MT    MT  KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ 
Brussel 16.7.2007 
KUMM(2007) 434 finali 
  
KOMUNIKAZZJONI MILL-KUMMI SSJONI LILL-KUNSILL,  
LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW, LI LL-KUMITAT EKONOMIKU U SO ĊJALI 
EWROPEW, LILL-KU MITAT TAR-RE ĠJUNI  
U LILL-BANK ĊENTRALI EWROPEW 
Il-ħames rapport dwar it-t ħejjijiet pratti ċi għat-tkabbir ġejjieni taż-żona euro 
 
MT 2   MT KOMUNIKAZZJONI MILL-KUMMI SSJONI LILL-KUNSILL,  
LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW, LI LL-KUMITAT EKONOMIKU U SO ĊJALI 
EWROPEW, LILL-KU MITAT TAR-RE ĠJUNI  
U LILL-BANK ĊENTRALI EWROPEW 
Il-ħames rapport dwar it-t ħejjijiet pratti ċi għat-tkabbir ġejjieni taż-żona euro 
1. I NTRODUZZJONI  
Minn meta s-Slovenja adottat l- euro, fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2007, i ż-żona euro tikkonsisti minn 
tlettax-il Stat Membru ta’ l-UE. Fost l-erbatax- il Stat Membru ta’ l-UE li jifdal, tnax huma 
“Stati Membri b’deroga” li huma miste nnija li jadottaw l-euro hekk kif ji ġu sodisfatti l-
kundizzjonijiet me ħtieġa, filwaqt li d-Danimarka u r-Renju Unit mhumiex obbligati li 
jintroduċu l-euro.  
Minbarra li jkunu sodisfat ti l-kriterji ta’ konver ġenza ta’ “Maastricht”1, l-introduzzjoni ta’ l-
euro teħtieġ li l-Istati Membri jwettqu t ħejjijiet pratti ċi estensivi, li jinvolvu lis-setturi kollha 
ta’ l-ekonomiji tal-pajji żi, lis-settur pubbliku kif ukoll li ll-pubbliku kollu. Il-bidla b'su ċċess 
tas-Slovenja g ħall-euro tikkonferma l-espe rjenza ta’ l-ewwel mew ġa ta’ pajji żi taż-żona euro 
li tħejjijiet pratti ċi f’waqthom u komprensivi huma kru ċjali għal bidla ming ħajr problemi u 
għall-perċezzjoni po żittiva tagħha mill-pubbliku2. 
Dan ir-Rapport qed jivvaluta l-istat tat-t ħejjijiet pratti ċi għat-tkabbir futur ta ż-żona euro3. 
Jiffoka fuq l-i żviluppi re ċenti f’Ċipru u f’Malta, peress li dawn il-pajji żi se jidħlu fiż-żona 
euro fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2008, wara d-de ċiżjonijiet tal-Kunsill li dawn jissodisfaw il-
kundizzjonijiet me ħtieġa għall-adozzjoni ta’ l-euro. Ba rra minn hekk, ir-rapport jag ħti 
attenzjoni spe ċjali lit-tħejjijiet fis-Slovakkja li, fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2009, qed taspira li tadotta l-
euro. 
                                                 
1 Fir-Rapporti ta’ Konver ġenza tagħhom, il-Kummissjoni u l-B ĊE jeżaminaw jekk il-pajji żi differenti 
ssodisfawx ir-rekwi żiti formali li jippermettulhom jadottaw l-euro. L-a ħħar Rapporti ta’ Konver ġenza 
tal-Kummissjoni kienu adottati fis-16 ta’ Mejju 2007 fuq it-talba ta’ Ċipru (COM(2007) 255) u ta’ 
Malta (COM(2007) 258). Il-Kummissjoni se to ħroġ ir-Rapport ta’ Konver ġenza regolari li jmiss fl-
2008. 
2 Dwar il-bidla Slovena, ara l-Komunikazzjoni mill-Kummissjoni “The introduction of the euro in 
Slovenia (L-introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro fis-Slovenja)”, COM(2007) 233, ta’ l-4 ta’ Mejju 2007.  
3 Dan huwa l- ħames rapport dwar dan is-su ġġett. Ara COM(2004) 748 ta’ l-10 November 2004; 
COM(2005) 545 ta’ l-4 ta’ Novembru 2005; COM(2006) 322 tat-22 ta’ Ġunju 2006; COM(2006) 671 
ta’ l-10 ta’ Novembru 2006. 
 
MT 3   MT 2. L- ISTAT TAT -TĦEJJIJIET FUQ LIVELL NAZZJONALI U FUQ LIVELL KOMUNITARJU4  
2.1. L-istrate ġiji nazzjonali g ħall-adozzjoni ta’ l-euro 
Data ta’ mira nazzjonali tipprovdi impetu g ħal tħejjijiet f’waqthom biex  ikun introd ott l-euro 
u tgħin biex dawn it-t ħejjijiet ikunu ffokati, sakemm ikun hemm bi żżejjed kredibbiltà dwar il-
ħila tal-pajji ż li jissodisfa l-kriterji ta’ konver ġenza fi żmien xieraq.  
Matul l-2006, diversi pajji żi (ir-Repubblika Ċeka, l-Estonja, il-Latvja, il-Litwanja, l-Ungerija) 
irtriraw id-dati ta’ mira tag ħhom għall-adozzjoni ta’ l-euro, prin ċipalment min ħabba d-
diffikultajiet li kellhom biex jissodisfaw il-kriterji ta’ konver ġenza kif kien ippjanat 
oriġinarjament. Il-Bulgar ija, il-Polonja u l-I żvezja għadhom ma ppre żentaw l-ebda data ta’ 
mira. Fl-I żvezja, it-t ħejjijiet fil-prattika waqfu sa mir-ri żultat negattiv tar-referendum ta’ l-14 
ta’ Settembru 2003. Fit-tabella t’hawn ta ħt ġie inkluż sommarju tas-sitwazzjoni kurrenti fejn 
għandhom x’jaqsmu d-dati ta’ mira nazzjonali. 
Ir-Rumanija ffissat l-2014 b ħala s-sena ta’ mira tag ħha. 
Id-data ta’ mira g ħall-adozzjoni ta’ l-
euro  L-Istati Membri  
1 ta’ Jannar 2008 Ċipru, Malta 
1 ta’ Jannar 2009 Is-Slovakkja 
2014 Ir-Rumanija 
Għandha tiġi (ri)determinata Il-Bul garija, ir-Repubblika Ċeka, l-Estonja, il-
Latvja, il-Litwanja, l-Ungerija, il-Polonja, l-Iżvezja 
2.2. It-t ħejjijiet f’Ċipru 
2.2.1. Il-qafas ġenerali 
Ċipru se jadotta l-euro  fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2008 skond xenarju ta’ “big bang”5 b’perjodu ta’ 
ċirkolazzjoni doppja6 ta’ xahar. 
Fir-Raba’ Rapport dwar l-istat tat-t ħejjijiet pratti ċi, il-Kummissjoni kkonkludiet li l-Pjan 
Nazzjonali g ħall-Bidla ta’ Ċipru ġeneralment ikopri l-parti l-kbi ra tal-kwistjonijiet pratti ċi 
għall-introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro, filwaqt li tqies li kienu me ħtieġa aktar mi żuri sabiex tkun 
żgurata l-kunfidenza tal-konsumatur i fi pprezzar stabbli fil-perj odu tal-bidla. Barra minn 
hekk, kien innutat li l-Pjan Nazzjonali g ħall-Bidla f’bosta aspetti kien g ħadu nieqes mid-
dettalji u kien hemm il- ħtieġa li diversi aspetti ji ġu definiti aktar.  
Matul l-a ħħar ftit xhur kien hemm progress. Ver żjoni aġġornata tal-Pjan Nazzjonali g ħall-
Bidla, li kien approvat f’Lulju 2006, kien ad ottat mill-Ministeru tal-Finanzi, fil-21 ta’ Ġunju 
                                                 
4 Ibba żat fuq l-informazzjoni mi ġbura sat-2 ta’ Lulju 2007.  
5 Skond ix-xenarju ta’ “big bang”, il-karti tal-flus u l-muniti euro ji ġu introdotti fl-istess żmien hekk kif l-
euro jiġi introdott b ħala l-munita ta’ l-Istat Membru kon ċernat.  
6 Il-perjodu ta’ ċirkolazzjoni doppja huwa l-perjodu li jibda da kinhar li l-karti tal-flus u l-muniti euro 
jitqiegħdu f’ċirkolazzjoni (jum l-€) u li matulu kemm il-m unita nazzjonali kif ukoll l-euro jkunu valuta 
legali fl-Istat Membru kon ċernat. 
 
MT 4   MT 2007, bil-kunsens tal-Bank Ċentrali. Barra minn hekk, il-Bank Ċentrali aġġorna l-Pjan g ħall-
Bidla tal-Flus Kontanti, kienet adottata le ġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali dwar l-introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro 
u tnieda l-Kodi ċi għal Ipprezzar Ġust.  
2.2.2. Is-settur finanzja rju u l-intrapri żi 
Il-Bank Ċentrali ta’ Ċipru ppubblika l-a ħħar aġġornament tal-Pjan g ħall-Bidla tal-Flus 
Kontanti f’Mejju 2007. Id-detta lji ta’ l-operazzjoni ta’ frontloading7 ġew speċifikati. Il-
frontloading  tal-muniti u tal-karti tal-flus euro se jibda fit-22 ta’ Ottubru u fid-19 ta’ 
Novembru 2007, rispettivament, u se jkun finalizzat sa nofs Di ċembru 2007. Is-sub-
frontloading  jew il-flus kontanti euro lill-bejjieg ħa bl-imnut huwa previst li jibda fl-istess 
żmien bħall-operazzjoni ta’ frontloading . Barra minn hekk, 40,000 kitt ta’ muniti ppakkjati 
minn qabel li fihom struttura xierqa ta’ denominazzjonijiet g ħal tranżazzjonijiet bi flus 
kontanti fl-ewwel jiem wara jum l-€ (kitts biex wie ħed jibda), li kull wie ħed jiswa € 172, se 
jkunu disponibbli g ħan-negozji u g ħall-bejjieg ħa bl-imnut mit-3 ta’ Di ċembru 2007. 250,000 
minikitts, li kull wie ħed jiswa CYP 10, se jkunu disponibbli g ħall-pubbliku ġenerali mill-
istess data.  
Madwar 70% mill-magni tal- ġbid tal-flus ta’ l-istituzzjonijiet ta’ kreditu (ATMs; bejn wie ħed 
u ieħor 500 b’kollox) se jinbidlu biex jag ħtu esklużivament karti tal-flus euro (€ 10 u 20) fl-
ewwel sieg ħa ta’ jum l-€, filwaqt li t-30% rimanenti se jinbidlu mhux aktar tard minn 
nofsinhar ta’ l-istess jum. Minn jum l-€, il-bejjieg ħa ta’ l-imnut se jag ħtu l-bqija biss f’euro.  
Fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2008, li huwa jum ta' btala g ħall-banek, f’kull distrett se jift ħu numru ta’ 
fergħat ta’ banek f’lokalitajiet ċentrali biex jiffa ċilitaw l-iskambju tal-liri Ċipijotti f’euro.  
F’Novembru 2006, il-Bank Ċentrali ta’ Ċipru nieda kampanja biex jinkora ġġixxi liċ-ċittadini 
ħalli jużaw flus kontanti nazzjonali ma ħżuna jew jiddepo żitawhom fil-banek, sabiex jag ħtu 
kontribut ħalli fi tmiem l-2007 jitnaqqas l-ammont ta’ flus kontanti f’liri Ċiprijotti li jkunu fi ċ-
ċirkolazzjoni. G ħal Settembru 2007 hija ppjanata kampanja  intensifikata ta’ reklami sabiex il-
flus kontanti ma ħżuna jintużaw. 
Inbena Ċentru tal-Muniti spe ċjali tal-Bank Ċentrali ta’ Ċipru, li se jintu ża għall-ħażna u għad-
distribuzzjoni tal-muniti euro (il- frontloading  tal-banek u l-forniment ta’ muniti matul il-
bidla), u minn dak i ż-żmien ‘il quddiem g ħall-ġbir, għall-ipproċessar u għall-qerda tal-muniti 
nazzjonali.  
Il-Bank Ċentrali jipprovdi ta ħriġ għall-professjonisti li jimmani ġġjaw il-flus kontanti fis-settur 
bankarju, f’dak tal-bejg ħ bl-imnut u fis-setturi pubbli ċi dwar il-karatteristi ċi ta’ sikurezza tal-
flus kontanti euro. 
2.2.3. L-amministrazzjoni pubblika 
Fil-15 ta’ Marzu 2007, il-Parlament adotta  l-“Liġi dwar l-Adozzjoni ta’ l-Euro ta’ l-2007”; fil-
21 ta’ Ġunju 2007 ġew adottati xi emendi g ħal din il-Li ġi. Din il-“li ġi umbrella” tistabbilixxi, 
                                                 
