*  *  *  Members of the Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance of Payments Statistics, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased that the Banco de Portugal can host this Workshop on “Fostering cooperation between the European Statistical System (ESS) and the European System of Central Banks (ESCB)” – an event meant to recognise and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance of Payments Statistics (CMFB) – and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you for joining us today.
It is also my great pleasure to have the opportunity to briefly address you on this joyous occasion.