The EU is preparing for anniversary of the euro

The European Union Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn has launched a competition to select the best design for a limited emission of metal coins of two euros, whose release into circulation on 1st January 2012 to mark the tenth anniversary of the introduction of a common European currency.

For the first time, 330 million people of 17 member states that use euro, will have the opportunity to vote via Internet between five offered solutions to choose how their money should look like.

Although the euro currency is not the favorite in Athens, Lisbon and Dublin, it will not prevent the EU to celebrate its tenth anniversary.

Among the proposed designs are images of butterflies flying over the horizon with the euro symbol, the image of the bee comb with the euro in the background and two children who, holding hands, marching to the euro.

Voting is open until 24th June and the winning design will be proclaimed on 30th June by European Commission, executive body of the EU.

Celebrating of 10 years since the introduction of the euro is hardly a popular idea among citizens of countries such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal, because many of them believe that their membership in the euro zone has brought economic hardship and debt crisis of the past two years.

One study in Finland, Germany, Holland and other states has shown that the euro now is not nearly as popular as it was when it was introduced, despite the fact that facilitates travel and purchasing goods in the euro zone.

Regardless of the current differences of opinion on the common European currency, it has over the past decade has been relatively successful. When it was introduced, the euro was worth 90 U.S. cents, but has since steadily grown stronger, reaching a record high of nearly $ 1.60 in July 2008, according to new data of the European Central Bank.

 

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