7 It-terminu “ frontloading ” jirreferi g ħall-provvista ta’ karti tal-flus u ta’ muniti euro mill-Bank Ċentrali 
nazzjonali lill-istituzzjon ijiet ta’ kreditu qabel l-introduzzjoni tal-flus kontanti eu ro. It-terminu “sub-
frontloading ” ifisser id-distribuzzjoni mill-istituzzjonijiet ta’ kreditu ta’ karti ta’ flus u ta’ muniti euro 
frontloaded  lil bejjieg ħa bl-imnut u lil negozji o ħra, u possibbilment lill-pubbliku ġenerali, qabel ma 
jiġu introdotti l-flus kontanti euro. 
 
MT 5   MT fost l-oħrajn, it-tul tal-perjodu ta’ ċirkolazzjoni doppja, l-iskambju  tal-karti tal-flus u tal-
muniti tal-liri Ċiprijotti fi flus kontanti euro mill-banek kummer ċjali mingħajr ħlasijiet, il-
konverżjoni ta’ l-ammonti monetarji u r-regoli tat-tqa rrib, il-wiri dupli ċi tal-prezzijiet u l-
istabbiliment ta’ l-Osservatorji dwar l-Euro.  
Wara sejħa pubblika g ħall-offerti, Ċipru għażel liz-Zekka Finlandi ża biex tipprodu ċi l-muniti 
euro tiegħu (ara l-Anness 3 g ħad-disinji). Il-produzzjoni bil-massa bdiet wara d-De ċiżjoni tal-
Kunsill ta’ l-10 ta’ Lulju 2007 li ne ħħiet id-deroga ta’ Ċipru.  
2.2.4. Il-konsumaturi u l-pubbliku ġenerali 
Skond il-“Li ġi dwar l-Adozzjoni ta’ l- Euro ta’ l-2007”, l-obbligu g ħan-negozji u g ħall-
bejjiegħa bl-imnut li juru prezzijiet kemm fil-lira Ċiprijotta kif ukoll fl-euro se jkun effettiv 
mill-1 ta’ Settembru 2007 sat-30 ta’ Settembru 2008. Ir-ri żultati ta’ l-a ħħar Eurobarometer, 
imwettaq g ħall-Kummissjoni f’Marzu 2007, jikkonfermaw li ma ġġoranza ferm qawwija ta’ 
dawk li ħadu sehem fis-servej tal-Eurobarometer f’ Ċipru (83%) jib żgħu minn żjidiet fil-
prezzijiet jew sa ħansitra abbu żi fil-prezzijiet fl-okka żjoni tal-bidla g ħall-euro8. Skond servej 
fost l-intrapri żi, imwettaq g ħall-Kummissjoni f’Jannar 20079, kważi intrapriża minn kull sitta 
indikat li se ta ġġusta l-prezzijiet tag ħha ’l fuq. Fis-settur tal-luka ndi u tar-restoranti, daqs 27% 
mill-intrapri żi semmew li qed jipprevedu azzjoni b ħal din.  
Sabiex jindirizza l-bi żgħat tal-konsumaturi ta’ żjidiet fil-prezzijiet  u sabiex jinkora ġġixxi 
‘ipprezzar ġust’, fis-26 ta’ Ġunju 2007, il-Gvern nieda kampanja li tistieden lin-negozji u lill-
bejjiegħa bl-imnut biex jadottaw Kodi ċi għall-Ipprezzar Ġust10. Il-Kodiċi se jkun fis-se ħħ 
bejn l-10 ta’ Lulju 2007 u l-10 ta’ Lulju 2008. Skond il-Kodi ċi, in-negozji u l-bejjieg ħa bl-
imnut jimpenjaw irwie ħhom li jwettqu l-bidla b’mod ġust u li mhux se jipprovaw jiksbu 
vantaġġ minnha. Se tkun ippubblikata l-lista tan-negozji parte ċipanti, filwaqt li n-negozji se 
jiġu awtorizzati ju żaw il-logo tal-Kodi ċi fil-ħanut jew fl-intrapri ża tagħhom. L-inizjattiva 
rċeviet appo ġġ pubbliku minn diversi intrapri żi akbar fid-daqs u minn diversi 
organizzazzjonijiet tan-negozju. 
fl-1 ta’ Lulju 2007, f’kull provin ċja, sar operattiv Osservatorju  dwar l-Euro, li jikkonsisti 
f’għaxar membri, inklu ż il-kummissarju distrettwali, rappre żentanti tal-Gvern, 
assoċjazzjonijiet tal-konsumaturi, trejdjunjins u s-settur tan-negozju. Meg ħjuna minn aktar 
minn 100 ispettur, l-Osservatorji jimmonitorjaw  l-introduzzjoni ta’ l-eu ro u l-konformità tan-
negozji mal-Li ġi dwar l-Adozzjoni ta’ l-Euro  ta’ l-2007, jikkoordinaw il-Kodi ċi għal 
Ipprezzar Ġust u jipprovdu informazzjoni dwar l-euro li ċ-ċittadini.  
2.2.5. L-attivitajiet ta’ komunikazzjoni  
Sa mill-ade żjoni ta’ Ċipru ma’ l-UE, l-appo ġġ tal-pubbliku ġenerali għall-euro kien qed 
jonqos minn livelli inizjali komparattivament g ħoljin. Għalhekk kien ovvju li l-awtoritajiet 
kellu jimbarkaw fuq kampanja ta’ kom unikazzjoni pjuttost intensiva fit-t ħejjija għall-
introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro sabiex tiddawwar din it- tendenza negattiva, b’mod partikolari billi 
jiġu spjegati l-benefi ċċji u jiġu indirizzati l-bi żgħat. L-implimentazzjoni tal-fa żi intensiva tal-
                                                 
8 Flash Eurobarometer 207, Introduction of the euro in the New Member States (L-introduzzjoni ta’ l-
euro fl-Istati Membri l- ġodda.). Is-servejs kollha ta’ l-Eurobarometer dwar l-euro huma disponibbli fuq 
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/euro_en.htm   
9 Flash Eurobarometer 200. Ara n-nota ta’ qieg ħ nru 8. 
10 Ara http://www.euro.cy/euro/euro.nsf/dmlbusinesssector_en/dmlbusinesssector_en?OpenDocument. 
 
MT 6   MT kampanja ta’ informazzjoni Ċiprijotta nbdiet b’xi dewmien min ħabba problemi fil-pro ċess tat-
tfigħ ta’ l-offerti g ħall-għażla ta’ aġenzija ta’ relazzjonijiet pubbli ċi, li ntgħażlet biss fi Frar 
2007.  
Qabel, twettqu diversi attivitaj iet ta’ komunikazzjoni, bi w ħud minnhom f’kooperazzjoni mill-
qrib mal-Kummissjoni Ewropea. F’Mejju u f’ Novembru 2006 kienu organizzati konferenzi 
dwar il-bidla g ħall-euro ma’ partijiet interessati interni u esterni. Il-wirja ‘Il- Ġenesi tal-Muniti 
Euro’ tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea ttellg ħet f’Ċipru bejn Ottubru 2006 u Jannar 2007. Fl-ewwel 
xhur ta’ l-2007, kienu organizzati seminars, inklu ż għas-settur finanzjarju u g ħall-ġurnalisti 
Ċiprijotti. Ittella’ sit web nazzjonali g ħall-euro. Wara l-g ħażla ta’ l-aġenzija tar-relazzjonijiet 
pubbliċi, Ċipru beda jintensfika l-isforzi ta’ komunikazzjoni tieg ħu fil-midja tal-massa g ħall-
introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro, b’mod partikolari billi jiffoka fuq l-SMEs, i ż-żoni rurali u l-gruppi 
vulnerabbli, sabiex jikkunt rasta l-aspettattivi ta’ żjidiet mhux i ġġustifikati fil-prezzijiet u 
sabiex jibni l-kunfidenza tal-konsumatur i. Fi tmiem Mejju 2007 tnediet strate ġija twila ta’ 
kampanja medjatika fuq it-televi żjoni: fl-ewwel fa żi, il-kampanja se tiffoka fuq il-bidla u l-
benefiċċji ta’ l-euro. L-awtoritajiet Ċiprijotti organizzaw ukoll diversi attivitajiet g ħall-
ġurnalisti. Ir-ri żultati ta’ l-a ħħar Flash Eurobarometer jikkonf ermaw li dawn l-attivitajiet 
jidher li qed jag ħtu l-frott peress li tul l-a ħħar 6 xhur l-appo ġġ tjieb sostanzjalment, imma 
xorta jinħtieġ aktar progress. 
Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea qed tappo ġġja lil Ċipru permezz ta’ l-attivitajiet ċentrali tag ħha u 
bil-provvista ta’ pubblikazzjoni u ta’ materj ali promozzjonali. Barra minn hekk, ta ħt l-
umbrella ta’ ftehim ta’ s ħubija, qieg ħda tiffinanzja parzjalment il- ħidma ta’ diversi uffi ċjali ta’ 
komunikazzjoni, linj a telefonika ta’ g ħajnuna bla ħlas (imnedija fil-11 ta’ Ġunju 2007) u 
matul it-tieni nofs ta’ l-2007 u fl-2008, il-ba ġit tal-midja g ħall-kampanji. Se tipprovdi wkoll 
stands mobbli biex jintu żaw f’bini pubbliku u qed ta ħdem flimkien ma’ l-iskejjel Ċiprijotti 
sabiex torganizza kompetizzjoni nazzj onali biex tqajjem il-livell ta’ g ħarfien dwar l-euro.  
Il-Bank Ċentrali ta’ Ċipru, parzjalment f’koo perazzjoni mal-Bank Ċentrali Ewropew, qed 
jippjana kampanja ta’ informazzjoni estensiva, b’mod partikolari dwar il-karti tal-flus u l-
muniti euro kif ukoll dwar il-karatteristi ċi ta’ sikurezza tag ħhom.  
2.2.6. Konklu żjoni 
Filwaqt li Ċipru għamel progress fit-t ħejjijiet pratti ċi tiegħu għall-introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro, dan 
għandu jħaffef il-pass. G ħandha ting ħata attenzjoni partikolari lill-implimentazzjoni effettiva 
u mal-pajji ż kollu tal-Kodi ċi għal Ipprezzar Ġust u tal-kampanja ta’ komunikazzjoni dwar l-
euro.  
2.3. It-t ħejjijiet f’Malta 
2.3.1. Il-qafas ġenerali 
Malta se tadotta l-euro fl -1 ta’ Jannar 2008 skond xenarju ta’ “big bang” b’perjodu ta’ 
ċirkolazzjoni doppja ta’ xahar. 
Fir-Raba’ Rapport, il-Kummissj oni kkonkludiet li s-“Second update d Masterplan for the Euro 
Changeover in Malta” kienet jindirizza l-as petti tal-bidla rilevanti b’mod dettaljat u 
komprensiv, filwaqt li w ħud mill-karatteristi ċi kienu je ħtieġu aktar spe ċifikazjoni. Il-Kumitat 
Nazzjonali g ħall-Bidla fl-Euro (NECC) ippubblikat it-“Third update d Masterplan” fi Frar 
 
