By letter dated 19 September 2006, the Kingdom of Spain nominated, by common accord with the Portuguese Republic, Ms Alicia Varela (Deputy Managing Director, International Financial Institutions Division, Ministry of Economy and Finance) for appointment as alternate member of the EIB's Board of Directors, to replace Mr Mario Pinto Lobo, who has resigned.

On 29 September 2006, the Governors of the EIB were invited by written procedure to vote on the proposed appointment.

The decision to appoint Ms Alicia Varela was taken on 13 October 2006, the date on which the Bank received the requisite majority of votes in favour by the Governors.

Ms Alicia Varela has been appointed for the remainder of her predecessor's term of office, which will expire in 2008 at the end of the day of the annual meeting of the Board of Governors during which the annual report, balance sheet and profit and loss account for the 2007 financial year are examined.