The international role of the Euro. its impact on economic relations between Asia and Europe1

摘要

For nearly five years now, the unity of Europe has been embodied in a new symbol, the euro. The euro has replaced French francs, German marks, Italian lira, Spanish pesetas and other currencies. It represents a key step towards an "ever closer union among the peoples of Europe", which was the aspiration of the founding fathers of the European Union. While, for several decades, many of our citizens regarded the construction of the European Union as a remote undertaking, with the advent of the euro banknotes and coins, the idea of Europe, of a united continent, is now more tangible. The currency is an intrinsic part of daily life in twelve countries. As the years pass, a new generation will grow up in Europe only having used the euro.