Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Central Bank, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions and the European Bank. Eighth report on the practical preparations for the future enlargement of the euro area.

Abstract

Following the Council decision of 8 July 2008 that Slovakia fulfils the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro1, the euro area will have 16 members on 1 January 2009. The Slovak koruna will be converted into the euro at the rate of 30.1260. The practical preparations for the changeover have entered the final phase. This report addresses in particular the preparations for the introduction of euro cash into the economy, the preparatory activities of businesses, the preparations of public administration, the measures put in place for protecting consumers in the changeover period, the communication campaign and the state of public opinion on the euro. The attached Commission Staff Working Document provides for details on the preparations for the introduction of the euro in the other EU countries that have not yet adopted it and do not have a legal opt-out