COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 09.11.1998 
COM(1998) 637 final 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the Representation and Position Taking of the Community at 
International Level in the context of Economic and Monetary Union 
(presented by the Commission) COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 09.11.1998 
COM(1998) 637 final 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the Representation and Position Taking of the Community at 
International Level in the context of Economic and Monetary Union 
(presented by the Commission) 

Explanatory Memorandum 
The introduction of the euro represents an extremely important event in the 
international monetary and financial system. With the euro, the European Community 
will have a monetary presence which corresponds to its economic and commercial 
weight in the world economy. To take full advantage of this new reality, the 
Community will need to speak with one voice in a broad range of international 
institutions and fora where issues are discussed and decided that may affect Economic 
and Monetary Union. This is not only essential for the Community, but also for its 
international partners. 
The proposed Council decision provides that the representation of the Community at 
international level when economic and monetary issues are discussed would be 
undertaken by the Council with the Commission, and by the European Central Bank. 
This approach reflects the reality that economic, monetary and exchange rate policies 
are closely interrelated oid are often discussed together. As the Council, the 
Commission and the EC.3 have specific competences in these policy areas at 
Community level, they should each participate in the representation of the Community 
at international level in a balanced way. 
*** 
As of the beginning of the third stage of EMU (1 January 1999), monetary and 
exchange rate policies concerning the euro will be exclusively a matter for the 
Community1. In addition, fas Member States have, since the beginning of stage two. 
had to regard their economic policies as a matter of common concern and have had to 
co-ordinate them within the Council-2. As of 1 January Î999, Member States have, 
moreover, the legal obligation to avoid excessive deficits and could be subject to 
sanctions under the terms of the Stability and Growth Pact3. 
These changes will have consequences for position-taking and representation at 
international level, both with respect'to relations between the Community and third 
countries and in international fora. Article 109(4) EC Treaty sets out procedures to 
determine the Community's position at international level for issues of particular 
! Article 3a(2) EC Treaty. 
- Article 103(0 HC Treaty; aiso Article 3a(I), which refers to the adoption by the Member States and 
the Community of an economic policy which is based on. the close coordination of Member States' 
economic policies., on the internal market and on the definition of commovi objectives, and conducted in 
accordance with the principle of an open market economy with free competition. 
3 Council Regulations (EC) 1466/97 and 1467/97 of 7 July 1997; Resolution of the European Council 
on Growth and Employment (Amsterdam, 16 June 1997) and on the Stability and Growth Pact 
(Amsterdam, 17 June 1997). 
relevance to economic and monetary union and for deciding its representation in 
compliance with the allocation of powers laid down in Articles 103 and 1Ô5. 
Community representation will thus have to include both the monetary and the 
economic poles of EMU. 
(On Article 1) 
Article 1 sets out the general principle that will apply to Community representation in 
international relations in the context of Economic and Monetary Union (Part Three, 
Title VI, EC Treaty). It provides that the Community will be represented by the 
Council with the Commission, and by the European Central Bank (ECB). 
The reasons to include the Council, the ECB and the Commission in the Community 
representation for the purposes of Article 109(4) EC Treaty are manifold. 
When they met in Luxembourg in December 1997, the Heads of State and Government 
resolved that the Council and the ECB would carry out their tasks in representing the 
Community at international level in an efficient manner and in compliance with the 
allocation of powers laid down in the Treaty. They also resolved that the Commission 
would be involved in external representation to the extent required to enable it to 
perform the role assigned to it by the Treaty. 
The Council, acting unanimously on a Commission proposal and after consulting the 
ECB, is to decide on Community representation at international level. This 
representation has to be in compliance with the allocation of powers laid down in 
Articles 103 and 105. The reference to Article 105 means that the ECB should be 
involved when monetary policy and foreign exchange operations are discussed at 
international level. The reference to Article 103 means that when economic policies 
are discussed, representation should reflect the obligation on the Member States to 
regard their economic policies as a matter of common concern and to co-ordinate these 
economic policies within the Council. In the co-ordination and surveillance process, as 
set out in Article 103(2) and following, the Council and the Commission have an active 
role in the preparation and adoption of the Broad Economic Guidelines and the 
monitoring of their implementation. The Council and the Commission also conduct the 
surveillance at Community level, as defined in Article 104c, of the budgetary policies 
of the Member States. 
