08/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - During the press conference held after the meeting, on Thursday, of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.9), Wim Duisenberg refused to give his views on the candidatures for Christian Noyer's succession. He simply said he hoped a decision would be reached as soon as possible. Mr Noyer, for his part, felt that it was important to have someone with experience in monetary policy to take on the post of ECB Vice-President, as that person must be ready to take on the task of the president if ever the president is not available. Furthermore, Mr Duisenberg admitted that his institution was discussing reform of its structures, in the prospect of enlargement. He again refrained from giving his opinion on the beginnings of these "intense and fruitful" discussions.