Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna has joined other Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors hailing from Italy, Greece, Portugal, San Marino, Albania, and East Timor, in a discussion within the joint International Monetary Fund and World Bank Constituency Meeting in Rome.

The meeting hosted by the Italian Finance Ministry addressed issues of shared common concern regarding growth-friendly fiscal policies in a budget constraint environment, inequality and poverty, as well as strategic issues relating to the IMF and the World Bank.

The meeting was addressed by IMF Executive Director Carlo Cottarelli and World Bank Executive Director Patrizio Pagano. Special presentations were given by Deputy Director Fiscal Affairs Department of the IMF Christopher Towe and Senior Economist from the World Bank Dean Joliffe.

Professor Scicluna was accompanied by the CBM Governor Dr Mario Vella.

Prof Scicluna said that ''the meeting allowed a frank discussion of the current pressing issues faced by both EU member states and non-European countries, and how we should respond to them. I am grateful to the Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan for hosting this important and useful meeting''.