Mr President, ladies and gentlemen (all the more welcome for being so few in number), one might have thought that it was an unimportant subject which was to be discussed at this hour, but that is not the case. It is a definite and concrete issue. It is about our common currency. How many people here know that this currency is being counterfeited and that we have a quite unacceptable state of affairs? We cannot permit our common currency to become weaker through its being counterfeited. The ECB, ECOFIN, Europol, OLAF and the Commissioner responsible for legal questions have therefore realised that common countermeasures must be taken quickly in order to close the loopholes left by the legislation. It is easy to forget that it will be possible to exchange the old currencies for twenty years after the new currency has been introduced. It is therefore important to include these currencies too in the section of the present programme of measures which deals with penal sanctions. This is something which Parliament has said it wants to see added. The Council ought to have given Parliament the stipulated three-month period within which to consider, too, the last document produced on this matter, but we are all aware of how urgent it is to have these measures put safely in place. Because the issue is to be decided upon in March in the Council, Parliament has cause to adopt a position on the proposal now, so that the Member States have time also to take due account of Parliament’s points of view in the decision which has to be made in March. Any country which began to make difficulties would incur a responsibility for the currency, and that country would be accountable, both morally and economically, if its actions were to contribute to a delay. A country which acted in that way would bring a lot of ill will upon itself. On 1 January 2002 the euro will be in circulation. The whole of the Union must have the same protection, a type of protection which prohibits counterfeiting, not only of currencies in circulation but also of currencies which will be in circulation. It is important that, in time, there should be a more or less similar-looking form of protection under criminal law in all countries. The Commission has proposed measures aimed at providing information, together with penal sanctions, preventive measures and the pooling of experience. These measures do, in fact, entail a certain necessary harmonisation in as much as the lowest acceptable maximum penalty for currency counterfeiting is to be eight years’ imprisonment. Trading with counterfeit currencies and the possession of counterfeiting equipment will also become criminal offences. Quite simply, we are to have a minimum level for the maximum penalty. The denominations of the euro are well known. Modern computer equipment can be used to cause a very great deal of damage if we do not protect ourselves. Parliament has tabled a number of amendments to the present proposal, for example in regard to jurisdiction, the idea being that a person may only be prosecuted and sentenced in the one country for the same crime. There are also proposed sanctions against companies which are involved in counterfeiting, this being a measure which we would encourage. The new applicant States are also encouraged to adapt to these regulations. It has taken two years for the Council and the Commission to produce this proposal. It is essential that the decision should now be taken in March. To delay, or perhaps even risk damage to the euro, would be indefensible. It would also be a betrayal of the people who will be handling the new, unfamiliar notes. In particular, it is believed that counterfeiters will turn their attention to countries outside the euro zone, where people are less familiar with the new currency. The protective measures cover these countries too, and the views expressed by these countries have carried a lot of weight. The present proposal is therefore staunchly inclusive and reciprocal in character, accepting responsibility for a variety of interests in a way which imposes obligations upon others. The Council must now convene in March and make the relevant decision. Thank you for listening. Thank you, too, those who contributed to this matter’s being dealt with swiftly. I am thinking in particular of the Group of the .

Political group: PPE-DE