Russia's foreign reserves to have larger euro share

According to a statement issued by the department of foreign and public relations of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the bank has increased the share of the euro in the so-called two-currency basket of currencies of the foreign reserves to 20%. The euro previously accounted for 10% of the foreign reserves. The new structure of two-currency basket of currencies presently comprising 0.2 euro and 0.8 U.S. dollar came into effect on March 15th, 2005.

Last week's changes to increase the euro share in the two-currency basket of currencies reflect measures to ensure the stability of foreign reserves and equalization of exchange rate of the ruble to the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies. The changes were implemented in line with the adjustment of the foreign exchange market players to new conditions of the exchange rate fluctuations.