The euro has become a reality for 300 million citizens in 12 European countries
Published:
1 January 2002 y., Tuesday
The euro has become a reality for 300 million citizens in 12 European countries as notes and coins go into circulation for the first time on 1 January 2002.
Over 6bn notes and nearly 40bn coins have been distributed to banks, retail shops, and cash machines which begin dispensing the new currency at midnight (1100GMT).
Celebrations are being held in many European capitals, with fireworks and concerts in Frankfurt, the home of the European Central Bank.
Early indications are that the huge logistical task of distributing the new currency has gone relatively smoothly, with little evidence of either counterfeiting or price rises.
European Commission President Romano Prodi said the currency would be an instrument of economic stability and growth across Europe.
Šaltinis:
BBC News
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
In Brussels, Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas participated in the meeting of Nordic and Baltic (NB6) Prime Ministers which focused on the pressing topics on the agenda of the European Council: global finance crisis, energy, climate change, EU-Russia relations, and financial situation in Iceland.
more »
Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas attended the working dinner with President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Latvian, Polish Prime Ministers – Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Andrus Ansip, Matti Vanhanen, Ivars Godmanis, Donald Tusk – and Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
more »
The European Commission has put forward a revision of EU rules on deposit guarantee schemes that puts into action the commitments made by EU Finance Ministers on 7 October.
more »
The United States began releasing long-awaited details of its $700 billion rescue plan.
more »
Australia's Prime Minister announces plans for the government to guarantee bank deposits for the next three years.
more »
Ethical bank, Triodos, says it is offering customers an alternative way to invest their funds.
more »
Energy security was the dominant theme during the meeting between Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas and Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis.
more »
The draft law would require utilities to separate – or unbundle – the distribution of electricity and gas from production.
more »
A holistic approach to eradicating poverty, which seeks to ensure adequate incomes, quality jobs and better access to social services, is advocated by the EP in an own-initiative report.
more »
Dubai showcases multi-billion dollar development projects at the annual Cityscape exhibition.
more »