[pic] | KOMISIJA EVROPSKIH SKUPNOSTI |

Bruselj, 10.11.2006

KOM(2006) 671 konč.

SPOROČILO KOMISIJE SVETU, EVROPSKEMU PARLAMENTU, EVROPSKEMU EKONOMSKO-SOCIALNEMU ODBORU, ODBORU REGIJ IN EVROPSKI CENTRALNI BANKI

Četrto poročilo o praktičnih pripravah za prihodnjo širitev euroobmočja

1. Uvod |

Slovenija bo euro uvedla 1. januarja 2007; Ciper in Malta sta pred kratkim sprejela svoja nacionalna načrta za prehod. | To poročilo je četrto v vrsti poročil, ki obravnavajo stanje praktičnih priprav na nacionalni ravni in na ravni Skupnosti za prihodnjo širitev euroobmočja. Predhodna poročila so bila sprejeta novembra 2004, novembra 2005 in junija 2006[1]. Četrto poročilo je osredotočeno na zadnje dogajanje v zvezi s praktičnimi pripravami v Sloveniji, ker bo ta država na podlagi odločitve Sveta, da izpolnjuje potrebne pogoje za uvedbo eura, 1. januarja 2007 vstopila v euroobmočje. Posebna pozornost je posvečena tudi pripravam na Cipru in Malti, ki nameravata sprejeti euro 1. januarja 2008. Obe državi sta pred kratkim sprejeli svoja nacionalna načrta za prehod. Poleg tega poročilo obravnava še stanje priprav v ostalih državah članicah in na ravni Skupnosti[2]. To poročilo in prejšnja poročila o praktičnih pripravah ne posegajo v konvergenčna poročila Komisije, ki jih določa Pogodba, o tem, ali države članice z odstopanjem izpolnjujejo „maastrichtska“ konvergenčna merila[3]. |

2. Stanje priprav na nacionalni ravni |

2.1. Nacionalni ciljni datumi za prevzem eura |

Pred kratkim je nekaj držav prestavilo ciljni datum za sprejem eura | Nekaj držav je spremenilo ciljne datume za sprejem eura ali je v postopku njihove preučitve zaradi težav pri izpolnjevanju konvergenčnih meril v skladu s prvotnimi načrti. Estonija je prvotno načrtovala uvedbo eura 1. januarja 2007. V aprilu 2006 je vlada ciljni datum prestavila na 1. januar 2008. Estonska vlada bo jeseni 2006 ocenila ustreznost tega ciljnega datuma. Tudi Litva je prvotno načrtovala prevzem eura za 1. januar 2007. Vendar je Komisija v konvergenčnem poročilu, ki ga je sprejela 16. maja 2006, ugotovila, da država ne izpolnjuje potrebnih pogojev za prevzem eura. Oktobra 2006 je litovska vlada sklenila, da „si bo Litva prizadevala čim prej pridružiti euroobmočju. Ugodnejše obdobje za pridružitev Litve euroobmočju se bo začelo leta 2010.“ Latvijske oblasti so spomladi 2006 naznanile, da bodo preložile prvotni ciljni datum (1. januar 2008). O novem ciljnem datumu se še niso odločile. Češka vlada je oktobra 2006 sklenila preklicati prvotni ciljni datum za to državo (1. januar 2010), ne da bi določila novega. Tudi Madžarska je kot ciljni datum za sprejem eura prvotno določila 1. januar 2010, a ga je v letu 2006 preklicala. Slovaška je ohranila svoj prvotni ciljni datum in namerava uvesti euro 1. januarja 2009. Poljska in Švedska še nista predložili ciljnega datuma. Na Švedskem so priprave zastale zaradi negativnega izida referenduma 14. septembra 2003. Tabela prikazuje trenutno situacijo. Datum uvedbe eura Država članica 1. januar 2007 Slovenija Ciljni datum uvedbe eura Država članica 1. januar 2008 Estonija (treba ga je potrditi), Ciper, Malta 1. januar 2009 Slovaška Treba ga je (ponovno) določiti Češka, Latvija, Litva, Madžarska, Poljska, Švedska |

2.2. PRIPRAVE V SLOVENIJI |

Priprave v Slovenija dobro napredujejo, čeprav so potrebni dodatni ukrepi za okrepitev zaupanja potrošnikov v stabilno in pošteno oblikovanje cen med prehodom. | 2.2.1. Splošni okvir Slovenija bo euro sprejela 1. januarja 2007 v okviru scenarija takojšnje uvedbe, t.i. „velikega poka“[4], s 14-dnevnim obdobjem dvojnega obtoka[5]. Na splošno se zdi, da je Slovenija dobro pripravljena na uvedbo eura. V zadnjih nekaj mesecih je država dosegla nadaljnji napredek pri praktičnih pripravah za uvedbo eura, zlasti kar zadeva zamenjavo gotovine. Potrebni pa so dodatni ukrepi za okrepitev zaupanja potrošnikov, kot je celovita strategija za pošteno oblikovanje cen, o kateri bi se dogovorili potrošniki in trgovci na drobno. |

Trgovci na drobno morajo od 1. januarja 2007 vračati drobiž izključno v eurih. | 2.2.2. Finančni sektor in podjetja Od prejšnjega poročila iz junija 2006 so bili predloženi nadaljnji podatki o preddobavi in posredni preddobavi eurogotovine[6] Banka Slovenije je sklenila pogodbe s poslovnimi bankami, v katerih so določeni pogoji preddobave. Določen je podroben načrt za dobavo eurobankovcev in eurokovancev. Število mini paketov kovancev, ki bodo javnosti od 15. decembra 2006 dostopni na poslovnih bankah, se je s 150 000 povečalo na 450 000. Poleg tega je predvidenih 150 000 začetnih paketov kovancev za trgovce na drobno, ki bodo na voljo od 1. decembra 2006, ter 100 000 zbirk eurokovancev s slovenskimi nacionalnimi stranmi, namenjenih predvsem zbirateljem. Približno 30 % od 1 510 javno dostopnih bankomatov naj bi bilo prilagojenih do 00.30 ure in približno 80 % do 6. ure 1. januarja 2007, ostalih 20 % pa naj bi bilo prilagojenih do polnoči istega dne. Zaradi olajšane menjave nacionalne gotovine v eurogotovino so se slovenske poslovne banke dogovorile, da bodo 1. in 2. januarja 2007 odprle 42 poslovalnic po vsej državi. Seznam teh poslovalnic in njihov delovni čas bosta pravočasno objavljena. V skladu z osnutkom zakona o uvedbi eura bodo morala podjetja, zlasti trgovci na drobno, in javni organi od 1. januarja 2007 vračati drobiž izključno v eurih. |

Proizvodnja slovenskih kovancev poteka. | 2.2.3. Javna uprava Osnutek zakona o uvedbi eura je bil predložen parlamentu julija 2006 in naj bi bil sprejet jeseni 2006. Določil bo predvsem predpise o prehodu na euro, obdobju dvojnega obtoka, menjavi tolarskih bankovcev in kovancev v eurogotovino in redenominaciji vrednostnih papirjev. Slovenija je na podlagi javnega razpisa za proizvodnjo svojih eurokovancev izbrala finsko kovnico[7]. Proizvodnja se je začela po sprejetju Odločbe Sveta z dne 11. julija 2006 o preklicu odstopanja za Slovenijo. Kar zadeva zaščito eura pred ponarejanjem v Sloveniji, so bili v okviru organov pregona ustanovljeni nacionalni osrednji urad ter nacionalni centri za analizo ponarejenih eurobankovcev in eurokovancev. Slovenski strokovnjaki sodelujejo v ustreznih skupinah na evropski ravni, in sicer pri ECB, Europolu in Komisiji/OLAF-u, udeležili pa so se tudi ustreznega usposabljanja. |

