„Nowe państwa członkowskie” w strefie euro – doświadczenia dla Polski

In spite of the fact that the reception of a single currency is imposed as part of the duties resulting from membership in the UE, none of the states which entered the UE in 2004 and 2007 accepted the Euro on the day of their accession. It resulted from the obligation to satisfy the criteria of convergence determined in the treaty on functioning of the UE. At present 17 out of the 27 UE member-states belong to the Euro zone. Poland, as one of the countries entering the UE in the framework of the expansion of 2004 and 2007 is therefore obliged to replace its currency with the Euro. However, the deadline for this project is relatively flexible. Apart from the legal and economic criteria of convergence, there is also a need for carrying out peculiar and efficient steps of the practical nature. They are supposed to help citizens of the member states that joined the Euro zone to adjust themselves to the new legal and factual situation. Those practical steps concern, among others, determination of the relevant period of mandatory dual display of prices. This treatment is to counteract the negative impact of the introduction of the Euro with reference to prices. A very important element in the process of preparing for membership in the Euro zone is to provide banks, traders and retailers with the Euro cash. This usually happens within the last two or three months before the planned introduction of the Euro. It is also important to carry out an appropriate information campaign. At the initial stage, it should be relatively general in nature and subject to a gradual intensification as we approach the date of introduction of the Euro.