Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-07-03-Speech-4-012"
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"en.20030703.1.4-012"2
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"Mr President, Mr Duisenberg, I wish to begin by thanking our fellow MEP, Mr Blokland, for a constructive report and, at the same time, express my own respect, as well as that of the Group of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party, for the way in which the ECB has acquitted itself of its responsibilities during the previous year. I also wish to make a point of thanking its president, Mr Duisenberg, personally.
The introduction of euro notes and coins must be viewed as very successful. There were major logistical problems and plenty of opportunities to make mistakes, but the euro has become the second world currency in a very short period. On a recent visit of mine to Japan, a significant anxiety could be sensed faced with the strength of the euro and the economic advantages with which the euro provides the eurozone countries and the whole of the European Union.
As is well known, Mr Duisenberg, we shall be having a referendum in my country this autumn. It is no exaggeration to say that the name of the ECB is on everyone’s lips. In many respects, the Bank and the work you have carried out are commended but, in one area, the ECB is criticised in a way that I must admit is justified. It is a question of transparency and public scrutiny. Now, during the remainder of your time at the ECB, you should be able to make further efforts in this area. You have accommodated Parliament before and you can do so again. You are aware of our wishes and mentioned them before: open publication of the minutes of ECB Council meetings and annual publication of economic prognoses from individual countries, regions and border regions in the manner of what is termed the Beige Book in the United States. We must also obtain renewed discussion of the new voting rules. The principle must be clear: one country, one vote.
For myself, engaged, as I am, in an active struggle to persuade the Swedes to vote in favour of the euro, it is precisely the issue of the ECB’s lack of transparency that is a problem. If today, Mr Duisenberg, you could provide us with some encouraging news, it could cause more and more Swedes to accept the euro. Transparency and public scrutiny are always good for democracy. If the Swedish National Bank in Stockholm successfully manages to publish its minutes and votes, I am convinced that the ECB in Frankfurt should also proceed similarly.
I wish to conclude by thanking you and wishing you good fishing. Mr Duisenberg, in the future you can put up a sign saying ‘Gone fishing’."@en1
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