Eurogroup, 19/02/2018, 19 February 2018

Main results

The Eurogroup meeting took place in two formats - the first part was a regular meeting of the euro area ministers, while the second part was a meeting of the ministers of 27 EU member states.

Eurogroup meeting in regular format

Greece: economic adjustment programme

The Eurogroup was informed of the further progress achieved by Greece in implementing the remaining prior actions under the third review of the programme. Their fulfilment is a precondition for the disbursement of the next tranche of financial assistance available under the programme from the European Stability Mechanism.

• Greece: the third economic adjustment programme (background information)

Ireland: post-programme surveillance

The Eurogroup was informed of the key findings of the 8th post-programme surveillance mission to Ireland, which took place from 28 November to 1 December 2017.

• Post-Programme Surveillance report. Ireland, Autumn 2017
• Statement by European Commission and ECB staff following the conclusion of the eighth post-programme surveillance mission to Ireland (ECB press release)

European Stability Mechanism reform

Ministers exchanged views on how to bring forward the debate on the reform of the European Stability Mechanism. The discussion will feed into the preparation of the decisions that the EU leaders might take in the context of the wider discussion on the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union.

Appointment of the Vice-President of the European Central Bank

The Eurogroup discussed the appointment of the Vice President of the European Central Bank and has given its political support to the candidacy of Luis de Guindos.

The Vice President of the ECB will be appointed by the European Council on a recommendation from the Council of the EU.

• Eurogroup gives support to Luis de Guindos (press release, 19 February 2018)
• ECB Executive Board appointment procedure (infographic)

Eurogroup meeting in inclusive format

Banking union: the way forward

The finance ministers of 27 EU member states discussed the progress achieved in implementing the June 2016 roadmap to complete the banking union and looked into its further development.

• Council conclusions on a roadmap to complete the Banking Union (press release, 17 June 2016)
• Banking union (background information)