MT 7   MT 2007 u l-“Final Masterplan” fil-11 ta’ Lu lju 2007, bit-tnejn li huma jinkludu aktar 
speċifikazzjonijiet u titjib.  
2.3.2. Is-settur finanzja rju u l-intrapri żi 
Sa minn Jannar 2007, il-banek kienu obbligati ja ċċettaw depo żiti ta’ karti tal-flus euro 
f’kontijiet bankarji b’deno minazzjoni ta’ euro ming ħajr l-impo żizzjoni ta’ ħlasijiet bankarji. 
Fin-nuqqas ta’ ħlasijiet għad-depożitu ta’ flus kontanti euro f’kontijiet (euro), il-bejjieg ħa bl-
imnut li di ġà fl-2007 huma lesti li ja ċċettaw ħlasijiet fi flus kontanti euro (e ż. fis-settur tat-
turiżmu) huma legalment me ħteġa li jagħmlu dan skond ir-rata tal-konver żjoni (jew, qabel ma 
din ta’ l-a ħħar ġiet iffissata, skond ir-rata ta’ parità ċentrali) ming ħajr l-ebda ħlas.  
Barra minn hekk, peress li r-rata ta’ konver żjoni irrevokabbli kienet iffissata mill-Kunsill fl-
10 ta’ Lulju 2007, l-istitu zzjonijiet tal-kreditu ja ċċettaw, fuq ba żi volontarja, il-karti tal-flus 
euro depo żitati mill-klijenti negozjanti tag ħhom f’kontijiet tal-liri  Maltin bir-rata tal-
konverżjoni u ming ħajr l-ebda ħlas tal-kambju.  
Il-frontloading  tal-karti tal-flus euro lill-istitu zzjonijiet tal-kreditu se jibda tard 
f’Settembru/kmieni f’Ottubru 2007, u l- frontloading  tal-muniti euro tard f’Ottubru/kmieni 
f’Novembru 2007. L-operazzjonijiet ta’ sub- frontloading  lin-negozji jibdew fl-1 ta’ Di ċembru 
2007, flimkien mad-distribuzzjoni ta’ kitts ta’ muniti biex wie ħed jibda b’valur ta’ €131 g ħan-
negozji ż-żgħar, prinċipalment il-bejjieg ħa bl-imnut. Mill-10 ta’ Di ċembru 2007, il-pubbliku 
ġenerali se jkunu jista’ jixt ri minikitts li jiswew €11.65. 
Barra minn hekk, mill-1 ta’ Di ċembru 2007, l-istituzzjonijiet ta’ kreditu se jiskambjaw il-lira 
Maltija f’euro u vi ċe versa, bir-rata tal-konver żjoni irrevokabbilment iffissata ming ħajr l-ebda 
ħlas tal-kambju. Madankollu, il-pubbliku ġenerali se ji ġi mfakkar li l-euro se ssir valuta legali 
biss fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2008.  
Madwar 60% ta’ l-ATMs kollha (bejn wie ħed u ieħor 150 b’kollox) mill-1 ta’ Jannar 2008 
f’0:00, se jag ħtu karti tal-flus euro b’denominazzjoni baxxa (€ 10 u 20), filwaqt li l-ATMS 
għad fadal se ji ġu konvertiti matul l-istess jum. 
2.3.3. L-amministrazzjoni pubblika 
Fuq il-ba żi ta’ l-Att dwar l-Adozzjoni  tal-Euro ta’ l-2006, li da ħal fis-seħħ fid-29 ta’ 
Settembru 2006, il-Ministru tal-Finanzi ħareġ l-Avviż Legali 4 ta’ l-2007 dwar ‘Wiri Dupli ċi 
u Prezzar bl-Euro’ (ara t-taqsima 2.3.4.)11.  
Peress li Malta m’g ħandiex zekka nazzjonali, il-muniti euro Maltin (ara l-Anness 3 g ħad-
disinji) qed ji ġu prodotti mill-Monnaie de Paris, wara sej ħa pubblika g ħall-offerti. Il-
produzzjoni bil-massa bdiet wara d-De ċiżjoni tal-Kunsill ta’ l-10 ta’ Lulju 2007 li ne ħħiet id-
deroga ta’ Malta.  
2.3.4. Il-konsumaturi u l-pubbliku ġenerali 
Il-wiri dupli ċi tal-prezzijiet f’euro u f’liri Maltin sar mandatorju wara l-iffissar tar-rata ta’ 
koverżjoni mill-Kunsill fl-10 ta’ Lulju 2007, u se jkompli jkun mandatorju sat-30 ta’ Ġunju 
2008. L-entitajiet governatti vi, in-negozji, l-organi zzjonijiet mhux bi qlig ħ jew entitajiet o ħra 
                                                 
11 Ma ħruġ f’Jannar 2007. Disponibbli fuq http://www .doi.gov.mt/EN/legalnotices/2007/default.asp . 
 
MT 8   MT kollha jridu japplikaw il-wiri dupli ċi ta’ l-ammonti monetarji, tal-prezzijiet jew tal-valuri ta’ l-
oġġetti u tas-servizzi offruti lill-konsumatur, skond l-Avvi ż Legali 4 ta’ l-2007 dwar ‘Wiri 
Dupliċi u Prezzar bl-Euro’. Bl-g ħan li n-negozji jing ħataw għajnuna u l-konsumaturi 
jingħataw informazzjoni, in-NECC ippubblika l-‘Linji ta’ Gwida g ħall-Wiri Dupli ċi’.  
Sabiex jindirizzaw il-bi żgħat tal-konsumaturi dwar żjidiet fil-prezzijiet fil-perjodu tal-bidla u 
sabiex jag ħtu kontribut g ħal prezzijiet stabbli, il-Gvern u n-NECC nedew sett komprensiv ta’ 
miżuri. 
L-ewwelnett, l-inizjattiva FAIR12 (Fair-pricing Agreements in  Retailing – Ftehimiet ta’ 
Prezzar ġust fil-Bejg ħ bl-Imnut) saret effettiva f’Jannar 2007. In-negozji li jissottoskrivu g ħal 
FAIR jimpenjaw irwie ħhom li japplikaw wiri dupli ċi korrett tal-prezzijiet u li ma j żidux il-
prezzijiet ta’ l-o ġġetti u tas-servizzi “g ħaliex qed isse ħħ bidla monetarja”13. Il-miżuri ta’ 
infurzar, b ħall-impożizzjoni tal-multi, g ħandhom ji żguraw li n-negozji jonoraw l-impenji 
tagħhom. Il-lista tan-negozji li qed jipparte ċipaw f’FAIR ġiet ippbblikata fuq is-sit web tan-
NECC; s’issa sottoskrivewha aktar minn 5,000 negozju. Ġew awtorizzati li ju żaw il-logo tal-
FAIR għal finijiet ta’ reklami, u jir ċievu appo ġġ u taħriġ min-NECC g ħat-tħejjijiet għall-bidla 
tagħhom. 
It-tieninett, l-Osservatorju dwar l-Euro, li ġie stabbilit fl-a ħħar tliet xhur ta’ l-2006, 
jikkoordina l-inizjattiva FAIR, jimmonitorja l-i żviluppi fil-prezzijiet matul il-perjodu tal-bidla 
u jwettaq investigazzjonijiet f’ka żi ta’ allegat ksur tad-dispo żizzjoni dwar il-wiri dupli ċi tal-
prezzijiet u ta’ l-impenji skond il-FAIR. L-Osse rvatorju dwar l-Euro huwa sostnut minn 70 
Assistent ta’ l-Euro. 
It-tieletnett, serje ta’ e żerċizzji ta’ ‘xiri misterju ż’ qed jitwettaq minn Trejdjunjin f’isem in-
NECC, wara sej ħa għall-offerti. Qed ji ġu monitorjati l-prezzijiet ta’ 200 prodott u ta’ 40 
servizz. Ir-ri żultati qed ji ġu analizzati sabiex ji ġu ppubblikati t-tenden zi ta’ l-ipprezzar 
speċifiċi għas-setturi kif ukoll ka żi speċifiċi ta’ żjidiet ta’ prezzijiet g ħoljin fil-perjodu tal-
bidla.  
Fl-aħħarnett, bħala regola ġenerali, l-ammonti monetarji fil-le ġiżlazzjoni nazzjonali u 
kwalunkwe ammont li g ħandu jitħallas jew ikun meqjus (e ż. ħlasijiet, penali) se ji ġu sostitwiti 
bl-ammont ekwivalenti e żatt f’euro li jirri żulta mill-applikazzjoni tar-regoli ta’ konver żjoni u 
ta’ tqarrib14. It-tqarrib, ji ġifieri l-aġġustament ta’ l-ammonti monetarji g ħal ammonti 
konvenjenti f’euro, ji ġi applikat biss f’ka żi eċċezzjonali u favur il-konsumatur, biex b’hekk 
jingħata eżempju lis-settur privat.  
2.3.5. L-attivitajiet ta’ komunikazzjoni 
Meta jitqiesu l-livelli inizjali relavattivament baxxi ta’ appo ġġ għall-euro f’Malta, fil- Ħarifa 
2006, in-NECC beda kampanja ta’ komunikazzjoni e ċċezzjonalment komprensiva u intensiva 
bi tħejjija għall-bidla. L-ewwel fa żi tal-kampanja ta’ informazzjoni (sa Mejju 2007) iffokat 
fuq il-ħolqien ta’ kuxjenza dwar il-messa ġġi ċentrali u l-benefi ċċji ta’ l-euro fost il-pubbliku 
ġenerali u f’setturi spe ċifiċi tal-konsumaturi permezz ta’ linja telefonika ta’ g ħajnuna (‘154’), 
                                                 
12 Ara http://www.mfin.gov.mt/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=fair. 
13 Ara 11.(1)(d) ta’ l-Avvi ż Legali 4 ta’ l-2007 (in-nota ta’ qieg ħ il-paġna 11).  
14 Ara l-Artikoli 4 u 5 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 1103/97 tas-17 ta' Ġunju 1997 dwar ċerti 
dispożizzjonijiet li jirrigwardaw l-introduzzjoni ta' l-Euro ( ĠU L 162, 19.6.1997, p. 1), emendat mir-
Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 2595 /2000 tas-27 ta’ Novembru 2000 ( ĠU L 300, 29.11.2000, p. 1).  
 
