WRITTEN QUESTION P-3393/00 by Othmar Karas (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Effects and benefits of the single currency.
Date: 2000-10-25
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: economic situation, economic stabilisation, euro, financial market, foreign policy, public awareness campaign, report

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/105

However, the rural development programme does provide for assistance from the European Agricultural
Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) in order to restore forestry production potential damaged by fire
and to introduce appropriate prevention instruments in accordance with the sixth indent of Article 30(1)
of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the
EAGGF and amending and repealing certain Regulations (2).

The Commission is currently examining the proposal for an integrated ERDF, EAGGF Guidance Section,
ESF operational programme for the Canary Islands in 2000-2006, priority 3 of which relates to the
environment and provides for measures on protecting and regenerating the natural environment,
initiatives based on maintaining the
regenerating soils and land areas,
countryside and the agricultural economy. Once the programme has been adopted and the measures
have been expanded in the programming supplement, initiatives to repair the fire damage could be framed
in that context.

forestry, and environmental

(1) OJ L 217, 31.7.1992.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2001/C 163 E/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3393/00

by Othmar Karas (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Effects and benefits of the single currency

14 months before the changeover to the euro, public awareness of the single currency is not satisfactory in
any Member State of the euro zone. An important element of the information campaign jointly organised
by the Commission, Parliament and the Council must be to inform the public of the benefits and the
already manifest effects of the euro on growth and stability in the European Union.

When will
the Commission draw up and publish for this purpose a precise and detailed official
communication on those effects and benefits? Has the Commission agreed with the Member States to
incorporate such a communication into the national campaigns throughout Europe and thereby provide
the public with information?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(5 December 2000)

The Commission will draw up a report on the positive effects of the euro early early in 2001. The report
will discuss the benefits of economic and monetary union (EMU) from the following viewpoints. The first
chapter will discuss the current economic situation and the smooth functioning of economic policy co-
ordination. In particular, the conduct of a stability oriented macro-economic policy has gained credibility.
The second chapter will highlight the progress which has been made in creating an efficient euro area
financial market. This will
investment activities of European
corporations. The third chapter will be concerned with the external aspects of EMU. While the deprecia-
tion has received too much public attention, the euro has protected the Community from internal
exchange rate distortions, which otherwise could have been expected, given the movements in the dollar
the preparations for the 2002
exchange rate and oil prices. Finally, the last chapter will highlight
changeover of bank notes and coins. The challenges and preparations foreseen for enterprises,
the
consumer and public administrations will be highlighted.

in particular benefit

the financing of

The Commission intends to finalise this report early in 2001. The Commission has not yet taken contact
with the national governments to include the report in the national information campaigns, but it does not
see any obstacles to including it if Member States wish to do so.