Brussels, 05/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - Analysis of Slovenia's and Lithuania's respect of the convergence criteria is continuing, but the door looks tightly locked for Lithuania which seems increasingly unlikely to join the euro on 1 January 2007. Interviewed on Friday afternoon, Joaquin Almunia said he had met the Lithuanian finance minister, Zigmantas Balcytis, on Friday morning to discuss the two options, either a positive assessment or a decision that Lithuania does not meet the criteria for joining the euro. The country is close to meeting the criteria but its inflation level is still too high. The EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner told reporters that the European Commission and the European Central Bank were looking at the reference figures and values, paying particular attention to sustainability. As if he were already looking at the next stage, Almunia talked to reporters about future cooperation to be established in the event of a negative assessment, adding that his services would continue to cooperate to ensure Lithuania joins the eurozone, analysing the reasons for the failure and strategies to be met to meet the common objective.