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.
It will, of course, offer expertise and exchange views when and where appropriate. However, the best contribution the ECB can make to a stable international monetary system, including stable exchange rates and smoothly functioning international capital markets, is to maintain price stability within the euro area. Fulfilling the mandate assigned to it by the Maastricht Treaty will help the ECB shoulder its international responsibilities.