ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 120/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 31 March 2017

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of the Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique

(ECB/2017/8)

(2017/C 120/01)

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 Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique’s current external auditors, Ernst & Young Bedrijfsrevisoren/Réviseurs d’Entreprises, ended after the audit for the financial year 2016. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2017.

(3) The Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique has selected Mazars Réviseurs d’entreprises/Mazars Bedrijfsrevisoren SCRL/CVBA as its external auditors for the financial years 2017 to 2022,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Mazars Réviseurs d’entreprises/Mazars Bedrijfsrevisoren SCRL/CVBA should be appointed as the external auditors of the Nationale Bank van België/Banque Nationale de Belgique for the financial years 2017 to 2022.
Official Journal of the European Union

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 25 July 2019

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

(ECB/2019/24)

(2019/C 283/01)

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 Malta’s current external auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, ended after the audit for the financial year 2018. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2019.

(3) The Central Bank of Malta has selected KPMG as its external auditors for the financial years 2019 to 2025,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that KPMG should be appointed as the external auditors of the Central Bank of Malta for the financial years 2019 to 2025.
Official Journal of the European Union

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 7 September 2021

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

(ECB/2021/41)

(2021/C 370/01)

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 Banca d’Italia’s current external auditors, BDO Italia S.p.A., ended after the audit for the financial year 2020. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2021.

(3) The Banca d’Italia has selected Deloitte & Touche S.p.A. as its external auditors for the financial years 2021 to 2022,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Deloitte & Touche S.p.A. should be appointed as the external auditors of the Banca d’Italia for the financial years 2021 to 2022.
Official Journal of the European Union

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 17 May 2022

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

(ECB/2022/24)

(2022/C 210/01)

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 Banco de Portugal’s current external auditors, Deloitte & Associados — Sociedade de Revisores Oficiais de Contas S.A., ended following the audit for the financial year 2021. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2022.

(3) Banco de Portugal has selected PriceWaterhouseCoopers & Associados - Sociedade de Revisores Oficiais de Contas Lda as its external auditors for the financial years 2022 to 2026,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that PriceWaterhouseCoopers & Associados - Sociedade de Revisores Oficiais de Contas Lda should be appointed as the external auditors of Banco de Portugal for the financial years 2022 to 2026.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 10/6

Memorandum of Understanding amending the Memorandum of Understanding on a Code of Conduct for the members of the Governing Council

(2007/C 10/08)

THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

Having regard to the Memorandum of Understanding on a Code of Conduct for the members of the Governing Council of 16 May 2002 (1),

Whereas:

This amendment to the Code of Conduct for the members of the Governing Council further specifies the ethical regime applicable to the members of the Governing Council,

HAVE AGREED ON 21 DECEMBER 2006 TO AMEND THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON A CODE OF CONDUCT AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Article 3 of the Code of Conduct for the members of the Governing Council is amended as follows:

Article 3.3 is replaced by the following ‘3.3 Respect of the principle of independence is incompatible with applying for, receiving or accepting from any source except from within the ESCB any benefits, rewards, remuneration or gifts in excess of EUR 200, whether financial or non-financial, which are connected in any way whatsoever with the function as a member of the Governing Council.’

The following Article 3.4 and 3.5 is inserted: ‘3.4 They may, however, accept invitations to conferences, receptions or cultural events and connected entertainment, including appropriate hospitality, if their participation in the event is compatible with the fulfilment of their duties as members of the Governing Council. In this respect, they may accept the refunding by the organisers of travel and accommodation expenses commensurate with the duration of their commitment except when the organisers are institutions under their supervision. In particular, members of the Governing Council should observe special prudence with regard to individual invitations. These rules should apply equally to their spouses or partners, if the invitations are also extended to them and if their participation is consistent with internationally accepted custom. 3.5 Members of the Governing Council shall not accept for themselves fees for lectures and speeches undertaken in their official capacity as members of the Governing Council.’

Article 2

Made in one original copy, deposited in the vaults of the ECB. Each party to this Memorandum of Understanding shall receive a certified copy thereof.

Jean-Claude TRICHET Lucas D. PAPADEMOS Lorenzo BINI SMAGHI Vítor CONSTÂNCIO Mario DRAGHI Miguel Fernández ORDOÑEZ Nicholas GARGANAS José Manuel GONZÁLEZ-PÁRAMO John HURLEY Klaus LIEBSCHER Erkki LIIKANEN Yves MERSCH Christian NOYER Guy QUADEN Jürgen STARK Gertrude TUMPEL-GUGERELL Axel A. WEBER Arnout WELLINK

(1) OJ C 123, 24.5.2002, p. 9.
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the:

- 'Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of seed potatoes' (consolidated version),

- 'Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of beet seed' (consolidated version),

- 'Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants' (consolidated version), and

- 'Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of fodder plant seed' (consolidated version)

(96/C 153/13)

On 30 January 1996, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposals.

