Finance Minister Takis Klerides is currently in Brussels in order to attend the ECOFIN meeting of EU Finance Ministers, following an invitation by the Belgian Finance Minister who is chairing the current six month period. Today the meeting of the 15 Finance Ministers will take place, who will also meet with Finance Ministers of the countries awaiting accession. Matters to be discussed will include macroeconomic stability, alignment and alignment procedures of candidate countries and their economies as well as measures taken against the financing of terrorism.

A preliminary meeting will take place before the ECOFIN meeting with all candidate countries’ Finance Ministers during which accession matters will be examined and views exchange on common problems.

Before his departure, Mr. Klerides stated that the proposed tax reforms confirm Cyprus’ commitment to the pre-accession program submitted by the EU. A number of issues contained in the tax reforms are those which Cyprus is already committed to implement.