Brussels, 12/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - Estonia may attempt to join the Euro-zone in 2010, a year earlier than planned, indicated the country's president, Andrus Ansip, on Thursday 12 March. During a press conference in Tallinn, Mr Ansip declared, “It is possible that Estonia will request an extraordinary assessment from the European Commission and ECB this year … from July 1, 2010”. He also stated that, “it is possible that we will fulfil the Maastricht criteria, if prices do not rise, this October”. In its most recent forecasts, the European Commission expects Estonia to register a deficit of -3.2% in 2009 and 2010. The country has also been part of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERMII) since 28 June 2004, more than the two years required before being able to apply to join the Euro. A.B./trans/rh