ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN ECB -PUBLIC 
 
 
OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK  
of 10 May 201 2 
on the protection against counterfeiting and the quality of cash circulation  
(CON/ 2012/34) 
 
Introduction and legal basis  
On 30 March 2012, the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from  the Germa n Ministry of 
Finance  for an opinion on a draft regulation on the delegation of power to the  Deutsche Bundesbank  to 
adopt regulations pursuant to Section 36a of the Law on the Deutsche Bundesbank (here inafter the ‘draft 
regulation’ ).  
The ECB’s competence to deliver an opinion is based on Article 127(4)  and 282(5)  of the Treaty  on the 
Functioning of the European Union and the  first, second and third  indent s of Article  2(1) of Council 
Decision 98/415/EC of 29  June 1998 on the consultation of the European Central Bank by national 
authorities regarding draft legislative provisions1, as the draft legislation  concerns  currency matters , 
means of payment and t he Deutsche Bundesbank . 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 regulation  
1.1 The draft regulation is based on  Section 36a of the Law on  the Deutsche Bundesbank, which 
became part of  that Law in 20112. This provision authorises the Ministry of Finance to issue more 
detailed provisions on submission duties, including the option to notify  the Deutsche Bundesbank 
about  transactions with banknote handling systems . It also  provides  the option of  delegat ing the 
adoption of such provisions to the  Deutsche  Bundesbank ’s Executive Board . The draft regulation 
aims to enabl e the Deutsche Bundesbank ’s Executive Board to adopt  implementing legislation on 
reporting duties on operators of banknote processing systems towards  the Deutsche  Bundesbank.  
The Deutsche Bundesbank will have to seek the agreement of the Ministry of Finance before such 
implementing legislation can be adopted.  
1.2 The explanatory memorandum to the draft regulation  provides that  the delegation will be granted 
on the basis of  the Deutsche Bundesbank’s expertise in this  field. The implementing legislation to 
be enacted will contain detailed practical issues regarding on -site inspections of banknote 
                                                 
1  OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 42.  
2  See Opinion CON/2011/92 . 
ECB -PUBLIC 
2 processing systems and details on the reporting duties of the operators of such systems. In addition , 
it will contain templates for reporting.  
 
2.  General observations  
The ECB welcomes the draft regulation under which the German Federal Government exercises its 
discretion to delegate its power to regulate the scope and manner  of the reporting duties of banknote 
processing entities . The ECB expects to be consulted  on any draft regulation by the Deutsche Bundesbank 
on the basis of this delegation.  
 
This opinion will be published on the ECB’s website.  
 
 
Done at Frankfurt am Main , 10 May 2012.  
 
[signed]  
 
The President of the ECB  
Mario  DRAGHI
EN ECB-PUBLIC 
 
 
OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK 
of 14  August 2014  
on savings banks attached to mutual associations 
(CON/2014/64) 
 
Introduction and legal basis 
On 3 July 2014, the European Central Bank (ECB) received a request from the Portuguese Minister of 
State and Finance for an opinion on a draft decree-law introducing the Mutual Associations Code  
(hereinafter the ‘draft decree-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 on the sixth indent of Article 2(1) of Council Decision 
98/415/EC1, as the draft decree-law relates to rules applic able to financial institutions insofar as they 
materially influence the stability of financial instit utions and markets. 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 decree-law 
1.1 The draft decree-law introduces a new Mutual As sociations Code, which is aimed at setting clearer 
rules for mutual associations regarding their financial and budgetary autonomy, the safeguarding of 
their financial stability and the investment and mana gement of their assets. It specifically provides 
for a definition of savings banks attached to mu tual associations, according to which ‘attached 
savings banks’ are credit institutions: (a) with legal personality and organisational, administrative 
and financial independence; and (b) which are governed by specific regulations2. 
1.2 The Legal Framework of Credit In stitutions and Financial Companies3 (hereinafter the ‘Legal 
Framework’) include ‘savings banks’ (caixas económicas) in the list of entities that are classified as credit institutions to which the Legal Framework applies
4. Savings banks are further regulated by 
Decree-Law No 136/79 of 18 May 1979. In May 2014 four savings banks were registered with the 
Banco de Portugal (BdP) as authorised credit inst itutions, all of which are attached to mutual 
                                                 
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 65 of the draft decree-law. 
3  Put in place by Decree-Law No. 298/92 of 31 December 1992. 
4  See Article 3(b) of the Legal Framework.  
ECB-PUBLIC  
2 associations. Taken together, attached savings banks represent 6.11 % of the total assets of the 
Portuguese banking sector. 
 
