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Council of the European Union      23/1/2018 | PRESS RELEASE European Semester: Conclusions on growth prospects and macroeconomic imbalances, recommendation to the eurozone The Council adopted conclusions on the Commission's 'annual growth survey' and 'alert mechanism report'. Both texts are part of the 'European Semester', the EU's annual policy monitoring process. The alert mechanism report is the starting point of the annual macroeconomic imbalances procedure. The Council also approved a draft recommendation on the economic policies of the euro area. Annual growth survey For 2018, the Commission proposes to focus efforts on boosting investment, pursuing structural reforms and ensuring responsible fiscal policies. The Council broadly shared the Commission's analysis and agreed on the policy priorities proposed for 2018. Council conclusions on the 2018 annual growth survey2018 annual growth survey Macroeconomic imbalances The 2018 alert mechanism report identifies 12 member states that may have a macroeconomic imbalance: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. For these, the Commission will present in-depth reviews in March 2018. The Council broadly shared the Commission's analysis, welcoming progress made by member states in correcting their imbalances. Council conclusions on the 2018 alert mechanism report2018 alert mechanism report Recommendation for the euro area The draft recommendation will be referred to the European Council for endorsement in March. It will then be adopted by the Council. 2018 Council recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area 23/1/2018 | MEETING Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 23/01/2018 The Council revised the EU's list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in taxation matters, and discussed non-performing loans and the programme of the Bulgarian presidency. Main results The Council removed 8 jurisdictions from the EU's list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, following commitments made at a high political level to remedy EU concerns. Barbados, Grenada, the Republic of Korea, Macao SAR, Mongolia, Panama, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates were moved to a separate category of jurisdictions subject to close monitoring. “Our listing process is already proving its worth", said Vladislav Goranov, minister for finance of Bulgaria, which currently holds the Council presidency. “Jurisdictions around the world have worked hard to make commitments to reform their tax policies. Our aim is to promote the tax good governance criteria globally.” The decision leaves 9 jurisdictions on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions out of 17 announced initially on 5 December 2017. Ministers discussed measures to address non-performing loans in the banking sector. The Commission is planning measures to implement the Council's July 2017 action plan on non-performing loans. The Council discussed growth prospects and macroeconomic imbalances under the 'European Semester', the EU's annual policy monitoring process. It adopted conclusions and approved a draft recommendation on the economic policies of the euro area. Ministers also discussed the further development of EU economic and monetary union, as well as the priorities of the Bulgarian presidency as concerns economic and financial affairs. Meeting information Meeting n°3592   Brussels   23/01/2018 Preparatory documents Background brief Provisional agenda, Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 23 January 2018 Indicative programme List of A items, non-legislative activities, Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 23 January 2018 Outcome documents Outcome of the Council meeting List of participants Press releases Council recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area 23/01/2018, 13:02 Macroeconomic imbalances: Council conclusions on the 2018 alert mechanism report 23/01/2018, 13:01 Council conclusions on macroeconomic and fiscal guidance to the member states (annual growth survey) 23/01/2018, 13:00 Taxation: Eight jurisdictions removed from EU list 23/01/2018, 10:15  Σήμερα στις 9:51 π.μ. Σώζουμε τις μέλισσες της Ευρώπης 24-01-2018 08:00 AM CET Μια έκθεση του Κοινοβουλίου επισημαίνει τα ζητήματα που αντιμετωπίζει ο τομέας της μελισσοκομίας στην Ευρώπη. Εστιάζοντας σε ζητήματα όπως το παραποιημένο μέλι έως τα επιβλαβή παρασιτοκτόνα που θέτουν σε κίνδυνο τους πληθυσμούς των μελισσών, οι ευρωβουλευτές ζητούν αλλαγές που θα βοηθήσουν στην προστασία των μελισσών της ΕΕ.