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Enlargement of the eurozone

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Enlargement of the eurozone is at present a continuing process within the European Union (EU). All member states of the EU, except for Denmark and the United Kingdom (and de facto Sweden), are obliged to adopt the euro as their sole currency when they meet the criteria. This includes two years in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) and keeping inflation inline with the EU average.

Following on from the 11 EU states who were part of the initial introduction in 1999: Greece joined in 2001 before the coins and notes were released and the national currencies were retired for good; Slovenia joined on 1 January 2007; Cyprus and Malta joined on 1 January 2008; and Slovakia joined on 1 January 2009.[1]

Out of the remaining states, the earliest expected accession would take place in 2011, though most states will not meet the criteria to join until around 2013. Denmark, which has an opt-out, is considering holding a referendum on joining, though the United Kingdom and Sweden are maintaining their current opposition to joining the eurozone. Iceland on the other hand may join the EU rapidly to adopt the euro, but not before 2011.

Contents

[edit] Accession criteria

Main article: Convergence criteria

In order to join the eurozone officially, (thus being able to mint coins separately), a country must first be a member of the European Union, and then meet certain economic criteria, including accession to ERM II, which fixes the acceding country's national currency's exchange rate to the euro, within a specified band (normally ±15%).

European microstates that have monetary agreements with acceding countries can continue these agreements to mint separate coins on the accession of the larger state, but do not get a say in the economic affairs of the eurozone. This has been used to allow Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City to mint their own coins, and Andorra is negotiating a similar agreement.

In 2009 the IMF suggested that countries should be allowed to "partially adopt" the euro, which would allow them to use the euro but would not give them a seat on the European Central Bank.[2]

[edit] Historical enlargements

For an account of how the euro was introduced to the original member states, see Introduction of the euro.

[edit] Greece

Greece was first to join the eurozone after the launch of the currency in 1999. The exchange rate between the Greek drachma and the euro was fixed on 19 June 2000 at 340.750 GRD, and Greece formally joined the eurozone on 1 January 2001. Greek drachma coins and notes were replaced with euro coins and banknotes on 1 January 2002, together with all the original euro countries.

[edit] Slovenia

Slovenia was the first country to join the eurozone after the launch of the coins and banknotes. The euro replaced the Slovenian tolar on 1 January 2007. The exchange rate between the euro and tolar had been set on 11 July 2006 at 239.640 SIT, but unlike the previous launches, cash and non-cash transactions were introduced simultaneously.

[edit] Cyprus

Cyprus replaced the Cypriot pound with the euro on 1 January 2008.[3] A formal letter of application was submitted on 13 February 2007.[4] On 16 May 2007 the European Commission backed by the European Central Bank gave its go ahead for the introduction in January 2008.[5] The final decision was taken by the EU finance ministers (Ecofin) on 10 July 2007 and the conversion rate was fixed at 0.585274 CYP.[6] The euro is only used in the government-controlled areas of the Republic, the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (under UK jurisdiction, outside the EU) and in the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus.[7] The de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus still continues to use the new Turkish lira as their primary currency and the Euro as their secondary.[citation needed]

[edit] Malta

Malta replaced the Maltese lira with the euro on 1 January 2008.[3] The aims were officially confirmed on 26 February 2007.[8] On 16 May 2007, the European Commission backed by the European Central Bank gave its green light for the introduction in January 2008.[5] The EU finance ministers gave the green light on 10 July 2007 and the conversion rate was fixed at 0.4293 MTL.[6]

[edit] Slovakia

Slovakia adopted the euro on 1 January 2009. The koruna was part of ERM II from 28 November 2005, requiring that it trade within 15% of an agreed central rate; this rate was changed on 17 March 2007 and again on 28 May 2008. The rate of 30.126 SKK from May 2008 was finally confirmed on 8 July 2008.[9]

To assist the process of conversion to the euro, on 1 April 2008, the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) announced their plan for withdrawal of the Slovak koruna notes and coins.[10] A few days later, on 5 April 2008, Slovakia officially applied to enter the eurozone.[11] On 7 May 2008, the European Commission approved the application and asked member states to endorse the bid during the EU finance ministers' meeting in July 2008.[12][13][14]

