WRITTEN QUESTION E-2988/00 by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission. Problems with introducing the euro.
Date: 2000-09-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: euro, euro area, issuing of currency, single monetary policy

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/149

the recent
The political situation in Iran remains ambiguous. However, positive developments at
Parliamentary election and Iran(cid:146)s growing sensitivity to international concerns, open new possibilities to
develop a constructive dialogue on human rights issues with the Iranian Government. The Commission
will seize every opportunity to support this positive evolution.

(2001/C 136 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2988/00

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: Problems with introducing the euro

The political party D66 is concerned at the warning from Europe(cid:146)s largest retail concerns, in an open letter
to the European Ministers of Finance, that financial transactions will come to a standstill when the euro is
introduced in 2002. The retail trade bases this warning on research by Insead and the Koblenz School of
Management. To avoid problems when the euro is introduced, industry wants consumers to be able to
change money into euros before 1 January 2002. At the end of 2001 all Dutch consumers will be given a
(cid:145)kit(cid:146) containing samples of all euro coins.

Does the Commission agree that chaos when the euro is introduced could seriously undermine public
support for the European currency?

Why is it that consumers cannot obtain euro banknotes before the euro is introduced?

Does the Commission agree that issuing a symbolic amount of coins for promotional purposes, for
example in the Netherlands, is no solution to the risk of monetary transactions coming to a standstill on
1 January 2002?

Does the Commission agree that private individuals should have access not only to coins but also to
banknotes prior to 1 January 2002 so that the introduction proceeds smoothly?

Does the Commission intend to compile a list of best practices from the initiatives which the Member
States are currently taking independently of each other?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(17 November 2000)

The introduction of
the euro will make European integration a daily reality for over 300 million
Europeans. Practical preparations for its introduction are therefore a priority of the highest order for the
Commission, as well as for the Member States. In order to smooth the way for transition to the new
currency, the Commission has produced a recommendation on measures to facilitate the preparation of
economic operators for the changeover to the euro, which it adopted on 11 October 2000 (1).

At the meeting of Ecofin Ministers in Versailles, the European Central Bank and the majority of Member
States agreed that early introduction of banknotes might lead to confusion and give consumers the idea
that the date of introduction had been brought forward.

In addition to the distribution of free sets to the public, the Netherlands, like the other Member States, is
producing larger sets for sale. However, regardless of the scale of advance distribution of the euro, it will
continue to be possible to carry out transactions in national currencies (notes and coins) up until the end
of the period of dual circulation, thereby ruling out any risk of financial transactions coming to a standstill.

It is possible to ensure that small denominations are widely available, hence reducing the need for change,
without resorting to advance distribution, for example by stocking cash dispensers, as suggested in the
Commission recommendation.

C 136 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

The Commission has drawn on examples of good practice in the Member States in preparing its
recommendation. At the Eurogroup each month it distributes a table comparing national plans.

(1) COM(2000) 2985 final.

(2001/C 136 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2991/00

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Council

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Directive 89/665/EEC on review procedures concerning the award of public contracts

Have the provisions of the Upper Austria Provincial Law on the Award of Contracts relating to the
1.
individuals, governed by Directive 89/665/EEC (1) on the application of review
legal protection of
procedures to the award of public supply and public works contracts, been duly amended in transposition
of the Directive?

2.

If so, why? If not, why not?

How many sets of proceedings for Treaty violations have so far been initiated against Austria in

3.
connection with the directives on the award of public contracts?

(1) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, p. 33.

Reply

(20/21 December 2000)

Under Article 211 of the Treaty it is up to the Commission to ensure implementation of the provisions of
the Treaty and of the provisions adopted by the Institutions under the Treaty. The Council would therefore
advise the Honourable Member to address her question to the Commission, which is responsible for
checking that the Community law referred to in this question has been correctly transposed by the
Member State concerned.

(2001/C 136 E/175)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2993/00

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Pakistan

In the light of the recent creation of a national commission to protect women(cid:146)s rights and help raise their
status in Pakistan, will the Council assist this commission in securing the necessary legislation to guarantee
improved conditions for the women of Pakistan?

Reply

(20/21 December 2000)

The Council shares the concern expressed in the question put by the Honourable Member regarding the
improvement of the situation of women in Pakistan. In development projects which are financed or
cofinanced by the Community and carried out by the majority of the NGOs in Pakistan, the Council tries,
in general, to take account of the gender dimension so as to improve women(cid:146)s living conditions. In the
sectoral social programmes under way priority is already being given to improving the quality of
education, health and family-planning services and to easier access for women and girls to protection
and education systems.