[pic] | IL-KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ |

Brussels, 22.6.2006

COM(2006) 322 final

KOMUNIKAZZJONI MILL-KUMMISSJONI LILL-KUNSILL, LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW, LILL-KUMITAT EKONOMIKU U SOĊJALI EWROPEW, LILL-KUMITAT TAR-REĠJUNI U LILL-BANK ĊENTRALI EWROPEW

It-tielet rapport dwar it-tħejjijiet prattiċi għat-tkabbir ġejjieni taż-żona ewro {SEC(2006) 785}

WERREJ

1. INTRODUZZJONI 3

2. FEJN WASLU T-TħEJJIJIET FUQ IL-LIVELL NAZZJONALI 3

2.1. It-tħejjijiet fis-Slovenja 3

2.1.1. Qafas ġenerali 3

2.1.2. Is-settur finanzjarju u l-impriżi 4

2.1.3. L-amministrazzjoni pubblika 4

2.1.4. Il-konsumaturi u l-pubbliku ġenerali 5

2.1.5. Konklużjoni 6

2.2. It-tħejjijiet fl-Istati Membri l-oħra 6

2.2.1. Dati nazzjonali mmirati għall-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro 6

2.2.2. Il-qafas ġenerali għat-tħejjijiet prattiċi 8

2.2.3. Tħejjijiet li jinvolvu s-settur finanzjarju jew li huma marbuta mal-bidla tal-kontanti 8

2.2.4. It-tħejjijiet li jaffettwaw l-impriżi b'mod ġenerali 9

2.2.5. Il-ħtieġa għal ftehimiet bejn il-bejjiegħa u l-konsumaturi dwar prezzijiet stabbli. 10

2.2.6. Amministrazzjonijiet pubbliċi 11

2.2.7. Attivitajiet ta' Komunikazzjoni. 11

2.2.8. Konklużjoni 12

3. L-OPINJONI PUBBLIKA FL-ISTATI MEMBRI LI SSIEħBU DAN L-AħħAR 12

ANNEX 1 - Preparations at Community level 14

ANNEX 2 – List of relevant changeover characteristics 17

ANNEX 3 – Table: State of practical preparations (June 2006) 19

ANNEX 4 - Euro coins designs of the future national sides of Slovakia 29

ANNEX 5 - State of public opinion in the recently acceded Member States 30

It-tielet rapport dwar it-tħejjijiet prattiċi għat-tkabbir taż-żona ewro fil-ġejjieni

1. INTRODUZZJONI

Iż-żona ewro bħalissa fiha tnax-il Stat Membru ta' l-UE. Id-dħul ta' Stat Membru fiż-żona ewro iseħħ bil-kundizzjoni li l-Istat Membru jissodisfa l-kriterji ta' konverġenza ta' "Maastricht" li huma stipulati fit-Trattat. Il-livell li bih il-pajjiżi differenti ssodisfaw ir-rekwiżiti formali li jippermettulhom jadottaw l-ewro jiġi evalwat mill-Kummissjoni u mill-Bank Ċentrali Ewropew fir-Rapporti ta' Konverġenza regolari tagħhom[1]. Filwaqt li d-Danimarka u r-Renju Unit għandhom status speċjali "mhux parteċipi", il-ħdax-il pajjiż l-ieħor huma Stati Membri b'deroga[2], li huma mistennija jadottaw l-ewro ladarba l-kundizzjonijiet meħtieġa jiġu sodisfatti. Minbarra li l-issodisfar tal-kriterji għad-dħul, l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro tirrikjedi ppjanar bir-reqqa kif ukoll tħejjijiet prattiċi estensivi, li fihom is-settur pubbliku u dak privat, kif ukoll il-pubbliku ġenerali jeħtieġ li jieħdu sehem. Il-Kummissjoni ntrabtet li tirrapporta fuq bażi regolari, għall-inqas darba fis-sena jew kull meta dan huwa ġġustifikat minn żviluppi speċifiċi, dwar il-qagħda ta' dawn it-tħejjijiet. Ir-rapporti dwar it-tħejjijiet prattiċi mhumiex marbuta mar-rapporti ta' konverġenza. L-ewwel u t-tieni rapport dwar it-tħejjijiet prattiċi għat-tkabbir ġejjieni taż-żona ewro[3] ġew adottati f'Novembru 2004 u 2005, rispettivament.

Fid-dawl tat-tkabbir taż-żona ewro li x'aktarx iseħħ bl-adeżjoni tas-Slovenja fl-1 ta' Jannar 2007, ir-rapport preżenti jinħareġ fi stadju aktar bikri u se jagħti każ partikolari lit-tħejjijiet prattiċi attwali li qed isiru f'dan l-Istat Membru. Fuq nota aktar ġenerali, ir-rapport jiffoka fuq il-qagħda tat-tħejjijiet prattiċi attwali fuq il-livell nazzjonali. Sinteżi tat-tħejjijiet fuq il-livell Komunitarju tinstab fl-Anness 1.

2. Fejn waslu t-tħejjijiet fuq il-livell nazzjonali [4][5]

2.1. IT-TħEJJIJIET FIS-SLOVENJA

2.1.1. Qafas ġenerali

Is-Slovenja biħsieba tintroduċi l-ewro fl-1 ta' Jannar 2007.

Il-Pjan tas-Slovenja għall-Introduzzjoni ta' l-Ewro ġie approvat mill-Bank tas-Slovenja u l-Gvern Sloven f'Jannar 2005 u ġie aġġornat fit-2 ta' Frar 2006. Jipprovdi għal xenarju ta' "dħul f'daqqa", fejn iċ-ċirkolazzjoni doppja tiġi estiża għal 14-il jum minflok sebat ijiem kif ġie previst oriġinarjament.

2.1.2. Is-settur finanzjarju u l-impriżi

Sa fejn hi involuta l-bidla tal-flus kontanti, il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut se jagħtu l-bqija f'ewro biss minn jum l-€[6]. Dettalji dwar l-arranġamenti għall-istokkjar bil-quddiem[7] ġew definiti, prinċipalment li l-istokkjar bil-quddiem tal-muniti ewro jibda fl-1 ta' Settembru 2006 u ta' karti tal-flus ewro fl-1 ta' Diċembru 2006. L-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju tal-muniti u tal-karti għan-negozji u l-bejjiegħa bl-imnut huma previsti għall-1 u l-11 ta' Diċembru 2006, rispettivament. In-negozji u l-bejjiegħa bl-imnut se jirċievu settijiet ta' muniti ppakkjati minn qabel li jkun fihom struttura xierqa ta' denominazzjonijiet għat-tranżazzjonijiet inizzjali f'kontanti. 150 000 sett ta' muniti għall-bidu se jkunu disponibbli għall-pubbliku ġenerali permezz tal-banek kummerċjali mill-15 ta' Diċembru 2006. Ikun utli li dan in-numru relattivament żgħir jista' jiżdied sabiex aktar ċittadini jkollhom aċċess għall-muniti ewro qabel jum l-€.

Fit-tieni nofs ta' l-2006, is-settur bankarju se jaġġorna s-softwer u l-ATM sabiex il-karti tal-flus tolar jistgħu biss jinġibdu sal-31 ta' Diċembru 2006, filwaqt li jkunu biss il-karti tal-flus ta' l-10 u ta' l-20 ewro li jinħarġu mill-1 ta' Jannar 2007. Peress li bħalissa huwa previst li jkunu biss 60 sa 70% ta' l-ATMs li joħorġu l-karti tal-flus ewro mill-1 ta' Jannar 2007, aktar sforzi huma meħtieġa sabiex isseħħ il-konverżjoni sħiħa u f'waqtha. Barra minn hekk, għandu jiġi żgurat li l-ħinijiet tal-ftuħ tal-banek jiġu estiżi għall-ħabta ta' jum l-€. Importanti wkoll huwa li miżuri speċifiċi jeħtieġ li jiġu implimentati sabiex ikunu jistgħu jlaħħqu mar-ritorn kbir ta' kontanti nazzjonali fl-ewwel jiem wara l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro.

Sa fejn huma kkonċernati l-banek kummerċjali, nhar il-Ġimgħa d-29 ta' Diċembru 2006 se jkun l-aħħar jum ta' xogħol bit-tolars. Mit-30 ta' Diċembru 2006 sat-2 ta' Jannar 2007, il-banek mhux se jagħmlu tranżazzjonijiet għall-klijenti, iżda se jħejju l-konverżjoni tas-sistemi tagħhom sabiex ikunu lesti jaċċettaw ħlasijiet f'ewro u mhux f'ewro mill-ewwel jum ta' xogħol ta' l-2007. Skond l-Att dwar il-Wiri Doppju tal-Prezzijiet f'tolar u ewro, li daħal fis-seħħ fis-26 ta' Novembru 2005, il-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet għal oġġetti u servizzi huwa mandatorju mill-1 ta' Marzu 2006. Sakemm ir-rata ta' konverżjoni tkun ġiet iffissata irrevokabbilment, ir-rata ċentrali ta' l-ERM tintuża bħala sostitut għar-rata ta' konverżjoni. L-att jipprovdi għal numru kbir ta' eċċezzjonijiet għar-rekwiżit ta' wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet, eż. għall-pompi tal-petrol, impriżi żgħar u bdiewa li jbigħu lill-utenti aħħarija, għall-katalgi, għall-bejgħ tal-laħam, ħut u ħobż, kotba u prodotti ppublikati oħra u għall-magni tal-bejgħ.

