Many European countries in recent years suffered recessions that severely affected economic growth.
“Today’s Europe is still struggling to overcome a crisis that has affected severely many countries. The picture is grim, with some countries having one third of their working age population out of work.
“The young population is the most affected by this condition, with dramatic figures of more than half of the youth in some countries unemployed and without a real perspective in the short term to find a job,” Dell’ Ariccia said in his speech to mark Europe Day last night in the capital.
He said despite the difficulties at home the EU bloc was still the biggest provider of development assistance in the world.
“We maintain the aim of devoting 0, 7 percent of the overall EU gross domestic product to development assistance. Trade relations are healthy and growing and the EU is solidly placed as the second trading partner of Zimbabwe, with a significant favourable trade balance for Zimbabwe,” he said.
European member countries with embassies here, other diplomats, government officials and civil organisations converged at the National Art Gallery to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Europe Day.
Post published in: News