BRUSSELS, May 25: European leaders have decided youth unemployment and the risk of social breakdown are among the toughest challenges they face and finding solutions will be a top priority for the coming months.

In a letter released late on Friday, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said youth unemployment was one of the most pressing issues for the 27-member European Union.

“The June European Council will be an opportunity to mobilise efforts at all levels around one shared objective: to get motivated young people back to work or education,” he said, referring to upcoming summit talks. “We must give them the guarantee that they will be either in training, further education or employment within four months of leaving school.”

The EU ministers agreed earlier this year to ensure people under the age of 25 receive an offer of work or work-related training as part of a 6bn euro initiative on youth unemployment in the worst-hit corners of Europe.—Reuters