THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 259 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 167 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2006/524/EC, Euratom of 11 July 2006 appointing Czech, German, Estonian, Spanish, French, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourgish, Hungarian, Maltese, Austrian, Slovenian and Slovak members of the European Economic and Social Committee1,

Having regard to the proposal of the German Government,

Having regard to the opinion of the Commission,

Whereas a member’s seat on the European Economic and Social Committee has become vacant following the resignation of Mr Erhard OTT,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: