WRITTEN QUESTION E-2987/00 by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Council. Problems with introducing the euro.
Date: 2000-09-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: euro, financial transaction, public awareness campaign, retail trade

C 163 E/24

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

(2001/C 163 E/023)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2987/00

by Lousewies van der Laan (ELDR) to the Council

(25 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 Council 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 Council 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 Council 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?

Reply

(26 February 2001)

The Council, on 8 November 1999, took note of the following statement issued by participating Member
States:

The introduction of euro banknotes and coins in January 2002 will be the final and most visible step
in the changeover towards the single currency. Member States are aware of its historical significance.
The cash changeover in the euro zone is an unprecedented logistical challenge. The strategy which
should best be followed has been studied intensively over the last months in each participating
country and at Community level. The results obtained in discussions among all those concerned have
allowed Ministers from participating Member States in close co-operation with national central banks
and in line with the views expressed by the European Central Bank to arrive at common views on the
outlines of the cash changeover. These leave room for Member States to implement
the cash
changeover in the way which suits best the specific circumstances in each country.

1. Member States will make their best efforts to ensure that the bulk of cash transactions can be
made in euro by the end of a fortnight from 1 January 2002.

2. Member States consider that the period of dual circulation of the old and new notes and coins
will last between four weeks and two months. Member States may facilitate the exchange of old notes
and coins after this period.

if financial

To provide for a sufficient quantity for circulation in the first days of January 2002, it would be
3.
helpful
institutions and certain other groups, notably cash in transit companies and
retailers, were already provided with notes and coins some time before 1 January 2002. Member
States recall that such frontloading must not lead to putting euro banknotes and coins into circulation
before 1 January 2002.

4.
In order to help citizens to familiarise themselves with the new coins and to facilitate the
changeover, Member States agree that making limited quantities of coins available to the public on
request, notably to the vulnerable groups of the population, can be envisaged but not before the
second half of December 2001.

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/25

In its communication of 12 July 2000 to the European Parliament and the Council (1), the Commission
summarises the detailed modalities of frontloading of euro notes and coins to traders (banks and retailers
notably) and of a limited quantity of euro coins to the general public as envisaged by Member States in
conformity with the above.

Putting at the disposal of the general public, prior to 1 January 2002, of euro banknotes and important
quantities of euro coins, will only add to possible confusion, since these banknotes and coins will only
have legal tender status as from 1 January 2002.

The Council will continue to monitor the situation and will take, if needed, appropriate steps in order to
ensure that the problems referred to by the Honourable Parliamentarian, will not arise.

(1) COM(2000) 443 final).

(2001/C 163 E/024)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2997/00

by John Cushnahan (PPE-DE) to the Council

(25 September 2000)

Subject: Plan Colombia

What actions does the Council
intend to take to ensure that the Colombian government honour its
commitment to improve human rights conditions as set out in Plan Colombia? Is the Council aware of the
inherent links between the state army, to whom the aid package is primarily directed, and the paramilitary
groups who have carried out recent massacres?

Reply

(12 February 2001)

The European Union has repeatedly affirmed its support for the efforts of the Colombian Government to
take forward the peace process, but it has insisted, and will continue to insist, that the Government
commit itself to improving the human rights situation in Colombia.

The European Union has also appealed to all the parties to respect human rights and fundamental
freedoms and to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict, without which there can be no prospect of
lasting peace.

The Council has already had occasion to brief the European Parliament on Plan Colombia several times,
notably at the October part-session, in reply to Oral Questions H-715 and H-776.

(cid:145)Plan Colombia(cid:146) is a (cid:145)National Recovery Programme(cid:146) launched by President Pastrana when he was elected
in July 1998. The Plan, which envisages a budget of USD 7 600 million over three years,
includes
provisions concerning the peace process in Colombia, rehabilitation of the Colombian economy, combat-
ing drugs, reform of the legal system, protection of human rights, democracy and social development. In
the course of technical missions the Union has voiced its concerns and made comments and additional
recommendations, in consideration of which the Colombian representatives presented their reply at the
international meeting in London on 19 June 2000.

The Union is watching the development of the situation in Colombia very closely and endeavouring to
further the peace process there by seeking practical possibilities for cooperation. Following the interna-
tional meeting on Colombia held in Madrid on 6/7 July 2000, attended by representatives of the
15 Member States and the Commission and by Mr Solana, the Secretary-General/High Representative for
the CFSP, progress was made in the discussions at the meeting in Bogota on 24 October 2000. The Union
is currently preparing a vast array of support measures exclusively concerning civil, social and ecological
projects, to be presented at the meeting scheduled for March 2001 in Brussels; this meeting follows on
from the previous meetings mentioned above. The package of measures reflects the independent approach
taken by the European Union and its Member States to support the peace process in Colombia.