Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91997E0885

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 885/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Single European currency** 
  
*Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0186*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0885/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (12 March 1997)

Subject: Single European currency

The importance and value of a successful single European currency has been amply demonstrated.

Therefore, anything concerning it must be presented in its entirety so as to avoid giving cause for concern or resentment among citizens of the EU Member States.

In view of this:

1. Why is it that, on the map of Europe depicted on banknotes, Greece appears to have been 'truncated', leaving out Crete and other Greek islands which are an integral part of Greek national territory?

2. Why is it that the Arch of Hadrian, a purely Roman monument, has been chosen as representing Greece on the five-unit banknote, given the abundance of genuine ancient Greek masterpieces which would be eminently suitable for depiction on one of the future European banknotes?

3. Why is it that none of the banknotes include one of the numerous Byzantine monuments to an empire which lasted over a thousand years, leaving a cultural heritage which forms an extremely important part of European civilization?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (15 April 1997)

It is indeed important that all citizens, the future end-users of the currency, identify with the new currency. The Commission has undertaken a wide-ranging effort of communication to that effect.

The European monetary institute, which is responsible for the preparation of the banknotes, chose in December 1996 a design which it will recommend to the future European central bank to be used for euro banknotes. The main elements of the design were windows, gateways and bridges, symbolising the spirit of openness and co-operation and communication in the Community.

The design was published in order to convey the underlying philosophy and the impression of what the future euro banknotes would look like. It is emphasised that these were only sketches and that they require further elaboration. Also, the final designs will not bear any resemblance to a particular object in a specific Member State. They will rather represent architectural features which may be found in many parts of Europe. Other elements of the design sketches, such as the geographical representation of Europe, are also being modified.

Once the designs have been adjusted, reproductions will again be made available to the public.

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