European Council of Luxembourg, 01-02/12/1980

The European Council expressed its deep sorrow following the disaster that struck parts of southern Italy. The Council of the European Communities was called upon to take an immediate decision on the Commission’s proposal, within the framework of the usual budgetary procedure, to grant, in addition to emergency aid, exceptional assistance measures through a low-interest loan for reconstruction programs in the affected areas, in order to limit the impact of the disaster on the economic and social situation of these regions and to ensure that these measures take effect as soon as possible.
The European Council stated that the continuous increase in oil prices imposed on consumer countries is the main cause of the global recession. The European Council believed that the prospects of the European economy had never before required greater vigilance.
The European Council was particularly concerned about the rapid increase in unemployment in the Community’s member states. It reaffirmed that reducing the rate of inflation and improving the competitiveness of businesses and, through appropriate investments that allow for necessary structural changes, are the most suitable and sustainable methods for ensuring better growth and combating unemployment.
Finally, among other things, the European Council took note of the reports of the Foreign Ministers and the Commission on the progress made towards European Union during the previous year. It decided that, as in the past, these reports would be published in an appropriate form.