What is the Euro ?

The Euro is European money. It’s a single currency that was introduced on 1 January 2002 to create a more unified Europe. The Euro is used by 12 European countries, including France, Spain, Germany and Ireland. The countries were given until the end of February 2002 to stop using their previous currency and completely change over. Some places had more trouble than others adjusting to the change. In Greece, for example, people had to get used to having coins again. With their previous currency, which was called drachma, one unit had been worth so little that there were no coins, only notes.

Will Britain ever get the Euro?

No-one knows yet whether Britain will decide to change currency to the Euro. IF we do, it’s likely to be after a very long discussion in parliament and once the public has voted to say the euro is a good idea.

Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has said the Euro must pass five tests before he’d consider joining in, so he can be sure it’s the right thing for Britain.
The tests include making sure that the Euro would provide plenty of jobs for British people and lots of opportunities for UK businesses. It should also help to make our country’s finances more stable.
Gordon Brown and Prime Minister Tony Blair have the final decision about whether we swap our pounds and pence for the Euro.
If the Euro passes Gordon Brown’s tests and the British people vote yes, then the government will start discussions.
What seems certain is that any decision on the Euro is a long way off.

By Alex Goy adapted from “First News”; July 2006

Vocabulary help.
To be worth : valoir
Whether : si
Chancellor of the Exchequer : Ministre des finances
To provide : offrir
To swap : changer


Compréhension

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