Colleagues, before concluding let me highlight the more urgent work programme for the Council in the short to medium term. First, is publication of the Financial Stability Report, as an anchor publication, providing accountability in the areas of assessment of financial stability risks and mitigation  measures.
The old currencies were therefore withdrawn much more quickly than expected.This also led to an exceptionally high demand for low-denomination euro banknotes and coins and even caused some short-term bottlenecks. Besides the logistical challenge, the changeover called for major efforts in communication. Every man and woman and child had to be familiarised with the new currency.