THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 113 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [Opinion of 17 December 2019 (not yet published in the Official Journal).],

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [OJ C 240, 16.7.2019, p. 29.],

Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure,

Whereas:

(1) Council Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 [Council Regulation (EU) No 904/2010 of 7 October 2010 on administrative cooperation and combating fraud in the field of value added tax (OJ L 268, 12.10.2010, p. 1).] lays down rules, inter alia, on the storage and exchange through electronic means of specific information in the field of value added tax (VAT).