Slovakia fulfilled the euro convergence criteria. At 2.2%, Slovakia's twelve-month inflation was well below the 3.2% threshold. However, for March 2008 annual inflation was 3.6%. Fiscal deficit was 2.2% versus the reference value of 3.0%. And finally, the government debt ratio was 29.4% of GDP in 2007, well below the maximum ratio of 60.0%.[15] Public opinion supported the switch, with 58% in favour and 35% opposed, but 65% worried about the inflationary impacts of the adoption.[16] Three months after the adoption of the currency 83 percent of Slovaks consider Slovakia's decision to adopt the euro to have been right.[17]

[edit] ERM II members

Euro adoption by EU member states  v • d • e 
Currency Code Central rate Official
target date		 Expected
target date
Flag of the United Kingdom British pound GBP — —[18] —[18]
Flag of Bulgaria Bulgarian lev BGN 1.95583[19] —[20][21] 2012[22]
Flag of the Czech Republic Czech koruna CZK — —[20][21] 2015[23]
Flag of Denmark Danish krone DKK 7.46038 —[24] —[24]
Flag of Estonia Estonian kroon EEK 15.6466 —[20][21] 1 July 2010
or
1 January 2011[25]
Flag of Hungary Hungarian forint HUF — —[20][21] 2014[23]
Flag of Latvia Latvian lats LVL 0.702804 —[20][21] 2013[23]
Flag of Lithuania Lithuanian litas LTL 3.45280 —[20][21] 2013[26]
Flag of Poland Polish złoty PLN — 2012[21] 2013[23][27][28]
Flag of Romania Romanian leu RON — 2014[21] 2014[23]
Flag of Sweden Swedish krona SEK —[29] —[20] —

Apart from Denmark and the United Kingdom, which have opt-outs under the Maastricht Treaty, all other EU members are expected to join the eurozone. The following members have acceded to ERM II, in which they must spend two years, before they can adopt the euro.

[edit] Estonia

The kroon is part of ERM II, though in practice it is pegged to the euro at a rate of 15.6466 krooni = 1 euro (it was formerly pegged to the German Mark at 8 krooni = 1 German Mark). Estonia has currently no official target date for the changeover, although the last target date was for 1 January 2011. The kroon is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate, and almost all shops show prices in euro. Stamps also carry their euro face value.[30] Estonia originally aimed to adopt the euro on 1 January 2007, but this was postponed to 1 January 2008 (because Estonia did not meet the inflation criterion[31][32]) and then to 1 January 2010,[33] but this is not official yet. The date had slipped further due to the expected inflation level.[34] However, the April 2009 annual inflation rate as listed by the ECB is only 0.9%, which is below the limit.

On 11 November 2007, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip vowed to continue tight fiscal policies because he wanted the country to adopt the euro as soon as possible despite current high inflation. On 31 March 2009 the Estonian government said it would aim for the country to adopt the euro on January 1, 2011, but they want to keep open the possibility of joining on July 1, 2010.[35]

On 22 May 2009, Eesti Pank suggested that Estonia might be able to fulfill the convergence criteria already in autumn 2009.[36][37]

[edit] Lithuania

The Lithuanian litas is part of ERM II and in practice it is pegged to the euro at a rate of 3.45280 litai = 1 euro. Lithuania originally set 1 January 2007 as the target date for joining the euro, but their application was rejected by the European Commission because inflation was slightly higher than the permitted maximum.[38] In December 2006 the government approved a new convergence plan which, whilst reaffirming that the government wanted to join the eurozone "as soon as possible", said that expected inflation increases in 2007-8 would mean the best period for joining the euro would be 2010 or after.[39] Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said on 4 December 2007 that Lithuania "will be able to join the eurozone in the time frame of 2010 to 2011."[40]

An opinion poll published in January 2007 suggested that more Lithuanians opposed euro adoption than supported it.[38]