MT 9   MT reklami ta’ kuljum fuq it-televi żjoni u fuq ir-radju, fuljett ta' l-a ħbarijiet dwar l-euro u reklami 
ta’ kull ġimgħa fil-gazzetti nazzjonali u ar tikli mmirati f’rivisti, konferenzi u seminars. Il-
kampanja li se tkun intensifikata fit-tieni fa żi, għandha l-g ħan li tilħaq kull grupp wa ħdieni 
tas-soċjetà u għalhekk tuża għadd ta’ mezzi u ta’ g ħodod imfassla apposta (e ż. ġew żviluppati 
għodod awdjovi żivi u stampati bil-g ħan li jintla ħqu l-persuni vulnerabbli u dawk li jie ħdu 
ħsiebhom). Il-kampanja fil-midja tal-massa kienet appo ġġjata mid-distribuzzjoni ta’ 
kalendarju ta’ l-euro fid-djar ko llha u l-linja telefonika ta’ g ħajnuna (‘154’). Il-kampanja fil-
midja tal-massa tikkonsisti minn reklami ta’ kuljum fuq it-televi żjoni u fuq ir-radju, gazzetta 
dwar l-euro g ħall-pubbliku ġenerali u reklami ta’ kull ġimgħa fil-gazzetti nazzjonali kollha, u 
artikli mmirati f’rivisti, f il-konferenzi u fis-seminars. G ħall-gruppi tan-negozju fil-mira, il-
Ftehim dwar l-Ipprezzar fil-Bejg ħ bl-Imnut FAIR ing ħata attenzjoni spe ċjali. Jidher b’mod 
ċar li dawn l-attivitajiet taw il-frott peress li l-a ħħar riżultati tal-Flash Eurobarometer  juru 
titjib impressjonanti b’sostenn g ħall-euro u fil-livell osservat ta’ l-informazzjoni. 
Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea, parzjalment iffinanzjat, permezz ta’ ftehim ta’ s ħubija, il-
produzzjoni tal-pubblikazzjonijiet, il-kampanja medjatika u ħidmet l-uffi ċjali ta’ 
informazzjoni. Il-wirja tal-Kummissj oni Ewropea ‘L-euro, il-munita tag ħna’, ivvja ġġat lejn 
Malta sabiex tintwera waqt il-Fiera Kummer ċjali Internazzjonali (bejn is-27 ta’ Ġunju u t-8 
ta’ Lulju 2007). F’ Ġunju 2007, kien iffirmat ftehim ta’ s ħubija ġdid, li jkopri l-impjieg 
kontinwat ta’ l-uffi ċjali ta’ informazzjoni u kampanja medjatika kbira matul it-tieni fa żi (bejn 
Ġunju 2007 u l-15 ta’ Frar 2008).  
2.3.6. Konklu żjoni  
It-tħejjijiet pratti ċi ta’ Malta g ħall-introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro huma ferm avvanzati. L-attivitajiet 
ta’ komunikazzjoni dwar l-euro tal-pajji ż huma eċċezzjonalment komprensivi u ta’ kwalità 
ferm għolja. Malta g ħandha żżomm il-momentum tat-t ħejjijiet li g ħandha bħalissa sabiex ikun 
hemm bidla effi ċjenti u ming ħajr problemi.  
2.4. It-t ħejjijiet fis-Slovakkja 
2.4.1. Il-qafas ġenerali  
Is-Slovakkja bi ħsiebha tadotta l-euro fl-1 ta’ Ja nnar 2009 skond xenarju ta’ “big bang” 
b’perjodu ta’ ċirkolazzjoni doppja ta' 16-il jum. Is -Slovakkja adottat pjan nazzjonali 
komprensiv g ħall-bidla fis-6 ta' Lulju 2005. Minn dak i ż-żmien lilhawn, it-t ħejjijiet majnaw, 
prinċipalment min ħabba l-elezzjonijiet parlamentari ta’ Ġunju 2006. Fil-21 ta’ Marzu 2007, 
il-Gvern approva a ġġornament tal-pjan nazzjonali g ħall-bidla, li jkopri, fost l-o ħrajn, il-
frontloading  u s-sub- frontloading  tal-flus kontanti euro, il-wiri dupli ċi tal-prezzijiet u diversi 
inizjattivi li jie ħdu ħsieb kwistjonijiet ta’ pr otezzjoni tal-konsumatur.  
2.4.2. Is-settur finanzja rju u l-intrapri żi 
Il-frontloading  tal-muniti u tal-karti tal-flus euro lill-banek kummer ċjali huwa ppjanat li jibda 
f’Settembru u f’nofs Novembru 2008, rispettivament. Is-sub- frontloading  tas-settur tal-bejg ħ 
bl-imnut huwa previst g ħal Novembru u g ħal Diċembru 2008. Sa tmiem Marzu 2008, il-banek 
għandhom jinformaw lill-Bank Nazzjonali tas-Slovakkja bir-rekwi żiti tagħhom għall-karti tal-
flus u għall-muniti euro maqsuma sk ond id-denominazzjonijiet g ħall-fini tal- frontloading  kif 
ukoll l-ewwel ġimgħatejn ta’ l-2009. Huwa previst li mill-1 ta’ Jannar 2009, l-ATMs kollha se 
jqassmu euro biss, filwaqt li l-bejjieg ħa bl-imnut se jag ħtu bqija bl-euro biss. Is-sub-
 
MT 10   MT frontloading  lill-pubbliku ġenerali qabel jum l-€ b ħalissa mhux previst peress li parti 
sinifikanti mill-popolazzjoni di ġà għandha ċertu kwantita ta’ flus kontanti euro.  
Il-Bank Nazzjonali tas-Slovakkja se jkompli jiskambja l-muniti nazzjonali bla ħlas matul il-
ħames snin wara jum l-€ u l-karti tal-flus nazzjonali ming ħajr limitu ta’ żmien. Il-banek 
kummerċjali se jiskambjaw il-muniti u l-karti tal-flus koruna g ħal euro bla ħlas sa tmiem 
Ġunju u Di ċembru 2009, rispettivament. 
2.4.3. L-amministrazzjoni pubblika  
Il-Kumitat ta’ Koordi nazzjoni Nazzjonali g ħall-Bidla g ħall-Euro huwa l-korp ta’ ġestjoni u ta’ 
koordinazzjoni suprem fit-t ħejjija tal-bidla fis-Slovakkja. Il-kumitat ġie presjedut mill-
Ministru tal-Finanzi (li huw a l-Koordinatur Nazzjonali g ħall-bidla) u ko-presjedut mill-
Gvernatur tal-Bank tas-Slovakkja. F’Di ċembru 2005 in ħatar plenipotenzjarju tal-Gvern sabiex 
ikunu intensifikati l- attivitajiet ta’ t ħejjija.  
Id-disinni finali tan-na ħat nazzjonali tal-muniti euro Sl ovakki kienu approvati f’April 2007 
(ara l-Anness 3 g ħad-disinji). F’ Ġunju 2007 kien iffirmat Memorandum ta’ Fehim bejn ir-
Repubblika Slovakka, l-Istati Membri ta ż-żona euro u l-Kummissjoni Ewropea dwar il-bidu 
tal-kompiti ta’ t ħejjija qabel il-bidu tal-produzzjoni bil-massa tal-muniti euro. 
Is-Slovakkja nnominat l- awtoritajiet kompetenti g ħall-protezzjoni ta' l-euro mill-
falsifikazzjoni. B'mod partikolari,  is-Slovakkja stabilixxiet Uffi ċċju Ċentrali Nazzjonali fil-
Ministeru ta' l-Intern, kif ukoll ċentru nazzjonali g ħall-analiżi (flus karti) u ċentru ta' anali żi 
nazzjonali tal-muniti, it-tnejn fi ħdan il-Bank Nazzjonali tas-Slovakkja. Is-Slovakkja tie ħu 
sehem ukoll fil-laqg ħat regolari tal-Kumitati rilevanti kif ukoll fl-azzjonijiet ta' ta ħriġ taħt il-
programm Pericles. 
2.4.4. Il-konsumaturi u l-pubbliku ġenerali  
Il-wiri dupli ċi tal-prezzijiet kemm fil-ko runa Slovakka kif ukoll f’ euro se jkun mandatorju 
mhux aktar tard minn xahar wara  l-iffissar tar -rata tal-konver żjoni irrevokabbli. Dan l-obbligu 
se jdum g ħal 12-il xahar wara l-introduzzjoni ta’ l-euro. Il-Koordinatur Nazzjonali g ħall-bidla 
għall-euro jirrakkomada li s-settur tal-bejg ħ bl-imnut jid ħol għal impenn pubbliku sabiex 
iżomm l-istabbiltà tal-prezzijiet u ma j żidx il-prezzijiet tal-bejg ħ bl-imnut min ħabba l-bidla. 
Il-komunità tan-negozju ħejjiet kodi ċi ta’ etika dwar im ġiba ġusta matul il-perjodu tal-bidla15 
u dan kien approvat b’mod volontarju minn akta r minn 70 kumpanija, fil-parti l-kbira, kbar. 
Huwa previst li l-muni ċipalitajiet u l-ammini strazzjonijiet lokali se jaderixxu mal-kodi ċi ta’ 
etika. Barra minn hekk, il- ħlasijiet lill-Gvern ( ħlasijiet, taxxi, e ċċ.) se jitqarrbu ’l isfel, filwaqt 
li l-ħlasijiet mil-Gvern li ċ-ċittadini se jitqarrbu ’l fuq.  
L-Uffiċċju ta’ l-Istatistika tar-Repubblika Slova kka u l-Bank Nazzjonali tas-Slovakkja qed 
jippjanaw li jimmonitorjaw l-i żviluppi fil-prezzijiet b’ kooperazzjoni ma’ l-asso ċjazzjonijiet 
tal-konsumaturi billi jintu ża basket limitat ta’ l-o ġġetti ta’ konsum li li jinxtraw l-aktar ta’ 
spiss. Il-konsumaturi se jkunu informati bir-ri żultati fuq ba żi regolari.  
                                                 
