A common currency for Europe – with the introduction of the euro more than 20 years ago, that vision became reality. More recently the monetary union was put to the test during the European sovereign debt crisis. And while the perspectives for the euro zone as a whole are better than they have been in a long time, major reforms are on the horizon. In addition, an expansion of the common currency to all EU member countries is being debated. As a result the new chairman of the Eurogroup, Mario Centeno, already has his work cut out for him.
Eurozone
Many states, one currency
Eurozone banks moot payment system to rival Visa, Mastercard
European banks are working on a new payment system to challenge the dominance of Visa, Mastercard and technology companies such as Google and PayPal, sources have told AFP
Eurozone unemployment falls slightly to reach the lowest rate since May 2008
The unemployment rate in the European Union has dropped in August, in comparison to the previous month and the same month last year. This rate is in fact the lowest joblessness rate the eurozone has reached since May 2008.
How the ECB could boost the eurozone economy
The European Central Bank is widely expected to lower negative interest rates even further on September 12, and possibly bring back its multi-billion-euro quantitative easing programme
New ‘balanced’ EU executive team unveiled
The incoming EU Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, has made climate policy, digital technology and rekindling Europe's economy core ambitions for the next five years
Eurozone growth slows to 0.2% in second quarter
Is the eurozone heading for a slowdown? The latest growth figures show economic growth halved in the second quarter of the year, despite falling unemployment rates
How the ECB could boost the eurozone economy in 2019
The European Central Bank signals it could interest rates or resume its multi-billion-euro quantitative easing programme to boost growth in the eurozone