The National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) has successfully dealt with 30 reported cases of price abuse and issued 36 letters of warning since the single European currency was introduced on 1 January, NECC executive director Alan Camilleri told members of the media yesterday.

Speaking at a media briefing at the NECC offices in Birkirkara, Mr Camilleri said 90 per cent of all payments are now being made in euro and no change is being given in Maltese liri.

As for cash that is currently in use, he said that according to the NECC’s findings, 86 per cent of citizens now carry euro banknotes alone, or mostly euro banknotes, in their wallets, while 90 per cent of citizens carry only, or mostly, euro coins.

Until Wednesday evening, e185 million in cash had been withdrawn, said Mr Camilleri, adding that this amount did not include deposits.

He said the NECC had received a few reports that prices were being rounded up, but Euro Assistants had been looking into every case in as much detail as possible.

So far, 30 cases of price abuse have been dealt with successfully, without the NECC having to issue letters of warning. The people involved, reverted prices after being contacted, said Mr Camilleri, adding that these had included some professionals.

However, 36 letters of warning have had to be issued; some of the cases are already being discussed with the people involved and these will be allowed a week to revert to proper prices, or provide a justification that would then be analysed by the NECC.

The Maltese government will be organising official activities to mark the country’s entry to the eurozone tomorrow. Practically every EU country will be represented at ministerial level at the official activities, the first of which will be a luncheon at the President’s Palace in Attard.

Among those attending the activities are José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank and Joe Borg, European commissioner responsible for fisheries and maritime affairs, among others.

The guests will also attend a concert at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mro Michael Laus, will accompany soprano Miriam Gauci and tenor Joseph Calleja.

The various prime ministers and heads of EU institutions will give a speech at the end of the concert, which will be followed by refreshments courtesy of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

The concert will be broadcast live on TVM at 5.30pm.