ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN ECB -PUBLIC  
 
OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK  
of 28 September 2016  
on amendments to the Law on Latvijas Banka reducing the number of members of the  
Council of Latvijas Banka  
(CON/20 16/47) 
 
Introduction and legal basis  
On 8 September 2016 the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from Latvijas Banka for an 
opinion on draft amendments to the Law o n Latvijas Banka (hereinafter the ‘draft law ’). 
The ECB’s competence to deliver an opinion is based on Articles 127(4) and 282(5) of the Treaty on the 
Functioning of the European Union  and the third indent of Article  2(1) of Council Decision 98/415/EC1, as 
the draft law relates to Latvijas Banka.  In accordance with the first sentence of Article 17.5 of the Rules of 
Procedure of the European Central Bank, the Governing Council has adopted this opinion.  
 
1.  Purpose of the draft law  
1.1 The sole purpose of the draft law is to formally reduce the number of members of the Council of 
Latvijas Banka (hereinafter the ‘Council’ ) from eight to six. The Council is Latvija s Bank a’s highest 
decision -making body . It makes  decisions on behalf of Latvijas Banka,  which  are necessary to 
ensure the implementation of  the tasks of Latvijas Banka, including the tasks  of the European 
System of  Central Banks  (ESCB)2. The quorum for the meeti ngs of the Council is more than half of 
its members, including the Governor and the Deputy  Governor . Decisions of the Council are taken 
by a majority  vote of the members  present  at the meeting . In the event of a tie, the chairperson of 
the meeting has the casting vote3. The meetings of the Council are convened as required, but at 
least once a quarter.  
1.2 The Council currently performs  its tasks  in the composition of six members  because the term s of 
office of two members of the Council expired several months ago.  Latvijas Banka is of the opinion 
that the  current composition of the Council of six members in total, including the Governor and the 
Deputy Governor , will be adequate for successful performance of Latvijas Banka's functions, 
including ESCB -related t asks.  
 
 
                                                 
1  Council Decision 98/415/EC of 29 June 1998 on the consultation of the European Central Bank by national 
authorities regarding draft legislative provisions ( OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 42) . 
2  See Article 26 of the Law on Latvijas Banka.  
3  See Article 24 of the Law o n Latvijas Banka.  
ECB -PUBLIC  
2  
2. General observations   
2.1 The proposed amendments do not raise personal independence concerns regarding the tenure of 
office of the Council  members  due to the fact that the two posts proposed to be removed by the 
draft law are currently vacant.  
2.2 The ECB relies on Latvijas Banka’s assessment that the reduction of the number of members of 
the Council will have no impact on Latvijas Banka’s ability to successfully perform all functions and 
tasks of Latvijas Banka, including ESCB -related tasks . 
 
This opinion will be published on the ECB’s website.  
  
Done at Frankfurt am Main, 28 September  2016.  
 [signed]  
 
The President of the ECB  
Mario DRAGHI
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 93/2

OPINION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 7 March 2018

on a Council recommendation on the appointment of the Vice-President of the European Central Bank

(CON/2018/14)

(2018/C 93/02)

Introduction and legal basis

On 23 February 2018 the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the President of the European Council for an opinion on a Council Recommendation of 20 February 2018 (1) on the appointment of the Vice-President of the European Central Bank.

The competence of the ECB’s Governing Council to deliver an opinion is based on Article 283(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

General observations

1. The Council’s recommendation, which was submitted to the European Council and on which the European Parliament and the ECB’s Governing Council are being consulted, recommends that Luis DE GUINDOS JURADO be appointed as the Vice-President of the ECB for a term of office of eight years with effect from 1 June 2018.

2. The ECB’s Governing Council is of the opinion that the proposed candidate is a person of recognised standing and professional experience in monetary or banking matters as required by Article 283(2) of the Treaty.

3. The ECB’s Governing Council has no objection to the Council’s recommendation to appoint Luis DE GUINDOS JURADO as the Vice-President of the ECB.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 7 March 2018. The President of the ECB Mario DRAGHI

(1) OJ C 67, 22.2.2018, p. 1.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 299/5

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 17 November 2008

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Banque centrale du Luxembourg

(ECB/2008/16)

(2008/C 299/02)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and of the national central banks of the Eurosystem are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB's Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of the Banque centrale du Luxembourg's current external auditor will end after the audit for the financial year 2008. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2009.

(3) The Banque centrale du Luxembourg has selected KPMG AUDIT SARL as its external auditors for the financial years 2009 to 2013,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that KPMG AUDIT SARL should be appointed as the external auditors of the Banque centrale du Luxembourg for the financial years 2009 to 2013.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 233/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 23 August 2010

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Banca d’Italia

(ECB/2010/11)

2010/C 233/01

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of the Banca d’Italia’s current external auditors ended after the audit for the financial year 2009. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2010.

