At yesterday’s Eurogroup, ministers welcomed the implementation of Greece’s economic adjustment program. They also acknowledged future challenges Member States should meet regarding health care and long-term care as well as current fiscal issues.

The Eurogroup commended the achievements made by Greeks authorities regarding the 15 milestones implementation within the framework of the first review of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) program.

Those 15 milestones entail important reforms related to pensions, energy sector, bank governance measures and setting up of the privatization fund and revenue agency. Such reforms have facilitated the ESM approval of the €1.1 billion disbursement for Greece’s debt servicing.

Dijsselbloem, president of the Eurogroup, emphasised the challenges posed  by long-term healthcare and long-term care due to the high government debt, the budgetary pressures posed by ageing and the sustainability of health systems.

Based on forecasts of expenditure and revenue, the ministers discussed future relevant challenges and risks in health systems. They also highlighted national good practices learned in this policy area.

The last point of the agenda was the assessment of current fiscal issues. The Eurogroup considered some changes in the member states’ draft budgetary plans for the next year. Those dialogues focused on the suspension of the European Structural and Investment Funds notably for Spain and Portugal.