this enlargement, both in political as well as economic terms, are clear. however, this does not make it less of a challenge, also for the ecb and the national central banks. from mid april onwards, the national central banks of the acceding countries will participate - as an observer - in meeting of escb committees ( in extended composition ) and meetings of the general council. enlargement involves a number of technical efforts from the side of the ecb and the national central bank, in terms of adaptations to the infrastructure, but also creates a new dimension to economic convergence and monetary stability in the european union. i am, however, convinced that the eurosystem will also master this challenge, as it has done before, on occasions, which demanded even more breath - taking efforts. ladies and gentlemen, i should now like to conclude. again, my gratitude goes to his excellency carlo ciampi and governor antonio fazio. i am deeply convinced that this meeting of the governing council will contribute to the team - sprit of the eurosystem and hence will be one more step in the direction of a united europe.

willem f duisenberg : another step in the direction of a united europe address by dr willem f duisenberg, president of the european central bank, on the occasion of an audience by dr carlo azeglio ciampi, president of the italian republic, in the context of the meeting of the governing council of the european central bank in rome, rome, 2 april 2003. * * * on behalf of the european central bank ( ecb ) and all members of the governing council, i should like to thank his excellency - dottore carlo azeglio ciampi - for his kindness and hospitality to receive us today, on the eve of the governing council meeting in rome, despite the geopolitical tensions we are currently facing. moreover, i should like to thank governor dottore antonio fazio and the banca d ’ italia for organising this meeting of the governing council outside frankfurt am main. the governing council has decided to meet, in principle, two times a year outside the ecb premises in frankfurt, in order to emphasise the federal character of the eurosystem, the collective consisting of the ecb and the national central banks of the member states that have adopted the euro. the decentralised set - up of the eurosystem - with the ecb representing the hub of the system and the national central bank its spokes - has contributed to the acceptance of the euro as the single currency of more than 300 million citizens, as in particular the national central banks are well - equipped, in terms of knowledge of language and national backgrounds, to communicate to the general public. contrary to the public perception about other european institutions, the eurosystem is being perceived as relatively close to the heart of the public. i am very pleased to chair tomorrow ’ s meeting of the governing council here in rome. the fact that the governing council meets in rome is symbolic, in many aspects. first, rome is regarded as the cradle of the european - christian civilisation, as we know it nowadays. the roman empire was the first attempt to create a unified europe. although this period in history has greatly contributed to the development of the european continent, this experience has also made clear that europe cannot be unified by means of force, with some nations or peoples subordinated to others. unfortunately, this was a lesson, which europe had to learn the hard way. it took us almost 2, 000 years to realise that the continuous perils of war and oppression had to end.