(3) The Banca d’Italia has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers SpA as its external auditors for the financial years 2010 to 2015,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that PricewaterhouseCoopers SpA should be appointed as the external auditors of the Banca d’Italia for the financial years 2010 to 2015.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 93/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 23 March 2012

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Banque de France

(ECB/2012/5)

2012/C 93/01

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) Pursuant to Article L.142-2 of the Monetary and Financial Code, the General Council of the Banque de France appoints two statutory auditors to audit the accounts of the Banque de France. Pursuant to Article L.823-1 of the Commercial Code, one or more deputy auditors are appointed to replace the incumbent auditors in the event of their refusal, impediment, resignation or death.

(3) The mandate of the Banque de France’s external auditors will end following the audit for the financial year 2011. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2012.

(4) The Banque de France has selected Deloitte & Associés and KPMG SA as its external auditors and B.E.A.S. and KPMG Audit FS I SAS as their deputy auditors for the financial years 2012 to 2017,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

1. It is recommended that Deloitte & Associés and KPMG SA should be appointed jointly as the external auditors of the Banque de France for the financial years 2012 to 2017.

2. It is recommended that B.E.A.S. should be appointed as deputy auditors to Deloitte & Associés and KPMG Audit FS I SAS as deputy auditors to KPMG SA for the financial years 2012 to 2017.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 465/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 16 December 2014

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Lietuvos bankas

(ECB/2014/58)

(2014/C 465/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) Pursuant to Article 1 of Council Decision 2014/509/EU (1) Lithuania fulfils the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro, and the derogation in favour of Lithuania referred to in Article 4 of the 2003 Act of Accession (2) is abrogated with effect from 1 January 2015.

(3) Pursuant to Article 50 of the Law on Lietuvos bankas, from 1 January 2015 the annual financial statements of Lietuvos bankas will be audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council.

(4) Lietuvos bankas has selected UAB ‘PricewaterhouseCoopers’ as its external auditors for the financial years 2015 to 2017,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that UAB ‘PricewaterhouseCoopers’ should be appointed as the external auditors of Lietuvos bankas for the financial years 2015 to 2017.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 16 December 2014. The President of the ECB Mario DRAGHI

(1) Council Decision 2014/509/EU of 23 July 2014 on the adoption by Lithuania of the euro on 1 January 2015 (OJ L 228, 31.7.2014, p. 29).

(2) OJ L 236, 23.9.2003, p. 33.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 149/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 27 March 2015

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Deutsche Bundesbank

(ECB/2015/14)

(2015/C 149/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of the Deutsche Bundesbank’s current external auditors, Ernst & Young AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft Steuerberatungsgesellschaft, ended with the audit for the financial year 2014. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2015.

(3) The Deutsche Bundesbank has selected KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft as its external auditors for the financial years 2015 to 2020,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft should be appointed as the external auditors of the Deutsche Bundesbank for the financial years 2015 to 2020.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 2/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 19 December 2017

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Central Bank of Cyprus

(ECB/2017/43)

(2018/C 2/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of the Central Bank of Cyprus’s current external auditors, KPMG Limited, will end after the audit for the financial year 2017. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2018.

(3) The Central Bank of Cyprus has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited as its external auditors for the financial years 2018 to 2022,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited should be appointed as the external auditors of the Central Bank of Cyprus for the financial years 2018 to 2022.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 6 September 2018

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Banco de España

(ECB/2018/22)

(2018/C 325/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of Banco de España’s current external auditors, KPMG Auditores, S.L., ended after the audit for the financial year 2017. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2018.

(3) Banco de España has selected the temporary association of undertakings Mazars Auditores, S.L.P. - Mazars, S.A. as its external auditors for the financial years 2018 to 2020, with the option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2021 and 2022,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the temporary association of undertakings Mazars Auditores, S.L.P. - Mazars, S.A. should be appointed as the external auditors of Banco de España for the financial years 2018 to 2020, with the option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2021 and 2022.
Official Journal of the European Union

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 7 August 2020

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Suomen Pankki (ECB/2020/37)

(2020/C 268/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of Suomen Pankki’s current external auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy, ended after the audit for the financial year 2019. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2020.