Fir-rigward tal-bidla tas-swieq kapitali, l-aġġornar tal-pjan nazzjonali għall-bidla jispeċifika l-konverżjoni tal-kapital ta' l-ishma, id-denominazzjoni mill-ġdid tal-garanziji u tibdil għall-Att dwar il-Kumpaniji, li bħalissa qed jitħejjew.

2.1.3. L-amministrazzjoni pubblika

Abbozz ta' l-Att dwar l-Introduzzjoni ta' l-Ewro ntbagħat lill-BĊE għall-konsultazzjoni fit-3 ta' Mejju 2006. L-att sejjer, inter alia, jipprovdi regoli dwar il-bidla għall-ewro, jispeċifika l-perjodu ta' ċirkolazzjoni doppja u l-perjodu għall-iskambju tal-karti u l-muniti tolar f'ewro, u jirregola l-konverżjoni tad-dejn pubbliku. Ġew adottati emendi għall-Att dwar it-Taxxi fuq is-Salarji f'Diċembru 2005, filwaqt li f'April 2006 ġew adottati emendi għall-Att dwar il-Bank tas-Slovenja, għall-Att dwar it-Tranżazzjonijiet ta' Ħlas, għall-Att dwar l-Offiżi u għall Att dwar il-Kumpaniji. Abbozz ta' emenda għall-Att ta' Kollateralizzazzjoni tressaq quddiem il-parlament f'April 2006. Regolament speċjali dwar l-implimentazzjoni se jkopri l-kwistjonijiet marbuta mat-taxxa. Dan sejjer, inter alia, jiddetermina l-valuta li fiha min iħallas it-taxxa jrid jibgħat id-dikjarazzjonijiet tat-taxxa wara l-jum ta' l-€ għal perjodi wara dik id-data. Għandu jiġi żgurat li l-ammonti tat-taxxa kif ukoll ammonti oħra monetarji (eż f'regoli tas-sigurtà soċjali) li jiġu adattati għal ammonti konvenjenti f'ewro, jiġu aġġustati għall-benefiċċju taċ-ċittadin, biex dan iservi ta' eżempju tajjeb għall-impriżi bil-għan li tinkiseb stabbiltà tal-prezzijiet.

Sabiex jiġi evitat li jinħareġ ammont sinifikanti ta' kontanti nazzjonali immedjatament qabel jum l-€, id-data tal-ħlas tal-pensjonijiet, li ssoltu jitħallsu f'kontanti, se tiġi avvanzata mid-29 ta' Diċembru għat-22 ta' Diċembru 2006.

It-tmien disinji għan-naħat nazzjonali tal-muniti ewro ntagħżlu. Billi s-Slovenja m'għandhiex zekka nazzjonali, il-muniti ewro se jiġu prodotti barra. Iz-Zekka tal-Finlandja ntagħżlet bħala l-produttur. Fi Frar 2006, il-Ministru tal-Finanzi Sloven iffirma Memorandum ta' Ftehim ma' l-Istati Membri taż-żona ewro u l-Kummissjoni Ewropea dwar il-bidu tal-produzzjoni tal-muniti u dwar il-kompiti preparatorji qabel il-bidu tal-produzzjoni.

2.1.4. Il-konsumaturi u l-pubbliku ġenerali

Sabiex jiġu evitati żidiet fil-prezzijiet fl-okkażjoni ta' l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro, l-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Konsumaturi tas-Slovenja qed timmonitorja l-iżviluppi fil-prezzijiet fis-settur tal-bejgħ bl-imnut għal oġġetti u servizzi speċifiċi f'kooperazzjoni ma' l-Uffiċċju ta' l-Istatistika tar-Repubblika tas-Slovenja. L-Assoċjazzjoni stqarret li se tippubblika fil-midja l-ismijiet tal-bejjiegħa li jżidu l-prezzijiet b'mod eċċessiv matul il-perjodu ta' bidla.

Sabiex ikunu totalment effettivi, flimkien ma' miżuri bħal dawn għandu jkun hemm ftehim bejn il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut u l-konsumaturi, fejn il-bejjiegħa jintrabtu għal prassi ġusti fir-rigward tal-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet u jimpenjaw ruħhom sabiex l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro ma tintużax bħala opportunità għal żidiet eċċessivi fil-prezzijiet. Ftehim bħal dan forsi jista' jissaħħaħ permezz ta' kampanja tal-"kummerċjant ġust", li taħtha l-bejjiegħa li jżommu mal-ftehim jirċievu tikketti jew stikers li jippermettulhom juru l-impenn tagħhom għal prezzijiet trasparenti u ġusti.

Fit-8 ta' Novembru 2005, is-Slovenja u l-Kummissjoni Ewropea kkonkludew Ftehim ta' Sħubija dwar l-attivitajiet ta' informazzjoni u komunikazzjoni tas-Slovenja fir-rigward ta' l-ewro. Tnedew xi attivitajiet maġġuri fl-ewwel stadju (Ġunju 2005 – Marzu 2006), eżempju ta' dan huwa t-twaqqif ta' websajt nazzjonali speċjali dwar il-bidla ta' l-ewro fil-15 ta' Frar 2006, linja tat-telefown b'xejn hija disponibbli għall-pubbliku ġenerali, l-ewwel pubblikazzjoni informattiva ("Ġej l-ewro") tħejjiet u ntbagħtet lid-djar kollha, intgħażlet identità korporattiva taħt l-islogan "L-ewro – għalina lkoll". F'kooperazzjoni mal-Kummissjoni Ewropea, ġew organizzati seminars għall-ġurnalisti u konferenza f'Marzu 2006. Fit-12 ta' Ġunju 2006, saret “il-wirja tal-ġenesi tal-muniti ewro" f'Ljubljana.

Is-Slovenja qed tieħu sehem fi programm ta' ġemellaġġ ma' l-Olanda sabiex tibbenefika mill-esperjenza Olandiża f'termini ta' komunikazzjoni dwar l-ewro.

Skond stħarriġ tal-Eurobarometer f'April 2006, il-pubbliku Sloven huwa wieħed mill-aktar entużjasti dwar l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro fl-Istati Membri li daħlu dan l-aħħar.

Tabella 1

Sehem ta' rispondenti.... | fis-Slovenja | fl-Istati Membri li daħlu dan l-aħħar (medja) |

...qed jistennew konsegwenzi pożittivi mill-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro f'pajjiżhom | 58% | 52% |

... huma personalment kuntenti li l-ewro sejra/ tista' tidħol minflok il-valuta nazzjonali | 64% | 48 % |

...li jħossuhom infurmati tajjeb dwar l-ewro | 80% | 37% |

...li jaħsbu li l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro se żżid l-inflazzjoni | 65% | 46% |

... li jibżgħu minn abbużi fil-prezzijiet matul il-bidla | 70% | 74% |

2.1.5. Konklużjoni

It-tħejjijiet prattiċi tas-Slovenja għall-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro jidhru li waslu fi stadju avvanzat u jkopru l-parti l-kbira tal-fatturi rilevanti tal-bidla. Huma meħtieġa passi ulterjuri fil-qasam tal-miżuri tal-bini tal-kunfidenza tal-konsumaturi, fejn għandu jintlaħaq ftehim bejn il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut u l-konsumaturi dwar prezzijiet stabbli malajr kemm jista' jkun. Sabiex tiġi żgurata provvista mgħaġġla u bla intoppi ta' kontanti ewro liċ-ċittadini minn jum l-€, il-proporzjon ta' ATMs li jinqalbu għall-provvista tal-karti ewro għandu jkun ogħla milli huwa previst bħalissa u għandu joqrob lejn il-100 %. Barra minn hekk, in-numru ta' settijiet għall-bidu għall-pubbliku ġenerali għandu jiżdied. Il-ħinijiet tal-ftuħ tal-banek għandhom jiġu estiżi madwar jum l-€.

2.2. It-tħejjijiet fl-Istati Membri l-oħra

2.2.1. Dati nazz jonali mmirati għall-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro

Skond l-ippjanar oriġinali ta' l-Estonja, l-1 ta' Jannar 2007 kien id-data mmirata għall-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro. Madankollu, matul l-2006 deher li l-Estonja ma kinitx se tkun f'pożizzjoni li tikkonforma mal-kriterji ta' konverġenza ta' Maastricht fil-ħin. Għalhekk fis-27 ta' April 2006, il-Gvern Estonu ddeċieda li jipposponi d-data mmirata għall-1 ta' Jannar 2008.

Il-Litwanja wkoll ippjanat li tadotta l-ewro fl-1 ta' Jannar 2007 u talbet rapport ta' konverġenza fis-16 ta' Marzu 2006. Ir-Rapport ta' Konverġenza tal-Kummissjoni, li ġie adottat fis-16 ta' Mejju 2006, kkonkluda madankollu, li għalissa l-pajjiż ma jissodisfax il-kundizzjonijiet meħtieġa għall-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro. Il-Litwanja għalhekk mhix se tkun f'qagħda li tadotta l-ewro fid-data li l-gvern kien immira oriġinarjament.

Ċipru, il-Latvja u Malta jixtiequ jadottaw l-ewro fl-1 ta' Jannar 2008. Il-Latvja kellha l-istess data mmirata, iżda dan l-aħħar l-awtoritajiet Latvjani ħabbru li se jeħtiġilhom jipposponu d-data mmirata tagħhom. Is-Slovakkja qed timmira li tadotta l-ewro fl-1 ta' Jannar 2009, u r-Repubblika Ċeka u l-Ungerija fl-1 ta' Jannar 2010. Il-Polonja u l-Iżvezja ma ressqu l-ebda data ta’ mira. Fl-Iżvezja, it-tħejjijiet fil-prattika ma jistgħux jimxu 'l quddiem minħabba r-riżultat negattiv tar-referendum ta' l-14 ta' Settembru 2003. It-tabella 2 tagħti sinteżi tas-sitwazzjoni attwali fir-rigward tad-dati fil-mira nazzjonali.

