Brussels, 31/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - Next Tuesday's Ecofin Council may possibly note the political agreement reached in Coreper on tobacco excise (see below). Contrary to schedule, the Presidency did not include on the agenda subjects such as the role of the EIB to face up to the economic slowdown or coverage of insurance risk premiums for airline companies. During their working lunch, the Fifteen will discuss with the ministers of the countries belonging to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on the economic situation, single currency and action to freeze terrorism funding. The Ecofin Council themes are:
- Impact of the ageing population on public finance: The Council is expected to adopt conclusions that take into account a report by the Economic Policy Committee addressed to the Laeken Summit, and to invite the Commission to examine ways to include these assessments in the convergence and stability programmes.
- Statistical obligations in the context of EMU: The Fifteen are to adopt conclusions in the context of implementation of the 1998 action plan, aimed at improving the quality and the speed of production of statistics provided by countries of the euro-zone.
- Method for assessing production differences: The Council is expected to note work on this subject.
- Venture capital action plan: The Council will note the Commission's report (yesterday's EUROPE, p.16).
- Corporate taxation: The Council will note the Commission's Communication on the creation of an internal market without tax barriers (see EUROPE of 24 October, p.8).
- Taxation of audio-visual and music products: The Council will give its stance on how appropriate it is to request a Commission survey on tax incentives granted in some Member States.
