Euro notes are getting a new look 20 years after their introduction.
Before the advisory board on the new banknotes started working, Moritz Körner, a member of the European Parliament (EP), suggested that the photographs of Turkish-origin scientists Özlem Türeci and her husband Uğur Şahin, who are on the agenda with the vaccine they developed against Covid, should be included on the new banknotes.
Speaking to the German media, Moritz Körner emphasized that BioNTech, led by Türeci and Şahin, saved the lives of millions of Europeans with the vaccine it developed against Covid.
Körner, who is from the liberal-leaning Free Democratic Party (FDP), stated that the photo of the Turkish-born couple should therefore be included in the new banknotes and said, “Their life is an impressive story about harmony, progress, entrepreneurship, scientific excellence and the potential of an open immigration society.” .
European citizens and the board of experts will have the final say on the new banknotes.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to give the euro banknotes a new look, due to the 20th anniversary of their introduction into circulation.
Since the introduction of the Euro, only new series with different safety features have been prepared, but its design has not changed at all.
ECB President Christine Lagarde announced the new plan, saying, “After 20 years, it’s time to rethink the look of our banknotes and make them more recognizable to all Europeans of all ages and backgrounds.”
The ECB wants to clarify the draft for the new look of euro notes by 2024.
For this purpose, an advisory board consisting of experts determined by the central banks in 27 EU member countries was established.
These experts will take the pulse of the society on “symbols that include historical accumulation in Europe, the spirit of openness and cooperation and communication between citizens”. A possible theme list will be created in the light of the information obtained.
A competition will be held after the themes to be included on the new banknotes are determined. European Union (EU) citizens will be asked to participate in the decision process of the competition.
The ECB management will decide on the final shape for the appearance of new banknotes in 2024.
European citizens and the advisory committee must adopt the proposal in the process of determining the new look of the banknotes.
However, in this case, the images of Özlem Türeci and Uğur Şahin will be included in the new euro banknotes.
It is not yet clear when the new banknotes will be released.