Slovenski potrošniki se bojijo povišanja cen | 2.2.4. Potrošniki in javnost Komisija je v svojem Tretjem poročilu sklenila, da so v Sloveniji potrebni dodatni ukrepi za okrepitev zaupanja potrošnikov v stabilno in pošteno oblikovanje cen med prehodom. Rezultati zadnje raziskave Eurobarometra, ki je bila opravljena septembra 2006, so potrdili, da se velika večina vprašanih v Sloveniji (66 % v primerjavi s 70 % v aprilu 2006) boji povišanja cen ob prehodu na euro[8]. Zlasti pomembno je, da se med trgovci na drobno in potrošniki sklenejo dogovori o poštenem oblikovanju cen med prehodom. Trgovci na drobno bi se morali zavezati, da bodo prehod izvedli pošteno in da ga ne bodo izkoristili kot priložnost za prikrito ali nepregledno povišanje cen. Zaveza glede poštenega oblikovanja cen ima obliko dogovora ali kodeksa ravnanja na nacionalni ali panožni ravni, podpišejo pa ga predstavniške organizacije prodajalcev na drobno in potrošnikov. Posamezni prodajalci na drobno imajo možnost, da pristopijo k dogovoru. Da bi se zagotovila verodostojnost in da ne bi prišlo do zlorabe cen, bi bilo poleg dogovorov o poštenem oblikovanju cen potrebno tudi neodvisno spremljanje cen v mesecih prehoda. Očitne primere kršitve bi bilo treba javno objaviti. Poudariti je treba, da pošteno oblikovanje cen ne pomeni zamrznitve cen, niti ni njegov cilj oblikovati tog sistem zakonskih zavez in upravnih izvršilnih ukrepov. |

Informacijska kampanja je trenutno osredotočena na oglaševanje v sredstvih javnega obveščanja. | 2.2.5. Informiranje V okviru partnerskega sporazuma, sklenjenega z Evropsko komisijo 8. novembra 2005, je slovenska informacijska kampanja (september 2006–januar 2007) trenutno osredotočena na oglaševanje v nacionalnih in regionalnih sredstvih javnega obveščanja. Pripravljajo se televizijski in radijski oglasi, časopisni oglasi, spletni oglasi, oglasi pred filmi v kinodvoranah in igre na spletu. V novembru in decembru 2006 bosta vsem gospodinjstvom razdeljeni dve publikaciji o prehodu na euro. Na zahtevo bodo na voljo tudi druge publikacije, kot so plakati in letaki. Organizirane bodo predstavitve na sejmih ali v šolah in novinarski dogodki, Komisija pa bo podprla tudi raziskave javnega mnenja. Slovenija sodeluje v programu medinstitucionalnega sodelovanja z Nizozemsko, da bi spoznala nizozemske izkušnje v zvezi z informiranjem o euru. |

Turisti na Malti že množično uporabljajo eurogotovino, v določenem obsegu pa tudi na Cipru. | 2.3. Priprave na Cipru in Malti Ciper in Malta si prizadevata za uvedbo eura 1. januarja 2008. Oba sredozemska otoka sta močno odvisna od turizma, pri plačilih majhnih vrednosti pa se redno uporablja eurogotovina, zlasti v turističnih območjih. Prostovoljno dvojno označevanje cen v nacionalni valuti in euru je na Malti močno razširjeno, predvsem v turističnih trgovinah, uporabljajo pa ga tudi velike veleblagovnice in turistična središča na Cipru pri izdaji računov. Ciper je močno finančno središče, kar pomeni, da bo prehod na euro velik logističen izziv za finančni sektor[9]. Finančni sektor na Malti je zelo koncentriran. Dve največji kreditni ustanovi glede na vrednost obvladujeta 90 % bančnih računov. Za malteško gospodarstvo je značilen izredno visok znesek nacionalne gotovine (približno 2 789 EUR na prebivalca), kar več kot dvakrat presega povprečje na euroobmočju (1 374 EUR). Zaradi vračanja nacionalne valute v centralno banko in menjave malteških lir v eurogotovino je zato treba posebno pozornost posvetiti organizaciji in logistiki. |

2.3.1. Priprave na Cipru |

2.3.1.1. Splošni okvir |

Ciprski nacionalni načrt za prehod je v več pogledih še vedno nedodelan. | Vlada je 13. julija 2006 odobrila nacionalni načrt za prehod. Pripravil ga je nacionalni svetovalni odbor, ki je odgovoren za usklajevanje nacionalnih priprav za uvedbo eura. Ciprska centralna banka je junija 2006 objavila načrt za prehod. Ciper načrtuje scenarij „velikega poka“ z enomesečnim obdobjem dvojnega obtoka. Na splošno ciprski nacionalni načrt za prehod zajema večino praktičnih vprašanj, povezanih z uvedbo eura. Potrebni pa so dodatni ukrepi za okrepitev zaupanja potrošnikov v stabilno oblikovanje cen v obdobju prehoda, kot je celovita strategija za pošteno oblikovanje cen, o kateri bi se dogovorili potrošniki in trgovci na drobno. Poleg tega je nacionalni načrti za prehod v več pogledih še vedno nedodelan in več pomembnih elementov je treba podrobneje opredeliti (na primer preddobavo in posredno preddobavo, organizacijo vračanja nacionalne gotovine, dvojno označevanje cen itd.). |

2.3.1.2. Finančni sektor in podjetja |

Potek preddobave je treba podrobneje razdelati. | Ciprska centralna banka naj bi poslovnim bankam dobavljala eurobankovce in eurokovance od oktobra do decembra 2007. Poleg tega bodo banke podjetjem in zlasti trgovcem na drobno zagotovile eurogotovino pred dnevom uvedbe eura, tako da bodo lahko od 1. januarja 2008 vračali drobiž izključno v eurih. Podjetja in javnost bodo imeli na voljo vnaprej pripravljene začetne pakete kovancev z ustrezno strukturo apoenov za začetniško poslovanje. O podrobnostih, vključno s časovnim razporedom preddobave, se bo še odločalo. Poslovne banke bodo v poslovanju s strankami eurogotovino izročale šele od 1. januarja 2008. Kar zadeva prilagoditev bankomatov po državi, trenutni načrt določa, da bodo bankomati na začetku izročali bankovce za 10, 20 in 50 eurov. Predvideti je treba zamenjavo bankovcev za 50 eurov z bankovci za 5 eurov, zlasti v začetni fazi gotovinskega prehoda. Tako se bo zmanjšala količina drobiža, ki ga morajo prodajalci na drobno vračati v gotovinskem poslovanju. Načrtuje se kampanja, s katero naj bi državljane prepričali, da zaloge stare valute položijo v banki ali jih pravočasno porabijo pred dnevom uvedbe eura. Ciprska centralna banka bo nacionalne kovance brezplačno zamenjavala do konca leta 2009, nacionalne bankovce pa do konca leta 2017. Poslovne banke bodo morale do 30. junija 2008 brezplačno zamenjavati ciprske funte v bankovcih do zneska 1 000 CYP na stranko na transakcijo in v kovancih do zneska 50 CYP na stranko na transakcijo. Posamezne banke lahko za lastne transakcije zvišajo te zgornje meje. To podaljšano obdobje brezplačne zamenjave v poslovnih bankah pošilja javnosti nejasno sporočilo, lahko pa bi tudi podaljšalo gotovinski prehod. Bilo bi bolj zaželeno, da se brezplačna zamenjava omeji na obdobje dvojnega obtoka, ker bi tako državljane spodbudili, da čim prej zamenjajo staro valuto. |

Vlada je odobrila tri motive za ciprske eurokovance. | 2.3.1.3. Javna uprava Ministrstvo za finance usklajuje priprave v javnem sektorju. Prilagoditev vseh računalniških sistemov, ki jih uporablja javna uprava, naj bi se dokončala do septembra 2007. Vlada je 22. junija 2006 odobrila tri motive za nacionalne strani eurokovancev (glej Prilogo 3). Ker Ciper nima nacionalne kovnice, bodo eurokovance izdelali v tujini. Vsi trije organi, odgovorni za zaščito eurobankovcev in eurokovancev pred ponarejanjem (nacionalni osrednji urad ter nacionalni centri za analizo ponarejenih eurobankovcev in eurokovancev), so ustanovljeni v okviru organov pregona. Kar zadeva praktične priprave za zaščito eura, je Ciper sodeloval v programih usposabljanja in v ustreznih skupinah Komisije, ECB in Europola. |