15 Ara http://www.euro.gov.sk/index.php?ID=1434. 
 
MT 11   MT 2.4.5. L-attivitajiet ta’ komunikazzjoni 
Bħala parti integrali tal-pjan nazzjonali g ħall-bidla a ġġornat, il-Ministru tal-Finanzi u l-Bank 
Nazzjonali tas-Slovakkja ħejjew Strate ġija ta’ Komunikazzjoni dwar  l-Adozzjoni ta’ l-Euro. 
Il-kampanja ta’ komunikazzjoni se jkollha fil-mira tag ħha lill-pubbliku ġenerali u lil firxa ta’ 
gruppi spe ċifiċi tal-popolazzjoni, inklu żi l-minoranzi etni ċi u l-gruppi vulnerabbli. Matul l-
ewwel nofs ta’ l-2007, il-Bank Nazzjonali tas-Sl ovakkja u d-dipartimenti governattivi wettqu 
attivitajiet spe ċifiċi sabiex jinformaw lill-intrapri żi żgħar u ta’ daqs medju dwar il-benefi ċċji 
ta’ l-euro. Fil- Ħarifa 2007, il-Kummissjoni Ewropea u l-awtoritajiet Slovakki qed i ħejju l-
konklużjoni ta’ ftehim ta’ s ħubija.  
2.4.6. Konklu żjoni 
L-aġġornar tal-pjan nazzjonali tal- bidla huwa pjuttost komprensiv i żda xorta nieqes mid-
dettall f'ċerti aspetti u bosta elementi importanti g ħad iridu ji ġu ddefiniti. (e ż. dettalji dwar 
frontloading u sub-frontloading, l-irtirar tal-koruna f'kontanti,  id-dettalji ta' l-istrate ġija ta' 
komunikazzjoni). Wie ħed għandu jaħseb għall-istarter kits  għall-pubbliku ġenerali, biex i ċ-
ċittadini kollha jkollhom bi żżejjed muniti ta' l-euro g ħall-ħlas minn jum l-€, u dan 
jikkontribwixxi biex il-b idla tal-kontanti ssir aktar malajr u l-bejjieg ħa jkunu jistg ħu jagħtu l-
bqija bil-euro biss. G ħandhom jittie ħdu aktar mi żuri sabiex tkun żgurata l-kunfidenza tal-
konsumaturi fi prezzar stabbl i fil-perjodu tal-bidla, b ħall-implimentazzjoni ta’ strate ġija 
komprensiva ta’ prezzar ġust miftiehma bejn il-konsumaturi u l-bejjieg ħa bl-imnut. 
Definittivament, f’dawn l-oqsma, is-Slovakkja g ħandha ttejjeb it-t ħejjijiet tag ħha.  
2.5. It-t ħejjijiet f’pajji żi oħra 
Ir-Repubblika Ċeka tagħtina eżempju tajjeb ta' t ħejjijiet f'waqthom g ħall-bidla, fin-nuqqas ta' 
data fil-mira. Il-gvern adotta  pjan nazzjonali komprensiv g ħall-bidla fil-11 ta' April 2007. Il-
pajjiż se jagħżel il-bidla f'" big-bang " b'perjodu ta' ċirkolazzjoni doppja ta' ġimgħatejn. Il-pjan 
ta' bidla nazzjonali jkopri, inter alia , frontloading  u sub-frontloading  (minn tliet xhur u minn 
xahar qabel jum l-€ rispettivament), il-bdil ta' karti u muniti nazzjonali, il-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet, ftehim dwar prezzar ġust ma' l-impri żi tal-bejgħ bl-imnut u jag ħti l-linji ġenerali ta' 
strateġija ta' komunikazzjoni. Tqassam fuljett b'informazzjoni ġenerali dwar l-euro.  
Il-gvern ta' l-Estonja approva l- ħames verżjoni tal-pjan ta' bidla nazzjonali fil-31 ta' Ottubru 
2006, u dan ġeneralment jikkorispondi ma' dak ta' qablu. Min ħabba li ġiet abbandunata l-idea 
ta' data ta' mira spe ċifika, iżomm lura milli ssemi dati spe ċifiċi u minflok jirreferi g ħal "jum l-
€".  
Il-gvern tal-Litwanja, fi l-25 ta' April 2007 adotta a ġġornament tal-pjan ta ' bidla nazzjonali 
flimkien ma' strate ġija ġdida tal-komunikazzjoni. Il-ver żjoni l-ġdida tipprevedi, inter alia , 
perjodu itwal g ħall-wiri doppju tal-prezzijiet (120 jum qabel u wara jum l-€) u bidu aktar 
kmieni tal- frontloading  lill-banek kummer ċjali (mhux aktar tard mill-1 ta' Di ċembru).  
Ir-Rumanija ffissat l-2014 b ħala s-sena g ħall-adozzjoni ta' l-euro. 
Fl-Istati Membri l-o ħra, ma kien hemm l-ebda żviluppi sinifikanti mir-rapport pre ċedenti. 
L-Annessi 1 u 2 jipprovdu lista ta’ karatteristi ċi rilevant tal-bidla u ħarsa ġenerali lejn l-istat 
tat-tħejjijiet pratti ċi fuq livell nazzjonali. 
 
MT 12   MT 3. L- ISTAT TA ’ L-OPINJONI PUBBLIKA FL -ISTATI MEMBRI LI SSIE ĦBU REĊENTEMENT  
L-Anness 5 jag ħti ħarsa ġenerali lejn l-istat ta’ l-opinjoni pubblika fl-Istati Membri li ssie ħbu 
reċentement.  
 
MT 13   MT ANNEX  1 
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 prepar ations which are still under way. It should be 
noted that the state and degree of progress of pr eparations should be asse ssed in the context of 
the target date, as preparations tend to  speed up as the changeover approaches.  
X: Officially approved/ established and published 
(in particular in the na tional changeover plan) 
 
 BG CZ EE CY LV LT HU MT PL RO SK SE 
Changeover plan   
National target date    X    X  X X  
National Changeover Plan  X X X X X  X   X  
National Changeover Committee   X X X X X  X   X  
Cash Changeover details  
Type of scenario   X X X X X X  X   X  
Length of dual circulation period  X X X X X X X   X  
Exchange at commercial banks after 
dual circulation period  X X X X X X X   X  
Exchange at central bank after dual 
circulation period  X X X X X  X   X  
Frontloading of financial institutions   X X X X  X   X  
Sub-frontloading of retailers    X X X X  X   X  
Sub-frontloading of the general 
public   X16 X     X      
Deferred debiting17    X   X   X      
Campaign for early cash withdrawal   X X  X  X     
Arrangements for extended bank 
opening hours around €-day    X     X      
ATMs dispensing euro only as from 
€-day   X X X X  X   X  
Denominations of notes in ATMs 
specified   X  X     X      
Transport and storage for euro cash   X X    X     
Transport and storage for legacy 
cash   X X X   X     
Change only given in euro by 
retailers as from €-day   X X  X  X   X  
Coin starter kits for retailers    X    X     
Coins mini-kits for general public    X    X     
Design of national side of the euro 
coins   X X  X  X   X  
Supply arrangements for euro coins   X X    X     
                                                 
16 Exchange at banks at the conversion rate without service fees. 
17 I.e. debiting of frontloaded euro cash at a date later than the date of delivery of the frontloaded cash. 
 
MT 14   MT  BG CZ EE CY LV LT HU MT PL RO SK SE 
Further changeover details   
Necessary adaptations of national 
law identified   X X X X  X   X  
Dual display of prices before €-day  X X X X X  X   X  
Dual display of prices after €-day  X X X X X  X   X  
Dual display of utility bills   X X    X   X  
Dual display of civil servants’ wages    X    X     
Voluntary dual display of prices   X   X  X   X  
Agreements on price stability or fair 
pricing     X X X  X   X  
Price monitoring projects   X X X X  X   X  
Training for cash handlers   X X X   X   X  
Accounting adaptations    X X X   X   X  
Share capital conversion   X X    X   X  
Rounding rules in legislation   X X    X   X  
Evaluation of the costs involved for 
the public sector              
Twinning agreement     X  X X X X  X  
Communication activities  
Communication strategy    X X X X  X   X  
Partnership agreement   X X  X  X     
 
MT 15   MT ANNEX  2  
State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Bulgaria Czech Republic 
Changeover plan   
National target date for 
euro adoption   The preliminary target date (1 January 2010) has been 
withdrawn by the government on 25 October 2006. No 
new date has been officially set for the time being. 
National co-ordinating institution  On 23 November 2005, the Depu ty Minister of Finance 
was appointed as the National Co-ordinator of Euro 
Adoption. The National Co-ordination Group was 
established and held its fi rst meeting on 20 February 
2006. Two other meetings we re organised during 2006 
and one in February 2007. Six Working Groups were 
established for particular areas of preparatory activity for 
the euro.  
On 28 March 2007, a new National Co-ordinator for 
Euro Adoption was appointed by the Czech government. 
(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 the Introduction of 
the Euro in the Czech Republic were adopted by the 
Government on 23 November 2005. 
The first National Changeover Plan was approved by the 
Czech government on 11 April 2007:  
http://www.mfcr.cz/cps/rd e/xbcr/mfcr/Narodni_plan_ver
ze_10-FV_pdf.pdf 
Changeover details   
Type of scenario  "Big bang". 
On 30 June 2006, the National Co-ordination Group 
adopted a recommendation to the government 
concerning the changeover scenario, suggesting that it 
opt for the "big bang" scenario. The recommendation was approved by the govern ment on 25 October 2006. 
Dual circulation period  The length of this period is intended to be 2 full calendar 
weeks as from €-day. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins  The Czech National Bank, commercial banks and other 
selected entities will exchange cash for at least 6 months 
after€-day. After the 6 months period, the legacy 
currency will be only exchangeable at the Czech 
National Bank. The length of the banknote exchange 
period has still to be decided; coins will be exchangeable 
for a period of 5 years. 
 
MT 16   MT  Bulgaria Czech Republic 
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins   
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading  Frontloading of banks will start 3 months ahead of €-day 
and sub-frontloading of the non-financial sector will start 
one month ahead. 
ATMs issuing euro only   
Change in euro only   
Dual display of prices  Dual display of prices will be introduced within one 
month after the fixing of the conversion rate and will continue for 12 months after the changeover date. 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers)  A voluntary commitment of retailers (fair-pricing 
agreement) is planned. In addition, a 'memorandum of 
understanding', to be signed by the retail and services 
sector and the consumer pr otection associations, is 
envisaged. These measures are planned to be 
implemented no later than one  month after the fixing of 
the conversion rate. 
Adaptation of national 
law  The necessary adaptations of national law for the 
introduction of the euro are being analysed in the 
framework of the Working Group for Legislation of the 
National Co-ordination Group. A special group will be 
constituted in order to prepare the General Act on the Euro Introduction in the Czech Republic. 
Euro banknotes and coins   
Design of the national side 
  Competition under consideration. 
Nr of different coin 
designs   
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. 
Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins  230 million banknotes and 950 million coins. 
Communication activities   
Communication 
strategy  Under preparation within th e framework of the Working 
Group for Communication.  
 
