POSITIVE economic development could help Slovakia reduce its public finance deficit, including pension reform costs, to 3 percent of GDP as early as 2006, the news wire SITA wrote.
According to the latest Finance Ministry estimates, Slovakia should meet Maastricht criteria, such as the reduction in the public finance deficit to 3 percent of GDP, including pension reform costs, in 2007.
Thus, Slovakia would be able to enter the single European currency zone, the euro, in 2009.
Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš said on June 23 that, by July 15, his ministry plans to revise estimates for public finance development for the second half of 2004 and 2005 on the basis of the developments of the first half of 2004.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
