Thus, the single currency has gained an important international dimension. The number of principal actors in the international financial system has now been reduced to three the USA, Europe and Japan. At present, Europe is still trying to find its own, distinguished voice in international financial matters.
But it is a fact even now that the introduction of the euro has had a stabilizing influence in the international financial system, as was successfully demonstrated in the wake of September 11, 2001. A number of indicators point to the growing international role of the euro: The euro segment of the global money market has risen to about 25%.