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The Euro Makes Its Debut

BRUSSELS (voa) – The euro has now become legal tender across 12 European nations and their territories, as Europeans ring in the new year and celebrate the introduction of their brand new common currency.

From Paris to Athens, Berlin to Rome, Europeans ushered in the new euro coins and banknotes with huge parties in public squares, firework displays and live music.

Outside of the European Central Bank headquarters in Frankfurt, officials lit a huge blue euro symbol. In many cities, people lined up at automatic teller machines to withdraw their first crisp new euro notes, a decade after the Maastricht Treaty set the course for a single European currency. More than 15 billion banknotes and 52 billion coins have been produced for the switchover – described as the world’s largest peacetime logistical operation.

The tiny French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean was the first to usher in euro banknotes and coins, followed by Finland and Greece, whose clocks are one hour ahead of Central European time.

In Helsinki, the Finnish Finance Minister made the first official purchase, buying a cup of coffee with a Euro coin.

In Athens, fireworks lit up the sky to welcome the euro. Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis drew 20 and 50 euro notes from an ATM machine and celebrations with song and dance took place across the country.

European leaders proclaimed the dawn of a new era of unity as 300-million residents said good-bye to their old currencies and embraced the euro. The euro is replacing the French franc, the German mark, the Italian lira and other currencies.

In a televised New Year’s address, French President Jacques Chirac said the euro is a victory for Europe. He said after a century of crises, wars and hesitation, the European continent is now affirming its identity in an atmosphere of peace and stability.

Three European Union members – Britain, Sweden and Denmark – are not adopting the euro as their currency for now.

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