2. Observations 
The ECB welcomes the introduction of legislation cl arifying the status of savings banks attached to 
mutual associations. The draft decree-law provides for a clearer distinction between the finances of a 
mutual association and those of a savings bank attached to it5. 
 This opinion will be published on the ECB’s website.  
 
Done at Frankfurt am Main, 14 August 2014. 
 
 
[signed] 
The President of the ECB 
Mario DRAGHI 
                                                 
5  See Article 65 of the draft decree-law.
Recommendation of the European Central Bank

of 3 October 2003

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

(ECB/2003/11)

(2003/C 247/06)

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 to 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 Governing Council of the ECB and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of the current external auditors of the Banque centrale du Luxembourg will not be renewed when it expires at the end of 2003, after five years. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from 2004.

(3) The Banque centrale du Luxembourg has selected new external auditors in accordance with its public procurement rules, and the ECB considers that they fulfil the necessary requirements.

(4) The mandate of the external auditors will be for one year and may be renewed,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS:

Deloitte & Touche Luxembourg as the external auditors of the Banque centrale du Luxembourg for the financial year 2004.

This recommendation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Frankfurt am Main on 3 October 2003.

The President of the ECB

Willem F. Duisenberg
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 50/6

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 11 February 2005

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

(ECB/2005/3)

(2005/C 50/06)

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 Governing Council of the ECB and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The Council of the European Union approved PricewaterhouseCoopers — Auditores e Consultores, Lda. as the external auditors of the Banco de Portugal in its Decision 1999/70/EC of 25 January 1999 concerning the external auditors of the national central banks (1).

(3) According to a recent change in Portuguese law, the auditing of accounts must now be carried out exclusively by revisores oficiais de contas (certified auditors). As a consequence the Banco de Portugal considers that it is appropriate to replace PricewaterhouseCoopers — Auditores e Consultores, Lda. with PricewaterhouseCoopers & Associados — Sociedade de Revisores Oficiais de Contas, Lda. since the former do not have the status of certified auditors. The ECB has no objection to this change.

(4) There is no change in the length of the external auditors' mandate,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

PricewaterhouseCoopers & Associados — Sociedade de Revisores Oficiais de Contas, Lda. are recommended as the external auditors of the Banco de Portugal from the financial year 2004 for a renewable period of one year.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 11 February 2005. The President of the ECB Jean-Claude TRICHET

(1) OJ L 22, 29.1.1999, p. 69. Decision as last amended by Decision 2004/651/EC (OJ L 298, 23.9.2004, p. 23).
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 322/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 5 December 2008

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

(ECB/2008/19)

(2008/C 322/01)

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 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 Central Bank of Malta's current external auditors 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 Central Bank of Malta has selected KPMG as its external auditors for the financial years 2009 to 2013,

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 2009 to 2013.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 282/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 8 October 2010

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Eesti Pank

(ECB/2010/16)

2010/C 282/01

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 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) Pursuant to Article 1 of the Council Decision 2010/416/EU of 13 July 2010 in accordance with Article 140(2) of the Treaty on the adoption by Estonia of the euro on 1 January 2011 (1) Estonia fulfils the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro and the derogation in favour of Estonia referred to in Article 4 of the 2003 Act of Accession (2) is abrogated with effect from 1 January 2011.

(3) Eesti Pank has selected AS Deloitte Audit Eesti as its external auditors for the financial years 2011 to 2015,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that AS Deloitte Audit Eesti should be appointed as the external auditors of Eesti Pank for the financial years 2011 to 2015.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 8 October 2010. The President of the ECB Jean-Claude TRICHET

(1) OJ L 196, 28.7.2010, p. 24.

(2) OJ L 236, 23.9.2003, p. 33.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 161/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 1 June 2012

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Banka Slovenije

(ECB/2012/9)

2012/C 161/01

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 Banka Slovenije’s current 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.

(3) Banka Slovenije has selected Deloitte revizija d.o.o. as its external auditors for the financial years 2012 to 2014,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Deloitte revizija d.o.o. should be appointed as the external auditors of Banka Slovenije for the financial years 2012 to 2014.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 37/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 4 February 2013

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

(ECB/2013/3)

2013/C 37/01

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 Central Bank of Cyprus’s current external auditors will end after the audit for the financial year 2012. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2013.