MT 17   MT  Bulgaria Czech Republic 
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Government/Ministry 
of Finance; 
Central Bank  Governmental EU info rmation department: 
http://www.euroskop.cz/euro 
Ministry of Finance: 
http:// www.mfcr.cz/euro 
Czech National Bank: 
http://www.cnb.cz/cz/mezi narodni_vzta hy/euro/ 
Ministry of Industry and Trade: 
http://www.mpo.cz/cz/eu-a-vni trni-trh/euro-pristoupeni-
cr-k-eurozone/default.html 
Partnership agreement   
Other issues   
ERM II entry   
Twinning agreement  Project with the National Bank of Belgium, Czech 
Ministry of Finance and the Czech National Bank, to be 
approved by the EC.  
 
MT 18   MT State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Estonia Cyprus 
Changeover plan   
National target date for euro 
adoption  Estonia targets euro area membership as soon as 
possible (2011 being the earliest possible envisaged 
date according to current inflation forecasts). 1 January 2008 
National co-ordinating 
institution The National Changeover Committee, chaired by 
the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, 
was set up on 27 January 2005. Joint co-ordination by the Minister of Finance and the 
Central bank of Cyprus, established on 29 December 
2004. 
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  The first draft of the euro adoption plan was 
approved by the government on 1 September 2005: 
http://www.fin.ee/index.php?id=13324 . 
The fifth version of Estonia's National Changeover 
Plan was approved by the government on 31 
October 2006: 
http://euro.eesti.ee/EU/Prod/Euroveeb/Main_Page/l
eft_menu_content4748/Changeover_to_the_euro_in
_Estonia/europlaan_en.jsp  The National Changeover Plan was approved by the 
National Advisory Committee on 29 March 2006 and by 
the Council of Ministers on 13 July 2006. An updated 
version was approved by the Ministry of Finance, with 
the consent of the Central Bank of Cyprus, on 21 June 
2007. Part of the National Changeover Plan is the Cash 
Changeover Plan, which was published by the Central 
Bank of Cyprus as a separate  document. Both plans are 
published on the national euro website ( www.euro.cy ). 
The Cash Changeover plan is also published on the 
website of the Central Bank of Cyprus 
(http://www.centralbank.gov. cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=476
4). 
 
Changeover details    
Type of scenario "Big bang". 
 "Big bang".  
Dual circulation period  Two weeks. 1-31 January 2008. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins Banknotes and coins: comme rcial banks at least 
6 months after €-day free of charge, some branches 
12 months. Central Bank indefinitely, free of 
charge. 'The exchange of national banknotes and coins is 
governed by the 'umbrella law' ('Adoption of the Euro 
Law 2007'). The Law provides for the exchange of 
banknotes and coins by the Central Bank for 10 years 
and 2 years, respectively. Commercial banks will 
exchange national banknotes and coins for euro, free of 
charge, at least for th e amount of CYP 1000 for 
banknotes and CYP 50 for coins per transaction, for a 
period of 6 months after €-day. There will be no limits or 
charges for deposits at commercial banks of national 
banknotes and coins during the 6-months period.  
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 de posit campaigns. A campaign to encourage citizens to use hoarded cash or 
to deposit it with banks before the introduction of the 
euro has been launched in November 2006 and will be 
intensified in September 2007. 
 
MT 19   MT  Estonia Cyprus 
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. Frontloading and sub-frontloading of banknotes will start 
on 19 November 2007, and frontloading and sub-
frontloading of coins on 22 October 2007. 
The frontloading of coins will be carried out from a Coin 
Centre.  
Starter-kits will be available at banks both to businesses 
and the general public as from 3 December 2007. 
ATMs issuing euro only  All ATMs will dispense euro only within 48h as of 
€-day. Commercial banks will dispense only small 
denomination euro banknotes (10- and 20-euro 
banknotes) from ATMs as from €-day. During the first hour of 1 January 2008, around 70% of each banks' 
ATMs, which includes all machines operating at central 
locations, will dispense  only euro banknotes. The 
remaining ATMs will be converted to dispensing only 
euro banknotes at the latest by noon on the same day. 
Change in euro only In general, change will be given in euro, but the 
option of giving change in kroon remains for the 
dual circulation period. The retail sector will be sub -frontloaded with euro coins 
so as to give change in  euro only as from €-day. 
Dual display of prices Compulsory: 6 months before and after €-day. A ccording to the 'Adoption of the Euro 2007 law', the 
dual display of prices will be mandatory from 1 
September 2007 until 30 September 2008. 
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. 
Leaflets containing information on the euro were 
made available to th e public in summer 2006. The Ministry of Finance is implementing an action plan 
for enhancing consumer c onfidence. The measures 
undertaken include mandatory dual display of prices, the 
establishment of euro observa tories and the introduction 
of the Fair Pricing Code. 
Adaptation of national law Draft Act on the Introduction of the Euro ('umbrella 
law') and draft amendments to the Business Code 
are in the final stage of inter-ministerial 
consultation.  The 'Adoption of the Euro 2007 law' for the introduction 
of the euro was adopted by Parliament on 15 March 
2007. Amendments to this la w were adopted on 21 June 
2007. 
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national side Design selected and published in December 2004. The gove rnment of Cyprus approved the designs for the 
national sides of the euro coins on 22 June 2006. The 
designs were unveiled on 11 October 2006 
Nr of different coin designs One design. Three designs. 
Coin supplier  Coins will be minted by the Finnish Mint which was 
selected through a tender procedure. 
Estimation on the need for 
banknotes and coins 150-200 million coins. 79 million banknotes (value €1730m), 395 million coins 
(value € 100.26m). 
 
MT 20   MT  Estonia Cyprus 
Communication activities    
Communication strategy Endorsed by the National Changeover Committee 
on 21 June 2005 and updated on 18 May 2006. A Comprehensive Strategic Communication Plan for the 
Adoption of the Euro in the Republic of Cyprus was 
approved by the Council of Ministers on 5 April 2006. In 
addition, the Central Bank of Cyprus prepared its own 
euro information campaign plan. Both plans are 
published on the national euro website ( www.euro.cy ). 
The Central Bank’s euro information campaign plan is 
also published on the Bank’s website 
(http://www.centralbank.gov. cy/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=442
5). 
Realisation of the planned communication activities is 
handled by a PR/Advertising agency in close co-
operation with the Ministry of Finance and the Central 
Bank of Cyprus, especially for issues relating to 
consumer confidence bui lding measures and cash 
changeover matters. 
According to the communication campaign plans, the 
campaign will be intensified immediately after the 
abrogation of the derogation, and all events will be 
announced on the national euro website and the Central 
Bank’s website.  
Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation 
date: Government/Ministry 
of Finance; Central Bank www.euro.eesti.ee
, launched in January 2006. www.euro.cy , activated on 31 May 2006 as part of the 
communication campaign's official kick-off event. Other 
government websites provide links to the changeover 
website. The Central Bank's website 
(www.centralbank.gov.cy) also provides information and 
links regarding the changeover.  
On 11 June 2007, a free telephone line has been 
launched.  
Partnership agreement Signed 8 November 2005. Signed on 5 May 2006. 
Other issues    
ERM II entry 28 June 2004 2 May 2005 
Twinning agreement  Between IE – MT – CY: communication and information 
strategy (finalised); between GR – CY: technical issues 
related to the changeover. 
 
 
MT 21   MT State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Latvia Lithuania 
Changeover plan   
National target date for 
euro adoption  The specific target date has not been set. The specific target date has not been set. According to 
the government, Lithuania will aim to join the euro area 
as soon as possible and the more favourable period for 
Lithuania to join the euro area starts from 2010.  
National co-ordinating institution The Steering Committee for the preparation and co-
ordination of the euro changeover was established on 18 
July 2005. Commission for the Co-ordination of the Adoption of the 
Euro in Lithuania, established on 30 May 2005. 
(Approved) National Changeover Plan  The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia 
approved the Action Plan for Implementation of the 
Single European Currency 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). The second version of the National Changeover Plan was 
approved by the government on 25 April 2007 and 
published:  
http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter 3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id
=296518&p_query=&p_tr2= (Translation is under 
preparation and will be posted on www.euro.lt)  
Changeover details    
Type of scenario "Big bang". 
 "Big bang". 
Dual circulation period  One month. 15 days. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins Commercial banks, currency exchange offices and post 
offices for 6 months after €-day free of charge; the Bank 
of Latvia will exchange wit hout time limit free of charge.Commercial banks: free of charge for 60 days after €-
day. Central bank: free of ch arge for an unlimited period.
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins Not envisaged due to the high nominal value of coins in 
Latvia and their intensive us e in day-to-day payments. Consumers will be encouraged to deposit cash with 
banks as early as possible. 
Frontloading and sub-frontloading Frontloading to banks starts one month before €-day 
(1 December), sub-frontloading two weeks before €-day 
(15 December) - (precondition: euro banknotes and coins 
may not be publicly circulated before €-day). 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 during the last 
month before €-day. 
ATMs issuing euro only  As from € day ATMs will dispense euro banknotes only.  As from €-day ATMs will dispense euro banknotes. 
Change in euro only After the end of the dual circulation period.  Recommendation to give change in euro only. 
 
MT 22   MT  Latvia Lithuania 
Dual display of prices Compulsory three months from before until one year 
after €-day. Compulsory: 120 calendar days before €-day until 120 
days after €-day; voluntary: recommendation to use dual 
display as early as possible after the fixing of the 
conversion rate. 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers) Monitoring of price developments in the retail trade, 
verification of the accuracy of price displays and 'fair 
trader' campaign envisaged. 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 'Umbrella law' on basic provisions for the euro 
changeover in Latvia is currently being prepared. All 
ministries are involved in re viewing national legislation 
to identify the necessary amendments and new 
legislation required. A Law on the Adoption of the Euro has been drafted 
(rules on conversion and excha nge of the litas to the 
euro, withdrawal of litas fro m circulation, publication of 
the images of notes and coins, redenomination of 
securities, dual display of prices etc.). The law will be 
adopted once the decision to lift the derogation has been 
taken.  
All existing legal acts that need to be adapted with a 
view to the euro were identified by December 2005.  
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national 
side 
 In process. 
 Approved. 
Nr of different coin 
designs Four designs. Three designs. 
Coin supplier Coins will be minted abroad followi ng a call for tender. Lithuanian Mint. 
Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins 87 million banknotes and 300 million 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. 
Communication activities    
Communication 
strategy 'Communication strategy for the euro changeover in 
Latvia' approved by the Steering Committee of Latvia's 
euro implementation proj ect on 12 April 2006. The 'Public information and communication strategy on 
the adoption of the euro of Lithuania' was approved by 
the government on 29 September 2005. The second 
version was approved by the government on 25 April 
2007 and published:  
http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter 3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id
=296518&p_query=&p_tr2= . ( Translation is under 
preparation and will be posted on www.euro.lt)  
 
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Ministry of 
Finance/Government; 
Central Bank Planned euro changeover website: www.eiro.lv . A 
working group has been set up to develop  the concept of 
this site . 
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. A national website ( www.euro.lt ) was launched in May 
2007. 
Websites of the Bank of Lithuania ( www.lb.lt ) and of the 
Ministry of Finance ( www.finmin.lt ).  
 
MT 23   MT  Latvia Lithuania 
Partnership agreement  Signed on 8 November 2005. 
Other issues    
ERM II entry 2 May 2005 28 June 2004 
Twinning agreement  Between NL – SI – LT: communication and information 
strategy;  
between BE – LT on tax-related questions;  
between BE – LT on departme ntal management related 
to the changeover.  
 
