Brussels, 09/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - Changeover to the euro has been a "total success and that is the most fitting answer to those who had always doubted the emergence of a single currency in Europe. Today, they are completely isolated and have lost all credibility, not only in the euro area, but also in the three countries outside the euro area", noted German Social Democrat Christa Randzio-Plath, Chair of the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, who felt that "everything has gone according to the Parliament's wishes".
Dutch Liberal member Jules Maaten, rapporteur on transition to single currency, felt that the single currency has passed the test "brilliantly" and that "we should be grateful to all citizens", whose collaboration has been precious. Speaking before the representatives of Eurocommerce, Mr Maaten paid tribute to retailers in particular, who, he said, have coped efficiently with long queues, continue to manage two currencies in parallel, and have educated the population when giving change. With regards counterfeiting, the few cases discovered have been of a rough-and-ready kind and therefore of little concern.