must not be wider in scope than is strictly necessary to remedy the sudden  difficulties which have arisen.

2. The Commission and the other Member States shall be informed of such  protective measures not later than when they enter into force. The Commission may  recommend to the Council the granting of mutual assistance under Article 109h.

3. After the Commission has delivered an opinion and the Committee referred to in  Article 109c has been consulted, the Council may, acting by a qualified majority,  decide that the State concerned shall amend, suspend or abolish the protective  measures referred to above.

4. Subject to Article 109k( 6 ), this Article shall cease to apply from the beginning of  the third stage.

Article 109j

1. The Commission and the EMI shall report to the Council on the progress made in  the fulfillment by the Member States of their obligations regarding the achievement of  economic and monetary union. These reports shall include an examination of the  compatibility between each Member State's national legislation, including the  statutes of its national central bank, and Articles 107 and 108 of this Treaty and the  Statute of the ESCB. The reports shall also examine the achievement of a high degree  of sustainable convergence by reference to the fulfillment by each Member State of  the following criteria:

the achievement of a high degree of price stability; this will be apparent from a  rate of inflation which is close to that of, at most, the three best performing  Member States in terms of price stability;

the sustainability of the government financial position; this will be apparent  from having achieved a government budgetary position without a deficit that is  excessive as determined in accordance with Article 104c( 6 );

the observance of the normal fluctuation margins provided for by the exchange  rate mechanism of the European Monetary System, for at least two years,  without devaluing against the currency of any other Member State;

the durability of convergence achieved by the Member State and of its  participation in the exchange rate mechanism of the European Monetary System  being reflected in the long term interest rate levels.

The four criteria mentioned in this paragraph and the relevant periods over which  they are to be respected are developed further in a Protocol annexed to this Treaty. The reports of the Commission and the EMI shall also take account of the  development of the ECU, the results of the integration of markets, the situation and  development of the balances of payments on current account and an examination of  the development of unit labour costs and other price indices.

2. On the basis of these reports, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a  recommendation from the Commission, shall assess:

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