In November 2018, the Commission launched in-depth reviews for 13 Member States to analyse whether they were experiencing macroeconomic imbalances, and if so, how serious they were.
The Country Reports published on 27 February as part of the European Semester Winter Package assess Member States’ progress in implementing the Country-Specific Recommendations of July 2018.
Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, responsible for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union
In its annual assessment of the economic and social situation in the Member States issued on 27 February, the European Commission stressed the need to promote investment, pursue responsible fiscal policies and implement well-designed reforms.
The EU economic and financial landscape – and especially economic governance – has evolved dramatically since the first issue of ECFIN e-news was published in December 2009. With publication of this 192nd issue, we would like to kindly ask you once again to contribute your views and suggestions.
Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU during the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with the previous quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office. In the third quarter of 2018, GDP had also grown by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU.
A new episode of Real Economy on Euronews explores the question of “What’s next?” for the euro.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed on 8 February to provide a EUR 40 million loan to INSEAD, for renovation of the French business school’s campus.
During a meeting of the Eurogroup in inclusive format on 11 February, EU finance ministers discussed deepening EMU, particularly how to move forward on the budgetary instrument for convergence and competitiveness for the euro area and ERM II Member States on a voluntary basis. Earlier in the day, euro area finance ministers reviewed the main findings of recent post-programme surveillance missions to Ireland and Portugal. T
Europe's economic fundamentals remain solid and we continue to see good news particularly on the jobs front.
According to the forecast released on 7 February, the European economy is expected to grow for the seventh year in a row in 2019, with expansion forecast in every Member State. The overall pace of growth is projected to moderate, however, compared to the high rates of recent years and the outlook is subject to a large degree of uncertainty.
The EU economic and financial landscape – and especially economic governance – has evolved dramatically since the first issue of ECFIN e-news was published in December 2009.
On 22 January in Davos, the European Commission was awarded the 2019 Circular Economy prize by the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders as recognition for its work to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy that protects the environment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions while delivering opportunities for jobs, growth and investment.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) are joining forces to mobilise up to EUR 1.12 billion in financing for Spanish mid-caps. An agreement signed on 25 January will enable ICO to expand its lending capacity for mid-caps and is expected to benefit companies employing almost 26,000 people.
Staff from the European Commission, in liaison with staff from the European Central Bank, visited Athens from 21-25 January for the second post-programme mission to Greece.
On 23 January, the Commission launched several targeted consultations to explore how to increase the international role of the euro in specific sectors: agricultural and food commodities, metals and minerals, and transport sector manufacturers in the fields of aircraft, maritime and railway transport.
During a meeting of the ECOFIN Council on 22 January, EU finance ministers discussed InvestEU, a proposal which brings together under one programme the different financial instruments currently available to support investment and job creation in the EU.
This discussion sparked an interesting exchange as it is an important point for economic and political reasons. At the Euro summit, leaders asked us to work further on this, so we will be taking discussions forward in the next few months.
At a Eurogroup meeting on 21 January, euro area finance ministers discussed the draft Council recommendations on the economic policy of the euro area for 2019.
