2014-03-31
In preparation for the adoption of the euro, a cycle of free information seminars is being launched in the regions across Lithuania, during which almost 100 information seminars on euro issues will be arranged. The events are both for the general public and business — all those interested in the subject of the euro.
Information seminars in April to May will take place in Akmenė, Anykščiai, Birštonas, Biržai, Druskininkai, Elektrėnai, Ignalina, Joniškis, Kaišiadorys, Kalvarijos, Kazlų Rūda, Kelmė, Lazdijai, Mažeikiai, Neringa, Pakruojis, Palanga, Pasvalys, Plungė, Radviliškis, Raseiniai, Rokiškis, Skuodas, Šalčininkai, Šilalė, Širvintos, Švenčionys, Trakai, Vilkaviškis, Visaginas, Zarasai.
In autumn the cycle of events is planned to be continued, visiting other Lithuanian towns and cities. In two months it is planned to visit over 30 Lithuanian towns and small towns. The first events, on 2 April, will take place in Druskininkai and Lazdijai, on 3 April — in Kalvarijos and Vilkaviškis.
During one day in one town, several information seminars are to be organised: one for the representatives of local authorities, elderships, social workers, community centres, the other — for local businesses, the thirds one — for the general public. Those wishing to find out more about the adoption of the euro in Lithuania will be able to choose a seminar of the highest relevance to them.
During the seminars, specialists of the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Lithuania, Ministry of Economy, VšĮ Verslo Lietuva will present major political, economic and practical aspects of the euro adoption, and will explain the euro adoption process itself. A lot of attention at the seminars will be devoted to the subject of consumer protection, consultancy will be provided on how to recognise cash, secure against possible cases of fraud.
Useful advice for businesses preparing for the euro adoption will be given by the Ministry of Economy. It will provide recommendations for the dual display of prices at trading and service centres. It is planned that the prices will already have to be so displayed at the end of the summer, while the entire period will last for almost three years. Information seminars participants will also be introduced to the joint work of the Ministry of Economy and business — Memorandum of Good Practices during the Adoption of the Euro. Its purpose is, in creating a mutual trust based environment, to protect the interests of Lithuanian consumers during the adoption of the euro and ensure fair conversion of the prices of services and goods.
The business representatives who will sign the Memorandum will voluntarily promise to abstain from the adoption of the euro as a pretext for raising prices and to be honest in converting the prices of goods and services.
All business representatives who will join the Memorandum of Good Practices during the Adoption of the Euro will be given the right to use the logo specifically designed for this purpose. Business representatives will be able to mark with this logo their trading and service desks, and inform the user that they adhere to the principles established in this Memorandum — honesty, responsibility, transparency, courtesy, community spirit.
The Lithuanian government is aiming to adopt the euro as of 1 January 2015. For that, Lithuania must be in compliance with the convergence (Maastricht) criteria. This means that general government deficit must not exceed 3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), state debt must not be in excess of 60 per cent of GDP, inflation cannot be more than 1.5 percentage points higher than the average inflation in the three EU Member States in which the prices are the most stable, etc.
As of 1 January 2014 the euro is adopted in Latvia, Estonia joined the euro area as of 1 January 2011.