71.   History is littered with attempts at currency unions that have failed.

72.   If the U.K. participated in the currency union, this market would be even more attractive for investors, he added.

73.   In practice, money statistics vary considerably between countries in the new currency union, and new forms of financial transactions have further complicated the definitions of money.

74.   In statements, both ministers said the move will ease the process of currency union.

75.   Mr Yam said the authority was closely monitoring volatility that could occur in Europe as a result of currency union.

76.   Nowhere was that more apparent than in a Europe preparing for currency union.

77.   Only those nations meeting targets on government deficits, debt and inflation can join the currency union.

78.   Polls show a majority of Germans resist the move, for fear lax fiscal policies elsewhere in the currency union would weaken the new unit.

79.   Rather the profit should be kept in reserve at the central bank and be used by the system of European central banks joining the currency union.

80.   So in the Treaty of Maastricht four years ago the European Union set out a series of strict criteria for membership in a currency union.