Article updated February 10, 2009.
EUROGROUP
Finance ministers of the euro area (Eurogroup) met at 17.00 on 9 February. Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Joaquín Almunia, Commissioner responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs, attended as did European Central Bank Governor Jean-Claude Trichet.
Agenda
- The economic situation, developments in the financial markets and implications for public finances
- Preparation of upcoming international meetings, including the G7 Finance Ministers on 13-14 February in Rome
- Labour market measures undertaken to mitigate the impact of the crisis and limit job losses, and exchange of views on measures particularly effective in providing short-term relief to the labour market
ECOFIN COUNCIL
Finance ministers of all EU Member States (ECOFIN) met at 10.00 hrs on Tuesday 10 February. The ECOFIN meeting was attended by Commissioner Joaquín Almunia, Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes, Budget and Financial Programming Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite, Taxation and Customs Union Commissioner Laszlo Kovacs Administrative affairs, audit and anti-fraud Vice President Siim Kallas.
>> Agenda 
MEMO 09/56
>> Council conclusions
Agenda
- The economic and financial situation in the EU, including the financial rescue packages and the issue of impaired assets.
- "The Single Market Review – One year on"
- The European Economic Recovery Plan / Contribution to the Spring European Council Conclusions
- Echange of views on the financial aspects of the Commission's proposals for the €5 billion package in the context of the Economic Recovery Plan. The debate will help prepare the contribution of the ECOFIN Council to the Spring European Council of 19-20 March.
- Orientation debate on a key issues paper for the Spring European Council based on an outline prepared by the Czech Presidency.
- Reduced VAT rates
- Discharge procedure – budget for 2007
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