(Consultation)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Council's recommendation of 1 December 2011 (17227/2011),

–  having regard to Article 283(2), second subparagraph of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the European Council consulted Parliament (C7-0459/2011),

–  having regard to Rule 109 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A7-0443/2011),

A.  whereas, by letter of 1 December 2011, the European Council consulted the European Parliament on the appointment of Benoît Coeuré as a Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank for a term of office of eight years;

B.  whereas Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs then proceeded to evaluate the credentials of the nominee, in particular in view of the requirements laid down in Article 283(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and in the light of the need for full independence of the European Central Bank pursuant to Article 130 TFEU, and whereas in carrying out this evaluation, the committee received a curriculum vitae from the candidate as well as his replies to the written questionnaire that was sent to him;

C.  whereas the committee subsequently held a one-and-a-half-hour hearing with the nominee on 12 December 2011, at which he made an opening statement and then responded to questions from the members of the committee;

1.  Delivers a favourable opinion on the Council recommendation to appoint Benoît Coeuré as a Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank;

2.  Instructs its President to forward this decision to the European Council, the Council and the governments of the Member States.