Thé need to associate the Council, the Commission and the ECB in the Community 
representation at international level also follows from Articles 109(1) and 109(2), 
which give the Commission and the ECB the right of initiative in the formulation of 
formal agreements, to be decided by the Council, on an exchange rate system for the 
euro in relation to non-Community currencies and in the formulation of such general 
orientations for exchange rate policy in relation to third countries which the Council 
may issue. Moreover, the Commission has a general obligation to ensure consistency 
in the external activities of the Community. This not only follows directly from Article 
C of the Treaty on European Union4, according to which it is to share this obligation 
with the Council, but also from the fact that Article 109 only applies to Member States 
without a derogation (Article 109k(3)). Positions taken by the Council under Article 
109 may, however, have repercussions on the other Member States, inter alia through 
the operation of ERM2. The Commission has a role to play in ensuring consistency 
between the interests of the two groups of Member States. 
The Commission also needs to be fully associated in representation at international 
level as it must be able to prepare proposals for Council decisions on the Community 
position on issues of particular relevance to economic and monetary union. 
For the purpose of Article 109(4), "international level" is defined as relations between 
the Community and third countries (including visits), proceedings in international 
organisations and in informal groupings (including their preparatory meetings). 
(On Article 2) 
Article 2 specifies die modalities for Council participation in representation at 
international level. In line with the practice in the "Euro-1 !" group, the Member States 
have acknowledged that this Council participation should be assumed by a Member 
State that has the euro as its currency. In those cases where the Member State that 
holds the office of President of the Council does not have the euro as its currency, 
participation for the Council in the representation of ihz Community at international 
level would be assumed ay the Member State that is next to hold the office of President 
of the Council and has the euro as its currency. 
The modalities of the participation of the two other institutions of the Community- the 
Commission and the ECB - in the international representation of the Community 
would be decided by the institution concerned in accordance with its statutes. 
(On Article 3) 
Article 3 provides that the Member States and the institutions of the Community that 
already participate in international fora are to take all steps needed to ensure that the 
Community is represented in accordance with Articles 1 and 2. 
In the case of the Gl Finance and preparatory groups, the Member States in the G7 are 
to ensure with the other G7 Finance partners that this requirement is met. The Article 
also specifies that they may have to take further action to secure Community 
4 Article C EU Treaty: 
"The Union shall be served by a single institutional framework which shall ensure the consistency and 
the continuity of the activities carried out in order to attain its objectives while respecting and building 
upon the acquis communautaire. The Union shall in particular ensure the consistency of its external 
activities as a whole in the context of its external relations, security, economic and development 
policies. The Council and the Commission shall be responsible for ensuring such consistency. They 
shall ensure the implementation of these policies, each in accordance with its respective powers." 
4 
participation in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 and that they have to report back to 
the Council and the Commission. A similar mandate is given in the case of meetings 
of G10 Finance Ministers and preparatory groups, where the Commission is already 
observer. 
In the case of certain OECD meetings that discuss economic and financial matters, 
more specifically the Economic Policy Committee and its Working Parties, the 
Commission, which represents the Community as a full participant (but not member) 
under Protocol n°l to the OECD Convention, is to include the ECB and, if it is not a 
participant in these meetings, the Member State as defined in Article 2, in the 
Community delegation. 
(On Article 4) 
While the general principles provided for in Articles 1 and 2 will represent the rule as 
soon as the decision enters into force in fora such as Gl Finance, G10 Finance, G22 
and other informal groupings, institutional constraints may impede an immediate 
implementation in certain international organisations such as the IMF. Article 4, 
therefore, provides that the Member States and the institutions of the Community shall 
rapidly adopt and implement such temporary arrangements which, as closely as 
possible, comply with that principle. These arrangements could be amongst themselves 
or, where needed, with the organisation concerned. 
In -the specific case of the IMF, the Member States are to agree temporary 
arrangements amongst themselves and, if need be5, with the Fund to allow 
representatives of the ECB and the Commission to attend meetings of the IMF 
Executive Board at which issues of relevance to EMU are discussed. These 
arrangements could take the form of a Community "Observer Office" in the Fund that 
would be made up of the Commission and the ECB and that would work closely 
together with the Member State as defined in Article 2. In accordance with Article 5, 
this Member State and the Observer Office would co-operate to ensure that Board 
meetings, where issues of relevance to EMU were discussed, would be prepared well in 
advance both in the Economic and Financial Committee and among Executive 
Directors. 
The decision also requires the Member States to enable the Community to attend and 
address meetings of the Interim Committee. 
(On Article 5) 
In accordance with Article 109c(2) EC Treaty, third indent, the Economic and 
Financial Committee is to contribute to the preparation of the work of the Council as 
regards Community positions at international level. Particularly as positions may have 
to be adopted at short notice, efficient procedures and communication tools should be 
5 Arrangements with the Fund would not be needed if the Member States were to agree to include 
representatives from the Commission and the ECB in one or more constituencies. 
