At the close of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on Friday 12 December, the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union welcomed the progress made on the single currency package, which includes the draft rules on the digital euro, in line with the call made last October by the Heads of State or Government of the euro area countries to speed up legislative work (see EUROPE B13738A9). A negotiating mandate from the EU Member States is expected in the next few days.