While it is natural for an economic slowdown to have adverse effects on Member States' budgets, it is important that especially those countries with a budget position still not close to balance or in surplus and/or with high public debt-to-GDP ratios adhere to their medium-term consolidation plans.
•  Ensure that Government borrowing does not crowd out private sector as well as adopting alternative sources of funding such as sovereign bonds. (This has been done with success). •  Fast tracking capital markets reforms to make capital markets more efficient and attractive alternative sources of long term funding.