A discussion entitled European Monetary Union (EMU) and Prospects for Economic Reform in Germany will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel downtown on Wednesday, April 22, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Robert Dahlberg, program director of the American Council on Germany (ACG), will assess the EMU’s impact on prospects for economic reform, renewal and recovery in Europe, particularly Germany.
The ACG is a private, non-profit organization incorporated in New York in 1952 with the purpose of promoting reconciliation and understanding between Americans and Germans. Among the founders was Marietta-native General Lucius D. Clay, who served as commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces in Europe and as military governor of the U.S. zone in Germany from 1947-49.
Dr. Dahlberg told GlobalFax in a telephone interview from the Council’s New York office last week that the elimination of exchange rate risks and more uniform prices throughout the EMU are expected to initiate a European investment boom.
Despite these positive forecasts, he added, European banks were more skeptical about the development of the EMU because of the increased competition that they will face.
Meanwhile, he said the general population would prefer to keep its national currencies. Nevertheless, he thinks that the adoption of the euro is now irreversible unless some major unforeseen event takes place.
The countries to join the EMU in January, 1999, will be selected next month. The euro will replace the national currencies of EMU members early next century.
The discussion is free and open to the public, but the courtesy of a reservation is requested. Please call (404) 676-3830 or fax (404) 515-5997 to reserve a place. The ACG’s web site may be found at http://www.acgusa.org