3-4 July European Parliament

EU leaders were roundly criticised by MEPs for failing to do more at the Florence summit to tackle record unemployment levels. A resolution supported by five of the European Parliament's eight political groups deplored “the unacceptable delays” in implementing the European Commission's White Paper on Growth, Competition and Employment and questioned the political readiness of some member states to back Union action. It also regretted the summit's refusal to support the Commission's bid for increased funding for Trans-European Networks and its failure to accept any of the Parliament's recommendations for stimulating economic growth. Responding to criticism from MEPs, Commission President Jacques Santer insisted they should not underestimate the signals coming from the summit as “they are of the utmost importance for the mobilisation of responsibilities”.