Tabella 2

Data fil-mira | Stati Membri |

L-1 ta' Jannar 2007 | Is-Slovenja |

L-1 ta' Jannar 2008 | L-Estonja, Ċipru u Malta |

L-1 ta' Jannar 2009 | Is-Slovakkja |

L-1 ta' Jannar 2010 | Ir-Repubblika Ċeka u l-Ungerija |

Għandhom jerġgħu jiddefinixxuha mill-ġdid | Il-Latvja, il-Litwanja, il-Polonja u l-Iżvezja |

L-inċertezza dwar id-data preċiża li fiha se tiġi introdotta l-valuta unika fi kwalunkwe Stat Membru hija parti integrali mill-qafas imsejjes fuq ir-regoli li ġie stabbilit fit-Trattat ta' Maastricht, li jesiġi evalwazzjoni pożittiva ta' numru ta' kriterji ta' konverġenza qabel ma l-pajjiżi jitħallew jadottaw l-ewro, u għalhekk ma tistax tiġi evitata. Dan kien japplika wkoll għal dawk il-pajjiżi li ngħaqdu maż-żona ewro fl-imgħoddi.

Il-konsegwenzi ta' dewmien fl-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro m'għandhomx jiġu esaġerati. Minkejja l-inċertezzi involuti, l-istabbiliment (u possibbilment l-istabbiliment mill-ġdid) ta' data mmirata kredibbli jibqa' strument important ferm għall-proċess ta' koverġenza. Notevolment jipprovdi inċentivi lill-atturi u s-setturi kollha involuti u jgħin sabiex tittieħed ir-rankatura sabiex jitlestew it-tħejjijiet prattiċi fil-ħin. L-estensjoni tal-qafas ta' żmien oriġinali għalhekk għandha tintuża sabiex jittejbu u jitlestew it-tħejjijiet attwali.

Fid-dawl tal-livelli baxxi ta' l-appoġġ pubbliku li ġew irreġistrati minn stħarriġ ta' l-opinjoni reċenti, jidher xieraq li wieħed jinvesti aktar żmien u riżorsi fil-komunikazzjoni dwar il-bidla għall-ewro. Matul id-diskussjonijiet ma' l-Istati Membri dwar l-istrateġija ta' komunikazzjoni tagħhom, il-Kummissjoni irrikmandat li jitqies il-posponiment possibbli tad-data mmirata billi jiġi elaborat "pjan B". F'dan il-qafas, l-Estonja adottat aġġornament ta' l-istrateġija ta' komunikazzjoni tagħha fit-18 ta' Mejju 2006. Il-Litwanja bdiet taġġorna u tirrevedi l-istrateġija ta' komunikazzjoni tagħha.

Ċerti pajjiżi għalissa baqgħu lura milli jiffissaw data ta’ mira għall-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro, notevolment għaliex huma tal-ħsieb li għad fadlilhom xi snin oħra qabel ma jkunu jistgħu jissodisfaw il-kriterji ta' konverġenza ta' Maastricht. F'dawk il-pajjiżi, l-operaturi pubbliċi u dawk privati għandhom interess ċar f'li jibdew iħejju rwieħhom minn issa. Għall-ewwel forsi jkollhom jinfurmaw irwieħhom dwar il-modalitajiet u l-konsegwenzi ta' l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro għall-attivitajiet tagħhom. Barra minn hekk, ix-xogħol ta' tħejjija meħtieġ għall-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro jesiġi ppjanar minn kmieni. Fl-aħħar, l-implimentazzjoni tat-tħejjijiet għall-bidla li huma ekonomikament ġustifikati għandhom jibdew kmieni kemm jista' jkun. Eżempju ta' dan huwa li meta sistema ġdida finanzjarja jew tal-kontabilità jeħtieġ li tiġi żviluppata jew akkwistata, ikun raġjonevoli li wieħed jiżgura li din is-sistema tkun kompletament kompatibbli ma' l-ewro, u ma teħtieġ l-ebda bidliet jew titjib fi stadju aktar tard. Bl-istess mod, reviżjonijiet kbar tas-sistemi eżistenti jafu jippreżentaw opportunità sabiex tiġi żgurata l-kompatibilità ma' l-ewro bi ftit spejjeż.

2.2.2. Il-qafas ġenerali għat-tħejjijiet prattiċi

Erba' pajjiżi (l-Estonja, il-Litwanja, is-Slovenja u s-Slovakkja) diġa adottaw il-pjanijiet nazzjonali tagħhom għall-bidla fl-2005. Kemm l-Estonja u s-Slovenja aġġornaw il-pjan tagħhom fil-bidu ta' l-2006. Fi Frar 2006, il-gvern Latvjan approva l-Pjan Nazzjonali għall-Bidla lejn l-Ewro. Ċipru u Malta, li ffissaw l-1 ta' Jannar 2008 bħala d-data ta’ mira tagħhom, jeħtieġu li jibdew jirrankaw fit-tħejjijiet tagħhom b'mod definittiv. F'Ċipru, il-Kumitat Konsultattiv Nazzjonali approva abbozz ta' pjan nazzjonali għall-bidla li, madankollu, għandu ma ġiex adottat mill-Kunsill tal-Ministri. L-adozzjoni tal-pjan hija meħtieġa b'mod urġenti sabiex l-operaturi pubbliċi u privati jkunu jistgħu jiġu pprovduti b'orjentazzjonijiet speċifiċi u f'waqthom. F'Malta, l-ewwel pjan ta' bidla komprensiv nazzjonali ġie biss adottat mill-gvern fit-12 ta' Ġunju 2006 u għalhekk jeħtieġ li jiġi implimentat b'pass mgħaġġel.

It-tħejjijiet prattiċi fir-Repubblika Ċeka għadhom fi stadju preliminari. Il-gvern adotta l-Arranġament Istituzzjonali għall-Introduzzjoni ta' l-Ewro fir-Repubblika Ċeka fit-23 ta' Novembru 2005. Id-dokument jiddeskrivi l-qafas istituzzjonali tal-bidla lejn l-ewro u huwa maħsub bħala bażi għall-iżvilupp tal-pjan nazzjonali għall-bidla. M'hemm l-ebda żviluppi ġodda x'wieħed jirrapporta fir-rigward tat-tħejjijiet prattiċi fl-Ungerija u l-Polonja.

Fir-rigward tat-twaqqif ta' bord ta' bidla li hu inkarigat mit-tħejjija u l-koordinazzjoni tal-bidla nazzjonali, seba' Stati Membri diġà stabilixxew korp ta' koordinazzjoni qabel l-adozzjoni tar-Rapport preċedenti s-sena l-oħra. Fit-23 ta' Novembru s-sena l-oħra, il-Ministru tal-Finanzi Ċek inħatar bħala l-Koordinatur Nazzjonali għall-Introduzzjoni ta' l-Ewro, filwaqt li l-Grupp Nazzjonali ta' Koordinazzjoni dwar l-Introduzzjoni ta' l-Ewro ġie stabbilit fl-20 ta' Frar 2006.

2.2.3. Tħejjijiet li jinvolvu s-settur finanzjarju jew li huma marbuta mal-bidla tal-kontanti

L-esperjenza wriet[8] li l-arranġamenti għall-istokkjar bil-quddiem u l-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju[9] għandhom rwol kruċjali billi jgħaġġlu b'mod konsiderevoli l-bidla tal-flus kontanti, u jnaqqsu l-perjodu ta`-ċirkolazzjoni doppja, billi jiżguraw li l-karti u l-muniti ta' l-ewro jistgħu jintużaw mill-ewwel ġurnata. F'dan il-kuntest, wieħed għandu jinnota li l-bdil istantanju ta' l-ATMs kollha mill-valuta nazzjonali għall-ħruġ ta' l-ewro f'jum l-€ huwa essenzjali. Barra minn hekk, huma prinċipalment karti tal-flus ta' denominazzjoni żgħira (5- u 10- ewro) li għandhom jiġu forniti fl-istadji bikrin tal-bidla tal-flus. Din il-prassi hija essenzjali sabiex jitnaqqas l-ammont ta’ kontanti l-bejjiegħa jkunu jeħtieġu biex jagħtu l-bqija lill-klijenti.

Filwaqt li huwa veru li l-kontanti ewro diġà huma disponibbli ferm fl-Istati Membri li qed iħejju għall-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro, il-proporzjon ta' l-impriżi u ċ-ċittadini li diġà għandhom fil-pussess tagħhom ammonti sinifikanti ta' karti tal-flus u muniti ewro x'aktarx li huwa pjuttost żgħir. B'hekk kampanja ta' stokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju għall-bejjiegħa bl-imnut u impriżi oħra rilevanti tibqa’ meħtieġa għall-bdil tal-flus kontanti b'suċċess. Il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut, partikolarment, għandhom ikunu f'qagħda li jagħtu lura l-bqija biss minn jum l-€, biex b'hekk jikkontribwixxu għall-irtirar mill-ewwel tal-valuta storika u jipprovdu l-pubbliku bi kwantitajiet sinifikanti ta' karti u muniti ewro.

