Almost five years of crises were coming to an end, European Commission president Josè Manuel Barroso told MEPs in Strasbourg yesterday.

“Recovery is within sight,” Mr Barroso said in his last state of the union address before he ends his 10-year stint at the helm of the Commission next year.

“On the basis of the figures and evolutions as we now see them, we have every reason to be confident,” he said.

While reminding MEPs that despite the positive news the EU must continue to move on, he said that, in 2014, the Commission would continue to push forward important elements on its economic agenda, particularly the completion of the banking union and the adoption of proposals on youth unemployment initiatives and proposals to boost landing to SMEs.

On the basis of the figures we have every reason to be confident

In direct reference to the Tobacco Directive, which saw the removal of Maltese commissioner John Dalli from office last year over allegations that a former canvasser was trading in influence, Mr Barroso said there should be no delay in its approval.

“Passing such a proposal into law before the end of this legislature (May 2014) will send a powerful signal of how the EU is crucially important for citizens.”

Originally, the EU’s vote on the Tobacco Directive, which introduces further restrictions on the tobacco industry while ensuring more awareness on smoking hazards, had to be voted upon at the European Parliament plenary this week. However, last-minute changes on the agenda pushed the much-anticipated vote to next month.

Mr Barroso also made an appeal for more European integration in the face of global developments.

“In today’s world, the EU level is indispensable to protect our values and standards and promote citizens rights: from consumer protection to labour rights, from women’s rights to respect for minorities, from environmental standards to data protection and privacy.”

He said the EU executive would next year focus on a number of initiatives intended at reinforcing the competitiveness of the European economy as well as framing climate and energy policy beyond 2020.