Summary and conclusions

On 5 November 1997, the Commission adopted a Communication entitled The impact of the changeover to the euro on community policies, institutions and legislation. It provided an assessment of the practical consequences for Community policies as a result of the euro, the euro-compatibility of Community legislation, and the technical and operational consequences for the Commission (information technology, administrative changes, information and training of staff).

On 6 October 1998, the European Parliament adopted its report (Langen) on the Communication, in which they request the Commission to provide the Parliament with a progress report. This report is in response to that request.

This paper describes the progress made in implementing the Communication as on the date of the introduction of the euro on 1 January 1999. In the vast majority of cases, the strategy and deadlines described in the Communication are being adhered to. The paper reviews progress in the fields of the Community budget, agricultural policy, administrative expenditure, the legal framework for the euro, internal market legislation, the treasury and financial management systems of the Commission, statistics, informatics and staff training.