Sour note for Central Bank as Cyprus objects to euro omission

Date: 02/05/02

THE European Central Bank has been urged to redesign the map of Europe depicted on euro banknotes and coins so that Cyprus is included.

The Mediterranean island is a leading candidate to join the EU in just over 18 months time but, unlike the other applicants, it has been left off the map.

MEP Chris Davies, a member of the EU-Cyprus joint Parliamentary committee, has taken the matter up with Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes.

UK Liberal deputy Davies said: 'The illustration on the notes and coins shows the continent extending as far east as Moscow but it stops short of Cyprus.

'This is the cause of some irritation to politicians in Cyprus who are among Europe's strongest advocates of EU membership. The euro is aimed at bringing the people of Europe together, but to become a EU member and not feature on the map is bound to cause resentment.

'Solbes has tried to explain away the problem by describing the design on euro coins as a 'representation of Europe as opposed to a map of Europe'.

'He's also passed the buck by insisting it is a matter for the European Central Bank,' added Davies, who points out that the design of the banknotes and coins can reasonably be expected to alter over time.

'All that Cyprus needs is for the map to be extended by a millimetre to the east. That really shouldn't pose too big a problem,' said the deputy.

The European Central Bank has been urged to redesign the map of Europe depicted on euro banknotes and coins so that Cyprus is included.