Hatzidakis in Brussels for Eurogroup and ECOFIN

The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, is travelling to Brussels on Monday to participate in the Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings.

The main topic of discussion will be the financing of increased defence needs, in light of the relevant decisions of the European Council of March 6 to activate the escape clause and create a special fund for defence spending. This issue will be discussed at an informal working dinner organised at the initiative of the Polish Presidency on March 10 and at the ECOFIN breakfast the following day.

On Monday, the Eurogroup meeting will be held, where the agenda includes a discussion on the macroeconomic prospects and challenges of the eurozone, as well as on the coordination of the budgetary policies of the Member States, taking into account the new data that has been created in the defence sector.

At the ECOFIN meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, key topics of discussion will be the package of measures presented by the European Commission to simplify and improve the business environment in Europe (Omnibus Package), as well as the Directive on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC9). Ministers will also exchange views on developments regarding the economic and budgetary impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, with a focus on the effective implementation of sanctions from the perspective of customs authorities.