WRITTEN QUESTION E-2574/02 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Euro cent coins.
Date: 2002-09-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, euro, issue of securities, monetary policy, money, technical specification

10.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 161 E/27

The Commission always tries to resolve any problems that arise, quickly and effectively. The price of
2.
a rapid response must not be the implementation of bad solutions. The pace will depend on the
complexity of the problem detected.

As concerns the financial management system, the Commission would point out that a critical
3.
review of its accounting system, both externally, notably by the Court of Auditors, and internally by its
own services, has led it to take remedial action which culminated in the adoption, in June 2002, of the
recast of the Financial Regulation. This revised Financial Regulation sets out the principles of an integrated
accrual accounting system based on those applied (Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom), or being
introduced (Spain, France), in some Member States. This recasting was welcomed by the Court of Auditors,
supported and improved by many amendments by the European Parliament and decided by the Council.
The allegation made by an official that this new law would increase the risk of fraud was not substantiated.
This allegation puts in question the efforts of all the Institutions and the Member States involved in the
recasting.

Therefore, the Commission does not turn a blind eye to criticism of its financial management system. The
Commission does not consider it constructive to engage in a public debate about issues which have already
been fully identified, publicly disclosed, and subjected to ongoing remedial action.

Transparency and constructive criticism must not lead to disorder and inefficiency. Officials are bound by
their obligations under the Staff Regulations and have a duty to be honest, tactful and discreet and to
follow established procedures.

4.
As regards the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the Commission would draw the Honourable
Member’s attention to the fact that the Director of OLAF, in his third annual activity report presented on
17 October 2002, stated that the Commission had scrupulously respected its operational independence.

Regulations (EC) No 1073/1999 (3) and (EC) No 1074/1999 (4) on the investigations conducted by OLAF
contain provisions on confidentiality and data protection and on the communication of information by
OLAF. The final reports of investigations are usually addressed to the competent authorities of the Member
States and/or the institutions, bodies or organisations concerned for further action.

As regards the Court of Auditors the Honourable Member will know that the Court is an autonomous
Institution. The Commission is grateful to the Court for its constructive recommendations.

The rights and duties of the Accounting Officer are laid down in the Financial Regulation as well as in the
Staff Regulation.

(1) Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the

general budget of the European Communities, OJ L 248, 16.9.2002.

(2) OJ C 228, 13.8.2001.
(3) Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning

investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), OJ L 136, 31.5.1999.

(4) Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the

European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), OJ L 136, 31.5.1999.

(2003/C 161 E/028)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2574/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(16 September 2002)

Subject: Euro cent coins

Europeans feel that there are too many euro cent coins and that they look too similar, according to a
survey by Eurostat. In practice it appears that little or no use is being made of the smallest coins of 1 and
2 euro cents. Finland, for its part, has never put coins of 1 and 2 cents into circulation.

C 161 E/28

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

What, in the view of the Commission, is the future for coins of 1 and 2 euro cents?

Can a country (such as Finland) refuse to accept payment with coins of 1 or 2 euro cents?

If a country decides to abolish such euro cent coins, will the Commission oppose such a measure? Does
the Commission intend to take action against the rounding up of prices to 5 cents?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2002)

The introduction of the same denominations of coins in twelve Member States necessarily entails to a
certain extent the need to adapt to the new situation, as the number of denominations available has
changed in various Member States. Therefore, it is comprehensible that the use and the popularity of the
1 and 2 cent coins varies from Member State to Member State. The Commission has no intention to
propose a change of the current denominations. The role of the 1 and 2 cent coins will essentially be
determined by the behavior of the European citizens. Moreover,
it should be noted that the small
denominations have played an important role in the correct conversion of prices.

The denominations of the euro coins have been laid down by Council Regulation (EC) No 975/98 of
3 May 1998 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation (1).
According to Article 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the
euro (1), all eight denominations have legal tender status throughout the euro area. Finland cannot refuse to
accept payments with 1 and 2 cent coins, as these have legal in tender in Finland as anywhere else in the
euro area. Finland has actually minted a certain quantity of 1 and 2 cent coins.

No Member State can abolish any of the euro coins, as this is a matter decided at Community level. The
Finnish law, which stipulates rounding up or rounding down to the nearest 5 cent refers to cash payments.
It does not concern the rounding of prices.

(1) OJ L 139, 11.5.1998.

(2003/C 161 E/029)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2575/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(16 September 2002)

Subject:

’Head’ side of euro coins

The ‘head’ side of euro coins, as is well-known, is different for each country that has introduced the euro.
That means that there are 96 different euro coins in circulation in the EU. Some people feel that this is too
much of a good thing. Furthermore, there will be a significant increase in the number of different coins in
2004 following the enlargement of the European Community. There is now mention of the introduction
of a common ‘head’ side for all countries.

Is the Commission considering introducing a single ‘head’ side for second generation euro coins for all
countries?

If so, when?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2002)

At the informal Ecofin Council in Verona in spring 1996, the governments decided that the euro coins
should have a common European side as well as a national side. This combines the advantage of a unified
approach (common side, same technical specifications, …), while allowing for the expression of national
diversity and tradition.