centre a set of guidelines for conducting cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of smart grid projects. The guidelines are based in a JRC study that serves as key input to the definition of an eligibility assessment framework for "common interest" smart grids projects.

The European Commission presented an outline of the principles that should guide EU countries when they organise the participation of the relevant partners in the different stages of the implementation of the EU Common Strategic Framework funds. In addition, it announced the preparation of a European Code of Conduct on partnership.

EU Justice Ministers reached a partial general approach on a directive on criminal sanctions for insider dealing and market manipulation, the so called "market abuse directive". The directive would create an obligation for Member States to ensure that these conducts are punishable as criminal offences. They also agreed that that awareness of the rights of victims needs to be raised.