L-esperjenza ta' l-ewwel mewġa turi li jistgħu jinkisbu benefiċċji importanti mill-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju lill-pubbliku ġenerali wkoll. Dan itaffi l-pressjoni fuq il-bejjiegħa u l-banek matul l-ewwel ftit jiem tal-bidla tal-kontanti u b'hekk jippermetti li ż-żmien taċ-ċirkolazzjoni doppja jinżamm qasir. Barra minn hekk, dan jintlaqa' tajjeb mill-pubbliku ġenerali, l-interess u l-kurżità tiegħu fil-muniti ewro tiġi stimulata permezz tan-naħa nazzjonali tal-muniti. Iċ-ċittadini ġeneralment iħossuhom aktar assoċjati mill-qrib mal-valuta l-ġdida tagħhom.

L-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju lill-pubbliku ġenerali ta' karti tal-flus ta' denominazzjoni baxxa jista' jiġi previst ukoll għall-istess raġunijiet. Jiġri x'jiġri, il-konsumaturi għandhom jitwissew milli jużaw il-kontanti ewro għal skopijiet ta' ħlas qabel jum l-€. L-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju lill-pubbliku biss ftit żmien qabel, eż. 10 sa 14-il jum qabel jum l-€, għandha wkoll tillimita r-riskju ta' ċirkolazzjoni bikrija ta' kontanti provvduti minn qabel.

Wieħed għandu jinnota li arranġamenti xierqa għall-istokkjar bil-quddiem u għall-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju huma previsti fil-biċċa l-kbira tal-pajjiżi. Il-perjodu ta' stokkjar bil-quddiem ivarja minn tliet xhur (fil-Litwanja, iżda biss għall-muniti) għal xahar qabel jum l-€ (eż. fil-Latvja). Madankollu l-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju lill-pubbliku ġenerali mhux previst (apparti s-settijiet tal-bidu tal-muniti li għandhom jitqassmu fis-Slovenja). Madankollu, fl-Estonja, il-banek se joffru li jibdlu l-kroons għal karti tal-flus ewro fir-rata ta' konverżjoni u mingħajr ħlas għas-servizz għallinqas minn xahar qabel jum l-€.

2.2.4. It-tħejjijiet li jaffettwaw l-impriżi b'mod ġenerali

Il-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet u ammonti oħra monetarji, jiġifieri l-wiri fl-istess ħin ta' ammont fl-unità tal-valuta nazzjonali kif ukoll fl-unità ta' l-ewro, wera s-siwi tiegħu fl-iffaċilitar ta' l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro. Notevolment dan jgħin lill-konsumaturi fil-proċess mentali tal-bdil u, barra minn hekk, jippermettilhom jissorveljaw il-bdil possibbli fil-prezzijiet qabel u wara l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro. Il-wiri doppju huwa siewi mhux biss fil-ħwienet (wiri tal-prezzijiet), iżda wkoll fuq ir-rendikonti tal-banek, il-karti tal-pagi, il-fatturi, fil-katalgi eċċ.

Filwaqt li l-wiri doppju ma kienx mandatorju fil-pajjiżi ta' l-ewwel mewġa (kienu biss il-Greċja, l-Awstrija u l-Portugall li imponew il-wiri doppju bil-liġi), fil-prattika dan ġie applikat b’mod mifrux. Bħalissa, sitt pajjiżi biħsiebhom jimplimentaw (jew diġà japplikaw fil-każ tas-Slovenja) il-wiri doppju mandatorju bil-liġi nazzjonali. Filwaqt li hemm differenzi fil-modalitajiet minn pajjiż għall-ieħor, dan il-wiri doppju s-soltu mhux biss ikopri l-prezzijiet fil-ħwienet tal-bejgħ bl-imnut, iżda wkoll ammonti finanzjarji li jidhru fuq il-fatturi, ir-rendikonti finanzjarji u dokumenti relatati. It-tul totali ta' dan l-obbligu (kemm qabel kif ukoll wara jum l-€) ivarja konsiderevolment minn pajjiż għall-ieħor, u dan ifisser bejn 8 xhur fil-Litwanja għal 18-il xahar fis-Slovakkja.

Fl-istess ħin, għandhom jiġu applikati skond standards rigorużi, peress li jekk dan ma jsirx jista' jkollhom effetti negattivi jew ifixklu minflok jgħinu. Partikolarment, hija biss ir-rata ta' konverżjoni li għandha tintuża u r-regoli għat-tqarrib taċ-ċifri għandhom jiġu rispettati rigorużament. Il-wiri doppju m'għandux ikun ambigwu, għandu jiġi identifikat faċilment u jinqara b'mod ċar[10]. L-implimentazzjoni ta' din l-istruttura se tiddependi fuq in-natura tal-kummerċ tal-bejgħ bl-imnut, dwar it-tip ta' prodott li jkun qed jinbiegħ, dwar l-implikazzjonijiet tekniċi u dwar l-ispiża tal-modifika tal-prezz eżistenti u s-sistemi tal-wiri finanzjarji .

Isegwi, skond ir-rekwiżit li tintuża r-rata ta' konverżjoni, li l-obbligu skond il-liġi nazzjonali li jkun hemm wiri doppju tal-prezzjijiet għandu preferibilment jibda biss wara li r-rata tal-konverżjoni tkun ġiet iffissata irrevokabbilment mill-Kunsill skond l-Artikolu 123 (5) KE Il-bidu tal-wiri doppju qabel dan iż-żmien huwa problematiku peress li dan mhux biss jantiċipa d-deċiżjoni futura tal-Kunsill dwar it-tneħħija tad-deroga ta' l-Istat Membru, iżda wkoll ir-rata ta' konverżjoni attwali. L-użu ta' rata li hi differenti mir-rata ta' konverżjoni ffissata irrevokabbilment tfixkel aktar mill tgħin peress li tista' tqajjem dubji u konfużjoni fl-imħuħ tal-konsumaturi.

Ġaladarba r-rata ta' konverżjoni tkun ġiet iffissata, il-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet għandu jibda malajr kemm jista' jkun sabiex il-konsumaturi jkunu jistgħu jibdew isiru midħla tal-valuta l-ġdida. Idealment għandha tkompli minn perjodu ta' sitta sa tnax-il xahar wara jum l-€, li warajh għandu jintemm sabiex ma jfixkilx billi jittardja l-bidla mentali. Idealment, it-tmiem tal-perjodu ta' wiri doppju għandu għalhekk jiġi pprogrammat u mħabbar minn qabel.

2.2.5. Il-ħtieġa għal ftehimiet bejn il-bejjiegħa u l-konsumaturi dwar prezzijiet stabbli.

Il-biża’ mill-possibilità li jiżdiedu l-prezzijiet jew l-abbużu jikkostitwixxi waħda mir-raġunijiet ewlenin wara n-nuqqas ta' entużjażmu jew saħansitra d-dubji f'xi wħud mill-Istati Membri l-ġodda lejn l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro. Anke l-istatistika turi biċ-ċar li l-impatt fuq il-prezzijiet kien marġinali fil-pajjiżi ta' l-ewwel mewġa[11], l-opinjoni pubblika f'ħafna pajjiżi għadha taħsibha bil-kontra, u teżisti qabża ċara bejn il-perċezzjoni u r-realtà. Minbarra li għandhom jispjegaw din is-sitwazzjoni liċ-ċittadini tagħhom, l-awtoritajiet pubbliċi fl-Istati Membri li qed jitħejjew għall-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro għandhom jieħdu l-passi kollha meħtieġa b'mod definittiv sabiex isaħħu l-kunfidenza tal-konsumaturi. Eżempju ta' dan huwa kif diversi pajjiżi diġà ħabbru li se jissorveljaw b'mod attiv il-prezzijiet matul il-bidla u li se jippubblikaw ir-riżultati.

Il-konklużjoni ta' ftehimiet formali bejn il-bejjiegħa u l-konsumaturi dwar ir-rispett ta' l-istabbiltà tal-prezzijiet matul il-bidla għall-ewro, eż. fil-forma ta' kodiċi ta' mġiba, tikkostitwixxi rekwiżit essenzjali f'dan ir-rigward. Għandhom jiġu nnegozjati fuq livell nazzjonali inkella fuq livell settorjali u l-assoċjazzjonijeit rilevanti tal-konsumaturi għandhom jiġu involuti. Ftehimiet bħal dawn urew li kienu utli ħafna matul il-bidla ta' l-ewwel mewġa. Pereżempju, ir-rappreżentanti tal-bejjigħa u l-impriżi ftiehma fuq il-livell ta' l-UE f'April 2001 dwar ir-regoli ta' mġiba matul il-perjodu ta' bidla. Il-bejjiegħa intrabtu li jirrispettaw strettament ir-regoli ta' konverżjoni u ta' tqarrib fil-wiri doppju kollu tagħhom u impenjaw rwieħhom li ma jużawx il-bidla għal żidiet moħbija fil-prezzijiet. Fil-kuntest tal-bidla ta' l-ewwel mewġa, diversi ftehimiet bħal dawn ġew konklużi wkoll fuq il-livell nazzjonali. Wieħed għandu jinnota wkoll li l-Latvja qed tippjana kampanja ta' "kummerċjanti ġusti" fil-qafas ta' diversi miżuri sabiex tiġi żgurata l-konverżjoni ġusta tal-prezzijiet kif ukoll it-tqarrib u l-wiri preċiż tal-prezzijiet f'ewro. Organizzazzjonijiet kummerċjali Litwani se jkunu mħajra jadottaw il-Kodiċi ta' Prassi Kummerċjali Tajba, li permezz tiegħu se jimpenjaw ruħhom li ma japprofittawx irwieħhom mill-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro billi jżidu l-prezzijiet. Fis-Slovakkja qed jitħejja kodiċi etiku volontarju bħala parti mill-miżuri għall-bini tal-kunfidenza tal-konsumaturi.

