Van Rompuy calls for more action on growth, jobs

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy on Monday called for more efforts to implement the compact for the growth and jobs agreed in June. "Our commitments will not make the Union return to growth unless they are followed by decisive action," Van Rompuy said in an open letter, two weeks ahead of a critical summit for the eurozone. In particular, the president warned of the risk that only half of the priority instruments for the Single Market Act could be agreed by the end of the year, pointing out that progress remained slow in certain aspects. The proposed instruments have been under discussion in the Parliament and the Council since the EU's first Single Market Act was adopted in April of last year. Van Rompuy urged that the measures of the first Single Market Act should be concluded as soon as possible, adding that the Commission was preparing for a second act of single market. The EU's Single Market refers to free movement of goods, services, capital and persons within the bloc of 27 member states, while priority instruments are aimed at boosting competitiveness, employment, growth and confidence at a time of widespread crisis.