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...What I'm going to do in my comments is briefly inform you of what was on the agenda and then emerging from the agenda just emphasise some key points that were common themes from our ministers and our institutions in discussion this morning... The agenda for the Eurogroup meeting today had a number of important agenda items on it. We firstly began with an update from Dr. Andrea Ammon, the director of the ECDC, who gave us her perspective on the progress to date of Covid-19, our shared efforts in combating this disease and critically our shared European efforts. Because it was due to the efforts and the immense work that was undertaken by the Commission, that member states were able to access the vaccine that they needed to help with their efforts to get their citizens vaccinated and safe. Without the efforts of the Commission, I'm absolutely certain that our vaccination efforts would not be where they are today. This discussion on our health and the prospects of our health then led to a discussion on where our current economic prospects stand and our views regarding what the future can bring. We moved from this then to a discussion in relation to corporate solvency and the policy efforts that have been deployed at the Commission level and at member state level to deal with the development of corporate solvency during the crisis. From this then under AOB, we had an update on the recent decision from the Governing Council of the ECB to commence investigatory work in relation to the digital future of the euro. We had an important discussion there where we reaffirmed the independence of all who were involved in this work, but at the same time were able to have a good update of the work that is underway and allow views to be heard. And we're going to continue with that work in the time ahead. We then concluded with an update on the convergence prospects within the euro area, and that reaffirmed for all of us the importance of the Recovery and Resilience Fund. And again, we all acknowledged the central role the Commission is now playing in the rollout of the recovery fund and the difference that it can make. We reaffirmed yet again the vital element of a complementary approach between fiscal and monetary policy, which we are all committed to. And again this morning, we all acknowledged the value of a common approach within the euro area when we are at this point of recovery, moving to a future that can make a difference to the economic health of our citizens as we continue with our efforts on our public health.... The European Central Bank (ECB) briefed the Eurogroup on the decision of the ECB Governing Council of July 2021 to launch the investigation phase of the digital euro project.
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