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Council of the European Union    12 JULY 2018  Presidency press statement after the Informal meeting of EU Ministers responsible for Home Affairs of 12 July 2018, Innsbruck, Austria See the press statement. Council of the European Union    13/7/2018  Presidency press releases on informal meeting of EU justice ministers and on justice and home affairs ministers meeting with Eastern Partnership countries on 13 July 2018, Innsbruck, Austria See the press release after the informal meeting of EU justice ministers and "Eastern Partnership: Meeting of justice and home affairs ministers". European Council     13/7/2018  International Summit, 16/07/2018 Background brief - EU-China summit of 16 July 2018  Council of the European Union     13/7/2018  Main results - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 13/07/2018 The Council discussed the Commission proposals on the VAT generalised reverse charge mechanism and on reduced VAT rates for e-publications. The Austrian presidency also presented its priorities on economic and financial issues for the next six months. Main results Indirect taxation  The Council discussed two VAT-related proposals. First, ministers had an exchange of views on the Commission's proposal on the "generalised reverse charge mechanism" aimed at allowing member states to apply temporarily a generalised reversal of VAT liability. In June, the European Council stressed that work should continue on how to ensure effective VAT collection and called for swift progress on the Commission proposals on short-term measures. VAT reverse charge mechanism (background information) Ministers also discussed the "e-publications" proposal which would allow member states to apply non-standard VAT rates to electronic publications and potentially align VAT rules between physical and electronic forms for publications. This file is part of the EU's wider efforts to modernise value added tax for the digital economy in the context of the EU's digital single market strategy. Reduced VAT for e-publications - Council webpage Country specific recommendations  The Council issued its 2018 recommendations and opinions to member states' on their economic, employment and fiscal policies, thereby concluding this year's European Semester exercise. The recommendations had been endorsed by the European Council in June. The overall objective of this year's recommendations is to encourage member states to use the current favorable economic momentum to further strengthen the resilience of their economies. 2018 country-specific recommendations on economic, employment and fiscal policies (press release, 13/07/2018) Presidency programme  The Council discussed the priorities of the Austrian presidency in the area of  economic and financial affairs. The focus of activities up to the end of 2018 will be on: completing the banking union and developing a capital markets union. deepening and strengthening economic policy coordination, by strengthening stability, resilience and compliance in the framework of the stability and growth pact. improving efficiency and fairness in taxation. ensuring that the implementation of the 2019 EU budget will adhere to the principles of sound and efficient financial management. 2018 Austrian presidency work programme Ministers also discussed the relevant conclusions on economic and financial matters of the European Council of 28-29 June 2018 and finalised preparations ahead of the G20 finance meeting of 21-22 July in Buenos Aires. Meeting information Meeting n°3631   Brussels   13/07/2018 Preparatory documents List of A items, legislative deliberation List of A items, non-legislative activities Indicative programme Provisional agenda Background brief Outcome documents Outcome of the Council meeting List of participants Video footage of the meeting