However, according to SEB bankas analysts, Lithuania will not be able to adopt the euro until 1 January 2013 at the earliest, due to the current high inflation, reaching 11% in October 2008, well above the Maastricht criterion of 4.2%.[41]

Lithuania has expressed interest in a suggestion from the IMF that countries who aren't able to meet the Maastricht criteria are able to "partially adopt" the euro, using the currency but not getting a seat at the European Central Bank. [2]

[edit] Latvia

Latvia has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and is a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union. Its currency, the Latvian lats, is in ERM II, and floats within 15% of the central rate, Ls 0.702804 = €1. Latvia had originally planned to adopt the euro on 1 January 2008 but in 2007 this was put back to 2012 [42] and then 2013.[43]

[edit] Denmark

Main article: Denmark and the euro

Denmark has pegged its krone to the euro (€1 = DKK 7.46038 ± 2.25%) and the krone remains in the ERM. In December 1992 Denmark negotiated a number of opt-out clauses from the Maastricht treaty (see Edinburgh Agreement), including not adopting the euro as currency. This was done in response to the Maastricht treaty having been rejected by the Danish people in a referendum earlier that year. As a result of the changes, the treaty was finally ratified in a subsequent referendum held in 1993. On 28 September 2000, another referendum was held in Denmark regarding the euro resulting in a 53.2% vote against joining.

On 22 November 2007, the newly re-elected Danish government declared its intention to hold a new referendum about abolishing the four opt-out clauses, including the euro, by 2011.[44] A poll was conducted between 31 March and 2 April 2008 with the majority of Danes in favour of adopting the euro.[45]

[edit] Obliged to join

The following members must first join ERM II before they can adopt the euro:

[edit] Bulgaria

Main article: Bulgaria and the euro

The lev is not part of ERM II, but has been pegged to the euro since its launch (1.95583 leva is 1 euro). It was previously pegged on a par to the German Mark. Hence, Bulgaria already fulfilled the great majority of the EMU membership criteria and must, from 2009, comply with the Maastricht criteria to join the eurozone in 2012, the tentative deadline set by Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski.[46]

While the currency board which pegs Bulgaria to the euro has been seen as beneficial to the country fulfilling EMU criteria so early,[47] the ECB has been pressuring Bulgaria to drop it as it did not know how to let a country using a currency board join the euro.[clarification needed] The Prime Minister has stated the desire to keep the currency board until the euro was adopted. However, factors such as a high inflation, an unrealistic exchange rate with the euro and the country's low productivity are negatively affected by the system.[48]

Bulgaria meets three and fails on one criteria in order to join the eurozone. It derogates on the price stability criterion, which envisages that its inflation does not exceed that of the three EU member states with the lowest inflation (Malta, the Netherlands and Denmark) by more than 1.5%. Bulgaria’s inflation in the 12 months to March 2008 reached 9.4%, well above the reference value of 3.2%, the report said.

On the upside, Bulgaria fulfills the state budget criterion, which foresees that the deficit does not exceed 3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Over the past few years, the report said, the country has consistently improved its budget fundamentals and since 2003, a break-even point, the budget ran surpluses and in 2007 was at 3.4% of GDP. The EC forecasts that it will remain at 3.2% of GDP in both 2008 and 2009.

In regard to public debt, Bulgaria has also been within the prescribed cap of up to 60% of GDP. Government debt has also been declining consistently, from 50% of GDP to 18% in 2007. The expectation is to reach 11% of GDP in 2009.[49]

Some recent analysis says that Bulgaria will not be able to join the Eurozone earlier than 2015, due to the high inflation and the repercussions of the global financial crisis of 2008.[50] However, the Bulgarian government is considering unilateral introduction of the euro, which is not seen favorably by the European Commission.[51]