2.3.1.4. Potrošniki in javnost |

Obvezno dvojno označevanje cen se bo začelo en mesec po določitvi menjalnega razmerja. | Obveznost označevanja cen v ciprskih funtih in eurih naj bi začela veljati en mesec po tem, ko bo Svet sprejel odločitev o preklicu odstopanja za Ciper in določil menjalno razmerje. Obveznost bo veljala šest mesecev po uvedbi eura. Kar zadeva zaskrbljenost potrošnikov glede nepoštenega povišanja cen v času pred dnevom uvedbe eura in po njem, nacionalni načrt za prehod določa ustanovitev euroopazovalnic, ki bodo spremljale, ali se dvojno označevanje cen izvaja v skladu z določbami zakona o uvedbi eura na Cipru, ki naj bi bil sprejet konec leta 2006. |

2.3.1.5. Informiranje |

V okviru partnerskega sporazuma, ki ga je Evropska komisija sklenila s Ciprom 5. maja 2006, bo Komisija izvedla različne dejavnosti informiranja v sodelovanju s ciprskimi organi. Organizirali bodo konferenco na visoki ravni, razstavo in seminar za lokalne novinarje, izdelali bodo publikacije, promocijski material in prenosne stojnice, izvedli pa bodo tudi raziskave javnega mnenja. |

2.3.2. Priprave na Malti |

2.3.2.1. Splošni okvir |

Nacionalni načrt Malte za prehod se zdi podroben in celovit. | Dne 13. junija 2005 je bil ustanovljen Nacionalni odbor za prehod na euro (National Euro Changeover Committee, NECC), ki je zadolžen za usklajevanje izvajanja prehoda na euro. Po objavi predhodnega glavnega načrta v januarju 2006 je vlada 12. junija 2006 sprejela „Drugi dopolnjeni glavni načrt za prehod na euro na Malti“. To je prvi celovit načrt Malte za prehod, ki podrobno obravnava pomembne vidike. Nekatere vidike je treba dodatno opredeliti (na primer časovni razpored preddobave in posredne preddobave, pospešeno prilagoditev bankomatov, vsebino začetnih paketov, kampanjo proti kopičenju denarja), medtem ko se zdi pristop „postopnega opuščanja“ neutemeljen. |

2.3.2.2 Scenarij prehoda |

Načrt predvideva scenarij „velikega poka“ z enomesečnim obdobjem dvojnega obtoka. Preučuje se možnost obdobja „postopnega opuščanja“[10]. Videti ni nobenih posebnih znakov, ki bi kazali na to, da se določeni sektorji malteškega gospodarstva ne bi mogli spopasti z izzivi scenarija „velikega poka“, zaradi česar obdobje „postopnega opuščanja“ ne bi služilo nobenemu jasnemu namenu in bi se zato zdelo odveč. Poleg tega je treba poudariti, da se bo pri preteklih zneskih mogoče sklicevati na nacionalno valuto tudi po uvedbi eura (na primer v poslovnih poročilih, davčnih napovedih in drugih dokumentih, ki se nanašajo na obdobja pred uvedbo eura). |

2.3.2.3. Finančni sektor in podjetja |

Šest mesecev pred dnevom uvedbe eura bodo kreditne ustanove že začele sprejemati eurobankovce po menjalnem razmerju in brez pristojbin. | Od trenutka, ko bo določeno nespremenljivo menjalno razmerje (ki bo pomenilo začetek obdobja obveznega dvojnega označevanja), bodo kreditne ustanove sprejemale eurobankovce, ki jih bodo njihove stranke položile na račune, ki se vodijo v malteških lirah ali eurih, po menjalnem razmerju, to je brez kakršnih koli menjalnih ali administrativnih pristojbin. Kadar ne bo provizij za polog eurogotovine na račune, ki se vodijo v malteških lirah ali eurih, bi morali biti tudi trgovci na drobno pripravljeni, da od svojih strank sprejmejo gotovinska plačila v eurih po menjalnem razmerju in brez kakršnih koli pristojbin. Kot naslednji korak se bo dobava eurobankovcev kreditnim ustanovam začela konec oktobra ali v začetku novembra 2007 (konec novembra ali v začetku decembra 2007 za eurokovance). Dobava podjetjem se bo začela 17. decembra 2007 skupaj z razdeljevanjem začetnih paketov kovancev v vrednosti približno 55 MTL (približno 128 EUR) za majhna podjetja, zlasti trgovce na drobno. Javnosti bodo na voljo mini paketi v vrednosti približno 5 MTL (približno 11,65 EUR). Poleg tega bodo od 1. decembra 2007 kreditne ustanove začele menjavati malteške lire v euro po nespremenljivem menjalnem razmerju, to je brez kakršnih koli menjalnih pristojbin. Vendar bi morale oblasti državljane opozarjati, da postanejo eurobankovci in eurokovanci zakonito plačilno sredstvo šele na dan uvedbe eura in da se jih pred tem datumom ne sme uporabljati v gotovinskem poslovanju. Kar zadeva prilagoditev (približno) 150 bankomatov po državi, se trenutno predvideva, da bo od 1. januarja 2008 vsaj en bankomat v vseh večjih krajih izročal eurobankovce in da se bodo od 1. januarja 2008 izročali eurobankovci nižjih vrednosti (eurobankovci za 10 in 20 eurov)[11]. Potrebni so dodatni ukrepi za zagotovitev celovite in pravočasne prilagoditve vseh bankomatov od dneva uvedbe eura. Glede na velik obseg gotovine v malteških lirah, ki jih povprečno hranijo malteški državljani, centralna banka in NECC načrtujeta kampanjo za zgodnje vračanje bankovcev in kovancev malteških lir od sredine leta 2007, če bo do takrat sprejeta odločitev o preklicu odstopanja za to državo. Ko malteška lira ne bo več zakonito plačilno sredstvo, bo centralna banka še deset let brezplačno in po menjalnem razmerju odkupovala nacionalne bankovce, kovance pa še dve leti. Kreditne ustanove bodo do konca marca 2008 menjavale bankovce in kovance malteških lir v eurobankovce in eurokovance brezplačno za svoje stranke, za ostale pa do zneska 250 MTL. Tako kot v primeru Cipra bi bilo treba preučiti možnost omejitve brezplačne menjave na obdobje dvojnega obtoka, da bi se izognili podaljševanju gotovinskega prehoda. Da bi podjetjem pomagali pri pripravah na prehod, je NECC objavil „Kontrolni seznam prehoda na euro za poslovne organizacije“, ki ga dopolnjuje paket za trgovce na drobno z informacijami o načrtovanju in izvedbi priprav za prehod za trgovce na drobno, europretvornikom in tabelo za pretvorbo, s čimer se oblikujejo primeri dobre prakse. |

2.3.2.4. Javna uprava |

Načrtuje se kampanja za zgodnje vračanje malteških lir. | Trije motivi za nacionalne strani malteških eurokovancev so bili izbrani po javni razpravi. Končne motive je centralna banka objavila 13. oktobra 2006 (glej Prilogo 3). Ker Malta nima nacionalne kovnice, bodo eurokovance izdelali v kovnici Monnaie de Paris, ki je bila izbrana na podlagi javnega razpisa. Nacionalni centri za analizo ponarejenih eurobankovcev in eurokovancev so ustanovljeni in delujejo v okviru centralne banke Malte, nacionalni osrednji urad pa deluje v okviru organov pregona. Malta sodeluje z ostalimi državami v okviru ustreznih skupin pri Europolu, ECB in Komisiji/OLAF-u, malteški strokovnjaki pa so se usposabljali med drugim v okviru programa Komisije „Pericles“. |

