Brussels, 11/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Polish prime minister has stated that he wants Poland to adopt the euro in 2011. When he came to power a year ago, Donald Tusk announced that he wanted to become part of the euro area as quickly as possible, but not before that date (see EUROPE 9566). “We can reliably say today that our target is 2011,” he told press at an international economic forum in Krynica in the south of Poland on Wednesday 10 September. “It will be difficult, but it can be done,” he added. Warsaw hopes to meet the Maastricht budgetary criteria in 2008-2010 (with a 2% deficit according to the 2009 budget forecast), and also the inflation and long-term interest rate criteria. Poland will also join the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) for at least two consecutive years. During this period, the zloty will be able to fluctuate 15% above or below a pivot rate set against the euro.
Among the countries which have not adopted the single currency, only Denmark and the United Kingdom have opt-outs. The others are required to join the euro as soon as they fulfil the criteria. Sweden has been saying nothing following the rejection of the euro in a referendum in 2003. Three countries from among those which joined the EU at the last two enlargements - Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta - have already joined the euro area, and Slovakia is preparing to join on 1 January 2009. Latvia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria have yet to decide on a date for their joining the euro. Similarly, Estonia and Lithuania have yet to declare their intentions, although both have said they want to adopt the euro as quickly as possible (for Tallinn this would probably mean in 2011 at the earliest, and after 2010 for Vilnius). Romania, however, has set itself the target date of 2014. (A.B./transl.rt)