[edit] Czech Republic

Main article: Czech Republic and the euro

The Czech Republic is similarly bound by the Treaty of Accession 2003 to join the euro at some point, but this is not likely to come soon. The koruna is not part of ERM II. Since joining the EU in 2004, the Czech Republic has adopted a fiscal and monetary policy that aims to align its macroeconomic conditions with the rest of the European Union. Currently, the most pressing issue is the large Czech fiscal deficit. Originally, the Czech Republic aimed for entry into the ERM II in 2008 or 2009, but the current government has officially dropped the 2010 target date, saying it will clearly not meet the economic criteria. It has been suggested that 2013 is the earliest possible changeover date. Although the country is economically better positioned than others EU Members to join the euro, it is not expected before 2015 due to the political reluctance in this subject.[52]

On 1 January 2009 former Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek announced that November 1, 2009 will be the date when the government will determine a date for adopting the euro,[53] but former Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek said the country could adopt the currency in 2013 at the earliest.[54]

[edit] Hungary

Main article: Hungary and the euro

Hungary's government has all but dropped plans to adopt the euro by the original date of 1 January 2010. Most financial studies, such as those produced by Standard & Poor's and by Fitch Ratings, suggest that Hungary will not be able to adopt the common European currency before 2011 - 2012, due to the country's high deficit, which in 2006 exceeded 10% of the GDP. On the other hand in 2007, the deficit decreased under 5% and at the end of 2008, it will reach 3.8%. According to Reuters, central bank Governor Andras Simor expects to sit down in the first half of 2009 with the government 'to discuss euro adoption'. Hungary's finance minister has said Hungary may start talks towards the end of 2009 about joining ERM-2 and enter the Eurozone in 2013-2014 at the earliest.[54]

[edit] Poland

Main article: Poland and the euro

Poland is bound by the Treaty of Accession 2003 to join the euro at some point, but current indications are that this will not be for several years to come as economic criteria must be met. The złoty is not part of ERM II, itself a requirement for euro membership.

On 10 September 2008, speaking at the launch of an economic forum in a Polish resort of Krynica-Zdrój, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the ruling government's objective to join the Eurozone in 2012, by holding a referendum in 2010 and being approved by the European Central Bank in 2011.[55][56][57] However, since the Polish constitution will need to be changed first[58] and they will have to join ERM 2 before the second quarter of 2009,[59] this target date is still very aggressive.

[edit] Romania

Main article: Romania and the euro

Romania is scheduled to replace the current national currency, the Romanian leu, with the euro once Romania fulfils the convergence criteria. The euro is scheduled to be adopted by Romania in 2014.[60]

[edit] Sweden

Main article: Sweden and the euro

According to the 1994 accession treaty,[61] approved by referendum (52% in favour of the treaty), Sweden is required to join the euro if, at some point, the convergence criteria are fulfilled. However, on 14 September 2003, 56% of Swedes voted against adopting the euro in a second referendum .[62] The Swedish government has argued that staying outside the euro is legal since one of the requirements for eurozone membership is a prior two-year membership of the ERM II; by simply choosing to stay outside the exchange rate mechanism, the Swedish government is provided a formal loophole avoiding the requirement of adopting the euro. Some of Sweden's major parties continue to believe that it would be in the national interest to join, but they have all pledged to abide by the result of the referendum for the time being and show no interest in raising the issue.

Before the September 2006 parliamentary elections, all major parties agreed not to raise the question before the next parliamentary elections (due in September 2010). The parties seem to agree that Sweden would not adopt the euro until after a second referendum. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt stated in December 2007 that there will be no referendum until there is a stable support in the polls.[63] The polls have instead shown a stable support for the "no" alternative. However, it has changed recently, with the latest one from April 2009 showing 47% yes, 45% no, 8% uncertain.[64]

[edit] Not obliged to join

[edit] Denmark

See above

[edit] United Kingdom

Main article: United Kingdom and the euro
Further information: Five economic tests

The British currency is the pound sterling and the country has an opt-out from eurozone membership. Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time under Tony Blair's government, set "five economic tests" that must be passed before it can recommend that the UK join the euro; and pledged to hold a public referendum for deciding membership should those five economic tests be met. In addition to this own internal (national) criteria, the UK has to meet the EU's economic convergence criteria (Maastricht criteria), before being allowed to adopt the euro. As of 2008, the UK satisfies all the convergence criteria set by the EU for adoption of the euro, except membership of the ERM II.

