Brussels, 06/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The EcoFin Council is holding an informal meeting in Lisbon Friday 7 and Saturday 8 April. An important part of the work, Saturday morning, will be devoted to tax issues (see below). Late Friday evening the Euro Group will meet for an exchange of views on economic developments in the euro zone and to prepare common positions in view of the G-7 meeting in Washington (15 April).
Saturday, after the debate on taxation, ministers will prepare the implementation of the conclusions o the Lisbon Summit, for aspects (fundamental and numerous) under the responsibility of the EcoFin Council. Then, Commissioner Solbes will provide ministers with glimpses on the paper the European Commission will approve next Tuesday, these are: a) the spring economic forecasts, taking account of the more optimistic prospects as to growth, public deficits, etc. (but less favourable regarding inflation); b) the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines for next year. EUROPE will return to these two papers, as soon as they are adopted.
In Lisbon, ministers will be informed on two reports on: i) the quality (on the spending side) and durability (essentially the revenue side) of public finances of Member States: b) the prudential auditing of banking organisations (quality and effectiveness of the auditing, cooperation between the auditing authorities of the different countries, etc.).