Brussels, 28/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 25 November, Slovakia joined the second European exchange-rate mechanism (ERM II), the antechamber of the euro. Bratislava thus joins Malta, Cyprus and Latvia (in May 2005), Lithuania, Estonia and Slovenia (in June 2004), all of which countries had decided to link their currency to the euro, together with Denmark. This stage, which will last a minimum of two years, is an indispensable preliminary to joining the common currency, alongside the other Maastricht criteria. The central parity of the Slovakian crown has been set at 38.4550 Koruna to the euro, and the currency may fluctuate 15% up or down from this pivotal rate. Recently, the Commission decided that Slovakia presented a satisfactory level of practical preparations for its adoption of the euro in 2009, as per Bratislava's stated intention (EUROPE 9062). In order to respect the Maastricht criteria, Slovakia also plans to bring its deficit from 4.1% in 2005 to 3% in 2006.