Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna has told the Euro area Finance Ministers that “discussions on country experiences with respect to raising efficiency in the health-care sector are always useful in view of the increasing cost of health-care on top of demographic pressures, including an ageing population.”

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY FOR FINANCE

Minister Scicluna made these comments during the Eurogroup meeting held on 10 October 2016 in Luxembourg, where views were exchanged with regards to the sustainability of health systems and long-term health care.

The Eurogroup also discussed the situation in Greece. Finance Ministers decided to disburse €1.1bn, but defer the decision for disbursement of the remaining €1.7bn for the settlement of arrears to a later date in October.

Finance Ministers also held a discussion on current fiscal issues, including the preparation of the draft national budgetary plans process, and were also provided by a debriefing on the G7 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ meeting that took place in the margins of the IMF Annual Meeting in Washington.

For the Eurogroup meeting, the Minister for Finance was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Finance Alfred Camilleri.

Tuesday 11th October 2016