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The enlargement of the eurozone is a continuing process within the European Union (EU). All member states of the EU, except for Denmark, the United Kingdom and de facto Sweden, are obliged to adopt the euro as their sole currency when they meet the criteria. This includes two years in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) and keeping inflation inline with the EU average.

Eleven EU states were part of the initial introduction in 1999. Greece joined in 2001 before the coins and notes were released and the other national currencies were retired. Slovenia joined the Eurozone on 1 January 2007, Cyprus and Malta joined on 1 January 2008, Slovakia joined on 1 January 2009, and Estonia joined the eurozone on 1 January 2011.

Of the remaining states on the agenda, the earliest expected accession is in 2014. Denmark is not obliged to join, but a referendum on the abolition of the opt-out from eurozone membership has been debated. Should the country decide to do so it may join the euro rapidly, as Denmark is already part of the ERM II. The United Kingdom and Sweden are outside of the ERM II.

Accession criteria

In order to join the eurozone officially, (thus being able to mint coins separately), a country must first be a member of the European Union, and then meet certain economic criteria, including accession to ERM II, which fixes the acceding country's national currency's exchange rate to the euro, within a specified band (normally ±15%).

European microstates that have monetary agreements with acceding countries can continue these agreements to mint separate coins on the accession of the larger state, but do not get a say in the economic affairs of the eurozone. This has been used to allow Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City to mint their own coins, and Andorra is negotiating a similar agreement.

In 2009 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested that countries should be allowed to "partially adopt" the euro, which would allow them to use the euro but would not give them a seat on the European Central Bank.

Historical enlargements

The first enlargement, Greece, took place on 1 January 2001; before the euro entered its physical form in 2002, but after its formal creation in 1999. The first post-2002 enlargements were to the states who joined in 2004. First Slovenia, replacing the Slovenian tolar on 1 January 2007, then Cyprus and Malta on 1 January 2008. On 1 January 2009 Slovakia exchanged its koruna for the euro and on 1 January 2011 Estonia similarly exchanged its kroon for the euro.

ERM II members

Apart from Denmark and the United Kingdom, which have opt-outs under the Maastricht Treaty, all other EU members are legally obliged to join the eurozone. The following members have acceded to ERM II, in which they must spend two years, before they can adopt the euro.

Denmark

Denmark has pegged its krone to the euro (€1 = DKK 7.46038 ± 2.25%) and the krone remains in the ERM. In December 1992 Denmark negotiated a number of opt-out clauses from the Maastricht treaty via the Edinburgh Agreement, including not adopting the euro as currency. This was done in response to the Maastricht treaty having been rejected by the Danish people in a referendum earlier that year. As a result of the changes, the treaty was finally ratified in a subsequent referendum held in 1993. On 28 September 2000, another referendum was held in Denmark regarding the euro resulting in a 53.2% vote against joining.

On 22 November 2007, the newly re-elected Danish government declared its intention to hold a new referendum on the abolishment of the four opt-out clauses, including on the euro, by 2011. Several polls have been done each year; in 2008 and 2009 they generally but did not always show support among the Danes for adopting the euro.

The economic crisis has also led to a debate within the Faroe Islands, an autonomous Danish dependency outside the EU, about whether the islands should adopt the currency along the lines of other non-EU euro users, as previously they would have maintained their currency if Denmark adopted the euro.

Latvia

Latvia has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004 and is a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union. Its currency, the Latvian lats, is in ERM II, and floats within 1% of the central rate, Ls 0.702804 = €1. Latvia had originally planned to adopt the euro on 1 January 2008 but in 2007 this was put back to 2012, then 2013 and later 2014.

Lithuania

The Lithuanian litas is part of ERM II and in practice it is pegged to the euro at a rate of 3.45280 litai = €1. Lithuania originally set 1 January 2007 as the target date for joining the euro, but their application was rejected by the European Commission because inflation was slightly higher (0.1%) than the permitted maximum. In December 2006 the government approved a new convergence plan which, whilst reaffirming that the government wanted to join the eurozone "as soon as possible", said that expected inflation increases in 2007–8 would mean the best period for joining the euro would be 2010 or after. In December 2007, Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said Lithuania would be able to join in 2010–11, but increasing inflation in 2008 led banking analysts to put back the expected date to 2013 at the earliest. By the time of the 2010 European sovereign debt crisis, the expected date had been put further back to 2014.

