Press Release: Commission concludes in-depth reviews to identify macroeconomic imbalances and assesses progress in fiscal consolidation

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details IP/14/216 (05.03.14)
Publication Date 05/03/2014
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On the 5 March 2014, the European Commission published its conclusions emerging from the in-depth reviews (IDRs) carried out into 17 Member States' economies. In the same document, the Commission assessed progress in the correction of fiscal deficits in the Member States concerned, updating its opinions on Draft Budgetary Plans from 2013.

Italy and France were among 14 nations deemed to have "macro-economic imbalances" in their economy by the EU executive in this series of reports. The Commission also urged Germany to curb its trade surplus, identifying it as a risk to the eurozone economy. The country’s huge exports should be matched with higher domestic consumption and investment.

This is a key step in the now well-established European Semester of economic policy coordination, the yearly economic governance cycle through which the Commission works with the Member States to create the conditions for sustainable growth and employment based on sound public finances, in line with the Europe 2020 growth strategy.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-216_en.htm
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on 2014 European Semester: macroeconomic and fiscal guidance to Member States http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-2014-european-semestermacroeconomic-and-fiscal-guidance-to-member-states/
ESO: Background information: Winter 2014 forecast: Recovery gaining ground http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-winter-2014-forecast-recovery-gaining-ground/
European Commission: DG Economic and Financial Affairs: EU economic governance: Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure, 05.03.14: Results of in-depth reviews under Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/economic_governance/documents/2014-03-05_in-depth_reviews_communication_en.pdf
European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/158: Commission concludes in-depth reviews of 17 Member States to check for macroeconomic imbalances http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-158_en.pdf
ESO: Background information: Europe's budgetary surveillance moves into full gear http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-europes-budgetary-surveillance-moves-into-full-gear/
ESO: Background information: European Semester 2014: strengthening the recovery http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-semester-2014-strengthening-the-recovery/
European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/186: Speaking points by Vice-President Rehn at the press conference on the Winter economic governance package http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-186_en.pdf
European Commission: DG Economic and Financial Affairs: Economic governance: Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/economic_governance/macroeconomic_imbalance_procedure/index_en.htm
ESO: Background information: Spain and Italy get leeway on budget targets http://www.europeansources.info/record/spain-and-italy-get-leeway-on-budget-targets/
EUObserver, 06.03.14: Italy and France on EU's economic 'watch list' http://euobserver.com/news/123373
ESO: Background information: France sees unexpected economic growth / France and Germany Lead Euro Zone to Higher Growth http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-sees-unexpected-economic-growth-france-and-germany-lead-euro-zone-to-higher-growth/
Deutsche Welle, 05.03.14: EU Commission demands German action to balance foreign trade http://dw.de/p/1BKcL
Social Europe Journal, 05.03.14: Unveiling DG ECFIN Thinking On Competitiveness http://www.social-europe.eu/2014/03/unveiling-dg-ecfin-thinking-competitiveness/
Social Europe Journal, 05.03.14: Commission criticises German surplus but fails to call for effective measures http://www.social-europe.eu/2014/03/commission-criticises-german-surplus-fails-call-effective-measures/
EurActiv, 07.03.14: Brussels renews criticism of German trade surplus http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/renewed-criticism-german-export-news-533958
EurActiv, 07.03.14: Brussels rings French deficit alarm http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/eu-commission-rings-deficit-alar-news-533988
EurActiv, 28.03.14: German trade surplus shields euro, exporters claim http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/german-trade-surplus-shields-euro-exporters-claim-301185

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