Brussels, 04/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - Several European associations representing consumers, traders and SMEs signed, on Monday, under the auspices of the European Commission, an agreement on good practices to favour the apprenticeship to the Euro of consumers and facilitate the introduction of notes and coins on 1 January 2002. They decided to strengthen the provisions that had been taken in the Euro Logo agreement of 1998, starting from the realisation that it was followed by few effects (see EUROPE of 1 July 1998, p.7). The traders renewed their undertaking to practice the dual displaying of prices - which only one trader in two practices at present -, and as of September 2001 until the end of the dual circulation period, by emphasising the amount in Euro compared to the price in national currency. They undertook not to take advantage of the transition to the Europe to practice hidden price increases and to do their utmost to ensure a global stability of their prices during conversion operations. To put this message across to the consumers, they will use the slogan: "New currency, stable prices". On their side, the consumer organisations will have to use all the means available to increase the awareness of the public to issues related to the Euro. The signatories of the agreement will have to encourage the consumers to carry out as much as possible payments in Euro as of the beginning of 2002 and to pay attention to the practical details of the transition to the Euro. They sent a call of the State authorities for them to intensify their information and public awareness campaigns. The agreement was signed, among others, by the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (UEAPME), the Group on National Travel Agents and Tour Operators' Associations within the EU (ECTAA), Hortec (Hotels, restaurants and Cafes in Europe), and the European Consumers Association (ECA).