WRITTEN QUESTION E-3899/00 by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Coin exchange on introduction of the euro in 2002.
Date: 2000-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: exchange transaction, single monetary policy

C 174 E/178

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

Details of Member States changeover plans to the Euro are summarised in the Commission report to the
European Parliament, the Council and the ECB in particular of 18 July 2000 (COM(2000) 443 final).

(2001/C 174 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3898/00

by Robert Goebbels (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Advance supply of € 5 and € 10 banknotes

According to a recent report by the committee responsible for monitoring the introduction of the euro it
has just been realised that it will not be possible to adapt most automatic cash dispensers in the EU
Member States to issue € 5 banknotes and, in certain countries, € 10 banknotes also. In other words cash
dispensers will generally only be able to issue € 20, € 50 or € 100 banknotes. This will cause a major
problem for the retail trade which, after 1 January 2002, will be receiving payment in large denominations
and require to give change in € 5 or € 10 banknotes which will rapidly become very hard to obtain. In
view of this apparently unforeseen situation, should the question of advance issuing of € 5 and € 10n
banknotes in particular be reconsidered? In certain countries, from 15 December 2001, the public will be
able to purchase a kit containing all euro coins with which they will thus be able to familiarise themselves.
In the weeks leading up to 1 January 2000 would it not be a good idea to enable the European general
public to purchase € 5 and € 10 banknotes thereby facilitating the transition to the euro?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2001)

The Member States of the European monetary union (EMU) have agreed to reduce the period of dual
circulation of banknotes and coins in 2002 as much as possible. This is in order to reduce the possibility
of confusion for the citizens and to alleviate the necessity for the retail sector to operate in two currencies.

A banknote frontloading to the public could in effect lengthen the dual circulation period and could run
counter to the reasons that led to its shortening. Moreover, banknote frontloading to the public could
entail the risk of early circulation of the notes before 1 January 2002.

(2001/C 174 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3899/00

by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Coin exchange on introduction of the euro in 2002

On return from visits abroad EC Member State residents frequently have coins which, unlike banknotes
they are unable to change into the currency of their own country, since the costs related for the exchange
transaction would be too high. These coins are generally kept for use on a subsequent visit. However, after
1 January 2002, it will not longer be possible to use them.

Does the Commission not consider that measures should be taken to ensure that these coins can be
exchanged for euro coins in all Euroland countries during the transitional period? Is the Commission
prepared to issue banks with instructions or recommendations on the matter so as to avoid the situation
arising where banks refuse to exchange the coins and ensure that coins from the twelve Member States
converting to the euro can be exchanged without additional charges?

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/179

Failure to do this will mean that European Union citizens who have accumulated German marks, French
francs, Italian lire, Belgian francs, etc.

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(24 January 2001)

There is little prospect of the commercial banks exchanging all coins in the euro zone free of charge: such
an operation would entail handling costs out of all proportion to the low face value of the coins. Article
5(3) of the Commission Recommendation of 11 October 2000 on measures to facilitate the preparation of
economic operators for the changeover to the euro therefore calls on Member States to (cid:145)make arrange-
ments to ensure that coins can be exchanged at official institutions after they cease to be legal tender for
long enough to allow holders of coins living abroad to return them(cid:146) (1).

(1) OJ C 303, 24.10.2000.

(2001/C 174 E/191)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3900/00

by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Restrictions imposed by the Evin law on the televised broadcasting in France of sporting events

from abroad

With reference to my written questions concerning the manner in which the Evin law is being applied in
France (E-550/00 (1) and E-2197/00 (2)) and the Commission(cid:146)s replies, I have been informed that France is
continuing to cancel broadcasting on French television channels of sporting events held abroad because of
the presence of hoardings advertising alcoholic beverages.

At the meeting of 6 June 2000 between Commissioner Bolkestein and Mrs Tasca, French Minister for
Cultural Affairs and Communications, the Commission asked the French authorities to amend the code of
good conduct applicable on the basis of consultation with all parties concerned.

On 9 October 2000 a consultation meeting was organised by the CSA, the French National Audiovisual
Media Council. However the organisations which had lodged complaints (CIVB-CNIV, CBMC/CEPS), the
together with the European
French federations representing the winegrowing and brewing sectors,
associations representing those concerned were not invited to attend. Does such an attitude not betray a
reluctance on the part of the French authorities to hold a constructive dialogue with a view to amending
the code of good conduct?

The British High Court has referred the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Communities for a
preliminary ruling regarding the compatibility of the Evin law with Community legislation on the free
movement of services, including commercial.

Given the lack of commitment being shown by the French authorities in finding a genuine solution to the
problem on the pretext of protecting public health, does the Commission still consider that the 1995 code
of good conduct, even in its amended form, is a suitable way of ensuring freedom to provide services in
the single market? In view of this situation, does the Commission not consider that proceedings should be
initiated against France with the Court of Justice of the European Communities? If not, what steps does the
Commission intend to take with a view to settling the matter as soon as possible in accordance with the
principles of the free movement of services in the single market?

(1) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 185.
(2) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001, p. 152.