The United Kingdom redesigned most of its coinage in 2008. The German newspaper Der Spiegel saw this as an indication that the country has no intention of switching to the euro within the foreseeable future.[65] Though in a recent contradicting settlement the European Commissioner, Jose Barroso, told French radio that British politicians were considering the move because of the effects of the global credit crisis.[66] In February 2009, Monetary Policy Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said "The chance that the British pound sterling will join: high."[67]

The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia introduced the Euro at the same time as Cyprus on 2008-01-01, as they previously used the Cypriot Pound. They do not have separate euro coins.

[edit] Future members

It is assumed that Croatia will soon become a member of the European Union. Negotiations are nearly finished and membership is expected in 2011. Croatia would then be obliged to eventually adopt the euro. In 2006, Croatia fulfilled the convergence criteria (inflation 2.6%, budget balance -3.0%, public debt 56.2%). However, the adoption of the euro would probably take at least three years following membership.

Because of instability in the Icelandic króna there has been discussion in Iceland about adopting the euro. However, according to Jürgen Stark, a Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, "Iceland would not be able to adopt the EU currency without first becoming a member of the EU".[68] See also Iceland and the European Union for details about the discussion on Iceland's EU membership.

[edit] Summary of adoption progress

See also: Convergence criteria

The new member states should be adopting the euro as soon as the criteria are met. For these new member states, the single currency was "part of the package" of European Union membership – unlike the UK and Denmark, "opting out" is not permitted.

The dates the remaining states are expected to enter the third stage of the EMU and adopt the euro vary: early 2013 for Lithuania; 2011 for Estonia; 2012 for Bulgaria, Latvia and Poland; 2014 for Romania. The Czech Republic was set to join on 1 January 2010, but can no longer do so due to economic conditions. A new date has not been set, it will probably not be before 2015. Hungary has also abandoned its original target date 2010, without any new date.

On 16 May 2006 the European Commission recommended Slovenia to become a new member of the eurozone. This occurred on 1 January 2007. In May 2007 the European Commission recommended the same for Cyprus and Malta and this occurred on 1 January 2008. On 7 May 2008 the European Commission recommended the same for Slovakia and occurred on 1 January 2009.

Showing the ability to move towards full economic and monetary union is one requisite of "good membership". The ECB and European Commission produce reports every two years analysing the economic and other conditions of non-eurozone EU members, reporting on their suitability for joining the eurozone. The first to include the 10 new members was published in October 2004.[69]

 Estonia  Lithuania  Poland  Bulgaria  Hungary  Latvia
Target date for euro adoption June 2010 or January 2011 Not before 2013 1 January 2012 1 January 2012 Not set Not before 2012[70]
ERM II entry 28 June 2004 28 June 2004 Expected in 2009 Expected in 2009 Expected in 2009-2010[71] 2 May 2005
Co-ordinating institution The National Changeover Committee, created on 27 January 2005 Commission for the Coordination of the Adoption of the euro in Lithuania, created on 30 May 2005 Preparatory work is ongoing in the Ministry of Finance and Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary) The Steering Committee for the preparation and coordination of the euro changeover was established on 18 July 2005
Approved National Changeover Plan Report approved by the government on 21 June 2005. NCP will be approved in November 2005 First version approved by the government on 27 September 2005 Not yet approved Approved on 6 July 2005
Type of scenario Big-Bang[citation needed] Big-Bang[citation needed] Big-Bang Big-Bang with possible phase out features[citation needed] Big-Bang with possible phase out features
Dual circulation period 2 weeks 15 days 1 month 2 weeks
Exchange of national currency Commercial banks 60 days, Central bank indefinitely. Central bank: indefinitely
Dual display of prices 6 months before and after €-day 60 calendar days before and after €-day October 2007-June 2008
National mint No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
National side of coins Approved Approved Public survey under consideration Not yet decided Not yet decided Approved
Number of different coin designs 1 3 3
Banknote and coin needs 150-200 million coins 118.3 million banknotes, 290 million coins 87 million banknotes and 300 million coins
Law adaptations Umbrella law under consideration Draft law on the adoption of the euro is prepared
Communication strategy Endorsed by the National Changeover Committee on 21 June 2005 Endorsed by the government on 27 September 2005
 Czech Republic  Romania  Sweden  Denmark  United Kingdom
Target date for euro adoption Not before 2015 1 January 2014[72] Not under consideration Referendum to be held Not under consideration
ERM II entry Not before 2012 Not under consideration 1 January 1999 Not under consideration
Co-ordinating institution Inter-institutional working group MoF-NBP
Approved National Changeover Plan Approved on 11 April 2007[citation needed]
Type of scenario Big-Bang
Dual circulation period
Exchange of national currency
Dual display of prices 5 months before adoption
12 months after adoption
National mint Yes Yes Yes
National side of coins Competition under consideration Not yet decided Not under consideration Not under consideration Not under consideration
Number of different coin designs
Banknote and coin needs 230 million banknotes and 950 million coins
Law adaptations
Communication strategy

