Lamfalussy, Sandor

Economist

He was born in 1929 in Budapest. In 1949 he left Hungary and settled in Belgium. He received a degree in economics from Louvain University 1953; he then continued his studies in Oxford and at Yale University where he was a visiting professor. He returned to his alma mater, Louvain where he was professor from 1975. From 1997 he led the Institute of European Studies. His professional work has always been related to the world of banking. In 1955 he started working as a consultant and from 1965 he was a chief executive officer. From 1976 he was an economic counsellor to the Bank for International Settlements in Basel and from 1985 he became general director. Between 1988 and 1989 he was a member of the Delors Committee. From 1994 to 1997 he was head of the European Monetary Institution (predecessor of the European Central Bank) based in Frankfurt and played a decisive role in the establishment of the EURO. He is the holder of several scientific and social titles and has obtained awards in numerous countries.

The Euro - A Political Initiative or an Economic Necessity?