2.2.6. Amministrazzjonijiet pubbliċi

Il-parti ewlenija tat-tħejjiiet tas-settur pubbliku tikkonsisti f'żewġ elementi: l-ewwelnett, l-implimentazzjoni tal-passi meħtieġa għall-adozzjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni dwar l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro, u t-tieninett l-emendar tal-leġiżlazzjoni eżistenti għall-adozzjoni tal-valuta unika. Ċipru, l-Estonja, il-Latvja, il-Litwanja, Malta u s-Slovakkja bħalissa qegħdin fil-proċess tat-tħejjija ta' l-abbozzi tad-dispożżizjonijiet leġiżlattivi rispettivi. Waqt il-konverżjoni ta' ammonti monetarji f'dispożizzjonijiet legali eżistenti, pereżempju fid-dispożizzjonijiet dwar it-taxxa, il-liġijiet dwar is-sigurtà soċjali, id-dispożizzjonijiet dwar il-multi amministrattivi, it-taxxi u l-għotjiet, hija prassi tajba li l-ammont f'ewro jiġi adattat għall-benefiċċju taċ-ċittadin jekk ikun meħtieġ eżerċizzju ta' tqarrib. Dan jikkontribwixxi sabiex jiġi evitat li l-bidla jkollha impatt fuq l-inflazzjoni u tagħti eżempju tajjeb lis-settur privat sabiex jiġu żgurati prezzijiet stabbli.

Il-bidla fis-sistema tal-kontijiet ta' l-amministrazzjoni pubblika u s-sistemi ta' l-IT għall-ewro teħtieġ tħejjija bir-reqqa. Il-maġġoranza tal-pajjiżi ħejjew skedi sabiex jissorveljaw il-progress tal-konverżjoni tas-sistemi kritiċi tagħhom. Bl-istess mod ta' l-intrapriżi, l-amministrazzjoni pubblika għandha tipprovdi l-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet u ta' ammonti monetarji oħra, pereżempju fuq il-karti tal-pagi ta' l-impjegati tal-gvern, fuq il-fatturi u l-avviżi ta' l-impriżi pubbliċi, fil-qasam tal-ħlasijiet tas-sigurtà soċjali, eċċ.

L-Istati Membri kollha kkonċernati għandhom jiżguraw li r-riżorsi finanzjarji u umani kollha meħtieġa jiġu allokati għall-ippjanar u l-implimentazzjoni tal-bidla għall-ewro, inklużi l-attivitajiet t' komunikazzjoni.

Il-proċess għall-għażla tad-disinn għall-uċuħ nazzjonali tal-muniti futuri ta' l-ewro kien diġà tlesta fl-2005 għall-Estonja, il-Litwanja u s-Slovenja, u s-Slovakkja issa ffinalizzat l-għażla tad-disinji (ara l-Anness 4).

Filwaqt li l-bidla hija r-responsabbiltà ta' l-Istati Membri individwali, l-iskambju ta' l-informazzjoni u l-esperjenza jgħinu konsiderevolment lill-Istati Membri fit-tħejjijiet tagħhom. Għal dan il-għan, il-Kummissjoni stabbiliet netwerk ta' amministrazzjoni pubblika li jipprovdi forum għall-uffiċjali nazzjonali li huma inkarigati mil-bidla fil-pajjiżi rispettivi tagħhom. In-netwerk jibni wkoll fuq l-esperjenza miġbura matul il-bidla ta' l-ewwel mewġa.

2.2.7. Attivitajiet ta' Komunikazzjoni.

L-Estonja, il-Litwanja u s-Slovenja adottaw l-istrateġiji ta' komunikazzjoni dwar l-ewro fl-2005 u ffirmaw Ftehimiet ta' Sħubija mal-Kummissjoni fit-8 ta' Novembru 2005. Il-kampanji tagħhom ta' komunikazzjoni bdew wara, b'attivitajiet bħal websajts iddedikati għall-ewro, pubblikazzjonijiet, identitajiet viżjwali, numri tat-telefown bla ħlas eċċ. Ċipru u Malta lestew l-istrateġiji tagħhom ta' komunikazzjoni f'April 2006 u kkonkludew Ftehimiet ta' Partenarjat mal-Kummissjoni fil-5 ta' Mejju 2006. Il-Latvja u s-Slovakkja pproduċew l-ewwel abbozzi ta' strateġiji ta' komunikazzjoni. Il-Polonja, ir-Repubblika Ċeka u l-Ungerija għadhom ma bdew jippjanaw l-ebda attività ta' informazzjoni u komunikazzjoni.

Fil-qafas ta' dawn is-sħubijiet, il-Kummissjoni tappoġġa varjetà ta' attivitajiet żviluppati mill-awtoritajiet nazzjonali, bħalma huma l-pubblikazzjonijiet, il-kampanji tal-midja, materjal promozzjonali, konferenzi u seminars, stħarriġ ta' l-opinjoni eċċ. Il-kampanji nazzjonali ta' komunikazzjoni għandhom jibdew minn sew qabel l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro u jkomplu ftit xhur wara tmiem il-perjodu taċ-ċirkolazzjoni doppja. Biswit is-sħubiji, il-Kummissjoni tkompli tappoġġa programmi ta' ġemellaġġ li fi ħdanhom Stati Membri miż-żona ewro jaqsmu l-esperjenza tagħhom ma' Stati Membri li qed iħejju rwieħhom għall-adozzjoni ta' l-ewro. Bħalissa għaddejjin seba' proġetti ta' ġemellaġġ separati bejn Stati Membri li ssieħbu dan l-aħħar u pajjiżi taż-żona ewro.

Ġew organizzati diversi avvenimenti pubbliċi, bħalma huma konferenzi (eż. Ljubljana fis-17 ta' Marzu 2006) u wirjiet dwar il-ġenesi tal-muniti ta' l-ewro (il-Litwanja u l-Awstrija); aktar tard din is-sena għandhom isiru wirjiet simili fis-Slovenja, il-Latvja u Ċipru. Saru seminars għall-ġurnalisti fi Brussell u Frankfurt u fil-bliet kapitali tas-Slovenja, l-Estonja u l-Litwanja.

2.2.8. Konklużjoni

Ġeneralment, il-pajjiżi li biħsiebhom jadottaw l-ewro fl-2008 jeħtieġu jirrankaw fit-tħejjijiet tagħhom b'mod urġenti, partikolarment Ċipru, li għadu m'adottax uffiċjalment il-pjan nazzjonali għall-bidla, u wkoll Malta, li għamlet dan biss dan l-aħħar. Barra minn hekk, il-maġġoranza tal-pjanijiet nazzjonali għall-bidla għandhom jissaħħu f'diversi rispetti. Partikolarment, għandhom jiġu konklużi ftehimiet fi stadju bikri bejn il-bejjiegħa bl-imnut u l-konsumaturi sabiex jiġu eviati żidiet fil-prezzijiet matul il-bidla. Kodiċi ta' mġiba bħal dawn notevolment għandhom jipprovdu għall-ipprezzar ġust u l-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet. Fir-rigward ta' dan ta' l-aħħar, il-wiri kollu doppju għandu jaderixxi strettament ma' ċerti standards (partikolarment l-użu tar-rata ta' konverżjoni; m'għandux ikun ambigwu, għandu jiġi identifikat faċilment u jinqara b'mod ċar).

3. L-opinjoni pubblika fl-Istati Membri li ssieħbu dan l-aħħar

Ir-riżultati ta' l-istudju tal-Eurobarometer dwar l-opinjoni pubbika fl-Istati Membri li ssieħbu dan l-aħħar, u li sar f'April 2006[12] juru titjib relattiv tal-perċezzjoni ta' l-ewro mill-pubbliku. Fl-istess ħin jikkonfermaw li l-maġġoranza taċ-ċittadini għadhom ma jħossuhomx infurmati tajjeb dwar l-ewro, u dan huwa kkonfermat bil-fatt li kważi nofs iċ-ċittadini fl-Istati Membri l-ġodda jibżgħu li l-ewro se żżid l-inflazzjoni f'pajjiżhom[13]. In-numru ta' rispondenti li jibżgħu minn żieda fil-prezzijiet matul il-bidla ukoll jibqa' għoli. It-tabella 3 tipprovdi ħarsa ġenerali dwar l-iżvilupp ta' l-opinjoni pubblika dwar l-ewro fil-pajjiżi kkonċernati mill-ewwel studju ta' l-opinjoni mill-Eurobarometer f'Settembru 2004. L-Anness 5 jippreżenta r-riżultati ewlenin għall-aħħar studju ta' l-opinjoni.

Tabella 3

Sehem medju tar-rispondenti fl-Istati Membri li ssieħbu dan l-aħħar | Eurobarometer April 2006 | Eurobarometer Settembru 2005 | Eurobarometer Settembru 2004 |

...qed jistennew konsegwenzi pożittivi mill-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro f'pajjiżhom | 52% | 38% | 44% |

... huma personalment kuntenti li l-ewro sejra/ tista' tidħol minflok il-valuta nazzjonali | 48% | 36% | 42% |

...li jħossuhom infurmati tajjeb dwar l-ewro | 37% | 32% | 34% |

...li jaħsbu li l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro se żżid l-inflazzjoni | 46% | 48% | 48% |

... li jibżgħu minn abbużi fil-prezzijiet matul il-bidla | 74% | 75% | 71% |

ANNEX 1 - Preparations at Community level

1. Community legal framework

Having regard to the Commission's proposal[14] for amending Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 on the introduction of the euro[15], the Council has adopted Regulation (EC) No 2169/2005 on 21 December 2005.[16] The amended Regulation now includes the rules for the introduction and the use of the euro in Member States adopting the euro after 2006.

