Brussels, 12 July 2022
Economic and financial consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine
The Council discussed the economic and financial consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine. It decided to provide € 1 billion of additional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine, as a matter of urgency.
The continuation of material and financial aid is not an option, but our duty. Therefore I am very pleased that we have fast-tracked the decision to provide € 1 billion of macro-financial assistance. This will give Ukraine the necessary funds to cover urgent needs and ensure the operation of critical infrastructure.
Zbyněk Stanjura, Minister of Finance of Czechia
- Council adopts additional €1 billion assistance to Ukraine (press release, 12 July 2022)
- EU solidarity with Ukraine (background information)
- EU relations with Ukraine (background information)
- EU response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (background information)
Economic situation in Europe
The Commission presented the state of play of the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and ministers exchanged views.
Enlargement of the euro area
The Council adopted the final three legal acts which will enable Croatia to introduce the euro as its currency on 1 January 2023. One of the legal acts sets the conversion rate between the euro and the Croatian kuna at 7.53450 kuna per 1 euro.
I would like to congratulate my counterpart, Zdravko Marić, and the whole of Croatia for becoming the 20th country to join the euro area. Adopting the euro is not a race, but a responsible political decision. Croatia has successfully completed all the required economic criteria and they will pay in euros as of 1 January 2023.
Zbyněk Stanjura, Minister of Finance of Czechia
- Croatia set to join the euro area on 1 January 2023: Council adopts final required legal acts (press release, 12 July 2022)
- International role of the euro (background information)
- Joining the euro area (background information)
Current legislative proposals in the field of financial services
The Presidency presented the state of play as regards current legislative proposals in the field of financial services.
Among others, this concerns the anti-money laundering transfer of funds regulation and the markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) regulation, on which political agreements were found with the European Parliament a few days ago.
- Recording of the presentation
- Progress on legislative files in financial services
- Digital finance (background information)
European Semester 2022
In the context of the European Semester 2022, the Council approved conclusions on the 2022 in-depth reviews under the macroeconomic imbalance procedure.
- Macroeconomic imbalance procedure: Council adopts conclusions (press release, 12 July 2022)
- European Semester (background information)
G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors
The Council approved the EU terms of reference for the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors, which will take place on 15-16 July.
Conclusions on the 2021 fiscal sustainability report
The Council adopted conclusions in response to the Commission’s 2021 fiscal sustainability report.
Presentation of the Presidency work programme
The Czech Presidency presented its priorities in the area of economic and financial affairs, and its work programme for July – December 2022.
Council Decision on the allocation of decommitted funds from the 10th and 11th EDFs to actions relating to food security and economic shock in ACP countries following the Russian aggression against Ukraine
The Council adopted a decision addressing the current food security crisis and economic shock in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Thanks to today’s decision the Council will allocate € 600 000 000 of funds decommitted from projects under the 10th and 11th European Development Funds to finance actions benefitting food production and the resilience of food systems, humanitarian assistance, and macro-economic support.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Press releases
- Fiscal sustainability: Council adopts conclusions – 12 July 2022, 13:30
- Croatia set to join the euro area on 1 January 2023: Council adopts final required legal acts – 12 July 2022, 13:15
- Macroeconomic imbalance procedure: Council adopts conclusions – 12 July 2022, 13:10
- Council adopts additional €1 billion assistance to Ukraine – 12 July 2022, 11:00
- Convention on the recognition of judgements: Council adopts decision on EU accession – 12 July 2022, 10:05
- Media advisory – Press briefings ahead of Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting of 12 July 2022 – 7 July 2022, 14:40
Source – EU Council