Civil servants chant slogans during a protest against government austerity measures in Oviedo, northern Spain May 24, 2013. Photo: Reuters

(VOVworld)- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday eased austerity policies which have caused numerous protests throughout the continent in recent months. On May 29 the EU allowed France, Spain, and 4 other countries more time to cut their deficit to 3% of GDP, the standard level. According to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, EU members should strengthen their competitiveness by advancing structural reform designed to end the 3-year financial crisis. Barroso said that France, the EU’s second biggest economy, should use this “extended time” wisely in order to restore its competitiveness and implement reform measures aimed at growth and public financial stability. Meanwhile, according to Barroso, Spain needs to consider carefully all its sinking fund programs. These recommendations will become policies if approved by EU leaders at next month’s summit.