The Prime Minister Antonis Samaras attended the summit of European leaders in Paris, where presented the current situation in Greece and his government’s plans to tackle youth unemployment.

Mr. Samaras explained that the Greek people have reached their limits from the extended recession, quoting the general unemployment rate of 27% and the “unacceptable” 59% rate for youth unemployment. Even though the reasons of youth unemployment may be different in each member state, the PM argued that a mutual approach was needed to overcome the problem.

The Greek Prime Minister then detailed his policies and reforms in the economy and employment to his European counterparts. According to Mr. Samaras, Greece will fully implement two European initiatives on youth employment in January 2014, while at the same time steps are taken to bolster the institution of apprenticeship and formalizing training to increase work experience.

Furthermore, the PM explained that the Greek unemployment office would be restructured, while developing ties with the services of other European member-states that have been deemed successful, such as Sweden, Germany and Great Britain. Mr. Samaras later reported that Greece worked with the Task Force on implementing “community service” and “voucher” programs.

Above all though, Mr. Samaras focused on the need for establishing long-term strategy to address the impact of the crisis on young people, which necessitates developing a sustainable growth model for the next few decades. The Prime Minister hoped that 2014 would be a year of recovery for the European economy.