A dozen European Union nations are urging the EU to ease its strict austerity policies and focus on economic growth.

In a joint letter to the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, the 12 nations said focusing on job creation and economic growth is necessary to get Europe out of its economic slump.

Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ireland, Estonia and Latvia signed the joint letter.

However, Germany and France, the two countries that have driven the stringent policies, refused to sign.