The new president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde prepares to write her signature on a 20 Euro display banknote at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 27, 2019. Lagarde signed here on Wednesday euro banknotes, vowing to nurture and sustain European citizens' trust in the single currency. (Angela Morant/ECB/Handout via Xinhua)

 

The new president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde poses for photos after writing her signature to be printed on Euro banknotes at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 27, 2019. Lagarde signed here on Wednesday euro banknotes, vowing to nurture and sustain European citizens' trust in the single currency. (Angela Morant/ECB/Handout via Xinhua)

 

The new president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde writes her signature on a 20 Euro display banknote at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 27, 2019. Lagarde signed here on Wednesday euro banknotes, vowing to nurture and sustain European citizens' trust in the single currency. (Angela Morant/ECB/Handout via Xinhua)

The new president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde signed here on Wednesday euro banknotes, vowing to nurture and sustain European citizens' trust in the single currency.

With currently 23 billion banknotes in circulation with a value of 1.26 trillion euros -- a third of which are being used outside the euro area, the world's second largest reserve currency has been playing a role in bringing Europe closer together, fostering a common identity and a sense of shared destiny in the currency bloc.

"It serves as the most tangible symbol of European integration, a process which has brought peace, freedom and prosperity to our continent," Lagarde said at the signing ceremony which is customary ritual for the beginning of each ECB presidency.

Among ECB's tasks such as implementing monetary policy, directly supervising more than 100 significant banks, "it is banknotes that are perhaps the most visible task for many European citizens," said Lagarde.

"These banknotes are part of our economy, our identity and our culture," she underlined, adding that the ECB has an immense responsibility to ensure that people maintain their trust in them.

As the ECB's fourth president, Lagarde embarked on her eight-year term on Nov. 1, 2019.

Legally, both the ECB and the national central banks of the euro area have the right to issue euro banknotes. In practice, however, only the national central banks physically issue and withdraw euro banknotes. (one euro currently equals to 1.10 U.S. dollars)