Introduction of the Euro

Represents Germany as leaders agree the timetable for monetary union and choose euro as the single currency's name.

Represents Greece as leaders choose euro as the name of the future single currency.

Represents Ireland as leaders choose euro as the name of the future single currency.

Represents Italy as leaders choose euro as the name of the future single currency.

Chirac joined European leaders in adopting the name euro for the future single currency.

Supports the Madrid changeover scenario establishing euro as the name of the future single currency.

Supports the changeover scenario establishing the timetable for the single currency.

Supports the timetable and legal preparations for the future single currency.

Supports the changeover scenario setting the route from national currencies to the euro.

Helps secure political agreement on the fiscal framework accompanying the euro.

Helps broker arrangements governing the legal transition to the future single currency.

Jospin supported France's participation among the initial states approved to launch the single currency.

Participates in the agreement on the method for determining irrevocable conversion rates for the future euro.

Represents Germany when leaders decide that eleven member states meet the conditions to adopt the euro from 1999.

Represents Italy when leaders confirm that Italy qualifies to adopt the euro from 1999.

Supports Italy's successful qualification for participation in the first wave of the euro.

Represents Germany as leaders prepare for the launch of the euro and discuss employment and institutional reform.

Supports Greece's convergence strategy aimed at qualifying for later entry into the euro area.

France adopted the euro for accounting and electronic transactions when the single currency was launched.

Heads the German government when the euro becomes Germany's currency for electronic payments and accounting.

Serves as finance minister when Germany enters the third stage of economic and monetary union.

Heads the government when the euro becomes Ireland's currency for electronic payments and accounting.

Oversees Irish fiscal policy as Ireland enters the third stage of economic and monetary union.

Heads the Italian government when the euro becomes Italy's currency for electronic payments and accounting.

Leads Greece as it requests removal of its monetary-union derogation and seeks entry into the euro area.

Sees Greece's convergence programme accepted as sufficient for euro adoption from January 2001.

Represents Greece as the Council confirms that the country meets the conditions to adopt the euro.

Greece enters the euro area under Simitis, becoming its twelfth participating state.

Euro banknotes and coins entered circulation in France and eleven other participating countries.

Oversees Germany's fiscal administration as euro notes and coins enter circulation.

Heads the German government when euro banknotes and coins replace the Deutsche Mark in everyday cash use.

Oversees the physical currency changeover from the drachma to euro notes and coins.

Heads the Greek government when euro banknotes and coins replace the drachma in everyday use.

Oversees the physical currency changeover from Irish pounds to euro notes and coins.

Heads the government when euro banknotes and coins replace the Irish pound in everyday use.

Oversees Italy's financial administration as euro notes and coins enter circulation.

Heads the Italian government when euro banknotes and coins replace the lira in everyday cash use.

Finance minister Brown rules out British adoption of the EU euro, dashing Blair hopes of placing Britain "at the heart of the European Union"

Sarkozy hosted euro-area leaders in Paris to coordinate measures responding to the financial crisis.