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General guarantees as referred to in Section 403, Book 2, of the Dutch Civil Code, have been given by the Company on behalf
of several group companies in the Netherlands. The liabilities of these companies to third parties and equity-accounted investees
totaled EUR 1,249 million as of year-end 2008 (2007: EUR 1,232 million). Guarantees totaling EUR 266 million (2007: EUR 256
million) have also been given on behalf of other group companies, and guarantees totaling EUR 42 million (2007: EUR 44 million)
on behalf of unconsolidated companies and third parties. The Company is the head of a fiscal unity that contains the most
significant Dutch wholly-owned group companies. The company is therefore jointly and severally liable for the tax liabilities
of the tax entity as a whole. For additional information, please refer to
note (62) Contingent liabilities.
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