Meeting: Eurogroup meeting, 11 May 2015

This Eurogroup meeting took place on 11 May 2015 in Brussels, and discussed the following topics:

+ Economic situation
The Eurogroup discussed the economic situation in the euro area based on the spring 2015 economic forecast by the European Commission, published on 5 May 2015, and exchanged views on inflation and exchange rate developments.

+ Greece [click here for more information]

Ministers continued the discussion on the situation in Greece. They were briefed on the state of play in the discussions between the Greek authorities and the three institutions - the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund on the list of reforms that the Greek government was expected to complete under the current agreement.

The reform list was seen by the ministers as a necessary step to complete the ongoing review and thus unlock the payment of the remaining tranche of financial assistance.

+ Ireland
The Eurogroup was debriefed on the third post-programme surveillance mission. The mission concluded that the economic and financial situation in Ireland continued to strengthen, with real GDP growth reaching 4.8 % in 2014, the government deficit decreasing to 4.1 % of GDP and the financial sector regaining its strength, among other things. The mission report proposed continuing policy efforts to sustain full recovery and solve remaining issues.

+ Thematic discussion: fiscal frameworks
The Eurogroup also held a thematic discussion on ensuring strong fiscal frameworks in the euro area member states. The discussion was based on the recommendation to the euro area issued in the 2014 European Semester.

ESO: Background information: Eurogroup keeps alive hope of Greek deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/eurogroup-keeps-alive-hope-of-greek-deal/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/15/4964, 11.05.15: Commissioner Moscovici's opening remarks at the Eurogroup press conference http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-15-4964_en.htm

European Council: STATEMENT/15/260, 11.05.15: Remarks by Jeroen Dijsselbloem at the press conference following the Eurogroup meeting of 11 May 2015 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/05/11-eurogroup-jd-remarks/

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