Main results of the video conference of economics and finance ministers

Economic response to COVID-19 pandemic

Ministers discussed progress achieved on the EU's response measures taken to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. Ministers welcomed the adoption, by written procedure, of the regulation for temporary support to mitigate unemployment risks in an emergency (SURE).

“By saving jobs and protecting the incomes of our citizens, EU governments will be able to minimise the negative social impact of the health crisis and allow our economies to leverage this reservoir of demand to bounce back to business as quickly as possible.”

Zdravko Maric, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of finance of Croatia

Ministers also took stock of ongoing discussions to operationalise the safety net for businesses via the European Investment Bank's pan-European guarantee fund.

The Croatian Presidency called for the finalisation of the instrument as soon as possible.

Anti-money laundering and terrorist financing

Ministers held a discussion following a presentation by the European Commission of its approach to further strengthen the EU's fight against money laundering and terrorist financing (AML).

Ministers discussed how to further improve the existing AML framework, in particular:

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  how to best achieve a harmonised set of rules and which areas and sectors would merit being covered by a regulation;
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  how to make better use of data, data analysis and data sharing;
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  the possibility of setting up a new dedicated EU authority for AML and its possible competences;
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  the revised methodology proposed by the Commission for the identification of high-risk third countries.

European Semester 2020

Ministers welcomed the adoption of Council conclusions on the European Semester 2020 country reports and the implementation of the 2019 country-specific recommendations. These conclusions are part of the annual process of assessing macroeconomic imbalances procedures. However, this year, they reflect the exceptional situation linked to the severe deterioration of the economic situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conclusions focus on structural challenges and vulnerabilities that remain relevant in today's changing and uncertain economic environment, and which could prove relevant for a recovery strategy.

Economic dialogue with Western Balkans and Turkey

In the margins of the video conference of economic and finance ministers, the EU, the Western Balkans and Turkey held their annual economic policy dialogue. This year's discussion focused on the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region.

Participants adopted a joint statement at the end of the video conference.