WRITTEN QUESTION No. 255/99 by Hanja MAIJ-WEGGEN The euro
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: European Central Bank, European Monetary Institute, facilities for people with disabilities, paper money, physically disabled person, technical specification, water

12.11.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 325/97

As far as installations around the port are concerned, the Commission can act only if they are prohibited under
environmental requirements pertaining to construction of the port or their creation violates Community law
on environmental matters.

At the moment the Commission lacks the necessary information to decide whether either of the above cases
applies. It will seek full details of the situation from the Greek authorities.

(1999/C 325/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0255/99

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: The euro

Can the Commission say whether account has been taken of the visually handicapped in the design of the new
euro notes and coins, and if so, how?

If not, is the Commission to prepared to have measures taken to enable the visually handicapped and blind
citizens of Europe to recognize the notes and coins and to tell one from the other in each case?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 1999)

The Commission attaches great importance to the interests of the blind and visually handicapped and it
consulted them at each stage in the design of the euro coins. The European Blind Union expressed its
preference for the series of coins eventually selected.

Euro coins are differentiated by their size, composition, weight, colour and thickness. Several characteristics
will make it easier for the blind and visually handicapped to identify the coins: different edges for each pair of
consecutive coins, a smooth edge with a groove for the two cent coin, coarse milling for the 20 cent coin ( the
form called ‘the Spanish flower’).

The European Monetary Institute, the forerunner to the European Central Bank co-operated closely with the
European Blind Union on the design of the notes. On 16 December 1996, the European Monetary Institute
issued a press release entitled ‘The euro banknotes and the visually handicapped’ which describes the technical
specifications of the notes in order to facilitate identification by the blind. Euro banknotes will be characterised
by the following: different sizes, increasing according to the face value of the note; different colours, each
denomination having a single predominant colour (grey, red, blue, orange, green, yellow-brown or purple);
good tactility with deep engraving and intaglio printing so that the symbols are recognisable by touch; clearly
legible numerals, located in a standard position on each note throughout the series.

(1999/C 325/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0259/99

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(5 February 1999)

Subject: Tragic situation of children in Albania 8 drugs, high mortality rate, trade in organs

A report submitted to the recent Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe by Mrs Eliza Potsa Taska
describes the tragic situation of children in Albania who are victims of trafficking, abandonment, prostitution,
AIDS and drugs. According to UNICEF, there are as many as 8000 young users in Tirana! A further tragic
revelation is the trade in children’s organs taking place between Albania and Italy.