MT 24   MT State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Hungary Malta 
Changeover plan   
National target date for 
euro adoption  The Convergence Programme of 1 December 2006 aims 
at meeting the Maastricht cr iteria in 2009. A new target 
date for the adoption of the euro has not been specified. 1 January 2008 
National co-ordinating 
institution Preparatory work is ongoing in the Ministry of Finance 
and Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary). Two Committees appointed on 13 June 2005: a Steering 
Committee and a National Euro Changeover Committee 
(NECC) reporting to it. 
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  In 2006, the Central Bank prepared a proposal for a 
national changeover plan focusing on its tasks. A 
summary of this proposal was published in October 
2006. The Second Updated Master Plan for the Euro 
Changeover in Malta was a dopted by the government on 
12 June 2006:  
http://mfin.gov.m t/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=downlo
ads. 
The Third Updated Master Plan for the Euro Changeover 
in Malta was published by the NECC in February 2007: 
http://mfin.gov.m t/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=downlo
ads. 
The 'Final Masterplan' was published by the NECC on 
11 July 2007: 
http://mfin.gov.m t/page.aspx?site=NECC&page=downlo
ads. 
Changeover details   
Type of scenario "Big bang".  "Big bang". 
Dual circulation period  One month. January 2008. 
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins  Credit institutions and post offices: at least during the 
dual circulation period.  
Magyar Nemzeti Bank: in the case of banknotes for 20 
years and in the case of coins for 5 years after the end of 
the dual circulation period. As from 2 January 2008, credit institutions will exchange 
Maltese lira notes and coins into euro notes and coins, 
free of charge for their clients and up to a 'household 
amount' of MTL 250 for non-bank clients. In the case of 
bank clients, exchange amounts of more than 250 MTL 
may be subject to a ‘2 day’ notice period. For both notes 
and coins, free exchange is planned to be provided until 
the end of March 2008.  
The Central Bank of Malta will continue to exchange 
Maltese lira coins and notes for two years and ten years, 
respectively, after the Maltese lira ceases to be legal 
tender (31 January 2008). All cash exchanges will be 
subject to anti-money- laundering regulations. 
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins  A de-hoarding campaign is planned by the NECC and 
the Central Bank of Malta. The campaign will target the 
general public and specific target groups and unfold as of 
mid-2007 (after the decision lifting Malta's derogation). 
The Currency and Bank Depos its Registration Scheme 
(Amendment) Regulations (Legal Notice 126 of 2007) 
provided an opportunity for the general public and 
businesses to register undeclared income until the end of 
July 2007 
(http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/ legalnotices/2007/04/LN%2
0126.pdf ). 
 
MT 25   MT  Hungary Malta 
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading  Frontloading to credit institutions is planned to start from 
late September/ea rly October 2007 and sub-frontloading 
by credit institutions to businesses and other cash 
handlers is planned to start from 1 December 2007. 
As from 1 December 2007, credit institutions will 
exchange Maltese lira into euro, and vice versa, at the 
irrevocably fixed conversi on rate without exchange 
charges. 
Coin starter-kits for businesses (worth € 131) will be 
available at commercial banks from 1 December 2007, 
while mini-kits for the public (worth € 11.65) will be 
available from the banks and authorised channels from 
10 December 2007. In addition, from 1 December 2007 
commercial banks will offer low denomination euro 
notes to the business community (with exchange charges 
waived), subject to availability. 
ATMs issuing euro only   Around 60% of all ATMs (at least one ATM in all major 
localities) will dispense euro banknotes as from 1 
January 2008 at 00:00h, while the remaining ATMs will 
be converted in the course of the same day – 85 to 90% 
by noon and the remaining by 16:00h on 1 January 2008. 
This agreement was reached following a study on 
historic data concerning typical withdrawal cycles on 31 
December 2005 and 2006, to ensure that enough ATMs 
will remain meeting demand requirements for Maltese 
lira notes on 31 December 2007. 
Change in euro only  As from 1 January 2008, all change will be given in 
euro. 
Dual display of prices  Mandatory dual display of prices from the irrevocable 
fixing of the conversion rate until 30 June 2008. 
Voluntary dual display has been promoted by the NECC 
since 1 January 2007. Gove rnment departments and 
agencies have been fully dual display compliant since 
April 2007. 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers)  In order to address consumers'  fears of price increases in 
the changeover period, the government and the NECC 
launched initiatives that inte nd to empower the consumer 
and to prevent the retailer from increasing prices: 
The FAIR (Fair-pricing Agreements in Retailing) 
initiative became effective in January 2007. The 
initiative invites businesses to voluntarily subscribe to 
FAIR and thus to commit themselves to apply correct 
dual display of prices and not to increase prices due to 
the euro changeover. Legislation and enforcement 
measures, including the possibility to impose administrative fines, are in place to ensure that 
businesses honour their commitments. The FAIR 
initiative receives positive feedback from the business 
community, with well ove r 5 000 businesses having 
subscribed to it so far. 
The Euro Observatory, which was established in the last 
quarter of 2006, is in charge of co-ordinating the FAIR 
initiative and of monitoring pricing trends during the 
changeover period. Moreover, 70 Euro Assistants are 
responsible for providing support and training to the 
retail sector, with a view to ensuring that the rules on 
dual display of prices are correctly applied and that the 
commitments undertaken by businesses under the FAIR 
initiative are honoured.  
 
MT 26   MT  Hungary Malta 
A 'Price Watch' Initiative is being conducted. A twinning 
agreement is well underway with the former Austrian 
Price Commission, where one of the main deliverables of 
the agreement was the planning and starting up of this 
initiative. 
A series of anonymous 'mystery shopping' exercises are 
being conducted. The results of the shopping exercises 
are being analysed with a view to publishing sector 
specific pricing trends, as well  as specific cases of high 
price increases over the changeover period. 
Adaptation of national law  The Euro Adoption Act 2006 entered into force on 29 
September 2006. Legal Notice 4 of 2007, issued in 
January 2007, mainly regulates details of the mandatory 
dual display of prices. 
 
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national 
side  The three designs for the national sides of the Maltese 
euro coins were selected fo llowing a public consultation; 
the final designs were publis hed by the Central Bank on 
13 October 2006. 
Nr of different coin designs  Three designs. 
Coin supplier National Mint. As Malta does not have a national mint, the Maltese euro 
coins will be produced by the Monnaie de Paris, the mint 
chosen following a public call for tenders 
Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins 0,5 billion banknotes and 1 billion coins. Estimated 80 million euro notes. 
Estimated 200 million euro 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, such as 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. 
The NECC launched its information campaign in June 
2006. The NECC unveiled the slogan 'the euro – in our 
common interest' and launched a three-digit helpline 
which has proven popular among the general public. The 
campaign includes public relations initiatives, articles on 
national newspapers and maga zines and an advertising 
campaign. The team of information officers is also 
constantly participating in television and radio 
programmes as well as givi ng public talks to NGOs, 
local councils and other important multipliers. A specific 
campaign targeting businesses in planned in autumn. 
 
MT 27   MT  Hungary Malta 
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Ministry of 
Finance/Government; 
Central Bank www.euro.mnb.hu (activated in December 2006) NECC: http://www.euro.gov.mt 
Central Bank of Malta: 
http://www.centralbankmalta .com/site/euroadoption.html
Ministry of Finance: http://mfin.gov.mt 
Partnership agreement  Signed on 5 May 2006. 
Other issues    
ERM II entry  2 May 2005 
Twinning agreement Between AT and HU: communication and information 
strategy (finalised) Between IE – MT – CY: co mmunication and information 
strategy (finalised). 
Between AT-MT: establishing procedures around price 
monitoring and analysis, as well as measures for building 
up price awareness and consumer confidence in the 
changeover period. 
Between FR-MT: The main objective of this twinning is 
to build the NECC’s capacity, enabling it to educate and 
provide public and consumer in formation. This includes: 
Study visits to learn about the challenges posed by 
changeover in euro zone countries; 
Training in communication with 
vulnerable/disadvantaged groups; 
Training in Six Sigma Methodology; 
Training to euro assistants on how to inform and educate 
retailers; 
Cooperation with representativ es of sectoral committees 
and task forces; 
Support to the business awareness campaign; 
Training on broadcasting. 
 
MT 28   MT State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Poland Romania 
Changeover plan    
National target date for 
euro adoption   2014 
National co-ordinating 
institution Inter-institutional working gr oup Ministry of Finance / 
national central bank. 
Note:  The national central bank established the 'Bureau 
for the Integration with the Euro Area' , the main task 
of which is to  prepare a report on Poland's membership 
in the euro area. The report, which is planned to be 
finalised by the end of 2008, will notably define the 
optimal conditions for the adop tion of the euro in Poland 
and provide guidance for decisions taken in the 
process of the adoption of the euro  
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan   
Changeover details    
Type of scenario   
Dual circulation period   
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins   
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins   
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading   
ATMs issuing euro only   
Change in euro only   
Dual display of prices   
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers)   
Adaptation of national   
 
MT 29   MT  Poland Romania 
law 
Euro banknotes and coins    
Design of the national 
side 
 Public survey.  
Nr of different coin 
designs   
Coin supplier National Mint.  
Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins Between 4 and 5 billion coins.  
Communication activities    
Communication 
strategy   
Addresses of websites 
on euro changeover, 
activation date: 
Government/Ministry 
of Finance; 
Central Bank   
Partnership agreement   
Other issues    
ERM II entry   
Twinning agreement Between DE – PL: communi cation and information 
strategy and practical issues.  
 
 
MT 30   MT State of practical preparations (June 2007) 
 
 Slovakia Sweden 
Changeover plan    
National target date for 
euro adoption  1 January 2009 Not decided. 
National co-ordinating 
institution The National Coordination Committee is the supreme 
managing and coordination body preparing the euro 
changeover. It is chaired by the Minister of Finance 
(being the National Coordinator for the changeover) and 
the Governor of the Bank of Slovakia.  
(Approved) National 
Changeover Plan  The first version of the National Changeover Plan was 
approved on 6 July 2005. On 21 March 2007, the 
government endorsed an update of this plan : 
http://www.nbs.sk/EURINT/EURO/NP_AKT.PDF  
(Slovak)  
http://www.nbs.sk/ZAKLNBS/PUBLIK/BROZURY/N
ARPLANA.PDF  (English).   
Changeover details    
Type of scenario "Big bang".  
Dual circulation period  16 days.  
Exchange of national 
banknotes and coins Commercial banks exchange banknotes until end 2009 
and coins until June 2009 (free of charge). The Central 
Bank exchanges banknotes w ithout time limit and coins 
for 5 years.  
Campaign for rapid 
withdrawal of national 
banknotes and coins   
Frontloading and sub-
frontloading Commercial banks will be able to receive from the 
National Bank of Slovakia frontloaded supplies of euro 
coins from September 2008 and supplies of euro 
banknotes from mid-November 2008. The sub-
frontloading of the retail sector will take place in 
November to December 2008.   
ATMs issuing euro only  As of €-day ATMs will dispense euro only.  
Change in euro only Change will be given in euro only.  
Dual display of prices Compulsory: from one month after the fixing of the 
conversion rate to one year after euro adoption. 
Voluntary: for further 6 months.  
 
