In addition to low inflation, economic growth in the euro area has reached its highest level in a decade and unemployment shows a clear downward trend. Budgets have been fairly consolidated and structural reforms are under way. If this development continues, I am confident that the future of the euro is indeed very promising.
Moreover, it may be said that the single currency is the basis for a stable and prosperous economic climate in the euro area, which also has a positive effect both on our neighbours and EU applicant states and for the global economy. The euro was conceived as a tool to promote further European integration and to strengthen the European economy.