(3) Suomen Pankki has selected KPMG Oy Ab as its external auditors for the financial years 2020 to 2025,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that KPMG Oy Ab should be appointed as the external auditors of Suomen Pankki for the financial years 2020 to 2025.
Official Journal of the European Union

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 6 May 2021

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska

(ECB/2021/22)

(2021/C 187/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) In 2017, Národná banka Slovenska selected Deloitte Audit s.r.o. as its external auditors for the financial years 2017 to 2020, with an option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2021 to 2023 (1).

(3) The mandate of Národná banka Slovenska’s current external auditors, Deloitte Audit s.r.o. ended after the audit for the financial year 2020 in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2017/1849 (2).

(4) Národná banka Slovenska intends to extend the mandate of Deloitte Audit s.r.o. to the financial year 2021. This extension is possible in accordance with the contractual arrangements between Národná banka Slovenska and Deloitte Audit s.r.o.,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Deloitte Audit s.r.o. should be appointed as the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska for the financial year 2021.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 6 May 2021. The President of the ECB Christine LAGARDE

(1) Recommendation ECB/2017/27 of the European Central Bank of 8 September 2017 to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska (OJ C 310, 19.9.2017, p. 1).

(2) Council Decision (EU) 2017/1849 of 10 October 2017 amending Decision 1999/70/EC concerning the external auditors of the national central banks, as regards the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska (OJ L 264, 13.10.2017, p. 5).
RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 17 February 2022

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Bank of Greece

(ECB/2022/3)

(2022/C 102/01)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB’s Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of the Bank of Greece’s current external auditors, Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A., will end following the audit for the financial year 2021. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2022.

(3) The Bank of Greece has selected Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A. as its external auditors for the financial years 2022 to 2026, with the option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2027 and 2028,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A. should be appointed as the external auditors of the Bank of Greece for the financial years 2022 to 2026, with the option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2027 and 2028.
Corrigendum to the competent national authorities referred to in Article 2(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001

(Official Journal of the European Communities C 173 of 19 July 2002)

(2002/C 178/09)

On page 2, in the title:

for:

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

read:

COMMISSION

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 342/3

Indicative calendar of reserve maintenance periods in 2015

2014/C 342/04

In accordance with Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 (ECB/2003/9) of the European Central Bank (1), the indicative calendar of maintenance periods in 2015 is hereby published.

Taking into account the 2015 schedule for the meetings of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, the 12th maintenance period in 2014 will be extended by 14 days and end on 27 January 2015. The indicative calendar of maintenance periods in 2015 is as follows:

Indicative calendar of maintenance periods in 2015

MP Relevant Governing Council meeting Start of maintenance period End of maintenance period Reserve base data for credit institutions reporting monthly Reserve base data for credit institutions reporting quarterly Length of the maintenance period (days) 1 22 January 2015 28 January 2015 10 March 2015 November 2014 September 2014 42 2 5 March 2015 11 March 2015 21 April 2015 January 2015 December 2014 42 3 15 April 2015 22 April 2015 9 June 2015 February 2015 December 2014 49 4 3 June 2015 10 June 2015 21 July 2015 April 2015 March 2015 42 5 16 July 2015 22 July 2015 8 September 2015 May 2015 March 2015 49 6 3 September 2015 9 September 2015 27 October 2015 July 2015 June 2015 49 7 22 October 2015 28 October 2015 8 December 2015 August 2015 June 2015 42 8 3 December 2015 9 December 2015 26 January 2016 October 2015 September 2015 49

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 of the European Central Bank of 12 September 2003 on the application of minimum reserves (ECB/2003/9) (OJ L 250, 2.10.2003, p. 10).
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 on the common organisation of the market in rice"

(2001/C 311/06)

On 17 May 2001, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 19 July 2001. The rapporteur was Mrs Santiago.

At its 384th plenary session on 12 and 13 September 2001 (meeting of 12 September) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 97 votes in favour, no votes against and 1 abstention.

1. As a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations, the common organisation of the market in rice was amended in 1995 by Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 which introduced a production-based payment system for rice; these payments were granted per hectare and were designed to compensate for the fall in institutional prices required by this same regulation.

1.1. The date set at that time for paying out these compensatory payments was between 16 October and 31 December.

1.2. In the meantime, Council Regulation (EC) No 1593/2000 of 17 July 2000 brought rice cultivation into the integrated administration and control system for certain Community aid schemes. Since the date set for the payment of compensatory aid for arable crops was between 16 November and 31 January, it is now necessary to align the dates for compensatory payments for the different types of crop.

2. The present Commission proposal stipulates that the payment period for compensatory aid for rice is to be changed so as to run from 16 November until 31 January.

3. The Economic and Social Committee endorses this Commission proposal.

Brussels, 12 September 2001.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Göke Frerichs