2.3.2.5. Potrošniki in javnost |

Trgovine morajo ločeno označevati vse provizije za sprejem plačila v eurih. Pobuda FAIR bo spodbujala pošteno in pregledno oblikovanje cen blaga in storitev v obdobju prehoda. | Dvojno označevanje cen v eurih in malteških lirah bo obvezno od 1. julija 2007 (ali od datuma, ko bo določeno nespremenljivo menjalno razmerje, če bo to kasneje) do 30. junija 2008. Veljalo bo za vse državne ustanove, podjetja, neprofitne organizacije ali druge subjekte za prikazovanje denarnih zneskov, cen ali vrednosti blaga in storitev, ki jih ponujajo potrošniku. NECC bo od 1. januarja 2007 spodbujal prostovoljno dvojno označevanje cen, objavljene pa so bile tudi smernice za obvezno in prostovoljno dvojno označevanje cen. Določajo predvsem, da mora dvojno označevanje cen temeljiti na menjalnem razmerju, in sicer takoj, ko bo to določeno, ali (pri prostovoljnem označevanju) na centralnem tečaju mehanizma deviznih tečajev (ERM). Vse provizije, ki jih trgovci na drobno zaračunavajo za sprejem plačil v eurih, preden kreditne ustanove odpravijo pristojbine za polog eurobankovcev, se morajo označevati ločeno od cene v eurih. Kršitve smernic se lahko kaznujejo z denarnimi ali drugimi kaznimi. Čeprav na splošno ni posebne potrebe po uvedbi dvojnega označevanja pred določitvijo menjalnega razmerja, pa to ne drži nujno za države, ki so močno odvisne od turizma, kot sta Ciper in Malta. Tako (prostovoljno) dvojno označevanje se lahko uporabi le v informativne namene ali pa kot znak, da so trgovci na drobno pripravljeni sprejeti plačilo v nacionalni valuti in v eurih. V zvezi s tem malteške smernice prispevajo ne le k enotnemu izvajanju dvojnega označevanja cen v vseh trgovinah, ki se odločijo za prostovoljni pristop, temveč tudi k preglednosti provizij in zato oblikujejo primer dobre prakse v gospodarstvu, v katerem se dvojno označevanje cen uveljavi že pred določitvijo menjalnega razmerja. Pobuda Nacionalnega odbora za prehod na euro (NECC) FAIR (Fair-pricing Agreements In Retailing – Sporazumi o poštenem oblikovanju cen v maloprodaji) se bo začela izvajati 1. januarja 2007. Pobuda spodbuja pošteno in pregledno oblikovanje cen blaga in storitev v obdobju prehoda in pomaga potrošnikom, da se seznanijo z novo lestvico vrednosti. Trgovci na drobno in druga podjetja, ki poslujejo s strankami, bodo pozvani, da pristopijo k pobudi FAIR v okviru Euroopazovalnice[12], ki bo usklajevala pobudo FAIR in spremljala njeno izvajanje. Podjetja, ki pristopijo k pobudi FAIR, se zavežejo, da bodo sledila smernicam NECC (na primer glede dvojnega označevanja cen) in izvajala strategijo poštenega oblikovanja cen, kar zlasti pomeni, da ne bodo povišala cen zgolj zaradi uvedbe eura. Pravico bodo imela prikazovati znak za kampanjo FAIR, njihovo osebje, ki dela s strankami, pa se bo lahko udeležilo brezplačnega usposabljanja. Strategija poštenega oblikovanja cen, ki jo podpirajo malteške oblasti in ki temelji na jasnih zavezah in verodostojnem spremljanju, je dragoceno orodje za krepitev zaupanja potrošnikov med obdobjem prehoda. Vlada se je zavezala, da bo denarne zneske v eurih zaokrožala v korist potrošnikov, s čemer bo dajala zgled zasebnemu sektorju. NECC je ustrezne organizacije pozval, da predložijo inovativne predloge, ki bi lahko okrepili zaupanje potrošnikov med obdobjem prehoda in znatno pomirili zaskrbljenost državljanov glede morebitnih povišanj cen. Predlogi so se sprejemali do 6. oktobra 2006 in so trenutno v postopku ocenjevanja. |

2.3.2.6. Informiranje |

Malta je začela izvajati informacijsko kampanjo o euru. | NECC se je lotil tudi nacionalne informacijske kampanje in uvedel tudi nacionalno telefonsko številko za pomoč in posebne kampanje za različne ciljne skupine (potrošniki, poslovna skupnost, otroci, starejši in ranljive skupine). Za svojo informacijsko kampanjo je Malta uporabila naslednji slogan: „Euro – v našem skupnem interesu“. Medijska kampanja se je začela izvajati že v letu 2006, vendar bo oglaševalska akcija najbolj intenzivna v zadnjih mesecih leta 2007. V skladu s partnerskim sporazumom, sklenjenim z Evropsko komisijo 5. maja 2006, bo Komisija delno financirala izdelavo nekaterih publikacij, medijske kampanje in plače uradnikov za informiranje. |

2.4. Priprave v ostalih državah članicah |

V nekaterih državah od prejšnjega poročila, ki je bilo objavljeno junija 2006, ni bilo večjega napredka pri praktičnih pripravah. | Češka nacionalna skupina za usklajevanje uvedbe eura je 30. junija 2006 sprejela priporočilo vladi glede scenarija za prehod in ji predlagala, da se odloči za scenarij „velikega poka“. Vlada je to priporočilo odobrila 25. oktobra 2006. Estonija in Litva sta svoji informacijski kampanji izvedli po sklenitvi partnerskih sporazumov, podpisanih z Evropsko komisijo 8. novembra 2005, vendar je odložitev uvedbe eura upočasnila dejavnosti informiranja. Obe državi trenutno posodabljata in revidirata svoji strategiji obveščanja. Latvija in Slovaška sta izdelali svoja prva osnutka informacijskih strategij. Junija 2006 so se začele predhodne razprave z namenom sklenitve partnerskih sporazumov s Komisijo, s katerimi bi se podprle informacijske dejavnosti v teh dveh državah. Na Madžarskem, Poljskem in Švedskem od prejšnjega poročila ni bilo večjega napredka. V Prilogah 2 in 3 je prikazano stanje na področju praktičnih priprav v ostalih državah članicah. |

3. Javno mnenje v novih državah članicah |

Najnovejši rezultati potrjujejo povečevanje splošne naklonjenosti euru. | Zadnja raziskava Eurobarometra o javnem mnenju v novih državah članicah je bila opravljena septembra[13]. Rezultati so na splošno potrdili večino trendov iz raziskave, opravljene aprila 2006. Kar zadeva seznanjenost in poznavanje eura, so rezultati septembrske raziskave zelo podobni rezultatom prejšnjih raziskav. Rezultati, ki se nanašajo na zaznano raven informiranosti, kažejo manjše izboljšanje. Splošno razpoloženje glede uvedbe eura je še vedno pretežno pozitivno in se je na splošno izboljšalo v primerjavi z letoma 2004 ali 2005, čeprav se je podpora nekoliko zmanjšala v primerjavi z aprilom 2006. Vendar se stanje od države do države izrazito razlikuje (glej diagram). Na splošno 50 % vprašanih iz novih državah članic verjame, da bo imela uvedba eura v povprečju pozitivne posledice za njihovo državo, kar je nekoliko (2 odstotni točki) manj kot aprila 2006. Septembrski rezultati tudi na splošno potrjujejo rezultate prejšnjih raziskav glede pričakovanj, ki jih imajo ljudje v zvezi z eurom. Čeprav priznavajo oprijemljive koristi za vsakdanje življenje, so njihova pričakovanja glede makroekonomskih in političnih učinkov mešana. |

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ANNEX 1 – Preparations at Community level

1. Euro coins

On 7 June 2005, at the initiative of the Commission, the Ecofin Council decided that the common sides of the 1- and 2-euro and the 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins, which currently depict the EU before it was enlarged from 15 to 25 Member States, should be amended. The necessary design and technical work has been finalised and the new common sides now depict the European continent.[14] Slovenia will be the first euro-area Member State to issue euro coins with the new common side in 2007. The other euro-area Member States may also start to apply the new common sides as from 2007 for new production, and will in any event switch to the new common side in 2008 at the latest.