An opinion poll published in January 2007 suggested that more Lithuanians opposed euro adoption than supported it.

Lithuania has expressed interest in a suggestion from the IMF that countries who aren't able to meet the Maastricht criteria are able to "partially adopt" the euro, using the currency but not getting a seat at the European Central Bank.

Obliged to join

The following members must first join ERM II before they can adopt the euro:

Bulgaria

The lev is not part of ERM II, but has been pegged to the euro since its launch (€1 = BGN 1.95583). It was previously pegged on a par to the German Mark. Hence, Bulgaria already fulfilled the great majority of the EMU membership criteria and must, from 2009, comply with the Maastricht criteria to join the eurozone in 2012, the tentative deadline set by Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski.

While the currency board which pegs Bulgaria to the euro has been seen as beneficial to the country fulfilling EMU criteria so early, the ECB has been pressuring Bulgaria to drop it as it did not know how to let a country using a currency board join the euro. The Prime Minister has stated the desire to keep the currency board until the euro was adopted. However, factors such as a high inflation, an unrealistic exchange rate with the euro and the country's low productivity are negatively affected by the system.

Bulgaria meets three and fails on one criteria in order to join the eurozone. It derogates on the price stability criterion, which envisages that its inflation does not exceed that of the three EU member states with the lowest inflation (Malta, the Netherlands and Denmark) by more than 1.5%. Bulgaria’s inflation in the 12 months to March 2008 reached 9.4%, well above the reference value of 3.2%, the report said.

On the upside, Bulgaria fulfills the state budget criterion, which foresees that the deficit does not exceed 3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Over the past few years, the report said, the country has consistently improved its budget fundamentals and since 2003, a break-even point, the budget ran surpluses and in 2007 was at 3.4% of GDP. The EC forecasts that it will remain at 3.2% of GDP in both 2008 and 2009.

In regard to public debt, Bulgaria has also been within the prescribed cap of up to 60% of GDP. Government debt has also been declining consistently, from 50% of GDP to 18% in 2007. The expectation is to reach 11% of GDP in 2009.

A recent analysis says that Bulgaria will not be able to join the Eurozone earlier than 2015, due to the high inflation and the repercussions of the global financial crisis of 2008.

Bulgaria was expected to enter ERM II in November 2009, but that target date has been moved. On 22 December 2009 Simeon Dyankov, Bulgaria's finance minister, said that the country would apply to join the ERM II in March 2010, but due to a high deficit Bulgaria won't apply to join the ERM II mechanism in 2010.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is similarly bound by the Treaty of Accession 2003 to join the euro at some point, but this is not likely to come soon. The koruna is not part of ERM II. Since joining the EU in 2004, the Czech Republic has adopted a fiscal and monetary policy that aims to align its macroeconomic conditions with the rest of the European Union. Currently, the most pressing issue is the large Czech fiscal deficit. Originally, the Czech Republic aimed for entry into the ERM II in 2008 or 2009, but the current government has officially dropped the 2010 target date, saying it will clearly not meet the economic criteria.

Although the country is economically better positioned than other EU Members to join the euro, it is not expected before 2015 due to the political reluctance in this subject. Finance Minister of the interim government, Eduard Janota, said in Brussels in January 2010 that it was unrealistic for the Czech Republic to adopt the euro in 2015 without a profound public finance reform. Central bank governor Zdeněk Tůma even speculated about 2019. The debt crisis in the eurozone decreased interest in the Czech Republic towards it.

In late 2010 a discussion arose within the Czech government about negotiating an opt-out from joining the Eurozone. This discussion was partially initiated by Euro-sceptic Czech President Václav Klaus. Czech Prime Minister Petr Nečas later stated that no opt-out is needed because Czech Republic can't be forced to join the ERM II mechanism and therefore will itself decide when or if to fulfill one of the obligatory criteria to join the Eurozone, which is approach very similar to the one of Sweden. Nečas also stated that his cabinet will not decide upon the joining during its term which is due to expire in 2014 and Czech Republic therefore will not be able to become a member of the Eurozone sooner than in 2017.