The Section for Agriculture and Fisheries, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 8 February 1996. The Rapporteur was Mr Stokkers.

At its 333rd Plenary Session of 28 and 29 February 1996 (meeting of 28 February 1996), the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following Opinion.

1. The Committee approves the Commission proposals for the consolidation of the:

- Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of seed potatoes (95/0302 CNS),

- Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of beet seed (95/0303 CNS),

- Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of seed of oil and fibre plants (95/0304 CNS), and

- Proposal for a Council Directive on the marketing of fodder plant seed (95/0305 CNS)

2. The Committee issued Opinions on the original proposals for Directives in CES 104/64 and CES 509/68.

Done at Brussels, 28 February 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 80/232/EEC as regards the range of nominal weights for coffee extracts and chicory extracts"

(2001/C 123/06)

On 23 October 2000 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 10 January 2001. The rapporteur was Mr Liverani.

At its 378th plenary session (meeting of 24 January 2001) the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following opinion.

The present proposal follows up the obligation undertaken by the Commission to amend Directive 80/232/EEC by adding the mandatory range previously contained in the Directive on coffee extracts and chicory extracts. The aim is to maintain a legal basis in Community law for the range. The range need not be adapted as it is sufficient to ensure free circulation of goods in the sector.

Entry into force will be 20 days after the publication of the Directive. This short period of time is justified because the range is already part of the acquis and therefore has already been implemented by all Member States.

The Committee endorses the Commission proposal.

Brussels, 24 January 2001.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Göke Frerichs
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council amending Council Directive 93/42/EEC, as amended by Directive 2000/70/EC, as regards medical devices incorporating stable derivatives of human blood or human plasma"

(2002/C 48/16)

On 15 September 2001 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 95 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 7 November 2001. The rapporteur was Mr Ribeiro, who worked without the assistance of a drafting or study group.

At its 386th plenary session (meeting of 28 November), the Committee adopted the following opinion by 117 votes to one with two abstentions.

1. Introduction

1.1. Directive 2000/70/EC(1) amends Directive 93/42/EEC(2) on medical devices by extending its scope to devices incorporating stable derivatives of human blood or human plasma.

1.2. After the approval of the common position by the relevant European Parliament committee - that led to Directive 2000/70/EC(3) - Member States drew the Commission's attention to the fact that there was a mistranscription in the wording as agreed by the Council.

1.3. The existence of this mistranscription was ascertained by the experts of all parties involved in the drafting: Council, Parliament, Commission. It was also accepted that the mistranscription might lead to confusion in interpreting the provisions of the Directive, and that the text should be clarified.

1.4. It is against this background that the Commission is proposing this new Directive containing the amendments required to clarify the wording of Directive 2000/70/EC.

2. General comments

2.1. The Economic and Social Committee welcomes the Commission's proposal clarifying the wording of Directive 2000/70/EC.

Brussels, 28 November 2001.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Göke Frerichs

(1) Directive 2000/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2000 amending Council Directive 93/42/EEC as regards medical devices incorporating stable derivatives of human blood or human plasma, OJ L 313, 13.12.2000.

(2) Council Directive 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices, OJ L 169, 12.7.1993.

(3) Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on in vitro diagnostic medical devices, OJ C 18, 22.1.1996.
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on:

- the "Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3528/86 on the protection of the Community's forests against atmospheric pollution", and

- the "Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 2158/92 on protection of the Community's forests against fire"

(2002/C 80/10)

On 20 December 2001 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 175 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposals.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Kallio as rapporteur-general for its opinion.

At its 387th plenary session, held on 16 and 17 January 2002 (meeting of 16 January), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by a unanimous vote.

1. General comments

1.1. Given that in previous opinions (1997(1) and 1999(2)) the Economic and Social Committee recommended that the validity of the regulations in question be prolonged, it now also supports the request to extend for a further year these two important forestry sector measures.

1.2. The ESC refers again in this connection to its 1999 opinion with respect to the substance of the measures. It does not wish at this stage to present further comments on the substance of the measures, but will await the Commission's new revision proposals, which were supposed to be presented at the end of the year 2001.

1.3. The Committee refers in this regard to the EU forestry strategy presented by the Commission in 1998(3), which calls for clarifications, e.g. on forest fire monitoring systems.

2. Conclusion

The ESC stresses emphatically that the revision proposals for both regulations should be introduced without delay. Realising sustainable development in EU forestry legislation requires that the regulations in question be extended and revised without delay to reflect the current situation. Here the Committee refers in particular to point 2.4 of its 1999 opinion and some of the basic requirements mentioned there.

Brussels, 16 January 2002.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Göke Frerichs

(1) OJ C 66, 3.3.1997.

(2) OJ C 51, 23.2.2000.

