Luxembourg Finance Minister Stresses Need for Europe to Remain United at EU Meetings

Luxembourg's Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth, participated in the Eurogroup and Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meetings in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 January 2026.

According to Luxembourg's Ministry of Finance, euro area finance ministers officially welcomed Bulgaria to the Eurogroup for the first time, following its adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026. They also discussed draft recommendations on euro area policies for 2026, intended to guide technical work. A report on recent G7 meetings was presented, followed by an outline of the priorities of France, which currently holds the G7 presidency. The Eurogroup also endorsed the candidacy of Boris Vujčić, Governor of the Croatian National Bank, for the position of Vice-President of the European Central Bank (ECB).

During the Ecofin meetings, Cyprus presented its work programme and the main priorities of its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, under the motto "An Autonomous Union - Open to the World". Finance ministers also received an update on the economic and financial impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. As part of the European Semester, ministers adopted conclusions on the 2026 Alert Mechanism Report.

Minister Roth commented: "The year 2026 began with the first meetings under the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union and with the new President of the Eurogroup. At this crucial time, Europe must, more than ever, remain united, cooperate and take responsibility for its values ​​and interests. It is therefore essential to continue accelerating our decision-making processes. This is precisely what citizens expect of us."