In a letter dated 18 January, the Portuguese Republic nominated Pedro Machado (head of cabinet of the minister of state and finance) for appointment as full member of the Board of Directors of the Europan Investment bank (EIB) to succeed Álvaro Aguiar, who had tendered his resignation. The decision to appoint Machado was taken by the Board of Governors on 13 February, the date on which the requisite majority of governors’ votes was reached. Machado’s term of office will expire in 2013.