Recital

Whereas the stability and sound operation of the financial system and the protection of investors presuppose that a host Member State has the right and responsibility both to prevent and to penalize any action within its territory by investment firms contrary to the rules of conduct and other legal or regulatory provisions it has adopted in the interest of the general good and to take action in emergencies; whereas, moreover, the competent authorities of the host Member State must, in discharging their responsibilities, be able to count on the closest cooperation with the competent authorities of the home Member State, particularly as regards business carried on under the freedom to provide services; whereas the competent authorities of the home Member State are entitled to be informed by the competent authorities of the host Member State of any measures involving penalties on an investment firm or restrictions on its activities which the latter have taken vis-à-vis the investment firms which the former have authorized so as to be able to perform their function of prudential supervision efficiently; whereas to that end cooperation between the competent authorities of home and host Member States must be ensured;