Issue and purchase of shares

Until 7 October 2009, the Board is authorised to resolve to issue new shares, subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board, up to a maximum of 10% of the issued capital at the time of issue. 

The Board is authorised for a period of 18 months from 6 April 2009, consequently until 6 October 2010, to acquire shares in the Company, for the Company's account and within the limits prescribed by the Articles of Association and the statutory provisions, of an amount of a maximum of 10% of the issued share capital, either by purchase on the stock exchange or otherwise, at a price that does not exceed 110% of the opening price quoted on NYSE Euronext, Amsterdam, on the day of the purchase of the shares or, in the absence of an opening price, the most recent price quoted on the stock exchange. Decisions made by the Board to repurchase require the approval of the Supervisory Board.