Building on the provisions governing the initial establishment of the euro area, the revised rules allow for two new changeover scenarios in addition to the transitional period scenario[17] applicable for the first-wave euro-area Member States: Member States can now also opt for a “big bang” scenario or a “big bang” scenario combined with a “phasing-out” period. Under the "big bang" scenario the introduction of the euro as the currency and the introduction of euro banknotes and coins coincide. This scenario allows for a more expeditious changeover to the euro now that euro banknotes and coins are widely available. Yet, this approach imposes rigorous timing requirements which might not in all cases be met by the economic actors. The “big bang” scenario combined with a “phasing-out” period thus offers a more gradual phasing out of the national currency by providing some scope for continuing to refer during a limited period to the national currency units in newly created legal instruments.[18]

In addition, the amended Regulation introduces binding rules on the exchange free of charge of national banknotes and coins during the changeover period by credit institutions in Member States which will adopt the euro. The rules for the adoption of the euro by the first-wave euro-area Member States and Greece did not contain a comparable obligation, although such practice was recommended by the Commission.[19]

2. Euro banknotes and coins

Euro-area entrants can start producing euro banknotes and coins as soon as the Council lifts the Member State’s derogation. However, as far as euro banknotes are concerned, the ECB has decided that these countries will be able to borrow the necessary volumes of euro banknotes from the Eurosystem and, as part of the pooling arrangement, pay them back after the changeover with euro banknotes produced by their own supply arrangements.

Regarding the preparations for the start of the coin production by future euro area entrants, meaningful progress has been made since November 2005. While a future euro area Member States may only start producing euro coins once its derogation has been lifted, a number of preparatory tasks – including the production of limited quantities of test coins – may be carried out before this time. In the framework of their preparations for future euro coin production, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia have signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Member States of the euro area and the European Commission in January and February 2006, respectively. The Commission subsequently transferred the required copyrights, and the national mints transferred the available minting tools for the common sides of the euro coins, to the three Member States concerned. Cyprus has recently requested the signing of such a Memorandum of Understanding.

On 7 June 2005, at the initiative of the Commission, the Ecofin Council had decided that the common sides of the 1- and 2-euro and the 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins, which currently depict the EU before it was enlarged from 15 to 25 Member States, should be modified in order to represent Europe as a whole. Following this decision, the necessary design and technical work is currently being finalised so that new euro area entrants can strike and issue euro coins with the new common side already from 2007.

New common sides of the 1- and 2-euro coins and of the 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins

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3. Communication activities

The European Commission continued to implement its communication activities on the euro and EMU in close cooperation with Member States and other Community institutions. Helping the new Member States intending to introduce the euro in 2007 or 2008 in their communication campaigns still constitutes the main priority.

The Commission also developed during the last 6 months a number of activities linked to the enlargement of the euro area, such as opinion polls, surveys and studies.[20] Moreover, brochures and posters for the general public[21], a website dedicated to the euro[22] and promotional material were made available.

To ensure an easy recognition of its information products, a visual identity has been developed for all communication products and activities on the euro and EMU financed under the PRINCE programme and developed by the Commission or a Member State under a partnership agreement with the Commission.

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ANNEX 2 – List of relevant changeover characteristics

The table below provides an overview of certain relevant changeover characteristics in each Member State concerned. It is solely based on officially approved and publicly available information and does therefore not reflect preparations which are still under way. It should be noted that the state and degree of progress of preparations should be assessed in the context of the target date, as preparations tend to step up with the proximity of the changeover.

X: Officially approved/ established and published (in particular in the national changeover plan) |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2010 (*) (*) Preliminary date | 1 January 2008 |

National co-ordinating institution | On 23 November 2005 the Deputy Minister of Finance has been appointed as the National Coordinator of the Euro Introduction. The National Co-ordination Group on Euro Introduction was established and had its first meeting on 20 February 2006. Consequently six Working Groups were established for particular areas of the euro preparatory activities. | The National Changeover Committee, chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, was created on 27 January 2005. |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The Czech Republic’s Euro Accession Strategy was approved by the Government in October 2003: http://www.cnb.cz/euro_index.php. The Institutional Arrangements for Introduction of the Euro in the Czech Republic were approved by Government on 23 November 2005. The National Changeover Plan will be submitted to the government by the end of December 2006. | First draft of euro adoption plan was approved by the government on 1 September 2005: http://www.fin.ee/index.php?id=13324. 4th version of Estonia's National Changeover Plan, approved by the National Changeover Committee on 18 May 2006 http://euro.eesti.ee/EU/Prod/Euroveeb/Main_Page/left_menu_content4748/Changeover_to_the_euro_in_Estonia/europlaan_en.jsp |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | Under consideration – proposal to be submitted to the government by the end of August 2006. | "Big bang" |

Dual circulation period | 2 weeks |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | Banknotes and coins: Commercial banks at least 6 months after €-day free of charge, some branches 12 months. Central Bank indefinitely, free of charge. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | Campaign for collection of coins before €-day planned; credit institutions are recommended to launch early cash deposit campaigns. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading 2 months before €-day; sub-frontloading by credit institutions to major clients 1 month before €-day (precondition: no distribution to general public before €-day). Banks will offer to change kroons into euro banknotes at the conversion rate and without a service fee at least one month prior to €-day. |

ATMs issuing euro only | All ATMs will dispense euro only within 48h as of €-day. |

Change in euro only | In general, change will be given in euro, but the possibility of giving change in kroons remains for the dual circulation period |

Dual display of prices | Compulsory: 6 months before and after €-day. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Monitoring of the prices of certain frequently consumed goods and services under the supervision of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. |

Adaptation of national law | Methodology and legislative analysis for national law adaptation is being prepared in the framework of the Working Group for Legislation of the National Co-ordination Group on the Euro Introduction. | Act on the Introduction of the Euro ("umbrella law") and amendments to the Business Code are expected to be passed to the parliament by September 2006. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Competition under consideration. | Design selected and published in December 2004. |

Nr of different coin designs | 1 design. |

Coin supplier | Not decided yet. The current coin supplier, the Czech Mint, is an independent division of Jablonex Group a.s.; the Czech Mint is connected with the National Bank by business contracts based on tender procedures. | Coins to be minted abroad; following an international tender euro coins will be minted by the Mint of Finland. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | 230 million banknotes and 950 million coins. | 150-200 million coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | Under preparation within the framework of the Working Group for Communication. | Endorsed by the National Changeover Committee on 21 June 2005 and updated on 18 May 2006. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Government/Ministry of Finance; Central Bank | www.euro.eesti.ee, launched in January 2006. |

Partnership agreement | Signed 8 November 2005. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 28 June 2004 |

Twinning agreement |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (June 2006)

Cyprus | Latvia |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2008 | 1 January 2008 (under revision) |

National co-ordinating institution | Joint coordination by the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank of Cyprus, established on 29 December 2004. | The Steering Committee for the preparation and coordination of the euro changeover was established on 18 July 2005. |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The National Changeover Plan has been approved by the National Advisory Committee on 29 March 2006. Still to be approved by the Council of Ministers. | The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia has approved the Action Plan for Implementation of the Single European Currency of the on 1 November 2005, and the first draft of Latvia's National Euro Changeover Plan on 28 February 2006 (Government order No.148, 6 March 2006). |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang" envisaged | "Big bang" |

Dual circulation period | 1 month envisaged | 1 month |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | It is envisaged that the Central Bank will exchange banknotes for 10 years and coins for 2 years. Banks will exchange national banknotes and coins for euro, free of charge, at least for the amount of £ 1.000 for banknotes and £ 50 for coins, for a period of 6 months after €-day. | Commercial banks, currency exchange offices and post offices for 6 months after €-day free of charge; the Bank of Latvia will exchange without time limit free of charge. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | Campaign envisaged around September 2007 encouraging people to use hoarded cash or deposit it with banks. | Not envisaged due to the high nominal value of coins in Latvia and their intensive use in day-to-day payments. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Envisaged from November to December 2007. | Frontloading to banks starts on 1 December 2007, sub-frontloading on 15 December 2007 (precondition: euro banknotes and coins may not be publicly circulated before €-day). |

ATMs issuing euro only | Arrangements with banks on this issue are currently being worked out with the aim to have all ATMs dispensing small denominations (10€ and 20€) from €-day | As of 1 January 2008 ATMs will dispense euro banknotes only. |

Change in euro only | It is planned that the retail sector will be frontloaded with euro coins so as to give change in euro only as from €-day, to the extent possible. | After the end of the dual circulation period. |

Dual display of prices | Starting one month after the abrogation of the derogation, until six months after the adoption of the euro (preliminary period). | Compulsory three months before and one year after €-day. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Monitoring of price developments in retail trade, verification procedure on the accuracy of price displays and "fair trader" campaign envisaged. |

Adaptation of national law | A draft "umbrella law" for the adoption of the euro in Cyprus is currently being prepared; the law is planned to be adopted at the end of 2006. | "Umbrella law" on basic provisions for the introduction of the euro in Latvia is currently being prepared. All ministries are involved in the review of national legislation to identify the necessary amendments and required new legislative acts. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for final approval shortly. | In process. |

