The British Government's proposal to develop the ECU gradually into a "hard" European currency has begun to be viewed in a more positive light. What principles are at the heart of this proposal? Does a "hard" ECU have advantages over the existing ECU? What are its chances as a parallel currency?

On January 1, 1981 the southward extension of the EC starts with the accession of Greece. Spain and Portugal are to follow suit in the near future. The consequences in the industrial sphere will be less spectacular than those in agriculture but still of considerable importance for the process of...