Opening the ceremony, EP President Roberta Metsola said that the euro has “truly been one of the greatest achievements of the EU, as evidenced by a recent Eurobarometer survey showing that 78% of people say that it is a ‘good thing’”.

“The euro is about European integration, unity, stability, identity, solidarity. It is right in our pockets as a tangible success story”, Ms Metsola added.

ECB President Christine Lagarde said, “The euro has made the lives of Europeans simpler and produced tangible economic benefits. It has allowed trade to flourish, supported the free movement of people, goods and services and allowed citizens to work, study and travel in 19 member states without having to exchange currency. It has united us across borders, languages and cultures. Sharing a currency is more than simply using the same means of payment; it is being part of a common endeavour.”

European Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni said, “We are celebrating one of our…