Juncker promises package for jobs, growth

Former Luxembourg premier set to be voted in as EC President

(ANSA) - Rome, July 15 - Former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker has promised to present an "ambitious programme for jobs, growth and investment" if the European Parliament ratifies his nomination as the new president of the European Commission later on Tuesday. Juncker said the package would "mobilise up to 300 billion euros in three years" in a speech he will give in the parliament's Strasbourg assembly ahead of a vote to ratify his nomination made by a summit of EU leaders last month.

He added that the top priorities of his new commission would be to "reinforce competitiveness and stimulate investments". The speech seems to move in the direction demanded by Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, who at the summit said his backing of Juncker was conditional on him putting greater stress on growth and combatting unemployment after years of painful austerity. Juncker also moved to meet Italian demands by pledging to nominate a commissioner for immigration.

Italy has complained the EU is not doing enough to help it cope with its migrant crisis and a series of boat disasters after over 60,000 people from North Africa arrived on its shores this year. "The problems of immigration belong to all of Europe, not just the countries of the south (of the EU)," the speech reads, saying there is a need for a "new EU policy for legal immigration". He added that the EU will not admit any new members for five years and called on member states to to "renounce nationalism.. because in the EU we all win or lose together".