Brussels, 06/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission Communication adopted on Wednesday and addressed to the European Council of Barcelona draws up a detailed and largely positive balance sheet for the introduction of Euro coins and notes, the different preparation stages for businesses and the reactions of public opinion. One notable observation is that the transition to the Euro "went smoothly" and that SMEs adapted quickly to the new currency. More than 80% of Euro-zone citizens think that the changeover went well and almost 70% say they are happy that the Euro is now their new currency. The success of the Euro appears to have a number of admirers given that 57% of Swedes and 49% of Danes want their countries to adopt the Euro (as opposed to only 34% in the United Kingdom). The Commission considers that the efforts made by Member States, banks and professional associations in publicity campaigns (more than EUR 500 million was spent during the 1996-2001 period) proved fruitful. In its Communication, the Commission analyses the development of introducing the notes and coins and synthesises the Eurobarometer survey amongst European citizens and businesses on the change-over.
Development of Euro introduction operations: Total frontloading operations meant that 6 billion notes (40% of all notes produced) were distributed before 1 January out of a total value of more than EUR 132billion, EUR 37.5 billion in coins (73.5% of all coins produced), which represents EUR 12.4 billion. Bank frontloading requests were very high in Greece, Ireland and Austria, as opposed to France, Spain and the Netherlands. Prior distribution to citizens, who acquired a total of 150.329 million kits containing coins to the value of EUR 1.65 billion (demand was strongest in Germany, Portugal, Finland, Luxembourg and Belgium). 150 million of the 192 million kits ordered were taken up. Note and coin distribution operations also went well; from 4 January the majority of distributors were providing only Euros (more than 25 million withdrawals were carried out in 48 hours- 5 million in the Netherlands alone) and in a number of countries the supply of Euros to the public via bank counters was even higher than the volume distributed by cash machines. Businesses (particularly large stores) generally respected the recommendations to give change back exclusively in Euros. On 22 February, more than 83% of notes (in value) and 28% of coins had been recovered and counted by the central banks.
SMEs: Generally fears about insufficient preparation did not materialise: 95% of SMEs keep their accounts in Euro, 96% set prices in Euro and 97% invoice in the single currency.
The Euro and its Citizens: At the end of January the changeover to the Euro was still posing some problems for one out of every five people and many difficulties for one out of every 35 people., especially in France and Spain (on average women have fewer difficulties than men). According to the Eurobarometer results published on Wednesday, Danish and Swedish public opinion has shifted in favour of the single currency, whereas in the United Kingdom this evolution is slower and scepticism remains entrenched. The Commission has indicated that this data should not be interpreted as voting intentions in the possible referendum. 91% of Danes, 75% of Swedes and 70% of Britons believe that their countries will eventually adopt the single currency. In the United Kingdom 64% are against replacing their currency as opposed to 44% in Denmark and 36% in Sweden. (The new Eurobarometer report can be consulted on: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/press_room/presspacks/euro/p-euro-en.html).