Brussels, 20/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Central Bank and the European Commission announced the distribution in the Euro zone of 28,000 boxes of dummy Euro notes, via the approved networks, to helpers of the blind and visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, as well as mentally handicapped people. These notes are produced by the ECB and present the same external aspect as the true ones, which will be placed into circulation on 1 January 2002. "They have the same size, the same colour and same feel and are made from the same paper", specify the two institutions in a Communiqué. However, precautions have been taken to avoid counterfeiting: the notes are only printed on one side and bear the "no value"" words and a number. Moreover, they are free from all security characteristics that will be unveiled by the ECB next September. The ECB President Wim Duisenberg welcomed the success of the "long and fruitful" partnership with the European Union of the Blind (UEA). The distribution of dummy coins is planned for the end of the spring, "as soon as the national mints have produced them", specified Thomas Muench, a Commission spokesperson, who added that the Member States are responsible for informing the citizens over this operation. The distribution of dummy notes will begin this week.
In the framework of the "Euro facile" programme, the Commission is also preparing 22 training tools, among which games made for groups targeted by citizens and members of association of vulnerable groups (aged or those in economic and social difficulty, the blind, deaf and mentally handicapped). These products will be distributed as of the month of April to specialised helpers, through networks of associations.
Advances agreed upon by banks to facilitate move towards Euro
The European Commission and the banks progressed, during a meeting that took place on Monday over issues linked to the final transition to the Euro, while leaving problems unresolved. The banks were represented, among others, by the European Banking Federation, the European group of cooperative banks and the European group of savings banks. They accepted in particular not to debit before the 1 January 2002 deadline, the retailers supplied in notes and coins by the banks before this date (pre-supply phase), they have accepted to provide a bank guarantee. Moreover, the banks have undertaken to immediately supply to unmodified cash dispensers with Euro that they get from the counter. This requirement aims to discourage the banks from continuing to supply in national notes the unmodified dispensers on 1 January. In some Member States, the cash dispensers will be ready for the changeover (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands), while a period for adapting is foreseen for others, notably confronted to geographic contingents (France, Spain, Finland).concerning electronic money, the banks will write to retailers to remind them that they must adapt their payment terminals before 1 January 2002. The banks also agreed to give their assent to deliver to the counters in a priority manner additional small denomination notes of 5 to 10 Euros during the transition period, to familiarise their clients with their use. Nevertheless, certain problems remain to be resolved, concerning in particular: 1) the opening of banks on 1 January 2002, to retailers who wants to get supplies: the banks point out a lack of personnel, while the Commission feels that those at the counter are not the same than those responsible for the changeover; 2) the end date for the guarantee of Eurocheques; 3) the preparation of the structure of commission paid by the retailer in the case of card payments, with regards to which VISA International remains reticent.
These talks extend the debates of the consultative "practical aspects of the Euro" group, which gathers together the Commission and 27 European employers federations. It aims to agree upon common guidelines in order to facilitate the material transition towards the new currency. The next meeting will take place on 20 March.