Hungary

Hungary originally hoped to adopt the euro by 1 January 2010. Most financial studies, such as those produced by Standard & Poor's and by Fitch Ratings, suggested that Hungary would be unable to adopt the common European currency on schedule, due to the country's high deficit, which in 2006 exceeded 10% of the GDP. The deficit fell below 5% of GDP in 2007, and was expected to be 3.8% at the end of 2008.

According to Reuters, central bank Governor András Simor expected to sit down with the government in the first half of 2009 "to discuss euro adoption". In 2009, Hungary's finance minister said that Hungary may start talks on joining ERM II near the end of 2009, and enter the Eurozone in 2013–2014 at the earliest.

Due to the large deficits and high national debt accumulated during and after the 2008 financial crisis, Hungary will not be able to fulfill the Maastricht criteria in the foreseeable future. As of 2011, optimists hope for accession by 2014–2015 while some opinions from the governing party Fidesz suggest that the introduction of the euro could be delayed to 2020 or later.

Poland

Poland is bound by the Treaty of Accession 2003 to join the euro at some point, but current indications are that this will not be for several years to come as economic criteria must be met. The złoty is not part of ERM II, itself a requirement for euro membership.

The Finance Minister Dominik Radziwill said on 10 July 2009 that Poland could enter the Eurozone in 2014, meeting the fiscal criteria in 2012. In 2010, the eurozone's debt crisis caused Poles' interest to cool, with nearly half of the population opposed to entry.

Romania

Romania is scheduled to replace the current national currency, the Romanian leu, with the euro once Romania fulfils the convergence criteria. The euro is scheduled to be adopted by Romania in 2015. According to the Romanian government, it will not be able to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism before 2013-2014.

Sweden

According to the 1994 accession treaty, approved by referendum (52% in favour of the treaty), Sweden is required to join the euro if, at some point, the convergence criteria are fulfilled. However, on 14 September 2003, 56% of Swedes voted against adopting the euro in a second referendum. The Swedish government has argued that staying outside the euro is legal since one of the requirements for eurozone membership is a prior two-year membership of the ERM II; by simply choosing to stay outside the exchange rate mechanism, the Swedish government is provided a formal loophole avoiding the requirement of adopting the euro. Most of Sweden's major parties continue to believe that it would be in the national interest to join, but they have all pledged to abide by the result of the referendum for the time being and show no interest in raising the issue.

Before the September 2006 parliamentary elections, all major parties agreed not to raise the question before the next parliamentary elections (September 2010). The parties seem to agree that Sweden would not adopt the euro until after a second referendum. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt stated in December 2007 that there will be no referendum until there is stable support in the polls. The polls have generally showed stable support for the "no" alternative, except some polls in 2009 showing a support for "yes". In 2010 the polls showed strong support for "no" again.

Not obliged to join

Denmark

Denmark is not obliged to join but is an ERM II member.

United Kingdom

The British currency is the pound sterling and the country has an opt-out from eurozone membership. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government elected in 2010 has pledged not to join the euro during its term of office, due to expire in 2015.

The United Kingdom redesigned most of its coinage in 2008. The German newspaper Der Spiegel saw this as an indication that the country has no intention of switching to the euro within the foreseeable future. Though in a recent contradicting settlement the European Commissioner, José Barroso, told French radio that British politicians were considering the move because of the effects of the global credit crisis. In February 2009, Monetary Policy Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said "The chance that the British pound sterling will join: high."

The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia introduced the euro at the same time as Cyprus, on 1 January 2008. Previously, they used the Cypriot Pound. They do not have separate euro coins.

Outside the EU

Croatia

It is proposed that Croatia will become a member of the EU in mid-2013. Croatia would then be obliged to eventually adopt the euro. In 2006, Croatia fulfilled the convergence criteria (inflation 2.6%, budget balance −3.0%, public debt 56.2%), however Croatia would still have to spend two years in ERM II after it acceded.

Iceland

Due to instability in the Icelandic króna there has been discussion in Iceland about adopting the euro. However, according to Jürgen Stark, a Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, "Iceland would not be able to adopt the EU currency without first becoming a member of the EU". Iceland has since applied for EU membership.

