Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will meet with representatives of the
European Commission and European Parliament to discuss Slovakia's preparedness for entering the eurozone. The meetings are scheduled to be held in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday, December 3 and 4.
The economic committee of the European Parliament is now demanding more power to evaluate the readiness of candidate countries to adopt the euro currency. However, Brussels assured the Slovak government that only the European Commission and the Council are going to decide on its eurozone entry.
Under the draft European Treaty, the European Parliament is to receive more significant powers in euro-related issues starting in January 1, 2009. By that time, Slovakia will already be a eurozone member if it fulfils the Maastricht criteria for euro adoption.
Fico will discuss Slovakia's preparedness to meet the criteria during talks with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso and Joaquin Almunia, the EU Commissioner responsible for finance.
-SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
3. Dec 2007 at 14:00