Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the Recommendation of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (hereinafter referred to as the ‘ECB’) of 19 June 1998,

Whereas the accounts of the ECB and national central banks are to be audited by independent external auditors recommended by the Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union;

Whereas the Governing Council of the ECB has recommended Coopers and Lybrand as the external auditors of the ECB,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: