MNI: Netherlands Vijlbrief Seeks Euro Working Group Presidency

--Dutch Candidate Hans Vijlbrief Seen Favourite For Key Position 

--EWG Presidency Vote Planned For Jan 11

By Jean Comte

     BRUSSELS (MNI) - Hans Vijlbrief, Treasurer-General at the Dutch Ministry of

Finance, has applied for the role of the chairman of the Euro Working Group,

Market News understands.

     A Dutch official told MNI that Vijlbrief's application is fully supported

by the national government. 

     His election would be a strong sign of support for the Netherlands as

Dutchman Jeroen Dijsselbloem steps down after 5 years as Eurogroup head..

     The Euro Working group (EWG) is the technical body which prepares the

agenda for Eurogroup. The EWG is composed from one high level official from each

euro area member state. It is currently chaired by Austria's Thomas Wieser, but

his term ends in January 2018. The new EWG chair will be elected in January by

the members.

     The presidency of the EWG is described by insiders as a key position, as it

prepares the 'roadmap' to every Eurogroup decision.

     Although Vijlbrief is seen as the favourite in Brussels, his election is

far from being assured as he is not the sole candidate. MNI understands that

Tuomas Saarenheimo, Under-Secretary at the Finnish Ministry of Finance, has also

filed an official application.

     As the list of candidates is not public, there could be other candidates --

though none has been confirmed yet.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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