The European Commission presented its Annual Growth Survey for 2013 in which sets out five priorities designed to guide Member States through the crisis to renewed growth. The Survey also shows that tough EU policies are beginning to show results, continued reform is needed to generate sustainable growth and jobs.

The 2013 Annual Growth Survey (AGS) that kick-starts the European Semester for economic policy coordination, which ensures Member States align their budgetary and economic plans with the Stability and Growth Pact and the Europe 2020 strategy, was presented by the European Commission. In the Annual Growth Survey 2012, the Commission acknowledged that Member States have to consider revenue-raising measures.

The AGS sets out five priorities designed to guide Member States through the crisis to renewed growth. Each of the five priorities is focused on delivering growth and jobs, with a special emphasis on fairness. In particular, the five priorities are: pursuing differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation; restoring normal lending to the economy; promoting growth and competitiveness for today and tomorrow; tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis; and modernising public administration.

According to the Commission, the main message of the AGS this year is that while EU policies are beginning to show results – deficits are coming down, tensions in financial markets are easing and there are signs that competitiveness is improving in some Member States – continued reform is needed to generate sustainable growth and jobs. It therefore underlines that the labour market situation calls for an urgent response, and the situation of young people is particularly worrying, with youth unemployment hitting 50% in many countries.