Very long, intense and also constructive #Eurogroup about this #coronacrisis that affects us all.

We’re dealing primarily with a health crisis and it’s important that Europe makes funds available. We also agreed on EIB support for our struggling companies and entrepreneurs.

NL was and remains against the idea of #Eurobonds, we think this will create more problems than solutions for the EU. We would have to guarantee debts of other countries which isn’t reasonable. The majority of the Eurogroup shares this view and does not support Eurobonds.

On the use of the ESM is no compromise yet and therefore the leaders must decide on this topic. The ESM is a lender of last resort when countries are in deep financial trouble. In our view the use of this  budget has to come with some form of conditions.

Because of the current crisis we have to make an exception and the ESM can be used unconditionally to cover medical costs. For the long term economic support we think it’s sensible to combine the use of the ESM with certain economic conditions.

We will continue the discussions on how to deal with this crisis.