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Kubosova, Lucia ((May 05,2008)). "Slovakia confirmed as ready for Euro". euobserver.com. http://euobserver.com/9/26096. Retrieved on 2009-01-25. 
  2. ^ a b Lithuanian PM keen on fast-track euro idea, The Guardian, 2009-04-07
  3. ^ a b "Commission hails approval of the adoption of the euro in Cyprus and Malta". europa.eu. European Commission. (July 10,2007). http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1040&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  4. ^ Rettman, Andrew ((February 13,2007)). "Small EU states rush to join single currency". euobserver.com. http://euobserver.com/9/23488. Retrieved on 2009-01-25. 
  5. ^ a b "Cyprus and Malta set to join eurozone in 2008". Euractiv.com. (May 16,2007). http://www.euractiv.com/en/euro/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836. Retrieved on 2009-01-25. 
  6. ^ a b "Cyprus and Malta to adopt euros". BBC News. (July 10,2007). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6288084.stm. Retrieved on 2007-08-13. 
  7. ^ Theodoulou, Michael ((December 27,2007)). "Euro reaches field that is for ever England". Times Online. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3097521.ece. Retrieved on 2007-12-24. 
  8. ^ Kubosova, Lucia ((February 27,2007)). "Malta's euro bid may test EU public debt criteria". euobserver.com. http://euobserver.com/9/23578. Retrieved on 2009-01-25. 
  9. ^ "Slovak euro exchange rate is set". BBC News. (July 08,2008). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7495169.stm. Retrieved on 2008-10-27. 
  10. ^ "[http://www.tasr.sk/30.axd?k=20080401TBB00434[dead link] NBS Preparing to Withdraw and Destroy Koruna Notes and Coins]". http://www.tasr.sk/30.axd?k=20080401TBB00434[dead link]. 
  11. ^ "Most Danes want euro, Slovakia bids for 2009 eurozone entry". http://euobserver.com/9/25930. 
  12. ^ "Slovakia gets green light to join euro zone in 2009". Reuters. 2008-05-07. http://www.reuters.com/article/telecomm/idUSL0736745720080507. Retrieved on 2009-01-02. 
  13. ^ "Slovakia Secures Commission Approval for Euro Entry". http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601095&sid=aG0A3s0J7qYE&refer=east_europe. 
  14. ^ "Slovakia won EU and ECB backing to adopt euro". http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2008/5/Pages/SlovakiawonEUandECBbackingtoadopteuro.aspx. 
  15. ^ "ECB Press Release of May 7, 2008". http://www.ecb.int/press/pr/date/2008/html/pr080507.en.html. 
  16. ^ Slovakia joins euro family, Xinhua, 2009-01-01
  17. ^ http://www.tasr.sk/30.axd?k=20090327TBB00215
  18. ^ a b The UK negotiated an opt-out from the Maastricht Treaty and is not obliged to join the euro.
  19. ^ As of January 2009, Bulgaria is not officially part of ERM II. But as the lev was originally pegged to the German mark, it is currently pegged to the euro at the rate shown.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g There is no official adoption date for this country yet.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h "Eighth Report on the practical preparations for the future enlargement of the euro area". European Commission. http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/publication13582_en.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-07. 
