ESCB

ESCB

ESCB Acr. of: European System of Central Banks (fr. Système européen de banques centrales SEBC; Engl. European System of Central Banks -ESCB) consists of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the National Central Banks (NCBs) of the EU Member States (15 as of 2001). It is provided for in the Maastricht Treaty of 7.2.1992 (Art. 8, ex 4A TEU; Art. 105-111, new name, TEC) together with the EMI and the ECB. The Treaty and a special Protocol, annexed to the TEC, define the tasks and statute of the ESCB (in addition to the ECB) and stipulate that it consists of the ECB and the NCBs of the Member States. The ESCB was established with effect from 1.6.1998 (as was the ECB), but with a partial area of activity as regards the monetary policy tasks laid down in the founding rules (see below ESCB, ECB and Eurosystem). Objective and tasks. The ESCB, the EMI and the ECB are the three structures introduced by the TEU for the conduct of monetary policy in the EU.The main objective of the ESCB (Art. 105.1 TEC and Art. 2 of the Protocol) is to maintain price stability. The Governing Council of the ECB has given a precise definition of this objective, stating that "price stability" means an annual increase in consumer prices of less than 2%. Subject to this objective, the ESCB supports the EU's economic policies in order to contribute to the realisation of the Community's economic objectives (harmonious, balanced and sustainable development of economic activities; a high level of employment and social protection; equality between men and women; sustainable and non-inflationary growth; a high degree of competitiveness and convergence of economic performance; a high level of environmental protection and improvement of the quality of the environment; raising the standard of living and quality of life; economic and social cohesion; solidarity among Member States; Article 2 TEC). The basic tasks of the ESCB are to define and implement the monetary policy of the Community; to conduct foreign exchange operations in line with the provisions of the TEC (Art. 111); to hold and manage the official foreign reserves of the Member States; to promote the smooth operation of payment systems. The ESCB must also contribute to the smooth conduct of policies relating to the prudential supervision of credit institutions and the stability of the financial system (Art. 3 of the Protocol). Together with the NCBs, it collects statistical data directly from the national authorities or economic agents. The issuance of legal tender banknotes in the euro area is carried out by the NCBs and the ECB, but the power to authorise it is reserved to the ECB. The quantities of coins that can be minted by the Member States are also authorised by the ECB (Art. 106 TEC). 2. ESCB, ECB and Eurosystem. Unlike the ECB and the NCBs, the ESCB does not have legal personality, its own employees or even its own governing body, but is supported by the offices of the ECB and governed by the decision-making bodies of the ECB, which also decides how and by whom it is represented in the field of international cooperation (Arts. 7 and 8 of the Protocol). The Member States transfer sovereignty in monetary policy matters to the ESCB, ...

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italiacamerun Aedic association

A.E.D.I.C.
Cameroon - Yaounde
Italy - Gorizia

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