10th Anniversary of the Euro - 2009-01-13

It is ten years since the euro became the official currency of the European Union, used in initially eleven of its Member States. Euro coins and notes were introduced two years later. There are now 16 Member States which have adopted the euro as their national currency.

Peter Skinner MEP, Member of the Economics Committee, said: "The Euro has become a reserve currency of some renown. In this time of economic turmoil, the Euro has provided stability for the economies of the Eurozone."

Gary Titley MEP, Labour's Leader in Europe, calls the UK to have a fresh look at the single currency: "In principle we are in favour of the single currency, in practice the economic conditions must be right. We should continue to review the situation at future budgets."

For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.

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