Minister Gilles Roth Says ‘Europe Must Send Clear Signal of Stability’ at Brussels Meetings

On Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 February 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth, participated in the meetings of the Eurogroup and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) in Brussels.

As reported by Luxembourg’s Ministry of Finance, ministers discussed the macroeconomic outlook for the euro area in a rapidly changing global context. This discussion was followed by the adoption of the recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area for 2025. Ministers also approved the Eurogroup work programme until July 2025.

In the framework of the Ecofin meeting, ministers continued their discussions on competitiveness, reducing the administrative burden and generally improving the business environment in Europe. Following this discussion, ministers discharged the European budget for the financial year 2023 and exchanged views on the budgetary guidelines for the financial year 2026. Ministers adopted a set of recommendations in the framework of the new economic governance, as well as the conclusions on the report on the 2025 alert mechanism in the framework of the European Semester. 

After approving the amended resilience plans of Latvia and Belgium, the Council also validated the EU mandate for the G20 meetings on 26 and 27 February 2025. Following on from previous discussions, ministers discussed the repercussions of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Minister Roth said: "In these uncertain times, Europe must send a clear signal of internal and external stability. Only on this basis will Europe experience sustainable and inclusive growth. Our stability is the most important foundation and our far-sighted financial policy the most important catalyst."

On the margins of the meetings, Minister Roth attended a dinner hosted by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and met Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Budget, Vincent Van Peteghem, as well as Dutch Minister of Finance, Eelco Heinen, in the context of a Benelux meeting. The minister also held bilateral talks with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Stéphane Séjourné, and with the European Commissioner for Financial Services, Maria Luís Albuquerque.

SM