International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials based in Washington and Eurozone representatives have given two different perspectives on the future of the euro, PL MEP Alfred Sant has said.

Sant forms part of a delegation of the Committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament (ECON) which is discussing matters of economic and financial interest at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group  in Bali, Indonesia.

The ECON delegation held intense meetings with representatives of the IMF, Eurozone institutions, experts and Ministers from various countries across the world attending this annual event.

 "IMF officials positioned in Washington have expressed their concerns that despite the economic recovery in Europe, the eurozone may face problems if things change to the worse.  This is as during the good times we have experienced over the past few years, more could have been done to improve the financial position of government budgets, so that they would be better prepared to launch financial stimulus to counter the next economic downturn when this happens." remarked the Maltese MEP.

Sant said that on the other hand, Eurozone representatives appear more confident that as a result of the recent reforms implemented by the Eurozone, the EU is now in quite good shape to face any difficulties it may encounter in the future.

The ECON delegation is expected to continue with its meetings in Bali till Sunday afternoon.