Io ha finalmente recoperite le texto del articulo in anglese que io ha traducite concernente le Regno Unite e le lanceamento del nove moneta europee. Vos va vider que le version anglese contine multe metaphoras difficile a traducer. >>>> All Set for Currency Launch With Britain's Foreign Secretary Robin Cook this month telling MEP's of the UK's commitment to preparing the way for a succesful launch of the euro on 1 January 1999, EP News looks at the issues involved and the events ahead. ROBIN COOK in his address to MEPs, reaffirmed: Britain will be in the chair when the crucial decision is made in May. We will discharge this responsibility to the best of our abilities, fully and scrupulously in a way that shows Europe's constructive approach at its best. We want economic and monetary union to be a success. 'Britain itself will not be in the first wave, but that does not mean that we have no interest in the success of monetary union. Our economy is bound up with that of the continent and we have every reason to work for a successful launch.' Meanwhile, Parliament this month approved several key reports designed to smooth the way for the introduction of the euro. MEPs recognise that the euro will have a profound effect on Europes capital markets. With France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany deciding to convert existing debt and new issues in euros as from 1 January 1999, this will act as a boost to creating a unified European bond market. The euro can also expect to secure a slice of international trade presently largely undertaken in dollars. MEPs also supported a report tabled by Ingo Friedrich (D, EPP) who called for a relaxation of national rules on private pension fund investment to facilitate investment in the new euro-zone. Mr Friedrich pinpointed the need for the removal of tax distortions, the unification of Europe's stock markets and the introduction of a single EU company law. EU finance ministers, normally the most reluctant of government leaders to agree binding rules on financial issues, have recognised the forthcoming impact of the currency by agreeing a voluntary code on taxation. International investment advisors such as Moody's are already forecasting that the establishment of monetary union will lead to a considerable increase in cross-border financial transactions and mergers with prospects particularly bright for the institutional and retail banking services. The introduction of the new currency will first affect financial institutions and large firms rather than consumers. Non-cash transactions, including electronic transfers of money, direct debit and credit card payments, can be denominated in euros as from 1 January 1999. It will also lead to the creation of a single market in financial services in the eurozone. This will mean an increase in cross-border banking and other financial products such as insurance poli-cies and mortgages. It is possible that financial institutions will offer loans and mortgages in euros during the transitional period. It is also expected that a stable currency will bring about lower interest rates than for example those currently prevailing in the UK, although this does not mean they will necessarily be passed on to borrowers. Banks and financial institutions are well aware of the need to maintain competitive rates to attract savers. But establishing public confidence in the euro among citizens across Europe is the greatest challenge for EU leaders. Quite apart from their lack of awareness of the technical aspects of the introduction of the euro, it would not be surprising if citizens and consumers were confused by the entire EMU debate, given the widely diverging and contradictory views held by economists, business people and politicians about the desirability of a single currency of the type envisaged under the Treaty. Neither has the process been helped in the eyes of citizens by the fluctuating fortunes of the process leading to EMU which has added to the uncertainty surrounding the introduction of the single currency. The uncertainty over who will and will not be in the first wave of participating member state has also hampered the process. The varying degrees of support for the single currency indicate that fears and concerns over the introduction of the euro vary between member states. In these circumstances, national and regional authorities are best suited to respond to the concerns of their citizens and consumers. Cultural, linguistic and historical differences between member states also mean that national governments rather than the European Commission should play the leading role in informa-tion campaigns to promote the euro, and the UK has now agreed to participate in these. MEPs have also taken up consumer concerns by insisting that proper safeguards are laid down to ensure that shoppers are not taken advantage of when prices are converted from national currencies or saddled with unacceptable conversion costs. This month, MEPs called on the Commission to put forward proposals designed to ensure that national banknotes and coins are converted to euros free of charge for users. There is to be a flexible approach to dual pricing during the transitional period between 1999 and 2002, with a view to striking a balance between meeting consumers' needs and not placing too great a burden on small shopkeepers. From EP News AX-AD 98-001-EN-C ISSN-0250 5754 EP NEWS >>> Stan Mulaik