With the financial and economic crisis having exacerbated differences between countries, and the new political momentum for EMU reform, convergence is now fully back on the EU agenda. In the context of the negotiations on the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, numerous proposals have emerged which aim to provide the E(M)U with new tools to foster structural reforms across the EU and more effectively target countries and regions lagging behind. This includes a new ‘EMU reform package’ published by the European Commission in December last year.

This EPC-IMF Policy Dialogue offered a timely opportunity to exchange future-oriented ideas and form realistic, concrete recommendations to feed into this agenda. After a short presentation of the main findings of a new IMF study on convergence, the panel addressed questions such as how the convergence agenda can help deliver the EU’s overall political priorities and how can EU institutions, member states, and regions more effectively coordinate their efforts on this agenda, as well as the role of the EU budget in helping to foster structural reforms in member states and regions.

Speakers included: Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive, European Policy Centre, Hanni Schölermann, Economist, IMF Europe Office, Gabriele Giudice, Head of Unit EMU deepening and macroeconomy of the euro area, DG ECFIN, European Commission, Jeffrey Franks, Director, IMF Europe Office, László Andor, Senior Adviser, European Policy Centre.