In July 2006, the Memorandum of Understanding on the start of euro coin production and on preparatory tasks prior to the start of production was signed between the Republic of Cyprus, the euro-area Member States and the European Commission.

2. Communication activities

Preparing citizens in Slovenia for the introduction of the euro has been a priority for the Commission's communication policy in the second half of 2006. Following the decision by the Council on 11 July 2006 to allow Slovenia to adopt the euro on 1 January 2007, the Commission has, in close cooperation with the Slovenian authorities, organised a number of communication activities and supported actions undertaken by the Slovenian government (publications, seminars, website, call centres, advertising and media campaign, etc.).

Both before and after the changeover to the euro, the Commission will carry out surveys targeting Slovenian enterprises, including retailers, and commercial banks. The purpose is to collect information, notably about the level of preparedness for the new currency, the cash changeover and the conversion of administrative and financial systems.

The Commission also started to implement the Partnership Agreements with Cyprus and Malta signed on 5 May 2006. The Partnership Agreements cover technical and financial support to the countries concerned for their national communication campaigns, including publications, media campaigns, conferences and opinion polls.

ANNEX 2 – List of relevant changeover characteristics

The table below provides an overview of certain relevant changeover characteristics in each Member State concerned. It is solely based on officially approved and publicly available information and does therefore not reflect preparations which are still under way. It should be noted that the state and degree of progress of preparations should be assessed in the context of the target date, as preparations tend to speed up as the changeover approaches.

X: Officially approved/established and published (in particular in the national changeover plan) |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | The preliminary target date (1 January 2010) has been withdrawn by the government on 25 October 2006. No new date has been set for the time being. | 1 January 2008 (to be confirmed) The government will assess the validity of the current target date in autumn 2006. |

National coordinating institution | On 23 November 2005 the Deputy Minister of Finance was appointed as the National Coordinator of the Euro Introduction. The National Co-ordination Group on Euro Introduction was established and held its first meeting on 20 February 2006. Six Working Groups were established for particular areas of preparatory activity for the euro. | The National Changeover Committee, chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, was set up on 27 January 2005. |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The Czech Republic’s Euro Accession Strategy was approved by the Government in October 2003: http://www.cnb.cz/euro_index.php. According to the Resolution of the Government No. 1231 of 25 October 2006 the Minister of Finance in cooperation with the Governor of the Czech National Bank will examine the current strategy and submit the results to the government by 31 August 2007. The Institutional Arrangements for the Introduction of the Euro in the Czech Republic were adopted by the Government on 23 November 2005. The National Changeover Plan will be submitted to the government by the end of March 2007. | The first draft of the euro adoption plan was approved by the government on 1 September 2005: http://www.fin.ee/index.php?id=13324. The fourth version of Estonia's National Changeover Plan was approved by the National Changeover Committee on 18 May 2006: http://euro.eesti.ee/EU/Prod/Euroveeb/Main_Page/left_menu_content4748/Changeover_to_the_euro_in_Estonia/europlaan_en.jsp |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | 'Big bang'. On 30 June 2006, the Czech National Coordination Group adopted a recommendation to the government concerning the changeover scenario, suggesting that it opt for the “big bang” scenario. The recommendation was approved by the government on 25 October 2006. | "Big bang". |

Dual circulation period | Two weeks. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | Banknotes and coins: commercial banks at least 6 months after €-day free of charge, some branches 12 months. Central Bank indefinitely, free of charge. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | Campaign for collection of coins before €-day planned; credit institutions are recommended to launch early cash deposit campaigns. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading 2 months before €-day; sub-frontloading by credit institutions to major clients 1 month before €-day (precondition: no distribution to general public before €-day). Banks will offer to change kroons into euro banknotes at the conversion rate and without a service fee at least one month prior to €-day. |

ATMs issuing euro only | All ATMs will dispense euro only within 48h as of €-day. |

Change in euro only | In general, change will be given in euro, but the option of giving change in kroons remains for the dual circulation period. |

Dual display of prices | Compulsory: 6 months before and after €-day. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Monitoring of the prices of certain frequently consumed goods and services under the supervision of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Leaflets containing information on the euro were made available to the public in summer 2006. |

Adaptation of national law | The legislative needs with respect to national law adaptation for the introduction of the euro are being analysed in the framework of the Working Group for Legislation of the National Coordination Group on the Euro Introduction. | Draft Act on the Introduction of the Euro ("umbrella law") and draft amendments to the Business Code are in the final stage of inter-ministerial consultation. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Competition under consideration. | Design selected and published in December 2004. |

Nr of different coin designs | One design. |

Coin supplier | Not decided yet. The current coin supplier, the Czech Mint, is an independent division of Jablonex Group a.s.; the Czech Mint is connected with the National Bank by business contracts based on tender procedures. | Coins to be minted abroad; following an international tender euro coins will be minted by the Mint of Finland. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | 230 million banknotes and 950 million coins. | 150-200 million coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | Under preparation within the framework of the Working Group for Communication. | Endorsed by the National Changeover Committee on 21 June 2005 and updated on 18 May 2006. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Government/Ministry of Finance; Central Bank | Central euro address: www.zavedenieura.cz Governmental EU information department: http://www.euroskop.cz/euro Czech National Bank: http://www.cnb.cz/cz/mezinarodni_vztahy/euro/ Ministry of Industry and Trade: http://www.mpo.cz/cz/eu-a-vnitrni-trh/euro-pristoupeni-cr-k-eurozone/default.html | www.euro.eesti.ee, launched in January 2006. |

Partnership agreement | Signed 8 November 2005. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 28 June 2004 |

Twinning agreement | Under preparation (discussion on details with the Commission and with Austrian and Slovenian experts.) |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (October 2006)

Cyprus | Latvia |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2008 | 1 January 2008 (under revision) |

National coordinating institution | Joint coordination by the Minister of Finance and the Central Bank of Cyprus, established on 29 December 2004. | The Steering Committee for the preparation and coordination of the euro changeover was established on 18 July 2005. |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The National Changeover Plan was approved by the National Advisory Committee on 29 March 2006 and by the Council of Ministers on 13 July 2006. The plan was published on the national euro web site. | The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia approved the Action Plan for Implementation of the Single European Currency on 1 November 2005, and the first draft of Latvia's National Euro Changeover Plan on 28 February 2006 (Government Order No 148, 6 March 2006). |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang" envisaged. | "Big bang". |

Dual circulation period | 1–31 January 2008. | One month. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | The exchange of national banknotes and coins is governed by the (draft) “umbrella law” for the adoption of the euro in Cyprus. The draft law provides for the exchange of banknotes and coins by the Central Bank for 10 years and 2 years respectively. Commercial banks will exchange national banknotes and coins for euro, free of charge, at least for the amount of CYP 1 000 for banknotes and CYP 50 for coins per transaction, for a period of 6 months after €-day. | Commercial banks, currency exchange offices and post offices for 6 months after €-day free of charge; the Bank of Latvia will exchange without time limit free of charge. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | A campaign is planned to encourage citizens to use hoarded cash or to deposit it with banks before the introduction of the euro. | Not envisaged due to the high nominal value of coins in Latvia and their intensive use in day-to-day payments. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Planned between October and December 2007. A working group was set up between the Central Bank and commercial banks to define processes and timing. Frontloading of coins will be carried out from a Coin Centre, currently under construction. Starter kits will be issued both to businesses and the general public. | Frontloading to banks starts on 1 December 2007, sub-frontloading on 15 December 2007 (precondition: euro banknotes and coins may not be publicly circulated before €-day). |