(3) The Central Bank of Cyprus has selected KPMG Limited as its external auditors for the financial years 2013 to 2017,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that KPMG Limited should be appointed as the external auditors of the Central Bank of Cyprus for the financial years 2013 to 2017.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 201/1

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 10 June 2015

to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Banka Slovenije

(ECB/2015/23)

(2015/C 201/01)

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 Banka Slovenije’s current external auditors, Deloitte Revizija d.o.o., ended following the audit for the financial year 2014. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2015.

(3) Banka Slovenije has selected Ernst & Young d.o.o. as its external auditors for the financial years 2015 to 2017,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Ernst & Young d.o.o. should be appointed as the external auditors of Banka Slovenije for the financial years 2015 to 2017.
Official Journal of the European Union

RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 4 October 2018

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

(ECB/2018/23)

(2018/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 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 Lietuvos bankas’ current external auditors, UAB PricewaterhouseCoopers, ended following the audit for the financial year 2017.

(3) By Recommendation ECB/2018/15 of the European Central Bank (1), the ECB recommended that UAB Deloitte Lietuva be appointed as external auditors of Lietuvos bankas for the financial years 2018 to 2021. UAB Deloitte Lietuva did not take up the appointment and it is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors from the financial year 2018.

(4) Lietuvos bankas has selected UAB Ernst & Young Baltic as its external auditors for the financial years 2018 to 2021,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that UAB Ernst & Young Baltic should be appointed as the external auditors of Lietuvos bankas for the financial years 2018 to 2021.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 4 October 2018. The President of the ECB Mario DRAGHI

(1) Recommendation ECB/2018/15 of the European Central Bank of 18 May 2018 to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Lietuvos bankas (OJ C 181, 28.5.2018, p. 1).
RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 16 July 2021

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

(ECB/2021/29)

(2021/C 299/02)

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 2018, the Banco de España selected Mazars Auditores, S.L.P. - Mazars, S.A. as its external auditors for the financial years 2018 to 2020, with an option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2021 to 2022, and the Governing Council of the ECB recommended that appointment as well as the option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2021 and 2022 (1).

(3) The mandate of the Banco de España’s current external auditors, Mazars Auditores, S.L.P. - Mazars, S.A., ended after the audit for the financial year 2020. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors for the financial years 2021 and 2022.

(4) The Banco de España intends to extend the mandate of Mazars Auditores, S.L.P. - Mazars, S.A. to the financial years 2021 and 2022 as contemplated by Recommendation ECB/2018/22 and the recitals to Council Decision (EU) 2018/1518 (2). This extension is possible in accordance with the contractual arrangements between the Banco de España and Mazars Auditores, S.L.P. - Mazars, S.A.,

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 the Banco de España for the financial years 2021 and 2022.

Done at Frankfurt am Main, 16 July 2021. The President of the ECB Christine LAGARDE

(1) Recommendation ECB/2018/22 of the European Central Bank of 6 September 2018 to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Banco de España (OJ C 325, 14.9.2018, p. 1).

(2) Council Decision (EU) 2018/1518 of 9 October 2018 amending Decision 1999/70/EC concerning the external auditors of the national central banks, as regards the external auditors of Banco de España (OJ L 256, 12.10.2018, p. 63)
Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Regulation derogating from certain provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector"

(2001/C 155/13)

On 21 February 2001 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 37 and 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Committee decided to appoint Mr Muñiz Guardado as rapporteur-general for its opinion.

At its 380th plenary session (meeting of 29 March 2001), the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following opinion.

1. The Committee approves the Commission proposal.

2. Under Article 16(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999, compensation for temporary cessation of fishing activities is granted for a maximum period of six months (renewable for a further six months if the Commission approves a conversion plan) following the expiry of a fisheries agreement.

3. By way of exception, the Commission now proposes that the Community fleet affected by the fisheries agreement with Morocco should receive aid beyond the initial 12 month period. It proposes that aid should continue to be granted until 30 June 2001 and that, to this end, the FIFG contribution should be allowed to exceed the threshold laid down in Article 16(3) of the Regulation.

4. The Committee considers that the European Union should persist with the negotiations until it reaches a viable agreement with Morocco (this is the first time that signature has not been possible). At all events, the conversion and redeployment process must begin without delay, in both Community and third-country fishing areas.

The absence of a fisheries agreement affects not only ship-owners and fishermen, but also a host of related activities. It must be borne in mind that for each fisherman at sea, there are five to seven related jobs on land.

Brussels, 29 March 2001.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Göke Frerichs