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ECOFIN (January)

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council will be held in Brussels on 20 January 2009. The following items are on the agenda: Presidency work programme The Czech presidency will present its ECOFIN work programme for the first half of 2009. Follow-up to the December European Council: Impact on Council Work The presidency will take stock of the work arising from the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP) agreed by the December European Council. The presidency plans to outline the next steps for two particular issues. The first is reduced rates of VAT, following discussions under the French presidency. The second is how the EU budget can best support infrastructure and energy efficiency projects. On both of these issues, the Government looks forward to working with the Czech presidency to take work forwards. Economic and Budgetary Policy Strategy for 2009, including economic and financial situation and implementation of European Economic Recovery Plan Ministers will exchange views, in the light of the economic situation and the EERP, on the economic and budgetary policy messages for ECOFIN work in 2009. This will include discussion of the impact of fiscal stimulus packages on budgetary rules under the stability and growth pact. The presidency will use the messages at this ECOFIN to inform the discussions at the spring European Council in March. Introduction of the euro in Slovakia The European Commission and the representative of Slovakia will present a first assessment of the introduction of the single currency in Slovakia on 1 January 2009. Western Balkans Investment Framework The Council will hear a report on progress on the establishment of the Western Balkans Investment Framework by 2010.