ATMs issuing euro only | Commercial banks will make the necessary arrangements to issue only small denomination euro banknotes (10-, 20-, and 50-euro banknotes) in ATMs as from €-day. | As of 1 January 2008 ATMs will dispense euro banknotes only. |

Change in euro only | It is planned that the retail sector will be frontloaded with euro coins so as to give change in euro only as from €-day, as far as possible. | After the end of the dual circulation period. |

Dual display of prices | According to the draft "umbrella law", the dual display of prices will be mandatory in the period starting one month after the abrogation of the derogation and the fixing of the conversion rate between the euro and the Cyprus pound until six months after €-day. Ministries and the Central Bank will issue circulars to supplement the law. | Compulsory three months from before until one year after €-day. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Euro observatories will be established in all districts. | Monitoring of price developments in the retail trade, verification of the accuracy of price displays and "fair trader" campaign envisaged. |

Adaptation of national law | A draft "umbrella law" for the adoption of the euro in Cyprus is planned to be adopted at the end of 2006. The impact of the euro on existing laws has been assessed and the necessary changes are under preparation. | "Umbrella law" on basic provisions for the euro changeover in Latvia is currently being prepared. All ministries are involved in reviewing national legislation to identify the necessary amendments and new legislation required. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | The Council of Ministers approved the designs for the national sides of the euro coins on 22 June 2006. The designs were unveiled on 11 October 2006. | In process. |

Nr of different coin designs | Three designs. | Four designs. |

Coin supplier | Coins to be minted abroad at approved national and/or private mints, through tender procedures. | Coins will be minted abroad. The call for tenders for the production of coins will be held once the design has been finalised. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | 79 million banknotes (value €1730m), 545 million coins (value €147.4m). | 87 million banknotes and 300 million coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | A Comprehensive Strategic Communication Plan for the Adoption of the Euro in the Republic of Cyprus was approved by the Council of Ministers on 5 April 2006. The relevant action plans were approved, and implementation has started. | "Communication strategy for the euro changeover in Latvia" approved by the Steering Committee of Latvia's euro implementation project on 12 April 2006. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Ministry of Finance/Government; Central Bank | www.euro.cy, activated on 31 May 2006 as part of the communication campaign's official kick-off event. Other government websites and the Central Bank's website provide links to the changeover website. | Planned euro changeover website:www.eiro.lv. A working group has been set up to develop the concept of this site. Updated information on the euro changeover process is available on the website of the Ministry of Finance: http://www.fm.gov.lv/page.php?id=105. |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 5 May 2006. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 2 May 2005 | 2 May 2005 |

Twinning agreement | Between IE – MT – CY: communication and information strategy (finalised); between GR – CY: technical issues related to the changeover. |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (October 2006)

Lithuania | Hungary |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | The specific target date has not been set. According to the government, Lithuania will aim to join the euro area as soon as possible and the more favourable period for Lithuania to join the euro area starts from 2010. | The update of the Convergence Programme of 1 September 2006 aims at meeting the Maastricht criteria in 2009. A new target date for the adoption of the euro has not been specified. |

National co-ordinating institution | Commission for the Coordination of the Adoption of the Euro in Lithuania, established on 30 May 2005. | Preparatory work is ongoing in the Ministry of Finance and Magyar Nemzeti Bank (central bank of Hungary). |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The first version of the National Changeover Plan was approved by the government on 29 September 2005. The draft second version of the National Changeover Plan, dated April 2006, has been published: http://www.finmin.lt/notes_images/web/stotis_inf.nsf/0/80C39F584F795D97C22570AD0054C826/$File/LT%20Changeover%20plan_en.pdf | In 2006, the Central Bank prepared a proposal for a national changeover plan focusing on its tasks and forwarded it, inter alia, to the Ministry of Finance. A summary of this proposal was published in October 2006. |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang". | "Big bang" with possible phasing out features. |

Dual circulation period | 15 days. | One month. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | Commercial banks: free of charge for 60 days after €-day. Central bank: free of charge for an unlimited period. | Credit institutions and post offices: at least during the dual circulation period. Magyar Nemzeti Bank: in the case of banknotes for 20 years and in the case of coins for 5 years after the end of the dual circulation period. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | Consumers will be encouraged to deposit cash with banks as early as possible. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading of euro banknotes to commercial banks one month before €-day at the latest and of euro coins three months before €-day at the latest. Sub-frontloading of euro banknotes and coins to retailers during the last month before €-day. |

ATMs issuing euro only | As from €-day ATMs will dispense euro banknotes. |

Change in euro only | Recommendation to give change in euro only. |

Dual display of prices | Compulsory: 120 calendar days before €-day until 120 days after €-day; voluntary: recommendation to use dual display as early as possible after the adoption of the conversion rate. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Business organisations will be encouraged to adopt a Code of Good Business Practice (on correct conversion, no price increases etc.); enterprises committing themselves will be authorised to use the special logo of the Code. |

Adaptation of national law | A Law on the Adoption of the Euro has been drafted (rules on conversion and exchange of the litas to the euro, withdrawal of litas from circulation, publication of the images of notes and coins, redenomination of securities, dual display of prices etc.). The law will be adopted once the decision to lift the derogation has been taken. All existing legal acts that need to be adapted with a view to the euro were identified by December 2005. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Approved. |

Nr of different coin designs | Three designs. |

Coin supplier | Lithuanian Mint. | National Mint. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | Estimation of 118 million banknotes and 290 million coins has been made on the condition that the euro will be introduced on 1 January 2007. | 0,5 billion banknotes and 1 billion coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | The "Public information and communication strategy on the adoption of the euro of Lithuania" was approved by the government on 29 September 2005. The strategy is currently under revision. The Bank of Lithuania has completed the procedure for the selection of a provider of euro information services. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Ministry of Finance/Government; Central Bank | Websites of the Bank of Lithuania (www.lb.lt) and of the Ministry of Finance (www.finmin.lt). A national website is under development. | www.euro.mnb.hu (activation envisaged in the course of November 2006) |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 8 November 2005. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 28 June 2004 |

Twinning agreement | Between NL – SI – LT: communication and information strategy; between BE – LT on tax-related questions; between BE – LT on departmental management related to the changeover. | Between AU – HU: communication and information strategy (finalised). |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (October 2006)

Malta | Poland |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2008 |

National co-ordinating institution | Two Committees appointed on 13 June 2005: a Steering Committee and a National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) reporting to it. | Inter-institutional working group Ministry of Finance / national central bank. |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | The Second Updated Master Planfor the Euro Changeover in Malta was adopted by the government on 12 June 2006http://mfin.gov.mt/image.aspx?site=NECC&ref=Master%20Plan%202 . |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang" with a "phasing-out" period. |

Dual circulation period | January 2008. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | It is planned that, as from 2 January 2008, credit institutions will start accepting the exchange of Maltese lira notes and coins into euro notes and coins, free of charge for their clients and up to a 'household amount' of MTL 250 for non-bank clients. In both cases free exchange is planned to be provided until the end of March 2008. The Central Bank of Malta will continue to exchange all Maltese lira coins and notes, subject to anti-money laundering regulations, for two years and ten years respectively after the Maltese lira ceases to be legal tender. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | A de-hoarding campaign is being designed by the NECC and the Central Bank of Malta. The campaign will target the general public and specific target groups and is expected to unfold as of mid-2007 (after the decision lifting Malta's derogation). |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading to credit institutions is planned to start from late October/early November 2007 and sub-frontloading by credit institutions to businesses and other cash handlers is planned to start from 17 December 2007. As from 1 December 2007, credit institutions will exchange Maltese lira into euro at the irrevocably fixed conversion rate without any exchange charges. |

ATMs issuing euro only | It is planned that at least one ATM in all major localities will dispense euro banknotes as from 1 January 2008. |

