European Semester 2017 Spring Package: Commission issues country-specific recommendations

The European Commission publieshed on 22 May 2017 its country-specific recommendations (CSRs), as part of the 2017 Spring Package in the framework of the European Semester.

These recommendations set out economic policy guidance for individual member states for the following 12 to 18 months. The Spring package takes account of the conclusions of and follows up on the previous package released in February, including on the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure.

The Commission concluded that for Cyprus, Italy and Portugal - previously experiencing excessive macroeconomic imbalances - there was no analytical ground for stepping up the procedure, provided that the three countries fully implement the reforms set out in their recommendations.

The launch of the 2017 European Semester took place in November 2016 with the publication of the Annual Growth Survey 2017 and the euro area recommendations. The European Semester Winter Package, released in February 2017 shifted attention to the national dimension of the annual cycle.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/17/1339, 22.05.17: European Semester 2017 Spring Package explained http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-1339_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/1428, 22.05.17: Speaking points by Commissioner Thyssen on the 2017 country-specific recommendations as part of the European Semester Spring Package http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-1428_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/1425, 22.05.17: Remarks by Vice-President Dombrovskis at the European Semester Spring Package press conference http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-1425_en.htm

EurActiv, 23.05.17: Moscovici: Italy, Portugal, Spain fiscal progress ‘good news’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/economic-governance/interview/moscovici-applauds-italy-portugal-spain-fiscal-progress/

EUObserver, 22.05.17: Portugal held up as symbol of EU recovery https://euobserver.com/economic/137985

Politico, 22.05.17: Italy escapes Commission wrath on deficit rules http://www.politico.eu/article/italy-escapes-commission-wrath-on-deficit-rules/

ESO: Background information: Country Specific Recommendations for 2016 - A Comparison of Commission and Council Recommendations (The ‘Comply or Explain’ Principle) http://www.europeansources.info/record/country-specific-recommendations-for-2016-and-2017-a-comparison-and-an-overview-of-implementation-implementation-of-the-2017-country-specific-recommendations/

RTÉ, 22.05.17: Ireland should pay down debt with asset sale proceeds - EC https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2017/0522/877060-ireland-should-pay-down-debt-with-asset-sale-proceeds/

The Local.se, 23.05.17: European Commission urges Sweden to tackle housing crisis https://www.thelocal.se/20170523/european-commission-urges-sweden-to-tackle-housing-crisis

Luxemburger Wort, 22.05.17: Luxembourg should remove barriers to investment, says EU Commission https://www.wort.lu/en/business/european-semester-luxembourg-should-remove-barriers-to-investment-says-eu-commission-59231da7a5e74263e13c02a2

Euronews, 22.05.17: Portugal no longer breaking EU budget deficit rules http://www.euronews.com/2017/05/22/portugal-no-longer-breaking-eu-budget-deficit-rules

EP: EPRS: Study, 2017: Country Specific Recommendations for 2016 and 2017 - A comparison and an overview of implementation http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/602081/IPOL_STU(2017)602081_EN.pdf

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