The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) strives to improve the economic wellbeing of the citizens of the European Union by developing and promoting policies that lead to sustainable economic growth, a high level of employment, stable public finances and financial stability.
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Economic and Financial Affairs DG
The Economic and Financial Affairs DG works mainly on economic policy whereas monetary policy is the responsibility of the European Central Bank. Its major role is in monitoring the economic performance of the member states, and in that respect it publishes economic forecasts for the Union as a whole and for individual member states twice a year, in spring and autumn. It also sets broad economic policy guidelines, which member states are supposed to follow in developing national economic policies. Establishing the degree of convergence amongst member states is another responsibility of the DG, and it reports annually on the preparedness of those member states which are not yet in the euro to adopt the single currency. And in the fiscal policy arena, DG ECFIN prepares actions under the excessive deficit procedure to bring member states whose budget deficit exceeds 3% of GDP back into line.
Spokesperson for Economic and Monetary Affairs:
Amelia Torres
Tel: +32 2 295 4629
GSM: +32 498 980 161
E-mail: amelia.torres@ec.europa.eu
The Commissioners and their Spokespersons
Joaquín Almunia the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, is responsible for economic policy coordination, economic surveillance and policy assessment covering the euro area and the EU as a whole. He is in charge of the Commission’s Economic and Financial Affairs DG and oversees Eurostat, the EUs statistical office. His portfolio also covers monitoring member states budgetary policy and public finances, legal and institutional issues concerning the common currency, integration of Europes financial markets, and economic relations with third countries.
Spokesperson for Economic and Monetary Affairs:
Amelia Torres
Tel: +32 2 295 4629
GSM: +32 498 980 161
E-mail: amelia.torres@ec.europa.eu
Other Bodies and Press Contacts
European Central Bank
The European Central Bank is the central bank for Europes single currency, the euro. The ECBs main task is to maintain the euros purchasing power and thus price stability in the euro area. The ECB is headed by a president who is appointed by the Council with the agreement of the European Parliament.
Jean-Claude Trichet
Jean-Claude Trichet president of the ECB, left his job as governor of the Bank of France to join the European Central Bank in 2003.
Director of communications:
Elisabeth Ardaillon-Poirier
Head of press and information:
Regina Karoline Schüller
Tel: +49 69 13 44 74 55
E-mail: info@ecb.int
Press officer:
Thomas Dudrap
Brussels: Tel. + 32 2 284 4524
E-mail: deve-press@europarl.europa.eu
European Parliament and EP Committees Press Contacts
Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON)
Press officers: Ralph PINE
Brussels: 32 2 28 42941 / 32 498 98 35 87
Strasbourg: 33 388 1 74751 / 33 388 1 74005
Federico DE GIROLAMO
Brussels: 32 2 28 31389 / 32 498 98 35 91
Strasbourg: 33 388 1 72033 / 33 388 174 005
Council of the European Union and Press Contacts
Economic and Finance Affairs Council (ECOFIN)
The Economic and Finance Affairs Council (ECOFIN) council is composed of the Economics and Finance Ministers of the member states, as well as Budget Ministers when budgetary issues are discussed. It meets once a month. There is also an informal body – made up of eurozone finance ministers – known as the Eurogroup, which generally meets on the eve of ECOFIN meetings. It is a coordinating body, and takes no formal decisions.
Press officer for General Affairs and External Relations; Economic and Financial Affairs;¨Development Cooperation:
Francois Head
Tel: +32 2 281 6083
GSM: +32 475 953 807
E-mail: francois.head@consilium.europa.eu
