The European Central Bank has agreed on the distribution of responsibilities among its executive members.

At the first formal meeting yesterday it was decided that the president, Mr Wim Duisenberg, will be responsible for external relations, secretariat and protocol as well as internal audit.

The vice-president, Mr Christian Noyer, will be responsible for statistics, banknotes and information systems.

Mr Eugenio Domingo Solans will be responsible for statistics, bank notes and information systems. Ms Sirkka Humalainen will head up operations, controlling and organisation, while Mr Otmar Issing will be in charge of the economics and research areas. Mr Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa will be responsible for international and European relations, payment systems and prudential supervision.