Memo: Preparation of Eurogroup and Informal Economic and Finance Ministers Council, Luxembourg, 19 and 20 October 2009

Eurogroup Ministers will meet on 19 October 2009 in Luxembourg. Joaquín Almunia responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs will attend. Ministers are expected to assess and follow up to the outcome of the IMF Annual Meetings in Istanbul namely on the governance of the IMF and how best to enhance the euro area voice and representation in the Fund and at the G20. The G20 Summit in Pittsburgh has designated the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation and agreed to launch a new economic surveillance process entitled 'A Framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth'. Euro area ministers are expected to prepare a contribution on balanced growth as input to the new Framework, which is due to be launched at the G20 ministerial meeting on 6-7 November, in St Andrews, Scotland.