History of the euro succeeding the EMCF, under Maastricht. It was created as the forerunner to the European Central Bank. It met for the first time on 12 January under its first president, Alexandre Lamfalussy. After much disagreement, in December 1995 the name "euro" was adopted for the new currency (replacing the name "Ecu" used for the previous accounting currency), on the suggestion of then-German finance minister Theo Waigel. They also agreed on the date 1 January 1999 for its launch. On 17 June 1997 the European Council decided in Amsterdam to adopt the Stability and Growth Pact, designed to ensure budgetary discipline after
International status and usage of the euro considering making the euro a third official currency of the country to go along with the US dollar and the Balboa. In various countries the euro is accepted by some merchants albeit not being official currency there. Additionally sometimes it is used for pricing purposes even if the actual payments are made in the official currency (e.g., for real estate). The Swedish town of Höganäs has, since 1 January 2009, generally allowed shop payments in euros alongside the Swedish krona. Widespread usage, though unofficial, is also present in towns such as Haparanda, on the border with Finland. The euro is