Willem F Duisenberg: Press conference on the introduction of the euro banknotes and coins Statement by Mr Willem F Duisenberg, President of the European Central Bank, at a joint press conference given by the EU Presidency, the European Central Bank and the European Commission, Frankfurt, 3 January 2002. *  *  *  ...
The Eurosystem - the European Central Bank and the 12 national central banks of the euro area - and all parties involved were confident that the euro cash changeover would be a success, given the enormous effort and preparation which went into this historic and unprecedented operation.