Change in euro only | Planned as from 1 January 2008. |

Dual display of prices | Mandatory dual display of prices from 1 July 2007 (or from the irrevocable fixing of the conversion rate, if later) until 30 June 2008. Voluntary dual display will be promoted by the NECC as from 1 January 2007. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Following consultation both within the NECC and of the public, the Fair-pricing Agreements in Retailing (FAIR) initiative is expected to be launched by the last quarter of 2006. The FAIR initiative provides for the conclusion of formal agreements in which retailers notably commit themselves not to increase prices for the simple reason that the euro is introduced. A Euro Observatory on the basis of EC Recommendation 98/288/EC is being set up. The NECC has requested relevant organisations to submit innovative and creative proposals which enhance consumers’ confidence in the euro changeover process. The NECC will be co-financing such initiatives. |

Adaptation of national law | The Euro Adoption Act 2006 entered into force on 29 September 2006. A workshop is identifying the need for amendments to existing legislation and is drafting respective proposals. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | The three designs for the national sides of the Maltese euro coins were selected following a public consultation; the final designs were published by the Central Bank on 13 October 2006. | Public survey. |

Nr of different coin designs | Three designs. |

Coin supplier | As Malta does not have a national mint, the Maltese euro coins will be produced by the Monnaie de Paris, the mint chosen following a public call for tenders. | National Mint. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | Estimated 92.5 million euro notes. Estimated 206 million euro coins. | Between 4 and 5 billion coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | "Multi-annual communication strategy in preparation for the adoption of the euro (2006-2008)" adopted by the Steering Committee for the adoption of the euro on 19 April 2006. The NECC has prepared a detailed action plan for 2006 and 2007 including a significant information campaign reaching specific target groups including consumers, the business community, children, the elderly and vulnerable groups. It has recruited a team of information officers to assist the general public and has also launched a national helpline to assist the different target groups. The NECC launched its information campaign in June 2006. The NECC unveiled the slogan “the euro – in our common interest” and launched a three-digit helpline which has proven popular among the general public. The campaign includes public relations initiatives, articles on national newspapers and magazines and an advertising campaign. The team of information officers is also constantly participating in television and radio programmes as well as giving public talks to NGOs, local councils and other important multipliers. A specific campaign targeting businesses in planned in autumn. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Government/Ministry of Finance; Central Bank | NECC: http://www.euro.gov.mt Central Bank of Malta: http://www.centralbankmalta.com/site/euroadoption.html Ministry of Finance: http://mfin.gov.mt |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 5 May 2006. |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 2 May 2005 |

Twinning agreement | Between IE – MT – CY: communication and information strategy (finalised). Between AT-MT: establishment of Euro Observatory. | Between DE – PL: communication and information strategy and practical issues. |

STATE OF PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS (October 2006)

Slovenia | Slovakia | Sweden |

Changeover plan |

National target date for euro adoption | 1 January 2007 (euro adoption date) | 1 January 2009 | Not yet decided. |

National co-ordinating institution | The Coordinating Committee for Technical Preparations to Introduce the Euro was created in July 2004. | Ministry of Finance |

(Approved) National Changeover Plan | A Masterplan for the Euro Changeover was approved in January 2005. First update was adopted by the government on 2 February 2006. Both documents are available on: http://www.bsi.si/en/publications.asp?MapaId=717 and http://www.evro.si/en/slo-and-euro/documents/. | The National Changeover Plan was approved on 6 July 2005: http://www.nbs.sk/ZAKLNBS/PUBLIK/BROZURY/NARPLAN.PDF (Slovak) http://www.nbs.sk/ZAKLNBS/PUBLIK/BROZURY/NARPLANA.PDF (English). |

Changeover details |

Type of scenario | "Big bang". | "Big bang". |

Dual circulation period | 1 January to 14 January 2007. | 16 days. |

Exchange of national banknotes and coins | Commercial banks will exchange tolar banknotes and coins free of charge until 1 March 2007; Banka Slovenije will exchange tolar banknotes without time limit and tolar coins until 31 December 2016 free of charge. | Commercial banks exchange banknotes until end 2009 and coins until June 2009 (free of charge). The Central Bank exchanges banknotes without time limit and coins for 5 years. |

Campaign for rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins | A campaign of the banking sector is planned for the rapid withdrawal of national banknotes and coins. |

Frontloading and sub-frontloading | Frontloading of coins to banks as of 16 September 2006, of banknotes as of 11 December 2006; sub-frontloading of coins as of 1 December 2006, of banknotes as of 11 December 2006; coin mini-kits for the general public as of 15 December 2006, while starter kits for retailers as of 1 December 2006 | One to four months prior to €-day. |

ATMs issuing euro only | ATMs will only dispense €10 and €20 banknotes as of €-day. | As of €-day ATMs will issue euro only. |

Change in euro only | Change will be given in euro only as of €-day. | Change will be given in euro only. |

Dual display of prices | Compulsory from 1 March 2006 to 30 June 2007. | Compulsory: from one month after the fixing of the conversion rate to one year after euro adoption. Voluntary: for further 6 months. |

Consumer confidence building measures (e.g. agreements with retailers) | Price Watch Project: The Consumer Association of Slovenia is monitoring price developments in the retail sector for specific goods and services in cooperation with the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and will publish the names of retailers who increase prices excessively. | Evolution of prices in 2008 and 2009 will be closely monitored; consumers will be informed of the results; consumers can raise complaints with supervisory bodies or apply to the courts; voluntary ethical code has been drafted with retailers and entrepreneurs. |

Adaptation of national law | The draft Introduction of the Euro Act was sent to the ECB for consultation on 3 May 2006 and submitted to Parliament in July 2006. Amendments to the Salary Tax Act were adopted in December 2005; amendments to the Bank of Slovenia Act, to the Payment Transactions Act, to the Minor Offences Act and to the Companies Act were adopted in April 2006. The amendments to the Collateralisation Act were adopted in June 2006. | "Umbrella law" planned to be adopted by 1 January 2008. The necessary amendments to existing legislation have been identified by January 2006 and are envisaged to be adopted in 2008 at the latest. |

Euro banknotes and coins |

Design of the national side | Approved. | Final design of the national side for the euro coins was chosen by public tender followed by an opinion poll and announced in December 2005. |

Nr of different coin designs | Eight designs. | Three designs. |

Coin supplier | Coins to be minted by national mints abroad; the Mint of Finland has been chosen as producer of euro coins. | National Mint. |

Estimation on the need for banknotes and coins | 94 million banknotes and 296 million coins. | 400 million coins. |

Communication activities |

Communication strategy | Endorsed by Bank of Slovenia on 19 May 2005 and by the government on 2 June 2005. | Communication strategy on the euro introduction in the Slovak Republic is part of the National Changeover Plan. |

Addresses of websites on euro changeover, activation date: Government/Ministry of Finance; Central Bank | National website on euro changeover: http://www.evro.si, activated on 15 February 2006. Special section on the euro on the webpage of Bank of Slovenija: http://www.bsi.si. Toll-free phone line: 080 2002. Free euro post cards. | http://euro.vlada.gov.sk; http://www.euromena.sk. |

Partnership agreement | Signed on 8 November 2005 |

Other issues |

ERM II entry | 28 June 2004 | 28 November 2005 |

Twinning agreement | Between NL – SI – LT: communication and information strategy. | Between AU – SK: communication and information strategy; Between BE – SK: technical issues related to the changeover (finalised). |

ANNEX 4

Euro coins designs of the future national sides of Cyprus

[pic][pic]

1- and 2-euro coin 10-, 20- and 50-cent coin

[pic]

1-, 2- and 5-cent coin

Euro coins designs of the future national sides of Malta

[pic] | [pic] |

1- and 2-euro coin | 10-, 20- and 50-cent coin |

[pic] |

1-, 2- and 5-cent coin |

ANNEX 5 - State of public opinion in the recently acceded Member States

The European Commission recently commissioned another Eurobarometer survey on public opinion in the recently acceded Member States concerning their attitudes towards and knowledge about the introduction of the euro. Gallup Europe conducted this survey in September 2006. It was the fourth such Eurobarometer survey (following surveys in September 2004 and 2005, and in April 2006), again polling over 10 000 citizens.

