*  *  *  Madame Chair, Honourable members of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, I am delighted to be back here in Brussels before the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs for the presentation of the European Central Bank’s Annual Report for 2013. Almost a year ago to the day I presented to you the ECB’s Annual Report for 2012.
This was the starting point of an intensive work stream in this house that led to the adoption of a resolution by the Plenary in December 2013. We have read this resolution carefully, as the recommendations and thorough assessments we receive from you constitute valuable input to our policy preparation and discussions. As was explained to you, the ECB takes these recommendations into account.