The Bulgarian National Bank bought EUR 35 M from the National Bank of Greece on December 12, the director of the bank said. The Greek bank assessment showed that in Bulgaria there are in circulation different currencies totaling DEM 1 BLN. The Bulgarian National Bank will have to exchange these in one of the twelve central banks of the EU countries. Till March, 2002, the exchange will be without fees. As the year 2002 arrived around the world, cash changed its appearance across Europe. 50 BLN coins and 14.5 BLN banknotes - totaling 646 BLN (USD 568 BLN) - became legal tender at midnight Monday in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Three European Union countries - the UK, Sweden and Denmark - have yet to sign up for the euro and are retaining their own currencies.