1. Familiarity with and knowledge about the euro

Respondents in the recently acceded Member States are already relatively familiar with the single currency. 77% of the respondents have already seen euro banknotes while 70% have seen euro coins. Less than half of the respondents have already used the euro. Generally, euro banknotes are better known and more used in the recently acceded Member States than coins.

In addition to these practical aspects, the survey also tested the respondents' knowledge of the euro's general features. As to the design of the single currency, only a minority of respondents was able to respond correctly that banknotes are identical throughout the euro area (45% compared to 46% in April 2006), and that the coins have national designs on one side (37%, unchanged). As in April 2006 and before, only 40% identified the correct number of euro-area Member States. A relatively stable majority of citizens (67%, previously 69%) in each surveyed country believes that their country can decide whether it will adopt the euro or not.

Regarding the expected date of introduction of the euro, the results show a marked shift since April 2006, corresponding to actual developments. While in spring the majority of the population of the Baltic States believed that their countries would adopt the euro before 2008 (72% in Lithuania, 71% in Estonia and 51% in Latvia), only a minority now shares this opinion (35%, 44% and 36%, respectively).

2. Information and information channels

The results of the September 2006 survey reveal a moderate increase in the perceived information level, both on average as well as in each country except Latvia. Overall, 5% of respondents believe that they are very well informed about the euro, and another 35% report that they are rather well informed. These figures have improved for the second time, suggesting that the dissemination of information has been gradually improving over time. Inversely, 58% consider that they are not very well, or not at all, informed about the euro, including respondents in Cyprus (60%) and Malta (62%), which are aiming to introduce the euro on 1 January 2008. The results suggest that demand for information is far from satisfied for the time being.

As in April 2006, an average of 77% of respondents express their confidence in national central banks as a trusted source of information. European institutions are perceived as the second most trusted source (results being slightly lower than in April 2006: 67% relative to 70%). Most respondents continue to prefer mass media and banks as channels of information and are mainly interested in practical information on the euro introduction, e.g. the value of the euro (93%), how to avoid being cheated (92%), the changeover scenario (90%), etc. The survey confirms once more that a dual display of prices is considered essential in preparing for the changeover, both in shops (85%) and on utility bills (75%).

3. Perceptions of and support for the single European currency

As in April 2006, citizens in the recently acceded Member States are prepared – at least mentally – to have their currency replaced by the euro: 47% are very or quite happy about a future changeover, which is comparable to the April 2006 findings. The trends are very much country-dependent: the relative share of citizens happy about the euro changeover increased in five of the ten recently acceded Member States, while it has decreased in the other five since April 2006.

Generally, citizens expect that the advantages will be greater for their country than for themselves. Only 8% think that the introduction will have a very positive effect (no change compared to April 2006), and 42% that it will have a positive rather than a negative effect on the country (a 2-percentage-point decrease from April 2006). Similar figures on a personal level show that 8% expect very positive (+1), and 36% rather positive (-3) consequences when it comes to adopting the single currency in their country. A significant minority of 40% expect negative personal consequences, but fewer citizens fear a similar outcome for their country (36%).

Support for the euro decreased significantly in Hungary and Cyprus, and somewhat less in Poland, Malta and Latvia, while increasing in the other Member States. Citizens in Malta and Cyprus remain sceptical, despite the possibility of their countries adopting the euro in the near future. While only 31% of respondents expect positive consequences for Malta, 48% (compared to 42% previously) appear to be very or rather happy with the euro replacing their national currency. In Cyprus, the picture is more pessimistic: only 29% expect positive consequences for the country, which is the lowest rate of all ten countries, and only 32% (compared to previously 39%) are very or rather happy.

4. Expectations and fears regarding the adoption of the euro

The September results broadly confirm previous surveys as regards citizens' expectations of the euro. 45% (compared to 46% in April 2006) of the respondents continue to fear that the introduction of the euro will increase inflation in their country. There is still broad consensus in the recently acceded Member States that the euro is an international currency and that there are several benefits associated with their country's adoption of the euro.

Regarding the euro's economic or political effects, respondents generally acknowledge that it will have positive effects on public finances (44%, unchanged). Citizens are split (40% agree and 39% disagree) when asked whether the euro will favour employment or boost economic growth.

[1] COM(2004) 748 z dne 10. novembra 2004; COM(2005) 545 z dne 4. novembra 2005; COM(2006) 322 z dne 22. junija 2006.

[2] Od leta 2007 bo euroobmočje tvorilo 13 držav članic EU, medtem ko se bo po pristopu Bolgarije in Romunije skupno število držav članic EU povečalo na 27. Z izjemo Danske in Združenega kraljestva, ki imata možnost „nesodelovanja“, ima preostalih 12 držav status „države članice z odstopanjem“, od njih pa se pričakuje, da bodo sprejele euro, ko izpolnijo potrebne pogoje.

[3] Zadnji konvergenčni poročili Komisije sta bili sprejeti 16. maja 2006 na zahtevo Litve (COM(2006) 223) in Slovenije (COM(2006) 224). Naslednje redno konvergenčno poročilo bo Komisija izdala do konca leta 2006.

[4] V skladu s scenarijem „velikega poka“ uvedba eurobankovcev in eurokovancev sovpada z uvedbo eura kot valute v zadevni državi članici.

[5] Obdobje dvojnega obtoka je obdobje, ki se začne na dan, ko se dajo v obtok eurobankovci in eurokovanci (dan uvedbe eura) in v katerem sta nacionalna valuta in euro zakoniti plačilni sredstvi v zadevni državi članici.

[6] Preddobava pomeni dobavo eurobankovcev in eurokovancev kreditnim ustanovam s strani nacionalnih centralnih bank pred uvedbo eurogotovine. Posredna preddobava pomeni dobavo teh eurobankovcev in eurokovancev prodajalcem na drobno in drugim podjetjem ter po možnosti tudi širši javnosti s strani kreditnih institucij.

[7] Glede objave nacionalnih strani slovenskih eurokovancev glej UL C 254, 20.10.2006, str. 6.

[8] Glej poglavje 3.

[9] Ciper ima 400 kreditnih ustanov s približno 500 poslovalnicami. Število bančnih računov na prebivalca (2,90) presega povprečje v euroobmočju (1,59) za 82 %. Vir: ECB, Modra knjiga.

[10] Scenarij „velikega poka“ z obdobjem „postopnega opuščanja“ je eden od treh možnih scenarijev za uvedbo eura, ki jih predvideva pravni okvir Skupnosti; glej Uredbo Sveta (ES) št. 2169/2005 z dne 21. decembra 2005 o spremembah Uredbe (ES) št. 974/98 o uvedbi eura (UL L 346, 29.12.2005, str. 1). V obdobju „postopnega opuščanja“ se lahko novi pravni instrumenti še vedno sklicujejo na nacionalno valuto v obdobju do enega leta. Zadevna država članica mora omejiti uporabo „postopnega opuščanja“ na določene vrste pravnih instrumentov ali na pravne instrumente, sprejete na določenih področjih.

[11] Glej ECB, Modra knjiga.

[12] Glej Priporočilo Komisije z dne 23. aprila 1998 o dialogu, spremljanju in informiranju kot pomoči pri prehodu na euro (UL L 130, 1.5.1998, str. 29).

[13] http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl191_en.pdf.

[14] See OJ C 225, 19.9.2006, p. 7, for the official publication of the new common sides.

[15] Exchange at banks at the conversion rate without service fees.

[16] This term refers to campaigns encouraging citizens to deposit hoarded cash with banks well in advance of the changeover to the euro.