The period of dual circulation of euro notes and coins alongside national monies should be kept "as short as possible", the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) said yesterday.

"A maximum period of five weeks should suffice," Eurochambres said in a statement.

Eleven European Union nations are due to introduce economic and monetary union (EMU) on January 1st, 1999, but euro notes and coins will not be put into circulation until January 1st, 2002.

So far they have not agreed exactly how long national notes and coins should circulate alongside the euro. A maximum six-month period suggested three years ago is now accepted as unrealistic, given the costs this would impose on retailers and banks who have to handle the money.