Brussels, 04/06/2008 (Agence Europe) -Adding their approval to that of the finance ministers, the MEPs of the committee on economic and monetary affairs of the European Parliament gave their approval, late in the afternoon of Tuesday 3 June, to Slovakia's accession to the eurozone on 1 January next year (EUROPE 9674). In their adoption of the report by David Casa (EPP-ED, Malta), the MEPs are expressing their agreement with the analysis of the Commission and of the European Central Bank (ECB) on Bratislava's compliance with the Maastricht criteria. Given the risks of inflation identified in the convergence report of the ECB, they nonetheless stress the need for the country to remain vigilant on this subject and to continue with the consolidation of its public finances. They also call upon the authorities to continue with their structural reform of the employment, services and product markets. 33 MEPs voted for the report, four voted against and eight abstained. The Parliament will take position at the plenary session to be held in Strasbourg from 16-19 June. (A.B.)