The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Title 9, Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code. Assets and liabilities are valued and results are determined on the basis of historical cost. Unless a different accounting principle is specified for the specific item on the balance sheet, assets and liabilities are carried at their face value.

Income and expenses are allocated to the year to which they relate. Profits are only recorded if they have been realised on the balance sheet date. Losses originating before the end of the year under review are taken into consideration if they were known before the Financial Statements were prepared. All amounts in the financial statements are shown in thousands of euros, unless stated otherwise.