5 
established linking the national "Eeofm" Ministries, the Commission,-the ESCB and 
the EFC Secretariat. Co-ordination between representatives of the Community and ihe 
Member States at the meetings would be ensured by the Member State as defined in 
Article 2. 
Proposal tor a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on 
the Representation and Position Taking of the Community 
at International Level in the context of Economic and Monetary Union 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular 
Article 109(4) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission6, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank7, 
Whereas Article 109(4) provides that the Council shall, on a proposal from the 
Commission and after consulting the ECB, acting unanimously, decide the 
representation of the Community in compliance with the allocation of powers laid 
down in Articles 103 and 105; 
Whereas Article 109(4) provides that the Council shall, on a proposal from the 
Commission and after consulting the ECB, acting by qualified majority, decide on the 
position of the Community at international level as regards issues of particular 
relevance to economic and monetary union; 
Whereas the European Council, when it met in Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December 
1997, resolved that the Council and the European Central Bank would carry out their 
tasks in representing the Community at international level in an efficient manner and in 
compliance with the allocation of powers laid down in the Treaty; whereas the 
European Council also resolved that the Commission would be involved in external 
representation to the extent required to enable it to perform the role assigned to it by 
the Treaty; 
Whereas the Commission needs to be able to prepare Council decisions on Community 
positions at international level; 
Whereas the Council and the Commission have an important role in the co-ordination 
and surveillance of Member States' economic policies, in particular in the context of 
Articles 103 and 104c; 
Whereas Article 109(1) provides that the Commission and the ECB have a right of 
initiative in the formulation of formal agreements on an exchange rate system for the 
euro in relation to non-Community currencies; 
Whereas Article 109(2) provides that the Commission and the ECB have a right of 
initiative in the formulation of general orientations for exchange rate policy in relation 
to non-Community currencies; 
Whereas economic, monetary and exchange rate policies are closely interlinked; 
Whereas Article C of the Treaty on European Union provides that the Council and the 
Commission are to ensure consistency in the external activities of the Community; 
Whereas positions on issues of particular relevance to economic and monetary union 
will have repercussions on the Member States that have not adopted the euro as their 
currency; whereas the Commission has a role to play in ensuring consistency between 
the interests of the two groups of Member States; 
Whereas the ESCB is responsible for the definition and implementation of monetary 
policy and the conduct of foreign exchange operations; 
Whereas Article 6(2) of Protocol (No 3) of the EC Treaty on the Statute of the 
European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank provides that the 
ECB may participate in international monetary institutions; whereas according to 
Article 6(3) this is to be without prejudice to Article 109(4); 
Whereas for the purpose of Article 109(4), "international level" is defined as relations 
between the Community and third countries (including visits to these countries) and 
proceedings in international organisations and in informal groupings (including their 
preparatory meetings); 
Whereas it is appropriate that the participation for the Council in the representation of 
the Community at international level in the context of Economic and Monetary Union 
is assumed by a Member State that has adopted the euro; whereas Heads of State and 
Government resolved in Luxembourg that the Ministers of the Member States 
participating in the euro area may meet informally among themselves to discuss issues 
connected with their shared specific responsibilities for the single currency; whereas 
according to the practice adopted in that group, meetings are chaired by the Member 
State that holds the office of President of the Council if that Member has adopted the 
euro as its currency; whereas, in the event that the Member State that holds the office 
of President of the Council has not adopted the euro as its currency, the next Member 
to hold the office of President of the Council and which has the euro as its currency 
chairs the meetings; whereas the same practice should be used for the participation for 
the Council in the representation of the Community at international level in the context 
of Economic and Monetary Union; 
Whereas the principles on Community representation provided for in Articles 1 and 2 
of this decision are to be fully implemented; whereas the Member States and the 
institutions of the Community will need to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken 
to this end; 
Whereas Article 3 of this decision would, inter alia, apply to meetings at ministerial 
level of the G7 Finance and the G10 and their preparatory meetings and to certain 
meetings within the OECD; whereas certain Member States participate in those 
meetings; whereas the Commission is observer in G10 meetings and a full participant 
in the OECD; whereas Community representation, in accordance with the principle of 
Article 1, needs to be ensured; 
Whereas the rules of international organisations may not allow for an immediate 
implementation of the principles set out in Articles 1 and 2; 
Whereas, in those cases, arrangements will need to be implemented that meet as 
closely as possible that principle and that can be made operational as soon as possible 
