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Euro price rises upset Slovenes Euro price rises upset Slovenes
(4 days later)
A consumer watchdog body in Slovenia says the country's transition to the euro is going smoothly but many people have complained of price rises.A consumer watchdog body in Slovenia says the country's transition to the euro is going smoothly but many people have complained of price rises.
"We've had a lot more complaints since 1 January," said Breda Kutin, head of the Slovenian Consumers' Association."We've had a lot more complaints since 1 January," said Breda Kutin, head of the Slovenian Consumers' Association.
She said most complaints concerned prices in the service sector, such as cafes, hairdressers and car parks.She said most complaints concerned prices in the service sector, such as cafes, hairdressers and car parks.
Slovenia, formerly part of communist Yugoslavia, became the 13th member of the euro zone on 1 January.Slovenia, formerly part of communist Yugoslavia, became the 13th member of the euro zone on 1 January.
The European Commission said on Friday that Slovenia's transition to the euro was happening "in a smooth and swift way".The European Commission said on Friday that Slovenia's transition to the euro was happening "in a smooth and swift way".
The Commission said some 40% of Slovenia's tolar currency had already been withdrawn from circulation and all cash dispensers had now been converted into euros.The Commission said some 40% of Slovenia's tolar currency had already been withdrawn from circulation and all cash dispensers had now been converted into euros.
No price shockNo price shock
From 15 January all payments will be in euros only, though the dual display of prices will continue until mid-2007. One euro (£0.7) is currently worth 239.6 tolars. From 15 January all payments will be in euros only, though the dual display of prices will continue until mid-2007. One euro (£0.7) is worth 239.6 tolars.
Mrs Kutin told the BBC News website that banks had increased their charges even before the euro was introduced, with some banks doubling their tariffs for money transfers.Mrs Kutin told the BBC News website that banks had increased their charges even before the euro was introduced, with some banks doubling their tariffs for money transfers.
"We'd like the government to think about regulation in sectors where we don't really have competition, especially public utilities. The standard of regulation is still rather low in Slovenia," she said."We'd like the government to think about regulation in sectors where we don't really have competition, especially public utilities. The standard of regulation is still rather low in Slovenia," she said.
But she said the price rises were not as severe as in Greece or Italy when they introduced the euro.But she said the price rises were not as severe as in Greece or Italy when they introduced the euro.
Strong competition in the retail sector had helped prevent sharp price rises in the shops, she said.Strong competition in the retail sector had helped prevent sharp price rises in the shops, she said.
The association is closely monitoring price changes, she said, adding that it was still too early to give reliable national figures.The association is closely monitoring price changes, she said, adding that it was still too early to give reliable national figures.
She said the big response from consumers was encouraging.She said the big response from consumers was encouraging.
"Our consumers don't usually react in such a big way. This is an important step - now they are proactive.""Our consumers don't usually react in such a big way. This is an important step - now they are proactive."