Kalousek: Govt unlikely to set euro entry date this year

By ČTK / Published 29 September 2008


Prague, Sept 28 (CTK) - The Czech government will not probably decide on the date of euro adoption
this year, said Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL).

Kalousek said he wished very much the government decided on the date in autumn next year.

Opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) would support a date set on January 1, 2013, said shadow finance
minister Bohuslav Sobotka (CSSD).

"I think the years 2013 or 2014 are technically good dates," said Sobotka. "If we are consulted, we
will support the year 2013," he added.

But Kalousek said an agreement across political parties is needed for such a step.

The cabinet has refused to set a date for euro adoption, saying it is necessary to implement
economic reforms and stabilise public finances first.

Neither regular material from the Finance Ministry and the Czech National Bank (CNB) on the Czech
economy's convergence with the eurozone, which the government should discuss in autumn, contains a
specific date, according to available information.