after 1 January 1999; 
Whereas those arrangements should be temporary; 
Whereas the International Monetary Fund is a core organisation in the international 
monetary and financial system; whereas the IMF is an organisation whose members are 
states; whereas the Community is not represented in the Fund; 
Whereas in the case of the IMF Executive Board, temporary arrangements are to ensure 
that Community positions can be expressed by the Member State as defined in Article 
2 and that the Commission and the ECB can attend meetings where issues of relevance 
to EMU are discussed; 
Whereas in the case of the IMF Interim Committee, temporary arrangements should 
ensure that the Council, the Commission and the ECB can attend and address the 
meetings, each in its field of competence; 
Whereas Article 109c(2) provides that the Economic and Financial Committee shall 
contribute to the preparation of the work of the Council referred to in Article 109, 
without prejudice to Article 15.1; whereas the same Article provides that the EFC will 
keep under review the economic and financial situation of the Member States and of 
the Community and will report regularly thereon to. the Council and to the 
Commission, in particular on financial relations with third countries and international 
organisations; 
Whereas adequately protected communication tools would help in preparing positions, 
in particular positions which need to be taken at short notice; 
Whereas, pursuant to Article 109k(3), Protocol (Noll), paragraph 5 and Protocol 
(Noî2), paragraph 2, reference to the Member States in this decision shall, unless 
otherwise specified, mean the Member States which have adopted the euro; 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
In the context of Economic and Monetary Union, the Community shall be represented 
at international level by the Council with the Commission, and by the ECB. This 
representation shall ensure that the Community speaks with one voice. International 
level shall refer to: 
- relations between the Community and third countries; 
- international organisations; 
- informal groupings. 
Article 2 
The Council shall participate in the representation of the Community through the 
Member State that holds the office of President of the Council provided that Member 
State has adopted the euro as its currency. Should the office of President of the Council 
be held by a Member State that has not adopted the euro as its currency, the Council 
shall participate in the representation of the Community through the Member State that 
is next to hold the office of President of the Council and that has adopted the euro as its 
currency. 
Article 3 
The Member States and the institutions of the Community shall take all such steps that 
are necessary to ensure that the Community is represented at international level in 
accordance with the principles set out in Articles 1 and 2. 
In particular: 
- as regards G7 Finance meetings and preparatory groups, the participating Member 
States shall, ensure that the Community is represented in accordance with the 
principles set out in Articles 1 and 2 and will take all such other steps as may, to 
this end, be necessary; they will report to the Council and the Commission 
accordingly; 
- as regards G10 Ministerial meetings and preparatory groups, the participating 
Member States shall, in close consultation with the Commission, ensure that the 
Member State as defined in Article 2 and the ECB shall also participate in 
10 
representing the Community; they will report to the Council and the Commission 
accordingly; 
as regards meetings of the Economic Policy Committee and its Working Parties of 
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Community 
delegation will, in addition to the Commission, include the ECB and, if it does not 
already participate in such meetings, the Member State as defined in Article 2. 
Article 4 
Where the rules of a particular international organisation do not permit the immediate 
implementation of the principles laid down in Articles 1 and 2, the Member States and 
the institutions of the Community shall rapidly adopt and implement such temporary 
arrangements which, as closely as possible, comply with that principle. 
In particular: 
- as regards the IMF Executive Board, such temporary arrangements shall ensure that 
the Member State as defined in Article 2 is able to speak on behalf of the 
Community and that the representatives of the ECB and of the Commission are 
able to attend meetings at which issues of relevance to EMU are discussed; 
- as regards the IMF Interim Committee, such temporary arrangements shall ensure 
that the Member State as defined in Article 2, the Commission and the ECB are 
able to attend its meetings throughout and are able to address such meetings, each 
in its own field of competence. 
Article 5 
For meetings at international level, the Member State as defined in Article 2 shall 
ensure that Member State and Community representatives fully co-ordinate with one 
another to ensure that the Community speaks with one voice. 
In accordance with its task as regards the preparation of the work of the Council, the 
Economic and Financial Committee shall assist in the preparation of all Community 
positions on the basis of a proposal or any other contribution from the Commission. 
For the purposes of preparing positions, in particular those called at short notice, a 
network of adequately protected communication tools will be set up between the 
Members of the Economic and Financial Committee. 
11 
Article 6 
This decision is addressed to all the Member States. It shall enter into force on 1 
January 1999. 
Done at 
For the Council, 
12 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(98) 637 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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