Stockholm, 04/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - At a press conference on 4 January in Stockholm, Ecofin Council President Bosse Ringholm presented the priorities of the Swedish Presidency on economic and financial matters. He noted that his objectives for the Ecofin Council are:
- better coordination of economic policies through the broad economic policy guidelines;
- measures to combat harmful tax competition;
- an integrated financial market in the EU by 2005, accomplished by the directives on money laundering, distance marketing of financial services and investment funds;
- dialogue with applicant countries on economic policy and financial stability. The Swedish Finance Minister announced that the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of these countries are invited to the informal Ecofin Council from 20 to 22 April in Malmö;
- improvement of budgetary procedures and a new financial regulation;
- an enhanced international profile for the EU on economic and financial matters, particularly through a strengthening of the EU's common positions in the International Monetary Fund and more intense dialogue with Russia.
The major challenges for the Swedish Presidency are increased employment, more sustainable public finances, the impact of demographic developments on policy in Member States and the development of an integrated financial market in the EU, said Mr Ringholm.
