Questions over euro

Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Friday that he saw no reason why the European currency - the euro - shouldn't be adopted by the Czech Republic by 2010 as planned, if his Social Democrats formed a new government soon - something not likely following the latest decision by the Christian Democrats to pull out of talks. Mr Sobotka told the Reuters news agency further consultation with the Central Bank would be necessary, to determine how advantageous joining the eurozone in 2010 will be for the country. He also said he gave priority to maintaining current high economic growth above adoption of the euro. A number of economists interviewed by the Czech news agency CTK have said suggested that 2012 or 2013 could be more realistic dates for adoption of the currency.

Author: Jan Velinger