Nr of different coin designs | 3 designs. | 4 designs. |

Coin supplier | Coins to be minted abroad at approved national and/or private mints, through tender procedures. | Coins to be minted abroad. Tender for production of coins will be organised after design finalisation. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | 79 million banknotes (value € 1730m), 545 million coins (value € 147,4m). | 87 million banknotes and 300 million coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | A Comprehensive Strategic Communication Plan for the Adoption of the Euro in the Republic of Cyprus, approved by the Council of Ministers on 5 April 2006. | "Communication strategy for the euro changeover in Latvia" approved by the Steering Committee of Latvia's euro implementation project on 12 April 2006. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Ministry of Finance/Government; Central Bank | www.euro.cy, activated on 31 May 2006 as part of the communication campaign official kick-off event. | Planned euro changeover website:www.eiro.lv. Updated information on the euro changeover process is available on the website of the Ministry of Finance: http://www.fm.gov.lv/page.php?id=105. |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 5 May 2006. | Planned to be signed in 2006. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 2 May 2005 | 2 May 2005 |

Twinning agreement | Between IE – MT – CY: communication and information strategy (finalised); between GR – CY: technical issues related to the changeover. |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (June 2006)

Lithuania | Hungary |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2007 (under revision) | 1 January 2010 |

National co-ordinating institution | Commission for the Coordination of the Adoption of the Euro in Lithuania, established on 30 May 2005. | Preparatory work is ongoing in the Ministry of Finance and Magyar Nemzeti Bank (central bank of Hungary). |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The first version of the National Changeover Plan was approved by the government on 29 September 2005. The draft second version of the National Changeover Plan, dated April 2006, was published: http://www.finmin.lt/notes_images/web/stotis_inf.nsf/0/80C39F584F795D97C22570AD0054C826/$File/LT%20Changeover%20plan_en.pdf |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang". | "Big bang" with possible phasing out features. |

Dual circulation period | 15 days. | 1 month. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | Commercial banks: free of charge during 60 days after €-day. Central bank: free of charge for an unlimited period. | Credit institutions and post offices: at least during dual circulation period. Magyar Nemzeti Bank: in case of banknotes for 20 years and in case of coins for 5 years after the end of dual circulation period. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | Consumers will be encouraged to deposit cash with banks as early as possible. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading of euro banknotes to commercial banks one month before €-day at the latest and of euro coins three months before €-day at the latest. Sub-frontloading of euro banknotes and coins to retailers in December 2006. |

ATMs issuing euro only | As from €-day ATMs will dispense euro banknotes. |

Change in euro only | Recommendation to give change in euro only. |

Dual display of prices | Compulsory: 120 calendar days before €-day until 120 days after €-day; voluntary: recommendation to use dual display as early as possible after the adoption of the conversion rate. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Business organisations will be encouraged to adopt a Code of Good Business Practice (on correct conversion, no price increases etc.); enterprises committing themselves will be authorised to use the special logo of the Code. |

Adaptation of national law | Draft Law on the Adoption of the Euro has been prepared (rules on conversion and exchange of the litas to the euro, withdrawal of litas from circulation, publication of the images of notes and coins, redenomination of securities, dual display of prices etc.). The law will be adopted after decision on the abrogation of the derogation. All existing legal acts that need to be adapted with a view to the euro have been identified by December 2005. The necessary amendments will be adopted by 1 December 2006. This does not include replacing references to the litas with references to the euro, which will be carried out after the adoption of the euro in Lithuania. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Approved. |

Nr of different coin designs | 3 designs. |

Coin supplier | Lithuanian Mint. | National Mint. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | Estimation of 118 million banknotes and 290 million coins has been made on the condition that the euro will be introduced on 1 January 2007. | 0,5 billion banknotes and 1 billion coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | "Public information and communication strategy on the adoption of the euro of Lithuania" was approved by the government on 29 September 2005. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Ministry of Finance/Government; Central Bank | Websites of the Bank of Lithuania (www.lb.lt) and of the Ministry of Finance (www.finmin.lt). National website planned as from EU Council decision on the abrogation of the derogation. |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 8 November 2005. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 28 June 2004 |

Twinning agreement | Between NL – SI – LT: communication and information strategy; between BE – LT on tax-related question; between BE – LT on departmental management related to the changeover. | Between AU – HU: communication and information strategy (finalised). |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (June 2006)

Malta | Poland |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2008 |

National co-ordinating institution | Two Committees appointed on 13 June 2005: a Steering Committee and a National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) reporting to it. | Inter-institutional working group Ministry of Finance – national central bank. |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The Second Updated Master Planfor the Euro Changeover in Malta was adopted by the government on 12 June 2006http://mfin.gov.mt/image.aspx?site=NECC&ref=Master%20Plan%202 . |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang" with a phasing out period. |

Dual circulation period | January 2008. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | It is planned that, as from 2 January 2008, credit institutions will start accepting the exchange of Maltese lira notes into euro notes and coins, free of charge for their clients and up to a 'household amount' of Lm 250 for non-bank clients. In both cases free exchange is planned to be provided until the end of March 2008. The Central Bank of Malta will continue to exchange all Maltese lira coins and notes, subject to anti-money laundering regulations, for two years and ten years respectively after the end of the dual circulation period. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | A de-hoarding campaign will be initiated at national level as from September 2006. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading to banks is planned to start from late October/early November 2007 and sub-frontloading by credit institutions is planned to start from 17th December 2007. |

ATMs issuing euro only | Planned as from 1 January 2008. |

Change in euro only | Planned as from 1 January 2008. |

Dual display of prices | Voluntary dual display of prices is planned to start between January 2007 and June 2007 and to end on 30 June 2008. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Presently in consultation within the NECC for the establishment of a Retailers Euro Changeover Best Practice Initiative (RECBPI). The RECBPI provides for the conclusion of formal agreements in which retailers voluntarily commit themselves towards best practices that ensure price fairness, transparency and stability and that assist the consumers to become familiar with the new currency. The needs of vulnerable persons are taken into account. A Euro Observatory on the basis of EC Recommendation 98/288/EC is in the process of being set up. |

Adaptation of national law | The draft Euro Adoption Bill 2006 ("umbrella law") is currently being debated in Parliament. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Public consultation process for the selection of the designs for the national side of the euro coins launched on 14 January 2006; its initial phase lasted until 29 January 2006. The second and final phase of the process was completed by 9 June 2006. | Public survey. |

Nr of different coin designs | 3 designs. |

Coin supplier | Coins to be minted abroad by national mints. | National Mint. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | Estimated 43 million euro notes. Estimated 108 million euro coins. | Between 4 and 5 billion coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | "Multi-annual communication strategy in preparation for the adoption of the euro (2006-2008)" adopted by the Steering committee for the adoption of the euro on 19 April 2006. The NECC has prepared a detailed action plan for 2006 and 2007 including a significant information campaign reaching specific target groups including consumers, the business community, children, the elderly and vulnerable groups. It has recruited a team of information officers to assist the general public and has also launched a national helpline to assist the different target groups. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Government/Ministry of Finance; Central Bank | http://www.euro.gov.mt |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 5 May 2006. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 2 May 2005 |

Twinning agreement | Between IE – MT – CY: communication and information strategy (finalised). | Between DE – PL: communication and information strategy and practical issues. |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (June 2006)

Slovenia | Slovakia | Sweden |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2007 | 1 January 2009 | Not yet decided. |

National co-ordinating institution | The Coordinating Committee for Technical Preparations to Introduce the Euro was created in July 2004. | Ministry of Finance |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | A Masterplan for the Euro Changeover was approved in January 2005. First update adopted by the government on 2 February 2006. Both documents are available on: http://www.bsi.si/en/publications.asp?MapaId=717. | The National Changeover Plan was approved on 6 July 2005: http://www.nbs.sk/ZAKLNBS/PUBLIK/BROZURY/NARPLAN.PDF (Slovak) http://www.nbs.sk/ZAKLNBS/PUBLIK/BROZURY/NARPLANA.PDF (English). |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang". | "Big bang". |

Dual circulation period | 1 January to 14 January 2007. | 16 days. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | Commercial banks will exchange banknotes and coins free of charge until 1 March 2007; Banka Slovenije will exchange tolar banknotes without time limit free of charge, and tolar coins until 31 December 2016. | Commercial banks exchange banknotes until end 2009 and coins until June 2009 (free of charge). The Central Bank exchanges banknotes without time limit and coins for 5 years. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | A campaign of the banking sector is planned for the rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading of coins to banks as of 1 September 2006, of banknotes as of 11 December 2006; sub-frontloading of coins as of 1 December 2006, of banknotes as of 11 December 2006; coin starter kits for the general public as of 15 December 2006. | One to four months prior to €-day. |

ATMs issuing euro only | ATMs will only dispense € 10 and € 20 banknotes as of €-day. | As of €-day ATMs will issue euro only. |

Change in euro only | Change will be given in euro only as of €-day. | Change will be given in euro only. |

Dual display of prices | Compulsory from 1 March 2006 till 30 June 2007. | Compulsory: from one month after fixing of conversion rate till one year after euro adoption. Voluntary: for further 6 months. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Price Watch Project: The Consumer Association of Slovenia is monitoring price developments in the retail sector for specific goods and services in co-operation with the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and wil publish the names of retailers who increase prices excessively. | Evolution of prices in 2008 and 2009 will be closely monitored; consumers will be informed of the results; consumers can raise complaints to supervisory bodies or apply to the courts; voluntary ethical code is prepared with retailers and entrepreneurs. |

Adaptation of national law | The draft Introduction of the Euro Act has been sent to the ECB for consultation on 3 May 2006. Amendments to the Salary Tax Act have been adopted in December 2005; amendments to the Bank of Slovenia Act, to the Payment Transactions Act, to the Misdemeanours Act and to the Companies Act have been adopted in April 2006. A draft amendment to the Collateralisation Act has been submitted to the parliament in April 2006. | "Umbrella law" planned to be adopted by 1 January 2008. The necessary amendments to existing legislation have been identified by January 2006 and are envisaged to be adopted in 2008 at the latest. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Approved. | Final design of the national side for the euro coins was chosen by public tender followed by an opinion poll and announced in December 2005. |

