Slovenia introduced the European single currency on 1 January 2007. Federal Minister of Finance Peer Steinbrück issues the following statement regarding the enlargement of the euro zone:
“We extend a warm welcome to Slovenia as the 13th member of the euro zone. The work of the Slovenian government and its central bank has been excellent in preparing to adopt the euro in 2007. As part of its presidency of the Council of the European Union, Germany will now gladly oversee all the necessary measures to ensure the smooth introduction of the common currency.”
Cyprus and Malta both plan to introduce the euro on 1 January 2008. The Slovak Republic intends to do so one year later, on 1 January 2009. The German presidency will provide close support over the next six months to these EU Member States in the run up to their adoption of the euro.
