Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 259 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 167 thereof,

Having regard to Decision 2006/651/EC, Euratom of 15 September 2006 appointing Belgian, Greek, Irish, Cypriot, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish and British members and two Italian members of the European Economic and Social Committee^f1,

Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Belgian Government,

Having obtained the opinion of the Commission,

Whereas:

A member’s seat on the European Economic and Social Committee has fallen vacant following the appointment of Mr PIETTE as a Minister in the Belgian Federal Government and as a result of the incompatibility of that office with being a member of the European Economic and Social Committee. This incompatibility no longer exists following Mr PIETTE’s resignation as a Minister,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: