Nod to join euro zone

Slovakia yesterday got the green light to adopt the euro in 2009, outpacing bigger EU newcomer nations despite European Central Bank doubts about how long it can hold down inflation.

The European Commission said Slovakia is ready to switch to the currency now shared by 15 states.

If given the go-ahead by European Union finance ministers in July, as expected, Slovakia will become the fourth of the EU's new member states to adopt the euro.

(China Daily 05/08/2008 page10)