In this regard, as provided for in the Treaty on European Union, the Eurosystem would stand ready to take part in any initiative taken by the competent EU institutions on issues falling within its competence. Such institutional adjustments should be without prejudice to the fundamental features of the Statute of the ESCB, namely the Eurosystem’s mandate and its independence.
Let me now turn to the role of Europe, the ECB and the Eurosystem in the world economy. 3.4  The role for Europe, the ECB and the Eurosystem in the world economy  The euro is the currency of an economic area with a population of nearly 300 million people and one-sixth of the world’s gross domestic product.