(3) COM(98) 649, 3.11.1998.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Council Regulation on the common organisation of the market in pigmeat (codified version)

(COM(2003) 297 final - 2003/0104 (CNS))

(2003/C 234/22)

On 7 July 2003 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 36 and 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

On 17 June 2003 the Bureau of the European Economic and Social Committee instructed the Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment to prepare the Committee's work on the subject.

In view of the urgency of the work, at its 401st Plenary Session on 16 and 17 July 2003 (meeting of 16 July) the European Economic and Social Committee appointed Mr Caball i Subirana as rapporteur-general and adopted the following opinion by 26 votes to one with one abstention.

1. The purpose of this proposal is to codify Council Regulation (EEC) No 2759/75 of 29 October 1975 on the common organisation of the market in pigmeat(1). The new Regulation will supersede the various acts incorporated in it; their content is fully preserved, and they are brought together with only such formal amendments as are required by the codification exercise itself.

2. The Committee regards it as very useful to have all the texts integrated into one Regulation. In the context of a People's Europe, the Committee, like the Commission, attaches great importance to simplifying and clarifying Community law so as to make it clearer and more accessible to ordinary citizens, thus giving them new opportunities and the chance to make use of the specific rights it gives them.

It has been ensured that this compilation of provisions contains no changes of substance and serves only the purpose of presenting Community law in a clear and transparent way. The Committee expresses its total support for this objective and, in the light of these guarantees, welcomes the proposal.

Brussels, 16 July 2003.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger Briesch

(1) Carried out pursuant to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - Codification of the acquis communautaire, COM(2001) 645 final.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on passenger hand-holds on two-wheel motor vehicles (codified version)"

(COM(2003) 145 final - 2003/0058 (COD))

(2003/C 234/04)

On 9 April 2003 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 95 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 25 June 2003. The rapporteur was Mr Pesci.

At its 401st Plenary Session, on 16 and 17 July 2003 (meeting of 16 July), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by a majority of 112 votes, with three abstentions.

1. The purpose of the proposal is to codifying in a single text all legislative instruments adopted since 1993 on passenger hand-holds on two-wheel motor vehicles.

2. The Committee considers the codification of all texts in a single directive to be very useful. Simplification is of great importance in the context of the single market: failure to simplify could hamper industrial development as a whole, and certainly in the motor vehicle sector. It has been assured that this codification contains no substantial change and its sole purpose is to render Community legislation clear and transparent. The Committee fully endorses this objective and, having received the above-mentioned assurance, welcomes the proposal.

Brussels, 16 July 2003.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger Briesch
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2596/97 extending the period provided for in Article 149(1) of the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden"

(COM(2003) 372 final - 2003/0144 (CNS))

(2004/C 10/18)

On 16 July 2003 the Council, in accordance with Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Bureau instructed the Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment to draw up an opinion on the subject.

In view of the urgency of the work, at its 402nd plenary session on 24 and 25 September 2003 (meeting of 24 September), the European Economic and Social Committee appointed Mr Staffan Nilsson as rapporteur-general and adopted the following opinion by 89 votes to 2, with 1 abstention.

1. Background

1.1. The transitional arrangements provided for in the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden granted a derogation from the Council Regulation on the harmonisation of the fat content of milk (EC No 2596/97)(1). After being extended, the derogation is set to expire on 31 December 2003 (EC No 2703/1999)(2).

1.2. Finland and Sweden were invited to report the measures taken to conform to Community rules. The Commission examines these in its report "on certain aspects of the markets for preserved milks and drinking milks", published together with the proposal to amend the Regulation.

2. The Commission proposal

2.1. The Commission notes that, in some respects, fat content requirements continue to create difficulties for Finland and Sweden. It therefore proposes that the derogation enabling Austria, Finland and Sweden to diverge from Community rules on fat content of milk should be further extended to 30 April 2009.

2.2. The Commission also reports that six new Member States (Cyprus, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Poland) have been granted the same derogation until 30 April 2009.

2.3. The Commission states its intention to prepare a report on the market for drinking milk, possibly accompanied by proposals to harmonise the rules, by 2007.

3. EESC comments

3.1. The EESC endorses the proposal to extend the derogation.

3.2. Both Finland and Sweden market a few drinking milk products with a lower fat content. A significant number of consumers remain opposed to the imposition of a fat content increase for these products.

3.3. Given that the derogation has been extended and that six new Member States are in the same situation, it is important that the Commission's 2007 report should carefully assess the issue of harmonising the fat content of milk on the market. The point of departure should be the interests and wishes of consumers, and whether these are best protected through harmonisation of permitted fat content or through harmonised fat content labelling.

Brussels, 24 September 2003.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger Briesch

(1) OJ L 351, 23.12.1997 p. 12.

(2) OJ L 327, 21.12.1999, p. 11.