MT 31   MT  Slovakia Sweden 
Consumer confidence 
building measures (e.g. 
agreements with 
retailers) Evolution of prices in 2008 and 2009 will be closely 
monitored; consumers will be informed of the results; 
consumers can raise complain ts with supervisory bodies 
or apply to the courts; volunt ary ethical code has been 
drafted with retailers and entrepreneurs. 
With the aim of facilitating the euro changeover for 
citizens and of protecting them  against unjustified price 
increases, the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak 
Republic prepared a 'White Paper on Consumer 
Protection in the euro changeover process'.  
Adaptation of national 
law 'Umbrella law' is planned to be adopted by the end of 
2007 so that it could be effective from 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 
 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. Slightly revised designs 
were approved in April 2007.  
Nr of different coin 
designs Three designs.  
Coin supplier National Mint.  
Estimation on the need 
for banknotes and coins 188 million banknotes, 400 million coins.  
Communication activities    
Communication 
strategy 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 http://www.nbs.sk/EURI NT/EURO/INDEX.HTM  
http://www.nbs.sk/MEDZ INAR/EU/INDEXA.HTM  
http://www.finance.gov .sk/En/Default.aspx  
www.euro.gov.sk   
www.euromena.sk    
Partnership agreement   
Other issues    
ERM II entry 28 November 2005  
 
MT 32   MT  Slovakia Sweden 
Twinning agreement Between AU – SK: communication and information 
strategy (finalised); 
Between BE – SK: technical issues related to the 
changeover (finalised).  
 
 
MT 33   MT ANNEX  3 
Euro coins designs of the future nation al sides of Slovakia, Malta and Cyprus  
Cyprus 
 
  
  
2 euro, 1 euro 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent 5 cent, 20 cent, 1 cent 
Malta 
 
  
  
2 euro, 1 euro 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent 5 cent, 20 cent, 1 cent 
Slovakia  
 
  
  
2 euro, 1 euro 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent 5 cent, 20 cent, 1 cent 
 
 
MT 34   MT ANNEX  4 
Information and communication  policy at Community level 
 
The European Commission has continued to implement a whole range of communication 
activities on the euro and EMU in close co-operation with Member States and other Community institutions. In partic ular it continued to implement partnership agreements with a 
number of Member States preparing for the introduction of the euro: Slovenia, Estonia, 
Lithuania, Malta and Cyprus. The partnershi p agreement with Slovenia was successfully 
brought to a close following the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2007, and discussions 
are now at an advanced stage with the Slovak Republic for the conclusion of a new partnership agreement in the second half of the year.  
The purpose of the partnership agreements is to provide technical and fi nancial support to the 
Member States for their national euro communication campaigns. They provide the 
framework within which the Commission s upports various activities developed by the 
national authorities, such as publications, media campai gns, promotional material, 
conferences and seminars, competitions, opinion  polls, etc. The Comm ission also concluded 
grant agreements in June with Malta and C yprus to co-finance thei r national communication 
activities. 
The Commission has also, since the beginning of the year, conducted on its own account a 
number of activities linked to the enlargemen t of the euro area, such as opinion polls and 
surveys, conferences, and seminars for journalists  both in Brussels and in the Member States. 
It has also produced brochures, posters, CD-R OMS and promotional material for the general 
public
18 and a new website dedicated to the euro19. Moreover, it has developed a new 
exhibition on the euro and EMU wh ich will travel to various Memb er States, starting in Malta 
in June/July and in Cyprus  after the summer break.  
Preparing citizens in Cyprus and Malta for the euro introduction has be en a priority for the 
Commission's communication policy in the first half of 2007 and will continue to be so for the 
remainder of the year.  
                                                 
18 http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/general/general_en.htm 
19 http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/our_currency_en.htm 
 
MT 35   MT ANNEX  5 
State of public opinion in the recently acceded Member States  
The European Commission commissioned a Eurobarometer survey on public opinion in the 
recently acceded Member States concerning their attitudes towards and knowledge about the introduction of the euro, and Gallup Europe c onducted the survey at  the end of March 2007
20. 
It was the fifth such Eurobarometer survey (following the ones in September 2004 and 2005 as well as in April and September 2006). Sloveni a was no longer covered since it adopted the 
euro on 1 January 2007. Bulgaria and Romania,  however, were covered for the first time, 
having joined the EU on the sa me date. In total, over 11 000 randomly select ed citizens were 
interviewed. 
1. Familiarity with and knowledge about the euro 
The March 2007 results broadly confirm the results of the previous surveys as to familiarity 
and knowledge about the euro. Respondents we re relatively familiar with the common 
currency: 77% had already seen euro banknotes of which some 62% had already used them, 
and 68% had already seen euro coins of which 60% had used them already. The usage of euro 
banknotes and coins was as usual particularly high in the Czech Republic, Cyprus and Malta – and also this time in Romania.  
In addition to these practical aspects, the surv ey also tested the respondents' knowledge of the 
euro's general features. Here the results were mixed. More respondents than  in the last survey 
were aware that the design of banknotes was the same in all countries (50%, up from 45%) 
but fewer people knew about the partly different  designs of euro coins (31%, down from 37% 
in autumn 2006). The enlargement of the euro area to Slovenia unsurpr isingly increased the 
uncertainty as to how many euro-a rea Member States there are. Only 28% of the interviewees 
were able to give the correct  answer of 13 countries (down from 40% in autumn 2006) while 
25% did not know, up from 17% previously. A re latively stable majori ty of citizens (64%, 
previously 67%) in the survey ed countries believed that th eir country had the option of 
deciding whether it would adopt the euro or not. 
Regarding the expected date of  introduction of the eu ro, the results show  a continued shift 
since 2006, corresponding to actual developments. An overwhelming majority in Cyprus and 
Malta expect the euro to be a dopted in those countri es in 2008, which is indeed the official 
national target date, and a strong majority in Slovakia expect eu ro adoption in 2009. The 
absence of national target dates in most other countries results in very divergi ng expectations 
among the population, reflecting the high degree of uncertainty.  
2. Perceptions of and support for the single European currency 
Similarly to previous 2006 findings, citizens in the recently acceded Member States are 
prepared – at least mentally – to have their cu rrency replaced by the euro: 48% were very or 
rather happy about a future changeover, whic h is comparable to April and September 2006. 
The trends vary strongly from one country to an other, with the relative share of citizens happy 
about the euro changeover increa sing in five of the eleven re cently acceded Member States 
                                                
 
20 Flash Eurobarometer 207.  
 
MT 36   MT compared to the results of the autumn 2006 su rvey. Most notably, the support increased in 
Cyprus by 8 percentage points to  a support rate of 40% and in Malta by 6 percen tage points to 
a support rate of 54%. The level of support in the othe r four countries had slightly decreased 
or remained unchanged from September 2006 (no comparison can be made in the case of 
Bulgaria and Romania since they were covered here for the first time).  
 Are people happy that the euro will replace their national currency?
23 21 26 24 285964 64 65 64
4/20 079/20 064/2 0069/2 0059 /2 004
Q12.(2 007)/Q 15(2 00 6). Are you per so n ally happy 
or  not tha t  th e e uro c ou ld repl ace  t he 
(NA TIONA L CURRENCY)?CYPRU S
40323949585249
404053
4/20079/200 64/20 069/2 0059/ 20 0 4CZECH REPUBLIC
46 4439333946 475258 55
4/20 079/2 0064 /20069/20059/200 4ESTO NI A
33 32 31242957 57 60 6457
4/ 20 0 79/20064/200 69/200 59/20 04HU NGA RY
49 46564956
3745
35 3733
4/20079/20064/200 69/20 059 /2 004
LI THUANI A
31 32 33253455 53 5669
58
4/20079/200 64/20 069/2 0059 /2004LAT VI A
59
24
4/ 20 0 79/20064/200 69/200 59/20 04MAL TA
40 4148 49
425448
41 4133
4 /2 0079/20064/200 69/200 59/20 04POLAND
46 49
42 41403450 49
3954
4/200 79/20 064/2 0069 /20059/2004
SLOVAKIA
57 5550
36 36424254 50
36
4/20079/200 64/20 069/2 0059/ 20 0 4% very and rather happy % very and rather unhappy
45
334/20079/200 64/20 069/20059/2004BU LGARIA ROMANIA
 
Generally, citizens expect that the euro will be more positive for their country than for 
themselves as individuals. 53% (u p from 50% in autumn 2006) think that it will have a rather 
or very positive effect for the country. 48% (up from 44%) expect very or rather positive 
consequences for themselves personally. Only 24% of the respondents w ould like the euro to 
become their currency as soon as possible.  
3. Expectations and fears regardi ng the adoption of the euro 
The September results broadly confirm previous surveys as regards citizens' expectations of 
the euro. There is still a broadly shared recogn ition in the recently acceded Member States of 
the euro’s status as an international curre ncy and that there are a number of benefits 
associated with their countr y's adoption of the euro.  
The questionnaire was changed this time to differe ntiate more clearly be tween expectations of 
one-off changeover effects in the short term, and expectations of medium- and long-term 
effects on prices. Thus, while in  the previous survey only 28% believed that the euro would 
help maintain price stability, this time 55% id entified ensuring price stability as one of the 
main advantages of the euro. On the other ha nd, the survey sends a clear message about the 
fears during the changeover period: 75% thought th at the euro will increas e prices when first 
introduced. 
 
MT 37   MT Regarding the euro's economic or political e ffects, respondents gene rally acknowledge that 
positive effects will appear in the area of public finances (46%, +2). Citizens also seem to be 
more positive about the impact of  the euro on growth and employment: now 43% (+3) think it 
will improve the situation in this area while 36% (-3) think it will have a negative effect.  
4. Information and information channels 
The results of the March 2007 survey reveal a slight decrease in th e perceived information 
level on average. 37% of the respondents thought th at they were rather or  very well informed 
(40% in autumn 2006) while 61% think they ar e not (up from 58%). This is due both to 
Slovenia, which had a very high level of per ceived information, no lo nger being covered by 
the survey, and a significant fall in the figure fo r Poland. For all other countries, the perceived 
information level remained stable or increase d. The increase was most conspicuous in Malta 
(+33) and in Cyprus (+14) where the national information campaigns for euro adoption in 
2008 are at full speed or have recently been intensified, though there was also a notable 
increase in Slovakia. The resu lts suggest that the demand for information, which increases as 
the adoption date approaches , is still considerable.  
As in past surveys, national central banks are the most trusted source of information: an 
average of 79% (autumn 2006: 77%) thought so. Eu ropean institutions were again perceived 
as the second most trusted source (results bei ng slightly higher than in September 2006: 69% 
relative to 67%). As to which information channels were preferred, most respondents 
continued to prefer mass media and banks; and, as  regards the type of information they were 
looking for, they were mainly interested in practical information on the introduction of the euro, e.g. the value of the euro (90%), the ch angeover scenario (87%),  practical implications 
(85%), and how to ensure that conversion rule s are respected (83%). The survey confirms 
once more that that the public consider an esse ntial element in preparing for the changeover to 
be the dual display of prices, both in shops (83%) and on utility bills (75%).