martin feldstein, harvard-ökonom und ronald reagans ökonomischer ratgeber, vor der verabschiedung des maastricht-vertrags im economist:

[T]he shift to a common currency could actually diminish trade within Europe. It is also likely to reduce economic well-being by raising future unemployment and increasing the cyclical volatility of activity within individual countries. And it could cause a higher rate of inflation than the current monetary arrangements.
[...]
EMU is sought by those who want to move to a political union among the current members of the European Community.

herrman van rompuy, präsident des europäischen rates, rund zwanzig jahre und eine eurokrise später auf twitter:

The goal is not to build a political union for its own sake, it is to make the € stable financially, economically but also politically solid.