Preparation of the ECOFIN and Eurogroup meetings, Luxembourg 10-11 October 2016

Commissioner Moscovici will represent the European Commission at today’s Eurogroup in Luxembourg, while Vice-President Dombrovskis, Commissioner Moscovici and Commissioner Jourová will take part in tomorrow’s ECOFIN meeting. The Eurogroup agenda includes an exchange of views on the implementation of Greece’s stability support programme and a discussion on the implementation of the European Semester. Discussions in both the Eurogoup and Ecofin Council will also focus on the joint Commission – Member State Report on Health Care and Long-term Care Systems and Fiscal Sustainability, whichaddress challenges to the fiscal sustainability of EU health systems against a backdrop of ageing populations and costly technological innovations. Commissioner Moscovici will participate in the press conference that follows the Eurogroup meeting. On Tuesday 11^th October, the ECOFIN Council will discuss a Commission proposal related to bringing VAT fraud into the scope of new anti-fraud rules in the context of the EU’s financial interests. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on tax transparency and will formally approve the recent tax transparency agreement with Monaco. Also on the agenda is a follow-up on the autumn G20 and IMF meetings and on the 2016 European Semester policy monitoring process. The Commission will update the Council on the implementation of the Banking Union and the state of play of current legislative proposals in the field of financial services, as well as on negotiations on post-crisis banking reform undertaken by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on the financing aspects of climate change ahead of the UN climate change conference in November. Ministers will also discuss the European Commission’s proposal for a European External Investment Plan.  Vice-President Dombrovskis will participate in the press conference concluding the ECOFIN meeting.