The first part of the paper analyzes the inflationary risks associated with price liberalization, the welfare costs of inflation and the difficulties of East European central banks in pursuing non-inflationary policies. The main obstacles are the low credibility of stabilization policies and a...

The paper analyzes the role of a multilateral payments union (PU) between East European countries (EEPU) as an intermediate solution in the process to full convertibility. After a description of the main functions of a PU, which is based on the historical model of the European Payments Union, it...

The paper examines the integration strategy laid down in the Delors Committee Report. It focuses on two issues: Is a comprehensive conceptual framework for monetary coordination in Europe needed already in Stage One, and how could it be designed? What is the rationale for a training period for...