Summit targets taxation and youth jobs

EU leaders will call for rapid progress on a range of tax issues at their two-day summit that begins in Brussels today, and will also discuss how to increase youth employment.

Irish officials point out that there is no mention of adopting any of the tax changes, including on the common consolidated corporate tax base and the financial transactions tax. Ireland is opposed to both but has agreed to discuss the corporate tax base issue with its EU partners. Finance ministers will have a full debate on the financial transactions tax later in the month.

The EU leaders will put the spotlight on Europe’s economy, mainly trying to emphasis the need for greater growth and job creation rather than just austerity.