  22. ^ "Bulgaria Says No Need to Speed up Euro Adoption". Sofia News Agency. 9 April 2009. http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=102632. Retrieved on 9 April 2009. 
  23. ^ a b c d e Sparkasse.at (5 August 2008). Euros in the wallets of the Slovaks, but who will be next?. Press release. https://www.sparkasse.at/sPortal/sportal.portal;jsessionid=qhHSJ0FRvFSBNdNpZkKJVhvhHLJD4v1T2d1BG3Gcyj82vJYTDKm3!76983841?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=LABEL_MAIN&_urlType=action&LABEL_MAIN_sh=181fe8bb390eeff395532e7956f3e368&LABEL_MAIN_action=content.main&LABEL_MAIN_OVERRULEREFRESHBACK=true&LABEL_MAIN_event=changeMain&LABEL_MAIN_chronicleId=%2Febgroup_en_0196%2FChannels%2FPress%2F2008%2F2.QU%2Feb_pi_en_20080508_next_main_Images.akp&LABEL_MAIN_zz=41235.36447435065&LABEL_MAIN_pc=1&_pageLabel=GRID02&cci=09002ee2805dab70&desk=ebgroup_en_0196&navigationId=012130649753268001119092&. Retrieved on 10 January 2009. 
  24. ^ a b Denmark negotiated an opt-out from the Maastricht Treaty and is not obliged to join the euro. However, Denmark will hold a referendum on the opt-outs by 2011 and a target date will be announced if the referendum passes.
  25. ^ http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/03/31/afx6234108.html
  26. ^ "SEB: no euro for Lithuania before 2013". The Baltic Course. http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=7800. Retrieved on 22 December 2008. 
  27. ^ "Poland may hold euro referendum in 2010-Deputy PM". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/09/18/afx5440142.html. Retrieved on 2008-09-19. 
  28. ^ "Poland may push back euro rollout to 2012". BizPoland. http://www.bizpoland.pl/news/index.php?contentid=172545. Retrieved on 2008-09-19. 
  29. ^ Sweden, while obliged to join the euro under its Treaty of Accession, has chosen not to join ERM II, meaning that Sweden fails the convergence criteria. Swedish political parties have pledged not to join without a referendum in favour.
  30. ^ "Estonian manor halls. Taagepera/361-16.08.06". Eesti Post. http://www.post.ee/popup.php?ict=http://www.post.ee/px_custom/product_img/img_2836.jpg&name=Estonian+manor+halls.+Taagepera/+361-16.08.06. Retrieved on 2006-09-12. 
  31. ^ "Government: We must be technically prepared for the adoption of euro on 1 January 2008". Eesti Pank. Bank of Estonia. 2006-04-27. http://euro.eesti.ee/EU/Euroveeb_edit/Main_Page/News/goverment_euro__delay.jsp. Retrieved on 2006-09-12. 
  32. ^ "Estonia's National Changeover Plan". Bank of Estonia. http://www.bankofestonia.info/pub/en/EL/ELiit/euro/eplaan_1.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-01-02. 
  33. ^ Non, nein, no: Europe turns negative on the euro, The Times, 2006-12-31, Retrieved 2007-01-01
  34. ^ "Estonia raises inflation forecast, further dimming euro entry.". Budapest Business Journal. http://www.bbj.hu/news/news_24295_estonia+raises+inflation+forecast+further+dimming+euro+entry.html. Retrieved on 2007-04-30. 
  35. ^ http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/03/31/afx6234108.html
  36. ^ "Economic policy statement of Eesti Pank" (in English). Eesti Pank. http://www.eestipank.info/pub/en/press/Press/kommentaarid/Arhiiv/_2009/_225.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-23. 
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