In 1977 the Statutes of the Fondation du Mérite
européen were radically altered to make the institution’s structures
more flexible and more effective. An Executive Board, an offshoot of
the Board of Directors, was established to run the Fondation’s
day-to-day affairs, cover the executive aspects and prepare the
decisions of the Board of Directors. The Executive Board consists of
the Executive Directors and the President of the Board of Directors.