Judgment_paragraph 34 · Confédération nationale du Crédit mutuel v European Central Bank (T-751/16)

34However, as shown by the use in the case-law referred to in paragraph 33 above of the expression ‘as far as possible’, such case-law cannot be applied in the case of a provision whose meaning is clear and unambiguous and which therefore requires no interpretation (see, to that effect, judgment of 25 November 2009, Germany v Commission, T‑376/07, EU:T:2009:467, paragraph 22). If that were so, the principle that secondary EU law must be interpreted in conformity with EU law would serve as the basis for an interpretation of that provision contra legem, which cannot be permitted (see, to that effect, order of 17 July 2015, EEB v Commission, T‑685/14, not published, EU:T:2015:560, paragraph 31 and the case-law cited). In the case of a provision whose meaning is clear and unambiguous, it is for the Court alone, where a plea of illegality within the meaning of Article 277 TFEU is raised, to review its consistency with the provisions of the Treaty and the general principles of EU law.