THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 53(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank [OJ C 272, 13.11.2009, p. 1.],
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [OJ C 18, 19.1.2011, p. 90.],
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure [Position of the European Parliament of 11 November 2010 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 27 May 2011.],
Whereas:
(1) Managers of alternative investment funds (AIFMs) are responsible for the management of a significant amount of invested assets in the Union, account for significant amounts of trading in markets for financial instruments, and can exercise an important influence on markets and companies in which they invest.
…