Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose country holds the rotating European Union (EU) presidency, on Friday urged united EU economic policies to fend off the financial and economic crisis that has plagued the bloc since the end of 2008.
"Our main objective during this time is united policies, especially on the economy," Zapatero said at a joint press conference with Herman Van Rompuy, EU's first full-time president, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
Zapatero said that moving the EU economy forward was the "main objective" for the next six months as Spain holds the EU presidency.
Zapatero also stressed the necessity of an exterior policy to defend Europe's common interests and an EU 2020 strategy which would help deliver greener and socially inclusive growth.
Both Van Rompuy and Barroso also urged unity among EU nations to fend off the major challenges.
"Only by working together very closely together at all levels will we be able to deliver on the main challenges facing us," said Van Rompuy, who took office on Jan. 1.
"In order to limit the deficits, we need reforms, but we also need economic growth, structural reforms," he added.
Barroso said "it is only if we work jointly with ambitious aims that we can find answers to the concerns of the citizens of Europe."
He stressed that the EU's top priority must be "economic recovery and the creation of jobs."