Now, almost three weeks after the introduction of the new currency, I would like to stress that, in the short term, the conversion of prices into euros should not be taken as an opportunity to make unjustified price rises. This is especially important considering that food and energy prices are already exerting upward pressure on inflation in the euro area as a whole.
Reforms have been implemented in almost all areas of economic activity, and most importantly in the labour market, the pension system, healthcare, public and tax administration and the financial sector.