2009/904/EC: Council Decision of 26 November 2009 on the position to be taken by the European Community regarding the renegotiation of the Monetary Agreement with the Republic of San Marino

9.12.2009 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 322/12
COUNCIL DECISION
of 26 November 2009
on the position to be taken by the European Community regarding the renegotiation of the Monetary Agreement with the Republic of San Marino
(2009/904/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 111(3) thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,
Having consulted the European Central Bank,
Whereas:
(1) The Community has the competence for monetary and exchange rate matters as of the date of the introduction of the euro.
(2) The Council is to determine the arrangements for the negotiation and conclusion of agreements concerning monetary or foreign exchange regime matter.
(3) The Italian Republic, on behalf of the Community, concluded on 29 November 2000 a Monetary Agreement with the Republic of San Marino.
(4) In its conclusions on 10 February 2009 the Council invited the Commission to review the functioning of the existing agreements and to consider possible increases in the ceilings for coin issuance.
(5) The Commission concluded in the Communication on the functioning of the Monetary Agreements with Monaco, San Marino and Vatican that the Monetary Agreement with the Republic of San Marino in its present form needs to be amended with a view to ensuring a more consistent approach in the relations between the Community and the countries having signed a monetary agreement.
(6) The Monetary Agreement with the Republic of San Marino should therefore be renegotiated as soon as possible so that the new regime enters into force on 1 January 2010, together with the new rules on the modalities of introduction of euro coins set by the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national side and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (1), endorsed by the Council in its conclusions of 10 February 2009,