July 7, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 25,1423

SINGAPORE, July 6: European Commission President Romano Prodi said on Saturday he believes the euro will gain the same weight as the US dollar globally but gave no timetable.

I think that the euro will have in the future similar rate, similar dignity, similar weight as the dollar, he told a forum of government officials, diplomats, academics and businessmen here after delivering a lecture on Asia-Europe ties.

Europe, when we shall arrive at 500 million people, we shall represent by far the biggest economic entity in the world, he said, referring to the moves to expand the European Union currently covering 15 countries to around 25 members.

Prodi was replying to a question on the possibility of the single European currency increasing its share as part of the foreign reserves of countries worldwide currently dominated by the US dollar.

Prodi arrived here Friday and will leave Sunday. On Saturday he delivered the lecture and met with Singapore leaders including PM Goh Chok Tong.—AFP