–    decisions not to adopt the formal instruments contained in the recommendations pursuant to Article 104(8) and (9) of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

–    the 'Council conclusions on assessing the actions taken by France in response to recommendations of the Council according to Article 104(7) of the Treaty establishing the European Community and considering further measures for deficit reduction in order to remedy the situation of excessive deficit'; and

–    the 'Council conclusions on assessing the actions taken by Germany in response to recommendations of the Council according to Article 104(7) of the Treaty establishing the European Community and considering further measures for deficit reduction in order to remedy the situation of excessive deficit'.

The Commission also requested the Court to determine the case under the expedited procedure in accordance with Article 62a of the Court's Rules of Procedure.

On 13 February 2004 the President of the Court, Mr Vassilios Skouris, ordered that the case be determined under the expedited procedure, taking the view that the dispute to which the case relates must, in the interests of the proper operation of economic and monetary union, be settled as rapidly as possible. While recourse to the expedited procedure enables the risks to be avoided which, according to the Commission, could be run if the present case were decided under the normal procedure, it does not prejudice the Council's interests at all as it does not in any way predetermine the legal outcome of the case.

The hearing in the case will be held on Wednesday, 28 April 2004 at 9.30 a.m.

Please note the following:


–    the press are asked to use the Thomas More entrance, Boulevard Konrad Adenauer.

–    the public is requested to remain quiet and seated throughout the hearing;

–    the use of mobile phones or other loud electronic devices is not permitted during the hearing;

–    photography and filming are authorised only at the very beginning of the hearing (seating of the President and parties only);

–    the use of flashes or other supplementary lighting systems is not permitted;

–    photographers and cameramen may not move around the hearing room in order to take photographs or to film;

–    if numerous photographers and cameramen are interested, a "pool" may be arranged by the Press and Information Division;