Iceland has a problem with the convergence criteria, from 2008 and on. Inflation 10–15% (2008–2009), budget deficit 24 Bn ISK, 6.9% of GNP, government debt 1400 Bn ISK (estimate end 2009, 400% of GNP). There are hopes for improvements, much lower estimated inflation in 2010, but debt will remain a problem.

Andorra

Andorra is currently making de facto use of the euro, but there are discussions about allowing Andorra to formally enter the Eurozone to allow it to mint its own euro coins.

New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna

The French overseas collectivities French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna have declared themselves in favour of joining the eurozone, replacing the CFP franc with the euro. However, New Caledonia has not yet made any decision, since an independence referendum may be held in 2014 or later, and opinions differ about whether the euro should be used or not in the future. The French government has required that all three entities will have to decide in favour to join. After such a decision, the government would make the application on their behalf at the European Council, and the switch to euro could be made after a couple of years.

Summary of adoption progress

The new member states, who have joined the union in 2004 and later, shall adopt the euro as soon as they meet the criteria. For them, the single currency was "part of the package" of European Union membership. Unlike for the UK and Denmark, "opting out" is not permitted.

The remaining states are expected to enter the third stage of the EMU and adopt the euro at different pace: 2012 for Bulgaria and Latvia; early 2013 for Lithuania; 2014 or 2015 for Poland; 2015 for Romania. The Czech Republic was set to join on 1 January 2010, but can no longer do so due to economic conditions. A new date has not been set; it might not be before 2015. Hungary has also abandoned its original target date 2010, without setting any new date.

On 16 May 2006, the European Commission recommended Slovenia to become a new member of the eurozone. This occurred on 1 January 2007. In May 2007, the European Commission recommended the same for Cyprus and Malta, and their accession to the eurozone took place on 1 January 2008. On 7 May 2008, the European Commission recommended the same for Slovakia, which joined the eurozone on 1 January 2009.

Showing the ability to move towards full economic and monetary union is one requisite of "good membership". The ECB and European Commission produce reports every two years analysing the economic and other conditions of non-eurozone EU members, reporting on their suitability for joining the eurozone. The first to include the 10 new members was published in October 2004.

!State

!Target

!ERMentry

!Co-ordinatinginstitution

!Changeoverplan

!Intro-duction

!Dualcirculationperiod

!Exchangetill

!Dualpricedisplay

!Nationalmint

!Coindesign

!Currencyneeded

!Law

!Commu-nicationstrategy

20141 January 2015

20112nd half of 2011

Not yet approved

15 days

Central bank: indefinitely

3Not set

3Unknown

Big-Bang

Yes

2014Not before 2014

200428 June 2004

Commission for the Coordination of the Adoption of the euro in Lithuania, created on 30 May 2005

First version approved by the government on 27 September 2005

Big-Bang

60 calendar days before and after €-day

Yes

118.3 million banknotes, 290 million coins

Draft law on the adoption of the euro is prepared

Endorsed by the government on 27 September 2005

20151 January 2015

2012Expected in 2013-2014

Inter-institutional working group MoF-NBP

11 months

Yes

2014Not before 2014

20052 May 2005

The Steering Committee for the preparation and coordination of the euro changeover was established on 18 July 2005

Approved on 6 July 2005

Big-Bang with possible phase out features

2 weeks

October 2007 – June 2008

No

87 million banknotes and 300 million coins

3Not set

2015Not before 2015

Approved on 11 April 2007

Big-Bang

5 months before adoption12 months after adoption

Yes

230 million banknotes and 950 million coins

3Not set

2011Expected in 2011

Preparatory work is ongoing in the Ministry of Finance and Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary)

Big-Bang with possible phase out features

1 month

Yes

19991 January 1999

Yes

3Not under consideration

3Not under consideration

3Not under consideration

3Not under consideration

See also

Currencies of the European Union

Enlargement of the European Union

History of the European Union

Notes and references

Notes

References

Category:Politics of the European Union Category:Economy of the European Union

es:Ampliación de la eurozona ko:유로존의 확대 it:Allargamento della zona euro ka:ევროზონის გაფართოება pt:Alargamento da Zona Euro