the Board of Statutory Auditors, which is entrusted with the tasks of (i) checking compliance with the law and the bylaws, as well as with correct administrative stan dards in carrying out corporate activities, (ii) checking the financial disclosure process, as well as the appro priateness of the organizational structure, the internal control system, and the Company’s administrative and accounting system, (iii) overseeing the external audit of the annual accounts and the consolidated accounts, as well as the independence of the independent auditors, and, finally, (iv) checking the procedures for the concre te application of the corporate governance rules provi ded for by the Self-Regulation Code; > shareholders’ meetings, which are empowered to approve, among other things, in ordinary and extra ordinary sessions (i) the appointment and removal of members of the Board of Directors and of the Board of Statutory Auditors, as well as their related fees and responsibilities, (ii) the approval of the financial state ments and the allocation of net income, (iii) the acquisi tion and disposal of own shares, (iv) stock-option plans, (v) amendments to the corporate bylaws, and (vi) the issue of convertible bonds.