European leaders are reconvening on Friday morning for the second day of their summit dedicated to the economy after making the "historic" decision the day before to grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate status.
The cost of living crisis, soaring inflation and food security will be top of the agenda for EU leaders who will be joined in their discussion by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Eurogroup chief Paschal Donohoe. The energy crisis, although not formally on the agenda, is bound to also be discussed.
We understand Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has asked for another Council summit to take place in July to delve more into the bloc's economic situation so a decision on this may well be announced today as well.
Meanwhile, today may be cheered as historic by the Croatians too as leaders are set to decide whether to allow the country to introduce the euro following such a recommendation from the Commission earlier this month.
Follow live what's happening at the summit in the blog below
Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of Slovakia, said that the EU has "to realise inflation will stay with us for a longer period" and argued that "it's important to really come up with national solutions."
He used as an example the deal his government struck with a nuclear power provider to give "guaranteed prices for the next two years" and urged other governments to follow suit and work "with the market".
"Right now, as I said, it’s very important that every country does what’s in its forces," he went on. "We have to be very wise and always think of the sustainability of public finances, that’s very important because COVID cost us a lot of money so we have to think twice now."
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said as
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