11/03/2019 (Agence Europe) – As expected (see EUROPE 12210/15), at the Eurogroup meeting on Monday 11 March, the euro area finance ministers agreed with the Commission on the Latvian updated draft budget plan for 2019. On 6 March, the institution considered that this new draft budget plan was generally compatible with the rules of the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact (see EUROPE 12208/29). This position echoes the updated draft budget plan submitted by Riga in February, after the new government took office in January following the parliamentary elections on 6 October. The Eurogroup invites the Latvian authorities to comply with the rules of the Pact and welcomes their commitment to take the necessary measures to do so. (LT)