Some 8% of the banks’ assets are in the form of government bonds or loans, although the government and non-performing loans arising are not expected to top eight per cent in 2010 due to the weak economy.

36. Notes that EIB borrowing and lending activity both inside and outside the European Union has progressively increased and today constitutes the main EU-level tool for borrowing and lending; notes, furthermore, that there has been a great demand, including from Asia, for bonds issued by the EIB; calls on the EIB and its governors, therefore, to maximise that borrowing potential by issuing, in particular, euro-denominated bonds on the global market in order to support long-term objectives and to mitigate the economic slowdown both inside the European Union and in its neighbouring countries as a public policy-driven bank;

39. Notes that EIB borrowing and lending activity both inside and outside the European Union has progressively increased and today constitutes the main EU-level tool for borrowing and lending; notes, furthermore, that there has been a great demand, including from Asia, for bonds issued by the EIB; calls on the EIB and its governors, therefore, to maximise that borrowing potential by issuing, in particular, euro-denominated bonds on the global market in order to support long-term objectives and to mitigate the economic slowdown both inside the European Union and in its neighbouring countries as a public policy-driven bank;

39. Notes that EIB borrowing and lending activity both inside and outside the European Union has progressively increased and today constitutes the main EU-level tool for borrowing and lending; notes, furthermore, that there has been a great demand, including from Asia, for bonds issued by the EIB; calls on the EIB and its governors, therefore, to maximise that borrowing potential by issuing, in particular, euro-denominated bonds on the global market in order to support long-term objectives and to mitigate the economic slowdown both inside the European Union and in its neighbouring countries as a public policy-driven bank;

introduction of mandatory conversion to/availability of sulphur-free fuels at refuelling stations.

The term interest means income from debt-claims of every kind, whether or not secured by mortgage and whether or not carrying a right to participate in the debtor's profits, and in particular income from bonds or debentures, including premiums and prizes attaching to such bonds or debentures.