Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Meetings of the finance ministers of the euro zone countries will be held in Brussels on Monday afternoon, and will be expanded on Tuesday with the addition of their counterparts in the rest of the European Union member states. The current Belgian presidency of the Union is scheduled to present its work program and the priorities of the economic presidency during its rotating period that began at the beginning of January and will continue for six years. Months, and the priorities will be presented today to the ministers of the Eurozone and tomorrow to the ministers of all member states (Ecofin).
  According to what the institutions of the unified bloc announced, at the meeting of Eurogroup ministers (countries dealing with the single European currency), the International Monetary Fund will present the results of the temporary visit that its employees made earlier under Article Four to the eurozone. The IMF review is expected to conclude by June 2024. Ministers will also hear a report on an assessment of the latest macroeconomic developments and outlook.
According to a European statement in Brussels, the Article IV review of the eurozone is a regular exercise through which the International Monetary Fund reviews economic developments, consults with policymakers in the eurozone, and provides advice on targeted policies. The ongoing discussions in the Eurogroup constitute a valuable opportunity to exchange views on current developments and emerging challenges.
Eurozone recommendations 2024
Ministers will discuss draft recommendations on eurozone economic policy for 2024, before approving them at the ECOFIN Council meeting on 16 January.
Based on the Commission's proposals, the Council takes up annual recommendations on economic policy for the euro area as a whole during the European semester. The recommendations are being discussed for the first time in the Eurogroup and are formally adopted by the Council after their endorsement by the European Council.
Competitiveness of the euro area
As part of the workstream on the competitiveness of the euro area and based on a memorandum prepared by the Commission, the Eurogroup will hold a second discussion and exchange views on the external competitiveness of the euro area, with a focus on changes in energy prices in the euro area. Its impact on the euro area economy and future political responses.
The Ministers will welcome Christian Zinglersen, Director of the European Union Agency for Cooperation with Energy Regulators (ACER), and Jeromen Zettelmeier, Director of Brugel, and hear their views.
Eurogroup work program I/2024
The Eurogroup President will present the Eurogroup work program covering the first half of this year. Ministers will be invited to submit and approve their views.
  Evaluation of the ratification of the Environmentally Sound Management Treaty
The Eurogroup will assess the current situation with regard to the ratification of the Convention amending the Treaty establishing the European Stability Mechanism.