euro|topics - Cyprus and Malta join the Eurozone

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Tema destacado del Miércoles, 2. Enero 2008

Lamentablemente, todavía no se encuentra disponible la traducción en española de este texto, por lo tanto, solamente podemos poner a su disposición la versión inglesa.

Cyprus and Malta join the Eurozone

Cyprus and Malta, members of the EU since 2004, adopted the European currency on January 1st 2008. The Eurozone now has fifteen members. The European press is delighted with this enlargement.

Politis - Chipre

"We should welcome the Euro as if it were a newborn child: with unlimited affection and a lot of patience until it is able to 'stand on it's own two feet', and we are happy to have 'adopted it', considers the Cypriot daily."The historical change of currency that Cyprus is going through opens a new chapter full of hope for our children, who will not of course be faced with problems of adapting to it. It is up to grown-ups to go through teething problems this time. This change will have a profound impact on the Cypriot economy and society. ... So this is a new era for Cypriot society. Perhaps it will see the reunification of the island. In the northern quarter, occupied by the Turkish army for 33 years, certain shops have decided to adopt the European currency even though it won't be the official currency. And thus let us note that on our euros, the name of the island is also inscribed in Turkish (Kibris). May we therefore see the euro as an opportunity to feel a little more European." (02/01/2008)

The Malta Independent - Malta

The Maltese daily is glad to see what it considers "the logical step after Malta became a member of the European Union nearly four years ago. ... There were some who thought Malta should have waited longer to make this important step. But the country's progress enabled it to meet with the established criteria within a rather short time and, here we are, with euro notes and coins in our hands. We have been preparing for this day, and the National Euro Changeover Committee, which was entrusted with the plans to make the transition as smooth as possible, did a good job. ... Those of us who have not yet started thinking in euros should do so. It would be wrong to continue trying to convert euros back into lira in our minds. The faster we learn to appreciate the value of the euro and 'forget' the lira, the faster we will get used to the new currency." (01/01/2008)

The Independent - Gran Bretaña

"The story of the euro is primarily one of benefit to European citizens", considers the British daily. "Perhaps the soundest indicator of the currency's success is the fact that nation states are still eager to become part of the eurozone. Cyprus and Malta joined yesterday, adding 1.2 million people to the 320 million Europeans already using the single currency. Both nations are expecting boosts to their economies as a result of easier access to the vast markets on their doorstep. Meanwhile, four of the other 2004 accession states have linked their currencies to the euro in an exchange rate trading band. The eurozone will grow steadily larger in the coming years. And as it does so it will grow stronger. Our own government's decision, along with Denmark and Sweden, to remain on the sidelines is looking increasingly bizarre." (02/01/2008)

Süddeutsche Zeitung - Alemania

The extension of the Eurozone is particularly positive for the German economy, says Alexander Hagelüken. "In early boom phases, the Deutschmark was not linked to the dollar but rather to the French franc or Italian lira – and so export prices rose all around. Now, the strong home currency of Daimler and Co. has less of an inhibiting effect than before, because these days the firm sells half of its products without a markup to countries that pay in the same currency. This is a blessing for the time being. The recovery, endangered by financial crises and the bumpy US business cycle, is stabilised by the euro. ... But there's hardly anything in life that's free. The euro secures exports, but it also imports competition. ... In the monetary union, it's no longer enough to look toward the next elections. Politicians also have to keep an eye on the competition from euro-neighbours, lest they hurt their own constituents." (02/01/2008)

» de toda la revista de prensa del Miércoles, 2. Enero 2008

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