26/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - The argument between the Italian government and the European Commission over the euro took off again with Silvio Berlusconi's words on Friday: "that the euro has raised prices is an absolute fact which applies to many countries". The single currency was adopted without "adequate studies and negotiation", added the Italian Prime Minister. Once again, Romano Prodi replied. According to the agency ANSA, he criticised the Italian government on Saturday for having failed to convene either the national euro-monitoring committee, nor the provincial centres. Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti responded by saying: we did not "dismantle the euro committee", and Mr Prodi should "instead help the government, which has called for a one-euro note". Mr Prodi also warned: if not for the euro, the Parmalat scandal would have caused "tragic financial problems (...) like in Argentina".