Let me say a few words about these issues. -  The exchange rate stability is one of the five (nominal) Maastricht convergence criteria. Consumer price stability, long-term interest rate convergence and fiscal consolidation are the other conditions a country has to fulfill in order to gain EMU membership. Clearly, the burden of ensuring compliance with these conditions does not fall solely and exclusively on the monetary policy authorities. The fiscal and labor policies must be aligned with the monetary policy objectives and the achievement of political commitment to ERM II is of paramount importance. I find the practice of monetary and fiscal policies dialogue, as stipulated in Accession Strategies of some of these countries, a commendable achievement. BIS Review 1/2007  1  -  Financial instability has been identified as a potential negative outcome of the bilateral fixing of the exchange rate for accession countries. Limited exchange rate flexibility under ERM-II and disinflation conditions expose the EU acceding countries to large ‘convergence play’ capital inflows. 1 If the exchange rate in accession countries is forced to fluctuate within a relatively narrow band, the outcome might be additional and unnecessary inflation. The central bank’s reaction to increasing inflation would restrict economic growth. Such an outcome is even more likely in the presence of the Balassa-Samuelson effects, commonly experienced by the transition economies. 2 In such a scenario, the dual task of preserving the domestic and international value of the currency can be jeopardized.

International inflationary impulses are generated via prices for imported consumer and intermediate goods. These inflationary impulses will partly be influenced by developments in international commodity and consumer prices and by the exchange rate. Interest rates influence inflation through their impact on domestic demand and on the market for NOK. When interest rates rise, it is more profitable to save and more costly to borrow. This dampens consumption and investment and hence aggregate demand. Lower demand in turn curbs the rise in prices and wages. Higher interest rates make it more attractive to take krone positions and borrow in foreign currency. As a result, higher interest rates normally lead to an appreciation of the krone. This reduces prices for imported goods. In addition, a strong krone reduces activity and profitability in the internationally exposed sector. It is important to be aware of the relationships between employment, output and inflation. If there is a shortage of labour and other economic resources, a tight monetary policy stance will reduce inflation by affecting aggregate demand. Conversely, when unemployment is high, low interest rates stimulate demand, which will contribute to stable wages and prices. A monetary policy stance that is aimed at stabilising inflation will thus also contribute to stabilising aggregate output and employment. In the long term, monetary policy determines the average level of inflation. Output is determined by the supply of labour, capital and technology and by productivity growth. Attempts to increase output beyond the total capacity of the economy will lead to inflation in the long run.