The Commission has set out the EU's economic and social priorities for 2019, presented Opinions on Draft Budgetary Plans and confirmed the existence of particularly serious non-compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact in the case of Italy; Greece has also been integrated into the European Semester for the first time. The 2019 European Semester cycle of economic and social policy coordination kicked off on 21 November against a backdrop of sustained but less dynamic growth in a climate of high uncertainty. A lot has been achieved since 2014 but more must be done to support inclusive and sustainable growth and job creation while enhancing the resilience of Member States' economies. At the EU level, this means taking the decisions required to further strengthen the Economic and Monetary Union. At the national level, this means using the current growth momentum to build up fiscal buffers and reduce debt. Investment and structural reforms need to focus even more on boosting productivity and growth potential. The autumn package is based on the Autumn 2018 Economic Forecast and builds on the priorities set out in President Juncker's 2018 State of the Union address.