Nr of different coin designs | 8 designs. | 3 designs. |

Coin supplier | Coins to be minted by national mints abroad; the Mint of Finland has been chosen as producer of euro coins. | National Mint. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | 94 million banknotes and 234 million coins. | 400 million coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | Endorsed by Bank of Slovenia on 19 May 2005 and by the government on 2 June 2005. | Communication strategy on the euro introduction in the Slovak Republic is part of the National Changeover Plan. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Government/Ministry of Finance; Central Bank | National website on euro changeover: http://www.evro.si, activated on 15 February 2006. Special section on the euro on the webpage of Bank of Slovenija: http://www.bsi.si. Toll-free phone line: 080 2002 (Evrophon). | http://euro.vlada.gov.sk; http://www.euromena.sk. |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 8 November 2005 |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 28 June 2004 | 28 November 2005 |

Twinning agreement | Between NL – SI – LT: communication and information strategy. | Between AU – SK: communication and information strategy; Between BE – SK: technical issues related to the changeover. |

ANNEX 4 - Euro coins designs of the future national sides of Slovakia

[pic] [pic] [pic] 2-euro coins 1-euro coin 50-cent coin [pic] [pic] [pic] 20-cent coin 10-cent coin Copper plated coins (1-,2- and 5-cent coins) |

ANNEX 5 - State of public opinion in the recently acceded Member States

The European Commission recently commissioned a new Eurobarometer survey on the public opinion in the recently acceded Member States concerning citizens' attitudes to and knowledge on the introduction of the euro. Gallup Europe conducted this survey in April 2006. This was the third such Eurobarometer survey after September 2004 and 2005, again polling over 10,000 citizens.

1. The perception and support for the single currency improved

The overall perception and support for the euro has markedly improved, even exceeding the more favourable levels of September 2004, thus probably reflecting the improved general climate in Europe over the last months. The consequences of the introduction of the euro for the country and on personal level are deemed much more positive: 52% think that the euro would be rather or very positive for the country and 46% on personal level, with the support being highest in Slovenia (58% and 53% respectively). In the perception of people, the overall environment has become more in favour of their country joining the euro area. However, the level of support varies widely among countries. The population in the three Baltic States are the least happy about the forthcoming replacement of their national currency.

2. The knowledge about the euro remains mixed

Respondents in the recently acceded Member States are relatively familiar with the common currency: most people have seen euro banknotes (80%) or euro coins (75%), although much less used them already (45% and 41% respectively). This level of information is essentially unchanged relative to last year. As in the past, Slovenes are most familiar with the euro banknotes and coins. The usage of the euro has slightly increased but varies widely between countries. However, only a minority (46% for banknotes and 41% for coins) is able to correctly identify whether or not the designs differ between countries.

The knowledge among the general public about the framework conditions for euro adoption has not improved. Only 38% (unchanged since September 2005) are able to indicate the correct number of euro-area Member States. While all new Member States are expected to join the euro area in due time, a significant majority (69% compared with 58% in the previous survey) believes that their country can choose whether or not to introduce the euro. Opinions on the expected date of euro introduction seem to converge with a realistic assessment of the national target dates.

3. Citizens want to be informed early on

According to the survey, more people feel well-informed than in the previous survey (37% relative to 32%), most notably in Slovenia, suggesting that the communication efforts on European and national level are starting to bear fruit. However, the majority of citizens (60%) still consider themselves not very or not at all informed. The perceived level of information is disappointingly low in some countries with more imminent national target dates for euro introduction such as Latvia, Malta, Estonia and Cyprus. Respondents confirmed previous results that early information on the introduction of the euro is appreciated.

As regards the source of information on the euro, the current survey confirms that people trust above all National Central Banks (77%), followed by the European Institutions (70%). As regards the channels, strongest preference is expressed for traditional media (TV, papers, radio) but also internet, and banks even though the use of bank services is still relatively low in some of these countries. Most citizens identify practical information as the preferred topics for the national campaigns e.g. the conversion rate (93%) and the changeover scenario (90%). 92% seek information on how to avoid price abuses. The current survey confirms that the dual display of prices (86%) and amounts on bills and invoices (76%) is judged the most essential tool for preparing the population for the new scale of values.

4. People's expectations and fears regarding the adoption of the euro are subdued

The picture in this respect is somewhat mixed and contradictory. Expectations towards the euro as an international currency and towards the role of Europe in the world are increasingly positive. Concerns about the loss of control over economic policy or the loss of national identity are lowering. A broad and increasing majority expects tangible benefits for daily life like for travelling and price transparency.

Since the introduction of the euro in 1999, prices have been stable and inflation rates in the euro area did not exceed 2.4% p.a. Surprisingly, most citizens in the new Member States (46%) fear that the introduction of the euro will increase inflation in their country. Albeit rising, the share of those who believe that the euro might help to maintain price stability remains low at 29%.

[1] L-aħħar Rapporti ta' Konverġenza tal-Kummissjoni ġew adottati fis-16 ta' Mejju 2006 fuq talba mil-Litwanja (COM(2006) 223) u s-Slovenja (COM(2006) 224). Il-Kummissjoni se tippubblika r-Rapport ta' Konverġenza li jmiss fil-Ħarifa ta' l-2006 Ir-Rapport ta' Konverġenza tal-BĊE ġie adottat fil-15 ta' Mejju 2006 fuq talba mil-Litwanja u s-Slovenja.

[2] L-għaxar pajjiżi li ssieħbu ma' l-Unjoni Ewropea fl-1 ta' Mejju 2004 ingħataw l-istatus ta' Stati Membri b'deroga bis-saħħa ta' l-Artikolu 4 tat-Trattat ta' Adeżjoni. L-Iżvezja saret Stat Membru b'deroga f'Mejju 1998.

[3] COM(2004) 748 ta' l-10 ta' Novembru 2004 u COM(2005) 357 ta' l-4 ta' Novembru 2005.

[4] Abbażi ta' l-informazzjoni miġbura sad-9 ta' Ġunju 2006.

[5] Ara wkoll l-Anness 2 li jagħti sinteżi ċerti karatteristiċi rilevanti tat-tranżizzjoni u l-Anness 3 li jipprovdi ħarsa ġenerali tal-qagħda tat-tħejjijiet fl-Istati Membri kkonċernati.

[6] Jum l-€ huwa l-jum li fih il-karti tal-flus u l-muniti jiġu introdotti fi Stat Membru partikolari. Fix-xenarju ta' "dħul f'daqqa", l-introduzzjoni tal-kontanti ewro jaħbat eżatt ma' l-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro bħala l-valuta.

[7] L-istokkjar bil-quddiem jirreferi għall-provvista tal-karti tal-flus u l-muniti mill-banek ċentrali nazzjonali għall-istituzzjonijeit ta' kreditu qabel jum l-€. Stokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju jimplika t-tqassim mill-istituzzjonijiet ta' kreditu ta' karti tal-flus u muniti ewro li jkunu ġew stokkjati bil-quddiem qabel jum l-€ lill-bejjiegħa bl-imnut u impriżi oħra, u possibbilment ukoll lill-pubbliku ġenerali.

[8] L-istokkjar bil-quddiem u l-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju kienu parti mit-tħejjijiet għall-bidla fil-kontanti ta' l-2002 fl-Istati Membri kollha taż-żona ewro, ara l-Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni lill-Kunsill Ewropew, Reviżjoni ta' l-introduzzjoni tal-karti tal-flus u l-muniti ewro, 6.3.2002, COM(2002) 124 finali.

[9] Ara n-nota tal-qiegħ nru.7 għad-definizzjoni ta' l-istokkjar bil-quddiem u l-istokkjar bil-quddiem sekondarju.

[10] Ara wkoll ir-Rakkomandazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni tat-23 ta' April 1998 dwar il-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet u ammonti monetarji oħra (ĠU L 130, 1.5.1998, p.26).

[11] Skond il-Eurostat (Ġunju 2003) l-impatt totali huwa stmat li jaqa' fi ħdan il-medda ta' 0.09% sa 0.25%, http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/2-18062003-AP/EN/2-18062003-AP-EN.HTML.

[12] http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl183_en.pdf.

[13] Dan il-biża' huwa oppost mid-data statistika dwar ir-rati annwali ta' l-inflazzjoni fiż-żona euro, li qatt ma qabżu t-2.4% mill-introduzzjoni ta' l-ewro fl-1999.

[14] COM(2005) 357.

[15] OJ L 139, 11.5.1998, p. 1. This Regulation was amended in order to allow Greece to join the euro area in 2001 by Regulation (EC) No 2596/2000 (OJ L 300, 29.11.2000, p. 2).

[16] Council Regulation (EC) No 2169/2005 of 21 December 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 974/98 on the introduction of the euro (OJ L 346, 29.12.2005, p. 1).

[17] The transitional period is a period of three years at most beginning on the euro adoption date and ending on the date on which euro banknotes and coins acquire the status of legal tender in a given Member State.

[18] For further details see Torsten Schäfer, Occasional Paper "The Legal Framework for the Enlargement of the Euro Area", http://www.ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/occasionalpapers_en.htm.

[19] Cf. Commission Recommendation of 11 October 2000 on measures to facilitate the preparation of economic operators for the changeover to the euro (OJ C 303, 24.10.2000, p. 6).

[20] http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/index_en.htm.

[21] http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/general/general_en.htm.

[22] http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/euro/our_currency_en.htm.

[23] Exchange at banks at the conversion rate without service fees.

[24] This term refers to campaigns encouraging citizens to deposit hoarded cash with banks well in advance of the changeover to the euro.