The new leader of the European Union (EU) has vowed to reduce rising unemployment throughout the continent.

Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will hold the revolving presidency of the legislative body for the next six months and has pledged to place job creation projects at the center of his plans.

The Scandinavian head of state inherited the position on behalf of Sweden from the Czech Republic, which struggled to react to the labor market deficits produced by the worst economic downturn in a generation.

Mr Reinfeldt said that through a work programme, Sweden plans to "lay the foundations for a new growth and employment strategy".

Last week, the Swedish prime minister urged policy-makers throughout the 27 member bloc union to map out deficit-prevention proposals in an effort to plug the EU's soaring public debts.