![Greek Fin. Min. in Brussels for Eurogroup and EcoFin](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/eurogroup_oikonomia.jpg)
Finance Minister Mr. Christos Staikouras will be in Brussels today, Monday and tomorrow, Tuesday, in order to participate in the Eurogroup and Ecofin meetings.
Before the Eurogroup meeting, Mr. Staikouras will have a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Finance of Bulgaria, Mrs. Rositza Velkova-Jeleva.
Budgets are on the table
In particular, today Mr. Staikouras will take part in the meeting of the Eurozone Finance Ministers, in which the latest economic developments and the prospects for the single currency zone will be discussed, following presentations by the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB).
In addition, the general picture resulting from the draft budgets submitted by the member states will be put on the discussion table, an issue on which the Ministers are expected to return in December. The future of fiscal policy coordination in the Eurozone will also be examined.
The agenda of the meeting also includes the measures taken at national level to mitigate the impact of high energy prices on vulnerable households and businesses.
Finally, the Eurozone Finance Ministers will discuss the results of recent international meetings and will be informed by the new Minister of Finance of Italy, Mr. Giancarlo Giorgetti, about the political priorities of the country’s new Government.
Banking union
The Eurogroup will also meet as a banking union, in order to exchange views with the President of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank (ECB), Mr. Andrea Enria, and the President of the Single Resolution Board, Ms. Elke König regarding developments, challenges and opportunities in the banking sector in the current economic, geopolitical and financial environment.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, Mr. Staikouras will participate in the Ecofin meeting, which will discuss the implementation of the Basel III regulation, a set of reform measures aimed at strengthening the resilience of the European Union’s banking sector, as well as improving supervision and risk management.
The effects of war
In addition, the economic and fiscal implications of the Russian aggression against Ukraine are expected to be discussed and political directions may be given regarding the operational implementation of regular financial assistance to Ukraine.
Also, the agenda of the session includes a discussion on the taxation of heavy goods vehicles, an account of the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRF), as well as an update from the Presidency on the progress of the legislative proposals under consideration in the financial services sector.
Finally, the President of the European Fiscal Council will present the ESI Annual Report for 2022, while the European Commission will brief Finance Ministers on the implications for the European Union of the new US deflation law.
On the sidelines of Ecofin, a macro-economic dialogue meeting with the social partners will take place, with energy prices as a central theme. Meanwhile, tomorrow, Tuesday, there will be a ministerial dialogue between the European Union and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) on energy prices and inflation in the context of the current geopolitical situation.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019
![OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ΟΤΕ-Group_1-600x450.jpg)
OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece
This initiative will provide ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 1Gbps to over 350,000 households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas across the country