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EU's Santer says European

ideal depends on jobs

BRUSSELS: A single currency and closer political ties between EU governments will serve no purpose without a fall in the millions of people out of work, European Commission President Jacques Santer said on Sunday.

"Our "grand vision' of the future makes no sense if we do not tackle employment problems," said Santer in an opening address due to be delivered to a two-day jobs conference.

"What sort of society do we want? A society of 18 million unemployed?," said Santer in his speech, a copy of which was released to reporters.

The closed-door meeting of employers, trade unions and EU officials was intended to launch a "confidence pact" to fight unemployment in the 15-country bloc.

The success of any such pact will depend on the willingness of EU governments to play their part, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said in a statement.

"Only then will we have reached a real European turning point in the fight against unemployment," it added.

The Commission is trying to push European Union institutions, national governments, labour and business to develop a common strategy for boosting jobs and economic growth.

The strategy will be based on principles including sound macroeconomic policy, better use of the EU's single market, public and private sector cooperation to finance infrastructure and labour market modernisation, the Commission paper said.

Pre-conference questionnaires completed by employers and union groups showed similar views in areas such as medium-term economic strategy, equal opportunities and education and training but divergence in others.

"The points of greatest disagreement are the approach to labour costs, the "trade off' between wage restraint and job creation and the revival of consumption," the Commission said.

The two sides showed some agreement, however, on the need to reduce overtime, make part-time work more attractive and reconcile work and family life, it added.-Reuter