Annual and consolidated financial statements audited

The auditors appointed by the AGM, PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (PwC), Düsseldorf, audited the annual and consolidated financial statements for financial year 2009, including the respective management reports, and issued unqualified audit opinions. PwC also conducted the review of the interim financial report for the first half of the year.

Following a detailed preliminary assessment by the Finance and Audit Committee, the Supervisory Board reviewed the annual and consolidated financial statements and the management reports for financial year 2009 at the financial statements meeting held on 8 March 2010. The review included the Board of Management’s proposal for the appropriation of the unappropriated surplus. The auditors’ reports were made available to all Supervisory Board members and were discussed in detail with the Board of Management and the auditors in attendance. The Supervisory Board concurred with the results of the audit and approved the annual and consolidated financial statements for financial year 2009. Based on the final outcome of the examination of the annual and consolidated financial statements, the management reports and the proposal for the appropriation of the unappropriated surplus by the Supervisory Board and the Finance and Audit Committee, there are no objections to be raised. The Supervisory Board endorses the Board of Management’s proposal for the appropriation of the unappropriated surplus and the payment of a dividend of €0.60 per share.

We would like to thank the Board of Management and all the employees of the Group for their commitment and successful efforts throughout this difficult year. It is thanks to them that the Group was able to stand its ground so well during the economic crisis.

Bonn, 8 March 2010
The Supervisory Board

Wulf von Schimmelmann

Chairman