The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Philip Hammond)
A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) was held in Brussels on 20 February 2018. The UK was represented by Mark Bowman, director general, international and EU, HM Treasury. EU Finance Ministers discussed the following:
Early morning session
The Eurogroup President briefed Ministers on the outcomes of the 19 February meeting of the Eurogroup, and the Commission provided an update on the current economic situation in the EU. Ministers also discussed developments regarding United States tax reform.
Appointment of the vice-president of the European Central Bank
The Council agreed a recommendation confirming the nomination of Luis de Guindos as vice-president of the European Central Bank.
Financial services legislation
The Bulgarian presidency provided an update on current legislative proposals in the field of financial services.
Sustainable finance
The Council exchanged views on the recommendations of the high-level expert group on sustainable finance.
Discharge of the 2016 EU budget
Ministers approved a Council recommendation to the European Parliament on the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the 2016 EU budget.
EU budget guidelines for 2019
Ministers adopted Council conclusions on the guidelines for the 2019 budget, which will serve as a point of reference in the forthcoming budgetary cycle.
Public procurement and strategic investment
The Commission presented information on the public procurement strategy it adopted on 3 October 2017.
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