Transcript
IMF Seminars, Conferences, and Workshops Economic forums are free of charge and open to the public; no registration is needed. The forums are accessed through the entrance to the IMF Center at 720 19th Street N.W., Washington D.C., a half block north of the IMF building's main entrance. For further information, please contact John Starrels of the IMF's Public Affairs Division (telephone number: 202-623-8722, E-mail jstarrels@imf.org). |
|
|
ECONOMIC FORUMS AND INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS
The Euro: Ready or Not Thursday, January 10, 2002, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon IMF Auditorium (Enter via the IMF Center) International Monetary Fund 720 19th Street N.W., Washington D.C. View (high bandwidth) or listen to (low bandwidth) the taped proceedings using Media Player. Transcript of the proceedings The introduction of the euro on January 1, 2002 creates a large common currency area with a weight in the world economy rivaled only by the United States. With the changeover to notes and coins underway, the euro is being transformed from an abstract icon to the most tangible element of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). This is a matter for celebration because of accomplishments already garnered under the EMU, not least of which is the successful pursuit of stability-oriented, yet suitably flexible, monetary and fiscal policies. At the same time, the euro's weakness and the cyclical downturn in Europe underscore the remaining challenges to be surmounted in further strengthening underlying fiscal positions in the larger countries, and achieving integrated, employment-generating, and smoothly functioning markets within the EMU. The advent of the physical euro needs therefore to prompt the resolve to deal with these more intractable aspects of monetary union. The following panelists will assess these prospects:
Michael Deppler (Moderator), Director, IMF European I Department Gerard Baker, Financial Times Moreno Bertoldi, Economic and Financial Counselor, European Union Gerald Grisse, Permanent Representative, European Central Bank C. Randall Henning, School of International Service, American University For reference, please refer to the following documents: The Euro - An Emblem of the Successes and Challenges of European Integration Economic Forum Series are hosted by the IMF on a regular basis to promote informed public discussion on major issues confronting the organization and the international community more broadly. |