In the field of the international representation of the ECB, some decisions are still under consideration. Formal and informal agreements have already been reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and in the context of the G7 and the G10. At the end of last year the IMF granted the ECB the status of observer.
As you will be aware, full membership of the IMF is restricted to individual nations. Nevertheless, this observer status will allow the ECB to participate in the relevant work and assessments by the Fund of economic policies in the euro area and beyond. The ECB stands ready to participate fully in, and contribute to, international policy discussions.