THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 203 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [OJ No C 55, 5. 3. 1980, p. 13.],

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [OJ No C 147, 16. 6. 1980, p. 134.],

Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 3180/78 [OJ No L 379, 30. 12. 1978, p. 1.] defined a new unit of account, known as the ECU;

Whereas steps should be taken to standardize the units of account used by the Communities; whereas the European unit of account (EUA) should, therefore, be replaced by the ECU in all Community legal instruments;

Whereas a provision should be included in order, when the EUA is replaced by the ECU, to safeguard rights and obligations contracted in European units of account,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: