Brussels, 29/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - A report published Thursday by services of Commissioner Pedro Solbes states that the rising euro on foreign exchange markets weakened the competitivity of euro-zone producers by 2% in the fourth quarter of 2003. Competitivity dropped by around 10% compared with the same period the previous year, said the Commission. The report confirms that that nominal effective euro interest rate appreciated by 4% in the fourth quarter against a basket of currencies from a dozen industrialised countries. The euro gained 10% against the US$, 3% against the Japanese yen and 1% against pounds sterling. The euro exchange rate has appreciated by 9% since the creation of the single currency according to the Commission.