The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Gordon Brown) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

Items on the agenda are as follows:

Presidency work programme: the Finnish presidency will give a presentation on its major priorities for the next six months.

Implementation of the stability and growth pact: ECOFIN will be invited to adopt a 104(12) decision on Cyprus and Council conclusions on Portugal.

Adoption of the euro: Council will be invited to adopt a Council decision abrogating Slovenia's derogation from 1 January 2007 for fulfilling the necessary conditions for economic and monetary union membership.

Public finances in EMU 2006: ECOFIN will be invited to adopt conclusions regarding the first year of the revised stability and growth pact.

EIB external lending mandates: Council will discuss the renewal of the EIB's external lending mandates, which will set the amounts and strategic priorities of the EIB's operations outside the EU.

Dialogue with third countries: ECOFIN will discuss the follow-up to the EU/US summit and the economic, financial and regulatory aspects of dialogues with third countries.

Funding of the International Accounting Standards Board: Council will be invited to adopt conclusions on a Commission proposal for the funding of the International Accounting Standards Board.