Brussels, 05/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On 1 January, Lithuania became the nineteenth state of the EU to adopt the euro. “This is a symbolic date not just for Lithuania, but also for the Eurozone itself, which remains stable, attractive and open to new members”, said Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue. Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, added that “by joining the eurozone, the Lithuanians are choosing to be part of an area of stability, security and prosperity”.
On 1 January, the euro began to replace the litas as the Lithuanian currency and a two-week transition period began, during which the two currencies can be used side by side.
Stressing that Lithuania had been working on reforming its economy for almost a decade, Finance Minister Rimantas Sadzius said that his country would continue its responsible work after becoming a member of the economic and monetary union. There are now 337 million Europeans using the same currency. (EL)