The former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl has said that countries not in the EU could join the euro
Published:
23 January 2004 y., Friday
In a rare interview with the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung today, the former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl has said that countries not in the EU could join the euro.
Mr Kohl, who was leader of Germany from 1982 to 1998, said, "I can imagine that one or the other country will adopt the euro without becoming an EU member".
Mentioning Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU, he said, "I think that in the not too distant future people will pay with the euro in Switzerland. Because there, after several referendums, it will be recognised that the euro is good for Switzerland". He also cites the Ukraine as a possible euro member outside the EU.
The former leader believes that this would be a good way to bring countries that do not have the possibility of joining the EU closer to the Union.
Furthermore, Mr Kohl, who is thought of as one of the architects of the euro, criticises present EU countries who have decided to retain their own currencies - the UK, Sweden and Denmark.
He says, "Some European Union countries have not adopted the euro. One could say they have stepped on the brakes. But time is against the laggards".
Šaltinis:
euobserver.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The President of the Spanish Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, will meet this Monday with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to analyse the future EU economic and employment strategy EU2020 before the Twenty-seven approve its basic lines at the Spring European Council.
more »
The planned overhaul of the EU common fisheries policy should take better account of the huge differences across European fleets and fisheries, give greater responsibility to fishing regions, address the problem of fleet overcapacity and improve the traditional quota system, according to a non-binding report adopted by Parliament on Thursday.
more »
The EMU framework and economic governance within the eurozone need to be revamped.
more »
Young people should be a priority in EU action next year, it emerged on Tuesday, as the Budgets Committee started work on the EU's 2011 budget.
more »
European Investment Bank (EIB) support for EU regional policy is crucial for tackling the economic crisis, EIB President Philippe Maystadt told the Regional Development Committee on Monday.
more »
Three thousand former car, refrigerator and construction workers in Germany and Lithuania could get €7.6 million in EU globalisation adjustment fund aid for training, self-employment and professional orientation under plans approved by the Budgets Committee on Tuesday.
more »
Today, 22 February, the EU Council of Agriculture and Fishing in Brussels, under the chairmanship of the Spanish Minister, Elena Espinosa, will analyse the impact of the economic crisis on the Greek agricultural sector, which has experienced a drop in prices and income, with small farms that pose an obstacle for the producer for negotiating with large distribution chains.
more »
Municipal policies to tackle the crisis and their application at EU level will be discussed during the three days of the summit entitled, “Networked Local Governments for a New Europe”, which will bring together representatives from 260 cities in Barcelona.
more »
The EBRD is promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Moldova, helping the economy to reduce its energy intensity with a new €20 million credit line for on-lending to local private companies.
more »
The EBRD is lending $1.2 million to Salkyn, one of the largest ice cream producers in Turkmenistan, to help the company expand its distribution network and build up its brand.
more »